Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for May, 2026

Owen Buxton’s Musical Journey

Notes in Motion

These students performed at the Christmas Concert at Ninth Street Methodist Church.

A world without music is difficult to imagine. Music gives us enjoyment and comfort. Some perform or play for pleasure, while others listen. All receive a blessing. Owen Buxton, a young man from Kipling, is only 20 years old but has been on a musical journey since a very young age.

Owen received his first violin at the age of five wearing his train conductor’s outfit. He still likes trains!

Owen’s love for music has been going on since he was four years old. It was then that Owen heard his grandmother play the violin. At the age of five, he began taking violin lessons, which have continued over the years. His first public performance came a year later when he played “Jesus Loves Me” on the violin at Ninth Street Methodist Church.

When he was eight years old, he played violin for two church services on Easter Sunday as he particularly enjoys Christian music. His performance with Scott Rawlins at Ninth Street Methodist Church and Middlebourne Methodist Church were inspiring and uplifting. Owen seems to have been born with music in his soul.

It seems natural for him to play outdoors as he loves nature.

While over the years he has called Ninth Street United Methodist Church in Cambridge his home church, he enjoys playing with musicians at other churches as well. Owen explains that he is blessed to have wonderful parents who have been the backbone to his musical success. They have supported him financially, emotionally, and taken him to lessons and performances over the years.

He loves playing the violin but that is not his only instrument. Now he also plays the piano and pipe organ. He took no lessons to develop his piano playing skills but is self taught.

For fours years he played the pipe organ at First Baptist Church in Marietta.

He recalls his first experience with a pipe organ at First Baptist Church in Marietta as a special instrument and a real blessing. He played there from the ages of 15-19. Word has it that he has a beautiful singing voice as well.

In 2025, two concerts were given at Ninth Street Methodist Church by Owen’s students of all levels. There was a Spring Concert as well as a Christmas Concert, “Notes in Motion.” It was remarkable to see the improvement of those students over that short time. Both his violin and piano students participated in this celebration of Christmas through the gift of music.

Owen played a violin duet with Dr. Laura Schumann at their Spring Concert.

When Owen speaks of the concerts, he wants others to celebrate his love of music with his students. “Together, we’ll celebrate the enduring power of music – an art form that connects generations and anchors us in traditions that too often seem to be fading from our modern world. Through these students and their dedication, we defend what is timeless while safeguarding what is yet to come – carrying forward a living tradition of beauty, discipline, and hope.”

Notes in Motion is the title given to his concerts.

One of the parents told Owen after the concert, “Thank you for all you do for our kids. You have taught them confidence, discipline, and structure! Thank you so much for putting on this beautiful night.”

He takes pride in giving individualized lessons on the piano to students like Maxx.

Teaching these youngsters is a privilege for Owen and he considers it a blessing. While he is patient with his students, he wants them to be dedicated to their lessons so they will have personal satisfaction when performing, which develops their social skills as well. Daily practice of 15-30 minutes is a minimum for developing their skill.

Young students like Olivia are quickly learning to play the violin.

Watching the student grow in their ability is a pleasure for him. He admitted, “I’m tough, yet flexible, and expect no talking or funny business during lessons or the concerts.” The older students take things seriously so provide great examples for the young ones. He feels he has an elite group of students.

He joined the SEOSO when he was a sophomore in high school.

Not only is Owen a great teacher and performer himself, but he also composes music. He composed his first song in December, 2024. He plays all genres of music from hoedown, where he has been in fiddle contests, to symphony, having played with the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra from his sophomore year in high school until its final season. He also is Director and Concertmaster of the Chamber String Orchestra.

At this time, Owen is finishing his final year at Muskingum University with a major in history. This semester he has a full load of 18 hours. He has plans to continue his education at law school. After that, he remarked, “I’ll go wherever God wants me to go.”

When Owen is not busy with his music, he enjoys traveling. One of his favorite spots over the years has been a summer vacation in Maine because, “It’s not touristy at all and you get to see people actually living their authentic lives in a place that is so incredibly beautiful. The scale of the cliffs and their jagged edges makes one reflect on humanity/humility and allows you to step away from the real world for a while.” In West Virginia, he has enjoyed several rides on Cass Scenic Railroad.

A Chamber String Orchestra directed by Owen performed at their Christmas Concert.

Owen gives violin and piano lessons and accepts new students. Lessons are given on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 3:30 – 8:30 at Ninth Street Methodist Church. He offers private, individualized instruction for all ages and experience levels. His goal is to have steady growth, good musicianship, and learn the enjoyment of music. If you or your child has an interest in learning to play the violin or piano, contact Owen at 740-995-3705 or email him at owen.j.buxton@gmail.com.

You can also contact him if you would like some special music at your wedding, dinner party, or special event. Owen loves sharing his musical talents. He’s quick to say, “I love what I do. I want to protect the musical culture and preserve its tradition. It’s an honor to be part of the community.”

Category:

Cambridge, Christmas, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Joyce Klingler – Dedicated Volunteer

Locals We Love

Volunteers contribute to their communities in so many ways. Organizations would have a difficult time functioning without these individuals. One dedicated volunteer is Joyce Klingler from Harrison County. She is a wonderful example of the true volunteer spirit.

Joyce is certain to tell you, “I love Harrison County and all the people who live here. They are top notch.”

However, her life began in Boxwood, West Virginia, where she graduated from Fayetteville High School. Her adventures began right before graduation when a test was given to her typing class for a possible job in Washington, D.C. Joyce was selected.

At the age of 17, the day after graduation, she headed to Washington, D.C. to work in the Federal Housing Administration. It was there she met her husband, Gary, who was in the Marine Corp.

Joyce enjoys Mother’s Day with her three daughters Carole Anne, Alice Marie and Rebecca Faye.

Soon they moved to Findlay, Ohio where Joyce would begin working in the Social Security Administration. They had three daughters and in 1978 began looking for a farm to buy and found the perfect one in Harrison County. Joyce is so happy that her daughters were able to receive their education in a smaller school setting. Carole Anne, Alice Marie, and Rebecca Faye all graduated from Cadiz High School. Even though Joyce was not born here, she still feels her roots are in Harrison County.

With that move, Joyce began working for Social Security in New Philadelphia, where she became the manager of the office. She spent 35 years working with the Social Security Administration. Thinking back, she recalls, “It was fun to work there. It never felt like a job.”

She enjoys being part of the WVU Auxiliary for over twenty five years.

Joyce retired at the age of 55 but admitted, “I didn’t want to do nothing.” So, she began volunteering with the Auxiliary at Harrison County Community Hospital. At that time, the group had nearly 60 volunteers but now is only three members strong. These people run the gift shop and over the last few decades have provided over a half million dollars in equipment and improvements for the hospital.

The Clark Gable Museum in Cadiz is in the restored home of his birthplace.

Another place she enjoyed volunteering for twenty years was at the Clark Gable Museum. There she gave tours, helped with special events, and met people from all over the world. She and Nan Mattern have worked together on many local projects. Joyce remarked, “It is always good to have a buddy that is interested in the same things you are. We have a good time working together.”

Joyce is pictured with AAA9 board members after a recent meeting.

Her work with the Area Agency on Agency was another important organization that Joyce enjoyed helping. “The AAA9 is another one of my favorite volunteer jobs.” They help seniors and persons with disabilities live independently.

Nan Mattern and Joyce frequently can be found at the Chamber of Commerce table during area events.

She still works closely with the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and was president of the chamber in 2025, as well as secretary. The chamber tries to include all the area small towns in their activities. If there is a chamber event, you can be sure that Joyce will be there.

Although she retired from the Social Security Administration many years ago, she still keeps a connection with the Federal Employees Tuscarawas Chapter 635. She has served as their president for ten years.

Joyce and chamber members at the ribbon cutting for the new wing at Harrison County Home.

Serving on the board of Lakeland Academy Community School in Freeport for twelve years was also fulfilling. When she left there, the academy, a public charter school, served 100 students from grades K-12.

Joyce and the ladies in her family enjoyed a trip to Hawaii and dressed for a luau.

With all these volunteer activities, it’s no surprise that Joyce was named Cadiz Citizen of the Year in 2025 by the Cadiz Business Association. However, she wasn’t present at that meeting because she was with her daughters in Hawaii. “I want to live my life to the fullest,” she shared.

Hawaii brings up another story as while there, Joyce, her three daughters, and a granddaughter decided to go snorkeling. Joyce happened to get very seasick while out on the boat and they needed to get her back to shore quickly. The Coast Guard pulled up close to their boat and Joyce tells, “They put a life jacket on me, picked me up and threw me from our boat to the Coast Guard boat. That was one of the scariest times of my life but they did catch me!” During her one day stay at the hospital, they told her it was the worst case of seasickness they had ever seen.

“I thank God every day as I’m in fairly good health,” Joyce explained. “I celebrated my 80th birthday in February with my daughters and friends.”

Joyce truly enjoys life. “I treat everyone as I would want to be treated.” Being 80 doesn’t stop her sense of adventure. She’s discussing with her grandsons the possibility of a trip to Ireland in the near future.

Category:

Hawaii, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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