All in all, this has been an another good year for Fairfield OHC. We as an organization did not have any major maintenance or improvement projects for the three State Forest and State parks that we assist with in 2025. At our February meeting I suggested we consider making a financial contribution to a local charity of some type. I asked for suggestions to be sent to me and we would take a more detailed look at what we might be able to afford and review the needs of the suggested projects at our March meeting. As it turned out, we only got one non profit charity tossed out for review. The project was Stockhands’ Horses for HealingAfter much discussion, it was decided a small group of our members would make a personal visit to the Stockhands facilities at Delaware to visit with Tim Funk, the founder and owner of this non profit organization. Everyone on the trip was over whelmed with the size and scope of their goals. Bottom line, they incorporate horses into programs that provide physical and mental assistance to everyone in need from youth to veterans and first responders. More impressive, no one pays for this assistance. The cost is all covered by fund raisers and donation.  After additional discussions, Fairfield OHC signed on and made a commitment to this project. I am pleased to say we accomplished our financial goal and Bryan Black delivered a check to Tim Funk at the Stockhands September open house.

As to more routine activities for our club, we hosted 11 rides from Memorial Day to mid October. We did cancel 2 rides due to weather issues. Most of the rides were well attended. The highlights were the Memorial Day ride at Hocking, State Ride at Scioto Trails, East Fork state park, and pre Halloween ride at Hocking.

The Memorial Day ride featured a fish fry and onion ring feast. Normally we have way more food than anyone can eat. This was not the case this time round. Helen and Richard had brought a full sack of onion and ran out before the end of the line. I don’t remember how many crappie I fried, but when the dust settled, there was one piece left and so not to seem wasteful, one of our guest volunteered to force down one more piece, bowl empty.

Our State ride at Scioto Trails was the best ever. Record number of trailers and people and perfect weather - of which we were owed because of last year. Our club provided a couple free meals, a few planned activities and two nights of entertainment plus everyone had the opportunity to ride some of the prettiest trails in southern Ohio.

East Fork is simply a great place to ride and is back on our schedule for 2026. And to finish up our scheduled club rides, we hung out at Hocking State Forest the first full weekend of October for our pre Halloween ride. The weather was perfect, the trails in great shape, and the special use camp where we camped was full. What a great end to planned activities.

<p">At our November Fairfield OHC meeting. We elected officers for 2026. Unfortunately nothing changed. I am still President, Bryan Black is Vice President, Sue Keller is Secretary and Margaret Hite is Treasurer.

I do want to brag slightly about one of our members and secondary members. Margaret Hite was elected Treasurer of the State OHC a couple years back. At the November state OHC members meeting, she was re elected to serve another two years as state treasurer. Charlene Santee is the Licking County OHC president and a secondary Fairfield County member. Charlene was elected Vice President of the State OHC for the next two years. Congratulations to both of these ladies. The State organization is in good hands.

Just this past Sunday evening we held our annual Christmas party at the Eagles in Lancaster. Awesome turn out, 47 members and guests. Five more had made reservations, but life got in the way. It happens. Our club provided fried chicken and ham as the main entrees with those attending providing a side dish and or a dessert. A cash bar was available for those that were interested, plus appetizers available for a social hour. After dinner, I had a short information type update for the club.  Also, I presented a special award we call the Silver Spur Award to one of our members, Bennie Sloan. Next, we were entertained by a couple cowboy poems from Bryan Black. And as a surprise, Tom McGuire had pinned an original poem in his defense after being put in the barrel last year by Bryan. This was Bryan’s turn in the barrel. Both gentlemen, make your side hurt funny. The evening was concluded with a story read by Bill Smith about the (Right family) and an accompanying gift exchange. Good fun. I do need to acknowledge two ladies that came early to the party and decorated our banquet room, my wife June and Margaret Hite. Each table had it’s own decoration plus the room as a whole was pure Christmas. Thanks ladies.

To wrap this up, our January OHC meeting will be held on January 11th which is, as normal, the second Sunday of the month. We are going to meet at the Cabin at Hocking State Forest. The cabin is located on SR 374 directly across the road from the Hocking Forest maintenance buildings and office building. We will have a carry in lunch at 1 o’clock with a meeting to follow. Main agenda, start planning activities for 2026.

From myself and my family, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and go Bucks in the college football playoffs. (that last thought was for my wife June) She may be considered a fanatic when it comes to OSU Football.

Chris Streitenberger