Roche de Boeuf Festival 2025

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September 25, 2025

hit and run2 — Hit & Run, a band made up of Anthony Wayne High School students and graduates, will perform at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 as part of the Roche de Boeuf Festival. (Photo courtesy of Hit & Run)

Waterville ready to welcome thousands on Sept. 27

WATERVILLE – With the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals and more than 50 floats, the 52nd Annual Roche de Boeuf Festival parade is expected to draw thousands to downtown Waterville at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 27.

“While the parade has become the most popular part of our festival, we have tons of activities available throughout downtown Waterville to entertain people throughout the day,” said Michelle Smith, executive director of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Beginning at 9 a.m., nearly 200 booths will be open with food vendors, crafters, nonprofit organizations and other groups selling wares and sharing information. In the Shawn’s Irish Tavern parking lot, a car show will be underway through 2 p.m., with DJ Cruisin’ Zeake providing music and plenty of prizes for vehicles on display.

New this year is an expanded kids area set up in Parker Square – the riverfront park along River Road.

The Metroparks are hauling in this impressive rock climbing wall for all ages to enjoy in the expanded kids entertainment area in Parker Square.
(Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo)

“We’ll have bounce houses, Mario and Princess Peach, face painters, dance groups, a deejay and the Metroparks are setting up a large climbing wall,” Smith said, adding that Jackson Price, well known for his multiple costume changes while dancing to songs by Michael Jackson, is set to perform from 3 to 5 p.m.

Also new this year is a stage on N. Third Street near Mechanic Street. Dusty Syns, a Pennsylvania-based classic rock and blues band, will take the stage from noon to 3 p.m. Hit & Run, a band comprised of Anthony Wayne High School students and graduates, will perform a popular mix of alternative rock, blues and jazz from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

On N. Second Street, the Rue des Artistes will be set up, said Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission (AWAAC) Vice President Lisa Exner.

“Amazing local artists will be showing their artwork – including metal critters by Mark Luebke, beautiful local photography by Jack Schultz, stunning jewelry by Sarah Voltz, Carruth sculptures and glasswork by Mary Burget to name a few,” Exner said. “In addition, both Bittersweet Farms and Sunshine Studios will be selling lots of fun handmade items to help support their art programs.”

The AWAAC will offer free craft activities for kids, and Copper Moon Studio will be set up with a booth where guests can create a piece of fused class for $22.

The Waterville Historical Society (WHS) will offer activities for all ages on its River Road campus, including horse-drawn trolley rides down River Road, docent-led tours of the Sargent House and Robbins House, a lace-making demonstrator and a team of military re-enactors, including Taylor Moyer. Kids can also make a tin punch craft to take home.

The Anthony Wayne Marching Generals will perform during the Saturday, Sept. 27 Roche de Boeuf Festival parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Farnsworth and Michigan.
(TFP Photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

At Wakeman Hall, 401 Farnsworth Rd., the Battle of Fallen Timbers display will be open with docents from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This museum-quality display, the only one of its kind ever assembled, will be taken down in October,” said Marcia Tarabini, a WHS board member. “A $5 donation is requested. This is the last opportunity to see it.”

Wakeman Hall will also be open for parking, for a $5 donation, and is near the start of the parade route. Entrants in the parade will line up on Farnsworth west of the Michigan Avenue split and will progress down the hill to River Road, then turn right and continue to Waterworks Park.

Kenny Blair, who worked for the city of Waterville for 50 years before retiring in 2024, will serve as the grand marshal of the Roche de Boeuf parade. He is pictured during the Sept. 13 unveiling of a sign naming the pond at Waterworks Park in his honor. (TFP Photo/Karen Gerhardinger)

This year’s grand marshal for the parade is Kenny Blair, who retired as public works director after a 50-year career with the city of Waterville. As a member of the Jaycees in the 1970s, Blair was one of four original founders of the Roche de Boeuf Festival. In recognition of his donations to the city, the pond at Waterworks Park was named Blair Pond during the Waterville Rotary and city-sponsored fishing derby on Sept. 13.

The festival is presented by the chamber with help from sponsors and the city of Waterville. It’s an opportunity to showcase all that Waterville has to offer, said Mayor Tim Pedro.

“This is like our Super Bowl. It brings people to the community and downtown Waterville,” he said of the festival, named for the French translation of the Native American term to describe a large, buffalo-shaped limestone outcropping where meetings were held between the two groups. The word means “buffalo rock” or “rock of beef.”

Guests to the Roche de Boeuf Festival can park and catch a free shuttle service provided by Browning Masonic Community at two locations: Something Special Learning Center, 8251 Waterville Swanton Rd., and BlueSky Restorations at 1300 Michigan Ave. The shuttle service will be interrupted from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for road closures during the parade.

For updates on the festival, visit the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or visit watervillechamber.com.

George Sarantou: Toledo City Council Member At-Large

By

Stephen Zenner

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September 25, 2025

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In preparation for the November 2025 election, the Toledo Free Press is creating a voting guide, complete with video interviews like this one. Stephen Zenner speaks to Toledo City Council Member At-Large George Sarantou about his goals for improving the lives of Toledoans. Subscribe to our channel for the latest candidate interviews.

Harvest with a purpose at Johnston Fruit Farms

By

Gaven Hafner

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September 24, 2025

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Apples For Everyone_1 — (Left to right) Aaron Mora, Eli Mora, Martha Mora, Erica Ritt, and Fernando Mora gather at the apple-filled semi-truck. (courtesy photo)

Annual Apples for Everyone event

SWANTON – Johnston Fruit Farms’ Apples for Everyone event returns this Saturday, Sept. 27, transforming the simple joy of apple picking into a chance for the community to give back to those in need.

For 17 years now, Johnston Fruit Farms has held their annual event for picking apples to donate to the local food banks in the area. Each year, people from throughout the community come together to have fun and help pick apples to be loaded up and sent to places like the SeaGate Food Bank in Toledo.

Last year, over 10,000 pounds of apples were picked to be donated.

“We try to pick a minimum of 10,000,” owner Martha Mora said. Farming manager Fernando Mora noted that all the fresh apples collected from the community that day get loaded up to be sent out to the food bank.

Pete Martinez (left) admiring the apples with customers. (courtesy photo)

Cheri Dennis, director of community engagement at the SeaGate Food Bank, has been very thankful for the community and events like Apples for Everyone.

“We are just very gracious for all of the support that we get from the community,” Dennis said. “They continue to allow us to keep our doors open. They allow us to put food on the tables of our neighbors in need. I don’t know how many families roundabout get the apples, but I know that there are thousands of families that are supported by the Apples for Everyone event. They are very well received, especially when it comes to our senior population.”

Over the years, Apples for Everyone has grown into an anticipated event, Martha Mora said. “So the main focus of the event is to pick apples for the food bank, and the first three years, that’s all we did.” But now the event has become more than just apple picking.

“Eventually, we thought it would be fun to have some musicians, local food and games for the kids,” she said. “And so we kind of turned it into a little more of an event.”

Every year, hundreds of people come out to volunteer to help pick apples; however, picking apples isn’t the only area people can help with.

“We have different areas that we need help with,” Mora said. Some of the areas in need of volunteers are helping with games, directing people to where to pick apples and informing others about how to pick the apples. Normally, the farm would like to have a minimum of 25 people to help in these specific areas. The farm asks interested volunteers to please call or stop by to sign up. They also welcome walk-in volunteers on the day of the event.

Travis Ritt picking apples. (courtesy photo)

The team at Johnston Fruit Farms has been very grateful for the community’s help each year. Fernando Mora talked about how the event is a great learning experience for parents to teach their children the joys of giving.

“Come over and just teach your kids how to give,” he said. “If you don’t have money to give, you can give your time by picking the apples for somebody in need.”

Martha Morra added, “And that’s the fun thing; you don’t have to bring a can of food or anything. The only thing that we’re asking the community to donate is their time and just their help in picking the apples.”

So, if you are looking for a fun family event this fall to help those in need, come out to Johnston Fruit Farms for this year’s Apples for Everyone event. The event will take place at the farm on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can even indulge in some fresh cider and donuts on the way out.

Photos courtesy of Johnston Fruit Farms unless otherwise noted.

Cheri Dennis poses in front of the Hand-to-Hand Neighborhoods board at the SeaGate Food Bank. (TFP Photo by Gaven Hafner)

Toledo Top 64 showcases top talent in northwest Ohio

By

Mark Griffin

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September 23, 2025

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Gibsonburg’s Junior Point Guard Elly Evarts rushes down the court at the Toledo Top 64 event held at Toledo Scott High School on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

TOLEDO – Getting noticed is paramount for any high school player looking to get recruited to play a sport at the collegiate level.

College scouts, assistant coaches and head coaches have to see prep athletes in action to get a feel for whether or not they can play at the next level.

The Toledo Top 64 event, held Sept. 20-21 at Scott High School, was a free, invitation-only basketball showcase for college basketball prospects in northwest Ohio to play against some of the best competition in the area.

Toledo Top 64 was the brain child of Toledo natives and brothers Anthony and Shane Garcia a few years ago.

“Anthony originally created the concept in 2019,” said Shane Garcia, a scout for Prep Hoops Ohio and a St. John’s Jesuit graduate. “He felt Toledo-area kids don’t get the same kind of recognition of other areas of the state like Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus. This is by invitation only. We wanted it in Toledo because a lot of times you do have to go to Columbus and Cleveland to get recognized.”

Lima High School guard Noah Simpson shoots the ball
at the Toledo Top 64 event held at Toledo Scott High School. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

The first few events were held at Lourdes University in Sylvania, where Bowsher High School graduate Dennis Hopson was the head men’s basketball coach. Hopson, the all-time leading men’s scorer at Ohio State (2,096 points) and now the athletic director at Bowsher, also helped organize the Toledo Top 64 event.

“Anthony wanted to get some notoriety and wanted to do it at Lourdes,” Shane Garcia said. “Dennis allowed us to run it at Lourdes, then we moved it to Scott. He knows everybody and everybody knows him. This year he was able to double up the budget and got a grant through the city. We were able to run two events without us having to break our pockets.”

This was the first year that girls were invited to participate in the Toledo Top 64 event. This was the fifth year for the boys events.

More than 90 boys and 80 girls participated at Scott last weekend. Each team played three games.

The event was free for all of the players, who played in front of more than 40 representatives from colleges at the Division II level and below, like Lourdes, Owens Community College, Trine University in Angola, Ind., the University of Findlay, and Ohio Northern.

“We do hope and think this is an opportunity to just get a kid on the [college’s] radar,” Shane Garcia said. “Knowing this is a small stepping stone, that’s huge for us.”

Patrick Henry Guard Cary’s Crossland takes the ball up at the Toledo Top 64 event. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

Tom Litman, a third-year assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Northwestern Ohio, a private university in Lima, was at the Toledo Top 64 event on Saturday to scout for the Racers.

“They’ve been doing this for a few years, and our men’s coach has come to this in the past,” Litman said. “I started looking into all of the [players] who wanted to come here and be a part of this. There’s a lot of talent here and I wanted to watch them compete.

“We’re looking at mostly seniors, but if any underclassmen catch our eye, this is a good chance to start a conversation. I’m excited to be at this event.”

Boys and girls competitors mostly came from schools in the greater Toledo area, but they also came from Norwalk, Van Wert, Liberty-Benton, Ottoville, Leipsic, Lima, Arlington and Ayersville, to name a few. Many of the players knew each other from AAU ball and high school.

Shane Garcia was responsible for inviting the players in his role as a scout for Prep Hoops Ohio.

“I go to AAU events in the summer and high school games in the winter,” he said. “That’s my role, as I am going there to get kids recruited. I always have kids in the back of my mind for this event. I make a list, and once it’s made, I send it to Mike Roth, who is also from Prep Hoops. He covers more of all of Ohio. He’s more of a basketball encyclopedia. I give my list to him and he sends back a final draft and we just start sending out invites.”

Serenity Bolden, a 5-foot-6 senior guard at Central Catholic High School and a three-year starter, plays for the Rice Basketball Academy AAU team in the summer. She said she got a text from Shane Garcia inviting her to this year’s event.

“I had heard about others who got invited,” Bolden said. “I was coming back from a tournament in Florida, and when I got off the plane I got a text from Shane to come and play in the Toledo Top 64. I’m not as well known, but I think people know me from other coaches and word of mouth.

“This is exciting, and I’m glad they did it for the girls (this year), to get more recognition for Toledo.”

Bolden, who has a 4.1 GPA and plans to major in social work in college, said she is being recruited by four or five schools and wants to make a decision on where to go after her senior season.

“I want to know by March or April,” she said, “but I’m going to play my game regardless.”

Toledo Start Forward Jade Latson passes the ball up court. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

Jade Latson, a 5-9 senior forward at Start High School and last year’s City League Player of the Year for the league champion Spartans, played her first two years at Scott and transferred to Start prior to her junior year.

Latson, who plays for the Michigan Storm Elite AAU team, said she is being recruited by five or six schools after averaging 15.6 points and eight rebounds a game as a junior.

“I got a text from Shane to come play for Top 64,” Latson said. “They’ve had this for boys and I was excited to get invited because it’s something I love.”

Latson said her Red Team started out strong in the first of three games on Saturday before losing.

“I thought I did pretty well,” she said. “I was pretty nervous at first because I didn’t know my teammates. I was impressed with the competition. We missed a lot of shots and we lost, but it was good competition.”

Tre Chenault, a 6-7 junior at St. Francis de Sales, plays AAU ball for Nova Village and also competed in the Top 64 boys event a year ago.

“We have better competition this year,” he said. “There are a lot of kids from other areas, like Lima.”

Chenault said he was “confident” in how he would play in his team’s three games on Sunday.

“I’m confident in the work I put in,” he said. “I try to play at least four days a week. At St. Francis we lift for an hour, do cone drills up and down the court … I’m doing what I love to do.”

Chenault, who said he grew three inches after his sophomore year, said “a decent amount” of colleges are recruiting him.

“I’m taking small steps (with recruiting) each day,” he said.

St. Francis Post Alan Horton (2) and Genoa High School Post Ryan Plantz (3) battle at the Toledo Top 64. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

Walter Plantz, a 6-8 senior at Genoa, played in the Top 64 event as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Last season he was named the Northern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year after averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game for the Comets.

Plantz, who said he has always been the tallest person in his class, said he played “all right” in his Dark Blue Team’s opener Sunday morning.

“I could have played better,” he said. “Al Horton [6-9 senior at St. Francis de Sales who is headed to Miami of Ohio University] blocked a couple of my shots, but I did all right. I like how the community comes out for this event. I like seeing friends and other guys I play against in AAU.”

Alas, Plantz didn’t have to worry about impressing college scouts on Sunday. He said he will play at Ashland University next fall.

“I committed in August, and I just got back from my official visit yesterday [Sept. 20],” Plantz said. “I played in an open gym [session] and hung out with my team. Ashland has been with me from the start. Everyone is bonded there, and I like the coaches.”

St. Francis Forward Tre Chenault scans the court for a teammate. (TFP photo by Logan Migliori)

Chief Prosecutor Rebecca Facey: Breaking the Cycle of Violence

By

Jaden Jefferson

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September 21, 2025

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The City of Toledo and the Prosecutor’s Office is hosting a summit called “Breaking the Cycle of Violence” on Oct. 1. Jaden sits down with Chief Prosecutor Rebecca Facey to discuss the domestic violence data, red flags in relationships, dating violence, human trafficking and many other issues. The summit will bring together professionals and youth to explore these important and timely topics.

*Video and audio edited by Stephen Zenner.

Inside Lucas County Commissioners Meeting: Sept. 16

By

Stephen Zenner

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September 20, 2025

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20250917 Lucas County Commissioners Regular Meeting 9315 — Toledo Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Daniel Brown-Martinez is recognized for his contributions to government during Hispanic Heritage Month during a Lucas County Commissioners’ regular meeting at 1 Government Center in downtown Toledo on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

TOLEDO – Staffers were forced to stand during the commissioners’ regular meeting due to the large turnout of people celebrating Hispanic Heritage month.

All three commissioners and City Council Members Theresa Morris and Brittany Jones recognized Hispanic Heritage month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Hispanic food was available to all attendees of the meeting, and Hispanic members of the Lucas County community were recognized for their work in creating a strong place to live and work.

Lucas County Commissioner Anita Lopez addressed the packed room about the proceedings.

“We have a proclamation that we’re going to officially present,” she said. “[It] recognizes and celebrates the rich cultural contributions, history and diverse heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities, regardless of what country we come from.”

The proclamation was presented to Morris and Greg Guzman from the Ohio Governor’s Commission on Latino Affairs.

Guzman then awarded Taylor Balderas-Burciaga, one of Toledo’s 20 under 40, the distinguished Hispanic Ohioan award. Guzman said they would present Balderas-Burciaga with the award this coming April on Legislative Day in Columbus, Ohio.

When the podium was handed over to Morris, she said, “I know this isn’t our chamber [city council chamber], but do you guys always have tamales?” referring to the festive food available.

Daniel Brown-Martinez, the deputy chief for Toledo Fire & Rescue, embraces Jose Rosales, an administrator for Toledo Public Schools; both men were recognized for their contributions to Lucas County. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

On a more serious note Morris said, “Immigrants make this country great. Yes, we all are Americans, but we all came from someplace else,” she said.

Morris and Jones then presented their proclamation concerning Hispanic Heritage to the three commissioners.

“This is what makes Toledo very, very diverse, very unique,” Jones said. “And I’m very glad to be part of this city as we celebrate our differences, especially in the world that we’re in now.”

Commissioner Gerken added his words of appreciation. “What a great meeting to have through joy and food.”

Both Sobecki and Gerken talked of the strengths and beauty of diversity before honoring four individuals for their contributions to Lucas County and as part of the Hispanic/Latino community.

Daniel Brown-Martinez, a deputy chief for Toledo Fire & Rescue, Jose Rosales, an administrator for Toledo Public Schools (TPS), Nichole Beltran, the facilities engineering manager at UPS, and Nalix Otero, an emergency assistance representative at Toledo Pathway, were all recognized for their contributions to different occupational sectors of Toledo, and highlighted as a part of celebrating Hispanic Heritage.

Stefanie Reed, the HCM functional talent manager for Lucas County, celebrates her retirement. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

Then Stefanie Reed, the HCM functional talent manager for Lucas County, was recognized and celebrated as she retires from the county.

Before any of the festivities, the commissioners approved a petition to allow the City of Sylvania to annex a portion of Sylvania Township, Parcel No. 78-06791, through Annexation Petition No. 2025-2.

After all the celebrations, Michael Hart presented item 9, which was approved: the Lucas County Responsible Contractor Policy. Hart said this policy allows “entities wishing to do construction-related work with the county to apply to be pre-qualified. They’ll then have a certificate and be on a list where they can do work with the county at any point in time.”

Part of the criteria the county is gauging with the policy is how “responsible” contractors are, and Hart said this measure of responsibility could be used to determine bid packages in the future.

Jessica Ford, the county administrator, jumped ahead on the agenda to item 14, dedicated to amending the price-per-meal for the county jail.

For this item, Gerken presented a sample jail meal for each commissioner.

Holding the cafeteria tray next to his head, Commissioner Gerken showed those in attendance the gray array of food, and invited those around him to try some of the food if they wanted.

“Look, I know we’re not at a point where we can build a new jail right now,” Gerken said. “That does not mean we cannot do things better, and to the highest point of quality that we can for the people that are currently there.”

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken showed a cafeteria plate from the jail featuring a customary meal. (TFP photo by Stephen Zenner)

The price-per-meal is currently at $2.78 per meal, and Gerken said he would talk with Sheriff Michael Navarre to see if they could get better meals during negotiations starting next year.

County Engineer Mike Pnieski backtracked to items 10 and 11. Item 10 he explained as a trade of land between the county and Metroparks Toledo, so that Lucas County could finish its roundabout at the intersection of Monclova and Wilkins Roads.

Lucas County Canine Care & Control received approval to waive impound feeds for dogs between October 4-8, 2025.

County facilities was given approval to enter into a contract to look into moisture intrusion remediation at the jail.

The county administration led into executive session by asking and receiving to advertise the application for domestic violence shelter providers.

ABLE votes to unionize

By

Stephen Zenner

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September 19, 2025

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1000010506 (1) — Alex Navarro and child, Taylor Ford, Elisa Fuentes, and Brandy Keesee celebrating after the vote count, in Dayton. (Courtesy photo)

TOLEDO – After almost a year of planning, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), a nonprofit law firm supporting low-income people, voted on Aug. 22 to unionize.

“Since we had a one mail-in ballot, we did have to wait to get our results,” said Kara Ford, a senior attorney with ABLE. The union election votes were counted on Sept. 10.

“Our vote count was on [last] Wednesday at the Toledo office, and we did win our election in favor of unionizing, so we’re super excited,” she said.

According to Ford and the Northeast/Midwest servicing representative from the United Auto Workers (UAW), Ben Dormus, the vote was 28 votes in favor and 19 against.

“The workers won with 60 percent support for the Union,” Dormus said. If management at ABLE has no objections to the election the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will certify the results of the election, something Dormus expects will happen by the end of the week. Pending the certification, ABLE will then become the newest bargaining unit in UAW Local 2320 the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW).

Ben Dormus (NOLSW), Gwen Short (ABLE), Pam Smith (NOLSW), Kara Ford, Lance Rhines (NOLSW), Jennifer Moog (ABLE), and Jennifer Behnfeldt (ABLE) immediately following the official vote count at the Toledo office on the Sept. 10. (Courtesy photo)

In the past, ABLE employees alleged four unfair labor practices:

8(a)(1) Coercive Actions (Surveillance, etc)
8(a)(1) Interrogation (including Polling)
8(a)(1) Coercive Statements (Threats, Promises of Benefits, etc.)
8(a)(1) Coercive Rules

Dormus said those four charges are still in process with the NLRB, but also said, “We’ve been given no indication from them [ABLE management] that they intend to object to the election.”

“The executive director sent out an email following the election acknowledging the democratic will of the workers and indicating that they are prepared for this process,” he said.

As soon as the election to unionize is certified, ABLE employees will run elections for their executive committee and then the bargaining committee. Altogether, the new union hopes to begin bargaining with management within roughly a month, deciding more quickly on non-economic articles, and then expects to take about a year to write up a full contract with economic articles.

“The promise is that we get to bargain over things,” Ford said, as ABLE employees prepare to step into a new chapter at ABLE.

With these new responsibilities, Ford said the union hopes first and foremost to bargain for better pay for their lower paid staff, then a better healthcare plan, increased sick leave and then move onto formalizing a better workplace culture.

Ford hopes these changes will increase retention for employees at ABLE and said, “I really think it will have a meaningful impact on turnover.” Continuity between ABLE and the people they are helping, she said was important “to be able to serve our clients well.”

Five ABLE employee roles are currently disputed as to whether they should be included in the bargaining unit. Dormus mentioned the dispute can be resolved informally, directly with ABLE management, or through a hearing process with the NLRB.

The official statement from ABLE’s management on all aspects of the ABLE staff unionizing was: “Leadership does not plan to make an affirmative media statement at this time.”

Anthony Wayne Area Senior Connection to launch Sept. 20

By

Karen Gerhardinger

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September 19, 2025

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Hope guys — Whitehouse Chief Operating Officer Josh Hartbarger, Hope United Methodist Church Discipleship Director Steve Winters and Whitehouse Mayor Richard Bingham stand in front of the church at 10610 Waterville Street in Whitehouse - where a weekly Anthony Wayne Area Senior Connection program is set to launch on Saturday, Sept. 20. (TPF photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

WHITEHOUSE – Anthony Wayne-area seniors now have a reason to rise a little earlier on Saturday mornings, as a new program beginning Saturday, Sept. 20 offers a free breakfast, informational programming and plenty of time for socializing with peers.

The Anthony Wayne Area Senior Connection program, hosted by the Village of Whitehouse and Hope United Methodist Church, will debut this weekend and run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 10610 Waterville Street in Whitehouse.

“This is a chance for people to get out and get together with friends and meet new people,” said Steve Winters, Hope’s director of discipleship.

The morning begins with a continental breakfast, such as bagels, pastries, yogurt and fruit, and time to socialize. At 10 a.m., the program begins, with guest speakers, games and hands-on activities.

“We’re still developing the calendar, but so far we have a lot of positive feedback,” said Village Chief Operating Officer Josh Hartbarger, who is working with the Area Office on Aging and local businesses and organizations for programming. He expects to share the rest of the 2025 calendar of speakers at whitehouseoh.gov in the coming days.

Mayor Rich Bingham is the first speaker, discussing “What’s New In Whitehouse.” Among the new projects he’ll discuss will be plans for a new Whitehouse Library, which Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is planning to build at Blue Creek Metropark along Waterville Street within the next two years.

“We’ve asked the Library to consider including space for a senior center in that new building,” Bingham said.

When he was first on Village Council eight years ago, Bingham said he teamed up with council member Louann Artiaga to explore ways to bring a senior center to the village, as it’s one of the top requests on village surveys.

While Anthony Wayne-area residents have access to the Maumee Senior Center and its programming, often people prefer to stay closer to home, with an opportunity to socialize with people they know, he said.

“This is a connection to your community, with people that you trust,” Bingham said. “Seniors need something to do, especially those who are widowed and single.”

Hope is also familiar with the need for a senior gathering, as the church previously hosted well-attended Wednesday luncheons for many years before the pandemic, Winters said. He saw how seniors flocked to those lunches not just for the food but for an opportunity to visit with others. While those labor-intensive lunches are no longer held, Winters said members of his discipleship group were recently brainstorming ideas for a way to serve the community and all arrive at the same idea: programming for seniors.

“The partnership between local government and the nonprofit church is the perfect fit, and will give us a way to bring back that connection we lost during Covid,” Hartbarger said.

By hosting the Anthony Wayne Area Senior Connection on Saturday, guests will also have access to the Hope Chest, the church’s resale shop that is stocked with reasonably priced clothing, housewares, toys, books and games. This is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon as well. In addition to built-in time for socializing, programming and shopping, volunteers with medical backgrounds will offer simple health checks as well, Winters said.

For information on programming, contact the village at 419-877-5383 or visit whitehouseoh.gov.

AW Board Member Resigns, Disagrees With Censure

By

Karen Gerhardinger

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September 18, 2025

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School Board sign — The Anthony Wayne Board of Education held a special meeting on Sept. 18 to consider disciplinary action against board member Shellie McKnight. (TFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

ANTHONY WAYNE – Anthony Wayne Board of Education member Shellie McKnight will resign effective Dec. 31, Board President Kyle Miller announced during a special meeting on Sept. 18.

The board also voted to censure McKnight, following criticism of a laughing emoji she used in response to an article on activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting, posted on her personal Facebook page on Sept. 11. McKnight stated during a Sept. 15 meeting that the emoji choice was an accident – a result of not using prescription glasses while perusing Facebook out in the sun.

Shellie McKnight, a retired educator, has served on the board since Jan. 1, 2024. She will resign on Dec. 31, 2025. (TFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

The board members, including Miller, Jeff Baden, Lindsay Hoipkemier and Mike Stamm, voted in favor of the censure, while McKnight voted against it. A school board censure is a resolution that officially reprimands a member for policy violation, misconduct or unprofessional behavior, according to a release from district Superintendent Kevin Herman.

“It’s a public display of ‘we don’t approve of what she’s done on her social media,’” Miller said.

The censure, McKnight said, was inappropriate.

“What they are accusing me of had nothing to do with my actual work while I was on the board, doing board work…and that work has been exemplary,” she said.

The board asked her to step down from the policy board committee, and she agreed, but McKnight will remain on the curriculum committee until Dec. 31. Hoipkemier is also on the curriculum committee, and said it’s given her a chance to connect with McKnight over the past year and a half.

“I have no ill feelings toward Shellie about the situation. It’s not a personal matter,” Hoipkemier said during the meeting. “I just truly feel that the resignation…should be effective today. I would prefer it would be effective immediately.”

After the meeting, McKnight said she was the one to call for the executive session to explain her reasons why she’s resigning.

“It had nothing to do with the Charlie Kirk fiasco,” said McKnight, explaining that she was already planning to speak with Herman about resigning in October, because of “personal and private health and family issues.”

She pushed to remain on through the end of the year to tie up loose ends, including work on the curriculum committee – where she has utilized her experience as retired educator. On the board, and on the committee, McKnight said she plans to continue to promote the school, the teachers, the students and to work to maintain the district’s reputation as being in the top 5 percent in Ohio.

The Anthony Wayne Board of Education met on Sept. 18 and voted to censure Shellie McKnight (at right). McKnight also announced plans to resign effective Dec. 31. Pictured are (from left) Assistant Superintendent Kevin Pfefferle, Treasurer Kerri Johnson, Superintendent Kevin Herman, Board President Kyle Miller, and board members Jeff Baden, Lindsay Hoipkemier, Mike Stamm and McKnight. (TFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)

“I am extremely sorry that any of this has happened to affect the Anthony Wayne school district, its excellent, fantastic teachers and the great kids,” she said.

With McKnight’s resignation, the board will take applications and go through an interview process to fill her position, similar to one used when Andy Prine resigned in June 2022 to move out of the district for work.

“We would as a board decide on a fitting candidate to fill the rest of her term,” Miller said.

McKnight took office on Jan. 1, 2024 and her term ends Dec. 31, 2027.

“We’ll look for somebody that’s not so active on social media,” Miller said, adding that he expects the board to review its policy on social media use.

McKnight advised that any new school board member should learn about how a board functions by reading and going to classes in Columbus, staying focused on school issues and keeping in touch with community members.

She Kills Monsters premieres at UToledo Planetarium

By

Quinn Cooper

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September 18, 2025

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TOLEDO – An Issue Box Theater production, She Kills Monsters, a drama comedy based around the cult classic tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons, premieres at the University of Toledo this weekend.

The play, written by Qui Nguyen, weaves together fantasy action alongside a heartfelt coming-of-age storyline as Agnes Evans (played by Mikayla Trimpey) tries to reconnect with her deceased sister, Tilly Evans (played by Marian Marlatt).

Agnes embarks on an exploration of a D&D storyline that her sister made before her passing; however, as Agnes progresses in her storyline, it becomes clear that there was much more to her sister than she previously knew.

Held at the University of Toledo’s Ritter Planetarium, the story will utilize a state-of-the-art projector roof and surround sound to bring an immersive experience to the audience as the actors surround them.

“We venture into the center aisle a lot, which is fun,” Trimpey said. “It’ll be interesting in that it’s not a traditional proscenium style.”

(Rehearsal photos courtesy of Riley Runnells)

She Kills Monsters is also the directorial debut for Riley Runnells. She has been in the field mostly as a choreographer in the production teams before, but this story puts her at the helm.

“I’m very excited about this show; it’s very special in the sense that our audience will leave with such a poignant message” Runnells said. “It deals with grief, love, loss and many other heavy themes, but it’s told through a lens that is easily relatable and digestible for most ages and audiences to enjoy.”

The play will premiere at University of Toledo’s Ritter Planetarium on Sept. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., and on September 21 at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets for the event, visit the Issue Box Theatre website.

TFP photos by Quinn Cooper