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On Saturday, Feb. 20, 153 people participated in the Buckhaven Learning Center’s benefit for the Wounded Warriors program. For nearly a decade, Buckhaven Farm, located on Township Road 629 about six miles south of Loudonville right at the Ashland-Knox County line, has hosted a hunt for the Physcially Challenged Bow Hunters Association. This coming October, Buckhaven will play host to a different hunt, this one for veterans who were disabled in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We received a lot of good comments from supporters, who are pleased with the direction we have taken to help wounded veterans,” said Craig Obrecht, president of Buckhaven.

As a special gift, Larry Bowman, a Perrysville native and recently retired Army staff segeant who was twice wounded and awarded Purple Hearts for his service in Iraq, has presented a mascot for Buckhaven, a bear symbolic of the Wounded Warrior project which he was presented on his retirement. Bowman is a cousin of Lonnie Stull, a director of the Buckhaven organization.

Among the other pursuits Buckhaven is working on is enabling local physical education classes to offering archery classes in school. To date, Stull said he is working on establishing classes in Loudonville, East Knox, Danville and Fredericktown, as well as Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all those who supported the 2011 fundraising dinner to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project disable veterans deer hunt that will take place in October at Buckhaven Learning Center. Due to the generosity of the many local businesses who donated items and the open hearts and pockets of those who attended the dinner Feb. 19 at Loudonville American Legion, we had our best year ever with this fundraising event. While there are too many people to list here individually, a special thanks goes out to Strassel Machine and Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters. We at Buckhaven, sincerely appreciate all the help we get from volunteers, businesses and individuals who donate items, and last but not least those in the community who support us financially. We could not put this hunt on and help these American heroes who were injured protecting our freedoms without all your support. Thanks again.
Craig Obrecht – President, Buckhaven Learning Center

The Buckhaven Learning Center located near Loudonville hosted the annual Wounded Warrior deer hunt Oct. 11 through 13. Twelve Wounded Warriors from Ohio and surrounding states were selected to participate in the hunt. Wounded Warriors is a national organization whose purpose is: To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured service members aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured members.

The Buckhaven Learning Center, a nonprofit organization, carries out activities and programs to offer physically challenged individuals and children the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities. Every selected wounded warrior is supplied with all the necessary equipment to comfortably participate in the archery white-tailed deer hunt. Meals, room and hunting equipment are made possible by contributing vendors and funds raised at the annual fund raiser in February.

Ten Point Crossbows supplied each hunter with a crossbow and bolts for use during the hunt. Ten Point is one of the premier crossbow manufacturers and is located in Suffield. Dick Gardner, director of research and development for Ten Point, provided operation and safety instruction during the entire hunting period.

Brennan Rarick, Ashland County wildlife officer, attended the event and gave a hunting safety presentation. Permanent handicapped blinds have been constructed in prime areas of the hunting area. Every hunter had the opportunity to shoot at a deer during the four-day hunt, as 12 wounded warriors were able to harvest 21 deer.

Crystal Cockerelly, from Black Lick, was one of the warriors selected to participate in the hunt. She retired in September after 26 years of service in the U.S. Army. She was injured when her vehicle ran over a roadside bomb, suffering from shrapnel wounds, loss of hearing and a tom rotator cuff. “I put hunting on my bucket list when I retired,” said Cockerelly, a first-time hunter. She shot three deer during the hunt and described it as awesome, saying she was committed to saving for a crossbow. Her third deer was harvested Saturday evening. During the dinner awards celebration, Cockerelly won the Guides Choice Award and was presented a Ten Point Crossbow. Craig Obrecht, spokesmen for the Learning Center, said, “Needless to say, she was more than a little excited.” Gary McDonnell, of Canfield and also a first-time hunter, got two deer the first day. “The folks here are very generous with their time, energy and money,” he said. “I’m hooked. I got to start making friends with landowners.” McDonnell, U.S: Navy Chief Petty Officer, served in Afghanistan. Each wounded warrior was provided a personal guide. Volunteer guides were comprised of locals and some as far away as the state of Washington.

A fund-raising dinner for the 2013 hunt is scheduled for Feb. 23 at the Loudonville American Legion. Youth pheasant hunt – The Ashland County Chapter of Pheasants Forever will be holding its annual Youth Pheasant hunt Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21. The hunt is available for youths age 12 to 17. Pheasants Forever will supply both pointing and hunting dogs, along with freshly stocked pheasants for each youth. To reserve a time, call Aaron Becker at 419-606-0739.
Antlers and Anglers – The Antlers and Anglers Sportsman’s Showcase will be at the Ashland County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21. The showcase is a program created by Armstrong to celebrate the great outdoors. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ashland County Food Bank. The event, sponsored by Hedstrom, The Outdoor Channel and Donley Ford Lincoln, will feature:

• The Hawg trough, a 2,500-gallon aquarium.
• Kids Catfish Pond presented by the Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League and Rohr’s Lake.
• Archery range courtesy of Ashland Bowmen.
• Shooting Simulator courtesy of ODNR.

he first 100 children attending each day will receive a cane-fishing pole from Armstrong. Various vendors and outdoor-related seminars will be held each day. Admission to the event will be $2 or two canned goods or nonperishable food items.

Event hosted by the Nick & Nathan Oswalt, in conjunction with The Sons (& Sisters) Of Buckhaven (S.O.B.’s)

These companies all gave donations and raffle items to make this event a huge success. Thank you all, without your support this event would not have been possible.

Kokososing Construction Co., Inc. (Marsha Rinehart/Nathan Oswalt)

Mid-Ohio Pipeline Services LLC (Brent Yates)

Brennstuhl Construction (Gary Brennstuhl)

Jim Jackson

Once again, thank you and check these sponsors out online they are truly top notch companies. Looking forward to next year’s event.

Thank you,

S.O.B.’s & Buckhaven Learning Center

On February 22nd Buckhaven Learning Center, Inc. held its annual fundraising banquet at the American Legion Post #257 in Loudonville, Ohio.  Buckhaven would like to thank the American Legion for the use of their facility and Tall Timbers for preparing a wonderful meal.  We had another fantastic turn out of generous people that support Buckhaven and our veterans. Buckhaven would also like to extend a thank you to all that made donations for the raffles and our sponsors for their generosity.  Without their assistance we would not be able to complete our mission of promoting educational and recreational opportunities for the physically challenged and able bodied youth.

Several announcements were made about the upcoming year including a few changes to the Board of Directors and Officers.  Buckhaven is looking forward to a new year and possibly expanding our events with the veterans and youth in addition to looking for new fundraising possibilities.  Thank you from all of us at Buckhaven.