Barry Johns of the Wetzel Motorcycle Club is shown donating a check to Optimist Club President Jane Maus to help pay for the Optimists’ After Prom Project. Van Wert Optimist Club meets every Thursday at Willow Bend at noon. Anyone wanting more information about joining can contact Maus at 419.965.2731. (Optimist Club photo)
POSTED: 05/18/13 at 5:41 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
The Convoy Community Foundation recently made a donation to the Village Ministry Center in that village. The Village Ministry Center is a community of Christians seeking to be the presence of Christ in the center of Convoy. Located on the corner of Tully and Main streets, the organization will offer educational programming for all ages and other relational opportunities that will work to strengthen families, empower people and encourage faith. Building renovations are currently underway and the center is expected to open to the public by mid-summer 2013. For more information about the Village Ministry Center, access the group’s website at www.vmcconvoy.org or send an email to vmcconvoy@gmail.com. Donations may be sent to: Village Ministry Center, P.O. Box 10, Convoy, OH 45832. Make checks payable to “Village Ministry Center.” Here, Greg Kulwicki, Convoy Community Foundation trustee, presents a $250 grant to Amy Gerardot, director of the Village Ministry Center. (Convoy Community Foundation photo)
POSTED: 05/13/13 at 5:04 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Van Wert Elks news
Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has donated $125 to John Eutsler Amvets Post 698. The monies are to be used to help sponsor the Wounded Warrior 5K Run/Walk, with the proceeds to go towards the Wounded Warrior Project.
Shown are Keith Collins (left), Elks Veterans Committee chairman, and Jessica Hardesty, Wounded Warriors 5K Run/Walk chair. (Elks photo)
The 5K run/walk will be held Saturday, May 25, starting at 9 a.m., in Middle Point.
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001, and their families. On that date America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died, including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events.
With the mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, WWP is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, WWP is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury – from the physical to the invisible wounds of war.
Van Wert Elks Lodge encourages everyone to support this important event. These men and women have bravely put their lives on the line for their fellow Americans and it is time that Americans give back to them.
POSTED: 05/13/13 at 4:58 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Allie Kuhlman, Council on Aging Board president, and her husband, Bill, present Council on Aging Executive Director Kevin Matthews with a $100 donation toward the CoA’s upcoming Designer Purse Bingo event. Designer Purse Bingo, which will be held June 14, is the CoA’s largest fundraiser and helps to offset the rising costs associated with Council on Aging’s transportation program. (photo submitted)
POSTED: 05/13/13 at 4:50 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, donated $100 to the Van Wert City/County DARE program. The monies are used to sponsor a hole for the 18th annual DARE Benefit Scramble Golf Tournament, which will be held Saturday, May 11. The DARE program relies on the annual golf outing as one of its main fundraisers to allow it to continue programs in the city schools, as well as the end of the year graduation party and the annual summer camp. Drug awareness education is one of the major projects supported the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks as well as all of the subordinate lodges throughout the United States. Shown is Van Wert County DARE Officer Keith Allen (left) accepting the check from Lodge Youth Activities Chairman Patrick Freeman. (Elks photo)
POSTED: 04/26/13 at 6:10 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Information submitted
PANDORA — The Ohio Association Garden Clubs of Region 2 met April 23 at the Missionary Church in Pandora.
The very elegant invitations were sent to the county clubs’ presidents inviting the members to a “Garden Tea” hosted by the Pandora Garden Club. The women sponsoring the day rolled out the “red carpet” and pampered all of those who attended with the delightful table settings, decorations, and wonderful lunch.
A short business meeting was held with Juanita Wilkins as chairwoman. All club activities are to be emailed to Jenny@sdavis@q1.net for future printing. Eleanor Long will be the new Regional 2 director.
A design and a spring flower show were held, with Judge Doris Hager doing an oral judging.
The following clubs were honored for their special anniversaries: Green Thumb, 65;th Evergreen, 65th; and Lima, 90th.
A contest will be held to honor the best member in each club and the best garden. Send nominations in now.
A fun hat contest was held with a large number of the attendees participating. The programs included speakers Al Wschmeuer of Ottawa on “Beekeeping and Loss of Colonies”, and Jeff Nordhaus of H & K Products of Columbus Grove, who spoke on “Sassafras Tea” of Papa’s.
Those attending from Wren Garden Club were Joan Jones, Louise Showalter, and Cheryl Acheson, while Kathy Muse and Linda Hoffman represented Evergreen Garden Club.
The Fall Region Meeting, hosted by Hancock County garden clubs, will be held October 22.
POSTED: 04/26/13 at 6:06 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Community Health Professionals acknowledged three local businesses as “Friends of Hospice” for their consistent support of CHP’s Hospice Beacon of Hope Dinner and Auction. Shown are (from the left) Craig Lefeld of Kennedy-Kuhn Inc., Rebecca Lare of P & R Home IV/Medical Connection, and Deb Laudick of Laudick’s Jewelry, who were recognized at the April 11 Beacon of Hope event at Willow Bend Country Club. The annual event is the main fundraising event for the local nonprofit hospice. More information can be found on the CHP Facebook page. (CHP photo)
POSTED: 04/22/13 at 5:26 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Jubilee Flower Show news
The Van Wert County Jubilee Flower Show Committee met recently to assign duties to the local garden clubs. Chairperson, Wren Club; co-chair, Evergreen Club; schedule, representative of each club; secretary, Marcia Davies; treasurer, Linda Hoffman and Paula Stemen; publicity, Joan Jones, Stemen and Hoffman; clerks/judges Gardeners of Van Wert County (Horticulture); Evergreen Garden Club (Artistic Design); entries and classifications, Wren; placement, Evergreen; hospitality, Gardeners of Van
Wert County; staging and properties, Gardeners of Van Wert County/Evergreen Garden Club/Wren Garden Club.
Judges will include Marlene Purdy of Fort Wayne, Ind., who will judge the artistic designs. Pat Flynn at Bluffton/Pandora Club will set up the judges for the Horticulture Divisions. Books are printed and available for pick-up at Balyeat’s Coffee Shop. Posters are ready to be distributed.
Sales Table – items will be needed from all clubs to generate income. Suggestions: Planters, bulbs, plants any kind, flowerpots, books, garden tools, baked goods and fresh fruit.
Each club is to donate five-dozen cookies for the hospitality table.
The photo for the book cover will be last year’s best of show winner. This suggestion was made by Amy Ryder and was accepted with much enthusiasm.
The invitational entry will be “Garden of Love” with each exhibitor’s own interpretation. Each club will have an entry.
Set-up date will be on Friday, May 31, at 1 p.m. Tear down on Sunday, June 2, at 4 p.m..
Entries will be accepted on June 1, starting at 8 a.m. and closing at 10:30 that morning. Judging will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1. Hours for viewing the flowers: Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is the year’s 52nd flower show to be held. The show will be held in the Administration Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.
POSTED: 04/22/13 at 5:24 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Ohio Elks news
DUBLIN — The Ohio Elks Association of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks held its 115th annual convention on April 11-14 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin.
During the convention, reports were given on the charitable works that were done by the local lodges within the state during this past fraternal year. Various state committees provided workshops and training sessions for the members to attend as well.
Shown is Ohio Elks President Roger Crowe of Kenton (right) presenting Louis Crowe of Van Wert a plaque commemorating his service to the Ohio Elks Association. (Elks photo)
Reports were given on the monies raised and distributed within the state by the State Major Project, Cerebral Palsy. Each state association has a major project they raise money for and Ohio has adopted the treatment of Cerebral Palsy as their project. Each year the elks and lodges within Ohio raise thousands of dollars that are then distributed by the Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy Board to centers throughout Ohio to assist in the treatment of patients of Cerebral Palsy at no charge to the patient.
During the Saturday evening business meeting the new state officers for the association were installed. Roger Crowe of Kenton Lodge 157 was installed as the new state president of the Ohio Elks Association. Michael C. Stanley of Van Wert Lodge 1197 will continue to serve the association as state convention director and also will be the interim board member of the state officers representing past state presidents.
During the Saturday evening meeting a special award was presented to Louis A. Crow of Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197. Crowe has been a member of the Elks since 1962 and served his lodge as exalted ruler in 1973-74. He was selected to serve on the State Cerebral Palsy Board in 1979 and served the board as secretary from 1981 to 1990. He was then selected to serve the board as chairman in April 1990, a position he has held until his retirement from the board in April 2013. During his tenure as state chairman, Along with the board’s other members, Crowe was instrumental in starting several programs within the committee.
The Ohio Elks Association presented Crowe with a special plaque for his many years of dedicated service to the Ohio Elks Association and to the State Major Project of Cerebral Palsy.
POSTED: 04/16/13 at 5:59 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
The Wetzel Motorcycle Club recently donated $300 to the Van Wert Peony Festival. The monies will be used to sponsor the Car Show, taking place Friday, June 7, in downtown Van Wert as part of the festival weekend. The Van Wert Peony Festival will be June 7-9 in Van Wert, with a full schedule of events to be announced soon. More information can be found at the festival’s new website, www.vanwertpeony.com, including participation forms for the many different activities within the festival. Shown is Peony Festival committee member Barb East (second from left) receiving the donation from (from the left) Barry Johns, Matt Longstreth, and Joey Chavarria of the Wetzel MC. (photo submitted)
POSTED: 04/12/13 at 4:55 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
