Submitted information
The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet at 12 p.m. Friday, October 11, for its fall luncheon program and meeting at Willow Bend Country Club.
The meal cost is $11 and includes ham w/ pineapple glaze, scalloped potatoes, California blend vegetables, gelatin salad, dinner roll, and apple crisp, along with coffee/tea. Meal reservations are needed by Wednesday October 9, and can be made to Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or by emailing jaminnig@hotmail.com.
The luncheon speaker will be Van Wert City Schools Assistant Superintendent Bob Priest. His presentation will address the effects of Ohio’s school voucher program on public cchools. The school voucher program affects public education, taxpayers, and the STRS pension plan. STRS pension updates and information will be shared during the business meeting to follow.
Volunteer hours for 2024 will be collected at this meeting. VWARTA dues of $10 for year 2025 may also be paid at this time. ORTA members are reminded to check the status of their ORTA membership as dues dates vary. ORTA continues to advocate for public education and a strong Ohio educator pension system.
POSTED: 10/05/24 at 12:00 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
Central Insurance retirees met on September 25 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert with the following in attendance: Terry Knebel, Chuck White, Dewaine Johnson, Annette Hirschy, Dorothy Helmke, Vickie Ingman, Marilyn Gruss, Karen Morris, Sharon Baer, Paula Giessler-Scott (Retiree of the Month), Vivian Langhals, Sue Karst, Barb Brinkman, Rhonda Altman, Deb Boroff, Ruth Ricker, Linda Holden, Kathryn Herman, Val Sluterbeck, Kay Sluterbeck, Grace Haselman, Lori Klingler, and Phil Steinen. Each person enjoyed lunch and the group caught up on happenings since the last meeting, valuing everyone’s company. The next luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, All retired employees of Central Insurance are invited to meet monthly at Pizza Hut, 735 W Ervin Rd in Van Wert, for lunch and conversation. Photo submitted
POSTED: 10/05/24 at 12:00 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Central Insurance retirees met on August 28 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert with the following in attendance: Doug Watson, Sharon Baer, Vivian Langhals, Cindy Canary, Cindy Becker, Rhonda Altman, Terri Ulrey, Annette Hirschy, Nancy Wollenhaupt, Jana Ringwald, Barb Brinkman, Dorothy Helmke (Retiree of the Month), Marcia Birkemeier, Linda Holden, Phil Steinen, Sue Karst, Chuck White, and Dewaine Johnson (not in photo). The group caught up on activities since the last meeting and appreciated everyone’s company. The next retiree’s luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, at Pizza Hut. All Central retirees are invited to the monthly meeting. Photo submitted
POSTED: 09/02/24 at 9:07 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Over 260 family members attended the John George Schumm Family Reunion on August 4, located at Zion Lutheran Church. Following a delicious carry-in meal, family members enjoyed displays from the historic Wyneken House while also enjoying the work of caricaturist Dave Schumm. Kids were entertained with magic tricks and balloon artistry by Aaron Roehm. Prior to the reunion, family members gathered informally on Saturday at the church for an old fashioned ice cream social followed by an optional tour of the Wyneken House near Decatur, and a Fort Wayne TinCaps game Saturday evening. One special couple was recognized as “furthest traveled” from Germany, Gottfried and Regine Weck. Gottfried shares a picture from the reunion 50 years ago where he remembered teaching Dave Schumm how to play soccer. The next Schumm reunion will be held in two years on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Photos submitted
POSTED: 08/06/24 at 8:07 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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MIDDLE POINT — Middle Point United Methodist Church will once again host its Backyard Community Revival on Saturday, August 10. The event will be held in the now air-conditioned church at 119 N. Mill St. in Middle Point.
Guest speaker James Fader will be bringing the message beginning at 5 p.m. Fader currently serves as lead pastor of the Church of God Ministry Center in White Cloud, Michigan. At 5:45, there will be a meal and time for fellowship before the concert at 6:30.
This year’s concert will feature Pastor Fader, Tom Kennerk and Trinity. A free-will offering will be taken and the public is invited.
POSTED: 08/02/24 at 9:51 pm. FILED UNDER: Church, Lifestyles
Submitted information
Central Insurance retirees met on July 24 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert with the following retirees in attendance: Loren Shindeldecker, Val Sluterbeck, Dewaine Johnson, Doug Watson, Paula Giessler-Scott, Luanne Watson (Guest), Annette Hirschy, Chuck White, Vivian Langhals, Marilyn Gruss, Claudia Pontius, Cindy Canary, Sue Karst, Susan Gunsett, Terri Ulrey, Liz Hoersten, Rhonda Altman, Lori Klinger, Carol Giesken, Dorothy Helmke, Marcia Birkemeier, Linda Holden, Ruth Ricker, Deb Boroff, Pam Linton, Kay Sluterbeck (Guest), and Phil Steinen.
Everyone enjoyed their favorite dish and enjoyed exciting conversation. A small group after lunch set up shop in the corner of the banquet room and played some games of Euchre.
The next Central Insurance retiree’s luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 28 at Pizza Hut. All Central retirees are invited to meet monthly at Pizza Hut for lunch and conversation to keep up with everyone’s life activities.
POSTED: 07/30/24 at 6:47 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Submitted information
The Van Wert County Chapter of PERI (Public Employee Retirees, Inc) will hold its next meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at the Van Wert County Board of Elections, 1362 E. Ervin Rd., Van Wert.
Merrill Asher, Vice Chair of the PERI Board of Trustees, will present the program about updates and changes pertinent to PERI retirees. Public employees and their guests are invited to come. Refreshments and fellowship begin at 9:45 a.m.
POSTED: 07/04/24 at 9:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
Submitted information
Central Insurance retirees met on June 26 at Pizza Hut with the following in attendance: Phil Steinen, Chuck White, Viv Langhals, Dewaine Johnson, Sharon Baer, Ruth Ricker, Dorothy Helmke, Annette Hirschy, Lori Klinger, Karen Morris, Liz Hoerstin, Barb Brinkman, Marcella Shinabery,and Paula Giessler-Scott.
The next Central Insurance retirees luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. All Central retirees are invited to meet monthly at Pizza Hut for lunch, conversation and to keep in touch and keep up with everyone’s life activities.
POSTED: 07/03/24 at 3:32 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Submitted information
The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet for its summer luncheon program at 12 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert. The luncheon meal cost is $11 and includes BBQ chicken breast, loaded mashed potatoes, green beans, gelatin salad, dinner roll, ice cream sundaes, and coffee or tea. Meal reservations are needed by 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, and can be made by contacting Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or via email (jaminnig@hotmail.com).
The featured program speaker that day will be Seth Baker, Executive Director of the Van Wert County Foundation, who will address the topic of making public spaces accessible for all needs and abilities of a diverse population. He will also address questions regarding any current Van Wert County Foundation projects.
The VWARTA business session will follow the program. Several items of interest will be shared on the current state of the pension system administered by the STRS Board, as well as other local VWARTA business. Members are encouraged to attend and to stay informed about their benefits and the current state of public education.
For more information about ORTA (Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association) or the Van Wert Retired Teachers Association (the local area group), contact President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.
POSTED: 07/03/24 at 3:31 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
VW independent staff/submitted information
The John George Schumm family will celebrate 100 years of Schumm reunions on August 4.
As part of the celebration, the massive genealogy book will be updated, with updated printed copies available at the reunion along with flash drive versions. To be as up-to-date as possible, send family updates if it haven’t been done in the past. Births, deaths, marriages or other family changes should include names and dates along with names of parents or grandparents. The deadline for submissions is Monday, June 30. Updates can be emailed to to schummfamilyreunion@gmail.com or mailed to Karen Bennett, 8664 Now Road, Rockford, 45882.
In celebration of 100 years of Schumm reunions, one of the family activities will include a gathering at the Fort Wayne Tincaps on Saturday evening, August 3. A catered picnic meal will begin at 5 p.m. at the Home Run Patio, followed by the game the Tincaps vs. West Michigan Whitecaps game. The Schumm family will be recognized on the big screen during the game. To purchase tickets, which include both the meal and the game, contact Al Schumm at 260.414.3285 by Friday, July 12.
POSTED: 06/14/24 at 9:00 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles