Festival names outstanding citizens

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Making a difference in the community can take many shapes. That is the standard for choosing the Bland County Festival of Leaves Outstanding Citizens each year.
This year’s four recipients were chosen for their varied contributions. They include Randy and Myra Moler, Elmer Chewning and the late Justin Dunn.
Rocky Gap resident and local businessman Tim Havens announced the winners during the Sunday morning festivities. He noted a committee of past honorees considered the nominees and chose the winners.
While the Molers are best known for their work in organizing the Just for Fun Quilters and the group’s many projects, they are involved in many other aspects of the community. The Molers moved to the Ceres15 years ago from Manassas and embraced their new home.
“Propping their feet up was not their idea of retirement,” Havens remarked in announcing their award. “So they basically hit the ground running making their corner of the world a better place to live.”
Randy Moler retired from the National Airport, now known as the Ronald Reagan International Airport, as an electronic technician. Myra Moler retired from the Pentagon.
As a member of the Bland County Recreation Committee, he was instrumental on obtaining equipment, installing and keeping up the playground in the Bland County parks. Randy Moler also is helping to establish the Veterans Memorial Park in Rocky Gap.
Moler also works relentlessly by his wife’s side working on sewing machines, hauling, folding, ironing and anything else related to the quilting group. He has attended countless quilt shows and been to hundreds of fabric shops and demonstrations.
“He has put up with quilting magazines, patterns, books and little pieces of thread sticking to his clothing,” Havens added.
Myra Moler’s passion is quilting. She has converted a farmhouse on their property into a quilting house for the large group of quilters of all ages in the Just for Fun Quilters which has gained national attention.
“The group does more than just have fun,” Havens commented. “They make quits to give to area organizations. Their mission is to continue the time-honored craft of quilting and serve the community through various projects.”
Since 2001, under Myra Moler’s direction, the group has completed 40 quilts for an orphanage in Russia and 16 for an orphanage in the Ukraine, 54 children’s quilts to the Virginia State Police, 55 lap quilts and 15 walker pockets for residents of Bland County Nursing & Rehab, 12 baby quilts for the Bland County Department of Social Services and others for various projects.
Myra Moler also is known for her work with the Bland County Department of Social Services. She has been the volunteer coordinator for the Back to Book Program through the Bland Ministry Center for the past three years and has spearheaded the Christmas toy distribution for the past several years.
In recognizing Elmer Chewning as Outstanding Citizen, Havens stated, “Even through many trials, he would still find the time to serve on numerous committees and clubs to make Bland County a better place for future generations. Our hometown hero has proved that through life’s many trials you always have to pick yourself back up and look for the bright tomorrow.”
Chewning was born in the Mechanicsburg community and attended Mechanicsburg Elementary School. After graduating from Bland High School, he obtained an accounting degree from West Virginia Business School.
He began his career with the Celanese Corp. in Pearisburg. He worked and served on the company’s fire and emergency brigade for 39 years until heart trouble forced him into early retirement.
Chewning served eight years on the Bland County Social Services Board and worked and served on the Bland County Electoral Board. He also served as president and zone governor for the Mechanicsburg Ruritan Club.
A vacancy on the Bland County Rescue Squad Board of Directors was filled by Chewning, too. He was a member of the Virginia High School League and helped support youth sports.
Chewning attends Byrnes Chapel United Methodist Church.
His hobby is flea marketing. Chewning buys and sells “worthy treasures” at the Bland County Fair and the Bland County Festival of Leaves.
He and his wife are the parents of two adult daughters, Sonya C. Gusler and Pam Lambert. They have three grandchildren.
Commenting on his award Tuesday morning, Chewning said, “I was really surprised. I didn’t suspect a thing. I’m grateful but I’m sure there is somebody else who deserved it more than I did.”
Justin P. Dunn, who died at the age of 21 on Feb. 22 as the result of a truck wreck, was honored as Outstanding Citizen posthumously. He was a 2005 graduate of Bland High School where he played baseball, basketball and golf.
A 2007 graduate of Wytheville Community College, Dunn was an employee of ABB in Bland. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Bland.
Dunn was an avid member of the Bland Volunteer Fire Department and the Bland County Rescue Squad. He achieved Firefighter I designation with 130 hours of training and the Firefighter 2 designation with 45 hours of training. Dunn also completed a 45-hour instructor’s class to further his abilities and professionalism.
He enjoyed cutting wood, riding his motorcycle, fishing and helping anyone who asked him. He lived his life to the fullest and made every minute count.
“The honoree’s devotion to family has been just as important as his dedication to the safety of Bland County citizens,” Haves pointed out in his award announcement. “Our honoree’s love for God is of special note and can be attributed to his family’s strong commitment at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and the heritage of faith that has been passed from generation to generation. Of particular significance is the fact that this young man and his father received Christ on the same night at a revival service being conducted at Shiloh United Methodist Church.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .