VWHS Class of 1963 holds reunion

VW independent staff/submitted information

Members of the Van Wert High School Class of 1963 met on Saturday, August 26, to celebrate their 60th reunion. The gathering was held at Willow Bend Country Club and 28 members and guests were able to attend.

Classmate Reverend Jim McDowell offered prayer which was followed by the evening meal. After dinner, sharing time started off with singing of the alma mater and the fight song led by Larry Schaufelberger.

Information covering the outstanding life achievements of classmate Gary (Gerhardt) Zimmermann (who passed away June 10, 2023) was shared by Beverlee Profit.

Following his courageous comeback from polio at the age of seven, which caused paralyzation from the neck down, and through being involved with band in high school and college, Gary achieved his dream of becoming a symphony orchestra director. As Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann, he directed symphony orchestras around the USA and the world. At the time of his death, he was the director of the Canton Symphony Orchestra where he had directed for over 20 years. He’d brought them to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in 2017.

Upon his death, the Gerhardt Zimmermann Endowment Fund was set up by the Canton Symphony Orchestra. It will be used to support their MasterWorks Series. Class members and guests attending were given the opportunity to donate to this fund and they raised $650. Information on how to donate can be found at cantonsymphony.org.

Dave Watkins presented awards to Paul Herring who was the first to send in a reservation (and also, unfortunately the last to cancel) and to Linda Shimp who traveled the furthest (coming from Rio Vista, California). He also presented a floral arrangement he had brought for the memorial table to Beverlee Profit who headed up reunion planning. She extended her thanks to the monthly meeting group for their input and support.

Members in attendance spent the rest of the evening reliving special moments from school and catching up on years since.

Parkway Class of ’66 to hold reunion

Submitted information

ROCKFORD — The Parkway High School Class of 1966 is hosting an informal reunion from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 16, in the Community Room at Parkway High School. All class members are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will include finger foods and soft drinks.

Registration is $10 per person and checks should be sent to Dennis Hinkle, 9360 U.S. 127, Celina, 45822. The registration deadline is August 1.

For more information or any questions, contact Dennis or Lynn Hinkle at dlynnhinkle11@gmail.com, or Steve Graham at SGraham925@aol.com.

Retired teachers to hold summer lunch

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet for their summer luncheon program at 12 p.m. Friday, July 14, at Willow Bend Country Club.

Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association (ORTA), will be the featured speaker. He will share his candid perspective on some recent decisions and policies of the STRS Board, which manages the pension program for retired public school educators in Ohio. ORTA has concerns with several of the STRS Board practices and has been active in campaigning for reform-minded candidates for the STRS Board seats when open for election. Attendance at this luncheon meeting and program is encouraged for local ORTA members and for those yet-to-be members who are interested in the welfare of their pension program.

The summer luncheon meal cost is $11 per person. A meal reservation is needed by Wednesday, July 12. Reservations may be made with Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283. The menu includes: BBQ chicken breast, redskin potatoes, apple coleslaw, Jello salad, ice cream sundae, plus iced tea or coffee.

A VWARTA business meeting will follow the speaker presentation. Members are asked to keep track of their ongoing volunteer hours.

Parkway Class of 1968 plans reunion

VW independent staff/submitted information

ROCKFORD — The Parkway High School Class of 1968 will celebrate 55 years during a class reunion scheduled for Saturday, September 16. The reunion will be held at the building owned by the Jane (Stephenson) Suzuki family at 4301 U.S. 33, just outside Rockford.

Social time will start at 2 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 5 p.m. Rockford Carryout will cater the meal. A short business meeting will be held at 6 p.m., followed by more fellowship until 9 p.m.

The cost is $20 per person, which covers expenses for the meal, stamps, paper, event space, and memorial cardsvfor when a classmate passes on.
Reservations are due by July 1, and should be sent to: Sherry Adler, 310 Frank Road, Willshire, 45898. In addition, donations will be accepted for the Carey, Benny, and Bill Scholarship Fund.

Retired teachers to hold spring meeting

VW independent staff/submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet for their spring luncheon program on Friday, April 14, at Willow Bend Country Club.

The luncheon includes chicken breast supreme, redskin potatoes, green beans, Jello salad, dinner roll and dessert, along with coffee/ice tea. The meal cost is $11 per person with a reservation needed by Wednesday, April 12, to Jean Minnig (please leave a message, if no answer, at 419.203.0642, or via email at jaminnig@hotmail.com).

Dr. Jon Tomlinson, Van Wert Campus Dean of Northwest State Community College, will be the featured speaker. He will share the NSCC mission and the educational programs being offered by Northwest State Community College for what is currently needed/desired in the local area.

A business session will follow the speaker’s presentation. Pension updates and STRS news will be shared as well as local concerns including officer positions. Invite other retired educators to join the luncheon program.

For more information about the Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) or the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association (ORTA), please contact VWARTA Acting President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.

Ohio City schedules alumni meeting

VW independent staff/submitted information

OHIO CITY — The 127th annual Ohio City-Liberty Alumni meeting will be held on Saturday, May 20, at the Ohio City Community Building at Fireman’s Park on Ohio 118. The doors will open for sign-in at 3 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. There will be a business meeting, entertainment and meal.

All Ohio City-Liberty graduates will receive an invitation in the mail in early April. The committee also extends an invitation to those who attended Ohio City-Liberty but did not graduate from there plus any former administrators or teachers.

Reservations of $20 per person must be sent by May 10, along with the name, year of graduation and e-mail address to Mary Johns-Guthrie, 509 S. Tyler St, Van Wert, 45891.

Retired teachers group to meet

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will meet for a holiday luncheon and program at 12 p.m. Friday, December 9, at Willow Bend Country Club.

Holiday music will fill the air in the lovely dining room. The festive meal menu includes lasagna, tossed salad, dinner roll, rosy applesauce, and assorted cheesecakes, plus coffee and tea. The meal cost is $11 per person with a reservation requested by 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, to Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or via email, jaminnig@hotmail.com.

Kevin Morrison and staff of the Van Wert County YMCA will speak on the new after school mentoring program to begin in 2023 as they continue the Y’s mission of assisting today’s youth with various life needs.

A business session will follow the speakers’ presentation. An election for new officers for 2023 will be held. VWARTA local dues for 2023 of $10 may also be paid at this meeting. Pension updates and STRS news will be shared. Invite other retired educators or persons interested in public education to join you for this holiday gathering.

For more information about the Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) or the Ohio Retired Teachers Association (ORTA), please contact VWARTA President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.

VWHS Class of 63 meets

The Van Wert High School Class of 1963 held their last supper outing for 2022 recently when they met at Wild Hare BBQ in Van Wert. Good times and great food were shared by all. 11 members and three guests were in attendance. Row 1: Dave Watkins, Carol Mohr, Gary Mohr, Gary Profit, Beverlee Profit, and Judy Kyle. Row 2: Tom Bebout, Cheryl Bebout, Donna Fulcomer, Paul Herring, Karen Gilliland, Mike Long, Denny Wilhelm, Lois Harrow. Get togethers will resume on January 24, when the class will meet for lunches. The time and place will be announced in January. Supper outings will resume in April. Photo submitted

Class plans final 2022 get together

Submitted information

The Van Wert High School Class of 1963 will meet for its final supper together on Tuesday, October 25, at Wild Hare BBQ at Hickory Sticks Golf Course south of Van Wert on Ohio 127. Those planning to attend should contact Bev Profit by Thursday, October 20.

The class last met on September 22, at Cheers and Gears in Convoy and shared good food and great memories. 14 members and guests attended. They were Tom and Cheryl Bebout, Jim Brickner, Lois Harrow, Carol and Gary Mohr, Bev and Gary Profit, Nancy Schirm and her sister Judy Michelson, and Dave and Angie Watkins.

Retired teachers holding fall luncheon

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will hold their fall luncheon and meeting at 12 p.m. Friday, October 14, at the Willow Bend Country Club. Newly retired Van Wert County/City educators and others interested in public education are invited to attend to hear about membership in the Ohio Retired Teachers Association (ORTA) and its purpose to protect the retirement experience of those in the STRS pension/benefits system, along with the additional benefits offered to ORTA members.

The luncheon menu includes chicken/broccoli/rice lunch casserole, salad, roll with butter, apple crisp dessert, and coffee/tea. The meal price is $11 per person. A meal reservation is required by 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 12th Jean Minnig via email (jaminnig@hotmail.com) or by phont 419.203.0642).

The featured program speakers will be Tafi Stober of Van Wert Live and the Van Wert City Schools partners involved with the “Learn/Earn/Return” program in the Van Wert community. Opportunities to volunteer and performance information from the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will also be shared.

A VWARTA business session will follow the program. Local VWARTA dues of $10 for 2023 may be paid at this meeting. For more information, contact VWARTA President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.