The Lady Panthers pelted the Lady Vikings goal with shot after shot in the first half of the DIII Girls District Semi-Final match, but it took a penalty kick from senior Saige Walter to finally send one to the back of the net, giving Delta a 1-0 victory over Evergreen. Viking goalie Hannah Wilson turned in an outstanding performance in the contest, but really had no chance against the Panther sharpshooter who drilled the shot to the far-right side of the goal.
“In a ‘Shootathon’ earlier this year she made 48 out of 50 penalty kicks. She’s our go to girl on PKs,” said Delta coach Paige Triana explaining why Saige was chosen to take the critical shot attempt. The win gave the Panthers, in addition to moving on in the tournament, a measure of revenge for the 3-2 loss to the Vikings in the regular season. “They are a fantastic team,” Coach Triana said of Evergreen. “We changed our formation to be more offense-minded. That was our thought process and it worked in our favor today. We were shooting on all cylinders.”
Delta entered the tournament as the #2 seed and will now face the #1 seed, the Ottawa-Glandorf Lady Titans, on Saturday at 3:00 PM at Evergreen High School for the District Championship and a trip to the DIII Regional Tournament.
Click on the link above to access photos from the match. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Saige Walter is hugged and congratulated by her Lady Panther teammates after scoring on a penalty kick for the games only goal.
The Evergreen Vikings overcame a tough Delta defense and a 12-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to spoil Homecoming Night with a 15-12 victory over the Panthers in the final game of the year for both teams. Justin Ruple scored twice on one-yard plunges in the second quarter to give Delta a two-touchdown lead. However, a 56-yard return for a touchdown by Riley Dunbar ignited the Vikings who then later scored the winning on a touchdown pass from Bryce Boger. The win improves Evergreen’s record to 2-5 in the NWOAL and 4-6 overall. Delta finishes the season with a league record of 1-6 and 3-7 overall.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Viking Max Mossing (4) looks to get past Tyler Ruple
Click on the link above to access photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Click on the link above to access photos from the coronation. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: 2023 Delta High School Homecoming Queen Danica Ford
One benefit that voters have in any upcoming election between an incumbent and their opponent is an opportunity to research the incumbent’s track record while in office to determine if they deserve another term. The progressive initiatives Mayor Neil Toeppe has been able to implement the past two years, with the blessing of the current Village Council, have brought the Village of Swanton well ahead of its long stagnation of years past. I say only two years because Mr. Toeppe’s initial efforts were completely obstructed by angry and resentful Council leaders who placed their grudge-held sentiments of the new mayor before the needs of the Swanton citizenry. Fortunately, two years after Mr. Toeppe defeated eight-year incumbent mayor Ann Roth, four Council members were replaced and the Village finally began to move forward and has been on a fast track ever since.
What I believe to be the most important accomplishment of the mayor’s current tenure was the implementation of Live Streaming of all of the Village’s meetings. Basically, it brought complete transparency and full disclosure of Council proceedings into the home of all constituents or anywhere they happen to have access to the internet. These meetings can be viewed in real time or at any time, day or night, for the next 12 months. No longer do we have to be in attendance or wait two or more weeks to receive a copy of abbreviated and sanitized meeting minutes. Watching the proceedings tells the viewer not only what is said, but how it is said and what the visceral feelings are of the individual players towards an issue as well as the overall mood in the room. Nothing is hidden.
Mayor Toeppe was also able to create an Economic Development Commission (EDC), an all-volunteer group of business and community leaders who now work on bringing more business opportunities to the Village to help increase the tax base. With an increase in economic development comes an increase of business taxes, thereby lessening the tax burden of the hard-working citizens of Swanton. More tax revenue will allow the Village to maintain and improve its services to its residents and provide quality health and safety assistance through its Police Department and Fire and Rescue Division.
Recently, under the Toeppe administration, a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) was established in downtown on Main Street. It allows drinking establishments within the area to place tables and chair outside in front of their business and serve adult beverages. Block parties were organized this summer in the DORA, bringing more business into the community and again, more tax revenue that benefits everyone in the Village.
Another major asset Mayor Toeppe brings to the table is his almost 21 years serving as the Executive Director of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce. Through this position and his time as Mayor, he has constructed an enormous resource network composed of business and political leaders throughout the State of Ohio. He has used these resources to make informed decisions and recommendations to Council on ways to maintain high standards of service to the citizens of Swanton and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner.
Neil Toeppe is an excellent communicator. He responds to people’s questions and concerns he sees on social media, publishes important messages and information on social media as does the Village Administrator and reinstated the Mayor’s Report at all Council meetings. On sensitive issues, Neil has been known to knock on people’s front doors to allow them to explain their grievances in person without having to make an appointment with the Village Office. His soft-spoken tone and calm and friendly demeanor make him very approachable and gives other the confidence that he will listen and take their concerns seriously. At the same time, he is clear-eyed and pragmatic and will tell someone when a problem cannot be quickly resolved.
In full disclosure, I have served on the Swanton Area of Commerce Board for approximately eight years, working with Neil and other board members to support the Chamber’s members and their businesses. I have witnessed the many great things he has done for this community working behind the scenes through the Chamber. Have you seen downtown lately? It is a complete transformation. No more do I see those “ghost town” postings referring to Main Street of Facebook. Neil Toeppe has been the catalyst behind the amazing change. His assistance in helping my family bring back the Swanton Sports Center was invaluable and still continues today.
More full disclosure. I am not a member of Mr. Toeppe’s campaign nor have I made any financial contributions towards his re-election, but I do fully support it. That being said, early voting has begun and no matter where your loyalties lie, the important thing is to exercise your right to vote. One way or the other, get to the polls and set the example for others. It may be a cliche, but every vote counts.
Here is a list of the artists who were awarded ribbons from the panel of judges for the 9th Annual Swanton Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale sponsored by the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce and held at Valleywood Golf Club this past weekend. First Place won a Blue Ribbon, Second Place won a Red Ribbon, Third Place won a White Ribbon and Honorable Mention won a Grey Ribbon.
Acrylic: First Place – Susan Miller of Morenci (MI), Second Place – Steve Mueller of Holland, Third Place – Steve Mueller of Holland, Honorable Mention – Beth Stewart of Sylvania.
Drawing: First Place – Debra Buchanan of Toledo, Second Place – Karrie King of Swanton, Third Place – Karrie King of Swanton
Mixed Media: First Place – Judy Kahle of Wauseon, Second Place – Kenneth Jackson of Holland,
Oil: First Place – Alexandra Lederman of Swanton, Second Place – Don Rowland of Toledo, Third Place – Denis Chalwick of Toledo
Photography: First Place – Bill O’Connell of Swanton, Second Place – Bill Meyers of Grand Rapids, Third Place – Bree Shulters of Swanton
Water Color: First Place – Harry Daugherty of Whitehouse, Second Place – Beverly Engler of Sylvania, Third Place – Michael Hill of Toledo, Honorable Mention – Cody Winter of Riga (MI)
Student Drawing: First Place – Allena Cosgrove of Wauseon Student Oil: First Place – Jordan Deaver of Swanton
Best of Show: Alisa Rowland of Toledo for Oil “Catch of the Day”
People’s Choice: Debra Burrows of Swanton for Oil “Baby Girl”
Click on the link above to view photos of the artwork in the exhibit.
Photo: “Baby Girl” People’s Choice Award by Debra Burrows of Debra’s Art World on Main Street in Swanton
In thrilling, nail biting, heart pounding and edge of your seat fashion, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs defeated the Patrick Henry Lady Patriots 2-1 to bring home the NWOAL 8th-Grade Volleyball Championship. The match was played in front of a packed house at the Wauseon Middle School with a deafening and spirit-filled crowd, colored purple and white on one side and red, white and blue on the other.
Patrick Henry entered the match as a slight favorite, having defeated Swanton earlier this season and twice the year before, including for the 2022 NWOAL Title. The Lady Bulldogs, however, were very confident, sporting a 21-1 overall record with that one loss on the road. That confidence was evident as Swanton pulled away late in the first game for a 25-19 victory. In game two, the Lady Pats roared out to a 17-7 lead, let the Bulldogs get close, then closed out the 25-17 win to even the best-of-three match at one apiece.
The winner-take-all game three was everything you would want in a championship match, close and hard fought all the way. After Patrick Henry grabbed a 14-12 lead, Swanton quickly tied the score and neither team held more than a one-point advantage until the Lady Dogs went on top 24-22. The Patriots scored to close the gap and regain the serve but their next serve went out of bounds, giving Swanton the 25-23 victory and the NWOAL Volleyball Tournament Championship.
“I thought, talent-wise, we were evenly matched, but we play hard and we played smart,” said an elated Madison Albring, Swanton’s head coach and Swanton Middle School (SMS) science teacher. “This group of girls is tremendously special. Between school and travel, this is the 9th team that I’ve coached. I have found it is almost always the case that a team is either very talented OR very kind humans who get along well, but almost never both. This team overall is very talented, but they also all get along great off the court. They have a lot of fun together, and they are exceptional leaders not only on the court but in the classrooms and halls of SMS. During the regular season, as a middle school coach, I ensure that all of my girls get to play every match. But during the tournament, we play to win. Tonight, as hard as it is for me to sit anyone, three of my girls very graciously supported their team from the bench to make room for our most talented players to remain on the court for longer.”
“This team also comes with a group of wildly supportive and involved parents. They all did a lot for the team this season, but one parent that I would like to thank for helping us win is Ben Remer, father of star passer, Beyla Remer. He filmed every single set this season and made those videos available to anyone on the team who wanted them. At the request of the girls, we had our one and only Sunday practice the day before the championship. After we secured our spot in the finals with two decisive victories on Saturday, I went home and re-watched and analyzed our film from the last time we played Patrick Henry. This made it clear to me that in order to win, we needed to utilize the element of surprise. I have several big hitters who love to send over rockets, but we needed to mix it up. We worked on utilizing all of our hitters, as well as sneaking in some well-placed tips.”
“And finally, we had to not let them surprise us. Patrick Henry also has some big hitters who do a great job of mixing it up, so we had to be ready for it. In the middle of the match, we changed our defensive strategy. We were struggling to pick up their tips to the middle of the court, so I told my outside hitters to camp out in the middle of the court to pick them up. Those girls rose to the occasion and took away that hole in our defense. I have never been more proud of a group of girls, or more sad for a season to end. But I can’t wait to see what they do at Swanton High School. Go Dogs.”
Click on the link above to access photos from the match. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo – Front Row (L to R): Josalyn Kahl, Beyla Remer, Brynn Godwin, Julianna Avery Back Row (L to R): Gabryelle Smith, Marah Stinehelfer, Evelyn Ventimiglia, Stella Menna, Cara Ludlow, Lara Carrizales, Kinley Curtis, Lacey Shinaver Coach: Madison Albring
The visiting Evergreen Vikings spoiled Homecoming Night for the Swanton Bulldogs with a 30-21 victory at David W. Hansbarger field on Friday evening. Swanton held an early lead at 7-3 in the second quarter before Evergreen rallied to go ahead before halftime.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Viking senior Riley Dunbar heads up field on a punt return.
Click on the link above to access photos from the coronation. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Click on the link above to access photos from the parade. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Fulton County Ohio Media 