February 2022

  • /

Wikipedia makes it sound like Ada is known for having the shortest name in Ohio. Phooey. Surely the top two contenders for Ada fame are, in alphabetical order, Ohio Northern University and the Wilson Sporting Goods football factory.

With Super Bowl LVI taking place on Sunday, February 13, this is prime time to check out the factory at 217 Liberty Street, where all NFL footballs are made. Mike Springer, Quality Manager, took the Icon on a tour and provided us with the following update on the facility as well as Super Bowl preparations and promotions.

  • /

The dean's list for the fall 2021 semester at the University of Findlay has been announced.

Local students include:

Brenna George

Barrette Jones

  • /

Norman Ray Thompson, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7:13 PM at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.  

He was born on August 15, 1942, in Bluffton, Ohio to the late Lewis Raymond and Delora (Winget) Thompson.  On May 14, 1997, Norman married Gloria J. Conrad and she preceded him in death on August 13, 2003.

Norman is survived by his two children: Randy (Laura) Thompson of Pataskala and Kristina Allen of Bellefontaine; a grandson, Hunter Allen; a brother, Richard (Rita) Thompson of Ottawa; and a sister, Norleen (Gene) Neinberg of Pandora. 

He was preceded in death by his three brothers: Edward, Louis, and Kenneth Thompson.

  • /

Apollo Career Center will kick off Career Tech Education Month® with the annual All Area Boards Meeting held Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the Apollo Commons. Apollo Superintendent Keith Horner will be providing opening remarks beginning at 6:45.

Roger Mathews, a 1998 graduate of Allen East and Apollo's Auto Mechanics program, will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. Sprint Electric and Challenge Electric will be honored as Co-Employers of the Year.

February 15, Elzay Gallery of Art

  • /

Lebanese-American poet Ruth Awad will be Ohio Northern University’s English Reading Series’ first spring semester guest. Her free, public reading will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the Wilson Center Elzay Gallery of Art.

By Cort Reynolds

  • /

The visiting Ada High School girls basketball team convincingly defeated local non-league rival Waynesfield-Goshen 48-36 Tuesday evening, February 8.

Ada led 15-12 after the first quarter as Courtney Sumner buried two triples. The Bulldog girls extended the lead to 22-16 at halftime. 

Late in the third period the Bulldogs still led by six before going on a run to grab a 36-23 lead heading to the final stanza. Sumner tallied seven points in the third quarter.

  • /

Ohio’s 2021-22 deer hunting season concluded Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, with 196,988 deer checked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s average harvest compiled from the past three seasons is 184,746 deer.

  • /

GROB Systems of Bluffton has announced a February 19 Apprenticeship Tour, the last such event for the 2021-2022 school year.

The 9:00 a.m. tour of the 1070 Navajo Dr., facility features a presentation about the program, Q&A with training staff, and a facility tour led by current apprentices.

Rhodes State Lima provides this video account of what it is like to be a GROB apprentice: https://youtu.be/5lN1sPubeUw.

Attendance is limited and registration is required. Visit www.joingrob.com/apprentice/tours to register for this event.

Jonathan Wey composing "Of Hope and Remembrance"

  • /

If Ohio Northern University’s sesquicentennial celebration was a song, what would it sound like? Adjunct music instructor Jonathan Wey has been commissioned to answer that very question. A lifelong musician and composer, Wey didn’t hesitate when asked if he’d be willing to create a choral arrangement to commemorate the University’s 150th anniversary.

Titled “Of Hope and Remembrance,” the piece will debut at the University Singers’ spring concert scheduled for April 29.

  • /

Marguerite Bolen, age 82, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at her residence in Alger.

She was born on August 14, 1938, in McGuffey, Ohio to the late Elliott and Julia (Wireman) Conley.  On December 15, 1954, Marguerite married Jimmie Ray Bolen and he survives in Alger.

Also surviving are her two daughters: Teresa Bolen of Alger and Vickie (Manuel) Gallegos of Ridgeway; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.      

She was preceded in death by her son, Rick Bolen; and several brothers and sisters.

Marguerite retired from Wilson Sporting Goods, after working for forty-six years.

Pages