Chillicothe — Developmental Disability Month continues, and there is still time to visit the annual DD Month show at the Pump House Center for the Arts. In addition, a local Special Olympics “Celebrity Basketball Game” will be on March 26th.
The art show had its opening on March 5th, 2026. Most of the students’ art is for sale, and they get proceeds from their work.
Amy Beeler, Superintendent for the Pioneer School and Ross County Board of Development Disabilities, helped open it. John Payne, Pump House director, said the show has more participants than any other of their art shows.
Hear both in their own words below. Learn more on the Facebook page of the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Also, Alex Ruby, Community Outreach Director for the Ross County Board of DD, spoke at Chillicothe Council on February 23rd to introduce DD Month.
It is increasingly difficult to visit the Pump House in Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park, now with southbound Yoctangee Boulevard closed at Mill Street. But you can enter there from northbound Yoctangee, or at Paint Street. The back park road is open to the Pump House (and playground parking lot) beyond the “closed” sign at the pool,.
The Celebrity Basketball Game features the “Trailblazers,” Ross County’s Special Olympics team. (Individuals with a developmental disability can register for Special Olympics even if they don’t receive services from The Pioneer Center or have attended the Pioneer School.) From the Facebook event page:
“Join us as local community celebrities take on the Ross County Special Olympics Trailblazers in a high-energy basketball game that is always a crowd favorite. This event brings together athletes, families, friends, and supporters to cheer, laugh, and celebrate everything that makes our community strong.
“This event is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Your support means the world to our athletes and helps highlight the importance of inclusion and opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities.”
On Thursday, March 26, doors open at 5:30pm, and the event is 6 to 8 in Hatton Memorial Gymnasium at Chillicothe High School.
The Pioneer School and Ross County Board of Development Disabilities has a website and Facebook page.
