EATON — On Oct. 25, Republican Probity Women (RPW), in conjunction with Ohio Agri-Women, hosted a scholarship fundraiser at The Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery in Eaton. The evening included heavy hors d’oeauvres with a Farm-to-table theme and silent and live auctions.
With 49 paid attendees, plus the auctioneer and his wife, the winery’s private banquet room was standing-room only.
Ohio School Board President Charlotte McGuire was the featured speaker for the evening. McGuire, a 40-year experienced public servant with background in non-profits and government, spoke of our need for integrity in supporting Ohio’s children in education. McGuire discussed the unique circumstances surrounding her most recent election to the state school board.
“In my previous election, I was being confronted by all sides. A tea party candidate ran against me, and I was being criticized from the left.” Given the contentious nature of the 2016 primary, along with a contested general election, McGuire decided not to run again.
“I wasn’t even going to circulate a petition,” said McGuire.
“People came to me and said, ‘Charlotte, what if we circulate a petition for you?’” McGuire agreed.
A petition to collect signatures to put her on the ballot for re-election to the state school board was circulated on her behalf. The requisite signatures were easily collected, and McGuire ran unopposed.
Numerous items from a silent and live auction were sold. Bob Roach of Walnut Harvest Auctions donated his time to auction the items, with the top bids going for a covered bridge wall hanging designed and donated by Stephanie Longsworth and a quilt made and donated by Jane and Thomas Marshall.
The two groups intend to use the money raised to go towards scholarships for women planning to major in an agriculture-related field or public service. Between tickets sold for the event, and the live and silent auctions, more than $4,000 for the scholarships was raised. More particular information on stipulations and requirements for the scholarships will be released by the groups in the near future.
Ohio Agri-Women consists of women standing up and speaking out to support agriculture for a better tomorrow. For more information or to join Ohio Agri-Women, contact Jane Marshall at 937-336-1456. Republican Probity Women: A Preble County Roundtable (RPW), a part of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, exists to facilitate discussion of issues particularly affecting Preble County. RPW is now accepting new members and associate members for 2023. To join RPW or to find out additional information, contact Mary Warrick at [email protected] or at 937-839-2333.
