Lawrence County is being called a trendsetter - and it's a good thing.

The South Hill Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has won both state and national awards for its Wheelin' Sportsmen event at Lake Vesuvius last year, and state and national federation leaders are hailing the local activity as one that should be copied in other areas.

"It offered physically challenged people an opportunity to get out and do activities they couldn't do on their own," chapter president Buddy Fry said.

The event was a fishing day for physically challenged individuals. The wild turkey organization sponsored the event in conjunction with the Wayne National Forest, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Ohio University Southern Nature Center and the Lawrence County Bass Club.

"Everyone had such a good time out there that day," Commissioner Doug Malone said. "You didn't go out there to get a blessing but you got a blessing seeing people have such a good time. Everything went well, I think it ran as well as any event I've ever seen."

Chapter members collected the state award in January during a trip to Columbus, and the national award at a convention in Nashville last weekend. The awards were for having the most outstanding event.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Director Steve Gray praised local people not only for the way the event was conducted but for the partnership between the different entities that made the sportsmen's day possible.

"It's truly amazing to be here and see so many people come together for a cause," Gray said.

Fry said other organizations were interested in developing their own sportsmen's day for the physically challenged.

"We've started a trend," he said. He also thanked the Lawrence County Commission Thursday for its support of the event.

"It's an honor to be a trendsetter," Lawrence County Commissioner Jason Stephens said. "And it's because we're doing what's best for the community."

Commissioner George Patterson noted that the day-long event also gave the physically challenged an opportunity to get out and socialize with each other and with others in the community - another benefit of the sportsmen's day. There is a passage out of

"The Bible that says "How good it is that brethren dwell together in unit. I think that applies in this case as well as spiritually," Patterson said. "The Wheelin' event was outstanding and gives everyone a chance to participate."

Wayne National Forest District Ranger Gloria Chrismer said the Wheelin' event introduced many physically challenged people to the lake's new handicapped accessible boardwalk, and throughout the summer she saw physically challenged people use the lake and its facilities.

"It opened doors and made people think, 'Wow, this is a great place to go,'" she said.

The next Wheelin' Sportsman event will be April 8 at Lake Vesuvius.