The Van Wert County Courthouse

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025

Submitted information

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

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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James Fader

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

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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.

Central Insurance retirees recently enjoyed a group lunch. Photo submitted

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