Fulton County Ohio Media

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Thomas Construction & Remodeling (TCR) celebrated the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of its new headquarters on Friday, June 12, marking an exciting milestone as the company honors 44 years of craftsmanship, service, and community support.  The event took place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the company’s new location at 123 N. Main Street in Swanton, with the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 12:00 PM.

Community members, business leaders, customers, and partners were invited to attend and enjoyed: ● Ribbon Cutting Ceremony ● Facility Tours and Meet the TCR Team ● Food & Refreshments ● Networking/Employment Opportunities ● Giveaways.  Founded more than four decades ago, Thomas Construction & Remodeling has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, trusted service, and long-standing community relationships throughout Northwest Ohio.

“This new headquarters represents more than just a building; it reflects the relationships, trust, and support we’ve received from the community over the past 44 years,” said Seth Thomas, owner.  We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and continue building the future together.”  The company’s grand opening theme, “Building the Future,” reflects both its continued growth and commitment to serving homeowners and businesses for generations to come.

For more information, visit http://www.thomasconstructionandremodeling.com or call 419-825-9902

Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce and the fultoncountymedia.com website.

From the desk of NWOAL Publicist, Randy Roberts

The Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Diana Savage as its newest Co-Commissioner.

Savage brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as Superintendent of Bryan City Schools for 12 years and accumulating more than 20 years of experience in educational leadership and school administration. Throughout her career, she has played a significant role in overseeing school operations and supporting athletic events and tournaments.

A longtime supporter of NWOAL athletics, Savage has served as the league’s wrestling tournament manager for more than 10 years and also brings previous coaching experience within the league. Her extensive knowledge of education and athletics, combined with her strong communication skills, make her well-positioned to help lead the NWOAL into the future.

“I am incredibly honored to serve as the next Co-Commissioner of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League,” said Savage. “The NWOAL has a long and proud tradition of excellence, and I am excited to work alongside our member schools to continue building on that legacy.”

As Co-Commissioner, Savage will work closely with the league’s athletic directors, support student-athletes, and help establish goals that will allow the NWOAL to continue growing and building upon its proud tradition of excellence.

“I look forward to collaborating with our administrators, coaches, student-athletes, officials, and communities to ensure the NWOAL remains a model for excellence both on and off the field,” added Savage. “Together, we will honor the league’s rich history while continuing to create meaningful opportunities for the students, schools, and communities that we serve.”

The NWOAL looks forward to Diana’s leadership and contributions as the league continues to provide outstanding opportunities for its member schools and student-athletes.

“Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that athletics can provide to students of all ages,” closed Savage. “The lessons learned through competition—teamwork, leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship—help shape students long after their playing days are over.”

Savage replaces Paul Yunker, who spent one year as commissioner. Yunker returned to school as he assumed the position of Athletic Director at Swanton.

Photo: Diana Savage

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On a comfortably warm Saturday evening in the Downtown Swanton DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Block Party of the summer season.  Benfield Wines and Hub’s were happy to serve a long list of beverages and food trucks, Hot Dogs 2 Go and Madeline’s Smokehouse, were on hand to satisfy everyone’s appetite.  With “Kall Me Kendall” rocking the crowd of an estimated 300 people, it was a perfect time to kick back with family and friends and enjoy a great night in Smalltown America as we approach our nation’s 250^th birthday.

As explained by the Chamber’s Executive Director, Delray Busch, “These events are presented by the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce, Benfield Wines, and Hub’s.  A huge thank you to Benfield Wines and Hub’s for being such strong partners and helping make these downtown nights possible. I also want to thank our 2026 Block Party sponsors:  Skye’s Heating & Cooling for sponsoring the bounce house in memory of his beautiful daughter, Skyler, Swanton Corn Festival for their major sponsorship and making these events possible, Roth Plumbing, MSS Mastin Site Services, Tri County Block & Brick, and Tony at Ballas Chevrolet.  Because of their support, we are able to keep this event free for the community and bring people downtown to support our local businesses. We are so grateful for everyone who shows up, sponsors, volunteers, performs, serves food, and helps make Swanton feel like home.”

Four more 2026 Block Parties remain, July 18^th, August 15^th, September 12^th and October 3^rd.  All dates are on Saturday and the times are from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

Click on the link above to access photos from the block party. Photos are in the peg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: “Kall Me Kendall” blasts music into the Swanton DORA

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The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to celebrate a new chapter for a long-standing local favorite, PizzAroma. On Wednesday, June 3 at 4:00 PM at the PizzAroma Swanton location, a Ribbon Cutting was held with family, friends, staff employees and others to celebrate Michelle and Chad Doyle’s ownership of all three PizzAroma locations, including Swanton, Maumee, and Holland.

For more than 15 years, PizzAroma has been a familiar favorite in the Northwest Ohio community, known for its great pizza, loyal customers, and local staff. Under Michelle and Chad’s ownership, customers can expect the same recipes, same great staff, and the same flavors they already know and love, with a few fresh ideas coming in the future. The team is keeping customer favorites like the sauce, dough, and classic menu items consistent, while also looking ahead to fun additions like specialty pizzas and pizza-of-the-month features.

Congratulations to Michelle and Chad Doyle and the entire PizzAroma team. We are excited to celebrate this next chapter with you and continue supporting a business that has been part of so many Swanton family dinners, team parties, quick lunches, and community memories.

PizzAroma Swanton is located at 133 E Airport Highway, in the strip mall next to the Goodwill Store.  Their phone number is 419-704-5945.

Photo: New owners Michelle and Chad Doyle cut the ribbon on their new and exciting venture

The recipient of the 2026 Swanton Lions Club Academic Scholarship is Hailey Frosch who graduated from Swanton High School this past May 17^th.  Hailey’s submitted application and resume showed her to be an outstanding and well-deserved candidate with high academic achievements and an incredible list of extracurricular activities, including many community service commitments.  With her application, an essay on Hailey’s efforts and experiences involving community service was required.  The essay read:

The word “service” is a complex word for many people.  Serving others can seem daunting or belittling to some people, but to me, it is the simplest way I can improve the world around me.  In everything I do, I try to serve others.  When high school started, I had a great desire to help my community in every way I could.  It started through the student council and my dream of becoming a doctor, but then it turned into something I try to accomplish every single day.  Whether through clubs based on community service, such as the National Honor Society or INTERACT, where I completed over 70 hours of community service yearly or something as simple as holding the door open for somebody, serving my community is something I pride myself on.

Even now, four years later and a senior in high school, I still hold service as one of my personal pillars.  I am involved with as many service projects as I can be.  I spend my free time working on different teams to improve student life at Swanton High School, as well as keeping the school as safe as I can.  I also volunteer with my church regularly as a children’s church teacher and a member of the Praise Team.

One of my favorite things about the groups I participate in is that the aren’t just things I have to balance; they are ways I can give back.  I love spending time with others and serving as someone who can raise the voices of others around me, I realize that I have privilege when it comes to certain things in life, and I use it to make a positive impact.

 I also dedicate a lot of my time to help take care of my great-grandparents, who have adopted me.  I chop wood for the fire, work to support us financially, do the dishes and laundry whenever I can, as they have a semi-difficult time maneuvering around our house.  I won’t say that it has been an easy task, as balancing service and all of my personal goals is definitely a challenge, but I won’t sacrifice one for the other.

Serving others has been built into my life through various circumstances, and it is one of the few things that I hope to never lose.  I truly love serving others with my whole heart and I want to continue serving others in the medical field as a missionary in my future.  I also hope to continue participating in Rotary groups throughout my college career.  Overall, service is a beautiful thing and I want my passion for it to inspire others to serve their communities as well.

Hailey has chosen to attend The Ohio State University to major in Cellular Biology on a Pre-medical track.

Photo: Hailey Frosch receives a scholarship check for $1,000 from Swanton Lions Secretary Holly Lawson

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Forced by the weather to play on Memorial Day, the Swanton Bulldogs walked off their home field at Memorial Park for the final time as winners, and as champions after defeating fellow NWOAL rival, the Delta Panthers 2-0 to win the OHSAA Division V Baseball Sectional Title.  After an estimated eight or nine decades of play on the field, adjacent to South Main Street at Memorial Park, the Swanton High School Varsity Baseball Team will begin the 2027 baseball season on a new field located on the school’s campus.

The game itself was a fitting send-off as both teams, playing for the chance to move on, battled each other in a classic pitching duel with Swanton’s Carson Bond getting the better of Delta fireballer Carlos DeSantos in complete game efforts.  The Bulldogs and the Panthers managed just two hits each, but it was only Swanton that was able to take advantage of putting runners on base, and only in the second inning.

In the bottom of the second, Owen Hurst worked a walk from DeSantos and later scooted to second base on a wild pitch.  Down two strikes after failed bunt attempts, Brendan Upham flared a single down the right field line, scoring Hurst and giving Swanton a 1-0 lead.  Upham moved to second after a walk to Drew LaPoint and was replaced by pinch runner Landon Hendricks. A passed ball sent Hendricks to third and he came home on a ground ball to short by Drew Koder to put the Bulldogs up 2-0 after two innings.

Pitching dominated the next three innings until Delta threatened in the top of the sixth when they put a runner on third base with one out with DeSantos, whose strong hitting matches his pitching, coming to the plate.  Bond was able to get DeSantos to pop out to third and the next batter to ground out to short to end the threat.  In the top of the seventh, the Panthers went down 1-2-3 and Bond and the Bulldogs cashed their ticket to the District Semis.

The win moves Swaton’s record to 16-10 on the season.  They will now face the 22-5 Archbold Blue Streaks on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM at Defiance High School.  Delta concludes their season at 11-12.

It was the end of an era for Swanton High School baseball after decades and decades of calling the lower diamond at Memorial Park their home field.  Of course, there will be countless memories for those who played or watched Bulldog games there.  But the new field, along with the new softball field, on school property for the first time in the history of Swanton High School, will be in line and measure up to most high school fields on the Bulldogs’ schedule.

No longer will fly balls need to reach Main Street in left field or the creek bordering right filed or travel 400+ feet in center field to the Village’s brick marquee to be ruled a home run.  Fielders will not need to be wary of vehicles pulling into the park while chasing down foul balls lifted to the left side of the diamond.  Players will be able to walk to practice and home games instead of driving or having to catch a ride.  Coaches and other volunteers will not continually have to battle field conditions on a baseball diamond that, basically sits in a flood plain. 

This sectional contest being delayed two days for that very reason is evidence enough that it is time to move on. To move on to something that will give our student athletes a better opportunity to develop their skills as well as a sense of pride when facing other schools, and will long be an asset to Swanton Local Schools and the community. 

Click on the link above to access photos of the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow foe editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: 2026 D5 Sectional Baseball Champions – Swanton Bulldogs

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Yesterday morning the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 observed Memorial Day with a parade down Main Street and a ceremony in front of the American Doughboy statue in Memorial Park to honor those Americans that had given their all, in defense of our nation, beginning with the American Revolution. 

The Swanton High School Band, which had marched in the parade, performed the Star-Spangled Banner and the Armed Forces Medley which combines the official songs of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and Coast Guard. 

Joe Nye, a Legion Post member and a retired Swanton High School educator, was the keynote speaker.  He spoke to the crowd, explaining what Memorial Day meant to him and told of his dedicated support over the years to make sure the Swanton area Veterans who had passed would always be remembered for their service and sacrifice.

Leuitenant Colonel Janes then read the names of local Veteran who had passed since the 2025 Memorial Day Observance, the Color Guard executed the 21-gun salute and two members of the band performed Taps.  The ceremony concluded after the benediction by the Legion’s chaplain.

Click on the link to access photos from the parade and the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website

Photo Keynote Speaker – Joe Nye

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Before the final game of the regular season, the Swanton Bulldog Baseball team recognized and honored five seniors (Brady O’Shea, Memphis Dye, Drew LaPoint, Carsen Lemons, Luke Marlow) for their efforts and contributions to the Purple and White program.  Each player was introduced to the crowd and a small bio was read by retired Swanton Schools educator Betty Jo Sadowski.

Our first senior is Brady O’Shea.  Brady is being escorted by Matt and Becky O’Shea and Ryan O’Shea.  While at Swanton High School, Brady has participated in National Honor Society, Baseball, Basketball Golf and Frosh Fest.  He was recently named to the 2026 Second Team All-NWOAL.  His future plans are to attend the University of Toledo and major in Business.

Our second senior tonight is Memphis Dye.  Memphis is being escorted by Nate and Dawn Ryan and Ryan Dye.  While at Swanton High School, Memphis has participated in Baseball and Penta Culinary School and was a Pro Start State Champion.  His future plans are to go to college for Sports Management.

Our next senior is Drew LaPoint.  Drew is being escorted by Julie and Lainee LaPoint.  While at Swanton High School, Drew has participated in Baseball, Wrestling, Show Choir, National Honor Society, Leadership and CCP.  He was recently named 2026 Honorable Mention All-NWOAL and 2026 Honorable Mention All-District.  His future plans are to attend Bowling Green State University to major in Business Administration with a focus on Finance.

Our next senior is Carsen Lemons.  Carson is being escorted by Ash and Marianna Lemons and Brady Lemons.  While at Swanton High School, Carsen has participated in Show Choir, Spring Musicals, Golf, Basketball and Baseball.  He was recently named to the 2026 First Team All-NWOAL and 2026 First Team All-District.  His future plans are to go into the trades as a heaving Equipment Operator with Gerking.

Our last senior is Luke Marlow.  Luke is being escorted by Sara and Jeremiah Bateman, Caleb Bateman and Hannah Bateman and Bo.  While at Swanton High School, Luke has participated in Leadership and Baseball.  He was recently named to the 2026 First Team All-NWOAL and 2026 First Team All-District.  His future plans are to play college baseball and chase his dream of playing professional baseball.

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Brady O’Shea, Memphis Dye, Drew LaPoint, Luke Marlow, Carsen Lemons

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The 2026 Swanton softball season, a dream season that reached historical levels, came to an end on Wednesday afternoon when the Lady Bulldogs dropped a 9-4 decision to the Paulding Lady Panthers at Napoleon High School.  Early pitching control issues and several uncharacteristic defensive errors placed Swanton into a 5-1 hole after three innings that the Lady Bulldogs were unable to crawl out of. 

The Paulding coaching staff, obviously paying close attention to the scouting report, chose to intentionally walk Swanton’s dangerous power hitter, Kendall Gloneck, batting in the clean-up spot, all four times she came to the plate.  The strategy failed in Gloneck’s second at bat when Carli LaGrange, hitting next and who also swings a big bat, drove a pitch deep over the left field wall to pull the Bulldogs within two runs at 5-3.  LaGrange later singled following Gloneck’s third free pass but Swanton was unable to capitalize.

The Lady Panthers put up a four-spot in the top of the sixth inning for a six-run advantage and the Lady Bulldogs were only able to add one more run in the bottom of the seventh for the 9-4 defeat.  The loss was just the fourth of the year for Swanton against a school record 24 wins.    

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 and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Lady Bulldogs celebrate Carli LaGrange at the plate following her two-run blast

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On Saturday afternoon at the White Pines Golf Course in Swanton, the Swanton Lions Club held their annual golf outing to help raise funds for scholarships for graduating seniors from Swanton High School.

Jason Ramirez, Joel Studer, Tim Sonia, and Steven Walter composed the winning team and took home $200 and a free round of golf at White Pines.  The team with Jonathon Lemon, Sy Rukieh, Adam Lemon, and Mazan Rukieh finished second place and won a round golf.

Women’s Longest Drive:  Cheryl Lawson    Women’s Closest to the Pin:  Cheryl Lawson    Men’s Longest Drive:  Jacob Dogel

Click on the link above to access the over 400 photos from the golf outing. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the Swanton Lions Club and the fultoncountymedia.com website.