As the owner of Hensler's Town and Country Market in Reno, Travis Westfall travels all over the United States picking up produce.
Despite the fact that he's seen many different places over the years, he still believes there is no place better than Reno, where he has lived his whole life.
"I'm in the big city once or twice a week and it's completely different," he said.
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ASHLEY HILL The Marietta Times
Travis Westfall, owner of Hensler’s Town and Country Market in Reno, organizes cantaloupes at the market Thursday. He has been named Reno citizen of the year by the Reno Lions Club and he will be honored Sunday during a ceremony following the club’s parade.
Westfall, 34, has been named the Citizen of the Year by the Reno Lions Club and will be honored Sunday during the club's Flag Day ceremony at the Marietta Township Park and Recreation Center in Reno.
"I never expected anything like that - it was a surprise," said Westfall.
Kathy McCoy, the membership chairwoman for the 31 member strong Lions Club, said Westfall is deserving of the title. According to her, he gives back to the Reno community year round by contributing to the club's efforts to purchase seeing eye dogs for residents, among other things.
Fact Box
If you go:
What: Reno Lions Club Flag Day parade.
When: Line up is at 2:30 p.m. on Summit Road off of Sandhill Road and the parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Following the parade, the VFW Post 5108 will lead a flag-raising ceremony at the Marietta Township Park and Recreation Center in Reno. Citizen of the year Travis Westfall and all veterans in attendance will be honored. A lunch that is free and open to the public will then be held.
"For the fundraisers like the silent auction and country store, he has always given for whatever fundraiser we're doing," McCoy said. "It's not just us, but he helps anybody."
Westfall said he and his wife, Candy, started Hensler's Town and Country Market in 1995 near County House Lane in Reno. He said the market burnt to the ground in 2003, but they were quick to rebuild at their current location at 1020 Pike St.
The couple have two children, Josh, 15, and Mallory, 2.
"I wouldn't want my kids raised in any other community," Travis Westfall said. "It's a nice, pleasant community - everybody knows everybody."
Candy Westfall said she, too, was surprised to learn her husband had been named Citizen of the Year.
"He works really hard for our family and for our business and helps in the community, but it doesn't seem like it's more than anybody else," she said.
McCoy said there will be a Flag Day parade prior to the ceremony Sunday. She said participants in the parade will line up at 2:30 p.m. at Summit Road off of Sandhill Road. She said the parade will begin at 3 p.m. and it will move from Summit Road to Forshey Road to Brant Drive, ending at the Marietta Township Park and Recreation Center, where the ceremony will be held. This is the 16th year the parade has been held, she said.
During the ceremony at the recreation center, McCoy said there will be a flag raising ceremony and all veterans, as well as Westfall, will be recognized. A picnic that is free and open to the public will follow the ceremony.
