Vienna Township Bicentennial

The Vienna Township Trustees commemorated the 200-year anniversary of the founding of Vienna Township with several community celebrations in 1999. The Vienna Bicentennial Committee was formed and consisted of Vienna Township Trustees Mark S. Finamore, Glen F. Wireman, Jack E. Hinely, and Vienna Township Fiscal Officer, Margaret "Peggy" DeRubba.

Each trustee was assigned as the chairperson for one of three of the major projects or events planned:

• Construction of the Vienna Township Bicentennial Park at the Vienna Township Green

• Vienna Bicentennial Home Day - August 21, 1999

• Vienna Bicentennial Founder’s Day Dinner - October 2, 1999

Construction of Vienna Township Bicentennial Park at the Vienna Township Green

Trustee Mark Finamore was assigned as chairperson of the Bicentennial Park project. He was assisted by David Granelly, Vienna Township Road Department Superintendent, and Michael Penrose, Vienna Township Road Department Assistant Superintendent. Finamore supervised the construction of the Bicentennial Gazebo and Vienna Township Green improvements, which included a memorial brick walkway and memorial benches. Vienna Township's Memorial Day activities in 1999 were expanded and centered around the construction of the memorial gazebo for community use on the Vienna Township Green. The Memorial Day procession and tribute ceremony also included events to mark the bicentennial. The Bicentennial Gazebo was completed just prior to the Vienna Bicentennial Home Day event in August.

Vienna Bicentennial Home Day

Trustee Glen Wireman was assigned as chairperson of the Vienna Bicentennial Home Day celebration, which was held on Saturday, August 21, 1999. Dozens of organizations in the community participated, and nearly eighty community volunteers coordinated the food, activities, and games for the event. Close to fifty local businesses sponsored events that occurred during the celebration. Activities were held simultaneously at Vienna Center and at Booster Field. A trolley shuttled guests from one location to the other throughout the day. The “Vienna Bicentennial Home Day Celebration” program was distributed at the event.

Assisting Glen Wireman were Wendy Thompson, Shirley Wittenauer, and John Mintus, who served as Tri-Chairpersons for the event.  Cheri Fiest and Donna Jean Schieffer were in charge of the parade, Warren and Helen Clower took charge of the decorations, Bill Hagood was the finance chairperson, Charlotte Floyd was the pie contest chairperson, Mary Ann Mylnarski was the 5K Run/Fun Walk chairperson, and Paul Bahr was the sound technician. Mary Ann Mizicko also assisted with decorating.

Many events took place at Vienna Center including a Vienna Kiwanis 5K Run/2 Mile Fun Walk, a parade, and a pie baking contest. The parade started at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and ended at the Vienna Township Green. Prizes for the most patriotic and original floats were awarded. A bicentennial torch was held by Evelyn Butler during the parade and passed on to Fowler, the next township bicentennial to be celebrated. A flyover by the Air Force Reserve 910th occurred at noon followed by community introductions and presentations. Performers included the Castle Country Cloggers, Red Hawk Native American Dancers, Country Gentlemen barbershop quartet, the Penn-Ohio Button Box Band, and the Sweet Adelines. The Mathews High School junior class held a car wash, and the Vienna AmVets held a chicken dinner. Other activities included airplane rides, crafts, open houses at the Vienna Fire Department, Vienna Township Hall, and the Vienna Baptist Church, historical demonstrations, and raffles. A farmer's market and garage sale also took place. Historical bus tours were conducted by Genie Ulp, Fred Martin, and Ruth Miller. The buses took guests around the Township while the guides pointed out historic Township cemeteries and former locations of one-room school houses, businesses, and coal mines.

At Booster Field there were many activities for guests to participate in, including a pie throwing contest, dunking booth, bean bag toss, watermelon seed spitting contest, and hot air balloon rides. There was also a frog jumping contest, greased pig contest, and many Mathews Local School District sports scrimmages throughout the day. The night ended with fireworks at the field.

Food and refreshments were available for purchase at Vienna Center and Booster Field for the event. Churches, school groups, and community organizations sold the items. A sample of the food offered included hot dogs, ice cream, lemon shakes, subs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, corn dogs, and sausage sandwiches. There were dining tents at both locations.

Souvenirs to commemorate the bicentennial were sold. Pre-orders were taken for a 300-page book about the Township’s history and also for Wendel August Forge silver aluminum plates.

Vienna Bicentennial Founder’s Day Dinner

To further celebrate Vienna Township’s bicentennial, a Founder’s Day Dinner was held on October 2, 1999 at Squaw Creek Country Club. The event was dubbed “The Grand Finale,” as it was the final official celebration of the Township’s bicentennial. Trustee Jack Hinely was assigned as the chairperson for this event, and he was assisted by Paul Paschke. Tickets sold for the event were $25 per person.

Jack Hinely, Vienna Township Trustee, gave a welcome address, followed by an invocation by Pastor Gary Roy.

Hors d’oeuvres served included mushroom sandwiches and spanakopita. Dinner included a Caesar salad, prime rib or chicken marsala, whipped potatoes in skin, asparagus, and dinner rolls. Birthday cake was served for dessert.

After the dinner there were musical presentations by Ruth Miller, Denise Patrick, and Justin Soroka. Stories of Vienna Township were told by Dr. Shirley Wajda, Gladys Durig, and Nancy Hinely.

To finish off the night, awards were presented by Vienna Township Trustees Jack Hinely, Mark Finamore, and Glen Wireman.

The table centerpieces were made by Connie Rose and Mary Ann Mizicko. The main centerpiece was a replica of the Vienna Township Hall in white carnations.

Everyone that attended the dinner received a banquet program and an engraved wine glass. 

Contributed by Christine Novicky