By: Kimberly Smith

A new year could mean a lot of various things to different people. It is perhaps a moment in time that betokens a fresh start and new beginning. Opportunities have a tendency to arise, and desires seem to be impassioned by a contemporary focus on set resolutions or goals. Some people may set fitness goals, bucket lists, or just to try new things they have never done before. Either way, in a lot of cases, it is taking a leap out of the well known comfort zone. This is exactly what happened for one local band.

On New Year’s Eve, the band, New Dogs Old Tricks (NDOT) were given their memorable moment. They were ecstatic when they were offered a spot to preform during the evening at the Eagles Club of Paulding. Band members include Larry Stahl, lead singer; Mikey Cramer, electric guitarist; Corey Zartman, bass; and Colton Lloyd, drummer. The energy in the air was exceedingly palpable among the enthusiastic band members as this was their first gig and the start of a potentially long running career brimming with opportunities to chase the musical dream. The evening was awash with exciting hit classics such as Some Kind of Wonderful and Seven Nation Army, both of which gave the room an urge to acclaim and got the crowd fired up and singing along.

The idea of NDOT was first brought up around early December 2014. Cramer, at this time, wanted to become competent in learning how to play the guitar. While Stahl, on the other hand, was heavily immersed into singing, just as his mother is. Lloyd, of course, enjoys playing the drums, and Corey thoroughly loves playing bass; thus explaining the role that each plays in the crew. Cramer believes that it is “unanimous” to the four of them that they are going to go “as far as our music will take us, whether it be a world tour or simply just shows here and there at local stadiums.” They are all very supportive of one another as much as they possibly can be and share each other’s cognizance pertaining to their instruments. Demonstrating this idea, Cramer shared with me that they are always “teaching each other licks” and more. Not only has Van Halen been their main encouragement, but also their biggest influence over the music they play and create. The band likes to work on their material together and create their own sound to make it a little more original. Stahl says “we like the creative process it takes to make songs.”

The band has definitely been a work in progress. Over the past year, the recruiting process has been a lot of trial and error. They have experienced three drummers and two bass players. Cramer believes that they have “found the right group now, and are all equally dedicated” to what they do. The band is confident in each other’s abilities; to grow and continue to learn and excel. Their first band practice was when Cramer had received his first amp. As far as they know to this day, their next gig will be during the Paulding Fair and will be performing for about two hours as an opening for Nashville Crush. Stahl said, “The definition of success can’t be spoken of without self determination and confidence if you ask me.”

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of making mistakes and learning from them, it was Sam Williamson and his high school achievements. Who is Sam and why is he memorable? He is a cross country and track athlete at Antwerp LHS, who brings a work ethic to the team that helps elevate his teammates around him.

Sam first started running distance in track when he was in seventh grade and began cross country the following year. As a little boy, Sam was known to be a fast runner and because of that, he was always encouraged by the people around him to keep running. Sam has now been involved with competitive running for the last five years. What can he say? Competing and racing is just what he loves to do. “Cross is a fun activity to do with others,” Sam tells us. He has made an abundance of friends in the process. There is a profusion of ways to vent different feelings and stress; and running happens to be Sam’s outlet. He informs us that it is a way to get his mind off of things.

Sam brings direction to the teams he joins. He may not say much, but his actions bestow leadership in a way that only he can provide. What has Sam meant to the athletic department? He has definitely not been taken for granted. Coach Altimus at Antwerp Local apprises the public that Sam has “brought the sport of cross country to the forefront of our community.” Antwerp’s student body may now have the mind set that getting to state in cross country several years in a row is an attainable goal if you are dedicated to your goals, thanks to Sam.

Sam is a very valued and accomplished athlete at Antwerp Local. Cord Ehrhart, teacher and coach, conveys that “Sam has had so many accomplishments, it is very hard to pick just one.” Coach Ehrhart went ahead to say that Sam’s performance at the state meet last fall was one of Sam’s best highlights of his high school career, although a tough call for coach Ehrhart. During GMC’s, Sam set the permanent record for the Grover Hill course and beat the old record by thirty seconds.

Sam plans to go on to college after graduating and he intends to major in sports management. He has full intentions of participating in track and cross country while attending college. The Antwerp student body is cheering you on Sam, keep up the good work.

Last year, around the beginning of spring, a citizen of Antwerp who goes by Ken Conkle started a community garden for himself and the community of Antwerp. I couldn’t help myself but to wonder why he spontaneously grew a garden… so why did he? Mr. Conkle has a burning passion and has great techniques for growing gardens.

Ken became interested in gardening when he was about twenty years old. He attended school in Fort Wayne, IN to earn his master gardening skills at the age of forty! Ken’s community garden is not so spontaneous after all. “I love to create win-win situations,” Ken tells us. If you asked Ken what his favorite thing about gardening was, he would explain to you that there is a certain sense of pride and accomplishment that you really can’t put into words. How much more passionate can you get about gardening?

Mr. Conkle is a proud man and is happy to help his community. He loves to share his crops in such a selfless way that he is not ashamed to boast about his extraordinary garden.

If you’re pondering about where he gets his inspiration, his brother Rod is where his encouragement lies. Mr. Conkle is not afraid to inform us that Rod could grow circles around him and gives Ken a hand with any heavy lifting involving gardening. Ken definitely doesn’t appear to be crestfallen when he says he wouldn’t be able to garden if it wasn’t for his brother.

Mr. Conkle says gardening is absolutely one of his favorite pastimes and would even go crazy without it. While he loves to grow a little bit of everything, tomatoes are his favorite vegetables to grow because they’re so visually appealing and grow to large sizes.

On another note, he shared with us a quote he favors from his beloved brother Rod, “God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt.” A personal quote he likes to live by his own, “Everything starts with the dirt.” Looking through the eyes of any gardener, that is probably the best place to begin with.