Retired teachers group hosting luncheon

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will have a summer luncheon meeting and program at 12 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Willow Bend Country Club.

Members are encouraged to attend to hear updates from speaker Dr. Robin Rayfield, ORTA Executive Director, and/or other ORTA officers on the STRS pension system and the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association response to recent legislation passed in Ohio’s budget bill that limit the voices of retired and active teachers in the decision-making process involving their retirement futures. VWARTA members are welcome to invite other interested retired educators as guests to this luncheon program.

The luncheon menu includes: BBQ chicken breast, twice-baked potatoes, southern green beans, fruit cup and sweet treat, along with coffee and iced tea. The meal cost is $13 and reservations must be made by 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. Meal reservations may be made by contacting Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or by email, jaminnig@hotmail.com.

The mission of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association (ORTA) is to advocate for Ohio’s active and retired educators in protecting their retirement benefits. ORTA also supports public education and for fairness to all students.

For more information about the local VWARTA Chapter or this meeting, you may contact Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.

Local retirees enjoy monthly meeting

Submitted information

Central Insurance retirees and guests held their May meeting on the 28th at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. Lunch was a vibrant mix of lively conversations and delightful companionship. The following were in attendance: Dewaine Johnson, Doug Watson, Royce Baden, Phillip Steinen, Val Sluterbeck, Linda Holden, Sharon Baer, Ruth Ricker, Deb Boroff, Pam Linton, Viv Langhals,Dorothy Helmke, Paula Giessler Scott, Grace Haselman and Kay Sluterbeck.

The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The next luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25. All retirees and guests are invited to Pizza Hut, 735 W Ervin Rd., Van Wert. Chuck White will give a brief presentation on the “TING” device/service.

Central retirees enjoy lunch and talk

Submitted information

Central Insurance retirees and guests held their most recent monthly meeting on April 23 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. Lunchtime was filled with engaging discussions and great company. Following lunch, Nikki Wenzlick, PT and owner of Van Wert Physical Therapy shared insights on the services offered at the clinic, with a focus on fall prevention tips.

The following were in attendance: front row seated (left to right): Loren Shindeldecker, Doug Watson, Sue Karst, Grace Haselman, Vickie Ingman, Luanne Watson, Annette Hirschy, Patty Kiehl, and Dorothy Helmke. Back row (left to right): Nikki Wenzlick, Guest, Dewaine Johnson, Chuck White, Phil Steinen, Viv Langhals, Sharon Baer, Ruth Ricker, Paula Giessler-Scott, Linda Holden, and Kathryn Herman.

The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The next luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28. All retirees and guests are invited to Pizza Hut on W. Ervin Rd. in Van Wert. There will be no guest speaker in May.

Central retirees meet…

Central Insurance retirees and guests held their March meeting on the 26th at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. There was abundant discussion before, during and after lunch. Those in attendance included (seated, from the left): Dan Cramer, Grace Haselman, Dorothy Helmke, Paula Giessler-Scott, Sharon Baer, Teri Ulrey, Rhonda Altman. (standing) Val Sluterbeck, Phil Steinen, Nancy Wollenhaupt, Vickie Ingman, Kay Sluterbeck, Linda Holden, Gloria Tumblin, Susan Gunsett, and Dewaine Johnson. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The next luncheon will be on April 23 at 11 a.m. All retirees and guests are invited to Pizza Hut, 735 W. Ervin Road in Van Wert. The guest speaker for April will be Nikki Wenzlick, owner of Van Wert Physical Therapy, who will discuss issues with age-related falls. photo submitted

K-9 demonstration…

Members of the Isaac Van Wart Chapter DAR met last week at American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert for a regular meeting and pizza. The women heard an informational talk by Van Wert County Sheriff K-9 deputies Chance Mosier (above) and Tyler Mox (below). They brought their K-9 work dogs, Ajax and Ellie, with them and explained the selection and training processes are thorough and rigorous. They practice with their K-9s every day. The work dogs spend all their time with the deputies and even live at home with the men and their families when the work day is done. Once home, they are the family pets. Various demonstrations took place, including locating a hidden package of drugs. Photos submitted

Furry friends…

Local man celebrates 100th birthday

VW independent staff/submitted information

Five generations of loving family members and friends gathered at Homestead Assisted Living in Van Wert on Sunday, April 6, to celebrate a very special occasion – the 100^th birthday of Albert Miller, a resident at the facility.

He was born April 6, 1925, one of nine children to Amish parents, and moved to Van Wert in 1963, married Betty Thomas and had three children –  Daniel Miller of Florida (deceased), Albert Miller Jr. of Sherwood, and Nancy Keith of Van Wert, along with two stepchildren, Virginia Player and Robert Thomas.

He was a career truck driver and drove for several local companies well into his 70s. Those companies were Tecumseh, Aeroquip and Store and Haul. Albert was also very active in the Van Wert local Elks lodge, Lodge 1197 and was a former Exalted Ruler of the Lodge. He was also an avid gardener and loved to play golf.

Local retired teachers group to meet

Submitted information

The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will begin its program year with a spring luncheon meeting at 12 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Willow Bend Country Club. The luncheon menu includes shrimp pasta, tossed salad, breadstick, gelatin salad, and cheesecake, along with coffee and tea. The luncheon meal cost is $11 and a reservation is needed by Wednesday, April 9, to Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or via email, jaminnig@hotmail.com.

Jayne Smith of the Wassenberg Art Center Board will be the guest speaker. Her presentation will include the human need for creative activities at any age and how the Wassenberg Art Center provides many such opportunities for creating, as well as the volunteer opportunities available at Wassenberg.

A VWARTA business meeting will follow the program which will include the sharing of ORTA updates and important STRS information, along with ways to support public education in the current political environment. VWARTA/ORTA members are encouraged to attend.

For more information on the local Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association, contact Deb Kleinhenz 419.203.2283.

Central retirees gather for meeting

Submitted information

Central Insurance retirees and guests held their February meeting on the 26 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. Great conversation was ensured during and after lunch. The group invited the Van Wert County Council on Aging to speak  regarding services provided. Executive Director Kevin Mathews concentrated on giving details on bus excursion offerings, available Medicare advice information, Zumba classes, toenail and other clinics, and the home dinner program. Beneficial information about their services was very much appreciated.

The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month and the next luncheon will be at 11 a.m. March 26. All retirees and guests are invited to Pizza Hut in Van Wert. There will not be a guest speaker for the March Meeting, but all retirees are encouraged to attend for fellowship.

Heartland Patriots hold February meeting

VW independent staff/submitted information

Why pursue Greenland and the Panama Canal?     

This is the question the Heartland Patriots examined at their February meeting. They used the Glenn Beck podcast as their main source of information. Greenland is the largest island in the world, home of 56,000 people, mostly Inuits. It has many untapped resources, including some rare earth minerals. It is still owned by Denmark, but has been seeking its independence. The United States has troops there, making it the U.S.’s northernmost air base. According to Beck and the Heartland Patriots, the U.S. needs it for national security reasons, and cannot allow it to fall into the hands of either China or Russia.

 The U.S. took over the Panama Canal project in 1904, and opened the canal in 1914. It took 10 years to build and cost $375 million, the most expensive construction project ever at the time. It is 51 miles long. The U.S. continued to control it until 1977, when President Jimmy Carter signed it over to Panama. It took the Panamanian government 22 years to completely take it over. 40 percent of the world’s cargo ship traffic goes through the canal, avoiding sailing all the way around the tip of South America. It turns days into eight hours. The U.S. is Panama’s biggest trade partner, although China has a huge influence there.  There is currently a bill, the Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025, to authorize President Donald Trump to negotiate with the Panamanian government.

The Heartland Patriots invite the public to attend their next meeting at 7 p.m.Tuesday March 25, at Wesley Methodist Church in Van Wert.  The group plans to have a speaker address some of the possible new health regulations.