Note:  Over the last 25 years I have taken thousands of photos of the people of Mercer and Auglaize Counties and their events and activities.

          I have included several of these for your enjoyment.  Many of them are from stories published in Knappsnews.com at some earlier date. Some of them are from current events.   Photo Gallery II on Reflections.htm page has the recent photos updated spring, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan and Nathan Brunswick, Future Physician and Pharmacist; Anne Larger,  Renee Kinney, Co-Directors of  Health Fair

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Science: Glenn Hux, Chuck Alig, Matt Lange                                     Tri Star:  Paul Woeste

 

    Coldwater/Tri Star Vo Ag: Denny Riethman                               Steve Keller and Tim Buschur

 

Language Arts: Joyce Howell, Scott Brinkman, Chris Miller, Devon Willy, Shelly Finke; Music: Dan Ruckman, Cindy Wendel

  

Language Arts: Ellen Hecht, Tom Giesige, Sophia Rodriquez (Spanish), Health: Deb Smith

    

        John Reed and Paul Woeste        Counselor John Reed reviews schedule with student and mother

 

        Teachers meet with students and parents      Math: Mike Bruns, Mindy Knapke, Jason Hemmelgarn, Jodi Miller

 

Social Studies: Pete Lisi, Mark Hamburg, Dan Pohlman, Thad Forsthoefel;  Art: Nick Wenning

 

Tim Buschur meets with student and parent      Consumer Science: Lori Rammel and Paula Cox

 

 

       Rusty Vorhees, Chairman and Emcee                                   Tom Robbins, Auctioner          

 

         Robert E. Shinn and Rusty Vorhees                                       Todd Cummins and Rusty Vorhees

 

                 Jack and Rusty Vorhees                                                  Tim Pearson,  Mercer County Fair Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissioneers Bob Nuding, Jim Zehringer, Jerry Laffin           Kim Bell,  Kim Everman, Tonya Nagel, Bob Nuding

                                                                                                                     Jim Zehringer, Jerry Laffin

 

          Larry Stelzer says good-bye to Jim Zehringer                                  Jim Zehringer and Myron Hartings

 

         Jim Zehringer, Myron Hartings, Ron Puthoff                           Jim Zehringer reviews some final action

 

    Jared Ebbing wishes Jim Zehringer good luck               Jim Zehringer is a good listener (knappsphoto file)

 

     Commissioners Jim Zehringer, Jerry Laffin, and Bob Nuding busy at work

                 Good Luck, Jim, from all of us in Mercer County

 

 

     Gary Steinbrunner, Master of Ceremonies                                     Larry Keller, Auctioneer

    

               Mort Pugh and Ticket Girl                                                             The Ticket Takers

 

         Pat Schmitt, Vice President                                             Gary Steinbrunner leads the group in prayer

   

            Preparing to sell more tickets                                                      The Balloon Game was a big hit

 

 Brian Miller, Secretary sells more balloons                      It was another full house at the annual banquet

 

           More of the crowd as they gather for dinner                                          More balloons are sold

 

           Checking out the displays and prizes                                                    Overlooking the hall

 

       Art work for auction included these two famous paintings of rural life of  pheasants and wild turkeys

 

                Items for auction included this lamp and a weekend at Grand Lake St. Marys

   

            This cardinal perched on a hatchet and 100 pheasant chicks sponsored by Pat Schmitt

 

 

                a  welcome sign and triangle                                                     this fireplace screen and set

 

    guns and ammo and supplies were included                         Gary Steinbrunner holds up a prize for a lucky person

 

      more supplies including a blind heater,                                        blankets, caps, and carrying cases

      Another very successful Mercer County Pheasants Forever Banquet

 

 

               Jim Zehringer presents National Blue Ribbon Award to former high school principal Ed Snyder

 

High School  Principal Dave Warvel  introduces Blue Ribbon Celebration;  State Representative to-be Jim Zehringer

 

          State Senator Keith Faber                                             Probate/Juvenile Judge Mary Pat Zitter

 

    Retired Elementary Principal Nancy Knapke (c)                  Ed Snyder (r) has returned this year as fellow teacher.

 

            Board members are congratulated.                                        The kids lined up to cheer their teachers.

 

Senator Faber Congratulates a teacher .          Fort Recovery educators celebrate their Blue Ribbon Award.

 

   The cheerleaders celebrate the Blue Ribbon Award.          Fort Recovery students celebrate the Blue Ribbon Award.

 

The Community celebrates the Blue Ribbon Award.      The teachers line up to "high five" the basketball team.

 

Even the school photographer celebrates the award.   It was a special night between the JV and Varsity basketball games.

 

 

Jim Coons, Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber Director  recognizes outgoing Chamber  president,  Mark Cisco

 

Cory Noonan, representing Congressman Jim Jordan                   State Senator Keith Faber

 

              State Senator Steve Buehrer                                                    Representative Cliff Hite

 

                   Representative John Adams                                                     Commissioner Doug Spencer

 

         New Knoxville Mayor Keith Leffel                                       New Bremen Mayor Jeff  Pape

 

      Minster Mayor Dennis Kitzmiller                                          Cory Noonan and Keith Faber

 

 

       Jim Rentz, Master of Ceremonies        Neil Siefring, President of the Mercer County Cattlemen's Association

 

Sara Stoner, Ashley Fennig, Josh Werling, Kristen Homan                    Sara Homan and Kristen Homan

Ron Kohnen, Floyd Winner, Ernie Kuess, Linda Steinbrunner

 

       Floyd Winner, Linda Steinbrunner, Ernie Kuess                                     Ron Kohnen

 

Ron Kohnen, Floyd Winner, Linda Steinbrunner, Ernie Kuess;      Neil Siefring and Jim Rentz

 

                          John Siegel                                                         Trent Fredenburg

  

                     Sara Stoner                                                                     The Thein Snipps of Fort Recovery

   

 

 

    

            Jim Rentz,  Mule Train Driver  and the mules of the train, Roger Knapke nd Brother Don Fisher

 

  

 

          Ohio Governor Ted Strickland                            Fred Dailey, Outgoing Director of the Ohio Dept. of  Agriculture

 

     2006 Ohio Fairs Queen Meredith Logsdon                       Jay Begg,  Allen County Fair Manager

  

 Panel Moderator, Christina Minior,  Bonnie Miller, Connie Oates                   Connie Oates

  

            The Magic of the Caplingers                                                                Sam Mazzola and "Lakota"

   

        Lakota enjoys a snack of corn on the cobb                          This  Ferris Wheel was the largest display

  

             Model of the Ohio Center                                                   Paul Oechsle,  OFMA President

   

        Hannah Crossen, 2007 Ohio Fair's Queen                            Richard Cordray,  Ohio State Treasurer

    

  Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State                Fred Dailey recognizes Paul Oechsle

 

 

      Dr. Greg Schumm, Assistant Dean LC                    Chad Willrath and Wanda Dicke, Executive Director Mercer

                                                                       County Homeland Security and EMA

  

        Mike Robbins, Exercise Facilitator                                     Mike Robbins and Marty Emerine

 

                                Dr. Greg Schumm                                                                      Wanda Dicke

 

 Lt. Tom Brookhart, Wanda Dicke, Lt. Dan Lay, Mike Robbins; Carl Metzger, Mike Pohlman, Dr. Greg Schumm

     

Lura Clapper, Jerry Hagan, Alan Smith, Michael Coons; Matt Grunden and Connie Coons, Sheriff's Office

  

Chief Doug Kuhn and Doug Wolters, Celina Fire Dept;               Chad Willrath and Wanda Dicke

 

      Lt. Tom Brookhart and Lt. Dan Lay, OSHP                 Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Doug Johnson,

                                                                                                     Aaron Books, and Kim Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

  

 

   

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

a                 Abby Tobe                                                         Renee Albers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Jim Godwin with his favorite 1954 50th anniversary model; Jim and Mary Godwin; Sharon and Jim Zehringer

 

               

 

 

 

Marilyn Ruhlen, one of many volunteers who helped with the Festival of Trees;Warren Kramer with his model train display

  

  

 

 

  

  

Norm Van Tilburg, President; Bill Now; Officers relax at the conference table in front of the mural of Rockford 1820

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

Nancy Knapke and Karen Schroer

 

Shelly Vaughn and Nancy Knapke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Dixie Pohlman holds the pig as Terry Padden kisses it

 

                Terry Padden brings flowers and candles for this once in a lifetime occasion "to kiss a pig."

 

            With flowers and candle in place,  the pig is delivered for the kiss of  Mercer Health's CEO.

 

          The little pig prepares for its fate;  the CEO prepares for his--pig meets man, man meets pig.

 

                      Kissing a pig sounds easy enough; just try it some time.  Ask Terry Padden.

 

                  And its kisses all around as the media works to get a good picture over and  over.

 

    Here it is, the moment of truth for over 700 canned goods for charity and a lasting touch and smell.

 

   The canned goods are on their way to local food pantries and the holidays and this little piggy goes home.

 

 

Susan Heitkamp, Executive Director of United Way of Auglaize County;  Cindy Young, Winner of Area Diners Club Award

Kevin Harlan, JTDMH CEO; Cindy Gaerke, Coordinator of Employee Campaign

 

Megan Jurosic,  Buckeye "Cheerleader"            Steering Committee: Cindy Gaerke, chairperson, (not in order)

                                                                                       Julie Jacobs, Melinda Gehret, Cheryl Braun, Marty Wisener, Angie Brown

 

     Susan Heitkamp and JTDMH Steering Committee                JTDMH Staff enjoy the Ice Cream Social

 

Kay Louth of The Evening Leader interviews Cindy Young;  Susan Heitkamp congratulates members of  the Steering Com.

 

       Kevin Harlan congratulates Cindy Gaerke                     The favorite was the three-flavored banana split

 

Susan Heitkamp, Kevin Harlan, and Cindy Gaerke share a moment; Kevin Harlan enjoys strawberry ice cream

 

More hospital employees stop by for the ice cream            Local businesses provided donations and prizes

 

Outstanding 4-H Members Lydia Ranly and Jen Huser

 

Friends of 4-H Jim Rentz, Brenda Powell, Family of Jerry Heiby

 

                         "4-H is for You"                                   Barb Phares, 4-H Youth Development, Extension Educator

 

Linda Broering,  President of the 4-H Committee                   Brenda Broering,  Mistress of Ceremony

 

                                             Coldwater Show Choir under the direction of Ms. Cindy Wendel

 

 

                                                   Barb Phares presents advisor awards

 

    Members of the late Jerry Heiby family  receive Friend of 4-H Award;   Brenda Powell receives Friend of 4-H Award

Outstanding Livestock Records

Outstanding Livestock Records

Club Recordkeeping Awards

Honor Club Awards

 

            Outstanding Camp Counselors                                                             Mary Geier  explains Craft Fundraiser

 

Barb Phares, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator;   Part of the large crowd attending the 4-H Annual Banquet

 

  Barb Phares presents 4-H awards at the banquet          4-H Advisors: Tony Broering, 31 years; Dick Van Tilburg 33 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

Robert Thompson, Rockford Citizen of the Year                   J. R. Sigler, Master of Ceremonie and  LuAnn Sigler

 

   LuAnn Sigler, 2005 Citizen of the Year announces this year's winner and Bob Thompson and his wife find out

 

      LuAnn Sigler proudly presents the award to Bob Thompson who is shown graciously accepting it

 

        Ohio Representative Keith Faber presents a Proclamation from the Ohio House of  Representatives

 

Commissioner Jim Zehringer presents a proclamation from the Commissioners; family gathers for photo

 

The "Bob Thompson extended family" celebrates the happy occasion              Herb Tripp congratulates Bob Thompson

 

 

    Vice President Bryan Sutton announces new members and Treasurer Bob Thompson presents plaque to them

 

Bob Thompson presents plaque to Jeff Long, Village of Rockford Administrator as members and guests look on

 

    Another photo of guests and members as Bob Thompson gives the Annual Chamber of Commerce report

 

     Parkway Schools Superintendent Doug Karst and Village Administrator Jeff  Long give annual updates

 

  Shannon Wagner directs the Parkway High School Show Choir now with instrumental accompaniment

 

       "Karizzma" featured this soloist,  patriotic music, and song and dance of the Parkway Show Choir

 

 More photos of the Parkway Show Choir and trumpeter who entertained at the Rockford Chamber Banquet

 

           Parkway Schools and Director Shannon Wagner can be proud of their excellent Show Choir

    

       Congressmen John Boehner and Paul Gillmor                     Ken Blackwell, Republican candidate for governor

 

                         John Boehner                                                                          Paul Gillmor

 

Owen Hall, Chairman of the Mercer County Republican Party; Ohio Representative Keith Faber, Master of Ceremonies

 

Greg Hartmann, Republican Candidate for Secretary of State;  Lippy Cupp for Bob Cupp for Ohio Supreme Court

 

  Jim Zehringer for Mercer County Commissioner                Dave Kaiser for Mercer County Auditor

 

    Bob Hibner,  Blackwell for Governor Mercer County Chairman;     Reverend  Bruce Head

 

      Congressmen Paul Gillmor and John Boehner                             Jim Zehringer and Bob Hibner

 

               A large crowd turned out for the Mercer County Republican Party Annual Hog Roast

 

             Congressman John Boehner autographs campaign flyer for Billy Tuttle of St. Marys, Ohio

 

 

                          John Coe                                                                                        Toni Slusser

 

                             Sara Beiler                                                                                  Dave Kaiser

 

                          Mark Giesige                                                                       Jeff  Schwieterman

 

                        Jim Zehringer                                                                              Keith Faber

 

                         Tom Zitter                                                            Community Leaders at Legislative Forum

Dr. Chuck Ciampaglio leads the class on a hunt for ammonite fossils on Rusty Lytle's ranch in Wasta, South Dakota (photo submitted)

 

  The Wright State University Geology Class looks for and finds ammonites on a recent field trip in South Dakota. John Contreras of  Mendon splits open nodules that contain ammonite fossils  (photos submitted)

  

Black Hills Institute where fossils are cleaned (photo submitted)  View of Canyons from 1-70 in Utah (photo submitted)

  

Jennalee Ziegler, Celina finds a clam fossil at Como Bluffs, Wyoming; Dinosaur tracks west of Denver (photos submitted)

  

Dinosaur tracks, west of  Denver  (photo submitted)   Edgemont, South Dakota (photo submitted)

  

Hail storm in Utah (photo submitted)  Mammoth remains where they fell with museum build around them in Hot Springs, Yellows Springs National Park (photo submitted)

  

Red Rocks Amphitheater , west of Denver (photo submitted)      South Dakota Badlands National Park (photo submitted)

  

Skull of Stan T. Rex, Black Hills Institute, Hill City, South Dakota (photo submitted); Ben Riege, Dayton and Ryan Steinbrunner, Fort Recovery examine their findings at Tad Rust's outdoor fossil prep lab near Rapid City, South Dakota (photo submitted)