MSVW donation

Five local insurance agents recently sponsored Main Street Van Wert Program Manager Adam Ries’ attendance at the National Main Street Conference in New Orleans. The three-day conference, hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, centered on fostering a cultural economy as part of an overall downtown revitalization program, and came at a perfect time for Main Street Van Wert to attend because of creative entrepreneurs looking at downtown Van Wert and renovation of the former armory into Wassenberg Art Center. Sponsors include Leland Smith Insurance Services, Merkle Insurance Agency, Purmort Brothers Insurance, Rhoades Insurance Agency, and Thatcher Insurance. Wassenberg Director Hope Wallace also attended the conference. Shown are (from the left) Brett Thatcher, Randy Myers, Leah Purmort-Treece, Michele Purmort-Mooney, Hope Wallace, Adam Ries, and Jim Rhoades. Not pictured is Kevin Merkle, who was unavailable for the photo. (photo submitted)