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Older Articles of Interest

Her first adventure in catering was for her own wedding reception in 1997. Preparing the meal herself was challenging but she engaged others to do the serving while she was speaking her vows.  She added cakes, french breads and rolls,  in 1998. Those additions completed her step into the world of catering. 

She can serve 2-300, will deliver for an optional fee, or allow the customer to pick-up and has all of the serving trays and chafing dishes to make an elegant meal or buffet-style set-up look appealing and complete. Her experiences  include weddings, anniversaries, graduation parties, children's birthday parties, receptions, showers, and business events.

Kristi is a graduate of Wright State University with a BA in Accounting and Finance and works as an accountant in Van Wert. "Cooking provides an outlet for the creative side of me," said Kristi. "I enjoy the challenge in creating be it cookies, breads, cakes or food. I watch for the unusual when looking for new recipes. There are two family recipes I use, molasses cookies and cowboy cookies." She is totally self taught with the exception of a basic cake-decorating class she took .

Kristi does not watch the cooking show on TV, but rather subscribes to cooking magazines like Bon Appetit, Gourmet And American Cake Decorating. She cruises the Internet for recipes and collects cookbooks as a hobby.

When asked what is popular now, she mentioned warm chocolate dipping stations, cupcakes instead of wedding cakes and specialty desserts. "Lately I have been doing theme-based weddings. The western reception was fun and included boot shaped cookies, cactus cookies, and peach cobbler."

Last summer she provided some special desserts for the governor of Ohio. Ted Strickland was in town at the community building in Shanes Park at the Democratic Roast/Picnic. Kristi provided Krochenbush (creams puffs ~ set up in tiers, petit fours and truffles.

Kristi is the daughter of Vernon and Vera Kuhn. She is married to Dave, and they have a son, Noah, who often taste-test new recipes she is trying-out.

Click on smaller thumbnail pictures to enlarge them.

	Democratic Picnic	Democratic Picnic		Gourmet Gifts by Kristi 419-363-2243

"Guest" servers included some deputies from the Mercer County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Jeff Grey, and State Representative Jim Zehringer.

Rockford's very own Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts bussed tables and sold raffle tickets. Event spokesperson, Todd Williams sent these pictures and said, "We had a very good day, and we served 562 people."

The 10 inch figures were started in 2004 and finished in 2008.

If you'd like to learn more about his wood-carving, stop by the Rockford American Legion on Bridge Street (by Barry's Market) in Rockford.

Slippery Rock, Pa - Slippery Rock University students from across Pennsylvania and the nation earned dean's list honors during fall semester 2007.

To qualify for the SRU dean's list, a student must earn a 3.5 grade-point average or higher on a 4-point scale while taking 12 or more graded hours of course credit.

Gary Hodge accepts a check in the amount of $500.00 from Shanes Crossing 5K Run committee member Mike Bruns. This check will be given to the Madison Schaffner family to offset medical bills.
 

Shanes Crossing 5K Run Donates to Benefit Madison Schaffner
Shanes Crossing 5K Run, sponsored by Mercer Health, is one in the series of races that takes place in many communities in Mercer County during the summer months. Locally, the 3.1 mile run starts and finishes in Shanes Park, Rockford, Ohio, with participants being awarded prizes for the first, second, and third place finishers. Donations from businesses assist in recognizing remaining participants.

Interest in health awareness and support of the run has increased; allowing more funds to become available to benefit good causes in the town where the event takes place. Last year was the 3^rd Anniversary for the Shanes Crossing 5K Run. In Rockford, a portion of the proceeds from the run went toward maintenance and improvements of Shanes Park, an important gathering place for the community;

Earlier this year, a donation of $1500 went toward purchasing equipment for the Parkway track team.

Shanes Crossing 5K Run committee members, Amy Lyons and Mike Bruns, chose to make a donation of $500 to benefit Parkway Elementary School fourth grader, Madison Schaffner who was diagnosed with an unfortunate medical condition.

Friend of the family, Gary Hodge, headed up the recent benefit (March 8 at the Rockford Community Building) for Madison Schaffner, and with the tremendous help of friends and family in putting the benefit together, they were able to surpass the amount needed in reaching the insurance deductible. According to Gary, “The benefit was a complete success and will relieve the family from the many excessive expenses that they have incurred.”

Gary spoke highly of Madison, saying that she has been a trouper through this entire experience and has maintained a positive spirit. She has been through 3 surgeries since August and will have another one in 6 or 8 weeks. After her last surgery, the doctors believe that she should be able to live the life of a normal 10 year old.

Donations will continue to be accepted and can be sent to the Rockford Eagles Aerie 1292, 179 S. Main St., Rockford, OH   45882 in care of Eagle's Officer Gary Hodge.

The family would appreciate your continued prayers.  Click Here to View the Prayer List.

Puthoff formerly worked at Marion Local Schools as a curriculum director and K-8 assistant principal. He is a graduate of St. Henry High School, earning his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Ohio University. His master's degree is in educational leadership from Miami University. His teaching credentials include a Five-Year License in Elementary 1-8;   Mathematics 7-12 ; High School Principal; and Superintendent with a Permanent Certificate for Elementary Principalship.

He and his wife Jenifer live in the Parkway District with their three sons. He is on the Board of Directors for the Gateway Outreach Center, is a Cub Scout Volunteer, coached Soccer, Football, Baseball and Basketball and is a member of St. Teresa Church in Rockford, Ohio.

Interesting Facts about Mr. Puthoff: He received a Full Athletic Scholarship to play football at Ohio University. He likes to golf and fish and attend all levels of sporting events.

Mr. Puthoff said, " I am really excited about my new position and will be working toward making our good Parkway district an outstanding one. My goals include:"

Superintendent Goals

Goal # 1 That the Parkway Local School District consistently receives a score of 29 or 30 on the State Local Report Card.

Goal # 2 Increase communication with parents, community members, and staff members.

Goals # 3 Be more visible throughout the school and community events.

Goal # 4 Will use an open door atmosphere at District Office where parent and community members feel invited and welcomed to see the Superintendent

Parkway's own Nikki Fox shares these pictures of the event and the fun, food and fellowship afterwards.
TJ's pizza and Subway sandwiches were a big hit as was the Guitar Hero on the big screen.

Click here for more of her pictures: http://www.nfoxphoto.com/112-Joelpenton/small/112-Joelpenton.htm

Visit the Kozy Korner in Mendon ~ You Won't be Disappointed

The Kozy Korner in Mendon has had a long history of feeding the locals with homemade food. It was and still is a gathering place for coffee, pie and local news.  Owners have come and gone, and the newest proprietors are well-versed in serving up delicious food.

Dennis and Tanya Stumpf  came back to Ohio recently by way of Florida.  Originally from Mendon, the former Tanya High married Dennis who was born in Columbus and raised south of Dayton, Ohio.  From the start, he was the chef, and she served customers. Married 31 years, they have always worked together.

Dennis and Tanya spent 30 years in the restaurant business, working in 3 different establishments including 15 years in one 5-Star seafood restaurant called Lightsey's on Lake Okeechobee and 6 years at a steakhouse nearby called the Speckled Perch.  Dennis prepared the wonderful seafood and steak dishes that took one restaurant from a small outdoor picnic-style eatery to its 5 Star status with seating for 350.

For a while the couple lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and worked at the Fireside Inn, a dinner establishment and resort that was open year round.

Always a student of new and different ways to prepare food, over the years, Dennis developed his own secret recipes that are delicious. Mendon has now become their home and the little corner restaurant keeps them busy Tuesday through Sunday serving fish and lunch specials daily including Mendon favorites like meat loaf, sausage, burgers, fried bologna, grilled cheese, hearty soups and more. Friday fish specials include: the Alaskan Pollock, shrimp, oysters, frog legs, and clams, which are deep-fried with Dennis’ own special recipe of breading. He and Tanya’s homemade cole slaw, fresh baked bread,  and fresh cut French-fried potatoes complete the “platter”. On Saturdays they do a superb prime rib.

Add to this awesome menu a booming pizza business ~ they bake 30-40 a day on the weekends and that number gets higher when the Riverside Campground opens for the season ~ and this is one great spot for a meal out. Specials run $4.75 daily and $5.75 evenings.

The Stumpfs thought business would be slow and steady and that the two of them would be comfortable with the flow. But, instead, they have been busy, because of the great food and prices. They now have hired pizza help on the weekends, Tanya’s Aunt Edie Miller and Bob Christian to fill in the gaps doing whatever is needed. They have several dish washers, too.

It is small and quaint with news articles and pictures of glory days past covering the walls.  As its name implies there is only seating for around 24. No reservations are taken. The Kozy Korner’s clientele are served quickly which keeps the traffic flowing in this gathering place, and where a meal is always topped off with aromatic coffee and a delicious fresh baked dessert, made from scratch by local Mendon friend Bob Christian.

If you’d like to try out the fare at Kozy Korner, it is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Call 419-795-1501 to order a carry-out.

Other good places to eat in Mendon are The Pirates Cave, The Mendon Restaurant and Motor Inn Restaurant in Mercer, Ohio.

Pies, Pies and More Pies ~ Retired Mendonite Bakes Delicious Treats

Married almost 57 years, Bob, 77,  and the late Jean Christian, of Mendon, farmed the land for a living, an activity Bob still enjoys dabbling in from time to time even though he rents his land now. But the main focus of nearly every day for many years was the preparation of food for the Mendon Restaurant, owned and operated by their son, Pastor Randy Christian. 

The couple enjoyed cooking up specials on a daily basis and baking a daily supply of pie and cake to feed hungry patrons. Even when they retired to Florida for the winter months, they carried their crops of homegrown fruit with them and baked for their friends, Denny and Tanya Stumpf, from whom they rented a winter residence.

He said, “Jean has been gone 2 years now. I guess I am just carrying-on the legacy of her baking skills” which she taught to Bob. Up at 6 AM, he makes his way into the Kozy Korner to begin the daily ritual of preparing 5 to 10 fresh pies and an occasional cake. Favorites of the patrons include: pecan, sugar cream (but sugar free!) and butterscotch. He does however, when digging into Jean’s recipe box, prepares apple, cherry, red raspberry, black berry, gooseberry, and strawberry in season. He always asks Tanya what she would like for the day but he often gets to choose. Of the cakes he bakes, favorites are pineapple upside-down cake, German chocolate, carrot cake and spice cake, all of Jean’s recipes.

Bob takes time out from baking to go deer hunting and cut his own firewood for the main source of heat in his farmhouse. He admits to being a bit of a jokester. He recalls the day the Class of 1948 senior boys all had their hair done in permanent waves for their class pictures. Edie Miller remembers the incident which had her mother in “fits” as Bob’s best friend, Buzz High (Tanya’s uncle) had his hair done to match Bob’s.

Bob bakes a birthday surprise for each of his children and is happy that Jean taught their daughters, Barbara Hamilton and Beverly Piper the “tricks of the trade”. He bakes for church funeral dinners and does an occasional sugar-free “sugar” cream pie for shut-in friends.

Bob invites you to the Kozy Korner for some good home cooking.

Former Parkway Student Graduates Cum Laude
Hillary Frank, daughter of Carla and Robert Frank, graduated Cum Laude with  Associate of Applied Science Interior Design Degree from the Art Institute of Cincinnati. She is currently living in Cincinnati and is continuing  her education through the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  Her future plans are to continue her education in commercial design and architecture.

New Infields at Parkway Schools

Al Brandt of Brandt Construction is shown working on two new infields being installed south of the Parkway School. The infields will be used during recesses, physical education classes and after school practice for both the baseball and softball programs. Permanent improvement money is being used to pay for the cost of the new infields. This project is not part of the upcoming Outside Sports Facility Levy that will be voted on in March.

On Monday evening February 4th, twenty-two students in grades 5-8 representing Coldwater, Fort Recovery, Marion Local, Parkway and St. Henry competed in the Mercer County Spelling Bee.  After several intense rounds of spelling, Parkway fifth grade student Grace Linn, daughter of Randy and Paula Linn was declared the runner-up.  The winner of the spelling bee was 8th grader Arliss Nicholson from Coldwater.  Second runner-up was 8th grader David Tobe from Fort Recovery.  These three students earned the right to compete in the regional spelling bee which will be held at Rhodes State College in Lima on Saturday, March 22nd.  The winner of that contest will go on to compete at the national spelling bee in Washington D.C.  Congratulations Grace!!

PARKWAY BOOSTER CLUB FINISHES NEW LOCKER ROOM PROJECT

The Parkway Booster Club tackled the task of providing onsite locker rooms this last fall at the football field for the convenience and safety of the teams and officials.  The 40’ by 60’ building gives each team 1200 square feet of locker room area, plus a room for the officials. The $50,000 project was funded by the Booster Club and the support of local businesses who donated $13,000 towards the project.  The Booster Club at this point is maintaining a $5,000 interest free loan from the Leota Braun Foundation until the fall of 2008 due date.  So if anyone is still interested in contributing to the fund please contact president, Rick Berry.  Also a big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers that helped to finish this project as well as the other great improvements that were made to the football grounds!! 

Photo Caption: Front L-R;  Gary Walls “spouting”,  Bryan Sutton “Rockford Chamber”,  Chris Riley “Rockford Legion”, Al Brandt “all excavation work” 
Back L-R;  Bart Walls “spouting”,  Tom Ransbottom “Rockford Lions”, Nancy Krugh “Mendon Lions”, Robert Thompson “Leota Braun Fund”,   Rick Berry  “Parkway Booster Club President”, Bruce Bollenbacher “Rockford Eagles”,   Bill Huff  “lighting & electrical” 

Contributors not shown;  St. Henry Tile “concrete”  and  Willshire Lions Club

Picture by Pat Agler.
 

Longtime Husband and Wife Team Retire from Rockford EMS
Encourage Others to Learn What Serving on the Squad is All About

Pam Reish Meyer and Ken Meyer were acquaintances and fellow Parkway graduates servingas volunteers on the Rockford Emergency Medical Service team and grew to know each other
better as they worked together on ambulance runs over a 16 year period.  “It was the thing that brought us together,” laughs Ken, “and we have been married now for 12 years!” It seems only natural that  when one retires, so does the other, and so it is that the Rockford
EMS saw the couple retire at the end of 2007. With their expertise, experience and concern for others, Ken with16 years and Pam with 20, have willingly served the community of Rockford and surrounding
areas.  Ken is a registered nurse at Rockford Family Medicine and Pam is a pharmacist in Indiana.

Ken thinks the biggest changes he has seen over the years are in the training requirements and the availability of technology and resources. Initial training has increased to 136 hours this year.  But that is a good thing in that trainees, who pass the test, are then certified by the State of Ohio for 3 years and Nationally for 2 years as Emergency Medical Technicians. “You learn more, and that additional training is so helpful,” according to Ken. “The explosion of new and more affordable technology and resources for emergency teams has made the job a lot easier.” Pam cited the heart defibrillator that is easily carried right with the squad. This item’s availability has only been around for a few years.

Another big change Ken mentioned was closing the EMS station in Mendon. “We took over their squad van and increased our territory measurably. We do runs to mostly Van Wert, St. Marys, and Coldwater Hospitals and Decatur occasionally. With Mendon, we run to Lima Memorial and St. Rita’s, too. Last year we made 335 runs.”

Ken said on his shift, they always made it to the hospital in time for a baby delivery. And, although he says all calls are important, and many are “close" calls at that, it is the ones with successful resuscitations that he remembers the most and thankful that God was in control. “We just do what we can,” commented Ken.

Larry Baltzell, who suffers from a rare bone disease, benefited often from the skills of the Rockford EMS volunteers and Ken in particular, who saved his life on July 4, 2007, when he successfully put an IV line in him on the way to the hospital. “I would not be here today if not for Ken’s skill and God’s will,” said Larry. He is just one of the thousands who have been helped by the people on the Rockford EMS.

Countless others will miss Ken and Pam who are retiring because of Ken’s health concerns. Ken and Pam, both, encourage residents of the area to consider the personal reward of helping others through Emergency Medical Service volunteering.

Ken and Pam Meyer’s address is 306 N. Holly St., Rockford, OH 45882 if you’d like to send a card.

Rockford Emergency Medical Service Recruiting Trainees
Need for at Least Ten People Imminent

The Rockford EMS team, with newly installed officers or 2008 & 2009, is issuing a call for new squad trainees.

President Aaron Sutter, a 9 year veteran of the squad, recently took over the duties from long-time member Ken Meyer, who retired at the end of 2007 along with
is wife Pam.

Aaron says their presence is going to be missed and thanked them for their years of dedicated service to the community. 
 

There are 23 dedicated members on the roster at present with four husband-wife teams.

Although Rockford needs first-responders who live in Rockford, any area resident is encouraged to contact him. Mendon is blessed with 1 EMT, Dennis Clay, and several first-responders. The area covered encompasses from the Indiana State line to Mercer-Auglaize County Line Road (east to west) to Van Wert-Mercer County Line Road to Tama Road (north to south).

The EMT course is county-funded and FREE and requires 136 hours of training over a 2-1/2 month period. That’s 2 nights a week at 4 hours per night plus 3 Saturdays. The training is well worth it, as the trainee, who passes the state test, becomes certified with the State of Ohio for 3 years and nationally certified for 2 years.

“This is especially good for anyone 18 and older who is interested in a medical field. With free training, it can jump-start a career if desired. Several nurses from Dr. Sell’s office just came on board, and the more people we can get trained, the easier it is on everyone covering a shift, said Aaron. “Some people worry about dealing with serious trauma situations. One out of 30 runs may involve trauma, but most are medical and require transportation to the hospital. We did 335 runs last year.”

The next squad meeting is the last Sunday of the month at the fire station: January 27, 2008. Call Aaron Sutter at
419-305-8521 for more information. Other officers include: Dick Pontius, vice-president and Claudia Pontius, secretary who encourage interested parties to contact them, as well.

However, the most exciting news is that Jordan can now be seen live on you-Tube. Click on the link below to launch it. The live concert you will see (also featuring brother Drew Ross and other local talent) was filmed at Parkway High School at a concert there in March 2006.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FwzMnVw4d_Q

When asked about being discovered, Ross had this to say. “You just never can tell when or where you’ll be discovered, or if that day will ever come. I don’t really concern myself with getting discovered here, there, or anywhere, and instead focus on making the best music I can possibly muster.”

A portion of this article was written by Eric Bills

Laura Linn, a 2005 graduate of Parkway, recently traveled to Shanghai and Beijing in China with the Ohio Northern University Marching Band. The band spent three days in Shanghai and performed on the famous
Nanjing Road Square which is equivalent to Times Square in New York. An overnight train took them to Beijing where they performed on the Great Wall and at the Temple of Earth. Linn comments, "Traveling to China with the ONU Marching Band over Thanksgiving break was truly an amazing experience and one that will stay with me for the rest of my life".
 

The pictures are of Laura Linn (top) at the Great Wall and one of the entire marching band (left) along the Yangtze River in Shanghai.

 

William and Jane Now of Rockford recently made a long-awaited trip to Germany. They finally met descendants of Bill's family - spelled Nau.  They shared their trip details with the members of the Shanes Crossing Historical Society at their meeting in October.  Click Here for the full story and many great pictures!

Heinrich and Erica Nau, Bill and Jane Now's German Cousins

German Newspaper Runs the Reunion Story

Jane shows an egg cup to Joan Hall

Sandy Schaffner was introduced and honored as Rockford's newest "Citizen of the Year" by Robert Thompson, last year's recipient, at the annual Rockford Chamber of Commerce Banquet in Rockford on November 1, 2007.

Bob detailed Sandy's untiring devotion to Shane's Park. She serves as the president of the park board of trustees, handles all park building bookings for events and keeps the welcome sign changed to greet users of the park facilities.  Those buildings include the new Rockford Community Building, the shelter house and the smaller park house. She served on planning board as the new community building was built. She makes sure the restrooms are unlocked and stocked.

Bob also added that Sandy serves on the Rockford Carnegie Library Trustee Board; is a member and president of the Friends of the Library; has served as president of the Rockford American Legion Auxiliary; serves as a board member and events chairperson of the Leota Braun Charitable Foundation where she is one of the organizers of the annual foundation banquet; was a former Parkway band parent, heads the annual Angel Tree Project  for Parkway School  District children and their families needing some help at Christmas; plans the annual Easter Egg hunt at the park; and formerly helped with the Hospice organization; was at one time an employee of Reynolds and Reynolds and was an activity director at Laurels of Shane Hill.

She is a 1964 graduate of Parkway High School and International Business College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
While her husband was serving in the military during the Vietnam War, Sandy worked at Fort Hood, Texas as an ordering agent.

Sandy is married to Francis "Moose" Schaffner, and the couple have three children, Deb, Mike and Cary. Deb is married to Tim Van Meter of Kokomo, Indiana, and she has two sons. Mike is married to Ayuko, and they live in Florida with their young son and daughter. Ayuko has introduced her mother-in-law  to Japan on two trips where she met Ayuko's family.

Sandy's hobby for relaxing is pen and ink drawing (see the picture above with her talent hanging on the wall behind her). She creates hand-drawn puzzle designs and has been an artist since the 8th grade. She collects thimbles, too.

Bob Thompson said, "Many people help make Shanes Park what it is, but thanks to Sandy at the helm, thousands of visitors through Rockford get a cordial welcome and a very fine picture of who we are," as he awarded her the plaque.

Sandy received proclamations for State Representative Jim Zehringer, Mercer County Commissioners,  Bob Nuding and John Bruns, and Mercer County Probate and Domestic Relations Court Judge Mary Pat Zitter.

Sandy's grandchildren. Deb's are the older boys and Mike's are the younger two in front.

Sandy's husband and children, Deb Cary and Mike.

L to R: Art Bader, Liz Miller, Sandy Schaffner and Brooke Reyman (good friends) enjoy a vacation to Washington, DC.

Sandy works at Barrys' Market in Rockford, and they honored her award.

Ray Simon Artwork Presented Locally to Organizations by Marcia Ripley - Depicts Veterans, and Those in Service to Others

Local funeral director, Marcia Ripley of Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford had the privilege of meeting Ray Simon at the Minnich Vault Company in Ft. Wayne a while back. Marcia heard him speak at a seminar earlier that day, and he had his art with him. Marcia explained that his paintings are actually a computer blending of many paintings he has done. All are selected to convey the emotion intended. He is a self-taught artist, of Italian descent, who still lives in the Chicago neighborhood where he grew-up.

Marcia bought several of his prints that day and Ray signed each personally: The first one, depicting the heroes of the Korean War, was signed "To Rip - Thank you for our Freedom", in honor of Carl Ripley, Marcia's dad who served during WWII and the Korean Conflict. This print hangs in the funeral home.

The prints donated went to the Rockford Eagles #1292, Rockford Fire Department and Rockford American Legion Post #508 ~ all depicting the 9-1-1 Disaster in New York City. In addition, the Celina VFW, #5713 received a red, white and blue tribute print while the Rockford Police Department accepted a print from her entitled, "Our Finest". Marcia said, "It gave me such personal satisfaction to present these prints to these organizations with personal messages penned by Mr. Simon. These organizations are always so willing to help Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home and perform services that keep our village safe and secure every day."

Marcia has since added to the collection at the funeral home where they are on public display. She invites you to click here for Ray Simon's web site for more information. www.raysimonartcom  Above is the print that hangs in the the new Rockford Village Hall.

Click Here for all of the Parkway Schools Demolition Pictures

Click Here for Parkway Dedication of the New Facilities

The first generation began in 1959 as a home-based insurance agency by Donald Caffee near Chattanooga. Donald Caffee is the one who created the agency's motto “the money is better off in YOUR POCKET than the insurance company’s!”

The second generation started when his nephew Kirby Stetler, joined an insurance company in 1976,
doing stints ranging from trainee to Director of Republic Mutual during 22 years.  Kirby’s stint at Celina Group involved his main love; farm insurance, where his farming life and concern for farmers’ needs has proven beneficial to his customers. He traveled with the agents and helped them talk with farmers. Kirby owns the Kermit and Fern Stetler Family Farm which has been in the family since his Aunt Neva (Stetler) Clouse and husband, Edgar Clouse, purchased the farm land in the 1920's. Kirby’s parents, Kermit and Fern Stetler bought the Edgar Clouse farm land in 1941 located between Willshire and Rockford.

Kirby gained his “selling” agents license in 1984, and was already a veteran in the insurance industry when he went to work for Don in 1997. He and Steven Hecht bought Caffee Insurance out in 2000. Kirby holds insurance designations and also taught CPCU (the “CPA of insurance”) but feels that his best lessons came from customers and experience, and the most valuable designation is someone with “common sense".  Travis, Casey, and Jessica share the same feeling.

Now the process has begun again with the third generation! Kirby and Steve sold the company to Kirby’s son-in-law Travis Pond, his wife Jessica, and his brother Casey Pond.  Kirby now has the flexibility to fill his new role as an inside/outside agency team member, visiting existing customers who wish to do reviews to make sure they are protected, and offering potential new customers advice to protect their life’s work. He also enjoys being the “PR/Advertising man for the group.” Kirby is adjusting to his new “semi retired” life as Travis and Casey  increasingly handle the main duties day to day. Kirby is still available in person or electronically to any customer and also keeps busy with refurbishing his antique car and working on the new duties his wife Judy has assigned to him now! 

Travis began working at the Chatt office in 2001. His 2003 associate degree from Wright State University is in business finance. He had not known Jessica very well in early high school, but they really hit it off when they worked together on a later Parkway Drama Club production. (Incidentally, working on a school play was how Kirby and Judy met.) Travis and Jessica began dating and married in July of 2004.

Casey, a 1999 graduate of Parkway High School and a 2002 grad of ITT Tech, with an associate degree in Computer Networking Technology, worked at Celina Insurance Group until recently. He was the lead tech at the help desk, serving 500+ agents and 200 employees in computer technology. He recently bought-out Sigler Insurance from LuAnn and Kim Sigler. He has combined his company with his brother and sister-in-law to make the Chatt Insurance Center an even broader-based business to serve the needs of the community. With Casey’s expertise, the company has gone completely paperless; all business is done online from faxing  to applications, to quotes and emails. They even revise policies for customers online. Travis and Casey are the sons of Ken and Carla Pond. Ken is the senior commercial underwriter at Celina Group, and his sons have been learning along the way since the 8th grade.

Jessica grew up with the family business and started out cleaning the offices, helping her mom, Judy, who works at Adams Central Schools as a guidance counselor and administrator. Jessica eventually worked her way up to helping her dad with office skills learned at Parkway High School. She worked during the summer months and attended Wright State University before marrying Travis Pond.

In January of 2005 all three became partners with Kirby and employ Aunt Jane (Stephenson) Suzuki, as their office manager.

Chatt Insurance Center are agents for the following insurance companies: Grange; Celina Insurance Group; United Ohio; Wayne Mutual; Donegal; Progressive and many brokerage companies. They sell Hagerty, which insures antique cars, and Golden Rule offering health insurance, and Grange Life for life insurance. Notary needs and faxing, safety materials and more are available. “This is a broad range of companies for an agency our size, but we can serve 99% of the people who come in. Families stay with us, even when they move away, “said Casey.

Kirby keeps busy with refurbishing his antique car and is in the first phase of “semi-retirement”. He enjoys being the Public Relations Manager for Chatt Insurance a couple of days a week. Kirby says, "Our motto is: Don’t Shop for Insurance Backwards. Instead of waiting to see if you are covered; think first of the types of things you would want protected before the event. Protect your life’s work and future. Let us help." 

Located at 10030 State Route 49, Chatt Insurance Center, offers the old and the new. Amish buggies find their way on the road that connects Spring Street in Dayton to Ft. Wayne, Indiana via State Route 49. Contact them at chattinsurance@bright.net or via their website at www.chatt-insurance.com

School History 101~ by Monica Agler
Thank you to Monica and Pat Agler for researching, writing and photographing this article for the PWI readers.

Don’t let the title confuse you.  I’m not talking about your average school history class.  Quite the contrary; I’m referring to the history of our school.  The recent demolition of the Rockford building set my mind to wondering.   Peering into the rubble of this once magnificent structure caused me to ponder the history of this fallen treasure.  Thus the search for answers began.

The obvious choice for school history queries was our own local historian, Norm VanTilburg.  He is an active member of the Shanes Crossing Historical Society in Rockford. The former Rockford Lumberyard serves as the new location for the Historical Society.  The first floor houses a menagerie of interesting artifacts and memorabilia about the history of Rockford.

Norm was very enthusiastic about my quest for our school history.  He offered a bounty of data referencing back to the 1820’s.  One of the historical displays contains a photo of the first school built in 1884. This was built in what was then known as Shanes Crossing.  There is also a commencement program from the very first graduation held in 1887.  According to records, the first graduating class had only three members.  The first school was not known as Rockford or Parkway.  Those names came later in the history of our fair school.  No, the very first school was simply known as Shanes Crossing School .  While researching the school documents Norm stumbled upon the actual spec sheets to build this facility.  These were complete with detailed instructions for carpenter, plasterer, brick mason, electrician etc.  It was very interesting to review these and see the penmanship of the day. 

The building, known by most as Parkway, was originally Rockford High.  This facility was built in 1923 for an estimated cost of $65,900.  Enrollment in 1923 was 177 in Elementary with 158 in High School.  The 1938 addition included the “old gym,” girls dressing room and stage.  Prior to this the gymnasium was on the second floor.  In 1954 the cafeteria and home economic areas where added.  Then, in 1976, the “new gym,” choir/band room, business section and Vocational Agriculture rooms were added.  * Our school system has always had a strong FFA program.  There is a 1958 FFA award hanging in a Historical Society display case.

Other changes through the years included two consolidations of school systems.  The first occurred in the 1961-62 school year when Rockford merged with Willshire. This merger resulted in the development of the Parkway Local School District. Note: the Rockford High Tigers school colors were red & black while the Willshire Bobcats colors were blue and gold.  This union gave birth to both a new mascot, the Panther and new school colors, black & gold.  GO CATS!!  The second school consolidation involving Mendon-Union transpired in 1992. 

Below are additional intriguing facts that were presented during my interview of Mr. VanTilburg:

·          Records indicate that in 1874 female teachers were paid a mere $1.25 per day to teach while male teachers earned $2.00 per day.

·          On April 4, 1881 an outbreak of measles caused the school to close for 21 days.

·          April 14, 1884 Scarlet Fever caused classes to discontinue for two weeks.

·          1896 Compulsory attendance- State of Ohio… “every minor between ages of 14 and 16 years of age, whether he can read or write the English language or not, is obliged to attend school unless he is engaged in some regular employment…”

·          August 1922 -The Shanes Crossing School being in poor condition required the construction of the Rockford High School building, during this interim period, classes were held in various businesses and churches about town.

·          1939 the following schools were suspended (one room school houses) Red, Barks, Frysinger, Baltzell, Grove, Robison, Manley, Center, Chattanooga, Deitsch, Hinton, Stedke & Seibert.

Reviewing the above statistics you can easily see how times have changed.  We have grown as a community and a school system. We have incurred many changes and embraced them with fervor.

This school year begins a new era; a new beginning; and yes, a new page in history.

Thanks to Mr. VanTilburg for providing the historical data for this article.  I encourage one and all to visit the Historical Society.  You’ll be surprised what you might find to both intrigue and inspire you.  Monica