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April 16, 2014
 

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the first Business of the Month winner - His N Hers Salon and Spa located at 121 S Main St in Rockford,  OH.  Pictured from left to right: Jane Cozad - Chamber President, Brenda Barker - Owner of His N Hers, and Marie Miller - Chamber Vice President.  Congratulations to Brenda Barker and her staff.
      
His N Hers has been a proud Rockford business since 1976, when Brenda officially opened her doors. Relax and be pampered at His N Hers Salon and Spa where enhancing natural beauty is their specialty. With an extensive full line of services that include Hair Cut & Coloring, Nails, Permanent Eyelash Extensions, Massage, Waxing, Tanning and more, the staff at His N Hers is dedicated to offering personalized services for each client. Located in downtown Rockford, the comfortable and easy environment at His N Hers allows an escape from the race and an opportunity to feel refreshed and renewed. Contact His N Hers TODAY for an appointment 419-363-2209

8th Grade Softball vs Spencerville will play on April 25 at Shanes Park

Varsity and JV Softball Teams will play at Waynesfield on Thursday, April 17th at 5 PM. Bus leaves at 3:40.

Register Now for Vantage Preschool

Registration is now underway for the 2014-2015 school year. There are three choices available.  Morning preschool session meets Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 10:50 a.m.  This session is for 3 year-old children and young 4 year-olds.

Afternoon session also meets Monday through Thursday from 12:00 noon until 2:20 p.m.  This is a pre-kindergarten class for 4 year-olds and young 5 year-olds.

The Full day option is available from 8:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday for 4 and 5 year-olds.  Preschoolers pack their lunch for the Full Day program. For all options, children must reach the age of 3 by August 1st.  There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee, which can be paid when you come in to complete the application.

For more information about the Vantage preschool, or to reserve a spot for your child, please contact Donna Myers or Marcia Osenga at 419.238.5411 ext. 2521.

Circus Coming To Rockford
The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is coming to Rockford @ Shanes Park on May 29th.  

Shows are 5 pm and 7:30 pm

PRE SALE TICKETS will be available for purchase 1 month prior at the Rockford Village Office.

PRE SALE TICKET PRICES:

Adult - $10.00

Child  (ages 2 12) - $6.00

The Rockford Chamber will be sponsoring a Business Expo during Rockford Community Days on June 13 from 5:30 pm - 9 pm.

Civli War Roundtable to Meet

On Tuesday, April 29, Dr. David Adams will present a program on Lincoln in the Movies. Adams is the movie critic on the NBC Lima TV-35 affiliate. He will look back over the years at Lincoln portrayals in the movies and discuss the relative merits of each, comparing their big-screen persona with the reality of Lincoln. NOTE THE DATE CHANGE TO TUESDAY THE 29th.

The newsletter looks back at the wonderful musical program we had in March. Conkers were a real hit with our audience. Phil DeHaven will close out our Roundtable season next month.

Also in this issue we cover Walt Whitman's elegy to Lincoln. Listed below is a link to an archive where our newsletters are placed on the internet. We share that site with the Lima Civil War Club - Their newsletters are located there as well.

 http://www.civilwarheritagewco.org/wocwr-newsletters.html

Congressman John Boehner will Speak
The Darke, Celina-Mercer, and Preble County Chambers of Commerce

And National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

Area Action Alliance - Darke, Mercer and Preble Counties

Are hosting a members only event:

"State of the Nation" Breakfast: A Conversation with Speaker of the House

Congressman John Boehner

Speaker of the US House

Ohio's 8th Congressional District on Wednesday, April 23, 2014

In The Breese for Bri ~  3rd Annual Event:
Scholarship Fundraiser - May 3rd @ the Rockford
Community Building from 9 am - 5 pm
    
5K @ 9 am registration  - $25 includes t-shirt, bracelet, drinks
    
Poker Run @ 1:30 registration - $10 per bike $5 additional for
passenger
    
*Memorobilia for sale * Prizes * Food/Drinks
 For more information contact - 419.363.0049 on Facebook "In the Breese for Bri"

 
April 15, 2014
 

7th Grade baseball games cancelled for tonight. 4-15-2014.

Tastee Twirl in Rockford Changes Hands
New Owners Plan Opening for the Summer Season on Friday, April 18th
by Sheila Baltzell, editor

Steve and Crystal Sheets have purchased the Tastee Twirl on Main Street in Rockford from Aaron and Tina Strobel. An icon in Rockford since the 1950’s, it is a venture that the Sheets Family has looked at for many years. The timing was right to purchase, and they are excited about this opportunity. They have many new things to share with Tastee Twirl patrons.

Operations
Members of the Sheets Family will be helping run the business. Steve will be overseeing the day to day business, but only as a general manager, from the office building. He will spend most of his time in the office, overseeing operations, both personally, and by way of the multi-camera surveillance system that the Strobel's had installed prior to selling the business. This system allows us to view the operation of the business from virtually anywhere, by way of their smart phones, and computers.  Daughter Leann, a Physical Therapy Assistant major, will be running day-to-day operations. Crystal will be overseeing as well. Their daughter, Stephanie, will also be helping to manage the business from time to time.

History

The Sheets’ children have worked at the Tastee Twirl over the years. Four of their daughters worked there with Stephanie having worked there the longest, for about 8 years. In their  historical search of the Tastee, Steve  found that it was first opened in 1946. And as close as they could find, there were about 5-6 previous owners before. The names of the previous owners, in reverse order, are: Strobel, Schadt, Cook, Williams, Robbins

Upgrades
There have been updates to the building and equipment. They installed a new drive up window; an entirely new plumbing system, including a new water heater, bathroom fixtures, faucets; a new ceiling, and insulation up front; new floor tiling in back; new insulation, flooring, and wall coverings in the storage building; new wiring and conduit to service various new equipment; and a new sound system.  Upgraded electric has been added to the building to accommodate new equipment including new Point of Sale touch screen, computerized ordering system installed at each of the walk up windows, and another at the drive thru window. A separate touch screen monitor is for the kitchen area from where the cook will work. Completed orders are immediately transferred to the kitchen upon payment, eliminating the need for associates to hand deliver hand-written orders to the kitchen. They are excited about the three new digital video menu boards installed, two  50 inch menu boards facing the customers from the wall facing each walk up window, and one 39 inch screen at the drive up window. Customers will see what the Tastee Twirl has to offer and the cost.

A new Taylor dual flavor/twist ice cream machine with a Flavor Burst attachment is one of the highlights of the upgrades. The attachment gives them the ability to add up to any four additional flavors out of eight total flavors, on a single serving of ice cream. This system gives them the ability to choose 8 flavors (out of a total of 38 flavors available). Soft serve yogurt options are also included. A new, computerized grill controls the temp, the thickness of the finished product, and the cooking time for up to 90 different food items. It can grill two different items at the same time, or up to 12 - 6oz. burgers at a time. It is so sensitive, that it will cook eggs, over easy, without breaking the yolk. Steve said, “Virtually anything that you can cook on a grill, can be cooked on this new grill.”   Three new double-pot fryers with 6 individual fry baskets have been installed. The fryers are separated so  flavors do not become intermingled. There is a new refrigerated salad/sandwich prep table, so we could offer our customers a variety of salad fixings. Customers will also enjoy a fresh cup of coffee at the Tastee Twirl’s new commercial Kuerig single serve coffee machine for those who enjoy coffee, or tea with their meal, and we intend to offer 4 different varieties of coffee, and tea from which to choose.

A Pepsi machine will offer our customers 8 different choices of beverages, versus the six on the previous machine. They acquired a new hot dog roller, and a Nacho Cheese machine, too, and have made a few other improvements.

Menu

The Sheets’ Family plans to offer some of the same items as the Strobel Family.  Thick and juicy Certified Angus Beef hamburgers are planned. Steve said, “ We're looking at offering both an 8 oz., and a 6 oz. (weight before cooking) burger for those who like more meat, and not all bun, on their sandwiches. Plus we would also like to offer a 4oz. burger for kids. We are also going to have fresh, home baked fruit pies, both standard, and sugar free available, including apple, peach, and cherry. Salads and much more will be served. Their menu is still being developed at this time. 

Plans to Expand

The Sheets’  also purchased the adjoining property to the south of the Tastee Twirl. The house will be demolished to make room for an enlarged parking area to the rear of the property and eventually install a gazebo on the front 30% of the lot that will be able to hold 2-3 picnic tables Steve said, “We want to landscape around the gazebo, with trees, flowers, etc., in an effort to make it more appealing to our customers, and perhaps attract more people just passing through our town.”

Open for Business

Friday, April 18 is their intended day to open for the summer season. They will open at 10:30 am and be open until 9:30pm, 7 days per week, with the business determining when we will actually close each night.

Family Program at Rockford Library

Join us for an "Egg-cellent" family program this Thursday, April 17th at the Rockford Carnegie Library.  The program will begin at 6:30 and everyone is welcome to come. An egg craft, snack, games and story will be featured.

Rockford Library Continues to Use Funds Received from an Estate

Allison and Anden enjoying the new children's computer at the Rockford Library.

The library received $15,000 in funds from the estate of Fern Moorman a couple of years ago.  The trustees have used this money to sponsor an author visit, new landscaping, refinishing the old tables and chairs in the library, and most recently updating the computer in the children's area.  This computer comes preloaded with games, stories and other activities designed for children ages 2-8.  This newer computer has a touch screen or the children can use a small mouse to do their favorite activity. The library trustees are grateful for this generous donation to the library which has enabled them to fund these special projects.

Vantage Bloodmobile Draws a Crowd

Oops, we did it again!  The 34th annual Vantage Bloodmobile was held on Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11 to help the American Red Cross keep up with the urgent need for blood.  The bloodmobile is a team effort with students and staff from several different programs working together to get organized and set up for a bloodmobile.  The Vantage bloodmobile has grown so much in recent years, that it has become a two-day event!

It takes many people to put together a successful high school blood drive.  Special thanks to Mr. Larry Mengerink from Building and Grounds for unloading the Red Cross truck at 6:30 in the morning and being happy about it. The members of the junior and senior Health Technology classes set up the donor room and also served as staffers, assisting with registration, first aid, and escort duties.  A very special “Thank You” to Health Tech teachers Mrs. Reesa Rohrs and Mrs. Leigh Carey for doing an amazing job coordinating and scheduling student and staff donations. 

Vantage is one of the largest high school bloodmobiles in the region and has one of the highest numbers of first time donors.  This year’s blood drive was excellent.  Nearly 200 students and staff members registered to donate blood. A total of 131 pints of blood were collected over the two days.  Great job!  Thanks to everyone who made this year’s Vantage bloodmobile a huge success!

Vantage senior Industrial Mechanics student Michael Miracle (Parkway) is all smiles as he donates blood during the Vantage Bloodmobile.

 
April 12-14, 2014
 

When considering my enjoyment of VWHS Theatre’s production of Footloose being performed April 10, 11, and 12 at 7:00pm on the Niswonger stage, I have only one complaint; I didn’t stand-up, cut loose… and DANCE (but trust me, I wanted to).
Footloose, adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie is directed by the extremely dedicated and inspired Chad Kraner. Having not seen the original 1984 version in its entirety (or the most recent remake), I was certain the production would come across as a proto High School Musical: bright, trite, and simple.
While the staging, choreography, story, and music were very bright and the story was simple, the expressive singing and acting by homegrown performers gave breath and meaning to major themes that could have been glossed over with a less talented cast and crew. As I skipped out of the NPAC after the performance (to the tune of “Mama Says”, one of my favorite numbers in the production) the purpose and power of dance twirled and whirled in my mind. Dance has the power to speak, especially for those who may feel uncomfortable or unable to do it with their own words.
If you are as unfamiliar with the story as I was when I visited dress-rehearsal this week, the action follows Ren McCormack (Nick Krugh) and his mother (Elizabeth Lassiter) from Chicago to a small farming town. Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school, but what he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher (Jake Schaufelberger), determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter (Sandy Nguyen) sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend (Jesse Daniels) tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
As is evident from the synopsis, the narrative is a bit cliche, but it’s a musical - it’s to be expected. What was not cliche was the varied and authentic emotions I experienced with the actors on stage which was made all the more brilliant by choreographers Kim Pollock and Melissa Bloomfield. Their ability to direct the movements of both the leads and the company was very apparent. I was keen to watch as the chorus moved and filled the stage, waiting for a cast member to observe the feet of the person next to them or drop character. To my surprise, the chorus filled the large NPAC stage with high energy by consistently reacting to the action and delivering tight and clean dancing. They were one of the best company ensembles I’ve encountered in a high school production.
    I was truly mesmerized as I watched the performers inhabit the spaces made genuine by the superior sets and lighting, made possible by director Chad Kraner, Josh Schumm, and Matt Saunier. Every scene, from the streets of Chicago to the Bar-B-Que Dance Hall, was lit and dressed to the hilt. Expansive backdrops and dazzling light cues upped the performance by adding depth and realness to each scene. My favorite scenes were those set “behind the gas station” (complete with a huge and one-hundred percent real gas station sign) and the final scene involving a wall of floor-to-ceiling reflective streamers. The light did not bounce, but rocketed towards me; I literally moved backwards as the stage sparkled with a million lights.
Yet, the performances by an exceptionally talented and polished group of local thespians were the real source of light in this production. Sandy Nguyen as Ariel Moore, the preacher’s daughter, delivered a well-rounded and likable character. She was subtle but spoke volumes through her quiet characterization as she nonchalantly fixed her hair and inspected her nails during the first scene at the church. It was clear from the moment she took the stage she was a rebel. Her duet with Nick Krugh (“Almost Paradise”) was also worthy of high praise.
Jake Schaufelberger stood out through his portrayal of the fear mongering, close minded Reverend Shaw. His bombastic sermon attesting to the “evils of rock ‘n roll music” and its “endless chant of pornography” was enough to make Fred Phelps jealous. His dynamic characterization and ultimate change in character (learning that fear is not a healthy response to loss) was believable and very human.
LeAndryce Miller as Vi Moore, the reverend’s wife, had one of the best vocal performances of the evening. Her trio with Elizabeth Lancaster and Nguyen, “Learning to be Silent” was truly ironic as her beautiful and enchanting voice filled the vast space around me. I wanted to see and hear more of her than the production allowed.   
Joe Linser as Willard, the dim sidekick to Ren, performed with the comedic timing of a veteran actor. His awkward and dopey characterization was a true treat to my evening and had me crying with laughter. The opening scene of Act II in which Willard learns to dance was phenomenal. In both vocals and acting, Linser was by far one of my favorite performers. Look out for his rendition of “Mama Says” - it’s absolutely hilarious and pitch perfect!
Which leaves me with Nick Krugh as Ren McCormack (I’ve clearly saved the best for last). I am not sure where he was pulling his inspiration from, but it was working.  The scene in which he confronts Rev. Moore brought a tear to my eye. I could see and feel the genuine anguish his character was experiencing. His dancing was clean and masculine, but also light and springy, complimented by his lovely voice. The optimism that he expressed while quietly acknowledging the character’s heartache was palpable. I encourage him to make his way to the stage again. He shines and easily takes on the role of leading man!
Ultimately, I was blown away by the convergence of so many talented young people and adults. The production was glamorous and bright, but occasionally dark, troubling, and thought provoking. I wanted to dance and still do I as replay the show in my mind. It brought me to tears with laughter and sympathy. Thank you, cast and crew of Footloose, the Musical for a wonderful evening of solid, free spirited entertainment. Dance on down to the NPAC April 10, 11, or 12 by 7:00pm to see this phenomenal production. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling the NPAC box-office at 419-238-NPAC between 12pm and 4pm, Monday through Friday.

PARKWAY LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA FOR April 14, 2014 - CLICK HERE

 
April 10-11, 2014
 

ROCKFORD COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT

SHANE'S PARK
SATURDAY, APRIL 19TH AT 1 PM

4 age groups:  0-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-10

The Easter Bunny will be there to hand out eggs
to the 0-3 age group.  Be sure to bring your
camera to take pictures. ~

Rain or Shine.

 
April 9, 2014
 

Panthers won 4-1 against Antwerp on 4-9-2014
Stellar pitching performance by Brandon Gibson reported.

Action pictures shared by Parkway's own Nikki Fox.
Click Here for more pictures of the game.

Grand Lake Patriots to Host Americans For Prosperity Speaker

Molly Mottram, field coordinator for Americans For Prosperity, will speak at the Grand Lake Patriots membership meeting, Thursday, April 10th, 7:00 PM, in the Lefeld Community Building at the Fairgrounds in Celina. Ms. Mottram will explain what Americans For Prosperity stands for and the organization's current efforts regarding Obamacare, voter turnout/registration, and outreach. All Grand Lake Patriots members and their guests are invited to attend. 

On May 8, 7 PM, at the same location at the Fairgrounds, the Patriots will host a program featuring Jeremiah Martin of Concerned Veterans for America. He will address Mercer County military veterans and area Patriot members with items of interest regarding current events.  

Parkway Preschool Registration Night

Parkway Preschool has set their Registration Night for the 2014-2015 school year on Wednesday, April 23 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Parents may bring their child to the school to see the rooms as well as meet the teachers.  Registration forms will be available to complete and payment of the registration fee will be accepted.  Once the registration is completed, other forms need to be turned in before the school year begins in September.  Have more questions about preschool?  Please call the elementary office at 419-363-3045. (Currently enrolled Parkway preschoolers do not need to attend.)

3rd Annual Wine Tasting
The 3rd Annual Wine Tasting to benefit Rockford Community Days will
be held this weekend on April 12 from 7 - 10 pm at the
Rockford Community Building.

Price per ticket $20.00

Please RSVP to Cindy Vogel - 918-504-6159
or call the Rockford Village Hall at 419-363-3032.

*Cocktail Setting * Appetizer/Dessert Bar * Door Prizes

Bridge Closing Announced    

The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is planning to close Fox Road between Ohio Indiana State Line Road and Union City Road in Gibson Township for a bridge replacement.  This road will be closed tentatively on April 14, 2014 and is scheduled to reopen in approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on the weather conditions.

Any additional questions, contact the Mercer County Engineer's Office at 419-586-7759.

Drug Arrest
Sheriff Jeff Grey reports the arrest of an individual for possession of drugs.  Mercer County Central Dispatch received a call on April 4, 2014 at 6:39 PM of a vehicle sitting in the middle of the roadway and the driver slumped over the wheel.  Deputies responded to Township Line near Oregon Road.  Deputies found a burgundy Plymouth sitting in the middle of the road.  Deputies made contact with the driver 23 year old Jeremy J. Green of 1102 Canterbury Drive Celina.  The driver was found the be under the influence and was processed for OVI where he refused to take any tests.  Found inside the vehicle was 4 marijuana pipes, a marijuana bong, marijuana grinder, and a small amount of loose suspected marijuana.  Mr. Green was charged with OVI, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.  Mr. Green was later bonded out.

Have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Plans are being finalized for youngsters to have “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” in Chattanooga.  The event will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 12th with breakfast being served at 9:00 AM.  Children of all ages are invited to join in as we enjoy a time that will help to remind us of the reason we celebrate Easter.  Plans also include games, crafts, and other fun events.  If you would like to have your picture taken with the bunny please bring a camera along.  You won’t want to miss out on this!!  Zion Lutheran Church is located on the south end of Chattanooga at the corner of Tama Road and State Route 49.

DAR Meet

Isaac Van Wart DAR held their March meeting at Mi Ranchito. Speaker for the evening was Mr. Larry Schaufelberger with Gerald Manken assisting in presenting “Find-a-Grave.” These gentlemen find and clean tombstones to post pictures on the Find-a-Grave website. Mr. Schaufelberger explained how they use etchings to read tombstones with worn lettering.

Pictured left to right are (sitting) Larry Schaufelberger, Gerald Manken, Linda Hoffman, Linda Schumm, Evelyn Schwartz

(standing) Gloria Fast, Betsie Goad, Virginia Burroughs, Mickey McConahay, Karen Jean Myers.

Calling All Band Members

On Monday April 21st, the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band will begin rehearsals for the upcoming concert season.  The rehearsals are held each Monday in the New Van Wert High School band room, located off S.R 118 from 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.   The band is open to anyone wishing to play his or her instrument in a concert band.  Current members vary in age, and playing ability but have the common interest of performing and making great band music.  The members come from, Van Wert, Lima, Delphos, Convoy, Payne, Chat, Middle Point, Decatur and Rockford.  It truly is a Van Wert Area Band.

Retired Parkway Band director Richard Sherrick directs the band.  The goals are to present a variety of music that is both musically enjoyable to the listener and challenging to the performer.  If you have any questions regarding participation in the band please call 419-230-6808, or just come to the first rehearsal. Please consider becoming a member of our organization this coming season.

Rockford Rec. Hosts 2014 Pitch, Hit, & Run Competition

The Rockford Recreation Association will host their annual MLB Pitch, Hit, & Run competition at Shanes Park on Sunday, April 13th at 1:00pm. All boys and girls, ages 7-14 (age determined as of July 17th, 2014), compete in separate age divisions and participants have the opportunity to advance through four levels of competition including Local, Regional, MLB Team Championships (held at all 30 MLB ballparks) and the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game.

To participate, download and print the two page registration and liability waiver form online at www.rockfordrec.com and bring the completed forms with you to the Shanes Park concession stand on the day of the competition. This is a free event sponsored by the Rockford Recreation Association. In the event of inclement weather on that day, communication will be made on the Rockford Recreation Association Facebook page.

 
April 8, 2014
 

Parkway Team Pics by Nikki Fox Photography
 

Varsity Baseball Team and Junior Varsity Baseball Team Pictures - Click Here

Varsity Softball Team and Junior Varsity Softball Team - Click Here

Track Team -

Baseball, Softball and Track Schedules for Junior High Boys & Girls Teams - Click Here

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

Bryson Makes a Return Performance at the Rockford Belle on April 12
Locals of ‘Lost County’ to Open

Professional singer and song writer Debbie Lynn Bryson, of Greenville, OH will bless the stage with her rich powerful voice at the Rockford Belle on April 12, 2014 at 7 PM, doors open at 6 PM. Local husband and wife team Adam Beckman and Sarah (Seibert) Beckman of “Lost County” will make their second appearance as openers at the Belle. The public is welcome to attend the entertainment venue located at 135 Market Street, Rockford, OH. A free-will donation is accepted.

Brilliantly gifted, Debbie Lynn brings an in depth musical background that includes 5 album releases; her familiar voice through song has been heard at The Rockford Belle, churches back home, radio stations, and at fairs where she has followed her heart; with God’s blessings she strives to touch and help people feel the power of God’s love by singing original songs as well as old time gospel favorites.

Her professional accomplishments include singing at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville Kentucky, with professional Gospel artists such as: LuLu Roman former female actress on the television show Hee-Haw, the late singing artist Johnny Cash’s sister Jo Ann Cash, Naomi and the Siego’s, and the famous piano player Lorne Matthews, who originally played with the Cathedral Quartet when they were playing with Rex Humbard at the Cathedral of Tomorrow, in Akron Ohio.

Before they became Lost County, Sarah (Seibert) Beckman was nothing more than a small town girl with a dream, and Adam Beckman a man with a guitar. They first met in 2008 while working at VanCrest Health Care Center in Van Wert, Ohio. Then they later met up while attending Nursing school in 2009. Neither one had any idea what would blossom from their friendship! After dating for a short time, they realized they both had something very unique in common; they both had a passion for composing and performing music.

Sarah originally played and sang music with her younger sister Shirissa Seibert, who was tragically taken in an auto accident November 9, 2011. The Seibert sisters had performed at several venues and singing competitions which include the Mendon Firecracker Festival, Relay For Life in Celina, Ohio, Allen County Karaoke, Wish Upon a Song, as well as several private clubs and parties. After Sarah and Adam started dating, Adam joined the Seibert sisters, sharing his acoustic talent. The trio’s final performance was in June of 2011.
 

On June 18, 2009, Adam was in a serious auto accident which shattered Adam and Sarah’s dream of becoming musicians. Due to severe damage to Adams left arm, doctors told Adam he would never play guitar again. But the prognosis only fueled Adam’s determination to prove them wrong. With almost a year of therapy, Adam was once again able to play his beloved guitar. It was then the two knew God had given them a second chance at their dream. Therefore, they decided to make it official; Lost County was then formed.

On September 8, 2012, the two members of Lost County were married. Now the two live in Scott, Ohio, where they continue to write their own music. Lost County shares their alternative country sound with family, friends, and local venues.

Plan now to attend a vivacious and heartwarming evening of beautiful music on April 12 when Debbie Lynn Bryson and Lost County appear at The Belle. For more information contact Tom Rogers at 567-644-9993.

 
April 7, 2014
 

Parkway Spring Sports Team Schedules

Varsity Baseball Schedule - Click Here

Junior Varsity Baseball Schedule - Click Here

Varsity Softball Schedule -  Click Here

Junior Varsity Softball Schedule - Click Here

Track Schedule - Click Here

Baseball, Softball and Track Schedules for Junior High Boys & Girls Teams - Click Here

 
April 5-6, 2014
 

SHEILA CHILCOTE-COLLINS & DAVID VAN TILBURG TO PERFORM  “THE CONFESSION STONE – THE SONGS OF MARY”

Van Wert, OH, April 4, 2014– The First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert invites the public to their third and final Lenten Vespers program series with “The Confession Stone – The Songs of Mary” to be held on Sunday, April 13th  at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary.

Join Sheila Chilcote-Collins, mezzo soprano & David Van Tilburg, pianist in a presentation of Robert Fleming’s 25-minute song cycle, The Confession Stone – The Songs of Mary. This work features settings of poems by the poet and playwright, Owen Dodson. Written from the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus, the work is a haunting psychological portrait of Mary at various stages in the life of her son, Jesus. It examines the character of The Blessed Virgin Mary, setting forth her emotions and reflections; detailing her life-story from a humanistic point of view. Beginning with her Son's birth, the story unfolds as Jesus matures, covering such biblical stories as the cleansing of the temple, the resurrection of Lazarus and the Last Supper. The musical piece culminates with the traumatic week before the crucifixion when Jesus’ fate is sealed, His death on the cross, the glorious resurrection and Mary’s ascension into Heaven. This concert will be supplemented by a short, 5 minute Taizé service, led by Pastor Hal Shafer.  Our Taizé service consists of Lenten scripture readings, prayers and meditations.

After Lenten Vespers, a delicious supper will be served at 5:30 in the fellowship hall for all to enjoy! All activities are free of cost and ALL are welcome! The church is located at 110 W. Crawford St. in Van Wert, Ohio.  For more information, please contact the church office at 419-238-3670.

 
April 4, 2014
 

According to Gene Steiner of the Rockford Village Council, the Rockford Carry-out ahs sold to a group people who intend to keep the Carry-Out side of the business, but expand with a restaurant addition. They have also bought the adjacent lot. The owners have not been named yet.

Rockford Radio Station Taking Donations for Equipment
Licensing is Secured

Radio 101.3 WRKD-FM has its tower registration from the Federal Aviation Administration and a station permit form the Federal Communications Commission. It is a not for profit venture by Jim Crocker, resident is seeking donations to buy equipment to broadcast. The station will broadcast 24 yours a day and range out about 4 miles.

Parkway Panther Athletics Results from April 1

Parkway Boys and Girls Track Teams both finished First in a Quadrangular Meet vs Fort Recovery, Lima Central Catholic and Lima Perry

Parkway 8th Grade Baseball Loses to Crestview

Parkway JV Softball Defeats Bradford 11-7 and is 2-0 on the year.

Softball Defeats St. Marys 15-4. Kayle Heckler Gets first career win and Sierra Fent goes 3-3 with home runs and 6 RBI's

7th Grade Softball Wins 11-0 vs Shawnee

 
April 3, 2014
 

Use Caution on Parkway Schools' Buckeye Street in front of Colonial Nursing Home after school - high water.

Parkway Athletic Alerts for April 3, 2014

Parkway Varsity and Junior High Track Meets Cancelled.

Parkway Varsity Baseball and JV Baseball vs Celina  Cancelled.

8th Grade Baseball Home VS Wapak Cancelled

Parkway Varsity Softball and JV Softball  Cancelled.

7th and 8th Grade Baseball Cancelled.

8th Grade Softball Cancelled.

Shooting Stars 4-H Group Meets
The Shooting Stars held their second meeting on March 30, 2014.

We introduced ourselves to our new members.

Our new members are Cassie P., Reagan P., Tyler P., and Lilli M.

We went over important dates which are the following:

Officer training which is April 22, 2014

A car wash to help raise money for 4-H camp on June 3rd and 4th from 4:00-8:00

Cloverbud camp is April 19th. It is $10.00 dollars per kid, 5-10.

We also read our constitution, reviewed it, and made some changes to it.

We also passed out our project books. We decided on our community service projects, tours and our fundraising projects.

Romy B. shared what she did in her clover bud book.

Respectively submitted by Katie Gamble, age 9 Shooting Stars reporter for 2014

The Parkway Local Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room.  The only item will be an executive session to evaluate personnel.  No business will be conducted.

Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF)

Accepts Scholarship Donation from St. Marys K of C

Supporting Students…Transforming Communities

Celina, Ohio – For over 50 years, the Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) has responded to the educational needs of residents in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer and Van Wert counties by providing the resources to allow residents access to college instruction. The foundation secured the funding to build and operate an institution of higher education. Since 1962, WOEF has remained strongly committed to the success of the Lake Campus.

St. Marys Knights of Columbus Council #1592, a long-time supporter of Wright State University-Lake Campus, continues to contribute $150 dollar book scholarship every year. Since this is a matching scholarship, the Western Ohio Educational Foundation matches the sum giving a Lake Campus student a total award of $300. This award may be used to purchase books and/or supplies at the Barnes & Noble bookstore located at the Lake Campus.

Accepting the award is Stephanie Jenkins of St. Marys. Stephanie will graduate this fall with her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. She plans to pursue a graduate degree. Ms. Jenkins is married with two young children at home.

COUNTY REMINDER

Ohio Law prohibits signs on trees and poles

Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart has issued a reminder that the Ohio Revised Code prohibits the erection of signs or affixing signs, posters or advertisement to any tree or utility pole within the right-of-way of any public highway.

Political candidates, campaign workers and supporters of issues appearing on the ballot are reminded that these signs are subject to removal.

4-H Camp Palmer All Camp Clean Up April 12

In order to open and improve the grounds at 4-H Camp Palmer, we need volunteer help. Does your club or organization need a service project? Youth ages 8-15 years of age, must be accompanied by an adult.    All volunteers on April 12 will be provided a picnic lunch around noon. Please be prepared to bring own rakes, work gloves and scrap rags. (camp will supply cleaning products)

The clean-up day is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to 3 pm. Please check in at the covered bridge entrance for work assignments. If individuals or groups can only help part of the day you are still encouraged to come.

Some of our main projects will include: leaf raking, cabin cleaning, cleaning flowerbeds and the general grounds. Anyone planning to help should contact Suzy Summers at 419-237-2247 or email at 4hcamppalmer@gmail.com by April 8 so we can include you in the lunch count.

For those unable to make the April 12 work date, other times can be arranged. 4-H Camp Palmer will be fully opening camp for their 67th year of serving resident 4-H campers, school outdoor education programs, band camps, team building and challenge course leadership experiences, retreat groups, family reunions and more.

The camp is located at 26450 County Road MN, Fayette, Ohio right next to Harrison Lake State Park.

 
April 2, 2014
 

Fair Board announces new “Future Ag Leader Scholarship Fund”
Kick-off fundraiser, Cabin Fever, to be held April 19, 2014.

New Quarter Auction Announced as Fundraiser for Free Fair Entertainment

Fair Board to hold the quarter auction on Thursday, April 17, 2014

Lisa Miller Releases Parkway Schools Calendar of Athletic and School Events
for April 2014  – Click Here.

Laurels of Shane Hill and Maplewood April Birthdays - Click Here

 
April 1, 2014
 

Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers Meet and Plan

The Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers met on Sunday March 23rd . After roll call ,pledges, and last meeting report from Secretary ,new officers were installed and business was discussed.  New officers for the 2014 season are as follows : President- Chris Kraner , Vice President- Makenzie Bowen, Secretary - Tiffany Ricketts , Treasurer- Leslie Marbaugh , Reporter - Hannah Kraner  , Health and Safety. - Colt Marbaugh and Dakota Thomas, Recreation - Draya Rison, Kailey Denmen, Alexis Bowen, Alexia Gearhart, Abbie Marbaugh, and Lauren Walls.   Congratulations to all officers and please remember to put April 22 on your calendar for officer training at the fairgrounds.  
    Also discussed was the upcoming Liberty Township Litter pick up on April 6th at 1:00 .  On this day members will disperse and cover 37 miles of Liberty Township cleaning the roadsides and ditches of trash . Parent helpers, friends and family are encouraged to help. You may bring your own gloves but also once again Stoneco will partner with 4H by providing work chore gloves and large heavy duty trash bags . Dress warm if needed , wear close toe shoes / no sandals or flip flops.  Meet at the Township building at the Woodlawn Cemetary . A meal will be provided following the trash pick up at the church on Dillon Street in Ohio City. Rain date is April 12 at 9a.m. If it does rain the club will still meet at the church for a club meeting. Please contact Brenda Delong, Ginny Marbaugh, or Vickie Marbaugh if you have any questions or comments.  Also available for your questions is the Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers facebook page , if you are not already a member of that. Please consider signing on.
Tiffany Ricketts provided the meetings demonstration by showing how to make an Ocean in a Bottle by using a plastic water bottle, glitter, food coloring, sea animal and oil. The club very much enjoyed the presentation.  The safety demonstration was done by guest speaker Rex Marbaugh who gave a very informative demonstration on Lawn mower use and maintenance. Thank you Mr. Rex Marbaugh!   May 4 th will be the next meeting at 2:00 at the church treats will be Lauren and drinks - Tiffany.  Demonstrations due will be Dakota, David, and Colt.  
Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers 4H Club 2014 members and advisors .

Parkway Preschool Screening Planned in Rockford
The Mercer County Educational Service Center will again offer a Preschool Screening Program for the district preschoolers of Parkway.

Under the program, children ages 3-5 will be screened in a variety of developmental areas.  Possible screenings include vision and hearing acuity, fine motor coordination, speech and language development, visual and auditory memory and perception, and general information.

The screening for Parkway School District is scheduled as follows:

         May 2, 2014                       Rockford First United                           8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

                                                     Methodist Church

All preschoolers attending any private or public preschool need to have physicals.  If you have a form from your preschool, please bring it along with you on screening day.  Our team will complete the hearing and vision portion for you free of charge.

Please register by contacting your elementary school secretary at 419-363-3045, ext. 720, by April 25, 2014.

Arrests Made During Interdiction Operation

Celina, Ohio – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey announced his Office and the Grand Lake Task Force conducted an 8 hour drug interdiction operation on March 27, 2014.  Deputies were assisted with a K-9 from Celina Police Department.

Deputies made 54 traffic stops during the operation.  They issued 8 traffic citations, 46  written warnings, and 8 verbal warnings.  Deputies searched 5 vehicles, and 1 residence.  Deputies issued 4 misdemeanor citations (2 for possession of marijuana, and 2 for possession of drug paraphernalia).  Deputies traveled 996 miles.  Traffic citations included OVI, speed, driving under suspension, and child restraints.

ARRESTED AND INCARCERATED:
James E. Pinson, Age 32, of 920 North Brandon Street in Celina Ohio.  Was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and driving under suspension (non-compliance).  After a K-9 alert, deputies searched the vehicle Mr. Pinson was driving and found suspected heroin.  Additional charges are being considered. 

Kevin J. Greenburg, Age 26, of 15613 Lambert Road St. Marys Ohio.  Was charged with driving under suspension. 

Savannah Thees, Age 26, of 222 Washington Street Celina Ohio.  Was arrested on a probation violation from Auglaize County.  She was turned over to Auglaize County.

Willshire Youth Activities Fun Plan Event
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5th.  The Willshire Youth Activities will be sponsoring an evening of fun at the Willshire American Legion, Post #207.  Homemade soup and sandwiches, including many “concession stand favorites” will be available.  A 50/50 raffle as well as many other live raffles and even a time for some auction items will be held throughout the evening.  Fun and food will be available for all ages.  Plan now to join in on this time.  All proceeds from the evening will be used to support ball park activities and improvements.  Your support will be appreciated.  For further information, please contact Lynne Miller at 419.203.1976.

The Willshire Youth Activities is still accepting registration for spring/summer ball.  Teams are available for boys and girls ages 5-15.  Contact Lynne Miller (419.203.1976) or Jeff Ford (419.771.7964) to register.

OUR OLD BOOK CASE
By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Photo caption:   Dr. James Naismith, Presbyterian Minister, Medical Physician, Coach, and Instructor, created the game of Basketball in 1891.  The first game of Basketball was played on January 20, 1892, at Springfield, Massachusetts.   Therefore, the Fourth Sunday of March, March 23, is declared, “Founder of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith Day” at the Mercer County Historical Museum.

The Mercer County Historical Society proclaims the Fourth Sunday of March, March 23, as “Founder of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith Day,” in honor of Naismith’s creation of the game of Basketball. 

On the 50th Anniversary of the invention of the game of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith, Inventor of the Game, wrote the book, “Basketball; Its Origin and Development,” which was published by the Association Press, New York, in 1941.   I would encourage any Basketball Fan to read this book.

Naismith’s childhood was not easy, as his parents both died when he was age nine.  He lived with his aunt and uncle, and was graduated from high school in 1883.  Next, Naismith’s intent was to become a Presbyterian Minister, and he received his Master’s Degree in Theology at Presbyterian College, Montreal.  While there, Naismith’s friends invited him to join them in gymnastics, and to watch a football game with them.  Since Naismith had been raised on a farm, he was quite healthy.  During that football game, the team member playing Center had his nose broken and there was no one to take his place.  The captain asked Naismith and his friends if someone would take the place of the Center on the field, and Naismith volunteered.  That day changed his life, in that he played football for seven years.  Since some of his religious colleagues believed that football was supposed to be “a tool of the devil,” they went to Naismith’s room and prayed for his soul.  Other similar events resulted in Naismith questioning if “there might be other effective ways of doing good besides preaching.” After graduation from the theological college, Naismith spent the summer visiting Y.M.C.A.’s in the United States.

Dr. James Naismith returned to Springfield, MA, as an instructor for gymnastics and other sports, at Springfield College, which was later known as the International Y.M.C.A. training School, as well as later known as the “Birthplace of Basketball.”  During the summer of 1891, the need for a winter sport to be played indoors became apparent.  Dr. James Naismith was assigned the task of creating a new game for sports for men to play indoors during the winter months.  Dr. Naismith studied other sports’ games and had an idea of the game of basketball in December 1891.   Naismith established a set of rules:  “The goal is shooting the ball into a peach basket, at the ends of the court. The ball may be thrown in any direction, and may be batted with one or both hands; never the fist.  (Using the fist would result in a foul.)  The player cannot run with the ball.  The ball must be held in or between the hands; arms or body must not be used for holding the ball.  The game time would be two fifteen minute halves, with five minutes rest in between.  The team with the most goals would be the winner.” 

On January 20, 1892, the first game of Basketball was played.  The game of shooting a ball into a basket became an immediate success, not only at Springfield, but at other universities, high schools and civic organizations.  By 1893, girls’ basketball teams were also being established.

In 1895, Dr. James Naismith accepted a position as head of the Physical Education Department in the Y.M.C. A., in Denver, Colorado.  Naismith studied medicine at Gross Medical School in Denver, receiving his MD in 1898; he was primarily interested in sports physiology. 

The game of basketball, which Naismith created, continued to grow “in leaps and bounds” across the U.S. and Canada.  In 1908, the National Collegiate Athletic Association published a set of collegiate rules.  A series of Associations were created, and rules were changed.  In 1909, the N.C.A.A. took over the editing of the collegiate rules, and Naismith was appointed as a member of this committee. 

Next, Naismith served in the Military with General Pershing at the Mexican border of Texas, and as a Military Chaplain in France, in World War I.  After his return to the States, he was appointed in 1923, as an honorary member of the N.C.A.A. for life and the next year, he was designated as honorary chairman of the Rules Committee for life. 

This game went through a series of changes.  The peach baskets evolved to wire baskets without bottoms.  The first teams had nine players; ultimately changing to five member teams.  By 1893, it was determined if a man pivoted, it should not be considered as traveling.  For a player to dribble the basketball, such action was originally a defensive measure.  The term “double dribble” came into play in 1898.  Rules for “out of bounds” plays, foul shots, penalties,  personal and/or technical fouls, shooting at certain distances from the goal, disqualification for a certain number of fouls, size of the gym floor, choice of officials, the ten-second rule, equipment, backboards, and positions of players, all came into play in that first 50 years. 

Basketball was introduced at the Berlin Olympics in 1936; Naismith was flown to Berlin to watch the games.  In 1938, at McGill University at Montreal, Naismith received the Legum Doctorate Degree.  In 1939, he received the Honorary Doctor of Divinity at Presbyterian College.  Dr. James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861 near Almonte, Canada, and died at Lawrence, Kansas, on November 28, 1939, at the age of 78.  He had a lifelong career of learning.  Naismith has been the recipient of numerous academic awards and honors, and was inducted into several Halls of Fame, in Canada and the United States.  Naismith’s game of basketball has become a major sport, not only in the United States, but also throughout other countries in the world. 

Thus, the Mercer County Historical Society proclaims the Fourth Sunday of March, March 23, as “Founder of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith Day,” in honor of the Legacy of Naismith for creating the game of Basketball.  This Day will honor Naismith’s theory that “there might be other effective ways of doing good besides preaching.”  Naismith proved that basketball is not “a tool of the devil.”   As proof of this theory, many churches host basketball games for students and adults, as part of parish activities.

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00 – 4:00, the Mercer County Historical Society will host “Founder of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith Day,” with an exhibit of “Early Basketball History in Mercer County High Schools in the 1920’s and 1930’s,”  at the Mercer County Historical Museum, 130 East Market, Celina.  The goal is to preserve the History of Mercer County’s High School Basketball.

This exhibit will include early photographs of 1920’s and 1930’s, early High School Annuals, Local History Books, Awards, Newspaper articles, and related historical items which Mercer Countians bring to the Museum for this Exhibit.  The Mercer County Historical Society invites Local Sports Collectors to bring their Collections and Basketball Scrapbooks to show at the Museum Sunday, March 23, and to help the Mercer County Historical Society to Preserve Mercer County’s Local History of High School Basketball Girls Teams and Boys Teams.

 
March 31, 2014
 

Circus Coming To Rockford
The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is coming to Rockford @ Shanes Park on May 29th.  

Shows are 5 pm and 7:30 pm

PRE SALE TICKETS will be available for purchase 1 month prior at the Rockford Village Office.

PRE SALE TICKET PRICES:

Adult - $10.00

Child  (ages 2 12) - $6.00

April Parkway School Board Meeting Changed 

The April Parkway Local Board of Education Meeting and Public Hearing have been changed to Monday, April 14.  The public hearing will begin at 6:20 p.m. and the Board Of Education Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Parkway Local Schools. 

Clever Clovers Meet
Reporter Catherine Kopack

The Clever Clover 4H Club had its third meeting on March 24, 6:30-7:30PM at Grace Bible Church in Van Wert.  Hannah Bartley led the 4H Pledge.  An attendance sheet was passed around to the members.  20 members and four guests were present.  President Erin Richardson reminded the club that Enrollment Forms are due March 14 and Treasurer Erin Gemmer reminded the club that dues should be turned in by April 28.  Health and Safety Officer Kayla Krites reported on “Bicycle Safety”.  Members added events to their calendars. After the business meeting was adjourned, the Clover Buds joined the rest of the club.   Erin Richardson and Lainey Werts presented a demonstration called, “Keys to a Good Demonstration”.  A hand-out was passed out on giving a demonstration and the club watched a video on giving a demonstration.  The club played a “get to know you game”, led by Kayla Krites.  Snacks were brought by:  Alaina Arney and Lainey Werts.  The next meeting will be on April 14, at 6:30 at Grace Bible Church.

Parkway April 2014 Breakfast & Lunch Menus by Pam Smith

 
March 28-30, 2014
 

Snow & Ice Statistics
by Jim Wiechart
Mercer County Engineer

Snow & Ice statistics for winter season 2013-2014

Mercer County, 384.129 miles of roads

12 snow plows average 32 miles per route (one way)

62 days of snow & ice control in winter of 2013-2014

Salt used – 1,668.75 tons  =  $110,063.39

Grit used – 1,668.75 tons  =    $12,932.90

            Total material costs during the winter season = $122,996.29

Total regular labor hours on snow & ice = 3,049.50 hours

         Overtime hours                                         = 1,873.50 hours

Total costs for snow & ice during the season = $486,873.43 (Equip., labor, & material)

Average cost for snow & ice control                     2008-2009 season = $774.25/mile

                                                                        2009-2010 season = $814.98/mile

                                                                        2010-2011 season = $1,073.46/mile

                                                                        2011-2012 season = $264.91/mile

                                                                        2012-2013 season = $635.52/mile

                                                                        2013-2014 season = $1,267.47/mile

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy
Death Penalty Reform Needed to Reduce Costs and Make Justice More Efficient

Joy Stewart was a 22-year-old newlywed and was eight months pregnant with her first child in 1989 when she was brutally raped and stabbed, killing her and her unborn child. Because this killer acted in a way that was so heinous, he deserved to be punished with the most serious sentence our legal system allows. In the state of Ohio, this punishment is death. 

On January 16th, Joy Stewart’s killer was put to death. At his execution, the killer was administered a new two-drug mixture that had not previously been used in an execution. Eyewitnesses to the execution claim that the murderer suffered excessively, and could be seen gasping for air. However, information has surfaced that indicates that the killer may have been requested to “put on a show” by his lawyers. While his lawyers deny this, the facts about what occurred at his execution are still in dispute.

Those against the death penalty in Ohio claim that this occurrence is further proof that the death penalty is cruel and unusual, and should therefore be banned. They believe that no person should be subjected to the pain that Joy Stewart’s murderer experienced during his execution, no matter how serious their crime. I respectfully disagree.

I have always been firmly in favor of the death penalty here in Ohio, and this occurrence does nothing to alter these views. However, in order to make the death penalty process more efficient, I believe there are areas within our legal system that need to be reformed.

After a trial, a convicted murderer has the right to appeal his or her conviction. However, this appeals process allows murderers to waste tax payer dollars through appeal after appeal. Yet only a handful of convictions have been completely overturned since 1973. On average, these convictions were overturned after just three hearings.

The average time an inmate spends on death row is more than 16 years. We need to reduce this amount of time by changing the appeals process in ways that will reduce the amount of time a murderer waits to be executed. This will reduce the costs associated with the appeals process, and cut down on the amount of tax dollars wasted on the most heinous of criminals.

Florida recently enacted legislation known as the Timely Justice Act, which shortens the amount of time between the conviction and the execution of a murderer.  Ohio should consider the possibility of passing similar legislation that would cap the number of appeals hearings, or reduce the time between hearings, and reduce the amount of time a murderer is kept on death row.

Press Release
Greg Puthoff, Superintendent - Parkway Local Schools 

On Friday, March 28th, the members of the Parkway Local Schools Board of Education are planning a "Board Visit Day." They want to experience the day-to-day achievements that are happening at Parkway Local Schools! During their visit, they hope to interact with students, have conversations with teachers, and be visible to the population they directly serve.

The purpose for this visit is to make themselves available and accessible to Parkway students and staff.  No board business will be conducted during the “Board Visit Day.”

Parkway Middle School Honor Roll
End of 3rd Quarter 2013-2014
Click Here to Learn Who!

PARKWAY  HIGH SCHOOL
3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll List 2013-2014
Click Here to Learn Who!

Mendon Garage Sale Coming
The 32nd Annual Mendon Community Garage Sale will be sponsored by the WCSC of the Mendon First Church of God – Women’s Society – for a mission project.  The sale date is May 3, 2014.  A map will be made showing the location of all garage sales.  All of the advertising costs will be the responsibility of the WCSC.  Permits will be on sale from April 1 through April 29th at a cost of $10 each.  Permits may be purchased by mail.  Please send a check for $10 made payable to WCSC along with your name, address of the sale, and phone number to Mendon First Church of God – Garage Sale, 102 N. Wayne Street, Mendon, OH 45862.  Permits and maps will be available for pick up at the church on Wednesday, April 30th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.  Questions please call 419-795-9102.

Beau Jones, CELLIST – to perform at First Presbyterian Church

Lenten Vespers Program to Be Held Sunday Evening, March 30th at 5:00 PM

Van Wert, OH, March 25, 2014– The First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert cordially invites the public to the first installment of “Lenten Vespers” - our NEW community wide services for the 2014 Lenten season!

On Sunday, March 30th, at 5:00 PM, we open our Vespers with our first musical guest- Beau Jones, cellist. Beau is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, as well as from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, where he is currently pursuing the degree of Master of Music.  He currently works as a teacher of high school Music Appreciation and other elective classes with the Ohio Virtual Academy.  His performing credits include several appearances in the pit orchestra for the Dayton Playhouse as well as his current position as principal cello for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra. Beau also serves on the board of directors for the 2013-15 term and is involved with programming the 25th Anniversary Gala season for the MVSO. 

Musical selections include, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” An American Spiritual arranged by Mr. Jones, himself. Also performed will be Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise”, Schumann’s “Traumerei”, Bach’s “Prelude from Suite No.2 in D Minor for Violoncello Solo” and “Bring Him Home” from the musical, “Les Miserables”.  Harriet Schaadt serves as piano accompanist.

Litter Pickup – Youth groups to collect litter

Motorists are asked to use caution in the next few months as youth community groups will be picking up litter in the ditches along many Mercer County Roads.

Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart issued the warning recently to protect the various groups of people who will be participating in the Litter Pick-up Program this spring. “Clean-up crews are set to begin work in late March and typically complete the project by late spring,” Wiechart said.

The litter pick-up program is a joint project funded by the County Engineer’s Office and Township Trustees who pay recognized civic and community groups who participate. Safety vests, gloves and bags are provided by the Mercer County Solid Waste District and the Ohio EPA. The Mercer County Solid Waste District and the Ohio EPA pay the disposal fees.

 

 
March 26-27, 2014
 

Celina Police Department NEWS RELEASE

03/25/2014

Colin D. Uhlenhake, 29 yrs old of 211 S Brandon St, Celina was indicted by a grand jury for attempted aggravated murder, drug charges and several others related to a March 9^th incident which took place at his residence.  During a domestic dispute with a female at the residence he pointed a gun at her head.  She pushed the gun away and the gun discharged.  There was a 2 yr old child nearby.

Uhlenhake was spotted by a Celina police officer, Sgt. Stelzer, outside his home on March 11^th.  Uhlenhake fled into the home pursued by Stelzer, who forced entry. Uhlenhake was taken into custody. 

A marijuana grow operation was found in the home by officers.  A subsequent search produced the firearm, two large bags of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Uhlenhake is currently held at the Mercer Co. Jail

 
March 25, 2014
 

 
March 24, 2014
 

News releases for Celina Police Department:  March 21 & 22, 2014
Drug–related Arrests and K-9 Searches

On Wednesday, March 19th the Grand Lake Drug Task force received tips

on two individuals known to have active arrest warrants.  Both were located within a short time of one another and arrests were made by the Celina Police Department.

Seth D.

Seals, age 21, 400 E Warren St, Lot 7, Celina, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation from Auglaize Co.  He was in possession of 15 capsules of suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia.  He was taken to Mercer Co. Jail.

Kevin M.

Yohey, age 23, 402 S. Main St, #4, Celina, was located and arrested on an outstanding warrant from Celina Police Dept. He was in possession of three capsules suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.  He is incarcerated in the Mercer County Jail.

Both cases are referred to the Mercer Co. Prosecutor’s office for the consideration of charges.

On Thursday, March 20th the Celina Police Department with the assistance of four other law enforcement agencies conducted a K-9 search of the Celina High School, the Celina Middle School and the Ed Complex and parking lots.  The searches were conducted under the direction the Celina City Schools.  The results of the searches revealed no illegal substances or contraband.

Assisting the Celina P.D. K-9 were K-9 units from Coldwater P.D., Auglaize Co. S.O., Shelby Co. S.O. and the Sidney P.D.

Pancake Breakfast Planned by Rockford Fire Department

The Rockford Fire Department members are busy planning their annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in Rockford. The event is held annually at the fire station in Rockford on Main Street.  Come and enjoy all the pancakes and sausage you care to eat from 6 AM to 1 PM and meet with all of your friends and neighbors from the community. There will be raffle prizes given-away. Cost to eat is $6 –adults; 12 & under $4; under 5 free.

Rockford Belle to Feature Versatile Music Artist Bob Wurst on March 29
Bob Wurst, of Toledo, OH will be appearing in concert on March 29 at 7 pm, doors open at 6pm at the Rockford Belle, 135 Market Street, Rockford, OH.  For more than 40 years, he has been engaging audiences by performing country music, 50’s and 60’s rock ‘n roll, and classic music from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Elvis and more! Wurst has shared concerts with acclaimed Country Music artists such as Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr , Alabama, Billy Walker, Charley Walker, Bobby G Rice, and Narvel Feltz, and many, many more. Stage show promoter and WCSM Weekly Country Leisure Show Host Jim Highley will emcee the event. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Tom Rogers at 567-664-9993.

Past highlights include winning talent contests and competitions from nationally known Buck Lake Ranch, Wrangler Country Star Search, and the State of Ohio division which led to performances on stage at the Mother Church of country music’s Grand Ole Opry.  Other contest highlights include Nashville Network’s “You Can Be a Star” and the “Lake Erie West People’s Choice Awards” netting Bob Wurst the “Country” award, winner of Male Vocalist, and top award “Entertainer of the Year”.

The band began recording in Nashville by this time and continued up until the year 2000 with the great fortune of recording a complete album with the Jordanaires and DJ Fontana, Elvis’ back-up vocalists and drummer. In the mid 80’s, his recorded song “She’s got the rhythm, I’ve got the blues”, enjoyed a mild success on the national record charts.

Through local legendary performer Gary Shope’s influence, Wurst’s band staffed Buck Lake Ranch of Angola, Indiana, and this became the musical backdrop to meeting many big name performers, and enhancing the band’s entertaining abilities. In 1983 a big thrill and musical career highlight for Bob came when asked to open for big name band “Alabama”. Over the years, the band would continue opening for some of the biggest names in coun­try music, playing at fairs and fes­ti­vals, and making count­less TV appear­ances. They would play round and square dances for many local orga­ni­za­tions, night clubs. When the circumstance presented itself, the band would play for ben­e­fits and fund rais­ers.

Since 2003 Wurst has enjoyed a new side of his career playing solo and implementing technology. He continues to entertain at dances, Classic car shows, parties and festivals.

ATTENTION AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS

Increases in agricultural soil values are causing some major changes in farmland property values and agricultural property taxes.

On Thursday, April 10th, 2014, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with Randy Grapner; Mercer County Auditor, Janet Schuler; Auglaize County Auditor and Nancy Dixon; Van Wert County Auditor, is hosting a free seminar about the increases in value to land in the Current Agricultural Use Value (C A U V) program. The workshop will cover the reasons for the increases in soil values.

Don’t miss it!

Mark your calendar for the FREE C A U V property value seminar on Thursday, April 10th, at the St, Mary’s High School Auditorium on 2250 State Route 66N from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Again, the FREE C A U V property value seminar will be on Thursday, April 10th at the St, Mary’s High School Auditorium on 2250 State Route 66N from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For more information, call the Mercer County Auditor’s Office at 419-586-6402.  

 
March 22-23, 2014
 

Rockford Lions Club Presents the 2014 Annual Variety Show

Clue....less is the name of the Variety Show and appears to be an evening of comedic detective work. Planned for Friday and Saturday April 4th & 5th @ 7:30 pm in the Parkway High School Auditorium, the show’s performers invite everyone to the annual event.

Tickets are available at:  Henkle's Insurance, People's Bank, First Financial Bank, & Barry's Market or at the door. The cost is $7 for Adult, $5 for children under 12.

All profits go to community charitable projects and student scholarships.

4-H Exchange Club Spring Drive-Thru Pork Dinner Fundraiser

April 6th (Sunday)  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. 

The cost is $7.00 with pre-sale only tickets available.

Menu: BBQ Pork (sauce on the side), Mashed Potato, Noodles (by Brooke), Green Beans, Rolls, and Cookies. 

Tickets may be purchased from a 4-H member or by calling Cindy 419-203-1413 or Jay 419-203-2234.

This is a fundraiser to help sponsor other 4-H clubs from different states to visit Van Wert County. 

In June, the club will host Marshall, Minnesota from Lyons County.  The club is in early planning stages for this event. 

The 4-H Exchange Club also sponsors the Holiday Light Show during the month of December, held at the Van Wert County Fair Grounds.

The club would like to give everyone a BIG THANK for the support that they have shown the club.

 
March 21, 2014
 

Mendon Post Office Hours to be Reduced

Mendon residents learned this week that the post office there will have hours cut soon. Rockford Post Office will take over the administration of the office but mail sorting will remain in Mendon. Hours will likely be 8:45 to 10:45 and 2:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday and 8:30 to 11:30  AM.

Click Here for Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Cases Heard for March 2013

Rockford Village Council Meets on March 18, 2014
Click here for the minutes by Lisa Kuhn, Fiscal Agent

The Rockford Lions Club Variety Show will take place at the Parkway  High School Auditorium on April 4th and 5th.

Shanes Park Easter Egg Hunt will be April 19th at 1 pm.

Jeff Long reported that water lines were damaged during the frigid temperatures this winter. He is applying for funds from the Community Development Block Grant funds to replace 15 service lines and frostproof them (on Front Street). If they can’t get the grant monies, the repairs will have to wait. Read more at the link above.

Blood Drive

By Taylor Hesse

On Thursday February 20th, Parkway FFA and Parkway FCCLA held a blood drive. This blood drive was special because for every unit of blood successful given the Parkway FFA Chapter donated $5 to Ally Bea Roessner and Raygen Kramer. Students who donated also received a free t-shirt. A total of 68 units were donated throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who donated, it was greatly appreciated!

 
March 20, 2014
 

Fire Destroys Pole Barn, Chicken Coop and Chickens South of Rockford

A fire started in the early morning hours of March 19, 2014, at 9447 Hellwarth Road, southwest of Rockford. Chad Ransbottom, Assistant Fire Chief, reported a an a chicken coop and chickens were lost in the fire which was fought by Rockford and Celina firemen.

Parkway Kindergarten Registration and Screening

Parkway Elementary is currently scheduling appointments for kindergarten screening for the 2014-2015 school year.  Students need to be five years old before August 1 to be eligible to attend.  Screening will be held on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Parkway Elementary School.  On screening day, it will be necessary for parents/guardians to present an official birth certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics (any county health department).  The vital statistics department will require a fee for this copy. The hospital complimentary birth certificate will not be accepted.  Parents will also need to supply their child’s social security card, immunization records, two forms of proof of residency and custody papers (if applicable) to photocopy.  Please try to have your child’s immunizations up-to-date before the screening.  Immunizations are required to be documented by the 15th day of school.  All students entering kindergarten in the fall will need to go through the screening process.  Please call Michelle in the elementary office at 419-363-3045 to schedule an appointment.

Rockford Rec. Co-ed Sand Volleyball

The Rockford Recreation Association is excited to once again broaden the opportunities available to our community members that promote healthy and active lifestyles. As our youth programs continue to thrive throughout the summer and fall months, we are excited to expand our programming for the first time to include organized activities for adults! This summer, the Rockford Recreation Association will be hosting an adult co-ed sand volleyball power league that will be played on Sunday evenings at Shanes Park throughout June and July. Last fall, the old asphalt volleyball court located north of the log cabin was transformed into a sand court with new poles scheduled to be installed this spring.

The cost to register a team for the 2014 sand volleyball league is $75 and t-shirts will be awarded to the league champions. For more information, or to register a team, contact Brandi Bruns at (419)363-2937 Registration deadline is May 17th. Additional information and announcements can be found at www.rockfordrec.com or "Like" Rockford Recreation Association on Facebook.

Emergency Manage Association Calendar of Events

EMA Advisory Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

EMA Office           Celina                 12:05 PM

LEPC Meeting Has Been Scheduled for:

Thursday, April 11, 2014

Central Services Building  Celina            7:30 AM

            2nd Floor Conference Room

CHURCHES TEAM UP TO TURN SHOES INTO WATER

St. John Lutheran Church (1100 N. Main St, Celina) and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (119 E. Fulton St, Celina) are collecting shoes and turning them into water.  From March 23rd through April 6th, these churches will be collecting shoes and donating them to a group called EDGE Outreach.  Once collected, EDGE sells the shoes to an exporter generating money for training and water projects in developing countries.  Donated shoes are requested to still have the sole attached but can be in pairs or singles.  These two churches combined forces last year and brought in over 1900 pairs of shoes for this project.

“We are always looking for new ways to impact lives in our community or across the world,” says Jen Roidt, one of the event coordinators from St. John.  “This is an easy way for people to make a difference.”

The EDGE exporter takes the shoes to the same countries that EDGE does water/hand pump repair projects and sells them to micro business owners (at affordable prices) to help them to have a sustainable living for their families.  Shoes are expensive in many of these countries and having affordable shoes is another life saving tool as they protect the owner’s feet and overall health from foot abrasions, parasites and mites.

When EDGE staff and volunteers travel to these developing communities, they combat waterborne illnesses by training local people to build and operate water purification systems, repair broken hand pumps, teach effective health and hygiene practices, and develop long-term plans for sustaining their new water development efforts.

Diane Mendelson, Pastor at St. Paul’s believes that “real faith always needs to translate into real action.  Churches are at their best when they can partner together for the good of others.”

Shoes can be dropped off at either location between the hours of 9am-4pm during the week and on Sunday mornings.  Please place in provided bins.

For further information, contact St. John Lutheran Church (419/586-2332) or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (419/586-6621).  To find out more about EDGE Outreach, visit their website:  www.edgeoutreach.com

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Photo Caption: Standing;  Leo Klingshirn, Henry Kohnen, Coach Julius Moeder, Leo Sunderhaus, and Stachler.  Front row: Andrew Bertke and Luke Beckman.   Although these men were no longer enrolled in Saint Henry High School, they played basketball at St. Henry in 1918.

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00 – 4:00, the Mercer County Historical Society will host “Founder of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith Day,” with an exhibit of “Early Basketball History in Mercer County High Schools in the 1920’s and 1930’s,”  at the Mercer County Historical Museum, 130 East Market, Celina.  The goal is to preserve the History of Mercer County’s High School Basketball. 

In seeking the history of Saint Henry Basketball, I read Coach Fran Guilbault’s 1978 book, “Here We Go, Redskins, Here We Go; A History of Interscholastic Basketball at St. Henry High School.”   In his book, Guilbault not only gives credit to Dr. James Naismith, but also gives highlights of important rule changes in the sport of Basketball.  In reference to St. Henry High School Basketball History, Guilbault states, “Basketball probably came to the St. Henry area sometime during World War I.  A team was first organized by the boys of high school age in 1920, but all members of the team weren’t enrolled in school as students.  The first organized game by any high school team was also played in 1920.  St. Henry Freshmen challenged North Star School Freshmen to a game.  Those St. Henry Team Members were Elroy Romer, Leo Gels, Ed Frank, Al Beckman and Oscar Schoeneberger.” 

Coach Julius Moeder was also a St. Henry Teacher, beginning in 1911.  Guilbault went on the acknowledge the contribution that Coach Julius Moeder made to St. Henry Basketball,  “After being involved in the game for a while, Coach Moeder began to study it, develop strategies, and took pride in trying to build the program.  This was all very difficult because there was very little opportunity to practice with no facilities available.  It was also difficult because in those years, very few boys attended school beyond the tenth grade.  If anyone deserves to be called the ‘Father of Basketball in St. Henry,’ it would have to be Julius Moeder.”  Coach Moeder retired from coaching in 1934.

The March 23 Exhibit at the Mercer County Historical Museum will include information about High School Basketball teams from the following High Schools:  Celina, Coldwater, Fort Recovery, Immaculate Conception , Maria Stein, Mendon, Neptune, Rockford, Saint Henry, and Washington Township.  Burkettsville and Chickasaw also had a two year high school in the 1920’s, and they had a basketball team, but to date, we have not found a photograph of either school’s basketball teams.  This exhibit will include early photographs of 1920’s – 1930’s, early High School Annuals, Local History Books, Awards, Newspaper articles, and related historical items which Mercer Countians bring to the Museum for this Exhibit.  Would there be a chance that anyone has any old uniforms or basketballs from that time period?

The Mercer County Historical Society invites Local Sports Collectors to bring their early collections and Basketball Scrapbooks of the 1920’s and 1930’s to show at the Museum Sunday, March 23, and to help the Mercer County Historical Society to Preserve Mercer County’s Local History of High School Basketball Girls Teams and Boys Teams.

 iPad Raffle Winner Named; Proceeds go to the Rockford Recreation Association

The Laurels of Shane Hill & Maplewood of Shane’s Village sponsored an iPad Raffle during the month of February with all proceeds being donated to the Rockford Recreation Association.  There was $1030.00 raised from the iPad raffle and the Laurels donated an additional $2,500 to the organization.  Julia Churan, from Arizona, was the lucky winner of the iPad. Julia is the daughter of Rolland and Fran Miller of Rockford. Julia's grandmother is a resident at The Laurels of Shane Hill.

The Rockford Recreation Legacy Fund provides tax advantaged opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in equipment and park improvements which will enhance recreational opportunities for families and children of the Rockford Community and beyond. There is a plan for further developing Shane’s Park that supports the future vision of the Rockford Recreation Association. The money that is donated to support this vision goes immediately toward improvements that have recently included extended concrete spectator areas, permanent dugout improvements on all four diamonds, additional family picnic areas, Diamond #5 development, and ongoing park facility improvements.

 
March 19, 2014
 

Ashland Eagles Send Six To Nationals
Ranking Sixth in the Nation, Joe Brandt, Heads to College Competition

Joe Brandt headed to the NCAA Super Nationals in Cleveland over the weekend of March 15-16 to compete in wrestling, college level.  He competed for a national title against 14 other men in his weight class of 197#. 

Six Ashland University wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Divison II national meet on Saturday (Mar. 1) at Tiffin. To reach the national championships, which were held March 14-15 in Cleveland, a wrestler had to place in the top five at this Super Region II Championship Tournament. These wrestlers made the cut:

Sophomore Michael Labry leads the AU brigade. He won a regional title for the first time in his career and returns to nationals for the second straight season.

Junior Joe Brandt was second at 197 pounds and senior Tyler Houska was the runner-up at 285 pounds. Brandt will be after his third straight All-America award in Cleveland. Brandt had to battle back from an injury during the season but since getting back on the mat he's been doing a great job. On March 1, he won his first match by major decision, 10-2 over Joe Grisko of Newberry. In the title match, he lost to McKendree's Julian Smith, 8-4.  Smith is ranked third in the country and Brandt is ranked sixth.

Junior Bryson Hall placed third at 184 pounds to wrap up a spot at nationals and Kyle Burns was third at 157. Hall is going to nationals for the second time in his career, he made the trip as a freshman and did not place.

At 149 pounds, redshirt freshman Brent Fickel was fourth. Indianapolis won the regional title with 125.5 points. McKendree (106) was second, Newberry (105.5) was third and Ashland (100) was fourth. Maryville (99) finished fifth. A total of 17 teams competed in this regional.

Newberry came to Tiffin with the highest ranking, the North Carolina school is fifth. McKendree is ninth, Maryville is 13th, Indianapolis is 14th and the Eagles are 19th. Visit the website is http://www.goashlandeagles.com/  for more information when it becomes available.

Brandt is a Parkway graduate and the son of Jennifer Brandt and grandson of Marge Gehle, Rockford.

CABIN FEVER QUARTER AUCTION - JOIN US

It’s been a long winter ~ are you tired of being cooped up inside?   Then come and join the fun at the Quarter Auction.  You don’t know what that Is ????  Well let me tell you, it’s a whole lot of fun, and you can save a lot of money at the same time.  For the admission of $3.00 you have the right to bid on any or all of the 90 gifts that range from $10.00 to $100.00.  You could place a quarter bid on an item worth $30.00 and only pay 25 cents for it.  HOW COOL IS THAT!

Bring your friends and they can bid for you on an item they are not interested in and double your chances. 

It all happens MARCH 30th .  At the Rockford Community Building,.  The doors open at 12:30  with food being served and the auction starting at 1:00

Greg Putoff will be the MC for the afternoon.  It’s going to be a hoot, so plan on coming with a group of friends and do some serious shopping,  the fun and easy way.  There’s something for everyone. Remember to save your quarters. See you there!

Sponsored by the Splash Pad Committee with proceeds going to the improvement of the splash pad. 

PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THIS PROJECT

Rockford Chamber - March 2014 meeting minutes  - Click Here.

 
March 18, 2014
 

Willshire Youth Activities Fun Plan Event
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5th.  The Willshire Youth Activities will be sponsoring an evening of fun at the Willshire American Legion, Post #207.  Homemade soup and sandwiches, including many “concession stand favorites” will be available.  A 50/50 raffle as well as many other live raffles and even a time for some auction items will be held throughout the evening.  Fun and food will be available for all ages.  Plan now to join in on this time.  All proceeds from the evening will be used to support ball park activities and improvements.  Your support will be appreciated.  For further information, please contact Lynne Miller at 419.203.1976.

The Willshire Youth Activities is still accepting registration for spring/summer ball.  Teams are available for boys and girls ages 5-15.  Contact Lynne Miller (419.203.1976) or Jeff Ford (419.771.7964) to register.

Join Summer Ball Program in Ohio City
Ohio City Youth Activities have announced that they will be having summer ball sign-up on March 22nd at the Village Hall in Ohio City from 9 am - 12 pm. 

This is open for all Van Wert County residents and Parkway students.

For more information contact Kurt at (419) 203-6117.

Mercer County DARE Cup-Stacking Competition
Saturday, March 15 was the cycle stacking competition for Mercer County 4^th and 5^th students. The pictures include the individual fastest times: 4^th grade, 1^st, Dylan Fleck, Marion Local, 17.41; Makena Ellenberger, Fort Recovery, 17,53; Kurtis Billerman, Marion Local, 18.58.  5^th grade, 1^st Kelsey Nichols, Parkway, 13.26; Lydia Miller, Parkway, 13.31; Molly Rethman, Marion Local, 14.11.

4^th Grade Team Champs were Fly Guys and the 5^th Grade Team Champs were Flyer Flash.

Nancy Heppeard shared her link to the pictures; click here: https://picasaweb.google.com/100813587715833883553/MercerCountyDARECycleStacking2014?noredirect=1#

Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers 4H Meets
The Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers  4h club held their first meeting of the year on Sunday March 9th.  The club discussed upcoming plans and events and shared ideas for various club projects.  Demonstrations for the program today were :  Leslie Marbaugh, Chris Kraner, Makenzie Bowen and Hannah Kraner.  It was announced that the yearly Liberty Township trash pick up will be held on April 6th . Also officer training will be held at the fairground on April 18 th.  Once the meeting ended refreshments were served by the groups advisors . Group advisors are : Brenda Delong, Ginny Marbaugh and Vicki Marbaugh.  The next meeting will be held on Sunday March 23 at 2:00  in Ohio City . Officer, advisor, and group member photos will be taken at that time.
by Hannah Kraner - reporter

Calvary Evangelical Church Updates

 
March 17, 2014
Happy St. Patrick's Day
 

Monday March 17 Parkway is on a 2 hour delay for teacher in-service

Brandt and Swartz Families Welcome First Baby Girl - Click Here for Details
 

W.A.R Wrestling Coming to Rockford

The Parkway Wrestling Team will once again be hosting W.A.R. Wrestling at Parkway High School. The show is scheduled for April 12. Doors open at 6 first bell at 7. This time W.A.R. Bad Boy and Current W.A.R. Champion Jock Samson has challenged Coach Kevin Browning to an Arm Wrestling Match, and Coach has accepted.

Parkway Students have been given a free ticket to the event and additional tickets can be purchased at the Parkway High School office, Groamy Records in Lima, or at warwrestling.com. $10 reserved seats, $5 bleacher seating.

Thank you to sponsors Peel’s Pit Stop and Celina Moving and Storage.

Clever Clovers Meet
Reporter Catherine Kopack

The Clever Clover 4H Club had its second meeting on March 10, 6:30-7:30PM at Grace Bible Church in Van Wert.  Claire Gamble led the 4H Pledge.  An attendance sheet was passed around to the members.  19 members and five guests were present.  President Erin Richardson reminded the club that Enrollment Forms are due March 14 and Treasurer Erin Gemmer reminded the club that dues should be turned in by April 28.  Health and Safety Officer Rachel Spath reported on “Healthy Drinks”.  Members added events to their calendars.  The club played a “get to know you game”, led by Catherine Kopack.  After the business meeting was adjourned, the Clover Buds joined the rest of the club.  They got into groups and found out where different products were made in Ohio and found the towns on the map.  Snacks were brought by:  Erin Richardson and Kylie Cloninger.  The next meeting will be on March 24, at 6:30 at Grace Bible Church.

Clever 4-H Club Clovers Meet

Reporter Catherine Kopack

The Clever Clover 4H Club had their first meeting Mon., Feb. 24.  Their meeting was held from 6:30-7:30PM at Grace Bible Church in Van Wert.  The 4H Pledge was led by Claire Gamble.  The members learned about Parliamentary Procedure and then nominated and voted for officers.  The elected members are:  President: Erin Richardson, Vice President: Caroline Kopack, Secretary: Alaina Arney, Treasurer: Erin Gemmer, Service Project Coordinators: Jamie Burenga, Ethan White and Lainey Werts,  Health and Safety: Rachel Spath and Kayla Krites, News Reporter, Catherine Kopack.  Enrollment forms were passed out and dues discussed. An end-of-the-meeting snack was enjoyed.  The Clever Clovers’ next meeting is Mon., March 10 at 6:30 at Grace Bible Church.

Reverend Larry and Shirley May Celebrate 60 Wedding Anniversary
Card Shower Planned

Larry K. May and Shirley L. Seaman were united in marriage on March 20, 1954 at St. Michael's Union Church in Hamburg, Pennsylvania with Larry's father, the Rev. Milton A. May officiating.  They are the parents of 4 children, Cynthia May Cook, Keith May (deceased), Kay May, and Timothy May.  They are the proud grandparents of 7 grandchildren:  Shaun Miller, Brandon Miller, Dustin Miller, Melissa Albers, Todd Bush, Keith May and Jessica Blair.  They are also Great Grandparents to 13 Great Grandchildren:  Joseph, Destiny, Sierra, Sedona, Jeremy, Jade, Jordan, Nicholas (deceased), James, Alex, Abigail, Nora and Janelle.

After graduating from Seminary at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Larry served his first church in Gering, Nebraska from 1959-1961.  They then moved to Rockford, Ohio, where Larry served as pastor at St. Paul's United Church of Christ from 1961 - 1967.  From 1967 - 1977, Larry pastored St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Bellevue, Ohio.  The next move took the May family to New Bremen, Ohio where Larry was pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ from 1977-1982.  From there Larry and Shirley migrated south to Florida where they currently are enjoying their retirement years.

March 20, 2014 will mark their 60th Wedding Anniversary. In lieu of a celebratory gathering, their children are requesting a simple "card shower" for their parents.  They would be honored if you would send them a card congratulating them on achieving this milestone.  If you are in need of their address, you may contact daughter, Cindy May Cook, at canurse@earthlink.net - daughter, Kay May, at kasey@nktelco.net or son, Timothy May, at tmaytoe@live.com

Several Incidents Investigated by Sheriff

Celina, OH – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reports his office is investigating several related incidents.   On Thursday 3-13-2014 at 3:39 PM  Deputies responded to a reported breaking and entering at 7272 Prairie Brook Drive Celina Ohio.  The owner of the residence reported cash, collector coins, jewelry, and a safe taken in the break in. 

At 7:20 PM Deputies went to 345 South Green Street in Mendon to serve an unrelated warrant, and attempt to locate the suspect in the breaking and entering on Prairie Brook Drive.  Deputies were initially permitted to search the residence by the owner. While searching for the wanted person deputies discovered several items that were reported stolen in the breaking and entering.  The suspect in the breaking and entering was observed outside of  the house and when a deputy attempted to stop him he took off on foot.  Deputy Carla Baucher pursued the suspect on foot for approximately 10 city blocks.  Deputy Baucher deployed her Taser without success but was still able to apprehend the suspect in the 200 block of Sunset Drive in Mendon hiding under a pickup truck.  The suspect was also in possession of a large sum of cash and suspected marijuana.   Taken into custody was 33 year old Chad W. Ackley, 345 South Green Street in Mendon.  Ackley is charged with obstructing official business, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana.  Additional charges are expected to be filed on Ackley.

A search warrant was applied and granted for the residence at 345 South Green Street.  Several stolen items from the break in were recovered along with drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana. 

The following people were arrested at the residence:

20 year old Casey Hatcher.  Ms. Hatcher was arrested on a probation violation holder.  Hatcher was found hiding in a small closet inside the residence.  Her address is listed at 345 South Green Street in Mendon.  Suspected heroin and cash was in Hatcher’s possession.

The owner of 345 South Green street 32 year old Megan L. Hatcher was taken into custody for Obstructing and Child Endangerment.

All three individuals were taken to the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility.  The case will be reviewed for additional charges.

Prayers Requested - Click Here

 
March 14-16, 2014
 

 
March 13, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Thursday, March 3, 2014. 

Blowing and drifting snow occurred overnight.
Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

Parkway Band and Choir Going to Contest
The Parkway High School band and choirs will be participating in
District Large Group Contest on Friday March 14th and Saturday March
15th in Celina.

The concert choir will perform on Friday at 4:50 p.m. in the Celina
Middle School gym. The women's choir will perform at 8:10 p.m., also in
the Celina Middle School gym.

The concert band will perform at 10:30 a.m. in the Celina High School gym.

The public is invited to come and listen to our performing groups and is
reminded that there are to be no pictures taken or recordings of any
kind made in the performance areas. Also, all cell phones need to be
turned completely off during performances.

Good luck to all of Parkway's performing groups this weekend!!

Men’s Prostate Cancer Group to Discuss Surgery Side Effects

Man to Man is a group to support men who have been diagnosed with or have been treated for prostate cancer or who would like more information about prostate cancer.  At the next meeting Dick Falkner will be repeating a presentation from a meeting he recently attended at the OSU Wexner Medical  Center in Columbus.  The presentation focuses on common side effects experienced as a result of prostate surgery and the latest treatments available. The meeting will be held at 7:00PM on Tuesday, March 18th in Conference Room 1 at the Joint Township Hospital in St. Marys. The atmosphere is casual and all interested men are invited to attend.  For more information contact Dick Falkner, facilitator, at 419-629-9950 or mantoman@nktelco.net.

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy
Senate Bill 150 Proposes Changes to Ohio’s Agriculture Industry To Improve Water Quality

Farmers are the backbone of our local economy, so it is important to provide them with tools to continue to prosper while protecting local waterways. Ohio agribusiness men have worked tirelessly to adapt to changing circumstances around them by adopting nutrient management plans in order to preserve our natural resources and protect the soil.

One piece of legislation being considered by the legislature would further improve these efforts. Senate Bill 150 focuses on reducing nutrient over-loading on Ohio ground.  It accomplishes this goal by requiring training for agribusinessmen spreading chemical fertilizer on farm ground. The farmers in the Grand Lakes St. Mary’s Watershed have served as excellent examples of responding to the need to protect Ohio’s waterways by voluntarily adopting nutrient management plans.  The positive steps made in the Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed are paving the way for changes to agriculture statewide.

S.B. 150 will require farmers with 50 or more contiguous acres to attend a continuing education course on fertilization application. This certification process will support practical and feasible best management practices. 

The bill will ultimately build on the efforts of the Ohio Farm Bureau to promote the 4R program to improve farming practices throughout Ohio, by advocating for the right nutrient, at the right time, in the right amount, in the right location. The best way to improve farming practices in Ohio is through education, and this bill takes a step in the right direction. 

Although nutrient management plans are completely voluntary, Ohio’s major agricultural groups support creating a plan to help farmers meet the new industry requirements. There are resources available, such as Ohio State Extension, professional agronomists, the Soil and Water Conservation office, and the Farm Services Agency, to help agricultural professionals develop appropriate nutrient management plans. By having a state -approved nutrient management plan in place, affirmative defense may provide legal protection to farmers.

Please stay in touch and provide your input on the issues of the day by taking a legislative survey at tinyurl.com/buchymarch2014

Celina Police Department Officers Locate Handgun and Marijuana

The Celina Police Department were out at 211 S. Brandon Ave. investigating a possible Domestic Violence incident that happened on 3/10/14. A male suspect fled into the residence. Officers forced entry into the residence and took a male into custody. Through the course of the investigation Officers located a handgun and a large amount of Marijuana. 

The case was forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for review of the charges.

 
March 12, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are closed for Wednesday, March 12, 2014 due to a snowstorm.
Do Blizzard Bag #1 today.

Van Wert County Common Pleas Court is closing at Noon today, Wed. March 12, 2014. 
All hearing scheduled this afternoon will be rescheduled.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey issued a reminder that roads are snow-covered & slippery due to the 5 inches of snowfall today.
Use caution when driving.

WassUp at the Wassenberg Art Center

Photo caption: Tafi Stober is working on her painting of a dragonfly from the second Vine & Palette event at the Wassenberg Art Center

The colorful Ohio Watercolor Society traveling exhibit has arrived and is gracing our walls just in time for the next round of wintry weather. Stop in to avoid snow blindness! The Ohio Watercolor Society showcases the results of the annual competition of the best watercolorists in Ohio and a few surrounding states. Winners of this completion are then eligible to compete in the national level American Watercolor Exhibit. The American Watercolor Exhibit slated to arrive here early next year will be a national level exhibit of some of the best watercolors in the country. The Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibit is brought to you by the generosity of First Federal Savings & Loan, Van Wert.

Thank you to the students and parents who signed up their children for our new afterschool program called ArtReach! We are happy to announce due to an overwhelming response that we will be expanding this program to two afternoons per week in April! ArtReach 2 will be held on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. Our instructor, Diane Bendele demonstrated how art is in everything last week and discussed the design of an ordinary overlooked object, the chair. Students then created their own chair designs.

Classic Watercolor class on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. is an ongoing Watercolor class taught by Pat Rayman. Persons are encouraged to jump in anytime and the class is sold in 4-class increments.

Want to learn how to paint fog and misty moonlight? Atmospheric Acrylics taught by Pat Rayman will commence on Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. An emphasis will be places on learning to paint atmospheric conditions such as fog and moonlight. Cost of the class will be $35 members/$40 non-members. Additional information will be available shortly through print and via our website.

Our first official Vine & Palette painting event was held last week and was a huge success. Person’s who had never painted created a successful and colorful painting of a dragonfly. Taught by both Matt Temple and myself, our next Vine and Palette is scheduled for April 8. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend and a bottle of wine to share and we’ll take care of the rest. Class time runs 6:30-9:30 p.m. We provide paints, canvas, brushes and your first glass of wine. You will need a paint shirt or apron to protect your clothes. Sign up soon. This class fills quickly and a month without art is just not healthy.

For information on exhibits, classes and programs listed on there as well. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 South Washington Street (former Van Wert Armory). We can be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837 email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.

New Pastor Takes the Reins at New Horizon Church

Pastor Dave Souers is from the Ft. Wayne, Indiana area where he was born and raised and now has moved into the calling as head pastor of New Horizon Community Church in Rockford. Dave and his wife Annette, who is a registered nurse at the St. Joe Burn Center, recently became the parents of Eli, 2 months.

The couple came from Westwood Fellowship after having served there 5-1/2 years, where Dave pastored and they both enjoyed coaching soccer and track. Dave also was an announcer for the basketball games. They will miss their church home, but both felt the calling of the Lord and Dave answered the call a month ago.

After graduating from Blackhawk Christian in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, he completed a four year degree in Biblical Studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He is currently working on his Master of Divinity through Indiana Wesleyan. While in Chicago, he served in the inner city in Youth Ministry and coached sports. But he really missed the green grass.

He also met his wife Annette at Moody. She was born and raised in a missionary Family in the Albertville area of France near the Alps. She loves to coach and serves as a track coach as well as a student athletic trainer. Dave and Annette are committed to mission work, and he is very excited about the upcoming trip to Guatemala, which is in the works for this summer.

Dave has a “Come as You Are”  philosophy, a relaxed atmosphere where “church” clothes are not required to honor the Lord. He along with the other members also have a warm and inviting atmosphere, Dave has already met Ken Meyer, worship director, Todd Moser, Children’s Pastor and more wonderful people according to Dave. He prepares all of his sermons which he strives to create Bible-based and relevant messages. He wants his flock to understand what’s written and apply it to your life and engage you in the bible. He plans his lessons with lively enthusiasm. In fact, his series right now called "In Joy" is guaranteed to get the enthusiasm back in your life.

The worship team provides music at the 10:30  services. A cafe of food and fellowship starts at 9 AM.  They invite you to attend their church  next Sunday.

Quarter Auction Planned

Splash Pad Committee of RADC is having a Quarter Auction at the Community Building on Sunday, March 30 at 1:00 pm
Doors open at 12:30 pm.

Venedocia Lads and Lassies Meet and Organize for the Year
From Reporter Addison Mueller
The Venedocia Lads and Lassies held their first meeting on Feb. the 20th . The meeting was held at 7:00 pm at the Venedocia lions club. Pledges were led by Melanie Mueller and roll call by Madison Pugh. The club played a "get to know each other" game. Then we voted for officers, news repoters, treasurer, president, and vice president and more. The lions club will hold their all you can eat pancakes and sausage on March 15th.

Fulton OSU Extension to Offer Low Tunnel/High Tunnel Workshop and Farm Tour

The Fulton County OSU Extension office invites area producers to participate in the Low Tunnel/High Tunnel Workshop and Farm Tour on April 24th, 2014 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at Heritage Inn in Archbold, OH.  This program is geared towards new low tunnel/high tunnel producers or for those who wish to “brush up” on the basics of integrating tunnel systems into their fruit or vegetable operations. The workshop will offer three instructional sessions with the theme of Growing Crops Under Covers: 1) Why It Works, Why It Fails, 2) Linking Under-Cover Crops to Profitable Markets and 3) Tunnels of Many Types and Uses.  Thanks to a Warner Grant for Sustainable Agriculture, OSUE Fulton County in collaboration with Doug and Valerie Kinsman will complete the day with case studies of microclimate management and a tour of the Kinsman Farm.  Speakers for the day will include Matt Kleinhenz, the OSUE Vegetable Specialist, growers Doug and Valerie Kinsman and Eric Richer, Extension Educator, Fulton County.  The day will include many small round table discussions, a light breakfast and full lunch at Heritage Inn.   Presentation materials and a select grower publication will be included in the registration.  Cost of the event is $30 for the first person from the farm and $20 for each person thereafter.  Registration form can be found at www.fulton.osu.edu  or by calling 419-337-9210.  Registration deadline is April 17th. 

Parkway Yearbook Thanks Supporters

The Parkway Yearbook Staff would like to thank our area businesses for supporting the 2013-2014 Parkway yearbook through advertising. The funds received from selling advertisements reduce the selling price of each book by approximately $30, making the book more affordable for the parents, students, and community members in the Parkway Local School District. The following businesses supported the 2013-2014 Parkway Yearbook: Deerfield Golf Course, F&S Floor Covering, Tom Kuhn, Rockford Carry Out, OP Nails, Plaza Bowling Lanes, Moore Insurance Service, Garwick’s, Wabash Mutual, PhotoStar, The Mr. Shoppe, Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, People’s Bank, Celina Moving, Mr. E’s Driving, Peel’s Pit Stop, The Daily Standard, Van Wert Massotherapy, W.I.R.E.D. Youth Ministries, Granger Dental, Olympic Lanes, Henkle Insurance, Wrenco Trophy, Becky’s Restaurant, Family Medicine, Celina Wine Store, The Fremont Company, Rockford American Legion, Pax Machine, Celina American Legion, Mox Warehouse, CAPT, Mack Arena, Kuhn Farms, Wolff’s Tire, Balyeat’s Coffee Shop, Perks, Betseys Boutique, Laurels of Shane Hill, University of Northwestern Ohio, III Son’s Towing, Wright State University, Country Styles, Chatt Insurance, Ace Hardware-Van Wert, Truck Research Services, and Willshire Home Furnishings. 

Trinity and Kennerk to Perform at Rockford Belle on March 15

Trinity will take to the Rockford Belle stage and sing God’s praises on March 15 at 7 PM. Doors open at 6 PM. Saxophone player, Tom Kennerk, will join the performance. The public is welcome to attend the performance located at 135 Market Street, Rockford, OH. A free-will offering is accepted.

Trinity, from Van Wert, Ohio began its ministry in the early 1980’s singing a wide variety of Christian music, but has turned its focus towards Southern Gospel over the last eleven years. Vocalists for the group are Gary Adams, Cheryl Burk and Kim Mason.

Trinity performs approximately 125 concerts a year throughout the Midwest and South at worship services, banquets, community events and celebrations in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and other places the Lord opens doors.  Over the last several years Trinity has had the privilege of performing with some of the country’s leading gospel artists: The Talley Trio, The Hoppers, Greater Vision, The Booth Brothers, Mark Lowery, Dallas Holmes, John Darin Rowsey and many others.

The group released their newest recording project in March 2013. The new CD is entitled “Milestones” and features some Southern Gospel Hits as well as some wonderful new songs. They have appeared on Christian television, and selections from their recordings are heard on Christian radio.

Tom Kennerk, of Monroeville, Indiana has been playing the saxophone for more than 30 years. His music is a combination of Contemporary, Southern Gospel and Traditional wit a little jazz flair. His passion for playing began in grade school and continued into the mid-seventies while spending a 4-year hitch in the Navy band. After playing in bars and parties for the first several years, Tom gave up his music and thought his music career was over. But the Lord had different plans for him. In 1999 the Lord introduced Tom to Gospel music and ever since Tom has been spreading the Good News of the Gospel through his saxophone and testimony. His passion and talent for the saxophone is unsurpassed and he has an incredible style that is all his own.

Join Tom Kennerk and Trinity for an evening of great music at the Rockford Belle on March 15. For more information about this event at The Rockford Belle call Tom Rogers at 567-644-9993.

Celina Woman Dies in Traffic Accident East of Celina

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey announced that his office is presently investigating a fatal accident on State Route 29 near Harris Road.  A caller at 6:59 AM on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 advised he was driving a hydraulic crane and was struck in the rear.

The investigation shows that a crane driven by Bryan Hirschfeld, age 62 of 8259 Mercer-Auglaize County Road stopped at the southbound stop sign on Harris Rd., and pulled onto State Route 29 westbound.  The investigation further shows that a westbound 2003 Honda driven by Heather McCormick, age 40 of 7495 Staeger Road, Celina, struck the crane in the rear.  Ms. McCormick was pronounced deceased at the scene by Mercer County Coroner Timothy Heinrichs. 

The accident remains under investigation. Deputies at the scene were assisted by the Celina Fire Department, Celina EMS and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Kim Brandt Organizes Calvary Preschool 911 Practice

Calvary Preschool recently hosted the 911 Program, organized by Kim Brandt. The boys and girls learned what to do in a real emergency situation through video and hands-on practice of dialing 911. To comprehend the process, the students stepped on the numbers 9-1-1 and then dialed them on a telephone. This gave the boys and girls an opportunity to practice a conversation with an actual dispatcher. The Calvary Preschool teachers and students were grateful to Kim and Shelly for offering this important information and application.

Calvary Preschool is currently accepting applications for the 2014-15 school year. For more information, contact director Judy Fox at the preschool office at 567-259-3103 or e-mail judy@calvaryelife.org. The preschool is located one mile west on Business Route 224 at Sidle Road in Van Wert.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Announcement by Sheriff Jeff Grey
Celina, OH – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey announced today that  additional deputies will be assigned to work targeted areas during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  Additional Deputies will be on patrol during St. Patrick’s Day weekend focusing on impaired driving.  Deputies will be assigned to specific Townships, these being Franklin, Jefferson, Butler, Granville, Gibson, and Recovery.

Sheriff Grey continues his traffic safety message by reiterating  “The goal is to keep the motoring public safe, not ruin any celebrations”.  The Purpose is for Deputies to be visible and hopefully deter bad driving.  Sheriff Grey reminds motorists to “Never drive while being impaired, always have a designated driver”.   He also reminds motorists to never text and drive, and as always please wear your seatbelts”.   The continuing goal of the Sheriff’s Office is to keep our citizens safe.

Village Council Meeting Minutes for March 4, 2014 Includes:
Click Here for full details of the meeting.

*Read about the new radio station coming to Rockford.

* Rockford text alerts.  Encourage friends and neighbors to get signed up.

*Rockford Community Days Meeting – March 4 at 7:30 pm.   

* Weather Spotter Course – Tuesday – March 18th  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Central Services Building. 

* Wine Tasting on April 12th from 7 to 10 pm.  Please RSVP to rcdwinetasting or call 419-363-3032 ext 1. 

*The Rockford Chamber is holding a Spring Flower Bulb sale.  Information available at the Village office or check the Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

*The Rockford Chamber will be holding a Social Media Class “Facebook Marketing – it’s fun AND profitable on March 20th @ the Village Hall. Cost is $10 per Chamber Member and $15 per non Chamber member.  RSVP required.  Laptops welcome.

FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP
3 Week Series Begins March 20th

VAN WERT, OHIO — Van Wert County Hospital, in conjunction with Convoy Preschool, will offer _1,2,3,4 Parents! _A free workshop for parents of children ages 2-5. The three-session video and discussion program will be held on Thursday evenings.  Beginning March 20th, each session will be held at the Convoy Village Ministry Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Convoy Village Ministry Center is located at 102 W. Tully Street. 

This parenting workshop is funded by a grant provided by the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund. The mission of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund
(OCTF) is to take a leadership role and be a catalyst in preventing child abuse and neglect in Ohio. 

For more information about this class, visit www.vanwerthospital.org. Registration is required and can be made by calling 419.238.8618.

Join Ohio City Summer Ball Program on March 15
Ohio City Youth Activities have announced that they will be having summer ball sign-up on March 15th at the Village Hall in Ohio City from 9 am - 12 pm. 

This is open for all Van Wert County residents.

For more information contact Kurt at (419) 203-6117.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DANCE with a Live Band “Blind Date”

A St. Patrick's Day Dance will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 8:00-11:00pm. (Doors open at
7:00pm) at Rockford Community Building entrance of US Rte. 33 west of Rockford
 
Price of admission is $10.00 per person at the door.

Beverages, snacks, sandwiches available

Donations accepted. Sponsored by St Teresa Parish Raffle, door prizes, 50/50 will be held during the dance. Handicap accessible.  The public is invited to attend.

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

Join Ohio City Summer Ball Program on March 15
Ohio City Youth Activities have announced that they will be having summer ball sign-up on March 15th at the Village Hall in Ohio City from 9 am - 12 pm. 

This is open for all Van Wert County residents.

For more information contact Kurt at (419) 203-6117.

 
March 10-11, 2014
 

Chicken BBQ

Come join us on April 6th at Chattanooga UMC for our UMW's annual chicken
BBQ!  We will have Romer's chicken dinners, which will include chicken,
applesauce, roll, chips, a homemade cookie, and pop.  Serving times will be
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.  Tickets are $7 and will help the UMW with church
work and missions.  See you there!

Apple Pie Bake-Off

Parkway FFA chapter held their 2nd annual Apple Pie Bake-Off on Friday, February 21st. Any FFA member was allowed to bring in an apple pie for bonus points and their pie was then judged. Our 3 judges were Jeff Marbough, Melissa Burch, and Sharron Walls. The 3 judges had to pick out the top 3 best looking pies and the top 3 best tasting pies. The chapter would like to thank these judged for there help! The top 3 best looking were 1st- Kayla Walls, 2nd-Taylor Hesse, and 3rd-Whitney Rollins. The top 3 tasting were 1st- Whitney Rollins, 2nd-Garrett Henderson, and 3rd- Ashlynn Henderson. Congratulations to all of our winners and thanks to all the students who brought an apple pie in! 

 
March 7-9, 2014
 

Daylight Savings Time Coming

Next weekend on Sunday,  March 9, 2014. The official change of time begins at 2 a.m. when most computer and electronic clocks will automatically reset themselves and jump one hour ahead. So instead of 2 a.m., the clocks will show 3 a.m.

Daylight Saving Time is a way of making better use of the daylight in the evenings by setting the clocks forward one hour during the longer days of summer. In the United States, the time will fall back again on Nov. 2, 2014, when DST ends.

Panther 6th Graders Take Basketball Championship at Jackson Center

(Jackson, Center, OH) The Parkway 6th grade boys basketball team won the championship of the Jackson Center basketball tournament on March 1, 2014. They were undefeated in pool play and beat Northwestern in the Championship game. Team members are Cory Agler, Trevor Barker, Gavin Stober, Chance Mosier, Kendall Roof, Breyden Bruns, Nick Hawk, Ryan Hesse,  Aaron Bruns, Corey Walls, Jason Luth, Caleb Kinney & Colton Barna (Not Present).  They are coached by Mark Luth, Pat Mosier and Trey Stober.

 
March 6, 2014
 

The Shanes Crossing 5K Committee recently donated $1,500 to the upcoming Parkway Disney trip to Florida for the band and choir students.

Mendon Union Alumni Plans Banquet

The 118th Annual Mendon Union School Banquest will be held on May 24th at the Celina American Legion. Doors open at 4 PM with dinner served at 5:30 PM. the classes of 1989 (25th) and 1964 (50th) will be honored. The organizers can be reached at POB 185, Mendon, OH   45862.

Cub Scout Pack 98 to Host Pinewood Derby

The Rockford area Cub Scout Pack 98 will be hosting their annual Pinewood Derby Race in the Parkway High School Auditorium on Saturday March 8th. The race will begin at 3 p.m. with car weigh ins. New this year will be an open class. The open class is open to any pinewood derby car that meets the minimum specifications of clearance and weighs no more than 5 oz. The cost to run in the open class will be $2.00 payable the day of the race. So all you former Cub Scout or Cub Scout parents that have a car to race, bring it on down to Parkway High School and enter the Open Class. If you would like to know more about the open class race you may contact Kevin Browning or Tim Fokine.

AMERICAN CLASSICS this SUNDAY

Rodgers & Hammerstein Favorites played by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra & Prime Rib Buffet at Willow Bend Country Club.

The perfect Sunday combination is now possible. In response to popular demand, Willow Bend Country Club will be offering their acclaimed Prime Rib Buffet from Noon until 3 PM this Sunday, March 9. The Prime Rib Buffet, complete with savory sides and a dessert table that delights is just $19.99. Reservations are always appreciated and all patrons of the Niswonger are welcome: 419-238-0001

The concert begins at 3:00 pm at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The Toledo Symphony Orchestra will merrily transport the audience through the years with a program filled with Rodgers & Hammerstein favorites. Featured vocalists, Mary Ann Falk and Jake Wilder will bring the songs to life from the stage. Tickets are just $20 and are available through the Niswonger Box Office 419-238-NPAC

Click Here for Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Cases Heard for March 2013

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy
Severe Winter Weather Prompts School Closings

While winters in Ohio often bring plentiful cold and snow, this year’s winter has been especially brutal. Heavy snowfalls and frigid temperatures have made this winter one of the harshest in recent memory. While we have all been affected by the weather, schools in particular have faced challenges during this winter season.

Treacherous conditions caused by ice-covered roadways, blowing snow and extreme wind chills have caused many school districts to exceed their allotted number of calamity days for the 2013-2014 school year. Schools all across the state have rightfully put student safety first and cancelled school when conditions were unsafe. 

I am a believer in the power of knowledge and education, but I firmly believe that student safety should be a high priority at every school. It is never ideal to miss a day of in-class instruction, but sometimes this sacrifice simply has to be made in order to keep students and teachers safe.

Governor Kasich also holds this belief, and has called for the addition of extra calamity days to the 2013-2014 school year. The addition of these days will give districts all across Ohio the ability to call off school if conditions are hazardous, without worrying about the possibility of being forced to make up these days at the end of the school year or during previously scheduled recesses.

I support the addition of extra calamity days. However, a day off of school should not result in a day completely void of learning for students. For this reason, I helped with the passage of legislation that allows schools to supplement their existing calamity days with the addition of three E-Days, or “Blizzard Bag” Days.

The E-Day Program was first implemented at Mississinawa Valley Schools, right here in western Ohio. The program allows schools to post online lessons to their website or web portal for students to access during a day off of school. For school districts with limited connectivity, there is an alternative: Blizzard Bags. At schools with a Blizzard Bag program, teachers prepare materials for a lesson that students can take home and complete in the event of a school closure. Both programs provide schools the option to further the learning that is occurring in the classroom, even if school must be closed due to weather.

The program has proven to be a huge success and has provided a blueprint for schools across Ohio. Currently, around 150 school districts have implemented an E-Day or Blizzard Bag program, and that number is growing.

When winter weather hits, school administrators should make the decision to cancel school if conditions present a danger to students. However, with the E-Day and Blizzard Bag programs, these days have proven to be more than simply a day off.

Please stay in touch and provide your input on the issues of the day by taking my legislative survey at tinyurl.com/buchymarch2014

 
March 5, 2014
 

Winter Choir Concert Planned

The Parkway High School Choirs will present their annual Winter Concert
on Sunday March 9th at 3 p.m. The concert will be held in the auditorium.

Featured at the concert will be the women's choir and the concert choir.
These groups will be singing the songs that they will be performing at
District Large Group Contest on Friday March 14th.

The public is invited to attend.

Parkway Elementary Carnival is in the Works!
The Parkway Elementary 5^th Annual Spring Carnival is on Saturday,
March 22th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Parkway High School  Gymnasium.

The Spring Carnival is focused on providing low cost family fun.
Twenty-five cent tickets will be sold to redeem for games set up throughout
the gymnasium midway, such as plinko, washer toss, ring toss, feed the
panther, milk bottle toss, go fish, goldfish toss, and the duck pond.
Children can test their energy in the inflatable obstacle course, jump house  and giant slide. Treat yourself to carnival treats such as cotton candy and  shaved ice or choose sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages that will be  available for purchase.

Children will have the opportunity for face painting, sand art, and
balloon animals. There will be a gymnastics presentation by Parkway
students  from All-Star Gymnastics Center and magician Aaron Roehm will be
performing.   Play games for a chance to win awesome prizes! The grand prize for the  day is a Kindle Fire. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the fun!

This year High 5 is raffling an iPad mini at the carnival. You can purchase tickets for $1.00 prior to the carnival from any elementary student, email parkwayhigh5@gmail.com or check out our Parkway High 5 facebook page for
more information. Also, the day of the carnival we will raffle 4 Cincinnati Reds tickets – 2nd row behind first base, with a parking  pass!

The High 5 Cooperative, a Parkway organization comprised of parents,
teachers, administrators, residents and students is presenting the annual
spring carnival. High 5 welcomes all children in the surrounding
communities  and their families.

3rd Annual Wine Tasting to benefit Rockford Community Days
    
    Date:  April 12, 2014
    
    Where:  Rockford Community Building
    
    Time:  7 pm to 10 pm
    
    Price:  $20 per ticket or $125 for Donor Table
    
    Inquiry - Cindy Vogel 918-504-6159 or  rcdwinetasting@yahoo.com or
    Rockford Village Office - 419-363-3032
    
    LIMITED SEATING !!
    
    RSVP TODAY !

 

Livestock Quality Assurance Rescheduled

Quality Assurance is a state required training program for any 4-H or FFA member who is exhibiting livestock at the junior fair (excluding rabbits). The Ohio State University Extension is hosting the first QA in 2014 at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Sunday March 9th,  starting at 2:00pm until approximately 4:00pm. Members must register at the Jr. Fair Building upon arrival the day of the event. Further instructions will be provided at this time. Members should register no later than 3:00pm in order to complete their training. 

Members eligible for test out it will be offered starting at 1:00pm at the Jr. Fair Building. Test out is offered one hour prior to start of event. The second and final QA offered in Van Wert County will be on Thursday April 24th from 6:30pm to approximately 8:30pm with test out option starting at 5:30pm.

In case of inclement weather please check the OSU Extension webpage at http://vanwert.osu.edu or the Van Wert 4-H Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/vanwert4h

For a list of regional quality assurance dates or for questions please contact The Ohio State University Extension at (419) 238-1214 or email Heather Gottke at Gottke.4@osu.edu. 

March Birthdays Shane Hill and Maplewood

March 5th – Jane Shindollar
March 6th – Michael Eischen
March 12th – James Hull
March 17th – Joan Bland
March 19th – Dorothy Trisel
March 22nd – Jim Thomas
March 24th – Farmer Roderick

Severe Weather Awareness Day
Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 2 – March 8^th.

Wednesday, March 5th is National Severe Weather awareness day -- Mercer County is participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 5^th at 9:50am.

Pancakes and Sausage

Don’t forget to visit Willshire Saturday morning, March 8th.  A pancake and sausage breakfast will be served by the Willshire Lions Club from 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the club building on State Street.  All proceeds will be used to benefit the local community.  The Willshire Youth Activities will also be having spring/summer ball sign up from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Willshire American Legion located on State Street.  Ball teams will be available for girls and boys ages 5-15.  Teams will include T-ball, Farm/Farmette, Little League, Buckeye Girls, 4 County Junior Girls, and Pony League (Van Wert County League).  An alternate sign up will be held at the Lions Club on Thursday, March 13 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.  For further information, please contact Lynne Miller (419.203.1976) or Jeff Ford (419.771.7964).

 
March 3-4, 2014
 

In Memory of Bob Baker

When God calls home a loved one

The pain is hard to bear

But angels they are needed

In heaven everywhere

But he took a special angel

to sit there by his side

One to trust and Cherish

To talk to and confide

For angels are a blessing

In God's loving, caring hands

Although we will always miss you

It's He who understands

We know you're here beside us

We will never feel alone

With an angel now to guide us

Since the good Lord took you home.

Bob Baker

March 4, 2008- March 4, 2014

Missed by wife, children, grandchildren

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Monday, March 3, 2014 due to wind chill. 
New Security System starts today.

Willshire Wide Awake 4-H Club Meeting

The Willshire Wide Awake 4-H Club will hold its next meeting for 2014 at 10 AM on Saturday, March 8th at the Zion Lutheran Church, 17434 Schumm Road.  Anyone 9 years old as of January 1, 2014, and in the 3rd grade is eligible to join.   There are over 200 different 4-H project books to choose from to participate in the Van Wert County Fair.    Members are asked to join in the Club’s yearly activities:  fundraising, community service, educational trips, etc.  For more information, contact Pam Henderson 419-495-2475

Daylight Savings Time Coming

Next weekend on Sunday,  March 9, 2014. The official change of time begins at 2 a.m. when most computer and electronic clocks will automatically reset themselves and jump one hour ahead. So instead of 2 a.m., the clocks will show 3 a.m.

Daylight Saving Time is a way of making better use of the daylight in the evenings by setting the clocks forward one hour during the longer days of summer. In the United States, the time will fall back again on Nov. 2, 2014, when DST ends.

PERI March 11 Meeting-Hopewell Grange, Celina

The Mercer County PERI Meeting will be held March 11, 10:00 A.M. at the Hopewell Grange, at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, West Market St., Celina.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey will be the program speaker.  Sheriff Grey will address the responsibilities of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

Early birds are welcome to coffee, juice and donuts,  9:30 – 10:00 A.M.  (In case of bad weather, listen to WCSM Radio for possible cancellations.) 

 
March 1-2, 2014
 

BLIZZARD BAGS PROCEDURES for PARKWAY STUDENTS

When you receive the Blizzard Bag, please keep and use if Parkway Schools are cancelled.

If Parkway Schools are cancelled, please open the Blizzard Bag and complete the assignments #1.

If Parkway Schools are cancelled for a second day, please  complete assignments # 2

If Parkway Schools are cancelled for a third day, please complete assignments # 3.

When you return to school, please turn in the completed assignments.

If Parkway Schools are cancelled for 1 day, only turn in completed assignments # 1 and keep the other assignment in case Parkway Schools are cancelled again.

Teachers will grade the assignments.

If you cannot find the Blizzard bag, please talk to your teachers when you come back to school and they will give you the assignments.

The assignments need to be completed and turned in for a grade.

THANKS !!!!!

Greg Puthoff

Parkway Superintendent

Booster Club Plans Meeting
The Parkway Athletic Booster Club will have it's monthly meeting on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting will be in the community room at the high school.  All parents of Parkway athletes are urged to attend

Car Show Marks 20th Year in Rockford
Plan now to attend the 20th Annual Rockford Community Days Car Show - June 13th from 4 to 9 pm

 
February 28, 2014
 

OUR OLD BOOK CASE
By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Photo caption:   Mercer County Courthouse steps were the site of the February 24, 1933 attempted assassination of the Mercer County Commissioners.

The Mercer County Courthouse was honored with a 75th Anniversary party in September 1998.  The Committee Members included Janet Gels and Kip Wright as Co-Chairpersons; Anita Huber was Secretary and Jason Kaiser was the Treasurer.  Committee Members included the Honorable Jeffrey Ingraham and Mercer County Auditor Mark Giesige, Donna Grube, Ken Rosengarten, Nancy Desch, Mary Toms, Sue Heiser, Bill and Betty Dilworth, Jim Chittum, Damian Dorsten, Gene Weber.  Andy Pax and Frank Zoretich were photographers.

In honor of that 75th Anniversary, I worked with the Mercer County Commissioners and the Mercer County Historical Society and served on that 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee.  In meeting with the Mercer County Commissioners, prior to the establishment of the 75th Anniversary Committee, I agreed to edit the book, “Mercer County’s Courthouses, Celina, Ohio, 1824-1998.”   I read the Commissioners’ Journals seeking facts; I studied the blueprints and photographed architectural features of this 1923 Courthouse building.  I interviewed 1998 Courthouse Officials. 

Mercer County was established January 2, 1824, and Saint Marys became the Seat of Justice of Mercer County until 1839, when Celina became the County seat.  (Celina had been platted in 1834.).  In 1848, Auglaize County was formed, which included Saint Marys, New Bremen and Minster.  Until the first Courthouse was constructed at St. Marys in 1829, Court was held in public rooms, e.g. at Shanesville, and at St. Marys.  June 5, 1839 was the last Mercer County Commissioners’ meeting held at St. Marys.

September 12, 1839, the Mercer County Commissioners held their first meeting at public buildings at Celina.  In 1841, a Courthouse was built at the northeast corner of Main and Livingston Streets, the recent site of Celina City Hall.  A second Courthouse building was completed in 1868, which stood on the northwest corner of Main and Market Streets, (on the same square where the Courthouse stands in 2014).   A Myth of a Courthouse fire seems to survive.  An 1884 fire destroyed the former building which had housed the Courthouse from 1841-1868.  The Courthouse had already moved into the 1868 building, almost two decades prior to that 1884 fire.  The Mercer County Courthouse was never destroyed by fire.

September 3, 1923, the present Mercer County Courthouse was dedicated with great ceremonies.  The Courthouse building architect was Peter M. Hulsken and Lyman T. Strong was the Associate Architect.  A description of this celebration is included in the history book about the Courthouses.

Just a decade after the 1923 Courthouse Dedication, an attempted assassination was made at the site of the Courthouse steps.  February 24, 1933, former Mercer County Surveyor Bert Morrison, with his 16 gauge shotgun, made an attempt on the lives of Mercer County Commissioners Charles Frysinger, Fred Goettemoeller, and Daniel Moeller.  Frysinger died, Goettemoeller survived from his wounds, and Moeller escaped.  Bert Morrison committed suicide, and left a suicide note, describing how Frysinger and Goettemoeller had canvassed businesses in Mercer County Villages and told them “to be sure to vote against Bert Morrison.”   Apparently, Morrison went to extreme measures when he tried to hold the elected officials accountable for their actions.

Will Mercer County Citizens plan a 100th Anniversary Celebration for the Courthouse in 2023?  The Mercer County Historical Society has contributed to the preservation of the history of Mercer County’s Courthouses in 1998 by publishing the book, “Mercer County’s Courthouses, Celina, Ohio 1824-1998.”

Click Here for the Rockford Village Council Minutes from February 18, 2014

Rockford Chamber - February 2014 meeting minutes  - Click Here.

Click Here for Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Cases Heard for February 2013

Group to Perform Sound of Music
March 28, 29, 30, April 4, 5, 6 2014 – THE SOUND OF MUSIC.  Show times- Friday and Saturday’s at 7 p.m., Matinees at 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.    Presented by the Crescent Players at the James F. Dicke Auditorium, 901 E. Monroe, New Bremen, OH in March & St. Henry High School, St. Henry OH in April.   $10 and $8 Presale.  Tickets on sale now at Minster and St. Henry True Value Hardware.   Questions?  Call Annette 419-678-4643.

 
February 27, 2014
 

Parkway Schools Security System
by Greg Puthoff, Parkway Superintendent

Starting Monday March 3, the new Security System at each school entrance will be activated.

When you come to school, you will need to locate the security pad at each entrance and push the small button on the lower right side of the security pad.

Pushing the button activates the camera and the outside speaker, so the office staff can see you and hear you.

The office staff will press a Talk button inside so they can talk to you.

You may be asked to identify yourself, state why you want to enter the school,  and also show your driver’s license. Please hold the driver’s license approximately 1 inch from the camera lens.

The office staff will then activate the doors to unlock and you will still need to enter the office.

From the office, you can enter the school.

This is a new safety system to increase the school security and help protect our students and staff.

2014 Livestock Quality Assurance Dates

Quality Assurance is a state required training program for any 4-H or FFA member who is exhibiting livestock at the junior fair (excluding rabbits). The Ohio State University Extension is hosting the first QA in 2014 at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds on Sunday March 2nd,  starting at 2:00pm until approximately 4:00pm. The gate on Washington Street will be closed and members will be asked to enter at the gate off of Balyeat Ave. Members must register at the Jr. Fair Building upon arrival the day of the event. Further instructions will be provided at this time.

Imagine a Non-Traditional Career!

Sometimes people choose a career because it fits the traditional image of boys growing up to be fire fighters or engineers, while girls become teachers or nurses. But that no longer is the case. There are no limits when it comes to choosing a career. Challenge yourself… It’s about who you are and what you can become! 

Careers which have traditionally been dominated by females – healthcare, education and social work – are fast becoming occupational choices for many males. Healthcare is one of the most in-demand career areas in the nation.  Males are finding career opportunities in the healthcare field including nursing, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, physical therapy, phlebotomy and so many more. 

Do you know any middle school guys interested in a career in the health field?  Think they would like to see how an EMT works in the back of an ambulance or learn what a lab technician does?  Maybe they’ve even talked about becoming a surgical tech, nurse or physical therapist…

If so, they need to check out “Step Into Your Health Technology Future” at Vantage Career Center on Saturday morning, April 5, 2014 from 9 am – 12 noon!  This is an awesome opportunity for guys in grades 7 and 8 to learn about exciting careers in health technology from men working in these careers right now.  The event is FREE!  A light breakfast, lunch and a T-shirt are provided.

To register online, just go to http://tinyurl.com/ko6qb76 and fill out the “Step Into Your Health Technology Future” form.  Or send an email to wilhelm.m@vantagecareercenter.com.  You can even call 419-238-5411 or

1-800-686-3944 ext. 2169.  But hurry – space is limited to the first 40 students who register!  The registration deadline is March 28, 2014.  Don’t miss out on a chance to check out your future now!

CAPTION: Surgery Technician Kevin Mendenhall and the guys were all suited up for the operating room as they examined different types of medical instruments during a previous “Step Into Your Health Technology Future”.

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy
Continuing the Effort Against Drug Abuse in Ohio

As I travel around the 84th District and talk to people, people sometimes ask me about some of the important issues that we are working on in Columbus. Of course, topics like agriculture are discussed, as well as the state’s overall economy. But whenever I bring up the topic of overcoming Ohio’s drug addiction epidemic, I often see a lot of surprised looks on people’s faces. Although more people are becoming aware of this problem, for many it is not something they have heard much about.

Drugs, particularly substances like heroin, cocaine and prescriptions, are causing big problems for Ohio’s families and high costs on the state’s taxpayers. In fact, costs to Ohio taxpayers caused by addiction range upwards of $3.5 billion each year. That is a lot of money, and when combined with the negative effects it has on the people of our state—including children—it is clear that something needs to be done.

Earlier this year, Governor Kasich launched a program aimed at helping individuals, particularly young people, learn about the dangerous impact that these substances have on their lives in the hopes that they will be informed and ultimately protected from them. You can learn more about the Start Talking! program through the website, StartTalking.ohio.gov. Like the governor, I believe cracking down on the drug problem begins in the home. Young adults who speak with a parent or other mentor are 50 percent less likely to use drugs.

Start Talking! includes a series of different smaller initiatives that are meant to meet young people during the various aspects of their lives, including through programs in schools. I encourage parents, children and teachers to go to the website and learn more. Even if you do not believe there is anyone in your life in danger of falling prey to addiction, being educated is an important and necessary step to overcoming the problem.

The best way to keep people from becoming dependent on drugs is for them to never take them in the first place. Obviously, this is not usually possible with prescription drugs, but it is critical that individuals do not become addicted to them after they no longer need them. I look forward to continuing my work with the people of the 84th District, my fellow legislators and the governor to keep dangerous substances from destroying even more lives.

21st Century Kitchens of Celina Joins Celina Mercer County Chamber

Visit www.21ckofcelina.com or call 419-586-2121.
Pictured from left to right:
Pam Buschur, Chamber Director
Casey Jones, 21 Century Kitchens, Kitchen Designer
Lora & Joe Schlueter, Owners 21 Century Kitchens
Paula Ditto, Chamber Trustee-Celina Moving & Storage

Wassenberg Camera Club News
by Rex Dolby

At the Wassenberg Camera Club's last meeting, it was announced that on Thursday, February 20, the Fort Wayne Photography Club would sponsor a program by two professional photographers, SteveVorderman and Tim Brumbeloe, who would highlight their travel experiences around the world and emphasize a fine art approach to travel photography. Officers Stuart Jewett and Rex Dolby attended the meeting, which was held in the Townhouse Retirement Community on St. Joe Center Road in Fort Wayne.  

Vorderman could not attend the meeting due to conflicts with his work schedule. Brumbeloe stated that he'd been to Italy approximately 25 times, and with his knowledge of the language and best places to shoot, the two plan to organize shooting tours of the country. It was difficult for him to provide costs for the trip because the number who signed up would determine how much transportation, food and lodging would be needed. Until those details are established, he suggested that anyone interested in going, keep checking his web site athttp://www.brumbeloefineart.com for more information.

He said that it is the income from his commercial photography business that finances his travel and fine art photography. He assembles such photos as buildings, entrances, steps, and alleyways into a street scene. Some times he combines mirror images to create an entirely different effect. He observed that when he first started, he created what he thought other people wanted to see, but he found a wider acceptance of his work when he started creating how he wanted it to look. Brumbeloe has exhibited his work in galleries along with other artists as well as provided one-man shows.

The Fort Wayne Photography Club will continue to hold FREE workshops on the third Thursday of each month. http://www.fwphotoclub.com/pages/calendar.html The workshop on March 20 will be Macro Photography: Arduino Tricks & Photography Tips – by Larry Kilgore, a presentation on macro photography techniques and the use of external devices and props to assist in macro photography. This is a hands-on workshop where you bring your camera and best macro lens. Anyone coming with a camera needs to sign up, so they will know how many to prepare for.  Anyone who would like to attend, meet in the parking lot just across the creek on East Central Avenue from the Wassenberg Art Center at 6 p.m.        

The Wassenberg Camera Club will next meet on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Wassenberg Art Center.  More details on that meeting will be published later.

Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters Fundraiser

Bob Evans, Celina, is sponsoring a Community Fundraiser for the Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters on Friday, February 28, 2014. The coupon is valid on dine-in or carryout orders between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. that day. By presenting this coupon at checkout, Bob Evans will donate 15% of sales to Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters. Thank you for your continued support of the students of Mercer County through the Mercer County D.A.R.E. Boosters.

Celina Rotary Club – Chamber of Commerce Donate

Turkey Pullets on Order
The Van Wert County Extension office is currently taking order for turkey pullets to be exhibited at the 2014 Jr. Fair. In an effort to focus on exhibitors efforts and knowledge of turkeys the Jr. Fair Board has voted to only allow those turkeys received through the Cooper’s bulk order to be exhibited at the 2014 Van Wert County Jr. Fair.

The first five (5) turkeys are free of cost (can be ordered as hens, toms, or a straight run combination). After the first five (5) birds can be ordered at an additional cost.

Cost of extra pullets is as follows: Hens at $3.25/pullet, Straight Run at $3.25/pullet, and Toms at $4.00/pullet.

Orders must be placed no later than Friday, March 7, 2014 by 4:30pm. Pullets will be available for pickup at the Extension office on April 11, from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Members that order will be mailed a reminder card when the date approaches.

Again, it is important to take into account that only turkeys ordered through this bulk order will be allowed to exhibit at the Van Wert County Jr. Fair in 2014. Please take the time to order before the deadline passes.

 
February 26, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Wednesday, February 26, 2014 due to wind chill. 

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

 
February 25, 2014
 

Sheriff Jeff Grey announced that  US Rte 33 near Willshire has re-opened.

West Central Ohio Youth for Christ Recognizes Retiring Board Member

Bethany Balliet joined the Youth for Christ board in 2003.  Bethany served as the Treasurer and was very involved in the support and fund-raising efforts that helped contribute to the success of YFC.

As a member of the Executive Committee, she was active in the Van Wert Summer Concert Series, Van Wert County Fair ice cream sales and helped recruit and hire YFC’s new Executive Director, John Wanner.

Bethany teaches third grade at Parkway school, and graduated from Wright State- Lake Campus with a major in Early Childhood Education. Bethany is married to Shaun Balliet and they have three children: Delanie (4), Calin (2), and Brynlee (5 mos.)

We want to thank Bethany for her commitment and zeal to sharing the story of Christ’s love and her continued support for YFC.

Pancake and Sausage Day Set in Willshire

The Willshire Lions Club will be sponsoring the annual pancake and sausage day on Saturday, March 8th.  The event will be held from 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Lions Club building on State Street in Willshire.  Proceeds will be used for various community projects. 

The Willshire Lions Club also continually accepts used eyeglasses to be used for Lions Club International projects.  The used eyeglasses may be given to any Lion member or may be placed in a donation box at the pancake and sausage event.  The Lions Club would like to thank the community for the continued support of various activities.

Vine & Palette Class Announced at Wassenberg Art Center
Van Wert. The Wassenberg Art Center will launch a one night, Vine & Palette Tuesday, March 4 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Wassenberg Art Center. 214 S. Washington Street.

Instruction will be lead by Matthew Temple, Wassenberg Art Center office manager/instructor and Hope Wallace, director.

Cost of the one-night class is $25 for Wassenberg Art Center members, and $30 for non-members. Interested persons may call the art center.

What goes better with a blank canvas than a glass of wine (or two?) Join us for an evening of painting, socializing and fun! Participants only need to arrive in old clothes and bring a bottle of wine and a snack to share, the art center will provide the rest. At the end of the evening students will have an original, painting to take home and hang on the wall. Good company, great wine, great tunes can be a great way to relax without a long-term commitment as with a traditional class. Canvases run from 18 x 14 to 16 x 20 inches in size.

Parkway Girls Varsity Basketball Compete in Division III Sectionals on Saturday 2-22-2014
Lima Central Catholic ends Panthers' Season 69-39. Panther record 8-15.

Thank you to Parkway's own Nikki Fox for recording the Panthers with her photography. Click Here for more.

				The Panther Fan above has a gift certificate waiting as a winner of the Face in the Crowd.  Call 419-733-3326 to collect your prize from Sheila.

 
February 24, 2014
 

High Water Closes U.S. 33
Mercer County has been advised that US Rte 33 is going to be closed due to high water in Van Wert County. Sheriff Jeff Grey notified the public at 1:28 PM on February 24, 2014. Barricades are going to be placed at US Rte 33 And State Rte 118.

Parkway golf athlete Jordan Bollenbacher will stay in Ohio to attend college and golf at University of Tiffin. He signed his letter of intent on Wednesday, February 19, 2014. Jordan intends to major in sports marketing while playing golf for the Dragons under veteran coach Darby Raggow. Watching the signing above are his parents, Todd and Betsy Bollenbacher, and his former coach Mike Schumm and present coach Joe Falk. Jordan starting golfing early in life, and as a high-schooler, he played on the varsity team. He was selected for first team in the MAC three times and medaled in the conference tournament in 2012. He was the MAC runner-up for Golfer of the year in 2013. he is very excited for this opportunity. Visit Nikki's website: http://nfoxphoto.blogspot.com/

Shanes Crossing 5K Donates to Rockford Recreation

Since 2002, the Shanes Crossing 5K Committee has shared their vision with our community to promote active and healthy lifestyles through their joint efforts with Mercer Health and the annual 5K Challenge. Each year, the annual Shanes Crossing 5K brings runners, walkers, and exercise enthusiasts to Rockford to participate in this event. Participants from throughout west central Ohio, east central Indiana, states across the US, and runners even as far as Europe have participated in this local competition.  Proceeds raised by this event are used to support local community groups and organizations.

Recently, the Shanes Crossing 5K Committee made a generous donation to a local group that is committed to promoting this shared vision - The Rockford Recreation Association. Each year, Rockford Rec. organizes activities for local youth ages 4-15 from around the greater Rockford community. Currently, opportunities exist for children to participate on baseball, softball, flag football, and soccer teams. Last year alone, over 500 registration forms were handled by the Rockford Recreation Association for organized recreational activities between the months of April-October!

This year's annual 5K race is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th at Shanes Park. To the participants, the big changes taking place in 2014 will likely go unnoticed. This year, the Shanes Crossing 5K Committee is turning their tenured program over to the Parkway Athletic Booster Club to maintain as an ongoing fundraiser to support Parkway Athletics. The "Shanes Crossing 5K" name will remain and will still be part of of the Mercer Health 5K Challenge.

Pictured above, Shanes Crossing 5K Committee Member, Mike Bruns, presents a check in the amount of $2,000 to Rockford Recreation Association president Ryan Thompson. This donation will be invested in continuous facility improvement projects and programming expenses for the upcoming summer season.

Parkway Kindergarten Registration and Screening

Parkway Elementary is currently scheduling appointments for kindergarten screening for the 2014-2015 school year.  Students need to be five years old before August 1 to be eligible to attend.  Screening will be held on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Parkway Elementary School.  On screening day, it will be necessary for parents/guardians to present an official birth certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics (any county health department).  The vital statistics department will require a fee for this copy. The hospital complimentary birth certificate will not be accepted.  Parents will also need to supply their child’s social security card, immunization records, two forms of proof of residency and custody papers (if applicable) to photocopy.  Please try to have your child’s immunizations up-to-date before the screening.  Immunizations are required to be documented by the 15th day of school.  All students entering kindergarten in the fall will need to go through the screening process. 
Please call Michelle in the elementary office at 419-363-3045 ext. 720 to schedule an appointment.

Shanes Crossing Historical Society to Meet

The Shanes Crossing Historical Society will meet for a regular business meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at the museum.
Spring and Summer activities will be discussed including bi-centennial committees for 2020. No speaker is scheduled, however on Thursday March 27, Historian Harrison Frech will be speaking about founder Anthony Shanes wife, Lamateshe, from the Delaware Indian tribe. Meetings start at 7:30.

Genealogical Society will Meet

The Mercer County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet Sunday, March 2nd, at 2:00  The speakers will be Sue Miller and Annie Miller, with the topic   ‘Meet the Ancestors.’  The goal of this presentation is to help and inspire others to share  their genealogy in a unique and attention grabbing  arrangement, through stories and pictures. Whether the aim is to record and preserve the memory of a family  member, a family group  or an incident, and to share this with others.  Those intersted in beginning their own project, are asked to bring a copy of a photograph of an ancestor. At the end of the program they will have the opportunity to start a family heritage album of their own. This presentation is ideal for anyone in search of new ideas to create or add to their family history. The meeting  will held at the Richardson Bretz Building in Celina.  It  is free and the public is welcome.

PARENT-TEACHER Conferences Coming to Calvary Preschool

The Calvary Preschool has set February 27th and February 28th as Parent-
Teacher Conferences.  There will be no school on those dates so the parents may
meet individually with the teacher.  The boys and girls, at Calvary Preschool, have
been working on ABC’s, numbers, shapes, colors, opposites, cutting, balancing,
patterns, etc.   The Calvary Preschool sees the importance for each parent or
guardian to have a conference.  If you have not responded with your time or
cannot make it, please call the Calvary Preschool @567-259-3103 and ask for Judy Fox or leave a voice mail or e-mail at judy@calvaryelife.org. 
Pre-Registration for the fall program will be March 4th (7:30 – 11:30 am)
and March 5th  (3:00 – 6:00 pm).    Calvary’s Pre-K-Plus class (older 4’s
and 5’s)  meet on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, from
8:30 – 11:30, to help prepare them for all day Kindergarten.  Mrs. Vicki
Chavarria is the older 4’s and 5’s teacher.  The three year olds, Mrs. Issa Ickes
class, meet on Monday / Friday  or Tuesday  / Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30.
Mrs. Julie Stewart’s four year olds meet on Monday/Wednesday/Friday or
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30.  Thank you for your help. 
Contact Judy Fox @567-259-3103 with any questions!

Sheriff Needs Help With Theft of Motor Vehicle
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is asking for assistance in attempting to identify a male that is believed to be involved in the theft of a motor vehicle.  The unknown male stole a pickup truck from the Maria Stein area on January 21, 2014 and later abandoned it in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Milford, OH which is on the east side of Cincinnati.  Anyone with information or who possible knows the identity of the male is asked to call Detective Chad Fortkamp at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office (419) 586-7724 Or call the Sheriff's Office TIP Line at 567-890-TIPS (8477)Anonymous tips can also be left on the Mercer County Sheriff's Office's web site at www.mercercountysheriff.org

 
February 21-23, 2014
 

High Water Warning
The Mercer County Highway Department advices drivers to be cautious of high water on roadways. They also will NOT have enough signs to alert drivers of all high water areas. Posted Thursday, February 20, 2014 at  3:36 PM

Rockford Recreation Summer Ball Sign-up

The Rockford Recreation Association will be holding two registration days for the upcoming 2014 summer season. The first registration day will be held this Saturday, February 22nd from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Rockford Carnegie Library basement. The final registration day will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Parkway High School Commons. Completed forms can also be dropped off at The Peoples Bank Co. in Rockford or mailed to Rockford Recreation Association - PO Box 16 - Rockford, OH - 45882. A $20 late fee will be assessed to registration forms received after March 15th.

Registration forms have been distributed to Parkway students at school and additional forms can be picked up at The Peoples Bank Co. or printed at www.rockfordrec.com. Summer ball programs are available for children ages 4-15 (see registration form for specific age information). For updated Rockford Recreation Association information, reminders, and announcements, like us on Facebook - Rockford Recreation Association. 

Cub Scout Pack 98 to Host Pinewood Derby

The Rockford area Cub Scout Pack 98 will be hosting their annual Pinewood Derby Race in the Parkway High School Auditorium on Saturday March 8th. The race will begin at 3 p.m. with car weigh ins. New this year will be an open class. The open class is open to any pinewood derby car that meets the minimum specifications of clearance and weighs no more than 5 oz. The cost to run in the open class will be $2.00 payable the day of the race. So all you former Cub Scout or Cub Scout parents that have a car to race, bring it on down to Parkway High School and enter the Open Class. If you would like to know more about the open class race you may contact Kevin Browning or Tim Fokine.

District Public Speaking for FFA Members at Parkway

On February 13th, Maggie Houts, Clista Hellwarth, and Shelbe Eddington competed in sub-district public speaking contest at Delphos. Maggie and Clista competed in the beginning creed speaking contest while Shelbe competed in the beginning prepared speaking contest. Clista placed 1st and received a gold rating and Maggie placed 3rd and also received a gold rating. While Shelbe placed 2nd and received a gold rating in here contest. Clista and Shelbe will move on to districts on February 25th. Good Luck to these two girls and congratulations to all of them for their hard work!

Rockford Area Development Corporation to Meet
The RADC meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24th at 7:30 in the Rockford Library basement. Mike Bruns will be our guest speaker for the evening and Sue Barna has volunteered to bring treats for the meeting. If you haven't already sent your 2014 membership, you may also bring it to the meeting.

 
February 20, 2014
 

Parkway Boys Basketball Team Plays Marion Local ~ Senior Night Celebrated
Thank you to Nikki Fox for sharing these pictures - Click Here for more

Click on smaller thumbnail shots below to enlarge them.

 
February 19, 2014
 

Bringing home the gold was Carpentry senior Austen Stukey (Parkway) who placed first in the Carpentry contest. Continental senior Evan Prowant received a silver medal for placing second in the CNC Turning competition. Electricity senior Derric Shisler (Paulding) also earned a silver medal for his second place finish in the Electrical Construction Wiring contest.
Receiving bronze medals for their third place finish were a pair of Auto Body seniors. Clirissa McMonigal (Continental) placed third in the Collision Repair competition, while her classmate, Isaac Nichols (Ft. Jennings) took third place in the Automotive Refinishing contest.
These five students qualified for the state SkillsUSA contest and will compete in Columbus at the end of April.

Poetry Competition, too

A very different kind of competition was also held at Vantage on Thursday, Feb. 13. Vantage is proud to announce the top 3 winners of the school Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. First place honors went to Cosmetology senior, Melody Gibson from Delphos Jefferson. Melody recited the Elizabeth Bishop poem, “One Art” and earned rave reviews from the judges. Second place went to Cosmetology senior LaShawne Granger (Van Wert) for her recitation of Sara Teasdale’s “Since There Is No Escape”. Electricity senior Harley Miner (Paulding) placed third with David Ignatow’s “Self Employed”.
The Vantage English Department organized the event and was very pleased with the 23 students who participated. English teacher Mary Ann Falk told the students from the podium, “Poetry is universal. This experience will not be about tonight. It will benefit you for the rest of your life. You are stepping out and showing yourselves as leaders who can communicate and dedicate yourself to learning something.”
The competition, presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.
Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure. Beginning at the classroom level, winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to state, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington D.C. Nearly 375,000 students from more than 2,000 high schools nationwide took part in last year’s program. 
  Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and 
articulation, evidence of understanding, level of difficulty, and accuracy.  
 “We're very proud of this year's participants and as always, impressed by the dedication and talent of our Vantage students,” commented English teacher Sonya Yenser-Hammon.
Each champion at the state level will receive $200 and an all?expense?paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete for the national championship, April 29?30, 2014.
 

 
February 18, 2014
 

At 2 PM today, Sheriff Jeff Grey cancelled the Level 1 Snow Alert.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM,
Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey downgraded Mercer County to a Level 1 Snow Alert.
Please continue to use caution as roadways remain slick & hazardous.

Parkway Schools are closed for Tuesday, February 18, 2014

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 1:24 AM Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey upgraded to a Level 2 Snow Alert
for the unincorporated areas of Mercer County which includes state routes, county roads and township roads.  A Level Two Snow Alert means roadways are becoming impassable with blowing and drifting snow.
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Tuesday, February 18, 2014

On Monday, February 17, 2014 at 8:01 PM Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey issued a Level 1 Snow Alert
for the unincorporated areas of Mercer County which includes state routes, county roads and township roads.  A Level One Snow Alert means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow.
Please use extreme caution while driving.

Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

Summer Ball is Right Around the Corner
The Willshire Youth Activities will be hosting sign up for the upcoming spring/summer ball season.  Teams are being formed for T-ball (age 5 by August 1st), farm league boys, farmette girls, little league, buckeye girls, pony league, and junior girls.  Registration will be held on Saturday, March 8th from 9 AM – 11 AM at the Willshire American Legion and on Thursday, March 13th from 6 PM – 8 PM at the Willshire Lions Club.  Registration cost is $20 for T-ball.  Registration fee for softball and baseball is $30 for the first child in a family and $25 for each additional child from the same family.  There will be an alternate method to paying fees available at registration.  All area youth are encouraged to sign up.  For further information, contact Lynne Miller (419.203.1205) or Jeff Ford (419.771.7964)

St. David’s Day Service, Sunday March 2 at Salem Presbyterian Church

The Welsh community of Venedocia, Ohio is inviting the public to celebrate St. David’s Day with a Sunday service on March 2, at 9:30 AM with a meal following. The Event occurs at the Salem Presbyterian Church, a Welsh church built in 1895 depicting its Welsh heritage. Welsh music and historical elements will be displayed.

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. Not much is known of his life, but many stories and legends are told of his labors on behalf of God. He lived sometime between 400 and 600 A.D., and through his journeys and teaching, strengthened the Church in Wales and in Ireland.

St. David established churches and monasteries throughout Wales, so that the people would have places to gather to worship and learn more of God and God’s great love.

The date of his birth is unknown, but legend and myth has it he died at the age of 82 on the first of March. All during that morning, the sky was filled with singing angels. Then, as light faded from the evening sky, the ministering angels bore the soul of the great saint to heaven. Throughout the world people of Welsh descent gather around the first of March to remember St. David and celebrate their Welsh heritage. We are proud to continue that proud tradition.

The meal will be at 11:15. Adult tickets are $5.00, and children tickets 11 and under are $3.00. The meal will consist of chicken and beef, red potatoes, salad, rolls, drinks and dessert. Children’s menu is chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.

 
February 17, 2014
Presidents' Day
 

On Monday, February 17, 2014 at 8:01 PM Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey issued a Level 1 Snow Alert
for the unincorporated areas of Mercer County which includes state routes, county roads and township roads.  A Level One Snow Alert means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow.
Please use extreme caution while driving.

PARKWAY SCHOOLS WILL HAVE SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014.
"This will be  make up day # 1," commented Superintendent Greg Puthoff.

Another winter storm is heading in today around noon.
Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

Rockford Recreation Receives Donation of John Deere Gator

The Rockford Recreation Association is excited to unveil the most recent donation made by an anonymous donor through the Shanes Park Legacy Fund. This gracious contribution was made explicitly for the purchase of a new 2013 John Deere XUV 550 4x4 Gator utility vehicle from

Kenn-Feld Group - Lefeld Implement in Coldwater, OH.  The organization would also like to thank Kenn-Feld Group for helping make this happen.  This new equipment will be used for facility maintenance by the Rockford Recreation Association at the Shanes Park sports complex. An annual maintenance plan for the life of the equipment has also been included in this generous gift.

The Shane's Park Legacy Fund is a tax advantaged opportunity for individuals and businesses to invest in equipment and park improvements to enhance recreational opportunities for families and children of the Rockford Community and beyond. There is a plan for further development at Shanes Park that supports the future vision of the Rockford Recreation Association. Contributions donated to support this vision go immediately toward improvements that have recently included extended concrete spectator areas, permanent dugout improvements on all four diamonds, additional family picnic areas, Diamond #5 development, and ongoing facility and recreational enhancements.

The Rockford Recreation Association would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who supports the programming of our organization. Financial, in-kind, and volunteer contributions of all amounts allow our children to participate in organized recreational activities that promote teamwork, character, and active lifestyles and encourage families to "stay and play" right here in our great community.

The Rockford Recreation Association - "Making community happen!"

www.rockfordrec.com

Laurels of Shane Hill Sponsoring iPad Raffle
The Laurels of Shane Hill and Maplewood of Shane's Village are selling raffle tickets to benefit the Rockford Recreation Association. The raffle is for a brand new iPad. Buy your ticket at the Laurels or Peoples Bank in Rockford between February 1-28, 2014. Drawing will take place March 1st. Tickets are 6 for $10 or $2 each.

Caricature Artist Visits Colonial Residents
Caricature artist Shelly Flory of Greenville did drawings of residents at Colonial Nursing Center for Christmas. Pictured is resident Harold Schweyer and his wife Esther. Each residents drawings were displayed outside their doors. The caricatures capture a softer image than the camera and made for a fun afternoon. 

Venedocia Lads and Lassies 4-H Club to Hold First Meeting

The Venedocia Lads and Lassies 4-H Club will hold its first meeting for 2014 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19th at the Venedocia Lion’s Club.  Anyone 9 years old as of January 1st , 2014 and in the 3rd grade is eligible to join.  Any child 5 years old and in first grade is eligible to join our Cloverbud Group.  For more information, contact Nancy Bonifas @ 419-667-9525.

Rockford United Methodist Church Invites the Community

Financial Peace University, taught by Dave Ramsey, financial expert, has a proven success rate in teaching God’s ways of handling money. The classes begin on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:15 to 8:15 PM and will be held at the church at 202 S. Franklin St. Register to attend at daveramsey.com/fpu or call the church at 419-363-3230  for more information. Remember, a free community dinner is served every Wednesday from 5:02-7:00 PM.

The congregation invites you to join them!

Rockford Eagles Plan Annual Sports Stag Night - Special Guest Chandler Harnish Current Back up Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts to Speak

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 1292, located at 179 S. Main Street in Rockford  is planning their annual Sports Stag night on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

- The Doors open at 5:30 and this event is open to the public.
Chandler Harnish, Former Norwell High School and Northern Illinois Quarterback and current Back up Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts is top-billed speaker for the evening. Two local men, Luke Clouse, Parkway Graduate and Parkway High School Baseball Coach and Jordan Thompson, Parkway Graduate and former Ohio University Bobcat Football Player will also be speaking

- The Guest Speakers will begin between 7:30 and 8:00.

$25.00 is the entry cost for All You Can Eat (Hog Roast) and Drink

There will be Raffles at the Door and a Bonus Attendance Raffle

Proceeds go to Benefit Community Projects.

See ad above for details.

Prayers Requested for families - Click Here

Social Media Classes Planned by Rockford Chamber

 

The Rockford Chamber will be holding quarterly Social Media Classes.  
The 1st class, "Facebook Marketing - It's fun AND profitable" will be
 held on March 20th at 7 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.  The cost will
be $10 per chamber member and $15 per non member.  Limited
seating.  RSVP with payment to Rockford Chamber, PO Box 175,
Rockford, OH  45882, stop by the Rockford Village office or
call 419-363-3032 ext 1.  Laptops welcome !
    

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Evart Dorsten, former Montezuma Duck Baseball Team Member, shared this Schedule for the February 1933 Ninth Annual Mercer County Basketball Tournament, held at Celina.  The Competing Teams were from the local Schools:  Saint Henry, Immaculate Conception, Neptune, Fort Recovery, Mendon, Rockford, Washington Township and Coldwater.  As indicated, John C. McKirnan, Celina Coffee Shop, sponsored this publication.  This Tournament Schedule helps to preserve Sports History in Mercer County. 

Since this Tournament was the Ninth Annual Tournament, then the First Annual Tournament must have been played in 1925.  The Celina High School was not mentioned in this 1933 Mercer County Basketball Tournament.  Perhaps, Celina’s High School was in a different Division and did not play in the Mercer County Basketball Tournament?  At the Archival Collections of the Mercer County Historical Society, the 1925 “Hi-Li-Ke,”  annual yearbook was published for Celina High School.  A reference was made in that 1925 yearbook, that Celina lost to Roosevelt School in Dayton, in the Tournament.

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00 – 4:00, the Mercer County Historical Society will host an exhibit of “Early Basketball History, Prior to World War II, in Mercer County High Schools,” at the Mercer County Historical Museum.   This exhibit will include early photographs, early High School Annuals, Local History Books, Awards, Newspaper articles, and related historical items which Mercer Countians bring to the Museum for this Exhibit.  The Mercer County Historical Society invites Local Sports Collectors to bring their Collections and Basketball Scrapbooks to show at the Museum Sunday, March 23, and to help the Mercer County Historical Society to Preserve Mercer County’s Local History of High School Basketball.

Photo caption:   Mercer County Basketball Tournament Schedule, 1933.

Click Here for Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Cases Heard for February 2014

 
February 15-16, 2014
 

PARKWAY SCHOOLS WILL HAVE SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014.
"This will be  make up day # 1," commented Superintendent Greg Puthoff.

Colonial Ladies Make Homemade Noodles

The Colonial Ladies Cooking Club most recent project shown here was homemade noodles. Eggs were cracked, flour flew and noodles were cut. The noodles were laid out to dry; later residents and staff of Colonial Nursing Center were enjoying homemade chicken and noodle soup. With all the frigid weather it warmed up everyone.

Brick Memorial Project to Support New 4-H Camp Palmer Pool

Over 250,000 youth from northwest Ohio have enjoyed taking the plunge and swimming fun in the camp’s pool since 1957. According to the American Camping Association recreational swimming is one of the top activities at youth summer camps.

4-H Camp Palmer is accepting continuing donations to support the replacement of the camp’s pool. Currently about 40% of funds ($200,000 raised thanks to many generous donors of the estimated $495,000 needed) have been raised with an anticipated new pool in place by summer of 2015. The demand and use of 4-H Camp Palmer has grown steadily since 1947. 4-H Camp Palmer is a place where adventure and excitement of discovery merge to lift minds of 21,000 camper days of youth and adults annually.

4-H Camp Palmer has also organized a brick memorial fundraiser to support the pool fund. A 22 ft. by 22 ft. patio will be built surrounding the camps flagpole at the center of camp. Dedicated 8” by 8” bricks can be purchased by individuals or businesses.  Individual, family or non-profit youth group can order one for $100.00 or business can purchase a brick for $275 to advertise as thousands of youth and adults will walk by the patio at the center of camp.

“One of our early camp administrators and 4-H leaders, Lyle Spiess and wife, Hilda Spiess have spear headed this project with a generous $5,000 donation. This will cover the cost of concrete pavement and purchase of 1000 bricks. We are very thankful for their support of this project and camp,” said Bill Goodson, Executive Director of 4-H Camp Palmer.”

The plan is to have bricks that have been purchased prior to April 6th to be installed by early June of 2014. Bricks that will be ordered by July 20th will be installed by early October. The first 3 years of this brick memorial project, the proceeds will benefit the pool. For more information on ways to support 4-H Camp Palmer pool project or order your memorial brick please call 419-237-2247 or email 4hcamppalmer@gmail.com

Annual Mercer Healthy Living Expo Planned

Mercer Health will once again host the annual health fair on Saturday, March 8th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Galleria in Celina.  They will offer free and discounted health screenings, health information and much more.  Also included in the event is a Blood Drive, Prescriptions Drug Take Back, Jump House, and Live Karate Demonstrations.

 
February 14, 2014
Happy Valentine's Day
 

  Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Friday, February 14, 2014. 

From Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey: Blowing snow has started to drift and deposit on the roads
making it slick in spots in Mercer County. Use caution while driving.

Rockford Chamber of Commerce Fund-Raiser
by Lisa Kuhn
Think Spring! We are! What better way is there to benefit local businesses, but by beautifying your very own yard. Have you been considering an outdoor improvement? A yard make-over? Consider purchasing flower bulbs and/or seed packets to help the Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to support local businesses. Feel free to browse through the catalog from the convenience of your own home. You can buy online and your order will be shipped directly to your destination. Uncomfortable with online payments? Stop in at the Village Hall to see Lisa Kuhn to place your order. Thanks for your support. We look forward to seeing your beautiful new flowers come spring time!

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OF CELINA PRESENTS:

A Night of Comedy and Magic - Saturday - March 15th at The Overdrive south of Celina on St Rt 127

Doors open at 5 pm * 6pm dinner * Show to Follow

Tickets $20 each * Table of 8 for $140

RSVP deadline -  Friday - February 28th

Call 419-526-1999 to order tickets

* Proceeds benefit area Community Health Professionals' Hospice Patients

 
February 13, 2014
 

PARKWAY SCHOOLS WILL HAVE SCHOOL ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014.  
"This will be  make up day # 1," commented Superintendent Greg Puthoff.

Spring Sports Picture Day Planned

PICTURE DAY FOR SPRING SPORTS AT PARKWAY WILL BE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 21 IN THE JUNIOR HIGH GYM.  MR. HUGHES SAYS THEY  WILL USE THE SCHEDULE BELOW:

3:15-3:30        SENIORS

3:30-4:00        Varsity/JV Baseball

4:00-4:30        JH Baseball

4:30-5:00        Varsity/JV Softball

5:00-5:30        JH Softball

5:30-6:00        High School Track

6:00-6:30        JH Track

 
February 12, 2014
 

Face in Crowd Winner Receives Grocery Gift Certificate

Other Face in the Crowd Winners are pictured in the sports action shots below.

Driving School to Start Soon - See Ad Above for Registration Details

MR. E’s DRIVING SCHOOL CLASSROOM TIMES           
Spring 2014

SAT.           Feb.  22^nd        8:00 AM  – 12:15 PM

MON.          Feb.  24^th          3:45 PM  –   7:15 PM    

TUE.           Feb.  25^th          3:45 PM  –   7:15 PM      

WED.          Feb.   26^th            3:45 PM  –   7:15 PM       

THUR.        Feb.   27^th            3:45 PM  –   7:15 PM       

FRI.            Feb.   28^th         3:45 PM  –   7:15 PM

SAT.           Mar.    1^st         8:00 AM –  12:15 PM

 Make up date is Mar. 3^rd  from 3:30PM to 7:30 PM.

 
February 11, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Tuesday, February 11, 2014 due to wind chill. 

Band Parents Reminded of Basketball Concession Stand Schedule

The Parkway Music Boosters would like to remind the following parents that they are scheduled to work in the basketball concession stand on Friday February 14th: Jeff and Teresea Zizelman, Diana Rissner, Jami Renner, Michelle Sill, Eric and Melinda Stetler, Tonya Storer, David and Kristina Stemen, Todd and Jill Williams, Steve and Tammi Schaff, Rebecca Slates and Amanda Taylor.

Concession stand workers: Please try to arrive by 5:45. If something comes up and you can't be there, please arrange for someone to take your place. The Music Boosters appreciate your help with operating the concession stand.

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, February 14, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

Winter Band Concert to be Presented – YOU are Invited

On Sunday February 16th, the Parkway High School Band will present their annual Winter Band Concert. The concert will be held in the auditorium and begins at 3 p.m.

Featured at the concert will be ensembles that performed at solo and ensemble contest at St. Marys on February 1st. The concert band will play Freedom City, one of the songs they will be performing for district large group contest in March.

Mr. Twigg and the band members appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there.

The Rockford Chamber will have their monthly meeting
THIS Thursday - February 13th at 8 am at the Village Hall.
  

Incident at Mercer County Jail - PRESS RELEASE

Celina, OH - Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey released few details of an incident in the jail.  On Thursday evening around 6:30 PM an inmate became unruly in the jail. When corrections officers entered the cell block, the inmate refused to comply and follow directions.

As corrections officers approached the inmate they saw that he had a homemade shank. A physical altercation ensued and the inmate was disarmed by the corrections officers. Patrol units were called to the facility to assist. The inmate was then placed in lockdown.

The investigation of the incident revealed that the inmate had filed a spork eating utensil into a sharp weapon on the wall and intercom in his cell. "The spork was filed to a point and capable of stabbing someone," stated Sheriff Grey. "This inmate is currently being served finger food on a styrofoam plate only.   The majority of inmates act responsibly, but this is a reminder to all of us & to our citizens, that we do house dangerous criminals in our facility."

One corrections officer incurred an injury to his ankle and the inmate incurred a few scrapes and scratches to his head, hands, and neck.  The corrections officer has received treatment and will be off duty for several days.

Due to the nature of the incident and the on-going investigation, the name of the inmate is being withheld. Once the investigation is complete and the prosecutor has reviewed the case and filed the appropriate charges, the name will be released. This inmate is not likely to be released soon, so there is no rush to file charges.

Enjoy West Side Story Production on May 11, 2104

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Northwest Ohio.  Presented by Nature's Green, WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Mother's Day, May 11 at 2:00 and 7:30 PM.  Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

WEST SIDE STORY tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them. WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

Tickets range from $27-$52 and are available now by contacting the Niswonger Box Office by phone at 419-238-NPAC; online www.npacvw.org; or in person at 10700 SR 118 S, Van Wert, Ohio.

West Side Story is presented by Nature's Green Landscaping, Greenhouse & Nursery of Fort Recovery, Ohio. Supporting Sponsors are Van Wert Manor, US BANK, The Hubbard Company, Adams Memorial Hospital, Adams Woodcrest, The Lima News, and Willow Bend Country Club.

Prayers Requested for surgical patient - Click Here

IU EAST ATHLETES EARN SPOTS ON FALL ACADEMIC HONOR LISTS

RICHMOND, Ind. - Twenty-six Indiana University East student-athletes - approximately one-third of all current Red Wolves athletes - made the IU East Chancellor's List or Dean's List during the 2013 fall semester.

Five Red Wolves made the Chancellor's List. Senior golfer Cameron Cox (Farmland, Ind./Monroe Central High School), sophomore cross country/track and field runner Kyle Hall (Dillsboro, Ind./South Dearborn High School), sophomore track and field hurdler Shana Lewis (Lewisburg, Ohio/Tri-County North High School), sophomore volleyball player Mallory Livingston (Union City, Ohio/Mississinawa Valley High School) and sophomore basketball player Jason Ray (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville High School) were among IU East's students who took 12 or more credit hours and completed the semester with a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale.

IU East students who take 12 or more credit hours and complete the semester with a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale are named to the Dean's List.

IU East student-athletes named to the Dean's List were (listed by athletes' primary sport):

Men's basketball: Cody Banet (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central High School), Josh Cook (Gas City, Ind./Mississinewa High School), Matthew Werner (Lewisburg, Ohio/Tri-Village High School), Andrew Willcox (New Paris, Ohio/Tri-Village High School).

Men's cross country/track & field: Jordan Bevins (Greenville, Ohio/Sinclair Community College), Clint Swanson (Vevay, Ind./Switzerland County High School)

Women's cross country/track & field: Alexis Brasier (Dillsboro, Ind./South Dearborn High School), Teresa Huelseman (Brookville, Ind./Franklin County High School), Morgan Stanley (Winchester, Ind./Winchester Community High School)

Men's golf: Hubie Branstetter (Brookville, Ind./Franklin County High School), Ian Gough (Lynn, Ind./Randolph Southern High School), Drew Houck (Portland, Ind./Jay County High School),

Women's golf: Courtney White (Knightstown, Ind./Knightstown High School)

Men's tennis: Connor Kramer (Shirley, Ind./Eastern Hancock High School), Justin Judd (West Milton, Ohio/Milton-Union High School), Ethan Taulbee (Camden, Ohio/Preble Shawnee High School)

Women's tennis: Brittany Hethcox (New Castle, Ind./New Castle High School), Cheltsi Hinners (Centerville, Ind./Centerville High School)

Volleyball: Katrina Detwiler (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington High School North), Morgan Dobbs (Nashville, Ind./Brown County High School), Morgan Steinbrunner (Rockford, Ohio/Parkway High School)

Farm Focus Inc. Scholarship




Farm Focus Inc. was founded in 1974 in order to promote agriculture in Van Wert
County and the surrounding area. It is their continued mission to assist Van Wert
County students through a scholarship program that will enable them to pursue a
degree in an agricultural related field.  Farm Focus Inc. is offering three one-thousand dollar scholarships to high school seniors interested in majoring in an

Agricultural related program at a university, college, or technical school. In
addition to seniors, full time students already enrolled in an undergraduate program in agriculture are also eligible to apply. This also means that a successful applicant last year can reapply  again this year. The applicant must be a Van Wert County resident. Minimum grade point is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship funds will be submitted directly to the educational institution by Farm Focus Inc. upon receipt of proof of enrollment or a copy of a tuition invoice.

Scholarship Applications have been sent to all nine area high schools where Van Wert County students may be enrolled, so please contact your High School Guidance Counselor, or FFA Instructor for your scholarship form.

Additional copies of the application are available at the OSU Van Wert County
 Extension office at 1055 South Washington Street, Van Wert OH 45891.  Questions should be directed to: 419-238-1214. All completed applications must be postmarked or delivered in person no later than March 15th to the Van Wert County Extension Office.

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy

Adoption Reform Providing a Choice of Life

Our current Ohio House of Representatives has made it a goal to discuss and pass numerous pro-life bills. The most recent of these bills is House Bill 307.

House Bill 307 focuses on reforming the at-birth adoption process, and affords significant rights to mothers who are looking to give their children up for adoption at birth. The goal of the bill is to speed up and simplify the adoption process for expectant mothers in the hopes that these women will choose to give birth, rather than to abort the child.

House Bill 307 addresses the financial well-being of expectant mothers by outlining appropriate living expenses to be paid to a biological mother from adoptive parents. This will allow women a greater opportunity to give the child up for adoption, without worrying about the costs that are sometimes associated with pregnancy.

Additionally, the bill makes it harder for a father who is late to the game to block the completion of an adoption after a mother has decided to give up the infant. Fathers who have known about the possibility of a pregnancy for up to nine months and have done nothing to support the mother will, under the new bill, have up to seven days after the birth of a child to step up to the plate.

The bill establishes a new procedure for notifying a putative father of his rights prior to the birth of a child. The new procedure is modeled after Indiana law, but uses the existing Putative Father Registry for a putative father to gain rights regarding decisions about the baby.

The pre-birth notification process secures constitutional rights afforded to birth fathers. The bill also reduces the time for a father to register with the Putative Father Registry after the birth of a child from 30 days to seven days in some cases where a father has not been involved in a pregnancy.

Currently, persons wishing to contest an adoption can do so for up to one year. HB 307 reduces this time period to 60 days, ensuring loving couples do not become attached to a child, only to have it taken away. This also lowers the risk for exorbitant legal costs for an adoptive family.

The bill encourages adoption right here in Ohio, which increases the odds that a child will find a loving home. Through a state tax credit of $10,000 over a five-year period, adoptive parents in Ohio will have greater incentive to adopt from a mother in the state, rather than looking elsewhere.

These measures all serve to decrease the burden upon a mother during the adoption process, and make it easier for women to choose adoption instead of abortion.

I understand that sometimes, raising a child is not in the cards for a woman. With this bill, I hope to make it easier for women to find a solution to their crisis pregnancy, and discourage them from turning to abortion as an escape from the blessing of a new child.   

Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyfeb2014.

 
February 10, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Monday, February 10, 2014 due to wind chill. 

Parkway Alumni Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Year 2013, on February 8

Two former outstanding athletes from Parkway were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, on February 8, 2014 during the Parkway game with Perry.

Presenting the  plaques to Shawnette (Byer) Metzger 1990 grad and Neil Shaffner 1987 grad, were their coaches: Todd Henkle and Mike Schumm. These two join the ranks of other superior athletes from Parkway High School who are now honored ~ Congratulations to Shawnette and Neil!

Shawnette (Byer) Metzger graduated from Parkway in 1990.  She was First Team All-State in Volleyball during her senior year and Honorable Mention All-State in Volleyball during her junior year. She earned First Team All-MAC honors in volleyball during her junior and senior years. Shawnette was First Team District 8 as a senior in Volleyball. She was Player of the Year in the Midwest Athletic Conference in Volleyball during her Senior Year. A member of the Volleyball Teams that finished as Regional Runners-up in 1989, she currently hold the school record in Volleyball for aces in a season with 77 and serve reception with 92%. Earning three varsity letters in Volleyball, three varsity letters in Basketball and two Varsity letters in Track, she currently holds the school record in Basketball for most assists in a career with 310 and most assists in a game with 12. Shawnette was a member of the 4 x 200 meter relay team that finished third at the Regional Track Meet. She attended Southwestern Michigan Junior College for two years where she was named First Team All-American in Volleyball. Shawnette then attended Nicholls State University for three years and was named Honorable Mention All-American in Volleyball.

Neil Shaffner graduated from Parkway in 1987. He was named All-Ohio in Baseball during his senior year and was the Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year in Baseball in 1987. Neil earned First Team All-MAC honors in baseball during his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of the 1987 State Championship Team and the 1985 MAC Championship Team in Baseball. Earning three varsity letters in Baseball and one in Cross Country, he currently holds the school record at Parkway for highest batting average in a season at .575, most stolen bases in a career with 62, most stolen bases in a season with 48, and most walks in a season with 30. Neil attended Union College where he was named All-Conference in 1992 and 1993. While attending Union College he led the Bulldogs in Runs Batted In from 1991-1993 with 165, and led the league with 10 home runs in 1992. He set a NAIA record by playing 138 consecutive games without committing and error. Neil was a member of the Continental World Series team that finished National Runners-up in 1992. Click on smaller thumbnail pictures to enlarge them.

Parkway Boys Varsity Basketball Team and Junior Varsity Team
Hosted Perry on Friday Night, February 8, 2014
Thank you to Nikki Fox for Sharing - Click Here for more game pictures.

Junior Varsity

The person above has a gift certificate waiting
as a winner of the Face in the Crowd. 
She is a true Panther fan! 
Call 419-733-3326 to collect your prize from Sheila.

Diversity In The Workplace Workshop
Walmart welcomes COURTNEE CARRIGAN, who presents a Diversity In The Workplace Workshop entitled UNCONSCIOUS BIAS: Understanding Our Role In Creating A Better Community on Wednesday, March 19, 1:00 - 4:00 PM. This interactive workshop opportunity helps organizations develop a positive work culture that supports inclusion and an open door to honest, productive conversations about bias and preferences rooted in race and culture. The YWCA has developed this highly interactive series of award-winning seminars to improve workforce performance and foster teamwork across a diverse group of employees. This is an ideal opportunity for any organization, office staffs, & manufacturing team.

TICKETS are $5. Discounts apply for groups of ten or more by contacting the Box Office: 419-238-6722

 
February 8-9, 2014
 

School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 11
The Parkway Board of Education meeting scheduled on Tuesday, February 11 at 6:30 is being held at Praise Point Church in Willshire.

Please enter the Church, turn right and go down the hallway. Please enter the second door on the right side.

Parkway Girls Varsity Basketball Game versus Minster Recently Click here for more pictures shared by Nikki Fox - Thanks Nikki!

The person above has a gift certificate waiting as a winner of the Face in the Crowd.  She is a true Panther fan despite the weather!  Call 419-733-3326 to collect your prize from Sheila.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD

Two workshops – “KidUnique” and “Finding Your Way” will be held on Saturday, February 22nd from 9am-1pm in the Family Life Center of St. John Lutheran Church (1100 N. Main Street, Celina).  The speakers will be nationally-recognized authors Dan Webster and Randy Gravitt.  The public is welcome to attend.

The KidUnique workshop, presented by author Dan Webster, is for parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches or anyone who cares about investing in kids.  This learning experience will equip adults to powerfully impact kids by helping them discover who they are through four “windows” of looking at a child.

“This will enable adults to turn down the volume on a culture that negatively shapes our kids’ values and identities,” says Webster,  “I firmly believe that every life is a mystery waiting to be uncovered, not a mistake needing to be corrected.”

“Finding Your Way” is a workshop presented by co-author Randy Gravitt for High School and College-Aged youth designed to help them remember the truth about themselves, understand their uniqueness and set them up for a life of fulfillment and incredible influence. 

Cindy Snyder, Director of Youth and Education at St. John is excited about the potential for the youth workshop, saying, “one of the greatest gifts we can give the youth of Celina is a confident sense that they were uniquely created for something wonderful in their lives.”

The KidUnique Workshop is $8/person or $15/couple. After February 20th or at the door, price increases to $10/person or $18/couple.  The Youth Workshop is free of charge and anyone registered before February 16th will receive a free t-shirt.  Lunch and childcare are provided for both workshops.  (Please register by February 20th if childcare is needed.)  Registration forms are available at the church or register online at www.purpledoorchurch.org/registration.php.  “Like” the Celina KidUnique Facebook Page for more information - www.facebook.com/celinakidunique.  For any questions, contact St. John Lutheran Church at 419/586-2332 or visit our website at www.purpledoorchurch.org.

Parkway Girls Junior Varsity Basketball Game versus St. Henry in Recent Action Click here for more pictures shared by Nikki Fox

Thanks Nikki!

The person at left has a gift certificate waiting as a winner of the Face in the Crowd.  She is a true Panther fan attending the St. Henry game!  Call 419-733-3326 to collect your prize from Sheila.

Parkway Girls Varsity Basketball Team Celebrates Senior Night
and Plays Rivals St. Henry on February 6th.
Action Shots Compliments of Nikki Fox - Thanks, Nikki  at www.nfoxphoto.com
Click on the smaller
thumbnail pictures
to enlarge them.

Parkway Boys Varsity Basketball Team Runs the Panther Fans' Gauntlet ~
Varsity and Junior Varsity Then Play Rivals New Knoxville on January 31st.
Thank you to Nikki Fox for Sharing - More great shots available at www.nfoxphoto.com

				Click on the smaller thumbnail pictures to enlarge them.
Junior Varsity Pictures Show Below
				Click on the smaller thumbnail pictures to enlarge them.

The above faithful Panther Fan is the winner of a Face-in-the-Crowd gift certificate.
Have her call 419-733-3326 and ask for Sheila to claim her prize.

Parkway Alumni to be Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Year 2013

Two former outstanding athletes from Parkway are being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, announced athletic director, Doug Hughes recently.

The ceremony and plaque presentation will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 between the JV and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Games. Congratulations!

Shawnette (Byer) Metzger graduated from Parkway in 1990.  She was First Team All-State in Volleyball during her senior year and Honorable Mention All-State in Volleyball during her junior year. She earned First Team All-MAC honors in volleyball during her junior and senior years. Shawnette was First Team District 8 as a senior in Volleyball. She was Player of the Year in the Midwest Athletic Conference in Volleyball during her Senior Year. A member of the Volleyball Teams that finished as Regional Runners-up in 1989, she currently hold the school record in Volleyball for aces in a season with 77 and serve reception with 92%. Earning three varsity letters in Volleyball, three varsity letters in Basketball and two Varsity letters in Track, she currently holds the school record in Basketball for most assists in a career with 310 and most assists in a game with 12. Shawnette was a member of the 4 x 200 meter relay team that finished third at the Regional Track Meet. She attended Southwestern Michigan Junior College for two years where she was named First Team All-American in Volleyball. Shawnette then attended Nicholls State University for three years and was named Honorable Mention All-American in Volleyball.

Neil Shaffner graduated from Parkway in 1987. He was named All-Ohio in Baseball during his senior year and was the Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year in Baseball in 1987. Neil earned First Team All-MAC honors in baseball during his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of the 1987 State Championship Team and the 1985 MAC Championship Team in Baseball. Earning three varsity letters in Baseball and one in Cross Country, he currently holds the school record at Parkway for highest batting average in a season at .575, most stolen bases in a career with 62, most stolen bases in a season with 48, and most walks in a season with 30. Neil attended Union College where he was named All-Conference in 1992 and 1993. While attending Union College he led the Bulldogs in Runs Batted In from 1991-1993 with 165, and led the league with 10 home runs in 1992. He set a NAIA record by playing 138 consecutive games without committing and error. Neil was a member of the Continental World Series team that finished National Runners-up in 1992.

Rockford Community Days Supporters Needed
by Lisa Kuhn
Summer is just around the corner, and the Rockford Community Days Committee has been very busy planning this year’s event.  We are continuously looking for new ways to make the festival a place you and your families want to be.
  
Rockford Community Days 2014 will feature Nashville Recording Artist Pete Schlegel and Kings Landing.  We will have our amazing annual Fireworks display on Friday night at 10 pm.  We have entertainment for the kids including bounce houses, and an exotic animal show.  We will also be having our annual car show and cruise in, a quarter auction, reverse raffle, business expo and many more events !  
    
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT SUCCESSFUL!   PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING US IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS :
    
    1.   A FINANCIAL DONATION
    2.   EVENT SPONSORSHIP
    3.   QUARTER AUCTION ITEMS
    4.   FIREWORK DONATIONS
    5.   INFLATABLE SPONSORSHIP
    6.   PARTICIPATE IN OUR PARADE ON JUNE 14TH
    
You will be recognized with your name or business name on our banner and we will give you a “Thank you” on our Facebook page (Rockford Community Days).
    
  Donation deadline:   May, 1st 2014 to be listed on our “THANK YOU” Banner.
    
    Festival Dates for this year are June 13th ~ 15th
    
    If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact:
    Amy Joseph @ 419-953-7874  or Lisa Kuhn @ 419-363-3032 ext  1 or by email
    amy.joseph@rockfordohio.org or lisa.kuhn@rockfordohio.org
    
    Thank You for your past and continued support !  We can’t do it without out you !
    
Please mail donations to  Rockford Community Days, PO Box 75, Rockford, OH  45882 or drop off at the Village Office ~ call us if you would like us to pick up a donation.  

 
February 7, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Friday, February 7, 2014 due to wind chill.

Click Here for Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Cases Heard for February 2014

Calvary Evangelical Church Updates

Van Wert County Dept of Job and Family Services Offering  Help With Heating Payments
The Van Wert County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) announces a one-time heating payment for income eligible working families with dependent children.   Families can apply for payment of an outstanding bill for their primary heating source.  Payment will be made directly to the utility company for the amount due, up to $500.    

*Application period is February 7, 2014 to the close of business on April 11, 2014 or until funds are exhausted.  

*This project is limited to $75,000. 

*At least 1 parent or guardian of a dependent child in the household must be working.

*The bill must be in the name of the applicant.

*A face-to-face interview is not required. 

*Applications are available at the CDJFS front desk during business hours 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday.

*Additional PRC eligibility requirements apply. 

Any questions or to get an application, please contact:

Deanna Lugabihl
Department of Job and Family Services
114 E Main St
Van Wert OH  45891
419.238.5430 x 0136

Auction Re-Scheduled

St John Lutheran Church Youth Group has rescheduled their annual Charity Auction on Sunday, February 16th  at 2:00PM at the Church’s Family Life Center.  The auction was rescheduled due to snow.

The youth hold this auction to raise money for their mission trip to Maysville, KY in June.  On the trip, the High School youth perform minor home repairs such as building wheelchair ramps, porch and roof repair and painting for the  low income and elderly.  In addition to the repairs, the youth share their faith with the residents of the homes by inviting them to share a lunch and take part in daily devotions. 

There will be lots and lots of wonderful items to be auctioned.  The items include new and used funiture, household items, collectables, gift certificates for local services, restuarents, and department stores and much more.  Also there is a lunch stand serving delicious home made food including sandwiches and pie.  Thrivent (a fraternal Lutheran organization) is also supporting the auction. Everyone in the community is welcome to come and join in the fun.  Any questions please contact Cindy Snyder at 419-586-2332.

Mercer County Announces Upcoming Events

Spring Weather Awareness Week           March 2-8, 2011

Statewide Tornado Drill                  March 5th at 9:50 AM

Weather Spotters Class                  March 18th at 6:30 PM  at Central Services Building, Celina

 
February 6, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Thursday, February 6, 2014

OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame to Welcome 15 New Members

Annual hall of fame banquet to enshrine new class of inductees scheduled for June 14

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame Committee has announced that 15 individuals have been selected for the 2014 induction class into the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame. The induction banquet is scheduled for June 14 in Columbus. Each of the 15 inductees is being honored for significant contributions to interscholastic officiating in the state of Ohio.

While the OHSAA’s Circle of Champions recognizes individuals from various areas who had outstanding careers in high school athletics and have further contributed to interscholastic sports, the Officials Hall of Fame is the only Hall of Fame sponsored by the OHSAA.

“We thank all officials for their service to student-athletes, coaches, schools and other officials and it is an honor to have an Officials Hall of Fame where the best are recognized for their dedication to officiating and outstanding careers,” Beau Rugg, OHSAA Assistant Commissioner and one of the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees, said. “Officiating is a service and it is a joy to recognize these highly respected individuals with induction into the Hall of Fame.”

More information about the Officials Hall of Fame is at: http://www.ohsaa.org/officials/HallofFame.htm

2014 OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame Induction Class:

Tim Ahart, Columbus (BB, VB, deceased)

Tom Burton, Columbus (BB, BK, FT, SB)

Bonnell “Barney” Ellis, Akron (BB, BK, SB, VB)

Jeff Diosi, Dover (BB, SB)

Keith Fisher, New Carlisle (BK, SB, VB)

Phil Garcia, Conneaut (BB, BK, SB, FT, VB)

Samuel Gomer, Ottawa (TF)

James Heller, Dover (TF)

John Keener, Athens (BB, BK, SB, FT)

Linda Jarvis Kochan, Munroe Falls (BK, FH, VB)

David May, Elida (BB, BK, SB, FT)

David Nash, Urbana (BK, FT, deceased)

Danner “Beau” Rugg, Columbus (BB, FT)

Steven Trout, Wapakoneta (BK, SB, VB)

Kimberly Zaborniak, Millersport (Administrator)

Vantage BPA Students Qualify for State Competition

Vantage Career Center recently hosted the first round of Region 16 Business Professionals of America (BPA) skills contests.  Fifty students from the Vantage business programs - Interactive Media, Medical Office Management and Network Systems - competed in a variety of different contests including PC Security, VB Programming, Medical Office Procedures, Computer Modeling, Web Site Design, Computer Animation, Network Design, Advanced Office Systems and Procedures, and Administrative Support.  In all, 30 students earned the right to advance to the state competition held in Columbus in the spring.

Network Systems’ senior Robert Leonard (Parkway) took top honors in the VB Programming, while junior Zachary Parr (Parkway) placed second.  A team of seniors -Alex Gorman (Van Wert), Dustin Carter (Van Wert), Harley Sturgill (Van Wert) and John Upole (Wayne Trace) - placed first in the Computer Animation competition.  Junior Rex Wilson (Ft. Jennings) will serve as alternate.  Junior Matthew Schrader (Delphos Jefferson) placed first in Network Administration Using Microsoft contest.  Junior Dmitry Billingsley (Continental) placed first in the PC Servicing and Troubleshooting contest and his classmate Matthew Searles (Van Wert) placed third.  Zachary Crider, a junior from Parkway took top honors in the Java Programming competition.  A group of seniors – Daniel Brown (Paulding), Audrey Smith (Wayne Trace), Tyler Stienecker (Lincolnview) and Taylor Dixon (Van Wert) - placed first in the Parliamentary Procedures contest.  Senior Gene Gillespie (Crestview) advances to state in the Financial Math & Analysis Concepts contest, while junior Omar Martin (Kalida) goes to state in the Advanced Accounting event.  Senior John Upole (Wayne Trace) placed second in the individual Computer Network Technology event.

Tiffany Romero (Antwerp) a senior in the Interactive Media program placed first in the Computer Modeling competition.  Junior Chelsea Gephart (Crestview) took first place in the individual Presentation Management event and a pair of seniors Emilee Nicelley (Paulding) and Hannah Robach (Continental), took top honors in their Parliamentary Procedures event. 

Several Medical Office Management students took first place in their event.  Senior Layna Mihm (Van Wert) was first in the Advanced Word Processing contest.  Layna also serves as Treasurer for Region 16 BPA.  Senior Amber Sloan (Continental) placed second in the same contest.  BreAnna Stegaman (Crestview) took first place in the Fundamental Accounting event.  Junior Jill Ross (Wayne Trace) placed first in the Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications contest while senior Karrisa Carder (Lincolnview) placed second.  Junniors Maranda Bigham (Lincolnview), Mayleen Plescher (Delphos St. John’s) and Hannah Smith (Van Wert) placed first in the Advanced Office Systems contest, Advanced Interview Skills contest, and Keyboarding event respectively.   Cailah Rickard, a senior from Continental, took second place in the Advanced Office Systems competition.  Junior Courtnie Laney (Wayne Trace) took second place in the Basic Office Systems contest.  Courtnie also serves as the Secretary for Region 16 BPA.

Students who qualified for the state contest will compete March 13 and 14 in Columbus.  Congratulations and Good Luck to all student competitors!

The Vantage Open House and BBQ Sandwich Dinner is set for Monday, February 10, 2014 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  If you haven’t seen the new school yet, this is your chance!  Tour the building, see the labs, check out the new equipment, talk to the staff and students.  Do you have a sophomore who’s interested in attending Vantage?  There will be a Parent Information Session in the Community Room @ 6 pm to help answer questions you may have.  Interested in going back to school yourself? Adult Education representatives will also be there to answer questions about Vantage Adult Ed classes.  No time to cook?   Help support school-wide student activities by eating dinner @ Vantage.   Tickets for the BBQ Sandwich Dinner will be available at the door for just $5 for adults and $3 for children.  Dinner includes sandwich, chips, cookies and bottled water.  It’s gonna be a great night - You won’t want to miss it!

CAPTION: Vantage Business Professional of America (BPA) 2014 state qualifiers!

First Financial Bank Celebrates Grand Opening at Harbor Square

Celina, OH –Local residents, community leaders and First Financial associates gathered for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of First Financial’s new state-of-the-art banking center at Harbor Square

“This is an exciting day for all of us at First Financial, and we’re excited to share the new space with our clients and members of the community,” said Barbara Hamilton, First Financial assistant vice president and banking center manager. “We’re proud to continue our commitment to Celina and look forward to being a part of the community for years to come.”

First Financial’s new banking center is the first in Celina that was built using First Financial’s award-winning prototype design. The open and accessible interior includes visual merchandising as well as engaging retail graphics to “take the client on a journey” that will remind them of defining moments of success in their lives. 

Clients will find a full complement of retail, commercial lending, and wealth management services as well as teller and ATM drive-thru service at the new facility. The new building also incorporates several elements that reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability, including energy-efficient building materials, lighting controls, solar powered efficiencies and others. 

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

The 1925 “Hi-Li-Ke,” of Celina High School was compiled for the Class of 1925 by Ellis F. Collins, Editor-in Chief, and Arthur Palmer, Business Manager. 

This 1925 Celina High School “Hi-Li-Ke,” listed their Letter Men in Basketball.  I smiled at the nicknames of the players:  Walter McIlroy (Mac), Edmund Brandts (Ed), Roland Kessler (Boos), Carl Brandts (Dutch), Ferrel Bobenmoyer (Bub), Herman Fast (Fasty), and Franklin Siler (Sye).  The Coach and was not named.  E.U.Diener was Superintendent, and A.S. Emrick was Principal.

This 1925 book described their basketball games as “having an exceedingly successful season.”  The team won games, in their competitions with the High School Alumni, Washington Township, Fort Recovery, and Lima Central.  Their next winning games were with Wapakoneta and New Bremen.  In a close game, Saint Marys won the next game.  They then played Sidney, who had defeated St. Marys, and Celina won over Sidney’s team.  Next, the Celina team “repaid Rockford for the two defeats they handed us last season.”  St. Marys beat Celina by two points, in an over-time game, followed by another loss, to South HI of Lima.  Their final game was a success over Spencerville.  In the tournament, Celina lost to Roosevelt of Dayton.  Their conclusion was, “In the games played, Celina Hi scored 318 points to opponents 291.  A great future awaits Celina in Basket Ball.”

The Editor of “Hi-Li-Ke” preserved the 1925 history of Celina’s Basketball team.  Collins was correct in predicting that Celina would have a great future in Basketball.  Who are the local historians who preserve Celina High School’s Basketball Team History?  When was the first Basketball Game played and who were the Team Members?  Has a book on the History of Celina High School Basketball Team been published?  Have books on the History of Sports at Celina High School been published?   Does Celina High School have an Archival Collection of the Histories of the Sports played at Celina High School?  

That brings me to the obvious next questions:  “Do the Schools in Mercer County retain Archival Collections of the Histories of their Sports’ Teams?  Where are the histories of the Sports Teams for the smaller Schools which have been absorbed into the current Schools?” 

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00 – 4:00, the Mercer County Historical Society will host an exhibit of “Early Basketball History, Prior to World War II, in Mercer County High Schools,” at the Mercer County Historical Museum.   This exhibit will include early photographs, early High School Annuals, Local History Books, Awards, Newspaper articles, and related historical items which Mercer Countians bring to the Museum for this Exhibit.  The Mercer County Historical Society invites Local Sports Collectors to bring their Collections and Basketball Scrapbooks to show at the Museum Sunday, March 23, and to help the Mercer County Historical Society to Preserve Mercer County’s Local History of High School Basketball.

The Members of the Mercer County Historical Society invite Local Historians of High School Sports History, and anyone who has any history of the local basketball teams, prior to World War II, especially those schools which have been closed, to contact Members of the Historical Society, or me in the first three weeks of March about helping with the March 23 Exhibit. 

2014 Van Wert County OSU Extension AG DAY
Join us Tuesday, February 25, 2014 for our annual Van Wert County Ag Day with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Guest speakers and subjects to be covered include Bruce Clevenger, OSU Defiance County Extension Educator, "Computer Record Keeping:  Is Quicken Training in your Future?"; Eric Romich, OSU Field Specialist, "Alternative Energy Production Down on the Farm: Solar Power"; Eric Richer, OSU Fulton County Extension Educator, "Farm Business Transition to the Next Generation: Up-coming Event";  Jim Noel, NOAA Service Coordination Hydrologist, "Weather Outlook for 2014 Growing Season"; Clifton Martin, OSU Soybean Disease Researcher-OARDC, "Soybean Diseases: What's Holding your Production Back?"; and Curtis E. Young, OSU Van Wert County Extension Educator, "Western Corn Rootworm Challenge to Rootworm Resistant Corn Hybrids."  
A very informative day with Continental Breakfast and Lunch, plus meeting materials for only $15.00 with pre-registration.  $20.00 for walk-ins.  Ag Day will be held in the Jr. Fair Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Come early and browse our sponsor booths. Door prizes to be offered at the end of the meeting at approximately 3:30 p.m.  Register by calling the OSU Extension Van Wert County office at 419-238-1214. Registration Deadline: February 21, 2014.

Photo caption:   Mr. Hope School, Center Township, 1914

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Shawn, Kathern, and Wyatt Tuttle, Mendon, donated this photograph of Mt. Hope School, dated 1914.  However, none of the students’ names were listed.

The Tuttle family also brought a 1946 Neptune Senior Class Photograph, with the names listed.  The Teachers were Hazel Yewey and Mrs. Joy Stratten; H.N. Grice was the Superintendent.  The students were Ellen Grice, Thelma June Fisher, Carol Wolfe, Velone Houts, Dwight Bair, Bill Sites, Joseph Suhr, Homer Rice, and Don Preston.  The Neptune School photograph is included.

In quest of more data about the Neptune School and Mount Hope School, I went to the 2008 history book, “Center Township:  Beery’s Corners, Boetia Post Office, Gadtown, Houts’ Corner, Neptune Post Office, Neptune, Ohio,”  Passport to History Series XVIII, published by the Mercer County Historical Society in 2008.   This 48 page book gives resources for people doing historical research about Center Township, e.g. the township, the villages, the U.S. Post Offices, local geology, local author, and concludes with information about Center Township’s schools, churches, and cemeteries.

The Mount Hope School information is found on page 32.  Mount Hope School, School No. 1, was located on the South side of Bogart Road, a half mile east of Rice Road and a half mile west of Neptune Mendon Road, in Section 10 of Center Township.  The “Mount Hope School Student Souvenir,” dated 1903-1904,” included 21 students, including the family names of Detro, Fisher, Hamp, Martin, Nolan, Shanklin, Spicer, and Wurster.  Since this 1904 list of students was a decade earlier than the 1914 photograph above, perhaps, some of the same families had students on this 1914 photograph.  If someone has the list of names of the 1914 Mount Hope School photograph, I would appreciate your sharing that information with the Mercer County Historical Society, in its quest to preserve Mercer County’s history.

The Center Township School photograph and information is found on page 34.  The first class to be graduated from Center Township High school was in 1905.  Apparently the building was constructed in 1904.  In 1967, all students were transferred to Celina.  The old Center Township High School was razed in 1975, after the August 30, 1973 fire.  The building was used by The Auglaize-Mercer Community Action Commission (CAC) and the Headstart Policy Committee, 1969-1973.

This Center Township book includes photographs of Neptune’s old businesses.  An 1888 Plat Map of Neptune, identifies the streets and the sites of the school lots, the Post Office, and the sites of two churches, Church of God and Baptist Church.  An unusual map of Center Township includes the site of Boetia Post Office.  The Geology information includes information about the early natural gas and oil wells in the Township.   The best kept secret of Center Township is that the famous author Marion H. Duncan grew up in Center Township.  He and his wife and son were Missionaries in Tibet.  Duncan’s list of published books is on page 30. 

The Mercer County Historical Society encourages citizens of Center Township to help preserve the history of the Township.  Copies of this book about Center Township are available through the Mercer County Historical Society.

 
February 5, 2014
 

Van Wert County Hospital Weather Related News
 

The Gaylord E. Leslie Wellness Center will open at 9:00 a.m.

Van Wert Medical Services will open at 10:00 a.m.

Sleep Center is closed.

Please check Van Wert County Hospital’s website or facebook page for up-to-date information.

Parkway Schools are closed for Wednesday, February 5, 2014

At 10:55 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey issued a Level 2 Snow Emergency
for the unincorporated areas of Mercer County.  Roadways are slick, snow-covered, drifting, and hazardous.
Please use extreme caution while driving if you must be out.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 6:34 PM Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey issued a Level 1 Snow Alert
for Mercer County.  Roadways are slick, snow-covered and hazardous.
Please use extreme caution while driving if you must be out.
Level 1 remains in effect.

 

Rockford Eagles Plan Annual Sports Stag Night - Special Guest Chandler Harnish Current Back up Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts to Speak

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 1292, located at 179 S. Main Street in Rockford  is planning their annual Sports Stag night on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

- The Doors open at 5:30 and this event is open to the public.
Chandler Harnish, Former Norwell High School and Northern Illinois Quarterback and current Back up Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts is top-billed speaker for the evening. Two local men, Luke Clouse, Parkway Graduate and Parkway High School Baseball Coach and Jordan Thompson, Parkway Graduate and former Ohio University Bobcat Football Player will also be speaking

- The Guest Speakers will begin between 7:30 and 8:00.

$25.00 is the entry cost for All You Can Eat (Hog Roast) and Drink

There will be Raffles at the Door and a Bonus Attendance Raffle

Proceeds go to Benefit Community Projects.

See ad above for details.

Parkway Students Enter Art Invitational Exhibit at  Wassenberg Art Center – Win Prizes


The results are in! The Annual High School Invitational Exhibit opened this past Sunday and were had a great turnout in spite of the fact we again dug out of snow burrows like our February friend, the groundhog. A hot dog bar, fresh popcorn out of our new popcorn machine donated by Carol Temple, Paulding and a vast array of candy and cookies were served. Juror Timothy Danko, Bryan was on hand to speak and answer questions regarding his choices for awards and the exhibit as a whole. Almost $600 in cash awards and 6 honorable mentions went to several area high school students. They are as follows: Honorable Mentions, Emilie Fisher: Losing Myself, Parkway High School, Rockford, Dalton West: CN-Drone 9091, Lincolnview High School, Emily Kehres for Halloween, Fort Jennings, Leah Brubaker: Chief, Van Wert High School, Kennedy Baker: Twisted Night, and Kayla Stephenson: Seasons Tree, both of Parkway. In the three dimensional division 1st Place $125: Taylor Andrews of Parkway with her mixed media sculpture, Summer Doll. 2nd Place for $100 was awarded to Kaylynn Noriega of Fort Jennings for her ceramic sculpture titled Tears will Dry and 3rd Place $75 went to Shannon Joseph also of Parkway High School for a corrugated sculpture called Being Revealed. Two-dimensional awards went to 1st Place $125: Brooke Ripley of Crestview with a triptych entitled, Split Personality. Moses Boroff of Crestview High School received 2nd Place for $100 for a self-portrait created in pointillism, and Rebecca Welker of Van Wert High School took 3rd Place winning $75 with a pencil drawing called, Beaded Beauty. Stop in and see this compelling work created by our communities’ young artists. The exhibit is on view through February 16.


 

Fulton County OSU Extension to Offer Berry School

The Fulton County OSU Extension invites area producers to participate in the NW Ohio Berry School taking place Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 from 8:30am-3:00pm at the Robert Fulton Ag Bldg., 8770 SR 108 Wauseon, OH. This program is geared towards berry producers who may have surplus above and beyond average household consumption. The school will offer opportunities to select from three concurrent tracks: Production, Management, and Food and Community. State and area Extension specialists will be speaking on a variety of value-added opportunities. The registration fee of $40 also includes lunch and a copy of the Midwest Fruit Production Guide.  The registration deadline is March 14th. For additional program details and registration information, please visit www.fulton.osu.edu or contact the OSU Extension office at 419-337-9210.  The NW Ohio Berry School is sponsored in part by the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association, Triple K Irrigation, and Chuck Spallinger, Ag Consulting. 

 
February 4, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are closed for Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Snowfall of up to 8 inches and ice is expected in the next 24 hours from Tuesday evening 2-4-2014  until Wednesday 2-5-2014.

Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

Parkway Winter Homecoming on-Court Ceremony Excitement
Thank you to Nikki Fox for sharing these great pictures
Click on smaller thumbnail pictures to enlarge them.

 
February 3, 2014
 

Oh . . . The Challenges of Mother Nature in the Winter
Mercer County Snow Plowing Update 2014

By Sheila Baltzell, editor

Yesterday on February 2, 2014 at 7:25 AM, Ground Hog Day, Groundhog Phil saw his shadow in Punxsutawney, Pa. The appearance of Phil’s shadow means winter will extend well into March according to folklore. Had Phil not seen his shadow, it would have meant spring is around the corner.

Polar Vortex, Winter Advisories, School Delays and Cancellations, Snow, Rain, Ice ~ It is barely February, and we have seen it all in Mercer County. Whether Punxsutawney Phil has it right or not, we still have weeks to contend with the weather. A reminder of that is the sight of snowplows out nearly every day in January either clearing roads or pushing the snow further back in expectation of more snow. (See picture at left.)

Jim Weichart, County Engineer recently posted his statistics from last year:

"In fighting snow and ice, 1,295.25 tons of salt were used at a cost of $87,873.78 and 1,295.25 tons of grit were used at a cost of $10,038.24. 744.50 hours of overtime were worked in snow removal. In all, the costs of snow and ice control and removal to our operations in 2013 were $266,229.00."

Here are the snow removal facts so far in 2014, according to Brad Laffin, Mike Borns, Mark Linn and the entire road crew out working tirelessly to keep our roads safe and free of snow and ice.

The Mercer County Highway Department owns and services all trucks with plows. There are 12 drivers and 3 back-up drivers.  Drivers cover 12 routes around Mercer County, and each route averages 32 miles long with an average 4 hours to run.  (It can take anywhere from 3-1/2  hours to about  5 hours, depending on the conditions.) The trucks are equipped with standard straight plows (12 feet wide). They throw a mix of 1 to 1 salt and grit behind.  Mike Borns reports that so far material supplies have held up even with this extreme weather.

It costs approximately $10,000 for just one round (of all the drivers) to salt all the county roads.

On days when it snows continually or the wind keeps blowing, we just keep making rounds on our routes,” said driver Mark Linn.  “There have been lots of days like that this season.  Each of the 14 townships has their own roads to take care of, also.  I believe they average around 35 miles each, similar to one county route.” Drivers take breaks, listen to the radio, or listen to the howling wind. Said one driver, “The trucks are plenty warm and comfortable, just a little bouncy at times.”   

Safety Suggestions:

Snow plow drivers expressed the importance for people out on the roads to yield to the snowplows when they are working around intersections. Often they must back up and make several passes to completely clear an intersection. If automobile drivers pull up closely to the snowplows, then the drivers cannot maneuver.  For safety’s sake, snow plow drivers also ask people meeting a snowplow on the road to pull over and stop if they can or at least slow way down. 

Mailbox Replacement and Repair Policy:

Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart is announcing the policy covering replacement and repair of mailboxes damaged by county crews plowing snow. Mailboxes and posts damaged by snow and ice thrown from plow blades will not be repaired by the Engineer’s office.  Boxes and posts damaged by contact from a plow blade or truck will be replaced by the Engineer’s office, using light-weight standard steel mailboxes and 4-by-4-inch wooden posts.
 

Winter Homecoming Names Shannon Joseph Parkway Queen

Parkway Student Council would like to congratulate Shannon Joseph on her selection as Parkway Winter Homecoming Queen. It was a great night for the homecoming court and a special thank you goes out to Nikki Fox for photos, Deb Walters of Stitches Are Us of Van Wert for the senior sashes, and Picket Fence flowers of Rockford for the flower arrangements.

Junior Attendant is Miss Madison Roehm. Miss Roehm is the daughter of Kerry and Debbie Roehm. She plays volleyball and softball. She is a member of National Honors Society, Art Club, Reporter for Foreign Language Club, and Sentinel for FFA. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family and is an active member of Saint Teresa’s Catholic Church and Youth Group.

Sophomore Attendant is Miss Marisa Cordova. Miss Cordova is the daughter of Arthur and Mary Cordova. Her hobbies include competition cheer and school cheer. Her future plans are to attend college and is still currently undecided on major.

Freshman Attendant is Miss Alisa Gray. Miss Gray is the daughter of Paul and Patsy Gray. She likes to spend time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include basketball, softball, listening to music, and twitter. Miss Gray attends Saint Teresa’s Catholic Church. Her future plans are to attend Ball State University and pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Caption for picture above: Freshman Alisa Gray, Senior Raegen Bransteter, Queen Shannon Joseph, Senior Ashlynn Henderson, Junior Madison Roehm, Sophomore Marisa Cordova

Over 100 parkway Students Compete in Local Spelling Bee
Five will Advance to the County Meet

Pictured above:  Isaiah Ralston (1st place), Stephanie Schaaf (2nd place), Jalen Croy (3rd place), Paige Cron (4th place), Nina Secaur (5th place)

Parkway Local Schools held its annual Spelling Bee on December 20, 2013 in the auditorium of Parkway High School.  There were over 100 fourth through eighth grade students that participated in the Spelling Bee.  The top five winners in order were Isaiah Ralston (6th grade), Stephanie Schaaf (7th grade), Jalen Croy (7th grade), Paige Cron (8th grade), and Nina Secaur (8th grade).  Great job to all those who participated!

The top five will advance to the Mercer County Spelling Bee at Wright State University-Lake Campus on Monday, February 10, 2014 in the James F. Dicke Hall at 7:00 p.m.  The alternate inclement weather date will be Tuesday, February 11, 2014.

Time Change for Parkway Financial Aid meeting
Parkway High School Financial aid meeting on Monday, Feb. 3, in the Community Room will begin at 6:30 pm so seniors can attend before the Varsity BB game. This is the meeting with information on filling out college financial aid forms (FAFSA) Seniors planning to continue studies after high school and your parents should plan to attend this important meeting.

Athletic Booster Club Meeting Rescheduled for Monday February 10
The Parkway Athletic Booster Club meeting that was scheduled for February 3, 2014 is now rescheduled to Monday, February 10, 2014.  The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the community room at the high school.

Parkway Girls 8th Grade Tournament Results form Saturday, February 1, 2014
by Doug Hughes, Athletic Director

VERSAILLES                      39
ST HENRY                         23

MINSTER                          39
DELPHOS ST JOHNS        26

FORT RECOVERY             41
NEW BREMEN                 22

COLDWATER                    38
PARKWAY                         29

TUESDAY SEMI-FINAL MATCHUPS

VERSAILLES (HOME ) VS MINSTER AT 5PM

FORT RECOVERY (HOME) VS COLDWATER 6:15

Basketball Concession Stand Workers Reminded for February 8th
The Parkway Music Boosters would like to remind the following parents that they are scheduled to work in the basketball concession stand on Saturday February 8th: Keith and Shirley John, Terry and Melissa Myers, Roy Murphy, Keely Moore, Lisa Perry, Karen Pierstorff, David and Charity Pontsler, Rodney and Kelli Rider and Jeff and Pam Henderson.

Concession stand workers: Please try to arrive by 5:45 p.m. If something comes up and you can't be there, please arrange for someone to take your place. If you need to arrange for someone to take your place, please refer to the concession stand schedule that was included with the November newsletter. The Music Boosters appreciate your help with operating the concession stand.

Parkway Reschedules Cancelled Games 

THE BOYS JV AND VARSITY BASKETBALL GAMES WITH ADAMS CENTRAL HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 3RD. 

THE JV GAME WILL BEGIN AT 6:30.

THE BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL GAMES VS LINCOLNVIEW WILL BE MADE UP ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15TH.

4:00       GIRLS JV GAME (TWO QUARTERS)

5:00       BOYS JV GAME

6:30       GIRLS VARSITY GAME

8PM      BOYS VARSITY GAME

***THE FIRST BUS WILL LEAVE AT 2:40 AND TRANSPORT ALL JV PLAYERS.  THE SECOND BUS WILL LEAVE AT 5:00 AND TRANSPORT ALL VARSITY PLAYERS.

OTHER MAKEP GAMES

JH GIRLS BASKETBALL @ Crestview on Feb. 6th. 

GIRLS JV-VARSITY BASKETBALL HOME VS ANTWERP SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8TH AT 1PM.

by Doug Hughes, Parkway Athletic Director

Diabetes Support Group to discuss Lower Leg Complications, provide Free Foot Exams

Mercer Health’s Diabetes Support Group will meet on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Mercer County Community Hospital, 800 West Main Street, Coldwater, in Meeting Room 2.

Michelle Ashman CNP, CWOCN  with Mercer Health’s Wound Healing Center  will be discussing lower leg complications caused by diabetes in addition to providing diabetic foot exams at no charge.  Come and learn great ways to protect your lower legs and prevent complications.

There is no fee and advance registration is not necessary. Please call 419-586-9657 with questions.

Catholic Social Services Provides Information on Medicare and Medicaid

Kathy Sell, Director of the Catholic Social Services -Northern Counties Office, has announced that  the agency is partnering with the Ohio Department of Aging to help disseminate public information and explain the “Extra Help” that is available to assist  Medicare and Medicaid eligible Ohioans.

Catholic Social Services representatives will help assess the eligibility of individuals and families and provide personalized application assistance to help those in needs receive government assistance.

We hope to help support and eliminate the gap in coverage that has created concerns and hardships for some individuals and families,” explained Sell. “Many individuals are not aware of the programs that are available in Ohio.  We hope to help improve the quality of life of those who are isolated, perhaps incapacitated and unable to navigate the paperwork process that is required to qualify for medical and financial support programs.”

Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley is available to assist residents or their family members in applying for the “Extra Help” prescription drug program Low-income Subsidy (LIS) or the Medicare Savings Program (MSP).  If eligible, individuals may qualify for assistance with Medicare Part A and B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. 

The Low income subsidy, also known as “Extra Help” provides financial assistance for some Medicare Part D beneficiaries who have limited income and resources.  Eligible individuals for the low income subsidy may receive assistance in paying for 75% or more of their monthly Part D premium, yearly deductible, and prescription copayments.

Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley is able to provide information regarding public assistance and community resources available to assist people of any age.  Catholic Social Services- Northern Office – Resource Staff at 1 (800)521-6419 or (937)498-4593.

Calvary Evangelical Church to Host Spaghetti Lunch
Calvary Preschool is serving a spaghetti lunch on Sunday, February 9th, from 11:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m., benefiting the scholarship program for preschool students. The community is invited to come to Calvary Evangelical Church, located at 10686 Van Wert-Decatur Road, to enjoy a lunch of spaghetti, salad, bread sticks and dessert in the church fellowship hall. Donations for the lunch will be accepted and used to supplement preschool tuition fees.

Calvary Preschool is accepting students for the fall program.   Parents are invited to obtain information and the necessary forms by visiting Calvary’s website: www.calvaryelife.org and print the registration form.  That is the only form needed.  Rest of the forms can be handed in the month of  August or at orientation.  Three’s meet on Monday & Friday or Tuesday & Thursday mornings.  Four-year-olds classes meet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.  The older fours and five’s meet on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. The school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 11:30a.m. Extended care is available Monday through Friday from 7:30-8:30a.m.

For more information, contact director Judy Fox at the preschool office, 567-259-3103, or e-mail judy@calvaryelife.org.

 
February 1-2, 2014
 

2014 Parkway Winter Homecoming

Congratulations to all of our Parkway Queen Candidates

Queen Candidate Miss Raegen Bransteter. Miss Bransteter is the daughter of Dave and Amy Bransteter. She enjoys napping, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Her activities include DECA President, National Honor Society Vice-President, Student Council-Senior Class Representative, Yearbook Staff, Volleyball, Basketball, Boys Basketball Statistician, and Baseball Statistician. She plans to attend Ohio State or Ohio Northern and major in Nursing.

Queen Candidate Miss Ashlynn Henderson. Miss Henderson is the daughter of Jeff and Pam Henderson. She enjoys playing basketball and softball. She is a member of the Van Wert County Junior Fair Board, Treasurer in Teen Ambassadors, 4-H camp counselor, Willshire Wide Awake Health and Safety, Vice President of Art Club, member FFA, Science Club. She is actively involved in Saint John’s Lutheran Church. She loves spending time hunting, scrapbooking, and hanging out with friends and family. She plans to attend UNOH and major in Agri-Business.

Queen Candidate Miss Shannon Joseph. Miss Joseph is the daughter of Marvin and Andrea Joseph. She is a member of the Band, Choir, National Honor Society, Pep Band, Chamber Choir, Karizzma, Cross Country, and Track. She likes to draw, sing, play trombone, eat, nap, and run. She plans to attend Edison Community College to major in Medical Science/Nursing. She will then transfer to Findlay University to compete her BSN degree.

Singing Her Way to Fame
Parkway Student Chosen to Compete in Ohio Has Talent!

Thirteen year old, Parkway 7^th grader, Shay Bolton, learned recently that her 11 years of practicing the piano, dancing and singing won her a slot in the area’s Ohio HasTalent! Contest coming to the Niswonger Perfoming Arts Center in Van Wert on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7 PM.

Out of the 80 acts auditioning recently, only 20 were chosen to compete at the NPAC. Shay has chosen a solo from Disney’s Little Mermaid motion picture entitled Part of Your World. Shay, polishing her act daily, has chosen to fix her long hair in spiral curls and will wear a shimmering dress. She will also have some props that evoke underwater beauty including a treasure chest, like like in the movie.

Shay began her entertainment career with dance at the age of 2, followed by piano lessons and then vocal lessons. She is active in the Parkway Choir and Parkway Band where she plays the trumpet. She has performed in the Parkway Idol talent shows, competed in dance competitions, performed in piano recitals, and has twice been invited to perform during Music Evaluation Day at Bluffton University. At this prestigious event young performers are critiqued by a panel of judges and then take a written test of their knowledge.  Shay also maintains a 4.0 GPA at Parkway 7^th grade while fulfilling the jobs of football and basketball cheerleader. She is a member of New Horizon Church where she occasionally plays the piano during the worship service.

Shay is the daughter of Greg and Tabitha Bolton, of Rockford, has a brother Riley and is the grand-daughter of David and Lois Gause, Richard and Shirley Bolton and Cathy Brooks. Her great-grandparents are Lloyd and Florence Gause and Pauline Gamble.

Family and friends will be cheering her on Saturday night and YOU are invited as well.  See below for the details on how you can participate in the audience vote. All performers will be voted upon, for the cash prizes, by the audience.

Ohio Has Talent! Coming To The Niswonger - Come and Enjoy the Talented Entertainers

Contestants will be competing for prize money in the seventh annual Ohio Has Talent!  at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert on Saturday, February 8, at 7 p.m.

Sponsored in part by Citizens National Bank, the benefit show for Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center features 20 local and regional performers competing for $1,000, $500 and $250 prizes determined by audience votes.

2014 Ohio Has Talent contestants:

Jon Albert of Fort Wayne, Ind. is a dancer combining popping, b-boying and hip-hop

Hayleigh Bacome and Amanda Leis of Delphos are a contemporary dance duo

Gabriel Beming of Sidney and Caroline Prakel of Versailles are a creative piano duet with antics inspired by Victor Borge

Shay Bolton of Rockford is a vocal soloist who also plays piano and dances.

Ann and James Brake, a brother-sister duo from Ohio City; James plays piano and Ann dances

Makenna Cabe of Sidney was the first place winner of the Shelby County Apple Fest Talent Contest

May Coppler of Fostoria studies voice, ballet, flute and piano. She was the winner of her age group in Fostoria's Got Talent 2012 and 2013

Yan Coppler of Fostoria received classical training in high school and is a previous winner in her category in Fostoria's Got Talent

Hailey and Heather Harshbarger from Anna. Hailey plays piano and they share lead vocals and harmony

Kaden Hohman and Sayler Wise of Van Wert are an award-winning dance duo. They placed third at Ohio Has Talent! in 2012 and got a casting call for America's Got Talent

Michaella Johnson of Van Wert loves music. She takes voice lessons and plays trumpet and piano

Schylar Miller and Cole Wilson of Spencerville perform a vocal/alto saxophone duet

Craig Muhlenkamp of Coldwater and Danny Schneible of Russia, Oh. are a partner juggling team that combine juggling, comedy and music

Tyler Nygren of Van Wert is an award-winning illusionist who has performed across the country

Katlayne Poorman of Fort Wayne, Ind. performs in talent shows and pageants and auditioned for America's Got Talent last season

Victoria Ruble of Garrett Ind. is a vocalist who hopes to pursue music as a career

Shelby County Line is a country band that has opened for national acts and plays area festivals and fairs. Members: Paul Luft, Yorkshire, Ben Tuttle, St. Marys, Cody Paul, Minster, Michael Molasky, New Bremen

Danielle Stoller grew up in Latty and is now a senior at Illinois State University. She has played classical violin since she was six years old

Hanna Tumbusch of St. Henry has taken vocal lessons and performed for audiences since she was nine

Jimina Willis is a vocalist from Beavercreek

Alex Wunder, 2013 Ohio Has Talent winner, will perform during the vote counting. Wunder is a talented vocalist who enjoys singing the classic songs of the 60s, 70s, and 80s and putting his own spin to them. The high school sophomore from Kettering has won other talent competitions and sang the National Anthem at a Cincinnati Bengals game this year.

Contestant photos and bios are posted at www.ComHealthPro.org/OhioHasTalent.php.

Tickets start at just $10 through the NPAC ticket office, open Monday through Friday, Noon – 4 p.m., online www.npacvw.org or at Community Health Professionals, 419-238-9223.

 
January 31, 2014
 

Parkway February 2014 Breakfast Menus by Pam Smith
Parkway February 2014 Lunch Menus by Pam Smith

Bring Your Child to the Library Day

Come to the Rockford Carnegie Library this Saturday,  February 1st, from 10-2 and enjoy some crafts, snacks and games with your children.  Browse the books and movies and spend some time getting to know your local library. 

 
January 30, 2014
 

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, January 31, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

Super Bowl Patrol Will Have Game-On This Weekend
Celina, OH – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey announced today that  additional deputies will be assigned to work targeted areas during the upcoming Super Bowl Weekend.  Additional Deputies will be on patrol during the Super Bowl weekend focusing on impaired driving.  Deputies will be assigned to specific Townships, these being Franklin, Jefferson, Butler, Granville & Liberty.   

Sheriff Grey States “The goal is to keep the motoring public safe, not ruin Super Bowl gatherings.  The Purpose is for Deputies to be visible and hopefully deter bad driving.” Sheriff Grey reminds motorists to “Never drive while being impaired.    Have a designated driver, never text and drive, and as always please wear your seatbelts”.   The goal of the Sheriff’s Office is to keep our citizens safe.

Annual Chamber Awards Banquet with 3 Time Gold Medalist Speaker

The Annual Awards Banquet of the Celina Mercer County Chamber will be held on Thursday, March 6th at the Galleria in Celina.   Social time will begin at 5:30pm with dinner at 6pm.  The program will begin at 7pm with awards given out after the guest speaker’s presentation.     

This year’s guest speaker is Rick Metzger.   “Drink, Steal, Swear and Lie (The four rules to success)” is his topic for the annual banquet.  Rick comes from a rural background, having spent 20 years of his life on the family farm.  He was a high school athletic coach and has competed in sports at the high school and professional level.  He won gold medals at the 1995, 1997, and 2003 World Cup of Power Lifting.  He served as President of the Ohio and National FFA Alumni Association.  Rick has a diverse background from sales and marketing to management in Ag Business and the lawn and garden industry.  He speaks throughout United States to student groups, educators, coaches, agriculture groups and corporate America.  Rick’s success as a speaker is based on his broad background and his fast paced, high energy and down to earth approach.  His program will enlighten, entertain and empower all who hear him.

Chamber awards applications are being taken and must be in by February 7th.  The deadline has been extended due to extreme weather conditions.  The four awards are Business of the Year, Citizens of the Year, Humanitarian and Achievement Awards.  Award applications have been inserted into this newsletter.  They are also available online at www.celinamercer.com.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 each or you can purchase a corporate table of

eight for $195.  RSVPs are due by Feb. 21st.  Call the Celina Mercer County Chamber for tickets or further information at 419 586-2219 or email info@celinamercer.com.

New Celina Mercer County Chamber Member Announced

Bruce Lockwood of Lockwood Performance has joined the Celina Mercer County
Chamber of Commerce.  

Lockwood Performance is the place to stop for your classic, racing, or
general performance automotive needs. They have a speed shop carrying common
engine and drivetrain parts for small and big block Chevy, Ford, and Mopar -
using most of the best known performance automotive brands around. They also
fully service and rebuild transmissions and differentials. Also, they are a
full machine stop - doing all work in-house.

Bruce has purchased the former Aqua Tech Building which is located on 7051
Havemann Road but can be seen off of State Route 29 East of Celina. He is in
the process of putting a showroom for these classic and racing cars.   For
more info, feel free to contact Bruce at 419 586-2331.
You may also visit the website www.lockwoodperformance.com.

Pictured from left to right:  Bruce Lockwood and Pam Buschur, Chamber
Director

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Photo caption:   Local Senior Citizens remember Pat McKirnan at The Celina Coffee Shop.   Whatever happened to the neon sign “Coffee Shop,” standing on the sidewalk?

Sheila Weber, of Baltimore, MD  sent this photograph, and included a Menu from the Coffee Shop.  Sheila wrote, “A cousin had kept this as a Celina memento & sent it to me.  I think it is a priceless piece of Celina’s history and of our economy.  Please find it a good home at the Museum.”  (There was no date on the menu.  Senior Citizens can make a good guess of the date.)

Within the menu, a Friday special was listed as “Yellow Ring Perch (boneless fillets), French fries, tossed salad, roll, butter and coffee or tea, served home style for two or more, at a Special of $.95.” 

The menu offered the usual list of meat, potatoes, and vegetables.   One item caught my eye:  “Grilled calf’s liver and bacon.”  Several fish dishes were offered, e.g. shrimp, smoked oyster cocktail, fillet of sole, Lake Erie Pickerel, Herring in sour cream, broiled lobster tail, fried clear plump fresh New York Counts (in season), and deep fried Cape Scallops.  Pat McKirnan told me that for 28 years, Mother Lulu Eichler made home made pies and often baked as many as 22 kinds of pie in one day, for the restaurant.

Most of all, I remember Pat McKirnan at the Coffee Shop.   Celina business men and women were regular customers at the noon hour.  Booths were available on both sides.  There was a round table at the back of the restaurant for the men and a round table up front for the women.  Pat called everyone by name, and if we customers missed eating there for a week or so, Pat would ask us why we had not been there!

When I was editing the 1978 “Mercer County History Book,” Pat McKirnan related the history of the Coffee Shop.  Prior to 1900, the first known name of the restaurant was the Schmidt Restaurant, which was then bought by Fred Schlenker around 1900.  About 1908, because of a business of about 200 to 300 customers nightly, Schlenker built a new building and named his restaurant, the “Manhattan.”  John McKirnan, who married Irma Schlenker, Fred’s daughter eventually joined the business.  The new building had a ladies entrance and hall leading to the dining room.  Pat McKirnan stated that he and his father Dan McKirnan bought the business in 1941.  The second floor of the building was the site of various Club banquets.  The restrooms were on the second floor.  On the menu, there is a note at the bottom, “Ask your waitress for the rest room key, please.  Thank you.”

I was looking at the photograph above.  I suspect that some of the Senior Citizens might recognize their old automobiles on the photograph.  Just west of the Celina Coffee Shop, the business is noted as “Bumpkin’s DISCO!”  Who can help preserve Celina’s history, by sharing the history of “Bumpkin’s DISCO” with the Mercer County Historical Society?  That history should help date this photograph.

[The Mercer County Historical Society President Joyce Alig, may be contacted at 3054 Burk-St. Henry Road, Saint Henry, OH 45883,  or histalig@bright.net or 419-678-2614.]

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy ~ Preventing Falls Among Ohio’s Elders

When we are young, we do not often think about our risk of falling or the consequences of a fall. If we fall, we get up knowing that any aches or pains are probably temporary.

But for us elders, a fall can be a life-changing event.

For seniors like me, the effects of a fall can mean the difference between independence and reliance upon others for assistance in the completion of daily activities. Falls are the number one cause of injuries leading to emergency room visits, hospital stays and deaths among Ohioans age 65 and older. It is no exaggeration to call falls among older adults an epidemic.

My message to Ohio’s elders is this:  You have the power to reduce your risk of falling. And you have the power to improve your ability to recover if you do fall.

The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that fall risks include advanced age, history of previous falls, muscle weakness, gait and balance problems, poor vision, chronic medical conditions like arthritis, and fear of falling. Others include obstacles and tripping hazards, slippery or uneven surfaces, lack of stair handrails, dim lighting or glare, lack of bathroom grab bars, use of certain medications, and improper use of assistive devices like walkers or canes.

However, falls can be prevented by following some simple, common- sense  steps. Some of these steps include 15 minutes of exercise a day, annual vision and hearing checks, and removing fall hazards around your own home. You can view the full list of ten steps at www.steadyu.ohio.gov.

Steady U is part of an effort by Governor Kasich and the Ohio Department of Aging to increase awareness about the hazards of falling. The website is a valuable resource for all of my fellow elders concerned about the risks of falling.

We as elders have the power to reduce our risk of falling. It may require some added diligence in our day-to-day routine, but this extra effort is worth it when weighed against the cost of an unfortunate fall.

 
January 29, 2014
 

Remember the Rockford Eagles Fish Fry and Chicken Strips Dinners
on Friday, January 31, 2014 from 5-7 PM.
Members and Guests only. Good Food! See ad above for details.

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Parkway Alumni to be Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Year 2013

Two former outstanding athletes from Parkway are being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, announced athletic director, Doug Hughes recently.

The ceremony and plaque presentation will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2014 between the JV and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Games. Congratulations!

Shawnette (Byer) Metzger graduated from Parkway in 1990.  She was First Team All-State in Volleyball during her senior year and Honorable Mention All-State in Volleyball during her junior year. She earned First Team All-MAC honors in volleyball during her junior and senior years. Shawnette was First Team District 8 as a senior in Volleyball. She was Player of the Year in the Midwest Athletic Conference in Volleyball during her Senior Year. A member of the Volleyball Teams that finished as Regional Runners-up in 1989, she currently hold the school record in Volleyball for aces in a season with 77 and serve reception with 92%. Earning three varsity letters in Volleyball, three varsity letters in Basketball and two Varsity letters in Track, she currently holds the school record in Basketball for most assists in a career with 310 and most assists in a game with 12. Shawnette was a member of the 4 x 200 meter relay team that finished third at the Regional Track Meet. She attended Southwestern Michigan Junior College for two years where she was named First Team All-American in Volleyball. Shawnette then attended Nicholls State University for three years and was named Honorable Mention All-American in Volleyball.

Neil Shaffner graduated from Parkway in 1987. He was named All-Ohio in Baseball during his senior year and was the Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year in Baseball in 1987. Neil earned First Team All-MAC honors in baseball during his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of the 1987 State Championship Team and the 1985 MAC Championship Team in Baseball. Earning three varsity letters in Baseball and one in Cross Country, he currently holds the school record at Parkway for highest batting average in a season at .575, most stolen bases in a career with 62, most stolen bases in a season with 48, and most walks in a season with 30. Neil attended Union College where he was named All-Conference in 1992 and 1993. While attending Union College he led the Bulldogs in Runs Batted In from 1991-1993 with 165, and led the league with 10 home runs in 1992. He set a NAIA record by playing 138 consecutive games without committing and error. Neil was a member of the Continental World Series team that finished National Runners-up in 1992.

Thank Your School Board Member Today
by Mickey McConahey, Guidance Counselor at Parkway

School board members exemplify local citizen control and decision-making in education.

They volunteer hundreds of hours and an immeasurable amount of energy to assure that our schools are providing the best education possible for the children of our community. Here are some reasons we are taking this opportunity to show them our appreciation during School Board Recognition Month in January.

School board members are citizens whose decisions affect our children — what they learn, who will teach them and what kinds of facilities house their classrooms.

These are men and women elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for our public schools. They represent you, and they take this responsibility seriously by attending lengthy — sometimes challenging — meetings, conferences and institutes where they broaden their knowledge about education; during numerous conversations about the schools; and sessions before the Ohio General Assembly.

Our school board is one of 718 such boards across the state. These boards enable us to

have local control of public schools, meaning that decisions on school programming are made by local, elected representatives who understand the community’s unique problems, values, culture and circumstances.

It’s a tradition that began nearly 300 years ago. With the advice and counsel of the

educational professionals they hire, our school board has an impact on virtually every aspect of our schools. It’s a huge responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.

Too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent us. The staff and students of our school district are asking all local citizens to take a moment to tell a school board member “thanks for caring about our children’s education.”

So, hats off to the dedicated men and women who make it possible for local citizens to have a say about education in our communities. We salute the public servants of Parkway Local Schools whose dedication and civic responsibility make local control of public schools in our community possible. We applaud them for their vision and voice to help shape a better tomorrow. New board member this year is Mrs. Melissa Burtch, continuing board members are Mrs. Kim Brandt, Mr. Mark Heitkamp, Mr. Tom Lyons, and Mr. Ryan Thompson. Many thanks to our former board member, Mr. Robert Ransbottom who recently ended his board membership.

Buchy Applauds Recognition of Great Ohioans
Darke County Native Annie Oakley Receives Great Ohioan Award

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) today applauded the recent announcement by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation of the 2014 Great Ohioans.

The Great Ohioan Award commemorates Ohioans who have played a significant role in an event or series of events of lasting significance in World, American or Ohio history. The 2014 honorees are Darke County’s Annie Oakley, sharpshooter and educator, and Jerri Mock, the first woman to fly around the world.

“I was highly supportive of the move to make Annie Oakley one of this year’s Great Ohioans,” Rep. Buchy said. “I’m not only proud of her because she is from Darke County, but because of the inspiration she was to so many women and men throughout her life. Today, we can continue to see her example of what it takes to achieve great heights.  As Annie Oakley said, ‘Aim at a high mark and you'll hit it. No, not the first time, nor the second time. Maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting, for only practice will make you perfect.’”

State Representative Jim Buchy Releases a Statement Following the Governor’s Request for Additional Calamity Days

Buchy Recognizes the Need for more Calamity Days to Keep Ohio’s School Children Safe—and Encourages Local Schools to Use E-Day/Blizzard Bag as an Option in Future Years

Columbus—Following Governor Kasich’s call for additional snow days for Ohio’s schools, Representative Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) released the following statement:

“Today, I learned that Governor Kasich has called for additional calamity days for the safety of Ohio’s school children.  The Governor has clearly given good consideration to the well-being of Ohio children and I consider his wisdom to be a good policy move.  In order for schools to receive more calamity days it will require legislative action that I will support.

“A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be a part of a team that supported legislation to add an ‘E-Day’ and ‘Blizzard Bag’ option for Ohio schools as an option to have more calamity days.  The law allows schools to make up as many as 3 school days via take-home work or online assignment.  In House District 84 several schools are using this option and as a result their calamity day situation is much different than many other schools in the state.  The program has been implemented across Ohio by many schools.

“The E-Day/Blizzard Bag law requires action by a school district in August and prevents schools from using this option anymore in the 2013/2014 school year. The e-day program started as a pilot project at Mississinawa Valley Schools, which is part of the 84th House District, in the 2010/2011 school year.  The program has grown significantly since that time and may be a good option for local school districts in future years to avoid problems like we are facing this year.”

Parkway Local School Board will meet on February 11 at 6:30 PM at Praise Point Church.

New 2014 Crop Insurance Guidelines for Cover Crops

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., January 27, 2014 – The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced updated guidance providing producers more flexibility when insuring a crop that follows a cover crop in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

RMA changed federal crop insurance provisions concerning cover crops as a result of increasing interest in this conservation practice.

According to Brian Frieden, Director of the Risk Management Agency’s Springfield Regional Office, the changes are a result of a coordinated effort with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to develop a consistent, simple and flexible policy across the three agencies. “For farmers wanting to insure their spring crop following a cover crop in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio the cover crop must have been planted within the last 12 months and terminated at, or within five days after planting, but before crop emergence,” noted Frieden. “Cover crops may also be hayed, grazed or used for silage as long as the planned amount of biomass is available at the time termination.” Producers using cover crops are encouraged to discuss these changes with their crop insurance agent when making decisions for the upcoming crop year.

A cover crop is a crop generally recognized by agricultural experts as agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement. For the 2014 crop year, crops planted following a cover crop are insurable as long as the cover crop is managed and terminated according to the Natural Resources Conservation Services’ Cover Crop Termination Guidelines and Cover Crop Termination Zones Map.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. Contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about the program.

Service with a Smile

At Vantage Career Center, students find the “best of both worlds”.  They receive a first-class career technical education while meeting all of the academic requirements for high school graduation.  In addition to Trade and Industry programs and Business programs, Vantage also offers specialized programs in Service careers described below.

Due to the tremendous advances in the medical field, outstanding career opportunities are available to students in our Health Technology program.  Many health care workers provide basic bedside care and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration. They may also prepare and give injections, collect samples for testing, feed patients and assist with bathing and personal hygiene. Students complete a State Approved Nurse Assistant Program and learn medical terminology, medical insurance and computer skills. Health Technology students assist at the annual Vantage Bloodmobile.  They learn a wide-range of medical techniques through clinical instruction at healthcare facilities and extensive job shadowing opportunities.  In this program, they develop work ethics, medical skills, and patient care skills.   

In the Early Childhood Education program, high school students discover that working with young children can be very rewarding.  This program prepares students to work in a licensed child care facility, operate a day care center, become a nanny or teach young children.  Students create and provide developmentally appropriate preschool materials for children, learn the day-to-day operations of a state-licensed preschool, and explore careers that deal with the education of young children.  In addition to receiving instruction in planning and conducting lessons, the students apply principles of child development and child psychology as they prepare the children for kindergarten.  Upon completion, students are prepared for college and immediate employment in the childcare field.

The Culinary Arts program is the starting line for many students who are interested in careers in restaurant services and hospitality management.  Students in this program operate the Cup and Saucer Restaurant, a full-service restaurant located at Vantage, which is open to the public three days a week throughout the school year.  This two-year program is also the foundation for students who plan to pursue further education for chef training or food service management. Students have the opportunity to become “Serve-Safe” certified and to receive the ProStart Certificate of Achievement.  After graduation, students are prepared for professional culinary programs, immediate employment, and further education. 

Avantage (French for “new beginnings”) is the name of the Vantage Cosmetology Salon, a fully certified and licensed program by the state of Ohio and open to the public three mornings a week throughout the school year.  Students create, cut, style, color and recommend hair designs for clients.  They use advanced techniques to deliver a wide-range of skin care and nail treatments while experiencing a full-service salon environment.  After successful completion of the program at Vantage and achieving the requirements of the state board of cosmetology, they are eligible to take the state cosmetology examination and become a licensed cosmetologist shortly after graduation.  They will be prepared for immediate employment in a salon/day spa, advanced licensure, and further education. 

If you are interested in finding out about career opportunities in any of these fields or have questions about the service programs at Vantage, please call Mike Knott, Student Services Supervisor at 419-238-5411 or 1-800-686-3944 ext. 2032 or email him at knott.m@vantagecareercenter.com.

It’s almost time for the annual Vantage Open House and BBQ Sandwich Dinner!  Mark it on your calendars for Monday, February 10, 2014 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  If you haven’t seen the new school yet, this is your chance!  Tour the building, see the labs, check out the new equipment, talk to the staff and students.  Do you have a sophomore who’s interested in attending Vantage?  There will be a Parent Information Session in the Community Room @ 6 pm to help answer questions you may have.  Interested in going back to school yourself? Adult Education representatives will also be there to answer questions about Vantage Adult Ed classes.  No time to cook?   Help support school-wide student activities by eating dinner @ Vantage.   Tickets for the BBQ Sandwich Dinner will be available at the door for just $5 for adults and $3 for children.  Dinner includes sandwich, chips, cookies and bottled water.  It’s gonna be a great night - You won’t want to miss it!

Photo: Vantage senior Cosmetology student Lydia Myers (Lincolnview) works on a mannequin earlier in the year in the Avantage` Salon.

University of Cincinnati Dean’s List for Excellent Grades: Kelly Brown of Rockford - Congratulations

First Financial Awards $10,000 to the Mercer County Civic Foundation
First Financial celebrates 150 years with $150,000 donation to organizations across the bank’s footprint

Celina, OH – January 27, 2014 – First Financial Bank is celebrating 150 years by giving back to the communities it serves. To commemorate its anniversary, the bank is donating a total of $150,000 to local community groups making a difference across the bank’s footprint.

15 $10,000 donations will be made to local organizations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Today, First Financial is proud to announce that one of the $10,000 grants has been awarded to the Mercer County Civic Foundation.

Last October, First Financial associates had the opportunity to nominate local non-profit groups to be considered for a grant. The bank received more than 200 nominations from associates.  First Financial associates Barbara Hamilton, Lindsay Wicker, Carolyn Pierstoff, and Shawn Hannegan nominated the Mercer County Civic Foundation because of the organization’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life the residents of Mercer County.

“As a lifelong resident, I have seen firsthand how the Mercer County Civic Foundation has worked to improve our region,” said Barb Hamilton, banking center manager at First Financial’s Harbor Square location. “We hope this grant helps the organization continue to support the many people and groups working to make a difference in our community.” 

An internal selection committee comprised of associates from all areas of the bank reviewed nominations and selected grant recipients. Selected groups have to be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and must fall within one of the bank’s three areas of giving: economic development, financial literacy and neighborhood development. The funds for the donation were made available through the bank’s community development fund at the Hamilton Community Foundation.

For more information about First Financial and it’s 150 year history, visit www.bankatfirst.com/150 or www.facebook.com/firstfinancialbank.

LOVE & LAUGHER - Interactive Valentines Fun at the Niswonger
Saturday, Feb. 15 @ 7:30 PM

THE NOT-SO-NEWLYWED GAMESHOW
 

Be entertained AND have a chance to win $100,000! Join the fun on February 15 at 7:30 PM at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert for a night full of laughs, prizes, and love with The Not-So Newlywed Game. This interactive Game Show event, straight from California,  is hosted by the legendary and 8-time Emmy Award winner, Bob Eubanks. The game will be played with  eight couples competing for a valuable grand prize. Any ticketed guest can be chosen to join local guest couples, Thad and Deb Lichtensteiger and Jay and Kim Fleming on stage. Even those not selected will still have a chance to win $100,000 by answering Bob’s interactive questions posed to members of the audience. Parting gifts for chosen contestants will be provided by Slusher's Jewelry of Van Wert & Collins Fine Foods of Van Wert. All this along with Bob narrating hilarious clips from his well-known show, The Newlywed Game, will be the perfect blend of romantic comedy worthy of a couples or friends night out.

TICKETS: Tickets for this interactive Valentines Weekend adventure are priced from $17 and selling fast. The Niswonger box office is open from Noon-4pm Monday-Friday. Visit in person at 10700 SR 118 S, Van Wert; Call 419-238-6722; Buy Online www.NPACVW.org.

Leadership Class Visits Courts and Jail

The Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce 2014 Adult Leadership Class recently visited Judge Mary Pat Zitter during Law and Court Day. The day started with a talk by Sheriff Jeff Grey and a tour of the Adult Detention Center by Deputy Jodie Lange and then a visit to the Probate, Municipal and Common Pleas Courts. The day ended with a K9 demonstration by Officer Dan Harting. The class learned a lot that day about the law including the heroin problem in Mercer County.  The group even had “jail food” for lunch!  A big thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success!  For more information on the Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce leadership class, call the Chamber at 419 586-2219.

Comfy Kids Joins Celina Mercer County Chamber

Chris Wibbenmeyer owner of Comfy Kids LLC has joined the Celina Mercer County

Chamber of Commerce.  At Comfy Kids, they buy, sell and consign children’s clothing from newborn to size 16.  They are a children's store with gently used toys that also specializes in quality children's clothing at the not-so-quality prices.   In addition, Comfy Kids is a rental agent for U-Haul. For more information on Comfy Kids visit www.mycomfykids.com.  Comfy Kids is located at 1107 North Main Street in Celina (in Chief Supermarket plaza). Phone 567-890-kids (5437)

Pictured from left to right: Pam Buschur-Chamber Director; Chad Stolly-Chamber Trustee from Stolly Insurance; Chris Wibbenmeyer-owner of Comfy Kids; Rick Murlin-Chamber Trustee from Hecht Murlin Insurance

Community Invited to Walk the Halls at Parkway
Starting Monday, October 28 the Parkway High School Entrance will be opened from 4:00 – 7:30 for Community Walkers. Please sign in when you are walking.

by Greg Puthoff, Parkway Superintendent

 
January 28, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are closed for Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Both Parkway Junior High Basketball Games are cancelled for January 28, 2014

ALL GRADES 3-6 BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL PRACTICES FOR TONIGHT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED

The Boys JV and Varsity Games at home versus Adams Central is cancelled for January 28, 2014
and will be rescheduled at a later date.

The 21st Century Club Meeting is cancelled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Thank you to our weather sponsor, Chatt Insurance.
The temperature in Rockford this morning was -14 degrees!

 IPAD RAFFLE

The Laurels of Shane Hill and Maplewood of Shane’s Village will be sponsoring an iPad Raffle during the month of February.  The drawing will
be held March 1^st. Tickets  are $2 each or 6 for $10 and can be purchased at The Laurels of Shane Hill or People’s Bank in Rockford.  All
proceeds will be donated to the Rockford Recreation Association Legacy Fund. 

The Rockford Recreation Legacy Fund provides tax advantaged opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in equipment and park improvements which will enhance recreational  opportunities for families and children of the Rockford Community and beyond. There is a plan for further developing Shane’s Park that supports the future vision of the Rockford Recreation Association. The money that is donated to support this vision goes  immediately toward improvements that have recently included extended concrete spectator areas, permanent dugout improvements on all four diamonds, additional family picnic areas, Diamond #5 development, and ongoing park facility improvements.  

For more information contact Leah Hays at 419-363-2620.

Private Pesticide Applicator License Recertification Available

Farmers who have a Private Pesticide Applicator License that expires in 2014 can attend one of two recertification sessions being offered in Van Wert County. 

The morning session will be offered on Monday, February 3, 8:45 a.m. - noon at the Extension Meeting Room in the Administration Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds, 1055 South Washington Street, Van Wert, OH. The evening session will be offered on Tuesday, March 11, 5:45-9 p.m. at the Delphos Eagles Aerie #471 Hall, 1600 East 5th Street, Delphos, OH.  Both facilities are handicap accessible. Each session will offer a full recertification for Core and Categories 1 (Field Crops), 2 (Forage Crops & Livestock), 6 (Fumigation), and 7 (Specialty Uses), plus special arrangements for those carrying Categories 3 (Fruit & Vegetable Crops), 4 (Nursery & Forest Crops including Christmas Trees), and 5 (Greenhouse).  These additional categories will be scheduled after the standard recertification session.  A $35 fee will be charged for the training. OSU Extension encourages anyone planning to attend either section to pay the office in advance of the meeting to speed up registration on the day of the meeting.  If one does not pay in advance, the fee will be collected at the door. Pre-registration is highly encouraged to allow for preparation for the meeting.

If neither session in Van Wert County fits within your schedule, please visit http://pested.osu.edu  for a list of neighboring counties and their corresponding recertification sessions or call or visit the Extension Office for assistance.  Please note that sessions outside of Van Wert County may require pre-registration as well.

These sessions are for farmers and others who already possess a private pesticide applicators license.  There are no Commercial Pesticide Applicator credits available at these meetings.  Commercial pesticide applicators need to attend one of the State Commercial Pesticide Applicator Conferences.  Farmers and others wishing to obtain a new pesticide applicator license should visit http://pested.osu.edu/privatelicense.html for more information. 

 
January 27, 2014
 

As of 8:00 AM, Sheriff Jeff Grey has cancelled all Snow Advisory Levels for Mercer County, on January 27.
  Motorists should continue to use caution while driving.
 

Parkway Schools are now closed for Monday, January 27, 2014

HIGH FIVE MEETING FOR TONIGHT IS CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED
FOR NEXT MONDAY AT 6:30 IN THE ELEMENTARY COMMONS

The RADC meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled due to record cold temperatures.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24 at 7:30 in the library basement.
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Monday, January 27, 2014

Thank you to our weather sponsor, Chatt Insurance.

Click Here for details

Parkway Middle School Honor Roll
End of 2nd Quarter 2013-2014
Click Here to Learn Who!

PARKWAY  HIGH SCHOOL
2nd Nine Weeks Honor Roll List 2013-2014
Click Here to Learn Who!

 
January 25-26, 2014
 

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey (at 8:23 AM) announced that Mercer County remains on a Level 2 Snow advisory for January 26, 2014. Roads remain hazardous with blowing and drifting snow.

Level 2 means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Some roads are becoming impassable. Only those who find it necessary should be out on the roadways. Use extreme caution while driving.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey has closed a half mile portion of Erastus Durbin Rd between US 33 and Winkler Road in Blackcreek township until at least Monday January 27, 2014 . It is impassible due to blowing and drifting snow.

THE PARKWAY SHOOTOUT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS IN GRADES 3-6 IS CANCELLED

FOR SUNDAY January 26, 2014.

Parkway Schools have cancelled (for Saturday, January 25, 2014)

the following athletic events due to the winter snowstorm:

Boys 5th & 6th Grade Basketball Game and

Girls 6th Grade Basketball Game

Boys and Girls JV and Varsity Basketball Games at Lincolnview

BASKETBALL PRACTICES ARE CANCELLED FOR BOYS GRADES 3-4, GIRLS GRADES 3,4,,5 AND GRADES K-2
(LITTLE PANTHERS)
 

Mercer County is under a Level 1 Snow Alert per Sheriff Jeff Grey at 8:27 PM on January 24, 2014. Roadways are slick with blowing and drifting snow; use caution while driving. 

3-5 inches of snow with 35 MPH wind gusts will create dangerous road conditions.

Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

 
January 24, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Friday, January 24, 2014

Parkway National Honor Society Helps COSI on Wheels

by Cheyenne Stant

Last week Parkway's National Honor Society held a box top drive to help out their elementary. The elementary collects box tops all year to help fund COSI on Wheels, a hands-on activity full of science fun for the students. Altogether, the high school collected 3,745 box tops to donate.  The winning class received doughnuts and coffee to help inspire more students to turn in box tops. The winning class, Mrs. Howell's first period contemporary history, brought in a total of 1,179 -- Congratulations and thanks to all who helped donate to our elementary students!!

Activity Bus Finds New Home at Rockford United Methodist Church

By Susan Sheppard

The people of Rockford United Methodist Church are making plans to launch a Church Bus Ministry after a recent purchase of a 33 passenger activity bus. The vehicle was purchased from Bear Creek Farms after that facility closed. It has been detailed and ‘branded’ by Doug and Ryan Hole, father and son team of Holeshot.

Kids’ Club, the church’s Wednesday after school program, has flourished under the leadership of Nathan Rupp, the church’s Youth Director. Transportation of students from the school facilitates that program, which includes a time for snacks, games, lessons and crafts.

There are so many people to thank for their vision of and participation in this ministry. The bus has been paid for by donations of church people. There will be plans made to use the bus for purposes other than transporting Kids’ Club participants. Chip Steffy is pastor of the church which is located at 202 South Franklin Street in Rockford.

 
January 23, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Thursday, January 23, 2014.

Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

Carson Cheek Wins Ed Barker Award

 Carson Cheek, Rockford Graduate 1965, was recently honored with the Ed Barker Award, an award given as an acknowledgement to the individual who has shown the most exceptional service to the OAT and CCC (Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches) and to the sports of track and cross country in the State of Ohio. Carson was most recently at Minster High school and has been involved in track and field since 1972. He served Minster Schools as an elementary teacher, guidance counselor, district special education representative and Athletic Director. He started the boys Junior High Track Program and was Boys Varsity Track Coach for 15 years. During his tenure, his team qualified for the State Meet in every event and finished 3rd in 1988. The program excelled with 35-48 boys participating.  In 1977, he was founder of the Minster Memorial Invitational Track and Field Meet. He also coached high school athletes internationally with meets in seven different countries. As athletic Director for 16 years, he was a founding member of the Midwest Athletic Conference. In 1975, he implemented the girls athletic program at Minster. He has been elected into the Northwest District and the Ohio Athletic Director Association Halls of Fame.

Carson was an official for over 30 years and a District and M.A.C. Meet Director for over ten years. In 1993 he earned the Contributor Award from  the Ohio Official’s Association. The Ohio High School Athletic Association Meritorious Award was presented to him in 2005 for officiating. Carson also published the Ohio Track and Field News and Cross Country News for over 20 years. He was a recruiting source for coaches coast to coast and a contributing information source for local, state and national publications. His latest contributions have been OAT and CCC Historian and as the Cross Country Director. The OAT and CCC has twice awarded him their Distinguished Service Award. Carson is also a Combat Veteran having served in Viet Nam in the Army. He served with the 82^nd Airborne and 1^st Infantry Divisions.

Because of his many efforts on behalf of our sports, the athletes and coaches and his community, are proud to recognize Carson Cheek as the 2014 Ed Barker Award Winner, the highest honor given to but one individual per year in the State of Ohio.

Barker was a member and prime organizer of the committee that organized the Ohio Track Coaches Association.  He served as secretary/treasurer of the association.  The Ed Barker Award is given in honor for all the contributions and dedication he gave to Ohio track and field.  If you would like to contact Carson and congratulate him, here is his email:  otafn@bright.net  

Congratulations Carson!

Opening Act for Jack Hanna Show at NPAC

The Atomic Sharks will warm up the Niswonger Lobby at 2 p.m. as the pre-event entertainment to Jack Hanna’s “Into The Wild Live” show scheduled for Saturday, April 5. Ticketed guests are welcome to arrive before the Jack Hanna event and be entertained by the island sounds of this kid-friendly Jimmy Buffet style musical sensation. Sponsored by Dr. Tom Wilkin, DVM, of The Animal Clinic of Van Wert and First Federal of Van Wert, The Atomic Sharks will be playing their own music and will also provide a mini-workshop on playing the ukulele. Prepare to be amazed before even entering the auditorium to meet Jack and his animal friends (listen to The Atomic Sharks at http://krishensler.wix.com/.). Tickets for the Jack Hanna event featuring The Atomic Sharks are on sale by contacting the Niswonger Box Office: 419.238.NPAC or order online www.npacvw.org. Shown are Kris Hensler and Kenny Taylor of The Atomic Sharks (in front), along with (back row, from the left) NPAC Marketing Director Tafi Stober, Brian Renner of First Federal and Dr. Emily Hoen of The Animal Clinic of Van Wert.

Volunteering Training Takes Place

The first annual VOLUNTEERING IS POWERFUL (VIP)-MINISTRY VOLUNTEER TRAINING DAY was held on January 11, 2014.

The event was sponsored by Van Wert area YouthNet---YouthNet is a local volunteer organization comprised of Van Wert area leaders dedicated to youth ministry. The goal of the group is to help support each other in our efforts to reach students in our area for Jesus Christ.

Pictured above are the presenters for the event:

Pictured from left to right are: Ron Defore, Felicia Quaintance-First Presbyterian, Steve Heilshorn-Trinity Friends, John Wanner-Youth for Christ, Marcus Flood-Praise Point, Steve Bilimeck-Pleasant View Baptist, Nathan Rupp-Rockford United Methodist, Brad Petrie-Calvary Evangelical and Julie Burk-Youth for Christ.

Wabash Communications Seeks Easement at the North End of Parkway's Football Field

Wabash Communications has approached the Parkway School Board through Superintendent Greg Puthoff concerning easement at the north end of the football field in Rockford. They want to put a small maintenance building and central location for fiber optic lines they will run to all properties in Rockford. Mike Boley of Wabash, offered $5,000 for the easement as well as helping with some projects for the district in payment. The board will be considering their offer as well as projects they may have them do like replacing the north fence of the football field and running a water line from the baseball field to the newer softball field for placement of a sprinkler system.
 

Mendon Union Community Parks Scotch Doubles Tournament

It is planned for Saturday  February 22, 2014 7:00 PM at Plaza Lanes, Celina, Ohio
$30 per couple for 3 games - Reservations are required

50/50 Drawing; Cash Prizes; Scratch-off Lottery Tickets

Email names to: anessaabromavich@gmail.com or call or text: 419-305-5137

Corvette Raffle Comes to an End

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize, & Van Wert Counties has been participating in the Bluffton Lions Club Charity Corvette Raffle Program since 2010. Over the last four years we have raised over $13,500 for youth mentoring. In addition, Celina Lions Club has donated over $3,500 through selling Corvette raffle tickets on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Giving us a total raised of $17,000 over the past four years. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of resources to maintain these types of fundraisers and the Bluffton Lions Club has decided to conclude the Charity Corvette Raffle. We would like to thank everyone that has supported our efforts through this fundraiser and hope that you will continue to support your community.

Pictured is Bill Stammen, Celina Lion Club Member presents a check for $1,073.71 to Abby Balster, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The funds were raised from the 2013 Charity Corvette Raffle and will be used to support youth mentoring programs in Celina. 

As one looks back in to the past and compares yesterday’s county engineer and operations versus today’s office, you will see many differences. In today’s world of the office and operations of the county engineer, it takes newer, stronger and more technologically advanced equipment to get the job done. Doing more with less is not just a mantra, but a firm, fast reality we live with and embrace daily. Our planning tools, IT, safety programs, construction processes and communication devices are more advanced and efficient than those of the past. Out of all those things that I have listed, I neglect to reference our most valued and treasured resource being the people that work here. Having transitioned in 1984 from 39 full-time employees to 23 full-time employees in 2013, the importance to the success of our mission of each team member here cannot be trivialized. When considering organizations, the human resources (the people) of that organization can be that organization’s greatest asset or their most significant liability. We are fortunate and thankful to consider it the former rather than the later. Thus, many thanks and appreciation to all of our team that makes it happen. The completion of this report continues.  Click Here for the complete report, including projects, facts and figures.

Bryan Area Foundation Awards Grant to 4-H Camp Palmer Pool Project

The Grant Making Committee of the Bryan Area Foundation has given a grant to 4-H Camp Palmer in the amount of $25,000. These funds will be used to support the replacement of the old with a new swimming pool at camp.

The Bryan Area Foundation grant will be used to fund construction of the new pool.  Also, the grant will encourage similar support in the effort to replace a pool that was originally built in 1957. Last year, the 4-H Camp Palmer Board decided to choose a design build process and voted to hire The Patterson Company as the builder along with consultant Kurt Carmen.

“This grant award is a great boost toward the fund raising efforts toward this project. We are extremely grateful to Bryan Area Foundation,” said Bill Goodson, Executive Director of 4-H Camp Palmer. The new pool will have a number of new features including: expanded deck, much wider pool (75 foot length by 42 foot wide), step entrance, accessible pool lift, water volley ball, sprayers and more!

The Bryan Area Foundation is a publicly supported foundation using donations to accomplish diverse philanthropic goals. Since its founding in 1969, the Bryan Area Foundation has contributed over $7.6 million to a wide spectrum of community based projects and programs. For more information on the Foundation, visit the organization’s website at www.bryanareafoundation.org.

4-H Camp Palmer is accepting continuing donations to support the replacement of the camp’s pool. Currently about 40% of funds ($200,000 raised thanks to many generous donors of the estimated $495,000 needed) have been raised with an anticipated new pool in place by summer of 2015. The demand and use of 4-H Camp Palmer has grown steadily since 1947 serving over 295,000 regional youth. 4-H Camp Palmer is a place where adventure and excitement of discovery merge to lift minds of 21,000 camper days of youth and adults annually

4-H Camp Palmer has also organized a brick memorial fundraiser to support the pool fund. A 22 ft. by 22 ft. patio will be built surrounding the camps flagpole at the center of camp. Dedicated 8” by 8” bricks can be purchased by individuals or businesses. For more information on ways to support 4-H Camp Palmer pool project or order your memorial brick please call 419-237-2247 or email: 4hcampplamer@gmail.com

Rock Out for Ovarian Cancer

On November 2, 2013, the annual Rock Out for Ovarian Cancer was held at McSobers Saloon in Coldwater to honor Patty Selhorst, who lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2007. Patty Selhorst had a request, and before she passed away on June 4, 2007 she made that request clear to her family: raise funds for research and raise awareness of the disease.

The event included a reverse raffle, live auction and entertainment from the bands NightFall and Brother with all proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society earmarked for ovarian cancer education and research.

Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women (not counting skin cancer), ranking fifth as the cause of cancer death in women. Because ovarian tumors are hard to find, it is recommended that women receive regular health exams. A woman should speak to her doctor about the need for further testing if a high risk of ovarian cancer (such as those with a strong family history of the disease) is present, or symptoms that can't be explained occur nearly every day for more than a few weeks.

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

By  Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society

Photo caption:  Charles Ponzi, a.k.a. “Get-Rich-Quick Ponzi,” created the Ponzi Scheme.

A Mercer County Citizen asked me for the “History of Ponzi Schemes,” in Mercer County.   After first asking this gentleman is he was “serious about this request,” I told him I would seek the history of the “Ponzi Scheme.” 

The history of the “Ponzi Scheme” began with a First Class Schemer himself, Charles Ponzi.  Ponzi, an Italian immigrant, discovered International Reply Coupons, which were used to compensate for the unstable rates of foreign exchange, in 1919.  For example, Ponzi could purchase a coupon in Spain for one cent, and then redeem it in the U.S. for a six cent stamp.  Ponzi made the decision to “get rich quick,” and to purchase hundreds or thousands of these one cent stamps.  Ponzi borrowed money to implement this scheme.  Once he was “into the plan,” he learned that the Post Office would not permit this action. 

The coupons looked so real, that Ponzi printed his marketing investment plan, with a 50% return within three months, for investors.  Ponzi kept selling coupons, and with this income, he paid off the early investors within that three month period.  The early investors went wild with excitement and Ponzi kept using new investment funds to pay off the earlier investors.  Within a matter of eight months, Ponzi had acquired $15,000,000.00.  Ponzi, the greatest of schemers, approached the Bank of America, to negotiate a merger. 

As everyone knows, Ponzi schemes collapse.  Charles Krauthammer, in his recent book, “Things that Matter; three decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics,” stated, “A Ponzi Scheme cannot go on forever because at some point there just aren’t enough new investors to support the earlier entrants.  Word gets around that there are no profits, just money transferred from new to old.  The Merry-Go-Round stops, the scheme collapses and the remaining investors lose everything.”   Ponzi paid for his criminal schemes by spending time in a jail in Massachusetts, before being deported to his homeland, Italy.  Ponzi spent his last years in Rio de Janeiro, and in 1949 died “in the poorhouse.” 

But Ponzi, at the end, was a true historian, preserving local history, by writing his autobiography, “The Fall of Mister Ponzi.”  Ponzi died before the book was finished.  I do not know if it ever reached print.  I had to smile when I googled this book.  A website was offered whereby one can download a copy of “The Rise of Mister Ponzi.”  I did not download that story!  However, Ponzi did find fame, or should I say, “Ponzi was infamous,” because his name came down in history, linked to the “Ponzi Scheme.” 

As for a local historian preserving the history of Ponzi Schemes in Mercer County, I believe that history may be written by some future local historian. . . long after we are gone.  I have the fear that as long as people are greedy and have big dreams of getting rich quickly, whether here in Mercer County, or somewhere else around the world, Ponzi Schemes will continue to exist and then be dismissed.   

If Mercer Countians wish to write to the Mercer County Historical Society and tell their own stories of Ponzi Scheme Investments, I will put those stories in an Archival Local History File, entitled, “Ponzi Schemes in Mercer County, Ohio’s History,” for the purpose of preserving local history, good or bad.   

[The Mercer County Historical Society President Joyce Alig, may be contacted at 3054 Burk-St. Henry Road, Saint Henry, OH 45883,  or histalig@bright.net or 419-678-2614.]

 
January 22, 2014
 

Parkway Schools are on a 2 hour delay for Wednesday, January 22, 2014 due to wind chill.

Thank you to Chatt Insurance, the Parkway Independent Weather Sponsor
Click here for the Chatt Insurance Center website
Click here to check them out on Facebook, too!

District 3 Honors Concert Celebrates Parkway Students Excelling

Of the three performing honors groups (jazz band, band and choir), there were approximately 200 students from 39 different schools within District 3 performing on Sunday, January 19, 2014 . District 3 is one of seventeen music districts in Ohio and includes the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert. Below are winners and music teachers.

Above: Grace Linn played piano with the honors jazz band.

 Left:  Dr. Robert Tocheff with honors choir member Kylie Linn. Dr. Tocheff is a professor of music at Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Mount Vernon Ohio. He was the guest conductor for the honors choir.

Above: L to R are Mrs. Shannon Wagner, choir director, Kylie Linn, Emily Strunk, Grace Linn, Arielle Smith, Shannon Joseph and Mr. Ryan Twigg, band director, shown after the concert.

Left: L to R are Emily Strunk, Grace Linn, Daniel Montoya Jr., Arielle Smith and Shannon Joseph. Mr. Montoya is a composer and wrote a piece called "Light The Fuse". This song was commissioned by the educators of District 3 in honor of their students who participated in the honors band. "Light The Fuse" was performed for the first time ever at the January 19, 2014 concert.

Above: Grace Linn (front) and (behind the cartoon cutout) from L to R are Shannon Joseph, Arielle Smith, Kylie Linn and Emily Strunk all members of District 3 honors groups.

Shannon, Arielle, Emily and Grace were members of the honors band. Kylie was a member of the honors choir and Grace was also a member of the honors jazz band.

Five Generations Celebrated in Tama near Celina, Ohio