Busby Wildcat Center distributes four scholarships

By Ed Banks Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

JEWETT—On March 11 in Jewett, Dan and Tammy Dray of the Busby Wildcat Center presented four scholarships to four 2023 Harrison Central High School students.

The 2023 presentation of the scholarships was not a new concept to the Drays and the Busby Wildcat Center, but a charity that the Drays and other family members have shared for years.

In the past, the center has presented two $500 scholarships, but this year the couple decided to present four $250 scholarships in an effort to reach more students. The recipients of the scholarships for the 2023 distribution were Jace Madzia, McKenzie Harbold, Kayln Ledger, and Cabot Arbaugh, seniors at Harrison Central.

Both Madzia and Arbaugh began their competitive basketball in Jewett at the center. They have played basketball at both the junior- and senior-high levels of competitive high-school sports.

The Drays were happy to present the students with scholarships.

“Both Dan and I are proud of these four athletes,” Tammy Dray said. “To watch them learn in our league and then flourish in high school is a wonderful thing to experience. We are very sad that this will be the last season in the Busby Wildcat Center. It has been an extreme pleasure to be part of teaching these young athletes over the years.”

The Busby Wildcat Center is scheduled to be demolished sometime soon. The facility has provided for a lot of events in Jewett. There is hope that the Youth Basketball League that has been held there for years will be moved to another facility in the county.

It’s a special year for the team at Wayne Garage Door of Dover, as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

The company started in 1973 when Menno Yoder acquired a garage door installation and service business from a local preacher. With a new name, Wayne Garage Door was the first service department established in the area. In 1996 Yoder retired, but not before handing over the business to his sons to continue its success.

As Wayne Garage Door became a trusted name among local communities, the company quickly grew and the Yoders brought on Bob Habeger as General Manager.

Habeger later became a partner and in 2018, acquired sole ownership of the company. What started as a small location with a showroom and warehouse, has now grown to 4 locations serving residential, commercial, and wholesale customers all over Eastern, Ohio.

As the company continues to advance, so has the industry. Today’s garage door industry is evolving at an amazing rate, adding new technology and designs, making it easier to find custom solutions for each customer. “The changes we’ve seen since I got involved in this business are fascinating,” Habeger said. There is a smartphone app that lets you open and close your door from anywhere. Companies like LiftMaster and Amazon have worked together to develop a service that gives garage access to delivery drivers, a solution to reduce the theft of packages. Even though the technology has changed since Menno Yoder started Wayne Garage Door 50 years ago, the company’s dedication to knowledgeable, reliable customer service has remained constant, according to Habeger.

Over the years the catalog of products has grown to more than just garage doors. In 2021 the com- pany re-branded to Wayne.

The company still installs garage doors today, but they have expanded their line-up of residential, commercial, and industrial products to include:

• Entry & Storm Doors

• Patio Doors Including Panda Doors

• Windows

• Rolling Doors

• High Speed Doors

• Fire Doors

• Dock Equipment

• Automatic Sliding Doors

• Commercial Pass Doors

• Gate Operators

The company has also added a Door Tech & Security Division to offer additional solutions such as Access Control Systems, Surveillance Cameras and Locksmithing. Wayne also continues to expand in areas of Gate Operators and Commercial Pass Doors, both of which require significant electric knowledge and training.

The company has separate departments that concentrate on solely the installation of their specific residential or commercial products. This also includes a Service Department with crews that specialize in residential and commercial doors, dock equipment, and truck doors. Habeger sets his team up for success by putting an emphasis on expert training and a thorough understanding of the products. “We are solutions providers,” Habeger said. Their goal is to accommodate service calls in a day or two. That is one key factor that sets Wayne apart from others in the industry.

Over the 50 years, the Wayne team has grown from 3 employees to 90, some of whom have been here from the beginning. Wayne employees are what really distinguishes them from other door companies. “They are the face of Wayne Door — the ones who leave a lasting impression with our customers, and they do an outstanding job,” he said.

The team at Wayne is celebrating its 50th with special events throughout the year to say thank you to their employees, contractors, and customers who have trusted them throughout the 50 years. The company has a lot of special things planned for this year. Volunteering at local community projects and a company picnic in the summer are just a few events they have planned for this year. Mark your calendars for their annual Spring Sale on April 10- 15, with special discounts on windows, entry doors, and other products, only offered once a year. You can check out the company’s Facebook page @WayneDoorSales and Instagram @waynegaragedoor for announcements.

You can view Wayne’s vast selection of residential and commercial products at its showroom at 2150 State Route 39 NW in Dover.

You also can find more information at WayneDoor.com. The phone number is 330-343-6679.