Is there any more that can be said about the Trump-incited mob that attacked the U.S. Capital Building yesterday that has not already been voiced by someone? I’m sure there will be, but will it change what happened? Of course not. Will it make any difference? We can only hope and pray. The tragic event that took place on Capital Hill on January 6, 2021 will now take it’s rightful place in the “Where Were You When” category of American history under the “Shameful, Needless and Preventable” sub-group.
So, who do we blame? Better yet, who do we not blame? We all saw it coming and we all let it happen. Donald Trump began constructing this bomb since the beginning of the 2016 Presidential campaign. When, to the surprise of many, including Donald himself, he won the election, he moved his bomb making lab into the White House. From there he began to perfect his weapons of mass distraction and test fired one every time he found himself in political hot waters. Yesterday he launched his most destructive and lethal one to date. And, hopefully, his last.
Finally, after yesterday’s insurrection which failed to achieve Trump’s objective, Donald is agreeing to a “smooth and peaceful” transition of power. If true, it comes two months too late. But nobody will be holding their breath waiting for it to happen. Regardless, Donald and the Trump family will be out of office in less than two weeks. The next question is how do we recover and where do we go from here?
Undoubtedly, it will take many years, a lot of work and a lot more understanding, compromise and forgiveness to heal our nation. We have never been more divided in a four year stretch since the years of 1861 to 1865. Obviously, our differences and disagreements over past four years pale in comparison to what took place 160 years ago so it gives us much hope that we come back from this and return to the great nation and role model to the rest of the world we used to be.
For now, the causes behind the self-inflicted black eye American suffered on Capital Hill yesterday will be analyzed and debated in search of a vaccine that will protect us from repeating a similar attack of our democracy. Many will still argue in support of the violence but their voices will fade and reason will take hold. I still have faith in America.
My name is Bill O’Connell and I live in Swanton, Ohio, a village of approximately 3700 residents located about 15 miles west of Toledo. I retired in 2012 and began helping my family restore and re-open a shuttered bowling center and banquet hall which took just over one year. Several months after it was up and running I began working as a sub-contracted sports journalist/photographer for the Swanton Enterprise and Fulton County Expositor. Just short of two years with those two weekly papers I took a similar position with the Village Reporter, a weekly publication that covered Fulton and Williams County and held that for almost four years. While with the Reporter I covered virtually every type of event from sports to festivals to council and school board meetings to business ribbon cuttings.
Now I am trying something very similar in substance but very different from a technology aspect, a blog and website. My plan is to continue covering local sports, including all seven Fulton County school districts with photography and short articles along with human interest stories from around Fulton County. I will also write editorials on various subjects and will continue a daily cartoon called “About Face” that I now post on my Facebook page. To start, there will be very few postings on my site but my goal is to develop it over the next few months. Also, any photos I publish can be copied for no charge. I will be looking for an easier way to make my photos available. Please let any of your friends and relatives know about my site if you think they may be interested. Thank you.
The Swanton Sports Center’s 2025-2026 Saturday Night Mixed League concluded its season last weekend without the need of a roll-off between the first half winner and the second half winner. Team Miracola (Ashley Borck, Thomas Miracola, Alex Gigax, Martin Taylor) dominated both halves with records of 21-7 and 23-5 to easily capture the crown.
Final League Numbers – Season High Scores
Individual High Average: Men –Jerry Donaldson (196.14) Women – Brenda Donaldson (152.54)
Handicap Series: Big Pins Small Balls (2788) Shoes on Fire (2731) 33 Gutters (2690)
Handicap Game: Miracola (990) Check Ur Lane (970) Funny MF’s (944)
Scratch Series Men: Ricky Bunting (717) Nathan Hinz (691) Roger Frederick (657)
Scratch Game Men: Alex Gigax (298) Jim Dukeshire (258) Mike Montion (256)
Scratch Series Women: Hilary Hinz (524) Patricia Quinto (500) Tammy Frederick (496)
Beginning with the entire 7th-Grade student body and against strong competition throughout all four rounds of Swanton Middle School’s Amazing Shake Competition, Maria Avery was chosen as the winner in the finals by a panel of five judges. Narrowly edging out Isabella Jiannuzzi and Slade Wielinski, Maria will now compete in the Global Amazing Shake Competition in March of 2027 at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.
The Amazing Shake is a competition that focuses on building soft skills in students, placing strong emphasis on manners, discipline, respect, and professional behavior. In all four rounds, the students demonstrated these skills, first in front of local business leaders and other professionals, then with presentations conducted at The Anderson’s Inc. headquarters in Maumee and later at Worthington Steel in Delta.
In the Finals, held on Friday afternoon, all three finalists were separately interviewed by the Master of Ceremonies, former Toledo 11 sportscaster Jordan Strack. They all conducted themselves in a very professional manner, showed poise, confidence, were very articulate and displayed the ability to think on their feet as Mr. Strack fired question after question in their direction. The excellent performances of Isabella, Slade, and Maria on stage in front of the entire Swanton Middle School as well as their families in attendance, left the judges with the extremely difficult task of having to select just one.
Once interviews were complete, the five judges (Jessica Double of Worthington Steel, Kristen Price of Owens Community College, Cara Leininger of Ohio Means Jobs/Fulton County, Eric Nagel-Eastern Fulton County Judge, Evan Bon of Fulton County Economic Development Corporation) were sent to a separate room to compare notes, total scores, and determine the winner. During the intermission, several students put on a talent show featuring piano and flute playing, dancing, poetry reading, joke telling and a slam dunk display.
Finally, with excitement and anticipation at its highest level, Isabella, Slade, and Maria were brought back onto the stage. Evelyn Keys, last year’s winner, opened the envelope containing the name everyone was waiting to hear, paused just long enough to put the entire crowd on the edge of their seats, and announced Maria Avery as the 2026 winner of the SMS Amazing Shake.
“I’m so happy I won. I just feel bad for everyone else. I wish I could take them all with me,” said a very emotional Maria. I’m so excited, I just can’t wait. The Ron Clark Academy seems so interesting and so amazing to me,” she added about what she will be looking forward to on her first trip to the state of Georgia.
“I’ve learned so much from this. I’m an introverted person. I’m not very good at meeting new people or starting conversations. Being in the Shake gave me an opportunity to be myself, come out of my shell and meet and talk to new people and I’m so glad I did this,” said Maria.
“After that first round I was really surprised when she came home and let it all out when there was so much pressure that had built up. She held it in all day long and did really well at the stations and talking one on one. For an introvert, I think that is so difficult,” said Emily, Maria’s mother. “But she loves it. She has loved this whole journey.” Next Spring, for Maria, the journey will continue.
Click on the link above to access photos from the Amazing Shake Finals. 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.
In a big NWOAL contest, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs defeated the Archbold Lady Blue Streaks 3-1 on Monday afternoon at Swanton’s Memorial Park for their sixth consecutive victory and third straight league win. Beyla Remer pitched a complete game, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six. Jordyn Ramirez walked twice and blasted a home run to lead the Bulldogs.
On the Friday before, Swanton had little trouble with the Lady Green Bears of Ottawa Hills in a 15-0 Mercy Rule victory for the Lady Bulldogs at home. Alexis Faber picked up her second win in the circle in the last two games throwing four scoreless innings. Lacey Shinaver went 3 for 3 at the plate with a double and two RBIs. Carli LaGrange had a triple and two runs scored and Kendall Glonek had a home run and two RBIs.
Swanton is currently 14-2 on the season and 3-0 in the NWOAL. They will be on the road for their next game against the Toledo Christian Lady Eagles on Wednesday. Archbold is now 8-5 on the year and 1-2 in the league and will travel to play the Crestview Lady Knights.
Click on the link above to access photos from the Ottawa Hills 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: Carli LaGrange scores against the Green Bears
Click on the link above to access over 300 photos from the meet. 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.
The Champion of Sunday night’s DeEttes Dream Diner Mixed League at the Swanton Sports Center was crowned when the league’s first-half winner, Kwitcherbitchin (Holie Grueshaber, Mary Stachgowiak, Darlene Long, Brian Hess) defeated the second-half winner, Gutterly Rediculous, (Madison Massey, Nick Glowski, Lyndsay Massey, Mike Massey) 2-0 (847-789 and 849-799) in a best of three match.
Final League Numbers – Season High Scores
Individual High Average: Men – Kevin Pelland (203.21) Women – Danielle Carr (192.36)
Handicap Series: Meat Puppets (2705), Sportsters (2659), The House (2630)
After allowing an early four-run lead slip into a five-all tie, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs scored 11 unanswered runs and blanked the Liberty Center offense the rest of the way to beat the Lady Tigers 16-5 on Monday afternoon in Liberty Center in the first NWOAL game of the year.
Down 5-1 entering the bottom of the third, the Lady Tigers rallied for four runs against Swanton starter Beyla Remer to bring them even at 5-5. With one out still remaining, Bulldog coach Lauren Yoder brought in reliever Alexis Faber who quickly shut down the rally. Swanton regained their composure scoring three runs in the top of the fourth, one more in the fourth and put the game away with five runs in the sixth inning.
Carli LaGrange helped power the Bulldog offense with three hits and four RBIs. Faber also had three hits and scored four times, Lacey Shinaver scored twice, had two RBIs on three hits, Remer had a double and two singles and scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning. Cara Ludlow knocked in three runs with a single and a double and Jordyn Ramirez had a single with two runs scored. Payton Glonek had two singles and two RBIs. In the circle, the win went to Faber who threw 4.1 innings giving up just one hit and zero runs with three strikeouts.
The Lady Bulldogs improve to 10-2 on the season and 1-0 in the league. Their next NWOAL contest is at home on Thursday against the Evergreen Lady Vikings (6-3/1-0).
Click on the link 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: Alexis Farber in the circle for a relief appearance
Swanton junior Dominic Cook, making his first start of the season on the mound, threw four innings and allowed just one run as the Bulldogs defeated the visiting North Central Eagles 8-1 at Swanton’s Memorial Park on Saturday morning. In long relief, Brady O’Shea tossed three scoreless innings as Swanton picked up it’s fourth win of the season against one loss. Easton Fidler started and took the loss for the Eagles.
The Bulldogs beat the Liberty Center Tigers 5-3 on Monday afternoon to open up the NWOAL season and improve to 5-1 (1-0). They travel to Sand Creek High School (Michigan) tomorrow then return home on Thursday to face the Evergreen Vikings in a league game.
Click on the link to access photos from the North Central 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.
Click on the link above to access over 500 photos from the Evergreen High School’s performance of “High School Musical”. Phots are inj the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fulroncountymedia.com website. The “redeye fix” feature was malfunctioning during the initial editing process. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Click on the link above to access photos from the meet. 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.
Future Leaders Exchange program or FLEX is a highly competitive, merit-based exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State that operates in approximately 20 countries in Eurasia. With just over a 2.0% acceptance rate, over 35,000 students compete annually in multiple rounds of testing to be selected to participate in FLEX, which provides for them to spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family and attending a U.S. high school. It was created from the belief of former Senator Bill Bradley that thebest way to ensure long-lasting peace and mutual understanding between the United States and the countries of Eurasia was to enable young people to learn about the U.S. and Americans firsthand, and to teach Americans about their countries.
For the 2025-2026 academic year at Swanton High School, that student is a young 17-year-old girl by the name of Ksenia Velikoglo from the autonomous territorial unit of Gaguazia in the country of Moldova. Moldova is small Eastern European country of approximately 2.4 million people. Going back hundreds of years, it has been a part of the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, Romania, the Ukrainian SSR and, most recently, the Soviet Union until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 when it gained its independence. Consequently, it is a multicultural country with a variety of languages spoken within its borders. Ksenia’s main language is Russian but she also speaks several others, including English which she began studying in the second grade.
Ksenia qualified after rounds of rigorous and demanding tests that are designed to ensure a country is sending only their best and brightest to spend one academic year at an American high school. “You need to write essays about your life, your leadership qualities and how you apply them in your life, what problems and situations did you get through and what did you learn about it,” explained Ksenia. “They want a person who will adapt to any conditions and will survive in any conditions. To move at 16 to another country without your family, you need to be mentally and physically strong.”
In August of 2025, then at 16 years of age, Ksenia left her parents Maria and Ivan and her little eight-year-old sister Daria, to come to the United States and Swanton and is living with her host parents Brooklyn Miller and Andrew Markley. And she brought with her an incredible resume of achievements and life experiences. Ksenia has a very solid grasp of the English language, is very articulate and she has quickly and fully immersed herself in our American midwestern culture and is well liked by her young American counterparts. Even though bowling does not exist in Moldova, she was a member of the Lady Bulldog Bowling Team, starting out with scores in the 60s and 70s and finishing with a personal record of 157. She also was part of the cast of Swanton’s rendition of “Cinderella” and is currently on the Bulldog track and field team. Volleyball is her favorite sport but she was unable to join Swanton’s team due to travel commitments with her host family.
One noticeable difference Ksenia found was the philosophy of the two countries’ education system. American high school students may take six or seven classes on average each day of an academic week. Moldova students will have eight classes each day but they will vary between 15 or 16 different subjects. “Our school program is very difficult to learn. It’s like AP (Advanced Program). And we don’t get to choose what we study. Our government chooses what will be in our curriculum. And we have homework every night,” she said.
Another striking difference in the two systems is the use of technology. “We don’t use Chromebooks. In our country we are ‘old school.’ The teacher uses chalk and the blackboard and explains everything in detail. We do have an internet board so it’s kind of the same. Our country just wants us to be smarter and not use something else,” said Ksenia. “We don’t use calculators. At all. We need to do the math in our head. Here it’s very different for me because they use a calculator for everything, logarithms, equations, graphs, everything. And we need to do it the head or on the paper. This was a very big shock for me.”
Even before she came to this country, Ksenia enjoyed American movies, television shows and western culture in general. Her other interests at home include poetry, poetry reciting contests, painting and reading, especially Russian literature and, interestingly enough, science fiction. However, chess is probably Ksenia’s biggest passion and she is very good at it. Internationally competitive good. “I love chess so much. I learned how to play at 10 years old and I became very good at it. I went to different countries like Bulgaria and Ukraine and played in tournaments and won a lot of them. I went to Moscow before the war and there were 21 countries. It was a very big tournament,” she related. Several years ago, Ksenia had the honor of playing with Anatoly Karpov, the former Russian World Chess Champion and Chess Grand Master who was visiting Moldova. She currently holds a chess level rating of 1900 which is one step below “Expert” on the scale used by the International Chess Federation.
As we are all aware, Eastern Europe, or more specifically Moldova, is situated in a relatively precarious part of the world, sharing its northern, western and southern borders with Ukraine. “We don’t really talk about it (the Russian-Ukraine war) very often, said Ksenia. We don’t want to live our lives in fear.” Once, after the Russian invasion, while on a visit to Ukraine, she and her family had to take shelter during a Russian attack that took place just several blocks away. When contrasting her situation with the average American teenager, it certainly puts things in perspective.
Spending her junior year in an American high school does not automatically qualify Ksenia to become a senior when she returns to her home country. She must first pass a series of exams and quizzes before she can begin her final year of high school. After graduation she wants to study abroad, probably somewhere in Europe, but she is hoping to earn a “full ride” scholarship given that tuition is so expensive. Ksenia mentioned International Studies as a possible major where her linguistic skills and public speaking abilities would be great assets. Judging by her accomplishments at such a young age, anything is possible for this rising star.
Fulton County Ohio Media 