Photo Gallery II

Tom Knapke, Master of Ceremonies

Dave Puthoff, Cattleman of the Year

Kylee Selhorst, 2008 Queen; Scholarship winner

Holly Werling, Scholarship Winner

Travis Hart, Scholarship Winner

Tyler Muhlenkamp, Scholarship Winner

Sam Sutherly, Ohiio Cattlemen's Association

Steve McDonagh, Magician

Glen and June Florence, Mary and Dr. Heinrich, grandson; Ken Taylor, Doris Rutschilling, Jim Weichart, Auctioneer Tom Robbins

Second Place, Caitlin Pearson and father; June Florence, Steve Schulte, Glenn Florence, Tom Robbins

Market Steers

Grand Champion Steer sets record of $5700

Grand Champion steer was sold by Ben Sefring

Reserve Champion Steer brings $2900

Reserve Champion was sold by Derek Knapke

Grand Champion Dairy Steer was sold by Neal Sudhoff

Grand Champion Dairy Steer

Reserve Champion Fitted Steer

Was sold by Austin Harner

World War II Veterans

(front row l to r) Adrian Kaup, Richard Speck, Ralph Ranly, Jerry Greishop, Ralph Staugler, Charles Gaerke

(second row) Don Huelskamp, Andy Moeller, Lester Huelskamp, Don Alig, Ivo Brockman, Charlie Hein

Veterans from World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, spouses and widows met with Senator Bob Dole (back row left)

Adrian Kaup, Senator Bob Dole, Jerry Grieshop received the Purple Heart in WW II

Senator Bob Dole who led  efforts to construct the WW II Memorial was on hand to  meet with the veterans

Senator Dole poses with the ladies of the group

Senator Dole poses with the soldiers of Fort Recovery area

State Representative Jim Zehringer and Senator Bob Dole

Senator Dole talks about the construction of the World War II Memorial

Betty Bechtol and Gertrude Perryjohn

Millie Will and Rita Schroer

Rose Gruss and Bernie Wendel

Edward Obringer, Paul Keller, Ralph Staugler

Richard and Eddie Speck

Charlie Hein and Ralph Ranly

Ivo and Norma Brackman

Charles and Betty Gaerke

Adrian and Bernice Kaup

Clete and Delores Schmitz

Dennis and Pat Denney

Jerry and Norma Grieshop

Andy Moeller and Ron Moeller

Don and Vera Alig

Lester Huelskamp and Don Huelskamp

John and Marceil Alig

Paul and Ruth Backs

State Repesentative Jim Zehringer  looked after all the members of the group

and was much appreciated

Tour Guide Sharon Clouse; Bus Driver Bill Clouse

Veterans are sent on their way by Larry Keller, coordinator (c)

Larry Keller and Mike Kahlig, coordinators of the trip

Trip Coordinator,  Larry Keller

State Representative Jim Zehringer

Tour Guide, Sharon Clouse

Bus Driver Bill Clouse welcomes members on trip to Washington D.C.

Dr. Richard VanHorn, Linda Schwegman, Lyn Brophy, Todd Brophy, Mike Brophy, Dr Andy Smith, Lou Ann Harrold

                                   Dr. Andy Smith                                                                 Dr. Smith congratulates Todd Brophy

  Dr. Van Horn was the Keynote Speaker                          Lou Ann Harrold, from the State Board of  Education of  Ohio

Todd Brophy of St. Henry was named Mercer County Winner                             His teacher,  Linda Schwegman

                            John Bonvillian of Celina                                                      His teacher,  Jason Tribolet

                  Melina Miller of  Parkway                                                             Her teacher, Alan Post

                 Ashley Kanney of Coldwater                                                                                 Her teacher, Pete Lisi

            Amy Droesch of Marion Local                                                   Her teacher, Becky Bruns

             Kylie Metzger of  Fort  Recovery                                        Her teacher, Kathy Schwieterman

Gregg Homan, American Degree 2008

Jenna Boeckman, Melissa Bruns, Nicole Griesdorn, Alex Uhlenhake, Craig Harting State FFA Degree 2008

Donna Grube and Amir Eylon

Amir Eylon

Brian Miller, Ambassador of the Year

Brian Miller and Joe Lenhart

Neal Brady and Tom Fledderjohn, Miami Erie Canal Corridor Association

Stahr Award 2007

Jim Coons, Neal Brady and Tom Fledderjohn

Josh Hines, President's Award and Larry Stelzer, President

Amir Eylon and Larry Stelzer

Donna Grube, Amir Eylon, Larry Stelzer

Jeni Bertke, Office Administrator

Greg Myers, Master of  Ceremonies

Table Display Bicycle Museum

Over 95 attended the Luncheon

Lighthouse Table Display

Larry Stelzer and Donna Grube

Jim Coons

Joe Lenhart

Brian Miller

Larry Stelzer

Neal Brady

Jeremy Siegrist, Caitlen Gehret, Dan Brackman,  Zach Guggenbiller Tyler Huelskamp

Jeremy Siegrist,  Dan Brackman,  Tyler Huelskamp

Zach Guggenbiller, Caitlen Gehret

American FFA Degrees

State FFA Degrees

Dustin Homan, State FFA President

Tim Wurster and Nick  Karper

Paul Donavon, Steve Seitz, Jerry Rutledge

President Steve Seitz

Fair Manager Steve Schulte

Steve Seitz and Steve Schulte

Steve Schulte and Steve Seitz

Steve Schulte and Jeff Selhorst

Secretary Jackie Lacy

Steve Seitz, Steve Schulte, Jeff Selhorst, Jackie Lacy

Kara Uhlenhake

Sharon Zehringer, Citizen of the Year; Kathy Thobe, Janet McCain, Bill Bechtol. Hall of Fame

Kyla Metzger, Scholarship Winner; Best Landscaping; Overall Community Improvement Awards

Sharon and Jim Zehringer

The Meiring Sisters: Nancy Knapke, Shron Zehringer, Helen LeFevre

Mayor's Community Service Award: Fort Recovery Community Foundation

Nancy Knapke, Sharon Zehringer, Helen LeFevre; Ted Shuttleworth, Carol Knapke, Judge Mary Pat Zitter (missing from photo, B.J. Miner)

Chamber President, David Warvel

Ted Romer, Presented Home Beautification Awards

Dr. Ed Hosbach, Emcee

Kyla Metzger, Scholarship Winner

Most Improved Commercial Property, Mercer County Electric

Overall Community Imrovement Award--Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Roessner

Chris Keller recognizes her mother, Kathy Tobe

Bill Bechtol is recognized by Randy Diller

Sharon Zehringer,  Fort Recovery Citizen of the Year

Jim Zehringer recognizes Janet McCain

Senator Keith Faber presents proclamations

Beth Westgerdes, Greg Knapke, children of Dr. Thomas Knapke; Bill Ringo, Kent Paxson, Margaret Schmit

Bill Ringo, Citizen of the Year

Kent Paxson, Visions Award; Business of the Year

Margaret Schmit, Humanitarian Award

Beth Westgerdes, Greg Knapke, children of Dr. Thomas Knapke, Achievement Award

Steve Schulze, outgoing president; Thomas  Lisk, speaker; Jared Ebbing, new president

John Coe, Emcee

Steve Schulte, Outgoing president

Jared Ebbing, incoming president

Thomas Lisk, featured speaker

Pam Buschur,  Executive Director of Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce

              Rusty Vorhees President of the Mercer County Harness Horsemen Association

             Ann Vorhees  Sandy, and Jack Vorhees                      Rusty Vorhees and Tom Robbins, Auctioneer

           Steve Boroff and Rusty Vorhees                         Rob Wendel, Rusty Vorhees, and Jim Bader

 Casey Rolfes, Rusty Rolfes,  and Gary Beckstedt               Barb Fall, Rusty Vorhees, and Dave Fall

                Ron Wulber and Rusty Vorhees                                            Auctioneer Tom Robbins

Steve Schulte, Mercer County Fair Manager                                        Award  Plaques

   Rusty Vorhees and Jerry Bollenbacher                        Auctioneer assisting Tom Robbins

                                                 Drawing and Awarding of  Door Prize

Doug Collins, Habitat Chairman presents Conservationist of the Year Award to Ted and Julie Ruchty

          Jonas Foote, Emcee                                      David Graham, Department Chief of Wildlife, ODNR

Gary Steinbrunner gave the invocation          Brian Miller, Treasurer speakers with David Graham

Judy Frysinger is presented shotgun by ticket girl                          Don Ballinger

                         Todd Homan                                                         Pat Schmitt winner and member

                        Cody Daniels                                   Mr. and Mrs Aaron Hart, "Pick of the Litter"

Jenny Bertke had the right key; Mort Pugh, Brian Miller; Judge Mary Pat Zitter, Attorney Dan Myers wins revolver;  asGary Steinbrunner looks on

                                         Senator Keith Faber with Gary Steinbrunner (r)

                                                                      Representative Jim Zehringer (2 left) and friends

        Auctioneer Larry Keller and his wife                               Young hunter Wyatt Jutte

            Jonas Foote                    Ticket Girls: Teria Judy, Mindy Homan, Allison Basket, Kristen Bandis (not in order)

          Judge Mary Pat Zitter                                     Attorney Dan Myers wins the Reverse Bingo Raffle

                               Brian Miller helps the  winner unlock the "locked Gun in a case"

Jenny Bertke  celebrates "unlocking the gun in a case"

         James F. Dicke II, Keynote Speaker                             Frances Strickland, First Lady of Ohio

Rachel Barber, Wapakoneta Anniversary Chair Lady     Rev. Leah Matthews, New Bremen Church of Christ

       Color Guard  New Bremen American Legion                    Lauryn Bertke,  New Bremen High School

    Commissioner John Bergman                          New Bremen Mayor Jeffrey Pape

           Wapakoneta Mayor Rodney Metz                                   Wapakoneta High School Student

Students from Wapakoneta and New Bremen High Schools  Rev. R. J. Davis, Wapakoneta First United Methodist

Elliot Schuler, Daniel Sprague, Lanae Caudill, Lauryn Bertke

                                                  Auglaize County Courthouse

             Ashley Westerfield                          Ashley Westerfield, Pete and Mindy Lisi, Teresa Smith

       Ashley Westerfield and staff members                                            Pete Lisi, Keynote Speaker

   Linda Thieman, R.N. (right) with another helper

                          Tom Risch                                                                 Tom Risch and Jerry Rutledge

State Representative Zehringer; Jim Zehringer, Sgt 1st Class Joseph Witern, Private Cody Weber, Com. Paul Donavon

David Hanselmann congratulates Leroy Johnsman and his wife Ruth

       Chairman and Emcee Bob Pohlman                             Secretary Brother Don Fisher gave the invocation

     Administrator/Education Specialist Nikki Hawk; David Hanselmann, Chief Division of Soil and Water Conservation

         Matt Heckler,  District Technician              Laura Walker, Grand Lake/Wabash Watershed Coordinator

Scott Piper,  Dan Knapke, and Rick Muhlenkamp        Thomas families named Outstanding Cooperators

  Rex Brookhart, Lake Erie CREP Award                           Jeremy Siegrist and Travis Guggenbiller

      Theresa Howick, Kevin Bettinger, Larry Poppe                                  Leroy Johnsman

                                                       The Sisters of the Disorder

It was a full house at the 63rd annual SWCD Banquet

Luke VanTilburg,  Emcee for Legislative Breakfast                      Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey

         Celina Mayor Sharon LaRue                                         Opponent for Mayor Ron Hammonds

J  .  Matthew Sawmiller for city auditor                                Emily Stewart for city auditor

         "June" Scott for City Council                                      Jeff Larmore  for City Council

              Bill Sell for City Council                                        Sophia Rodriguez for City Council

    Harry Sunderland for City Council                         Teresa Smith, Executive Director of  Gateway

Shay Boroff  won the grand champion costume contest.     The "Costume Train" coming down the street

                               Here is a photo of the finalists for each age level

Al Lefeld, Past President; Margie Hoops, President Coldwater Chamber of Commerce

Alice Proach, Denise Myers, secretaries; Bob Dailey, operator; Scott Bowen, operator; Dennis Schwieterman, Plant Operation Manager;  Scott Boulis, Manager; Wayne Bollenbacher, operator

           Dave Puthoff, Land O Lakes

Representative Jim Zehringer, Tom Saddler, Kelly Shane, Lou Schiavone, Mayor Sharon LaRue

Austin Harner with Grand Champion Steer ($4850 new record)

Austin Harner Mercer County Junior Cattlemen and Grand Champion Steer

Jake Dirksen, St. Henry FFA  and Gallon of Dairy Cattle Milk ($100 a share)

Nathan Adams (Barnyard Center)  with Dozen Eggs ($1100) with Steve Seitz

Marisa Spoltman (Sewers and Growers)  with Grand Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits (for record $1550)

Craig Robbins of Creative Funtime 4-H with Reserve Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits ($300)

Kurt Jutte (Washington Winners 4-H Club) with Champion Pen of Market Turkeys ($825)

Michelle Thomas (Parkway FFA)  with reserve pen of Market Turkeys ($450)

Michelle Thomas (Parkway FFA) with Champion Pen of Roasters ($500)

Ethan Laffin  (Franklin Clovers  4-H) with Champion Pen of  Broilers ($300)

Aaron Bollenbacher (Parkway FFA)  with Reserve Pen of Roasters ($275)

Ben Siefring (Mercer Couty Junior Cattlemen) with Reserve Champion Steer (record setting $3200)

Tana Bergman (Fort Recovery FFA) with Grand Champion Dairy Steer ($950)

Brittany Muhlenkamp with Born and Raised Steer with father GaryMuhlenkamp

Lydia Schwieterman (Mercer County Junior Cattlemen) with Reserve Champion Dairy Steer ($900)   

Karissa Will (Barnyard Boosters) with record setting Reserve Champion Meat Goat ($1300)

Kandace Eichenauer of Hopewell 4-H with Grand Champion Market Hog ($1750)

Travis Kremer of Buckeye 88's with Reserve Champion Market Hog ($1750)

Craig Dues of Philothea Hustlers with Grand Champion Barrow ($1250)

Logan Bruggeman of Barnyard Boosters with Reserve Champion Barrow ($800)

Gallon of Dairy Cattle Milk

Gabe Eichenauer of Hopewell 4-H Club with Reserve Champion Market Lamb record setting $1000

Kevin Rose of St. Henry FFA  with Grand Champion Market Lamb record-setting $2150

Kevin Rose with Grand Champion Market Lamb

Tana Bergman of Fort Recoveyr FFA with Grand Champion Dairy Steer ($950)

Keith Wendel of T&C Frsiends with Gallon of Goat Milk ($25 a share)

Keith Wendel with Gallon of Goat Milk

Riggs Florenceof Washington Winners with Grand Champion Meat Goat for record-setting of $2450

  \

Allan Bills, Reynolds & Reynolds; CommissionerJohn Bruns; Mayor Sharon LaRue and Econ Director Larry Stelzer

                                         Celina Tent Company at the Coldwater facility

           Celina Tent Company                                                          Signature Four and Forty-Nine Degrees

       Signature Four  Forty Nine Degrees                                  CEO Paul Niekamp (right)

  Paul Niekamp and employer explain process at Signature Four;   Reynolds & Reynolds overseas division

           Mike Pax, CEO of  Pax Machine                                                Mike and Steve Pax, Pax Machine leaders

               Cheryl Groff,  CAPT  Associate                                           Kurt Dugan,  CAPT  Associate

    Sherri Ranly, CAPT  Associate  Molds of the Parts and Parts manufactured at CAPT

 Sean Logan, Director of the Department of Natural Resources;  Frank Murray, Emcee and Vice President LDC

Theresa Dirksen, Grand Lake Wabash Watershed Coordinator; Chris Gibbs, Director Farm Service Agency

Jim Dabbelt, President of the LDC                              Greg Schumm, Associate Dean of the Lake Campus

Dr. Mindy McNutt, Dean of the Lake Campus of WSU         Donna Grube, Director of Convention and Business Bureau

   Steve Maurer, Director of Natural Preserves                  David Hanselman, State Director of SWCD

     David Graham, State Director of Wildlife                         Dan West, State Director of Parks and Recreation

        Craig Morton, State Park Director                                         Frank Fouk,  Indian Lake Association

         Owen Hall presented award by Dan West                    State Representative Jim Zehringer addresses group

Reflections

       Welcome to knappsnews “Reflections.”  This page is designed to share with the readers personal accounts of the people in this area.  These are true-to-life stories that sometimes include “poetic license.”  Unlike James Frey, author of the infamous "A Million Little Pieces"  we will not pretend that all that you read here is gospel truth.  All of us have had experiences that influence and change our lives.  So have these stories on the “Reflections Page” have had some impact on some one at some time.  Many share some universal truths and thus are shared with the readers.  Thank you for visiting http://www.knappsnews.com/  It is after all why we exist.   Your time, effort, and support are appreciated.  Ivan Knapp

Reflections Volume I  February, 2006

Farm Auctions

The auctioneer (c) calls out as farmers make their bids

            A few moments ago I came back from the Coldwater Young Farmers Auction.  When I left there were already close to 1000 who had picked up a bidding number.  As I stopped to visit with some farmer friends, I was reminded of how important the farm sale is, whether on a large scale like this one is or just a single family farm.  It is indeed, not only a time to disperse equipment and personal things that once were a part of your own farm on their way to someone else, but also a time to socialize, catch up on the latest news, and talk about a better year ahead.

            As I stood there in that cold February air with the weather spitting out a few snow flakes, I was reminded of other sales, one that I repeat here.

            All winter long, trapped inside with cabin fever, and then a sale.  Farm sales are commonplace for farm folk in our neck of the woods.  From late fall to early spring farmers gather in mud, in rain and wind.

            The auctioneer bids off all the items collected over a lifetime, that make up a farm; and one by one, and piece by piece we take away these items for our own farms.  And when the auctioneer is done and the lunch trailer pulls away, not much is left.

            Except there behind the barn, on a corner of the back forty, lies a junk pile of rusting memories.  The other day I came upon some folk, standing near just such a pile of rusting metal.  I’d come an hour before the sale to inspect a plow when I saw them standing there alone.

            I wondered had someone died?  What was it that they stood looking at for so long?  And when they departed with lowered heads and muffled voices, I went closer to look.

            And there in that old junk pile, lay a rusty trike, a broken wagon, a wheel gone; a rusty bike, an old iron bed post, a broken hoe, a cooking pot and steam kettle still holding some of last week’s rain.

            And beneath it all were piles of cans and cans now empty, but which once had held bits of meals served endlessly to this family.

            Then one of them returned to me to see what I was doing.  And a look of understanding passed between us as I said, “Sales are sad for some folk.”

            “Yep,” he answered.  “Here lying at our feet is all that remains.  That and happy memories.”

My Sister Grace

            This story is dedicated to my sister Grace, who has always been about seven years old than I am.  That’s always been a good thing, because no matter how old we are, she always lets me know what to expect when I am her age.

            It’s good that we are still able to go out to eat with our spouses now that all our children are on their own.  I am indebted and always will be to my older sister.  We were both born during World War II, she during 1935, while Mussolini invaded Ethiopia and the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs in six games in the world series.  And I during 1942 while 36,000 troops faced the Bataan Death March and Ohio State was the College Football champion.

            It’s been a long time since, but the impact of that growing up and how we as a family dealt with the war and its impact have helped make us, good or bad, who we are; and in turn has had a lasting impact on our own children and they on theirs.

            There were six of us kids, and I am indebted to all of them, including the two who have died—one sister in infancy and a second sister recently after 7 long years of illness, a younger sister and a younger brother.  But this story is about my sister Grace and the impact she had on me while I was growing up.

            There has been a lot written since then about two working parents, but during the war, as we are finding out, a lot of ideal situations are just that,”ideal.”  So you make do with the situation at hand as best you can.

            My parents both worked at Goodyear in St. Marys that came to town in 1939-1940 and was turning out war-related products as fast as possible.  Gasoline was rationed and war bonds raised by 1942 over $13 billion to help fight the war.

            So, it was up to all of us, but especially by my older sister to do our part.  As a child I don’t remember ever been told that “we, too, had to do our part to win the war.”   I don’t remember my parents even talking to us  about it.  We didn’t have TV and only listened to the radio a couple of evenings a week to Sergeant Preston and Yukon King and The Shadow.

            So, it was up to my sister to get the rest of us kids up for school.  Pretty big responsibility for a teenager.  But we never thought any different about it. And, to be honest, I just took it for granted, that Grace would be there to get us up as our parents had already left for work.

            Looking back at it now, I seriously doubt if I could have done then or even now, what she did—all the responsibility and all.  But you just live life whatever way it comes.

            Once in awhile, who could blame her, when she had worked late in the night doing homework after band practice, she would oversleep.  I can hear her now as she screamed out at the bottom of the stairway,  “Here comes the bus!” 

            Have you ever dressed in a couple of minutes while your transportation was coming down the road to the end of the lane?  You learn, you learn in a hurry.  I suppose one of the most important things we learned there out on the farm, while World War II was going on in Europe and Asia is to, as the Boy Scouts say, “Be Prepared.” 

            Even today I can dress in a few minutes and from the hurried lunch periods at school (because we played intramurals) to eat in a few minutes.  (The later has not been too good on my digestive system, but you adjust as best you can based on what you have become from all the years before when you were growing up.)

She ate the whole thing

            One of the things I remember about Grace was how she loved tomatoes. Our father was an excellent gardener, so we always had plenty to eat in the summer, and mother was an excellent canner, so we had plenty to eat during the rest of the year, too.

            What I see even today when I close my eyes is my sister Grace in the summer eating tomatoes.  She would go to the garden and pick four or five tomatoes (and these were huge), slice them, and fill a large meat platter with them.  After she had covered them with salt (or sugar, depending on her taste that day), she would eat all of them—lick the platter clean. 

Yesterday's tomato plate is today's heirloom

            I never tried that, but I think of my sister Grace every year at this time as spring approaches and folks start thinking of gardening, and I think of tomatoes and my sister and all she did for us that we took for granted during World War II.