In The News
MOMENTUM REFRESH
2026 EVENT SCHEDULE
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June 6
Airport Day, Barnesville -
June 6 - 7
Art “Off” the Square, Caldwell -
June 6
Strawberry Festival, Martins Ferry -
June 22– 27
Harrison County Fair, Cadiz -
July 11
Jewett Community Day -
July 23 – 25
Caldwell Fireman’s Festival -
July 24 – 25
Freeport VFD Annual Festival -
July 29 – August 1
Betty Zane Days, Martins Ferry -
August 1
Arc – Everyone’s Got Talent, St. Clairsville -
August 2
31st Annual Polka Festival, Barton -
August 15
Belle Valley Park Festival -
August 20 -22
Scio Summer Fest/Street Fair -
August 31 – September 5
Noble County Fair, Caldwell -
September 8 – 13
Belmont County Fair, St. Clairsville -
September 23 – 27
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival -
November 21
St. Clairsville Tree Lighting -
December 12
Christmas Carnival & Outdoor Market, Caldwell
County Board Boosts Access at TAC
The Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities is pleased to demonstrate its commitment to community access for people with disabilities by providing a grant in support of the Accessibility Advancement Project at Caldwell’s Tribe Athletic Complex.
The County Board approved a $245,000 partnership grant to the Caldwell Schools for its Accessibility Advancement Project at the February 11, 2026, meeting. This funding will be used to create accessible parking, sidewalks, and walkways to the visitors and home side of the new stadium and the TAC building. It will also fund an accessible sidewalk to the outdoor classroom at Caldwell High School.
DD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn noted that helping build a more accessible Noble County is part of the County Board’s mission.
“Our goal is to ensure that every person, regardless of their ability or age, can access our community safely and with confidence,” Llewellyn said.
The grant provides for the labor, equipment, and materials in Phases 1 and 2 of the school district’s accessibility advancements.
“These improvements will make a meaningful difference for our students, families, and community members by increasing access and inclusion across our campus,” said Ryan Lemley, Caldwell Schools Superintendent. “We appreciate (the Board’s) partnership and commitment to supporting our district.”
This is the latest in a number of accessibility projects in Noble County that the Board has invested in over the last few years, including the Legendary Adventure Zone playground in Belle Valley, improvements at Heritage Park, and repairs to the Noble County courthouse elevator.
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Mother’s Vision Becomes Reality with Opening of
Legendary Adventure Zone
BELLE VALLEY – It was a joyful day as the Noble County community gathered to dedicate an extraordinary playground designed for children of all abilities.
With the sound of children’s laughter in the background, the Legendary Adventure Zone officially opened at the Belle Valley Community Park on July 8, 2025. More than 100 attendees came together to witness the realization of one mother’s heartfelt vision, inspired by her son, now brought to life for families across Noble County.
When Amanda Myers recognized the lack of safe and accessible play opportunities for children like her son, Charlie, who has autism, she decided to do something about it. In 2024, she reached out to Dawn Schultheis, Community Development Program Coordinator for OSU Extension, and Gloria Llewellyn, Superintendent/CEO of the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, to begin exploring solutions. They were soon joined by Sheila Baker and Marilyn Phalin of the Belle Valley Action Committee, and a planning team was formed. Acting as Project Coordinator, Schultheis began seeking funds from various community organizations and agencies. DWA Recreation dba GameTime, a leading provider of accessible playground equipment, provided one of the first grants along with the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities and OSU Extension Community Development.
In her remarks at the dedication, Gloria Llewellyn noted that the Legendary Adventure Zone is a symbol of what is possible when people come together for a common purpose.
“What you see here today is a dream brought to life through the power of compassion, determination, and community,” she said.
For Amanda Myers and her family, the Legendary Adventure Zone represents what her son and other children with disabilities offer.
“Charlie and many other kiddos with special needs are showing others to look at life from a different lens, to slow down and listen, and see the beauty they have to give to a friendship. It’s a life lesson that cannot be forgotten, and that is what the Legendary Adventure Zone is,” Amanda said.
Playground features include a GameTime PowerScape structure, sensory wave seat, whirlwind seat, an inclusive whirl, bay swing frame equipped with an Expression Adaptive Swing Seat and Zero-G Swing Seat, and a communication board for children who do not use words.
The Legendary Adventure Zone was made possible by the following contributors:
Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, OSU Extension Community Development, Noble County Health Department, Pine Tree Towing, Caldwell Redi Mix Company, Inc. Premium Poured Walls, James and Janis McVicker, DT Midstream, Belle Valley Action Committee, Caldwell Food Center, Adam, Jordan, and Jettson Cline, Farmers & Merchants Employee Group, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Dakota and Amber Hornak, Brandon and Rachel Konkler, Lashley Tractor Sales, Marianne’s Food Station, Midway Greenhouse, Patty’s Place, LLC, Sue Snode-State Farm Insurance, Hartman & Sons Construction, Virgil and Jane Thompson, Junior and Sheila Ackerman, and the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board.
In addition to the grant from DWA Recreation, designer and playground equipment provider, additional funding was received from the Marathon Thriving Community Grant.
The Legendary Adventure Zone, located at 109 South Main Street in Belle Valley, is open from dawn to dusk.
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Books on Acceptance Donated to Local Libraries
A collection of children’s books encouraging acceptance of people with differing abilities has been donated to the Caldwell Library and the libraries at Caldwell Elementary and Shenandoah Elementary schools by the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Titles include Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor; All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel; and You are Enough, by Margaret O’Hair. Another book, I Am Not a Label, introduces young readers to 34 artists, athletes, and activists living with disabilities.
The goal of this donation is to help children understand disability, practice kindness, and learn how to interact respectfully with people who are different from them.
“Young children are naturally eager to learn and more open to accepting classmates with developmental differences when they understand what those differences are,” said Noble CBDD Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn. “These books do that while also highlighting the many ways we are alike, too.”
Noble CBDD Board Member Catie LaFollette presented the children’s book collection to Shenandoah Elementary Librarian Theresa Hupp and Assistant Principal Natosha Schafer.
Judy Weisend represented the Noble County Board in donating the children’s books to Caldwell Library Director Belinda West.
The book donation to the Caldwell Elementary School was made by Judy Weisend to Superintendent Greg Gifford.