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
POSTED: 04/16/25 at 9:32 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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
POSTED: 04/15/25 at 12:07 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
POSTED: 04/14/25 at 11:34 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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 100th 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.
POSTED: 04/07/25 at 1:36 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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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.
POSTED: 04/02/25 at 10:15 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
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.
POSTED: 03/11/25 at 7:20 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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.
POSTED: 02/16/25 at 10:03 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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Central Insurance retirees and guests held their first luncheon for 2025 on January 22 at Pizza Hut in Van Wert. Attendance was lower than normal due to single digit temperatures.
The group talked and caught up on everyone’s activities since the holidays. The group invited CHP Home Care & Hospice to speak to about services provided. Cindy Sinning and Aly Ballio concentrated on giving details for the CHP Adult Day Care. CHP provided valuable information about their services and it was very much appreciated.
The following were in attendance: front row seated (left to right): Nancy Wollenhaupt, Luanne Watson (guest), Paula Giessler-Scott, Sharon Baer, Patty Kiehl, Linda Holden. Back row (left to right) Cindy Sinning, CHP RN (guest), Aly Ballio, CHP Adult Day Care Coordinator (guest), Dewaine Johnson, Chuck White, Doug Watson, Terry Knebel, Phil Steinen, Vivian Langhals, and Sue Karst.
The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month and the next luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 26. All retirees and guests are invited to meet at Pizza Hut, located at 735 W Ervin Road in Van Wert. The guest speaker for February will be Kevin Matthews, Executive Director from the Van Wert County Council on Aging. This will be another valuable meeting. All retirees are encouraged to attend.
POSTED: 02/07/25 at 1:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
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The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association (VWARTA) will hold its holiday luncheon program at 12 p.m. Friday, December 13, at Willow Bend Country Club.
The cost of the luncheon is $11 and includes beef burgundy, rice pilaf, green beans almondine, gelatin salad, dinner roll, and cherry cheesecake, along with coffee or tea. Meal reservations must be made by 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, and can be made by contacting Jean Minnig at 419.203.0642, or via email, jaminnig@hotmail.com.
There will be holiday music and a special holiday message shared in the festive dining room at Willow Bend. Those attending should consider inviting another retired educator as a guest.
The Salvation Army Red Kettle will be on hand to accept donations. Local dues of $10 for VWARTA membership will be accepted at this time. STRS board updates and news will be shared and a hopeful message will be shared from Dr. Robin Rayfield, ORTA Executive Director.
For more information on ORTA (Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association) or the Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association, contact VWARTA President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283.
POSTED: 12/04/24 at 10:09 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
Central Insurance retirees and guests recently held their year end luncheon at Pizza Hut in Van Wert with the following in attendance: front row (left to right): Sharon Baer, Kay Sluterbeck (guest), Dorothy Helmke, Vickie Ingman, Vivian Langhals, Sue Karst, Luanne Watson (guest), Lori Klinger, Gloria Tumblin, and Ruth Ricker. Back row: Phil Steinen, Val Sluterbeck, Doug Watson, Susan Gunsett, Loren Shindeldecker, Patty Kiehl, Royce Baden, Chuck White, Kathryn Herman, Deb Boroff, and Dewaine Johnson. The group caught up on events since the last gathering and enjoyed one other’s company while enjoying lunch. Due to the upcoming holidays, the next luncheon will be at 11 a.m. January 22. All retirees and guests are invited to meet at Pizza Hut, 735 W. Ervin Rd., in Van Wert. Photo submitted
POSTED: 11/08/24 at 10:21 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles