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Messenger photos by Dianne Garrett
Ron Casto receives the Hometown Hero Award during the annual B107.9 Hometown Hero Tour April 17 in Whitehall. The former Marine is a full-time firefighter and emergency medical technician, and an auxiliary police officer. Presenting his award, from left, are Doug Lay, Franklin County Veterans Service Commission, Mayor John Wolfe, Alicia Ghiz, Fifth Third Bank financial service representative, and Jim Hunter, disc jockey for B107.9. Major sponsors for the event are Fifth Third Bank and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. |
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| Culinary students from Eastland-Fairfield Vocational School prepare breakfast for attendees of the B107.9 Hometown Hero Tour in Whitehall April 17, honoring firefighter and auxiliary police officer Ron Casto. Josh Kellis is at the end of the line frying sausage. |
The Whitehall Fire Department was on fire with activity April 17 when about 300 well-wishers honored Firefighter/EMT Ron Casto, who is also an auxiliary police officer and former Marine.
During B107.9 radio station’s annual Hometown Hero Tour to Whitehall, Casto was presented the award by Doug Lay of Franklin County Veterans Service Commission, Alicia Ghiz, Financial Service Representative for Fifth-Third Bank, Mayor John Wolfe and DJ Jim Hunter. Fifth-Third and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission are primary sponsors of the event.
Wolfe described Casto, a 12-year veteran firefighter, as the epitome of the city’s employees with great dedication. He noted that because of his service with both the fire and police departments, "Ron is not just an eight-hour guy."
A breakfast was cooked and served by future chefs attending Eastland Vocational School.
Josh Kellis is a senior there, and plans to make food services a career. However, he will first enter the Navy for six years following graduation this year.
After the food was cooked, and the clean up done, the students had a little fun time sliding down and climbing up the fireman’s pole.
Food was donated by a couple of anonymous corporate donors, according the Zachary Woodruff, Community Affairs Coordinator.
Entertaining the crowd was Michael Rose, a singer and Elvis impersonator, who will be appearing on July 26 at Bishop Park during the concert in the park series. Also, on hand was the Whitehall Yearling Hight School jazz ensemble under the direction of Jeff Harriman.
