The Paulding County Carnegie Library and all the branches are hosting a “Summer Reading Community Book Club”.  The adult book chosen for discussion is “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. Stop by any location and pick up a copy of this exciting book. The discussion will be on Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakwood branch library community room. A drawing for a gift basket will be held after the discussion.

The library has also chosen a book for young readers, “The Lemonade War” by Jacquline Davies. There will be a discussion and activities to go along with the book on Wednesday, August 5th at 4:00 p.m., at the Oakwood branch library community room.

Sign up to win a gift basket based on the book.

Congratulations to the Huber Opera House & Civic Center in Hicksville for receiving a $2,000 grant from the Hicksville Community Fund, a fund under the umbrella of the Defiance Area Foundation. This grant will be used for the stage floor replacement project taking place at the Opera House.

Pictured above are (l-r) Jim Schmidt – Hicksville Community Fund Founder and Chris Feichter – Director of Operations at the Huber.

The Paulding County Area Foundation is pleased to announce a grant award to Defiance Area Youth for Christ to help support Paulding County students attending the organization’s BreakAway Ministry camp. The grant was awarded during the Foundation’s December 2025 grant cycle for their Breakaway camp in June of 2026.

BreakAway is a one-night camp experience designed for students in grades 6–8 and serves as a key event in Youth for Christ’s ministry year. The program provides young people with opportunities to build positive relationships, explore their faith, and develop connections with caring adult mentors and peers in a safe and encouraging environment.

Funding from the Paulding County Area Foundation will help offset the cost of attendance for Paulding County students, ensuring more local youth have the opportunity to participate in the experience regardless of financial circumstances.

“The Paulding County Area Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Paulding County by supporting programs that invest in our residents and strengthen our communities,” said Lisa McClure, Foundation Director. “By helping local students participate in Youth for Christ’s BreakAway Ministry, we are supporting opportunities that encourage personal growth, positive relationships, mentorship, and leadership development among our youth. Investing in young people today helps build a stronger community for tomorrow.” 

The grant is one of several awarded during the Foundation’s most recent grant cycle, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Paulding County residents through strategic investments in education, youth development, health, and community programs.

Learn more about the Paulding County Area Foundation please visit our website at www.pauldingcountyareafoundation.com  or to learn more about Defiance Youth for Christ please visit: www.defyfc.org

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce has selected longtime resident Jan Reeb as the recipient of the 2026 Gem of the Year Award. Reeb will be formally honored during Rotary’s Day in the Park celebration in August.

A lifelong Antwerp resident, Reeb has spent 75 years calling the village home and graduated from Antwerp High School in 1969. Following graduation, she attended beauty college at Ravenscroft and later opened her own beauty shop, “The Shadow Box,” becoming a familiar and friendly face to generations of Antwerp residents.

Throughout her life, Reeb has worn many hats in the community. In addition to operating her beauty shop, she worked as a babysitter for numerous local families and later served for many years as a member of the town council and most recently as Mayor. Her caring personality and ability to connect with people left a lasting impact on many of the children and families she cared for over the years.

Reeb said one of the things she treasures most about Antwerp is the people.

“Your town’s only as good as the people in it,” Reeb said. “People make the town. You’ve got to have good people, and I think we do. I think we’ve got a lot of good people. It’s just a great old town, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

She also spoke proudly of the welcoming nature of the village and the way residents look out for one another. Whether visiting local businesses, attending ballgames, or simply chatting with neighbors, Reeb said she enjoys the sense of connection that comes with living in a small town.

“It amazes me when people call me by name and talk to me,” she said. “It’s a friendly little town. I love it.”

Reeb and her husband John have two sons, Matthew and the late Jason, along with grandchildren and extended family members who remain closely connected to the Antwerp area. She said she is encouraged to see younger families continuing to return to the community and is hopeful for future growth and development in the village.

Nominations submitted on Reeb’s behalf repeatedly highlighted her years of dedicated service to Antwerp and the lasting impact she made on the village through her leadership and compassion for residents.

One nomination stated, “Jan showed her long-standing dedication to Antwerp by serving on town council and as Mayor for many years. She demonstrated her commitment to the well-being and growth of our community. Jan put in countless hours to improve Antwerp by listening to residents and guiding thoughtful decisions to better our town.”

Another nomination praised Reeb’s decades of service, noting, “20+ years serving on Council and Mayor, she has given many years and time to Antwerp.”

Others pointed to her journey from business owner to village leader, writing, “She has given many years to Antwerp – first as a business woman owning a beauty salon and then for our town as an office worker and bookkeeper. She then became a council woman voted in by the Antwerp people. As Council President she replaced Ray DeLong and finished his term, then was voted in as mayor twice before her retirement last year.”

Several residents emphasized the personal care Reeb showed toward community members. “She really cared about the people and businesses of our town,” one resident wrote. “Please make her our Gem of Antwerp.”

Another nomination stated, “She has shown genuine love for our community with all of her years of service in the village. Even when faced with extreme personal challenges she continued giving the town all she could until she was no longer able. She deserves to be recognized for decades of love, loyalty and dependability to this town. She is a true Gem.”

Other nominations credited Reeb’s leadership with helping guide improvements and growth throughout the community during her years in office.

When informed she had been selected as this year’s Gem of the Year, Reeb said she was both surprised and humbled.

“I’m in shock,” she said. “I just can’t believe it. I love everybody. I try to be friendly and talk to everybody.”

The Gem of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting positive impact on the Antwerp community through their service, kindness, and dedication to others. Chamber members said Reeb’s lifelong commitment to the village and her warm, caring spirit make her a deserving recipient of this year’s honor.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join in celebrating Jan Reeb during Rotary’s Day in the Park on August 8.

On Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. the Oakwood Community Church and Melrose Community Church invite you to come join us under the Tent for an uplifting afternoon of gospel music, fellowship and family fun!

Enjoy inspiring worship music under the tent, kid’s inflatable bounce house and obstacle course on the lawn, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Seating will be available, though you are welcome to bring a lawn chair.

Food and refreshments will be available, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, water, and freeze pops, offered with free will donations accepted.

Plenty of parking available. We are located at 201 East Harmon St. Oakwood, Ohio 45873.

We look forward to sharing this special afternoon of worship and fellowship with you!

See the Oakwood Community Church and Melrose Community Church Facebook pages for detailed information.

WOODBURN, Ind. — For eight innings, the Woodlan Lady Warriors matched Central Noble pitch for pitch and inning for inning in a tense regional softball showdown on June 2. But the Cougars finally broke through in the ninth inning, scoring four runs to claim a 4-0 victory and bring Woodlan’s postseason run to an end.  

The regional contest was a classic pitchers’ duel through regulation and into extra innings. Neither team was able to push a run across the plate during the first eight innings as both defenses repeatedly came up with key plays. Woodlan managed just two hits in the game while Central Noble collected eight, but the Warriors’ defense and pitching kept the contest scoreless deep into extra innings.  

Woodlan’s only hits came from freshman Amelia Riley and sophomore Ellce Krauter, who each finished 1-for-3 at the plate. Riley also accounted for both of the Warriors’ stolen bases.    

Central Noble ace Grace Swank proved difficult to solve throughout the afternoon. The senior pitcher threw a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out 20 Woodlan batters over nine innings. She did not issue a walk and faced just 30 hitters in the dominant performance.  

Lucy McHenry carried the load in the circle for Woodlan, pitching eight strong innings. The junior allowed seven hits and three earned runs while striking out eight. Sophia Martin also saw action, pitching one inning and allowing one run. Together, the Warriors’ pitchers held Central Noble scoreless through eight innings before the Cougars erupted in the ninth.  

Central Noble’s offense was led by Kaitlyn Tilley, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Grace Swank added two hits, a run and an RBI, while Molly Mann contributed a hit, a run and an RBI. Katie Forker also drove in a run for the Cougars.  

Woodlan’s defense recorded 27 putouts and 11 assists, committing two errors in the contest. Addison Klotz was credited with 10 putouts, while Ellce Krauter added 10 putouts behind the plate.  

The loss ended an impressive season for the Lady Warriors, who finished with a 25-6 record and advanced to the regional round after a successful postseason run. Central Noble improved to 25-6 and advanced with the 4-0 extra-inning victory.  

The Defiance Area Foundation has announced the creation of a new charitable fund, the A Walk in the Parks Fund, established by Jay and Chris Hanson to support parks throughout Defiance County.

The fund is designed to provide resources for any existing or future park in Defiance County, as well as public or private parks that are open and free to the public and meet Foundation guidelines. The fund will support maintenance projects, enhancements to park facilities, and the creation of new outdoor spaces that benefit the community.

Jay and Chris Hanson shared the inspiration behind the fund:

“Our family believes in supporting the Defiance community, where we have made a life together, raised our children, and created precious memories along the way. A Walk in the Parks is a fund that we have established to provide a path to give back for all who have enjoyed spending time at any of the Defiance area parks. This is an avenue to literally put the Defiance Area Foundation’s motto, Nelson Henderson’s famous quote into practice, to do something generous to benefit future generations. A strong parks system is just one of the many aspects of a strong community. We encourage anyone in Defiance County who cares about our outdoor parks to name A Walk in the Parks Fund in their estate plan.”

The Defiance Area Foundation expressed its gratitude for the Hanson family’s commitment to strengthening the community and preserving the outdoor spaces that enrich local quality of life. To give to the new A Walk in the Parks Fund at the Foundation, please visit https://defianceareafoundation.org/donate-to-a-fund

Make reservations for Off Stage Productions’ next dinner theatre show “Insane with Power”, a two-act comedy written by Scott Haan. Show dates are April 17-19 and 24-26. Saturday and Sunday performances will be dinner theatre shows.  For Saturday performances, doors open at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. For Sunday matinee performances, doors will open at 12:30 p.m., dinner at 1:00 p.m. and show at 2:00 p.m. Burtch’s Barn to Table Catering will provide the buffet meals.

Both Friday performances will be “Popcorn Night” with no dinner included, but popcorn will be included with the cost of the show.  Water and pop will also be available for purchase.  Doors open for the Friday performances at 7:00 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. 

Performances will again be held in the Commons at Vantage Career Center, 818 N. Franklin Street, Van Wert, Ohio.  Enter door 13 off the back parking lot where plenty of parking is available.

THE SHOW: Lois Lancaster is a big-city journalist writing about the current state of mental health facilities. Her research takes her to a hospital populated with a unique group of quirky inmates who imagine they are crime-fighting superheroes. Speed Freak thinks he can run at incredible speeds, while Dim Bulb, the most enthusiastic person on the face of the earth, thinks he can turn off lights with his brain. Mental thinks she can read minds, despite being prone to sudden outbursts of bizarre non-sequiturs. Kevin, much less quirky and flamboyant than the other inmates, doesn’t embarrass himself with a ridiculous code name or costume…at least, not initially. Dr. Gail Eisner appears to be a kind hospital administrator; a steady influence needed to effectively run a madhouse like this one. At first Lois finds their elaborate superhero fantasies to be an entertaining diversion, the wild delusions of unstable minds, until something unusual happens that makes her wonder….   

Cast: Lois Lancaster: Emily Smith; Speed Freak: Spencer Wenninger; Dim Bulb: Nick Long; Mental: Aimey Lehman; Kevin Bendis: SlimPickens419;Dr Gail Eisner: Alea Rex; DIRECTOR: Daniel Sanderson; COSTUMER: Julie Lang 

Call 419-605-6708 to reserve your tables or seats!                                                           

Box office hours: Monday through Saturday – Noon until 6:00 PM, no Sunday calls please. 

The 46th Annual 24-Hour P.A.S.S. Basketball Marathon was held over Easter weekend, April 3–4, at the Payne Elementary School gymnasium, continuing a long-standing tradition of community support and around-the-clock basketball.

The weekend was filled with activity, beginning Friday evening with the first TOTS games and continuing through Saturday’s events, which included the Payne Fire Department’s sausage and pancake breakfast and the official opening ceremonies. Games were played every 24 minutes, starting at 5:00 p.m. Friday and continuing non-stop until 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

A total of 92 teams participated in this year’s marathon across seven divisions, including four Mini-Tots teams, 14 Tots teams, four Youth teams, four Mini Youth teams, 28 Co-Ed teams, 36 Men’s teams, and two Exhibition teams.

The marathon began in 1979, and funds raised from the annual event support the Paulding Area Support Society (P.A.S.S.). The organization provides specialized equipment and services to handicapped and medically challenged residents of Paulding County who are unable to afford them.

The P.A.S.S. Board includes President Karen Schlatter, Vice President Lula Mae Ankney, Treasurer Marcia Pressler, Secretary Mary Ellen Holbrook, and board members Doris Smith, Tara Miller, Elaine Sierer, Judy Fisher, James Sponseller, Sue LaFountain, Pam Reese, Lindsey Manz, and Kacey Dershem.

Members of the Marathon Committee include Clint Reinhart, Chad Benschneider, Brett Beckman, John Claymiller, Jeremy Dunderman, Rylee and Braeden Hormann, Nick and Kaleigh McClain, Maria Piper, Russ Zinser, Henry Manz, Austin Conlon, and Cameron Bidlack.