Jeffrey Ford & Christine Novicky

By BOB COUPLAND Staff writer

VIENNA — A Vienna couple has found time to give back in many different ways, not only to Vienna, but Trumbull County as well.

Jeffrey Ford, 47, and Christine Novicky, 44, were named 2023 Community Stars. The program, co-sponsored by the Tribume Chronicle and Trumbull 100, recognizes the brightest examples of community service and the people who do those good deeds.

The two were nominated by Vienna resident Pam Clower.

Ford, who is an acting supervisor/ dispatcher for Trumbull County

911, said one thing they both take part in is the Historical Village at the Trumbull County fairgrounds starting in 2017.

“We wanted to keep the history alive and bring new buildings to the fairgoers so they can see how history was back in the day. I enjoy this because I get to build and construct things and let everyone see what we have done. We are working on a coal mine experience,” said Ford, who has portrayed a marshal and a saloon owner for the jail and saloon exhibits.

Ford said he looks at the future and the importance of passing on history to the next generation and would like to one day have his grandkids say “Grandpa did this.”

Ford said he likes recording information at the Vienna cemeteries as well as repair ing the broken and dirty headstones.

“It is nice to be able to fix the markers for the person who is buried there. It is a way to honor them,” he said.

Novicky, president of the Vienna Historical Society, said the historical society is like a year-round, second fulltime job.

“We get donations all the time and try to identify people in photos. It’s nice to be able to speak with people in the community and engage with them in a positive way. People will email me if we have any photos of their relatives,” she said.

Novicky, who is a pharmacist at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, said she and Ford spend time doing research on those who are buried at the cemeteries for a database on the history of each cemetery.

She said they take part in the annual summer Vienna

Home Day showcasing the history of the township with the society’s collection.

“The Copper Penny Lodge soon will be a place where we can bring everyone together to see the historical society’s collection. I am an organizer so I really enjoy giving back,” Novicky said bcoupland@tribtoday.com

She said if she has a vision for an event, Ford follows through to make the vision come to life.

“We are a really good team when it comes to getting something done,” Novicky said.