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Anthony Wayne adopts cybersecurity plan

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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The Anthony Wayne Local Schools' Technology Department includes director Chris Hamady, technology supervisor Nickie Sattler and lead technology supervisor Devin Filip. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Anthony Wayne Local Schools, like all Ohio school districts, is working to meet the needs of House Bill 96 – which sets cybersecurity requirements for public entities.

And while the district has already adopted an AI policy and – during its June 10 meeting – a new cybersecurity plan, the work is not done, said Chris Hamady, director of technology for the district.

“It will never be done. Because as information technology changes, we’re constantly going to be adapting our procedures to address new changes and new technologies that come out. So this is going to be an organic and dynamic plan,” Hamady said as he presented the six-part plan to the board. 

The cybersecurity plan is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework. NIST is a non-regulatory U.S. federal agency within the Department of Commerce that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology.

When creating a plan, the district has to balance risks and security with the need for team members’ ability to use technology. That includes the teachers, staff and students who utilize Chromebooks. 

As Hamady and his staff, including Devin Filip, Nickie Sattler and David Hadley, worked on the plan, they began with creating a list of every website, app and other technology usage at every level, in order to identify critical functions and risks.

“We had to figure out which ones are critical and which ones could be a target for a breach,” Hamady said. “We went to the departments and spoke to people.”

As part of the plan, the team identified potential impacts if a system was breached, including payroll and records, and detailed how that would affect day-to-day operations. Threat detection mechanisms are also now in place, but these are kept under wraps for security reasons. The plan also includes establishing incident response procedures to identify the breached system – whether it’s software, hardware, bank accounts or payroll – and who should be notified and how to recover those systems.

The cybersecurity plan includes detailed plans for recovering data and systems and getting the district resources back to normal as quickly as possible. The plan includes regular training for staff to learn best practice work habits that lead to the safe and effective use of technology, data and systems.

Implementing a cybersecurity plan and adopting the AI policy are just a few of the HB 96 requirements, Hamady said. Other regulations include obtaining board approval before responding to a ransom demand and reporting any cybersecurity incidents to the state within specific guidelines.

During the June 10 meeting, the board also:

-Heard Superintendent Kevin Herman explain the reason for an executive session: to discuss a possible change to a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) agreement related to the sale of the Shops at Fallen Timbers. A developer is working on finalizing the sale with the current owners, who have not been able to pay all of the requirements of the TIF. Herman said it’s in the best interest of the community and the district to see the mall do well. After the session, the board approved a first amendment to the compensation agreement with the city of Maumee and Penta Career Center for the TIF exemption in the agreement.

-Approved donations of over $27,000, including: $9,000 from the Waterville Parents Association to Waterville Primary School; $1,000 from Rosemary Yanik to the junior high for media center furniture upgrades; $3,000 from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for the Waterville Primary summer reading program; Mud Hens tickets from Strause Refrigeration and Silco Fire to the AW Operations Department; $918.40 from Whitehouse Parents Club to the principal’s fund for art supplies; and donations by Pour Soul Art and Waterville Sweets for the high school 3D printer filament to create the Generals key chains that will be hidden during Family Week.

-Approved membership in the Alliance for High Quality Education for $4,000 and Ohio Schools Council for $904.88.

-Approved a new job description for assistant treasurer, which was formerly named as assistant to the treasurer. Ray Greene is taking over as treasurer and Meagan Conroy as assistant treasurer effective July 1, when treasurer Kerri Johnson retires.

-Set the next meeting at Monday, June 29 at 7:30 a.m. and moved the Aug. 4 meeting to Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. 

-Learned that the preliminary results of test scores show the students did very well on state testing. The official results will be released this fall.

– Listened to an update on the Business Advisory Council from Jim Conner, director of teaching and learning. The group is a partnership with the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West, and includes other school districts and businesses that work to create opportunities for students as they prepare for the future workforce.

-Approved a memorandum of understanding between the board and the Anthony Wayne Education  Association to create new special education chair positions for Monclova, Waterville, Whitehouse and Fallen Timbers. Herman explained that these supplemental positions will serve as a liaison between the buildings and the special education director to help with communications and details.

-Adopted the enVision Math program for seventh and eighth grade math courses.

-Approved the use of a supplemental text for the junior high: Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two.

-Approved new tutor pay rates, increasing from $125 to $130 per day.

-Approved athletic fees and ticket prices and discussed how the General’s Pride Pass is available for anyone living in the district ages 60 and older to get into sporting events and performances for free.

-Heard that the district is still seeking certified and classified substitutes in all areas.

Wild Side: Late spring wildflowers

By
Art Weber
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Golden Ragwort at Mallard Lake. (Photo by Metroparks Toledo nature photographer Art Weber)

It’s such a wonderful time to hit the trails in one of your Metroparks. The colors are fresh and vibrant, the weather cooperative.

It’s late spring on Mother Nature’s calendar. Spring woodland wildflowers have done their thing, though a few have moved into their place providing some eye candy before the super wildflower show moves out into the meadows and tallgrass prairies. 

Golden ragwort is a star right now, especially at Oak Openings Preserve where this multi-rayed yellow beauty is easily seen in the wet woods that come right up to the roadsides near Mallard Lake, for example.

Look for it growing through the big broad beautiful leaves of skunk cabbage which loves the wet woods as much as the ragwort.

Think of golden ragwort and the equally impressive marsh marigolds as emissaries for the explosion of yellows that will surely follow come summer.

One of Each prepares to open

By
Steven Bieber
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One of Each wine bar will be located in the alley of Ostrich Towne. (TFP photo by Steven Bieber)

New wine bar brings fresh experience to Vistula District’s Ostrich Towne

TOLEDO – Wine enthusiasts looking for a new haunt will soon be able to head over to Ostrich Towne during the summer when the newest hangout – One of Each – is set to open.

One of Each will be located in Ostrich Towne on Summit Street, inside the alley next to Riverside BBQ. It will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a cozy indoor fireplace. Customers will be able to choose from 25 different wines from around the world that can be purchased by the bottle, glass, or flight (it allows customers to sample four different kinds of wine). While the bar will not serve full meals, it will offer charcuterie boards as well as desserts.

One of Each will be located in Ostrich Towne on Summit Street, inside the alley next to Riverside BBQ. It will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a cozy indoor fireplace. (TFP photo by Steven Bieber)

John Metz and his wife were inspired to open the bar because of their passion for travel and wineries. From Michigan to the Napa Valley, Metz said he has enjoyed wine for almost 30 years.

He decided now was the best time to pursue opening a wine bar because his previous job at Owens Corning was coming to an end, and his children are now in college.

While he grew up in Livonia, Metz has lived in the Toledo area since 2007. He first lived in Sylvania before recently moving to the Warehouse District. He opted for the rapidly growing Ostrich Towne to start his business.

“We really liked it.” He said of the site. “The community, the environment, you know, having Molly’s there and Riverside Barbecue there…It really felt like a neighborhood place. We never wanted to open up in a strip mall along the side of the road where you just drove there, got out of your car, got into your car, and left. There’s more of a pedestrian feel here, which is what we really liked about it.”

John Metz in the unfinished bar last month. He and his wife were inspired to open the bar because of their passion for travel and wineries. (TFP photo by Steven Bieber)

While everyone is welcome at One of Each, Metz predicts that most of his customers will be 30 and older. He suspects they will attract mostly Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers, along with more women than men.

According to Metz, the wine bar adds to the growing sense of community downtown.

“I think it kind of gets people out more, gives them a place to go, a conversation place. You know, we’ll have some music here, kind of a gathering place. Just to increase activity in the area. As a resident down here, I always love when I walk out of my house, and I see people, whether it’s for a Mud Hens game or a Walleye game or something. When you see this kind of a pulse in the city…I really like that. I think we’ll help contribute to that in this neighborhood.”

Metz noted that the wine bar has something for every taste and budget. The bar will feature a collection of inexpensive wines as well as premium selections.

“We really feel like, between the environment we’re going to have here and the food and the wine offerings, we really feel like we have something for everybody. So I would encourage everybody to come out and give us a try.”

One of Each will be located at 915 N. Summit St., Suite 302. Learn more about it here.

Widows create strong community through nonprofit

By
Stephen Zenner
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Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), stands with Beverly Lyles, one of the first women to W.E.S. & I, at Lott Industries Inc. in Toledo. Lott Industries is where the group regularly meets. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – 12 years ago, nothing could have prepared Idell Watson for the death of her husband after his body rejected a transplant. 

“After he passed, I cried for two years,” she said. “When I was around people, I made myself look like I was okay, but I was not okay.”

A few months into her grief, Watson turned to a pain management group for help. 

“There was a lot of people,” she said, but the sources of pain were diverse. 

“They were coming in talking about their issues with the insurance not working with them or the doctors not giving them the medicine, so I left out of there feeling heavier than I went in,” Watson said. The different sources of pain made Watson want to do something for the people in the group.

“It didn’t help me manage my pain any better,” she said. 

Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I). Watson put a name to the group she wanted to create a year after her husband died, and had their first meeting two years after becoming a widow. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Search for community

“Out of my need, I did search the web,” said Watson and she did find groups for widows, “but not in Toledo; not like the group we have.” 

Eight years before her husband passed, in 2014, Watson received a vision.

“I had gotten a vision that I was going to lead women,” she said, and after talking with her pastor, she began to lead different groups in church. Ultimately, she said those initiatives fizzled out, but looking back, she sees how the vision was really referring to the community group she started for widows. 

There was another widow group that stipulated an amount of time you had to be a widow, and you also had to pay to be a part of it. 

“That right there was not the vision that I had,” she said. Instead she set out to make a group that cared for widows like Watson’s sister cared for her. 

“‘Everybody has to go back to their lives. I have to go home too,’” said Watson, recounting the words of her sister, who came up from Houston, Texas.

“‘But I can’t leave you sleeping on the couch, I can’t leave you not having a budget and knowing how things will work out.’ So she helped me with all of that.”

Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I) had its first meeting in 2016, two years after the death of Wesley James Watson, Idell’s husband. 

One of the 12

Every third Saturday of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m., women come to Lott Industries Inc. at 3350 Hill Ave. to eat, share feelings and hear from speakers. 

Beverly Lyles, one of the first attendees to Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), sits in a conference room at Lott Industries Inc. in Toledo on Wednesday June 3, 2026. Lyles lost her husband after his body rejected a kidney transplant 27 years ago, and found W.E.S. & I to be incredibly helpful with people who understand what it’s like to lose a spouse. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“We brought a financial person in, we brought a lawyer in, we had Marcy [Kaptur] come in and talk about social security,” Watson said. 

Beverly Lyles, a good friend of Watson and one of the first attendees of the group, had already grieved her husband’s death for over a decade before W.E.S. & I even existed, but talked about the importance of having a community that can empathize with the death of a spouse. 

“When I’m there, I feel really good with the other widows who are going through what I went through and what I’m going through,” Lyles said. 

Faith, family and friends Lyles said were integral to the grieving process, but it was also important to have people who had experienced what she had. 

“Time will heal, or it can’t heal all wounds, but with me being with the other ladies,” Lyles said let her know she was not alone in what she had and was experiencing. 

Centered on community, not meetings

When Watson first started cultivating the group, she was just trying to meet the needs of widows she knew personally. 

They would talk, “not so much about coming to the group, but more about how are they doing, what they need. I would just advise them, you know. I’m here for you 24 hours.”

After losing someone so integral to their lives, Lyles and Watson both said there are things their husbands did they didn’t know about or didn’t know how to do. 

Idell Watson, the founder of Widows Empowered Strengthened & I (W.E.S. & I), wears a heart shaped necklace that reads “Special Mom.” Watson said kids are often overlooked after the loss of a spouse. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“He took care of everything. I didn’t have to pay no bills or anything, but I think one of the avenues that a widow goes into after losing her spouse is maybe you don’t know how to write a check out or how to take care of your finances,” Lyles said. Soon for Lyles she got behind on insurance payments, and asked for understanding. 

“There was two of us, but now it’s one,” she said. 

More recently, Watson said there was a younger widow, in her 30s, who lost her husband without life insurance, and that W.E.S. & I raised funds to help with the funeral. 

“Sometimes you can struggle and be okay, but I see a struggle…some of the ladies that’s not okay yet, you know, and it has been a day-by-day journey,” Lyles said.

The day-by-day journey is what W.E.S. & I is there for, regardless of whether members show up on an official meeting day.  

W.E.S. & I is open to all widows. To learn more about the organization, visit widowsempowered.org.

Providence Township trustees hear data center concerns

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Data center developers look for open land and access to electricity, water and highways. Providence Township is looking at zoning language to regulate data centers. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP – Preparing for the possibility of a data center continues to be a topic of conversation among Providence Township trustees.

With no zoning language to govern data centers in its books, Providence Township approved a one-year moratorium on April 15. Last month, they invited Waterville Township Trustee Toby Miller to share details on his township’s push to adopt a new M-3 zoning designation – and amend its M-2 and M-1 zoning language – rather than using a conditional use permit process put into place last year. 

“Waterville Township is the first effort to do a comprehensive macro look at ‘here’s the scope, here’s what we can do,’ what are the advantages and disadvantages? We’re waiting to see how the Waterville Township resolution is dealt with at the [county] planning commission…and see what they come back with, which may alter the Waterville Township plan,” Trustee Steve Kendall said during the June 3 meeting. “We’ve got the moratorium in place. The idea is to have the material behind that once that moratorium expires.”

Using a zoning change instead of a conditional use permit allows citizens the right of referendum, pointed out Jim Fischer, who serves as zoning inspector for both Providence and Waterville townships. A permit is considered an administrative process, and therefore not subject to referendum, he added. 

Resident Jeff Rice said he has concerns about shirt-tailing off of Waterville Township’s proposed zoning resolution language that will be reviewed by the Lucas County Planning Commission on June 24.

“If we were to adopt everything that they’re proposing to put in their book, you might as well hand the township keys to a data center,” Rice said. 

Instead, he suggested that trustees do their own research and put together a committee of residents to help.

“Any effort is not a waste of time, unless we find out it’s a done deal,” Rice said, expressing that he hoped trustees had not signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Resident Dan Holtz also came to the meeting with questions about data centers, and wanted to know whether the trustees are for or against such projects.

“I don’t think there’s anything good about this at all. We’ll work with what the law allows us to work with. We can work with the tools the state of Ohio has given us,” Kendall said, referring to Ohio Revised Code.

Solicitor David Chamberlain said that it’s a fine line on what can and can’t be done. Making the law too restrictive can get it thrown out, he said.

Kendall said that data centers look for open land where there’s access to electricity, water and a highway. Half of the land in the township is unzoned, noted Zoning Commission Chair Jim Stang, urging trustees to look at getting the unzoned areas zoned in order to provide some regulations.

Any changes to the zoning resolution would involve a series of public hearings that would welcome citizen input, but in the meantime, Kendall suggested contacting representatives at the state level, to share opinions. He also noted that some of these state leaders might try to write the rules and eliminate local control.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of it. We need to be prepared if they walk in the door and say they purchased 2,000 acres,” Kendall said.

During the meeting, the trustees also:

-Listened to Laurie Manning of the Hylant Group speak about the Ohio Plan coverage for township vehicles, a claim on unit 88, the newest ambulance, which was hit by another driver in February, and options for replacing or repairing the squad.

-Heard that the Lucas County Engineer’s office reported that bids for resurfacing Patton and Manore roads came in four percent higher than the engineer’s estimate but is allowed. A contract with Gerken Paving for $519,102.64 was approved.

-Held a discussion with Fire Chief Richard Triggs about options for getting ambulance 88 repaired. While that is underway, insurance will cover up to $20,000 for a rental. RSVP charges $250 a day.  In addition, Triggs is investigating options for the purchase of another ambulance to replace unit 89.

-Heard a Co. Rd. 1 resident ask for input on how to deal with a neighbor who had a lot of timber taken down but not removed. Trustees advised that this is civil matter as it’s on private property, but to give the neighbor time to get it cleaned up.

-Agreed to give a Manore Road homeowner until Oct. 1 to remove a shipping container from the property. The township has already given two extensions while an accessory building is being constructed.

-Approved Christine Cox as a volunteer firefighter. She plans to begin taking classes to become an EMT.

Weekend to weekday: Goalpost stays course

By
Stephen Zenner
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(Left to right) Alex Price, Ethan Fahle, Matthew Cashin and Daniel Price of Goalpost, a '90s revival band, play their first show since the Old West End Festival at The Switchboard in downtown Toledo on Wednesday, June 10. Goalpost was the band playing during the Old West End Festival shooting on June 6, and were happy to play another show, putting distance between themselves and the shooting. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – ’90s post-punk revival band, Goalpost, was sealed in by a throng of fans at The Switchboard, 912 Monroe St., on Wednesday evening, for those seeking a dreamy, nostalgic performance. 

The band said they wanted to put the shooting that happened during the Old West End Festival behind them. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

“I was expecting to turn the page on the set,” said lead singer and songwriter for the band, Matthew Cashin, after their last set was interrupted by a shooting during the Old West End Festival that left 12 people injured, including friends and family of the band. 

Daniel Price, the drummer for Goalpost, plays in the band’s first show since the Old West End Festival shooting. Members of Goalpost mentioned it was important to keep playing after what happened during the festival. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

The headliner, Bellyache, performed their bass-heavy metal with a screamo vocalist, and sandwiched Goalpost in-between the opener, Falling From Grace, a late 2000s band revived this year.

Goalpost’s heavy shoegaze influence mixed up the set list, as the two bands on either side of Goalpost brought heavier metal sounds. 

But in general, Goalpost was releasing heavier things.

“We didn’t wanna dwell on what happened,” said the band’s lead guitarist, Ethan Fahle. “I think we all feel better after playing this set again.”

(Left to right) Alex Price, bass, Ethan Fahle, lead guitar, and Matthew Cashin, lead vocals and guitar. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Just a few days on from the Old West End Festival, the band wanted to keep with their scheduled performance.

“Everybody kinda’ agreed…just keep going,” Fahle said. 

(TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

And while, admittedly, there were challenges to pushing on through, each band member said they felt good about their performance, which started with Cashin telling the crowd the proceeds from the cover charge would go towards band expenses, like “Taco Bell.”

Spurious bats on the drums from Daniel Price formed the snappy energy, cutting through the scratchy wall of sound and soft vocals provided by the rest of the band. 

Before downing a beer after the show, Price jokingly said, “We’re beating off the rage,” while Alex Price, the bassist, preferred to keep her thoughts on the show private. 

Matthew Cashin, the lead singer for the 90s revival band Goalpost, and Daniel Price, the band’s drummer. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Enthusiastic praise saturated the air around the band, who played a similar set to the festival one, minus an unreleased song, “Hornet Sting,” that was interrupted the last time they played it.

Fahle commented that the turnout was especially good for a weekday, and said, “I think that’s the real important thing – the community part of it.”

“It’s really not supposed to be about us,” he said and highlighted Bellyache, Falling From Grace and the concert goers for showing up after the events of the weekend. 

(Left to right) Matthew Cashin and Ethan Fahle. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Whitehouse locks in electric aggregation rate

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Whitehouse locked in a rate for electric aggregation. Information will be sent out to qualified residents in the next few weeks. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – After nearly a year of waiting for the right moment, the Village of Whitehouse has locked in an electric aggregation rate of 10.171 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour), Administrator Jordan Daugherty announced on June 2. 

While not much lower than the Toledo Edison June rate of 10.9992 cents per kWh, it’s still a savings – which was the goal of joining an aggregation program with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), said Daugherty. The rate will remain in effect for 10 months, beginning with the August 2026 meter reading and subsequent billing.

“We had a very narrow window to lock in a decent rate compared to the full standard offering,” said Daugherty. “Nobody likes higher rates. The conditions are so volatile that sometimes not getting hit so hard is a positive.”

Last year, Council held public hearings on the aggregation program to answer questions. One of the most common was, “Can I opt out?” The answer is yes. Letters will be sent to most households, with information on the program and how to opt out.

Some households and businesses may not qualify for aggregation, including those that have their own contract through the PUCO Apples-to-Apples website, those who are on a Percentage of Income Payment Plan or those who have previously told PUCO that they do not want to participate in aggregation.

“Another common question is whether eligible customers can leave or join the SOPEC program after the opt-out period,” said Council President Steve Fine, who is a member of the SOPEC board. “They can, and there’s no fee to do that. However, if a customer terminates their own contract with a supplier early, there may be a fee.”

For those who don’t opt out, SOPEC will arrange the pricing while AEP Energy will supply the electricity.

SOPEC’s default rate is for 100 percent renewable energy, Fine added. Customers will be able to choose a plan with no renewable energy and a lower rate (9.9933). SOPEC has stated that for an average household the difference in cost between the two options would be around $2.00 a month.

Founded in 2014 in Athens, Ohio, SOPEC has grown into a statewide council doing business with large communities, including Dayton and Cleveland, as well as townships, villages, libraries and parks systems. Whitehouse was the first northwest Ohio community to join SOPEC. 

Public Works Supervisor Jordan Connor and worker James Forrest finished installing the etched metal sign on a new entryway to Whitehouse Park on May 4. Funding for improvements to the park area between the pavilion and Providence Street was approved for the state capital budget. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

During the meeting, council also:

-Heard that $175,000 is in the State Capital budget – meaning it’s approved but not official until October – that will pay for renovations in the front wedge of Whitehouse Park. That area, which recently had a new limestone and steel sign added, will get landscaping, a new flagpole, streetlights, stone pavers, concrete walk and large stone planters that double as seat walls – all coordinated with the streetscaping on Providence Street. This will highlight the existing statue and cannon in the park. The cost estimate is based on doing nearly all of the work, except irrigation and concrete, in-house, Daugherty said.

Funding for improvements to the front of Whitehouse Park – shown in this rendering from the Edge Group – is in the state capital budget. (Courtesy rendering)

-Heard that Safety Town will be held at Whitehouse Primary School the week of June 22 with graduation on June 26.

-Learned that work on Cemetery Road will begin July 6 and last about two weeks.

-Thanked Dave Beakas for his service with the fire department. Fire Chief Jason Francis also reported that Spencer Wilkerson passed his paramedic exam, giving the department a total of 19 paramedics. 

-Encouraged residents to attend the June 11-13 Cherry Fest and Founders Day celebration on July 2.

-Noted that council will not have a meeting on June 16.

-Heard Council Member Louann Artiaga ask about looking into lighting for the 50 parking spots along the bike trail and about the layout of the parking next to the Buzz Diner, as one spot would require backing up into Providence Street to exit.

DEWESoft camp puts students in driver’s seat

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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A student in the DEWESoft USA three-day camp takes a go-kart for a test drive, later checking the results of sensors on the kart. (Courtesy photo)

WHITEHOUSE – A dozen students had an opportunity to test drive a career field that blends engineering, science and technology, during a three-day camp at DEWESoft USA – a world-class provider of data acquisition (DAQ) systems, based in Whitehouse.

The camp gave students an opportunity to see the day in the life of a test engineer, said Dave Gallop, director of training for DEWESoft USA. 

“We wanted to demonstrate how fulfilling a life in these fields can be. The majority of scientists and engineers start with curiosity,” he said.

DEWESoft USA in Whitehouse hosted a three-day camp to introduce students to data acquisition systems, science and engineering careers. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

Gallop’s presentation on the history of measurement was particularly interesting to Anthony Wayne High School senior Ryan Parker, who noted that thousands of years ago the Japanese were using a seismic measuring device that looked like a large bowl.

“The act of measuring has been longstanding throughout human history,” said Parker, who signed up for the camp to learn more about DAQ and career opportunities.

DAQ samples signals that measure real-world phenomena and converts them into a digital form that can be used to develop innovative hardware and software solutions used across industries globally, including automotive, aerospace, defense and power.

Looking out on a test track behind DEWESoft’s Logan Street headquarters, Parker watched as a group of campers prepared to drive go-karts wired with DEWESoft measuring devices – for vibrations, speed and temperature – through a bumpy course. The goal: to see who could finish the course and spill the least amount of water from a cup in a holder near the driver.

“They’ll collect data from all of the sensors on the kart and do an analysis of the data to see how the cart performed and see if there’s any improvements they could suggest on the carts,” said Owen Maginity, a DEWESoft application engineer working at the camp. 

The camp was the first for DEWESoft, which tailored the program for both high school and college students who are interested in engineering, science and technology. DEWESoft purchased the go-karts and installed many of the sensors ahead of time, but had the students help with final instrumentation.

“We walked them through installing some of the basic sensors and how to diagnose and troubleshoot any issues. We knew some issues existed, and left them for the students to discover,” Maginity said. “That’s the reality of test engineering – it never goes to plan. Now we’re having them execute the testing on the durability course.”

The 12 high school and college students attending a three-day camp gather around go-karts near a test track at DEWESoft USA’s Whitehouse headquarters. (Courtesy photo)

Before hitting the course – modeled after some of the proving grounds used by big automotive manufacturers –  students also tested out the go-karts’ brakes by rapidly accelerating and braking on asphalt and gravel, to get an idea of reaction time, said Academy Coordinator Selena Hooks.

Wearing helmets and seatbelts, the students then took turns on the dirt course, usually following Magnity’s advice to aim for a smooth and consistent speed. That’s what he learned after rolling one of the karts during a test run.

The camp was led by DEWESoft employees including, standing (from left) Jake Skaff, Hayden Fox and Simon Born and, kneeling, Owen Maginity. (Courtesy photo)

“We’re having them drive the course, collect data from all the sensors on the car, and do an analysis of the data to see how the cart performed, how the comfort was, and see if there were any improvements they could suggest.”

Parker noted that some of the results gave the students insight on all of the factors that need to be measured.

“We looked at technical aspects, like turning and strain on certain pieces. It shows that certain outside forces, like temperature, can impact your results,” Parker said.

While Parker said he’s often thought about engineering in terms of building and design, he can now see how data acquisition dovetails into the design of products in a number of industries. He was surprised to see the number of big companies, including SpaceX and Ford that utilize DEWESoft.

Measuring the success of the camp was easy, based on the enthusiasm and questions from students, said Hooks.

“For the first go-round, it’s been off the scale. We’ve had talented students here that really have exceeded our expectations,” she added.

For more information, visit dewesoftusa.com.

Starburst Sculpture dedicated to Shousher family 

By
Rachel Boes
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Hussein, son of John and Emney Shousher, speaks at a dedication in Glass City Metropark. (Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

TOLEDO – The family and friends of the late Yehia Hussein “John” and Emney Shousher gathered on June 5 at a recently opened party patio on the Maumee to recognize the sculpture, “Starburst,” dedicated in their honor. Refreshments were served as the guests enjoyed conversation before the dedication ceremony began. The event was accompanied by warm notes of acoustic, traditional Lebanese music played by a trio, complete with an oud. 

The gathering was hosted at the “Starburst” sculpture location in International Cove, a piece of the Glass City Metroparks Riverwalk at The Docks. The Riverwalk project is celebrating its 50 percent goal marker as Watershed Week kicked off, running until the 14th. The June 5 dedication was the first private event to begin the celebration, which is fitting considering the legacy of the Shousher family. 

Ribbon cutting unveiling the “Starburst” sculpture in Glass City Metropark. (Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

John Shousher “was a community leader in every sense of the word,” said Metroparks Toledo Director, Public Relations, Scott Carpenter. Shousher was a business man who helped to establish essential organizations like the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, Toledo’s first Mosque and more. Regarded as a man with great wisdom and a servant’s heart, he acted as an ambassador to the Islamic community and a bridge across cultures, maintaining friendships with rabbis and mayors alike. His wife, Emney, always stood beside him with endless support and kindness. She worked to bring their dreams to life, striving to cultivate spaces where all could visit and feel welcomed. 

Many of their life’s themes are woven into “Starburst” and the area itself. Having worked to develop the river in volunteer board roles and business development efforts for over 40 years.

The sculpture, Riverwalk development, and dedication itself are the combined effort of Metroparks Toledo, The Arts Commission, and the Shousher family. The Arts Commission and Metroparks Toledo having established their relationship in previous projects intended to engage and serve areas of the city that have not received proper funding and attention, such as the East Side and the Vistula neighborhood. 

The sculpture is raised on platforms that allow visitors to walk under it, standing at the center of Riverwalk paths. Looking under the sculpture allows the viewer to better see the collage of words that were selected by the community. 

(Courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

Toledo Design Collective started the event intending to collect neighborhood feedback on the construction of the park and artwork. They worked with MidStory, as well as a couple other partners in creating a space to gather words describing these immediate areas by the residents. They also conducted interviews with folks like the Shousher family. Blessing was involved in the process. 

Blessing, an artist known for standing community-based sculptures around the world, was selected as part of a previous application to another interactive sculpture project headed by The Arts Commission, “Field of Histories.” A few feet from “Starburst,” the exhibit consists of glass globes encased in chrome pedestals, containing pieces of Toledo history donated by residents. 

“We’ve really paid homage to ‘international,'” said Nathan Mattimoe, Director of Art in Public Places at The Arts Commission, who worked with these groups and sculpture artist Blessing Hancock to bring this project to life. “The original intention of international parks was to reflect on the many international connections Toledo has, including the many people who came from numerous countries to make up neighborhoods in our city.” The event produced many words that were narrowed down before being added, with the main qualifier being that the words must be translatable in all of the selected languages. 

“This [sculpture] is going to be a really important centerpiece of the park; it’s going to be important for the community, but it’s especially important to the folks that folks gathered here tonight, because this was done by the Shousher family in honor of John Shousher, who knew so many people and meant a lot to so many people,” Carpenter said.

The dedication event was a beautiful and wholistic celebration with folks from all backgrounds. It was truly a reflection of the dreams the Shousher family always pushed for.

“This is an example of John’s legacy and how his family continues to give back to the community,” added Carpenter. “I’m sure he would be proud.”

Two volunteer firefighters to lead Cherry Fest Parade

By
Karen Gerhardinger
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Tom Vincent and Richard Snyder both retired after 31 years of volunteering with the Whitehouse Fire Department. They will serve as the grand marshals in the Cherry Fest parade, which steps off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – When Richard Snyder and Tom Vincent ride in a ladder truck at the front of the Cherry Fest parade as grand marshals on June 13, the two longtime volunteer firefighters will represent not just themselves, but all of the men and women who have volunteered throughout Whitehouse Fire Department’s 130-year history.

“Neither of us have done this for the glory. It’s basically for the love of the community,” said Snyder, whose 43-year firefighting career included 31 years as a volunteer first responder with Whitehouse. 

Vincent, a retired physical education, science and health teacher, joined the department as a volunteer in 1995, shortly before Snyder, and retired after serving as a firefighter/EMT for 31 years.

“To me it was very interesting. I’m a person who looks for the next adventure. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities over the years,” Vincent said of his experience as a volunteer.

For Snyder, joining the fire service was a continuation of a family tradition. His grandfather, Lawrence Swick, was one of the founders of the Neapolis Fire Department in the early 1950s. A few years later, his father Robert joined. Snyder has fond memories of sitting atop a fire truck and watching the parade of trucks during the Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Convention, and attending other events with his family.

“I’m third generation,” said Snyder, who joined after graduating from Anthony Wayne High School in 1982.

Snyder stayed with the department as it changed names to Providence Township Fire and Rescue, then joined Whitehouse in 1995 when he and his wife – 1981 AW graduate Chris – moved to the village. He brought with him experience from his full-time job as a state firefighter with the 180th fire department, a position he held for 31 years before retiring as a lieutenant in 2021.

Continuing to volunteer with Whitehouse even after retiring from the base allowed him to use his experience to help the community.

“I was the last captain on the volunteer side,” said Snyder, who retired in January 2026. As an officer, he often served as a liaison between the department staff and volunteers.

Vincent said he appreciated Snyder’s ability to explain all facets of the fire service in a way that’s easy to understand.

Growing up on the East Side, Vincent graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School and served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. The first in his family to graduate from college, Vincent earned a degree in education and began teaching physical education, science and health at Franklin Elementary. That was the beginning of a 35-year career with Toledo Public Schools, during which time he also earned his master’s degree.

“I never left the eighth grade,” he joked.

In addition to teaching, Vincent coached at the junior high and high school levels, including football, baseball, soccer, track and cross country for the now-closed DeVilbiss High School.

Early in his career, he worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at the coal docks, unloading ore carriers and loading coal onto lake freighters – including the famed SS Edmund Fitzgerald that sank in a storm in 1975.

“I started at the coal docks in 1966,” Vincent said. “I’ve been at the bottom of the Edmund Fitzgerald pulling ore away from the sides and loading coal. When the Fitz came in, you knew you were going to be there all night if you were a shoveler.”

While he and his wife, Debra, had lived in Toledo most of their lives, it was during an extended house-hunting search that they came across their new home and community. They moved to Whitehouse in December 1991, and a few years later, a neighbor suggested he look into volunteering at the fire department.

“I had no fire experience at all,” he said. “To me it was very interesting. I’m a person who looks for the next adventure. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities over the years.”

With regular training, plus opportunities to take specialized classes, Vincent earned his EMT certification in addition to becoming a firefighter.

Both found a family within the Whitehouse Fire Department, they agreed.

When Snyder and his wife moved from Neapolis to Whitehouse in 1995, a team of fellow volunteers showed up one Saturday morning to help put on new roof.

“I didn’t even ask. Someone asked me if I was working on my roof, and the next morning, six to eight people showed up,” Snyder said.

It was the people that have made the difference in being a volunteer firefighter, Vincent agrees.

“The camaraderie was just super. It was a unique group and it was tight knit and if you needed help you just asked,” he said.

Both men say they’ve witnessed a big change in the fire service, as departments in bedroom communities like Whitehouse struggled to find enough volunteers to cover shifts. More families are busy with children in multiple sports and travel teams, so giving up evenings and weekends to volunteer became a challenge. As the department transitioned to hiring full-time staff, the volunteers continued to fill in for empty shifts due to vacations or illness, and to help out at special events, like Cherry Fest.

This weekend, in between riding in the parade, they’ll help out with the Whitehouse Fire Company’s 73rd annual Chicken BBQ on Saturday from noon until the chickens are gone. The secret recipe for the chicken came from former chief Kenny Rupp‘s in-laws, who ran Vollmar’s Park.

For the two long-time volunteers, retirement will bring new adventures. The Snyders will hit the road in an RV and travel, and Rich is looking forward to not missing family gatherings due to work. Vincent often watches his grandkids, will continue to offer science lessons monthly in Whitehouse Primary School to kindergarteners, and hopes to convince his wife to get an e-bike so they can ride together. And rail or train travel is also on his bucket list.

The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, leaving from Oakbrook Drive and traveling east on Waterville, then north on Providence.

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