Submitted information
Members of Van Wert High School Class of 1963 met on April 26 at Wild Hare BBQ for supper, resuming monthly get togethers after many months of sheltering due to COVID-19.
18 members and guests gathered for a delicious meal and good fellowship catching up with each other and sharing memories.
All were saddened that several who had been attending are now deceased. They are Tim and Patricia Rolsten, Charlie Brickner, and Donna (Broerman) Keller. The total number of deceased members of the class is now at 37.
Those attending were: Tom and Cheryl Bebout, Cheryl (Agler) Bidlack, Jim Brickner, Donna (Gribler) Fulcomer, Sandra and Jerry Gallaway, Karen (Linser) Gilliland, Lois Harrow, Paul Herring, , Karen (Stittsworth) Madison, Beverlee (Fell) and Gary Profit, Nancy (O’Brian) Shirm, Marcia (Droll) Smith, Dave and Angie Watkins, and Denny Wilhelm.
The next get-together will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at Wild Hare. Those interested in attending should contact Beverlee Profit at 419.203.2410 by May 20.
POSTED: 05/09/22 at 8:26 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
VW independent staff and submitted information
The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association will begin their 2022 program year with a spring luncheon program and business meeting at 12 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Willow Bend Country Club.
The guest speaker will be Van Wert City Schools Superintendent Mark Bagley. He will be discussing the successes, opportunities, and challenges currently facing local public schools.
The business session will include updates on the current changes to State Teachers Retirement System benefits, the upcoming STRS Board election, and the need for change at STRS. VWARTA members are reminded to check on their membership status and to bring their year-to-date volunteer hours to this meeting.
The luncheon menu includes: tuna salad or chicken salad croissant, potato soup, gelatin salad, peach crumble cheesecake, along with coffee and iced tea. Meal cost is $11 with a reservation required by 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, to Jean Minnig 419.203.0642.
The Van Wert Area Retired Teachers Association is the local county chapter of ORTA (Ohio Retired Teachers Association). Retired educators of Van Wert County, persons receiving STRS benefits, or those who wish to support public education are welcome to join ORTA and the Van Wert County local organization and are also invited to attend this luncheon program and meeting. Contact President Deb Kleinhenz at 419.203.2283 for more information on ORTA or to make a new guest luncheon reservation for this important meeting.
POSTED: 03/30/22 at 3:37 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, News
Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently recognized Debra Laudick as Van Wert Lodge’s “Elk of the Year” for the 2020-2021 Lodge Year. Laudick was presented with a special certificate issued by the Grand Lodge and signed by Grand Exalted Ruler Paul R. Ryan. The “Elk Of The Year” is awarded by a lodge to one of its members who performs extra service “above and beyond” to the lodge and its charitable works. Shown are (from the left) Van Wert Exalted Ruler Mary Weisman and Debra Laudick. Elks photo
POSTED: 09/29/21 at 9:43 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Isaac Van Wart Daughters of the American Revolution met recently at Wild Hare Barbecue. New members inducted are (from the left) Cathy Jewel Johnson, Nancy Ransbottom Smith, and Kari Girod Casto. The group’s next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, at Willow Bend Country Club. The speaker will be Dave Walker, a local historical reenactor, who will make a presentation on “Our Founding Fathers.” Guests are welcome to attend and lunch will be ordered from the Willow Bend menu. DAR photo
POSTED: 09/27/21 at 10:04 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Independent staff and submitted information
The Lincolnview High School Class of 1971 recently gathered at Willow Bend Country Club to celebrate its 50-year reunion.
Prior to the dinner, interested classmates were given a tour of the Lincolnview campus by Superintendent Jeff Snyder, who was thanked by class members for providing the interesting and enjoyable tour.
Following dinner provided by the country club and a short business meeting, classmates spent the rest of the evening socializing, sharing stories and laughs, and just reminiscing about the good old days.
POSTED: 09/18/21 at 1:39 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Independent staff and submitted information
The Van Wert High School Class of 1961’s 60th reunion scheduled for September 18 has been postponed.
The decision was made due to rising health and well-being concerns for each individual.
A new date of June 11, 2022, has been set for reunion and new information will be forthcoming. Those who need refunds for this year can contact Sandra (Hipsley) Wilson at sandyew@usa.net.
POSTED: 08/27/21 at 10:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Independent staff and submitted information
The 44th John George Schumm Family Reunion will be held this year on Sunday, August 1, on the grounds of Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm.
A catered lunch (asking a donation for the meal) will be served at noon or bring a packed picnic lunch. Beverages and ice cream will be available.
Speaker for the afternoon will be Spank Schumm of Rockford, who will share historical information about the area. A self-guided cemetery tour, a magic show, and a caricature artist will also provide entertainment.
There will also be a map display offered by family member and professor Dr. Harold Moellering, as well as a display of early Schumm artifacts, including the 1692 family bible.
Family members are urged to attend the reunion. The church is located at 17434 Schumm Road, Willshire. Family genealogy can be viewed by visiting the church website at www.zionschumm.org and clicking the “About Us” link. The reunion Facebook page can be found at John George Schumm Family, or email schummfamilyreunion@gmail.com.
POSTED: 06/11/21 at 11:57 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
Staff and submitted information
Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated $100 to the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee.
The monies are to go towards the Peony Festival Scholarship Program. The Elks, nationally, are only second to the United States government in the number of scholarships that are given out each year.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be a contributor each year to this important scholarship program.
POSTED: 05/13/21 at 11:10 pm. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles
First United Methodist Church, 113 W. Central Ave., recently collected items for Pregnancy Life Center. The month of April was set aside as Baby Shower month. Items collected include five crib sheets, 13 receiving blankets, seven bottles of baby lotion, five bottles of baby sunscreen, four packages of pull-ups, eight cases of diapers, 17 packages of diapers, and 27 packages of baby wipes. Shown are Dru Johnson and Julie Burenga with the donated items. First UM Church photo
POSTED: 05/10/21 at 7:02 am. FILED UNDER: Church, Lifestyles
Staff and submitted information
The Van Wert County Board of Developmental Disabilities mission is “through respect and support, the VWCBDD partners with people, families, and communities to foster independence and pathways to individual success.
VWCBDD has specific services an individual will need at the time they are approved for eligibility and are adjusted for what they need in the future. Those include school age, transition age, adult, family support, and crisis intervention services. VWCBDD’s biggest goal is inclusion and being involved in the community.
The YMCA of Van Wert County hosted a pool party for the VWCBDD on March 20 in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The month of March highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
Paula Miller and volunteers from the VWCBDD and the YMCA will be at Camp Clay on May 1 to help clean up for the 2021 summer season. In addition, each volunteer will receive a free swim pass for the Camp Clay Aqua Park. Anyone else interested in joining the cleanup day should contact Kevin Morrison at kevin@vwymca.org
The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that help healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The YMCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation and is a United Way agency.
POSTED: 04/22/21 at 12:52 am. FILED UNDER: Lifestyles, Youth