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Myers, Scanland wow crowd at 2017 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars
With feet tapping and hearts pounding, contestant Mitch Myers and instructor Hope Scanland danced all the way to victory Saturday night in this year’s Dancing with the Putnam County Stars.
Named overall champions from a field of 12 dancing couples, Myers and Scanland won the crowd many times over with an exciting routine and wardrobe to match.
“This was awesome -- one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Myers said after being announced as Saturday’s winner.
“(Scanland) was a great teacher and it really helped. I couldn’t have done it without her,” the owner of Myers’ Market in Greencastle added.
The ninth annual Dancing with the Putnam County Stars event was once again spearheaded by Linda Merkel, executive director of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) of Putnam County, which saw more than $55,000 in contributions Saturday through the use of silent auctions, discrete voting, donations and contestant fundraising.
“We’ve been working really hard to provide this opportunity for our community,” Merkel said. “It’s an event that’s embraced by all of Putnam County ... we’ve had support from all over.
“I think everyone understands the importance of our event,” Merkel continued. “The (YDC) provides services and programs and initiatives for so many families and youth throughout the county at no cost. So I think that’s why they understand the importance and continue to support us every year.”
Raking in more than $55,000 for the cause, Merkel and her diligent coworkers have made this a premier event for Putnam County residents each year.
One such co-worker is Allison Creekmore, winner of the 2016 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars.
She had some words of advice for Myers and Scanland.
“I would just say to slow down and enjoy the moment,” she said. “It will be over in the blink of an eye and they’ll look back and wonder where the night went. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Contestant Amber Greene, of Greene Realty in Roachdale, not only earned runner-up honors and the title of Fan Favorite Saturday, she also took home the title of Fundraiser Extraordinaire, bringing in more than $15,000 for the YDC alone. Greene danced with Josh Bain.
“My son, who’s in fourth grade, told me ‘there’s no way you can catch the 24-carat gold guy,’” Greene joked after the show, citing Myers’ gold outfit. “So I kind of knew (Myers) had this in the bag, and he deserves it.
“My husband helped me a lot with the fundraising,” she added. “He and I just pounded the pavement ... there is no better cause than the YDC. I set a goal for myself of the money I wanted to raise and there was no way I wasn’t going to get it, especially for a group like this.”
Coming in at a close second in the fundraising category was contestant Julie Thompson who raised more than $13,000. She was paired with Isaiah Maddis.
Other dancing couples competing for the crown included Heather Taylor and Woodie Hutcheson, Linda Clute and Brad Sandy, Trudy Selvia and Mike Balka, Tyler Wade and Lita Sandy, Brian Hayden and Jessyca South, Ed Wilson and Katie Wallace, Heath Pruitt and Ashley Clute, Dawn Tucker and Logan Kuhne and Kedric Siddons and Sarah Bond.
Judges for the evening, each reprising their role from 2016, were attorney Michael Goss, former Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray and attorney Eddie Felling.
Though each stole the show with their remarks throughout the evening, it was perhaps Felling who has become a fast favorite of the crowd thanks to witty charm and an old-fashioned, green dress shirt complete with all of the frills of the Roaring ‘20s.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was auctioneer Jeff Rich.
For more information about Putnam County’s Youth Development Commission and its efforts, persons may call 653-2474 or email Merkel at lmerkel-pcyouth@cinergymetro.net.
A gallery for the 2017 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars can be found at www.bannergraphic.com/gallery/dwts.