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.

VWHS Class of 62 holds 60th reunion

Submitted information

Members of the Van Wert High School Class of 1962 recently held their 60th class reunion.

Activities started on Friday evening, September 10, where the classmates met at the Van Wert Elks Lodge for socializing. The following evening, the reunion was held at the country home of Richard and Margaret Miller.. It began with a social time, followed by having a class reunion picture taken. Class member Jack Smith led the group with an opening prayer before dinner and a tribute to the deceased class members.

The evening meal was catered by Collins Find Foods. Following dinner, Mike Stanley welcomed the class members. Letters were read from several of the classmates who were unable to attend.

Phil Giessler, Class Vice-President also welcomed everyone and reminded everyone of how precious time is to all of us. The class members assembled all agreed to having the class donate funds to the Eggeress Stadium project. Class members spent the remainder of the evening visiting and sharing.

VWHS Class of ’63 has summer outing

Submitted information

The weather was amazing for the August get-together at Grand Lake St. Marys where the Fell Family Cottage was opened to those who were able to attend. With Gary Profit at the grill, all enjoyed grilled beef and turkey burgers, hot dogs, and brats along with tasty side dishes provided by those attending. The meal ended with homemade ice cream .

Sharing of many memories entertained the group. Following the meal, a cornhole tournament pitted Paul Herring against Dave Watkins, and then Marcia Smith against Beverlee Profit. Both were easy wins for Dave and Marcia. The final between those two had Dave a little worried, but he managed to survive the tough game Marcia played. He could not quite understand why she was getting cheers when she scored and the fans only offered groans when he scored. It was fun for all.

Attending were: Donna (Gribler) Fulcomer, Karen (Linser) Gilliland, Paul Herring, Karen (Stittsworth) Madison, Carol (Spry) and Gary Mohr, Marcia (Droll) Smith, Dave and Angie Watkins, Denny and Joan Wilhelm, and the hosts, Gary and Beverlee (Fell) Profit.

After some discussion, the group agreed to try Thursday for the September gathering instead of Tuesday as in the past. with the hope it may work better for others who have not been able to attend.

Arrangements have been made to go to Cheers and Gears Bar and Grill, 104 N. Main Street, Convoy, at 4 p.m. Thursday, September 22.

Those who would like to attend, should let Beverlee know no later than Monday, September 19, by emailing bev.garyprofit@gmail.com.

Class of ’72…

The Crestview High School Class of 1972 recently celebrated their 50th class reunion. The gathering was held at the Convoy Park and was catered by Grant’s Catering. 38 classmates along with friends and spouses attended the reunion and Wayne Karges gave the opening prayer and remarks. Deceased classmates were remembered by Steve Drake, and Eric Dailey was the emcee for the evening. Photo submitted