Nearly 200 GOP faithful attended Thursday evening’s Highland County Lincoln Day Dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, with state Rep. Bill Seitz offering frank comments about legislation, and Hillsboro resident Lynn Stevens named Republican of the Year.

County party chair Paulette Donley said the honor bestowed on Stevens was “very well deserved.” She said Stevens has been active with the party since her retirement from the USDA Rural Development office, helping almost daily at GOP headquarters and serving as co-chair in charge of GOP women activities. Stevens and her husband, Charlie, are co-owners of Stevens Hardware in Greenfield.

Donley said Stevens’ mother was a longtime chair of the Stark County Republican Party, and her daughter is carrying on the family tradition.

“Her service to the party is really excellent,” said Donley.

Seitz (R-30th Dist.) was the featured speaker, and offered candid comments about legislation, mixing humor with serious observations on statehouse activities.

“It was not just a rah-rah speech,” said Donley. “He was very animated and very convincing. He told why some bills get vetoed.”

She said Seitz also recited a humorous poem called, ‘Twas the Night Before Inauguration,” that begins with the lines, “’Twas the night before Inauguration, and up in the tower, The Donald reflected on his newfound power. The Deplorable masses had come out in force, delivered a victory that would chart a new course.”

Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, the state representative from the 91st District whose territory includes Highland County, also attended and offered brief remarks. He was accompanied by speaker pro tempore Kirk Schuring (R-48th District). Numerous GOP elected officials from the county, municipalities and townships attended.

Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin served as emcee. The colors were presented by Boy Scout Troop 171, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by student volunteer Morgan Holland. Dr. Larry Dukes offered the invocation.

The event was catered by Shoelaces Catering.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @abernathygary.

Lynn Stevens, left, and Highland County Republican Party Chair Paulette Donley are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro. Stevens was named Republican of the Year.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Stevens-Donley-this.jpgLynn Stevens, left, and Highland County Republican Party Chair Paulette Donley are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro. Stevens was named Republican of the Year.

Shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday are, from left: Highland County Assistant Prosecutor James Roeder, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Brian and Wendy Setty.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Collins-etc.jpgShown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday are, from left: Highland County Assistant Prosecutor James Roeder, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Brian and Wendy Setty.

David Daniels, left, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, is pictured with Katie Wright, a Clinton County assistant prosecutor, at Thursday night’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro. Wright worked for Daniels when he served in the state legislature.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Daniels-Wright.jpgDavid Daniels, left, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, is pictured with Katie Wright, a Clinton County assistant prosecutor, at Thursday night’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro. Wright worked for Daniels when he served in the state legislature.

From left, Bonnie Britton and her husband, Highland County Commissioner Terry Britton, Highland County Commissioner Jeff Duncan and Highland County Probate and Juvenile Judge Kevin Greer are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Greer-etc.jpgFrom left, Bonnie Britton and her husband, Highland County Commissioner Terry Britton, Highland County Commissioner Jeff Duncan and Highland County Probate and Juvenile Judge Kevin Greer are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday.

Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings, his wife, Taryn and daughter Willow are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Hastings.jpgHillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings, his wife, Taryn and daughter Willow are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday.

Willow Hastings, daughter of Drew and Taryn Hastings, gives a hug to Chuck Emery at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday. Also shown is Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Willow-Emery.jpgWillow Hastings, daughter of Drew and Taryn Hastings, gives a hug to Chuck Emery at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday. Also shown is Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth.

Hillsboro City Council members Tracy Aranyos, left, and Ann Morris, right, along with Amy Robinson, center, candidate for Hillsboro city treasurer, are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-Aranyos-etc.jpgHillsboro City Council members Tracy Aranyos, left, and Ann Morris, right, along with Amy Robinson, center, candidate for Hillsboro city treasurer, are shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday.

Shown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday are, from left: Highland County Commissioners Jeff Duncan, Terry Britton and Shane Wilkin; Speaker of the Ohio House Cliff Rosenberger; Republican of the Year Lynn Stevens; State Rep. Bill Seitz; and Speaker of the Ohio House Pro Tempore Kirk Schuring.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/web1_LD-17-group.jpgShown at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Hillsboro on Thursday are, from left: Highland County Commissioners Jeff Duncan, Terry Britton and Shane Wilkin; Speaker of the Ohio House Cliff Rosenberger; Republican of the Year Lynn Stevens; State Rep. Bill Seitz; and Speaker of the Ohio House Pro Tempore Kirk Schuring.