On October 4th, 6:00 p.m. the Padgetts will perform at Auglaize Chapel Church of God, 22652 Road 60, Oakwood, OH.

We are a father and son ministry that has a strong desire to share the gospel through our music.  We believe in providing the highest quality of southern and country gospel.  More important is that those who hear the message in the songs will be touched and uplifted or come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.  God has blessed our ministry and as we continue to strive to do His will, many people need to hear the good news in these troubled times and that better days are just around the corner. 

ANTWERP — Antwerp Distillery officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration on Saturday September 12, 2026, welcoming a large crowd from the community for the milestone event.

The celebration brought guests together on the distillery’s patio for an afternoon of food, live music and fellowship. Organizers said seeing the patio filled with community members made the work leading up to the opening worthwhile.

Antwerp Distillery expressed its appreciation to the team of people who worked behind the scenes and throughout the weekend to prepare for the grand opening and keep the event running smoothly.

Several area businesses and organizations also helped make the celebration possible. Clean Bone BBQ served food throughout the day, while Hold the Line provided live music on the patio. Antwerp Golf Club supplied a tent, tables and chairs for the event, Antwerp Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony, and CR Carpet provided the stage rug for the band.

The distillery also thanked everyone from the community who attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening and helped celebrate the beginning of the new Antwerp business.

“This is just the beginning for Antwerp Distillery,” the business shared following the event. “Thank you for making our opening so special—we can’t wait to welcome you back for your next pour!”

PAYNE — The Village of Payne welcomed residents and visitors for its annual Rock the Block Fall Festival on Saturday, September 12, with a full day of activities, entertainment and community celebration.

Events throughout the day included a fishing tournament, resource fair, softball games, market bazaar, color fun run/walk, cruise-in and a variety of food and family activities. The afternoon parade traveled from Payne Elementary School to Payne Community Park, with retired Payne Police Chief Rodney Miller serving as grand marshal. The Wayne Trace Marching Band was among those taking part in the parade, providing music along the route.

This year we had the distinct honor of presenting our recently retired Chief of Police Rodney Miller the “Rock Star” of the year for his nearly 40 years of Service. Rodney was our Grand Marshal of our Parade. Annette Danner, the Chamber Treasurer presented a plaque made by the Wayne Trace Art Club. 

Following the parade, entertainment continued at Payne Community Park. Columbia Rose took the stage at 4 p.m., kicking off an evening of live music that also included Rapid Fire and Crossroads. Festival-goers also enjoyed balloon art, a petting zoo, bounce houses, laser tag and other activities. The evening concluded with fireworks and music.

The 25th annual Flat Rock Creek Fall Truck Show will be held on Sunday, September 20 at the Paulding County History Museum from 10:00-3:00 PM, rain or shine.  As a strong supporter of the Historical Society, the late John Henry Kauser began the show in 2000 (2020 was canceled due to COVID) to benefit the museum and attract more visitors.  The Kauser family and friends are carrying on the tradition today and intend to remain one of the museum’s major fundraisers. The Paulding County Fireman’s Association will host a pancake & sausage breakfast at the fairgrounds.  There will be a free-will lunch provided inside the recently renovated museum kitchen from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM.  Deja Brew by Cassy coffee truck, Fat Pig Smokehouse food truck, and the Grover Hill Lions Club homemade ice cream will also be on the grounds along with a few venders. The Auburn Heritage Truck Club meeting will take place at 1:30 PM inside the museum.  

The stage is set and the getaway car is packed. Bonnie and Clyde ride again! Over Labor Day weekend, a 25-member ensemble of cast, crew, and directors from the Van Wert Civic Theatre (VWCT) will travel to Lima, Ohio, to represent Northwest Ohio at the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) State Conference.

VWCT is one of just 15 community theatre groups selected from across the state to perform at the three-day annual festival, held at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center in downtown Lima.

VWCT will take the stage on Sunday, September 6, at 2:30 PM to perform a 40-minute excerpt of their hit musical production from September 2025, Bonnie & Clyde.

Earning a spot at the state showcase is a significant achievement. After qualifying at the Northwest Regional OCTAFest earlier this summer, VWCT was selected to join 14 other regional excerpt winners for the statewide celebration of community theatre excellence.

The excerpt competition tests technical precision as much as performance quality: each group has strict time limits to load in their set pieces, present a seamless 40-minute cut of their show, and load off the stage under the eyes of state adjudicators.Theatres from around the state will spend the weekend taking part in professional theatre workshops, networking with fellow groups from across Ohio, and watching performances from the participating theatres.

The festival culminates on Sunday evening with the annual OCTA Awards Banquet, where productions will be recognized with state honors for acting, vocal performance, directing, and technical execution.

Anyone can attend the Ohio Community Theatre Association festival.  For registration information, visit the OCTA website at octa1953.org.

To learn more about Van Wert Civic Theatre and their upcoming season, visit vwct.org.

The Paulding Kiwanis Club recently welcomed Quincy Thompson, Marketing Director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, Ohio, as part of its Chamber Spotlight program.

Thompson was invited to speak to the club by fellow Kiwanis member and Paulding Chamber of Commerce Director Jen Rosebrook. During her visit, Thompson shared information about the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and highlighted some of the many performances and events that have been enjoyed by area audiences, along with an overview of the upcoming fall season.

Members had the opportunity to look through the Niswonger’s Fall catalog, which features a variety of upcoming performances, including Puppy Pals, Darci Lynne, A Christmas Carol, and David Phelps.

Thompson also discussed several programs offered through the Niswonger, including the Encore program, which provides opportunities for local school-age children to experience the performing arts. She also shared information about the Impact program, which helps make performances more accessible by providing free tickets to families who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

In addition, the Niswonger offers a variety of membership opportunities for individuals who would like to support the performing arts and stay connected with the center’s programming.

The Kiwanis Club appreciates Thompson taking the time to visit and share more about the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and the many ways it contributes to the arts and to communities throughout the region.

For more information about upcoming performances, programs, or membership opportunities, contact the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.

The chase is officially on! Van Wert Civic Theatre is incredibly proud to reveal the cast for the upcoming musical production of Catch Me If You Can, directed by Jerry Zimmerman with music direction by Terri Spencer and choreography by Noelle Warnement. Fly high with Frank Abagnale, Jr. in this high-energy musical comedy based on the hit film and incredible true story. From pilot to doctor to lawyer, follow the world’s most charming con artist as he out runs the FBI in a globe-trotting chase filled with glamorous sets, spectacular dance numbers, and a swinging 60’s score. Can the law catch him, or will Frank fly away with it all?

The cast features Ashton Szabados as Frank Abagnale, Jr., Nick Long as Agent Carl Hanratty, Drew Kantonen as Frank Abagnale, Sr., and Mary Ann Falk as Paula Abagnale. Cheyenne Weber stars as Brenda Strong alongside Kristin Lee as Carol Strong, Roger Rex as Roger Strong, and Nicole Merkel as Cheryl Ann, with Grant Boecker, Brian Hill, and Marcus Kerns appearing as FBI agents.

The ensemble who play a variety of roles includes Amy Boley, Renae Boecker, Sean Carpenter, Anna Cassidy, Leah Garmatter, Dianna Hicks, Katelyn Knepper, Doug Long, Jr., Brianna Luginbihl, Nicole Merkel, Alea Rex, Kimmy Warnecke, Noelle Warnement, Joe Warnement, and Jerry Zimmerman.

Get ready for an evening of big dance numbers, flashy sets, and an unforgettable cat-and-mouse game between Frank Jr. and the FBI. The box office opened to the public on September 3, 2026. 

This musical, comedy flight departs on September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on September 20 and 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. We cannot wait to welcome you to the theater located at 118 S. Race Street, Van Wert, OH 45891. Visit vwct.org or call 419.238.9689 and prepare to be charmed.

ST. HENRY, Ohio — Cooper Farms has opened registration for its 19th annual Turkey Trot 5K, with proceeds from this year’s event benefiting EverHeart Hospice.

The all-ages race will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Cooper Farms Turkey Harvesting Plant, 1 Cooper Farms Drive, St. Henry. Registration will open at 9 a.m., with the race beginning at 10 a.m.

“We’re excited to be back for the 19th running of this exciting event,” race organizer Tonya Huber said. “We look forward to this every year. It’s a great chance to gather, enjoy a healthy activity, and, of course, help raise money for such a great organization, EverHeart Hospice.”

The Turkey Trot features age divisions ranging from 9 and younger through 60 and older. Awards will be presented to the top male and female runners in each age group, along with awards for the top overall male and female finishers.

The flat, 3.1-mile course will start and finish at Cooper Farms and will feature splits at each mile. Water will be available along the course, and chip timing will be provided by Speedy Feet.

Refreshments will be provided to all runners following the race, including a to-go turkey meal. Door prizes will also be awarded.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register. Registration options, fees and deadlines are available through RunSignUp by searching for “Cooper Farms Turkey Trot 5K,” through Speedy Feet, or by following the registration link available on the Cooper Farms website.

All proceeds from the event will benefit EverHeart Hospice.

For additional information, contact race organizer Tonya Huber at tonyah@cooperfarms.com.

Jonathan White’s main goal in music ministry is to encourage Christians in their walk with God, and to let them know that sometimes things happen that may seem horrible, but God can turn it around for good.

Jonathan has had the opportunity to sing for many different kinds of audiences.  From the Grand Ole Opry, to the Bill Gaither Homecoming Concert series, to the little church down the street.  Jonathan is willing to sing for God just about anywhere to any size crowd. He has learned that it’s not about the size of a crowd, it’s about ministering to each individual that has come to the concert. He gives the same emotion and heart regardless of who or how many are there. It’s all about reaching others for Christ!

He’ll be at Auglaize Chapel Church of God, 22652 CR-60, Oakwood, OH on August 30 at 10:00 a.m.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the winner of the Cutie Pie contest for 2026. The award goes to CJ Foreman, daughter of Kristine Boylan, and granddaughter of Gregory Boylan and great-granddaughter of Bill and Tylene Boylan. It was a very close call and we want to thank all 13 cutie pies for entering the contest. The Chamber was able to raise $630.55 for our 2027 scholarship fund. CJ will be awarded two adult tickets and two children’s tickets to the Fort Wayne Zoo. CJ – we hope you and your family enjoy the zoo!