In her program she will display many of her considerable array of hats to demonstrate the fashion and reveal the psychological benefit of wearing hats.  She also has many astute observations to offer, such as "Hats inspire women to have a positive attitude," "Your hats show your own personality and emotions," and--perhaps her most intriguing observation of all, this hat-buying tip:  "The larger the brim, the smaller the waist!" 

Ms. Dunbar's interests and talents are many and eclectic.  Besides her programs on hats, she has given presentations on cooking and herbs and designed her own gardens, where she frequently hosts teas.  In addition to being a member of the Toledo Chorale Society, she has enjoyed performing as a dancer.  She has also raised horses. 

Her many hats have come from various sources.  Some have been purchased at tea houses and department stores, some are expensive designer and vintage hats, and some are hats that Ms. Dunbar herself has made. 

This outstanding program will be preceded by the traditional scones, five savories, and five sweetmeats, including the traditional tea requisites--scones and cucumber sandwiches, and, of course, the club's specialty tea.   Since July is the Independence Day month, various ornamentations of red, white, and blue will be in abundance throughout the dining area, along with red, white, and blue underlying the lace tablecloths.  Many of the food items will also carry through the colors of red, white, and blue. 

Because seating is limited, reservations for the Tea should be made well in advance.  Reservations are $12 per guest.  Off-street parking is available behind the clubhouse, located at 654 S. Washington St., Van Wert.  Call Jean Owens, 419-238-6639, or e-mail joytrips@watchtv.net.

British Rocker, Noone & Herman’s Hermits tickets on sale July 15

From Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio

 Peter Noone achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits, at the age of 15. Noone and his Herman’s Hermits bring their classic British sound to Van Wert on Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 15 starting at noon at the box office located in the Van Wert Federal Savings Bank Grand Lobby of the NPAC at 10700 State Route 118 just south of Van Wert. The box office will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. Tickets are also available by phone at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or on the web at the NPAC website: www.npacvw.org. Tickets range in price from $20 to $35. 

Peter Noone and the Herman’s Hermits were part of the British invasion in the late 60’s & early 70s. Some of their classic hits include: “I’m Into Something Good”, “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”, “There’s A Kind of Hush”, and more. Noone has also had success in front of the camera, on Broadway and most recently as host of VH1’s “My Generation” and on “American Idol.” 

It will be a rockin’ night at the NPAC and a great opportunity to enjoy a night of classic music here in Northwest Ohio! This show is sponsored in part by WKSD/WERT Radio and Time Warner Cable. For more information contact the NPAC at 419.238.6722 or at www.npacvw.org.

In cooperation with the City of Van Wert Parks & Recreation, The Van Wert County Foundation is pleased to sponsor the seventh annual Fountain Park Summer Music Series.  The Saltzgaber Music Fund underwrites the concerts which are free to the public.  Fountain Park is located on the west edge of downtown Van Wert at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets.  Most concerts are on Friday nights and begin at 7:00 p.m.  Food is available in the park by 5:30 p.m.

The summer season starts Friday,  June 6 with the popular Phil Dirt & the Dozers.  They will kick off the 2008 season with a Tribute to the Beach Boys.  This concert also marks the beginning to the weekend celebration of the Peony and Artrageous Festivals. 

The Parrots of the Caribbean will perform a Salute to Jimmy Buffet on Friday, June 20.  This tribute band hails from Dayton and has performed festivals and concerts throughout the U.S.

 An evening of classic rock, R&B, and contemporary country music will take the stage on Friday, June 27.  Gary Jenkins & Thundering Hearts love to involve the audience in a comedy/music show for the whole family to enjoy.  They come to us from Nashville, TN.

 The Lima Symphony “Pops” Orchestra will help celebrate the Independence Day celebration on THURSDAY, July 3.  Maestro Crafton Beck directs the orchestra in a salute to our nation and its popular music.  This annual celebration is always well received in Van Wert.

 The day after Independence Day, John Ford Coley will bring his band and all the hit songs he teamed with England Dan during the 1970’s.  I’d Really Love to See you Tonight, Sad to Belong, and We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again are just some of the songs you will enjoy on this special Saturday night performance, July 5. 

Sounds of the Caribbean will fill the park on Friday, July 18 as Caribbean Sound travels to Van Wert all the way from Florida to provide the soothing sounds of pan drums.  Calypso, Soca, and Jazz are just a few of the styles you will enjoy. 

Bluegrass entertainer, multi award winner and Grammy nominee, Rhonda Vincent will make her stop in Van Wert on Friday, July 25.  This 7-time consecutive IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year will have you dancing to some of the best Bluegrass to hit this side of Nashville. 

The summer series ends with a sock hop in the park, featuring the kings of early Rock & Roll, The Diamonds.  Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Little Darlin’ and The Stroll will have you dancing into the night as we end a grand season of music in Fountain Park this summer.  Our finale with The Diamonds is Friday, August 8. 

The Van Wert Area Concert Band performs in Fountain Park on July 11 and August 1, providing band music and marches for the entire family to enjoy.  Their concerts also begin at 7:00 p.m. 

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy this free music in the park.  For more information, contact Paul Hoverman, Coordinator of Performing Arts at The Van Wert County Foundation at 419-238-1743.  Concerts are also listed on the Niswonger Performing Arts Center website at: www.npacvw.org and also the CVB website at: www.visitvanwert.org.  

Van Wert Area Marching Band Seeking New Members
Dewaine Johnson, President-VWAMB

We have the perfect opportunity for you to re-live the fun you had in your high school and/or college marching band, but without the pressure of competition or judging. The Van Wert Area Marching Band invites all area band alumni and other musicians to join us as we organize for the 2008 parade season.

Founded in 1989 and under the capable direction of Tony Alessandrini, the band is
preparing a medley of Disney tunes for the enjoyment of band members and parade goers alike. Anticipated performances include
The Van Wert Peony Festival Parade (June 7th at 5:00 p.m.),
The Spencerville Summerfest Parade (June 28th at 6:30 p.m.),
The Van Wert Holiday at Home Parade (July 4th, at 11:00 a.m.)
and The Celina Lake Festival Parade (July 26^th at 6:30 p.m.).


Rehearsals will be held on Saturday, May 17^th and 31^st from 10:00 a.m. to noon
and Thursday, June 5^th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Van Wert Middle School on St. Rt. 118 just south of the city limits.

Membership is open to any person age 16 and older who plays a musical instrument, wants to have fun, meet new friends, and continue using
the talents they practiced so hard to develop. Age should not be considered a barrier as current membership ranges from 16 to 70 plus years.
If you are currently a member of your high school band, but would like to join the V.W.A.M.B. for those parades that do not conflict with your
school that is permissible as long as the age requirement is met.  Members may play their own instruments or the band has a limited number
of instruments available, including a complete percussion line.

The band is grateful to be supported by The Van Wert County Foundation as well as individual and business patrons.

For further information about joining, please visit the band on the web at www2.wcoil.com/~dljohn/vwamb.html or
by typing in Van Wert Area Marching Band in Yahoo or other search engines.

You can also call Dewaine Johnson, President at (419) 238-3194 or vwamb@wcoil.com.

We look forward to welcoming new members and reconnecting with former members as we hit the parade
routes this summer.

2008 Scholastic Art and Writing Award Winners Recognized

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art of 311 East Main Street held the Northeast Indiana Northwest Ohio Scholastic Art and Writing Award Ceremony 2008 at the Grand Wayne Center on Sunday, February 10.  Award winners from the art and writing scholastic competition were recognized for mediums in writing, photography, printmaking, ceramics, digital imagery, computer art, painting, drawing, and sculpture. The art program, now in it’s forth year and gaining momentum, is sponsored in part by J P Morgan Chase, The Macy’s Foundation and The News-Sentinel. This year, the gallery walls exhibited pieces of art from more than 360 student artists and 67 schools, spanning 58 counties in Indiana and Ohio.

Award winners were recognized at the ceremony as Portfolio Scholastic finalists, American Vision/American Voice Award nominees, News-Sentinel art purchase, and Regional award recipients. Portfolios will be forwarded to a national competition, best-of-show selections from the Gold Key recipients are to be forwarded to New York, and The News-Sentinel will display art pieces they have purchased.  

Parkway High School art students and seniors Clayton Ford, Marcus Schatzer, and Tim Schlemmer were recognized as regional award recipients. Marcus and Clayton were awarded with Gold Keys for their paintings and Tim was awarded a Silver Key for a sculpture.

Thank you to Parkway High School art teacher Ed Kuhn for sharing your passion of art and for encouraging our students to experience it. Opportunities have been made possible through him and the directors at the University of St. Francis where many of our students have attended affordable and enriching day camps and summer camps due to his assistance and encouragement.

This exhibit will be showing at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art from  February 9 through April 13, 2008.
Visit, bring your family, and be inspired.

Admission to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art:
Free to members, $5 for adults, $3 students (K-college) and $10 for families.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am - 5pm, Thursday – open until 9pm, Sunday Noon - 5pm
The galleries are closed Mondays and major holidays.

Phone: 260-422-6467

Jason Schatzer, Libby Meyers, Marcus Schatzer, Tim Schlemmer, Jordan Coffman,
unavailable to be photographed, Clayton Ford.

Parkway High School Drama Club Members Invite YOU to "Once Upon A Mattress" Performance

Its that time of year again! The Parkway High School Drama Club is getting ready for yet another production! This years will  be "Once Upon A Mattress" or the story of the Princess and the Pea. Rehearsals  are underway for this years Fall Musical. Don't miss this Production. Last performance is tonight Saturday, December 1st @ 7:30 PM, doors open at 7:00 PM.

Ticket prices: Adults $5 and children 5 and up are $3
 

Mr. Ryan Twigg, Band Director of Parkway Schools, is requesting your help in obtaining old instruments. The 5th grade is in need of donations. There are students who would like to be part of the band, but can't afford an instrument.  Also, please call him if you have an instrument that you are willing to sell. Mr. Twigg can be reached at 419-363-3045 ext. 410.

Your help will be greatly appreciated by Mr. Twigg, the students, and our  community,  for keeping this program growing. These students  will soon be making a joyful noise.