Political cartoonist visits Findlay

FINDLAY — Nationally-syndicated cartoonist Gary Varvel visited the Hancock County Republican Party's Prayer Breakfast at the Moose Lodge in Findlay Wednesday morning. Varvel spoke to about 90 people in attendance at the lodge, 1028 W. Main Cross St. A release from the county party describes him as a "Christian, conservative, cartoonist and speaker in that order." Varvel was cartoonist for The Indianapolis Star cartoonist for 24 years, and his work is now syndicated in more than 125 newspapers via the Creators Syndicate platform. In 2015 he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. He has also won the National Headliners Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Best Editorial Cartoonist Division, Grambs Aronson Award, and other state awards. In addition to Varvel's talk, Ohio State Central Committee Rep. Gina Campbell led a few hymns with Laura Wasson accompanying on piano at the breakfast. Campbell also sang the National Anthem. Church of the Nazarene Pastor Mike McClurg opened the event with a prayer, and Cornerstone Baptist Church Pastor Walt Shepherd concluded with a prayer.