Veterans’ cabin gets new handicap ramp in time for fair
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A crew from Mike Young Construction of Berlin Center donated its time this week to complete a new handicap ramp at the Mahoning Veterans Memorial cabin at the Canfield Fairgrounds. The new ramp is ready to serve handicapped veterans and fairgoers as they visit the historic cabin that is celebrating 225 years.
According to Fred Schrock, the cabin was built 225 years ago on Fairfield School Road in Columbiana. The Elmer Riehl family donated the cabin to the Mahoning Veterans Memorial Inc. on Nov. 10, 1992, to coincide with Veterans Day. The Canfield Fair Board granted the organization known as Buckeye Grove to place and to maintain the cabin. The cabin was moved on Dec. 16, 1992, to its present location. The cabin was restored with new porches and heating. Today, the cabin serves as the focal point of the veterans' area of the fair, along with tents and various veterans organizations featured. During the rest of the year, it serves as a meeting place for veterans' organizations and a place to hold memorial and patriotic events.
For this year, the big issue was replacing the handicap ramp on the west side of the cabin.
"The ramp needed replaced and had no hand rails," group President Fred Schrock said. "So I contacted Mike Young to get a quote for a new ramp."
Young, owner of Mike Young Construction and a supporter of veterans, decided the task needed completed and was willing to donate his time along with several crew members. They took on the task, and this week went to work.
"I went to Banner Supply and when they heard what we were doing, they gave us all the materials," Young said.
The new ramp was completed Wednesday and includes sturdy handrails as well as a wide enough ramp to handle any wheelchair.
"This gives us a safer, newer access to our cabin," Shrock said. "I can't say enough about Mike Young and Banner Supply for pitching in to help us finish this project."
Young didn't stop at just the new ramp. When he heard the cabin will be decorated in celebration of America250, he added a patriotic touch of his own. He loaned Schrock a carved wooden eagle he calls "Freedom." The unique piece of art will be displayed on the front porch of the cabin.
"I did it all for our veterans," Young said.
The cabin also got new split rail fencing and will have VA Clinic info inside during the fair, and fairgoers are welcome to come and check out the vintage cabin and learn more about it.