This past Saturday afternoon, Bear Arms Armory & Archery, now located at the former site of Cleland’s Outdoor World at 10306 Airport Highway in Swanton, celebrated a Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with family members, friends, customers and representatives from the Swanton Chamber of Commerce.
The event marked the official celebration of new ownership and a full-scale renovation of one of the area’s most long-standing firearm and archery retailers. Bear Arms Armory & Archery offers a modern experience for firearm and archery enthusiasts of all levels. The facilities boast an indoor pistol range, a dedicated indoor archery range, and a retail showroom stocked with firearms, gear, and accessories. The site also offers on-site concealed carry (CCW) classes and training with a focus on safety, education, and confidence building.
Bear Arms is an expansion of Bear Arms Tactical in Perrysburg and continues the company’s commitment to exceptional customer service, training, and access to quality products for personal protection and sport. For more information, contact Bear Arms Armory & Archery at (419) 865-4713. PO Box 116 Swanton, OH 43558 | Facebook | SwantonCC@gmail.com | 419.826.1941
Last Friday, the Swanton Athletic Boosters held their 36th Annual Golf Outing at Valleywood Gold Club on Airport Highway in Swanton. It was a noon shotgun start for 36 teams competing in a scramble format with temperatures hitting 90 degrees and higher. The team sponsored by McNeill Chevrolet shot the lowest score to capture first place.
Click on the link above to access any of the over 600 photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Mason Black, a resident of Swanton and a 2024 graduate of St. John’s Jesuit High School & Academy in Toledo, was named to the Dean’s List at Loyola University Chicago. He received a letter from the university that read, in part:
It is with great pleasure that I write to congratulate you on your scholastic performance during the second semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Your achievements have merited your being named to the Dean’s List of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences.
In the tradition of Jesuit higher education, the College of Arts and Sciences of Loyola University Chicago is dedicated to excellence in undergraduate education. An achievement like yours is a concrete demonstration of that excellence, as well as a most satisfying reward for the efforts that you and your family have undoubtedly put into your education.
The letter was signed by Peter J. Schraeder, Professor and Dean, College of Arts and Sciences.
Mason, who attended Swanton Schools prior to high school, is majoring in Anthropology Premed and will continue on that path when he returns for the Fall semester. The son of Tara and Matt Shaver and Austin and Jessica Black is currently working at Toledo Hospital as a Patient Care Technician, assisting from eight to a dozen patients with all of their general needs during his 12-hour shifts. “It’s really great for practical experience for when it comes time to apply to med school,” he said.
With a timeline of graduating from Loyola in 2028, Mason plans on attending medical school, quite possibly at the University of Toledo Medical College (UTMC). “I kind of have this philosophy of finishing where I started. So, if I could, I would like to go to UT,” he explained. “Obviously I would go wherever I got in.”
The campus of Loyola Chicago is on the north side of the city, right on the shore of Lake Michigan. With a population of approximately 2.75M, it is the third largest city in the United States and can be very intimidating for an 18-year-old student from a town of 3900 and on his own for the first time in his life. But Mason has adjusted very well. “It’s great. It’s been so much fun. Just getting to see so many new things. I went to a Cubs game last Fall. That was cool being at Wrigley,” he said.
If Mason does not choose UTMC for med school he is also considering Georgetown, Creighton, St. Louis or maybe Xavier. In the meantime, he has three more years and a lot more studying before he has to make that decision.
On Tuesday morning, between the hours of 10:00 am and 12:00 pm, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Post 89 located at 8891 County Road 1 in Swanton, hosted an Open House for anyone interested in joining the OSHP in a variety of positions, most specifically troopers and dispatchers. Sergeant Chad A. Recker, Assistant Post Commander at the Lima Post 2, gave a tour of the facility and listed some of the eligibility requirements potential recruits had to meet for consideration and what an applicant would encounter during the process.
“Right now, our numbers are kind of low, that’s why we’re having these recruiting events,” explained Sergeant Recker. “We can have anywhere from 9 to 15 troopers at a post, depending where you’re at and the majority of their job is on the roadways. Every post has a post secretary and a maintenance shop as well.”
Initial minimum requirements are as follows: Applicants must be age 20-39, a U.S. Citizen, have a high school diploma or a GED and a valid driver’s license with no more than five (5) active points in the last two years. Applications are submitted online at www.careers.ohio.gov *Keyword – Cadet, *Trooper (Cadet) job posting.
You must self-schedule for your written and physical fitness test via the link sent through email. The written test consists of 50 multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 74%.
Requirements for the physical test (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.50-mile run) differ by Gender and Age: Male 20-29 (22/33/13.58), Male 30-39 (17/30/14.33), Female 20-29 (10-24-17.11), Female 30-39 (8/20/18.18).
Pre-Employment Questionnaires must be downloaded, filled out and turned in before proceeding. Next will be a Polygraph Exam, In-depth Background Investigation, Drug Screen, Selection Committee, Psychological Assessment, Medical Review then Placement in an Academy Class.
“After all that, you are set up for a class that is roughly six months down in Columbus, Monday through Friday, but it’s a paid academy ($22.00/hour for 40 hours of work). You are housed, fed, clothed and get liberty on the weekends,” said Sergeant Recker. “After you complete the academy, you are guaranteed to be within 50 air miles of your residence of where you are going to be stationed. You are set with a field training officer for three months, 70 shifts, and after that you are on your own.”
Pay and Benefits are as follows: Upon graduation, starting pay is 34.22/hour in 2025 and 35.25/hour in 2026. There are 11 paid holiday per year and paid time off also includes vacation, personal and sick leave. Paid vision and dental insurance after one year of service. Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO Plan. Cadets qualify for tuition reimbursement after one year of service.
Current policy states no tattoos above the neck or below the wrist. Applicants who have visible tattoos in the short sleeve uniform will be required to wear the long sleeve uniform year-round.
Several Village Council Meetings ago, Council members had asked that community organizations send a representative to a meeting to help the Council understand what was the main function of the organization and how it impacted the Village of Swanton. At tonight’s meeting, Alyssa (Gombash) Walberg spoke in front of Council members Derek Kania, John Schmidt, Dianne Westhoven, Noah Kreuz, Sam Disbrow and Patrick Messenger and Mayor Neil Toeppe, Administrator Shannon Shulters and Fiscal Officer Holden Benfield. Below is her address:
My journey with the Corn Festival started when I was just a kid. My mom joined the committee when I was in elementary school, and I got to watch firsthand the passion and love she—and so many others—poured into this event and into our town. It left a lasting impression on me. Now, as someone who has chosen to stay rooted in Swanton and raise my own family here, I want my children to grow up loving the Corn Festival, appreciating our town, and feeling proud to be part of this amazing community.
That’s why I do this—so other families and kids can experience just how special Swanton truly is. The Corn Festival is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of Swanton. It brings together families, friends, and neighbors, and it gives our local businesses, churches, school groups, clubs, and organizations a chance to shine, raise funds, and connect with the community. Whether it’s a nonprofit hosting a booth, a sports team selling lemonade, or a small business meeting new customers, the festival lifts up so many parts of our town in meaningful ways.
Each year, we also see so many people return home to Swanton just for this weekend. It’s become a time for reunions, memories, and tradition. One of our most beloved events is the All Class Reunion and Party in the Park, which [CO1][CO2]celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. It’s a chance for alumni, friends, and community members to reconnect and celebrate everything that makes Swanton special.
Over the years, the Corn Festival has also donated tens of thousands of dollars to various local groups, projects, and improvements throughout our community. From park upgrades to helping fund youth programs, we take pride in giving back and supporting the town that supports us. We plan to continue working with the village and different groups in our community to continue to donate and help improve our park and town.
This year, we’ve got some exciting additions and returning favorites. The festivities kick off with our brand-new Family Fun Color Run and a revamped 5K. We’ll also have our classic parade, live music in the beer garden—including Not Fast Enuf at 8PM—local vendors, kids’ activities, inflatables, and so much more. We’re also proud to showcase local businesses like Benfield Wines and Oncore Brewing in our beer tent this year.
I want to recognize my incredible team of volunteers who have been working tirelessly all year to bring this day to life. They’ve dedicated their time, talents, and hearts to making this year’s festival a fun, safe, and memorable event for everyone. We can’t wait to see our streets filled with laughter, music, and, of course, lots of corn. Thank you for your continued support in helping us bring joy and connection to the Swanton community. And also – if we could all just send up some good vibes for 75 degrees and sunshine on August 9th, I would greatly appreciate it.
Before Alyssa stepped away from the podium, she mentioned that the committee, which is made up of approximately 15 volunteers that work year-round on the planning, could use more volunteers during the two-day event. Anyone willing to help out can contact the committee by sending a message to their Facebook page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Delray E Busch, Executive Director, Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony for Bear Arms Armory & Archery, now located at the former site of Cleland’s Outdoor World at 10306 Airport Highway in Swanton.
The two-day grand opening event will be held: ● Saturday, June 28, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. ● Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 PM. ● Sunday, June 29, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
This event marks the official celebration of new ownership and a full-scale renovation of one of the area’s most long-standing firearm and archery retailers. Attendees can enjoy food, giveaways, product demonstrations, and tours of the facility. Bear Arms Armory & Archery offers a modern experience for firearm and archery enthusiasts of all levels. The facilities boast an indoor pistol range, a dedicated indoor archery range, and a retail showroom stocked with firearms, gear, and accessories. The site also offers on-site concealed carry (CCW) classes and training with a focus on safety, education, and confidence building.
Bear Arms is an expansion of Bear Arms Tactical in Perrysburg and continues the company’s commitment to exceptional customer service, training, and access to quality products for personal protection and sport. For more information, contact Bear Arms Armory & Archery at (419) 865-4713. PO Box 116 Swanton, OH 43558 | Facebook | SwantonCC@gmail.com | 419.826.1941
My name is Noah Kreuz, and over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Swanton Village Council after being appointed by the current council to fill a vacancy. While I wasn’t initially elected by the residents, I took that responsibility seriously and made it my mission to serve with the same dedication and accountability as someone who was.
From day one, I’ve worked to be a true representative for the people of Swanton—listening to your concerns, advocating for your needs, and always putting our community first. I believe that every voice matters, and I’ve strived to ensure those voices are heard at the council table.
Now, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for reelection, and I’m asking for your support to continue the work we’ve started together.
My wife, Kayla, and I moved to Swanton in 2023 after buying our first home on Brookside Dr. From the moment we arrived, we’ve loved every minute of living here. Swanton has quickly become home, and we’re proud to build our future—and raise our family—right here in this amazing community. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be going door to door throughout the village to introduce myself, listen to your thoughts and concerns, and gather signatures for my petition to appear on the ballot. I’ll also be at the upcoming Swanton Block Party on July 19, so please stop by, say hello, and share what matters most to you.
I’m looking forward to meeting more of you and continuing to serve this community we’re so proud to call home. Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!
In an earlier Facebook posting, Mr. Messenger made the following announcement:
Patrick L Messenger Announces Re-Election Bid for Swanton Village Council
My name is Patrick L Messenger, and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Swanton Village Council.
As I near the end of my first four-year term, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made—and the work that still needs to be done. I’m a father of five and have been a resident of Swanton for 12 years. This village is my home, and I’ve been honored to serve the people who make it such a special place.
Over the past four years, I’ve been involved in several positive changes, including increasing transparency in local government through the implementation of live-streamed council meetings. I believe these efforts have helped make local leadership more accessible, accountable, and responsive to the needs of our community.
That said, I know there’s still more to do.
As part of my re-election effort, I will be collecting signatures throughout the community to secure my place on the ballot. I’ll also be making myself available to hear your questions, comments, and concerns—because I want to get a head start on ensuring that the next four years are as productive and proactive as possible. That means addressing not only the issues we face today, but also preparing for those that may arise in the future.
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. It has been an honor to serve, and I respectfully ask for your support as I seek another term on the Swanton Village Council. — Patrick L Messenger
Current Swanton Village Council President, Derek Kania, has decided to run for another term as a Swanton Village Councilman and serve his community for another four years. Below, Mr. Kania, or Senior Master Sergeant Kania, who serves in the 180th Fighter Wing (180 FW) of the Ohio Air National Guard located at Toledo Express Airport, states his case to be reelected:
Lessons Learned from 4 Years on Council
April 28th, 2021, I was sitting in my hotel room at Ramstein Air Force Base writing to all of you in the Village, why I would like to be on Village Council. While most of what I wrote was a letter about who I was and where I came from, the last paragraph outlined what I would do IF I was elected in November of 2021. I aimed to bring more participation to Village Council meetings. I wanted all community members to have a stage to voice their concerns and their solutions to what was bothering them. I wanted to empower the elected officials to serve the community, not their own agendas. I can tell you after 4 years of Council, I feel this agenda has been moved in the right direction. For almost 4 years I have sat on Council and tried to push this community forward, and after 4 years I have learned a lot. So, I’d like to lay out 4 things that I have learned over the 4 years as one of your honored elected officials.
1. SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!!! After over 20 years of military service I should have known the government machine was slow whether it’s at the federal level or the local level. I’m an action-now kind of guy and that mentality doesn’t work with government. There are so many layers of legal, financial, and political protocols that MUST be adhered to just to purchase certain items, fix a road, or even hire someone. It took me a while to accept the speed at which certain things get done in government. The downside to this snail’s pace is what many of us see every day things don’t get fixed right away when reported, projects don’t start on time, and the list goes on and on. The other side of this slow but steady pace is that it allows all department heads to grasp the project at hand, financially obligate funds, or make sure the engineers have done their part. This slower pace is what gets projects done in a manner that doesn’t later burden the Village. If the Village operated at the pace many of us in the community would like, the Village would more than likely be broke from redundant projects, excessive spending just to get something done, and knee-jerk reactions to issues. Sometimes slowing down and having others look at the issue from different angles is the smarter way to get something done. It may not be fast, but it will get done.
2. BUDGET!! Oh boy, this was a fun topic to learn about. Growing up, balancing a checkbook could be difficult moving money from savings to checking and writing down that move for tracking purposes and then writing checks for bills and then later using an app on your phone to do that same thing. Governmental funding is another beast on a different level. Each department has their own accounts and sub-accounts, and there are transfers from one account to pay for another worker it can be very intimidating. Projects like Munson, Hallett, and Airport Hwy need loan and grant applications submitted and tracked, and then once a grant or loan is awarded, there are stipulations on how that money can be spent and, in some cases, it must be spent within certain timelines. All of this doesn’t even account for the investments, insurance, and retirement accounts that need to be tracked and reviewed by Council. Thankfully, we have a great finance guy that is able to break all this down into digestible information for all of us to… enjoy?!
3. TEAMWORK… Despite what the community thinks or what is said on social media, EVERY Village employee works hard to improve the Village. WRRF, Water, Public Service, Parks, Admin, FD, Police all strive to make this Village better. Each department works to create new ways to save time or money on given projects so that resources can be directed to help the community. Unfortunately, this side of the Village is only seen if you are part of the governmental workings of the Village. I had my own thoughts of how things operated at all these departments before I was on Council. However, between meetings and visits to facilities and numerous other communications with all of these members over the past 4 years, I can assure you they are working to improve the community.
4. THE COMMUNITY… When I first decided to run for Council four years ago, I talked about community because it was, and still is, the heart of everything. My family set roots here. We invested not just in a home, but in a future. And during my time on Council, I’ve had the incredible privilege to see just how deep and resilient Swanton’s sense of community really is. The Corn Fest Committee, Rotary, Lions Club, VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, SACC, and many more don’t just exist on paper. They’re filled with real people, your neighbors, who put in real work to make our town stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. Their commitment is inspiring. Whether it’s helping a family through a rough patch, organizing youth programs, fireworks, community festivals, or simply being a constant source of pride and positivity, these groups reflect the best of Swanton. The community is why I stay in Swanton; the community is what will always make Swanton great not the governing bodies, the community is what will hold this town together through hard times and celebrate the good.
Now that my term is almost up, I need to make a decision: do I pursue re-election or walk away and let someone else push Swanton forward? I’ve tossed this idea around for a few months and have had numerous conversations with my family and to be honest… with myself. My internal issues with re-election were geared around whether or not I still have more to give do I have another 4 years in me? I don’t want to be on Council and not be effective. My daughter asked if I had made a decision on running again. I told her I hadn’t made a decision, she then looked at me and said, “Dad, I think you should do it again. You have more to give. You can make things happen.” I just looked at her, with this weird liquid welling up in my eyes and said, “You’re right. I’m not done yet.” So, after all is said, I’m asking all of you once again to please support me on my quest for re-election to Village Council. My loving wife has again agreed to support me on this endeavor and will be collecting signatures for my petition that must be submitted in early August. So, if you’d like to support me continuing on Village Council, and are a Village resident, please come to CK Sweets located at 95 S. Main St. in Swanton and sign the petition. I’ll also set up some time to collect them as well and meet with some of you. Thank you all for the time, and your support.
Derek Kania
Current Swanton Village Council President, Derek Kania, has decided to run for another term as a Swanton Village Councilman and serve his community for another four years. Below, Mr. Kania, or Senior Master Sergeant Kania, who serves in the 180th Fighter Wing (180 FW) of the Ohio Air National Guard located at Toledo Express Airport, states his case to be reelected:
Lessons Learned from 4 Years on Council
April 28th, 2021, I was sitting in my hotel room at Ramstein Air Force Base writing to all of you in the Village, why I would like to be on Village Council. While most of what I wrote was a letter about who I was and where I came from, the last paragraph outlined what I would do IF I was elected in November of 2021. I aimed to bring more participation to Village Council meetings. I wanted all community members to have a stage to voice their concerns and their solutions to what was bothering them. I wanted to empower the elected officials to serve the community, not their own agendas. I can tell you after 4 years of Council, I feel this agenda has been moved in the right direction. For almost 4 years I have sat on Council and tried to push this community forward, and after 4 years I have learned a lot. So, I’d like to lay out 4 things that I have learned over the 4 years as one of your honored elected officials.
1. SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!!! After over 20 years of military service I should have known the government machine was slow whether it’s at the federal level or the local level. I’m an action-now kind of guy and that mentality doesn’t work with government. There are so many layers of legal, financial, and political protocols that MUST be adhered to just to purchase certain items, fix a road, or even hire someone. It took me a while to accept the speed at which certain things get done in government. The downside to this snail’s pace is what many of us see every day things don’t get fixed right away when reported, projects don’t start on time, and the list goes on and on. The other side of this slow but steady pace is that it allows all department heads to grasp the project at hand, financially obligate funds, or make sure the engineers have done their part. This slower pace is what gets projects done in a manner that doesn’t later burden the Village. If the Village operated at the pace many of us in the community would like, the Village would more than likely be broke from redundant projects, excessive spending just to get something done, and knee-jerk reactions to issues. Sometimes slowing down and having others look at the issue from different angles is the smarter way to get something done. It may not be fast, but it will get done.
2. BUDGET!! Oh boy, this was a fun topic to learn about. Growing up, balancing a checkbook could be difficult moving money from savings to checking and writing down that move for tracking purposes and then writing checks for bills and then later using an app on your phone to do that same thing. Governmental funding is another beast on a different level. Each department has their own accounts and sub-accounts, and there are transfers from one account to pay for another worker it can be very intimidating. Projects like Munson, Hallett, and Airport Hwy need loan and grant applications submitted and tracked, and then once a grant or loan is awarded, there are stipulations on how that money can be spent and, in some cases, it must be spent within certain timelines. All of this doesn’t even account for the investments, insurance, and retirement accounts that need to be tracked and reviewed by Council. Thankfully, we have a great finance guy that is able to break all this down into digestible information for all of us to… enjoy?!
3. TEAMWORK… Despite what the community thinks or what is said on social media, EVERY Village employee works hard to improve the Village. WRRF, Water, Public Service, Parks, Admin, FD, Police all strive to make this Village better. Each department works to create new ways to save time or money on given projects so that resources can be directed to help the community. Unfortunately, this side of the Village is only seen if you are part of the governmental workings of the Village. I had my own thoughts of how things operated at all these departments before I was on Council. However, between meetings and visits to facilities and numerous other communications with all of these members over the past 4 years, I can assure you they are working to improve the community.
4. THE COMMUNITY… When I first decided to run for Council four years ago, I talked about community because it was, and still is, the heart of everything. My family set roots here. We invested not just in a home, but in a future. And during my time on Council, I’ve had the incredible privilege to see just how deep and resilient Swanton’s sense of community really is. The Corn Fest Committee, Rotary, Lions Club, VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, SACC, and many more don’t just exist on paper. They’re filled with real people, your neighbors, who put in real work to make our town stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. Their commitment is inspiring. Whether it’s helping a family through a rough patch, organizing youth programs, fireworks, community festivals, or simply being a constant source of pride and positivity, these groups reflect the best of Swanton. The community is why I stay in Swanton; the community is what will always make Swanton great not the governing bodies, the community is what will hold this town together through hard times and celebrate the good.
Now that my term is almost up, I need to make a decision: do I pursue re-election or walk away and let someone else push Swanton forward? I’ve tossed this idea around for a few months and have had numerous conversations with my family and to be honest… with myself. My internal issues with re-election were geared around whether or not I still have more to give do I have another 4 years in me? I don’t want to be on Council and not be effective. My daughter asked if I had made a decision on running again. I told her I hadn’t made a decision, she then looked at me and said, “Dad, I think you should do it again. You have more to give. You can make things happen.” I just looked at her, with this weird liquid welling up in my eyes and said, “You’re right. I’m not done yet.” So, after all is said, I’m asking all of you once again to please support me on my quest for re-election to Village Council. My loving wife has again agreed to support me on this endeavor and will be collecting signatures for my petition that must be submitted in early August. So, if you’d like to support me continuing on Village Council, and are a Village resident, please come to CK Sweets located at 95 S. Main St. in Swanton and sign the petition. I’ll also set up some time to collect them as well and meet with some of you. Thank you all for the time, and your support.
Fulton County Ohio Media 