Fulton County Ohio Media

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qTdnU97pLcwA12Yt7

It has been hyped for well over a year as a “Can’t Miss, Once in a Lifetime Event” and, at 3:12 PM EST the cosmic forces delivered an awe-inspiring total solar eclipse to Downtown Swanton, Ohio. The Swanton Chamber of Commerce organized a block party within the confines of the Village’s DORA and sky watchers from all around the Swanton community packed its boundaries and celebrated for the more than two hours in the 75 degree soon-to-be-gone sunshine leading up to the celestial show.

In her first major public event, Delray Busch, the new Executive Director of the Swanton Chamber, put together quite a party as the crowd anxiously waited for the big moment. Abigale Rose provided the music. Happy the Clown made toy balloons and painted faces for the children. Food trucks Hahny’s Smash Burgers & Bakes, Tornado Potato and Al & Zoe’s Fat Boyz kept everyone fed while Benfield Wines and Hub’s Bar served adult beverages and more for those wishing to partake.

At zero hour, the skies darkened, the streetlights lit up and night paid a brief visit to the Village of Swanton in the middle of the day as the crowd burst into applause. When the sun began to re-emerge from behind the moon, light quickly flooded downtown and the featured act of the show was over.

Swanton will once again be in the totality path of another solar eclipse. It is projected to be on September 14, 2099. For those who do not have the patience to wait that long to see another total solar eclipse in this country, you can travel to Montana on August 23, 2044. Don’t forget your solar glasses.

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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Totality over Swanton

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1MAfrm6CtagAP81y6

Forced into a change of venue because of poor home field conditions, the Swanton Bulldogs spotted the “visiting” Delta Panthers a first inning 1-0 lead then scored the next eight runs to grab their third win of the young season, 8-1, on Friday afternoon at Delta’s Jim Harmon Field.  Luke Marlow and Drew Koder singled to start the bottom of the first off Panther starter Landon Griesinger and came home on the one-out double by Drake Harris to go on top 2-1.  In the top of the second, Bulldog pitcher Adam Lemon hit the first batter then surrendered a double to Vinney Mauer, putting Panther runners on second and third with nobody out.  However, Lemon reared back and struck out the next three hitters to end the rally and Delta never seriously threatened again.

Carson Bond reached base on a dropped third strike to open the second inning and later scored after two more singles by Marlow and Koder.  Delta’s defense, including two great plays by shortstop Brady Moor, kept the score at 3-1 until the Bulldogs scored once in the bottom of the fifth and broke the game open with three runs in the sixth to seal the win.

For the Panthers Alex Brown had a single and an RBI, Mauer had two hits including the double and Brody Waugh had a single.  Griesing took the loss on the mound.  Delta rebounded from the loss with a 11-1 win over the Northwood Rangers at home on Saturday.

Marlow led the Bulldog attack, reaching base four times with two hits, a walk and an HBP to go along with three stolen bases.  Harris had two hits and two RBI, Lemon had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, Isaiah Bolyard crushed two doubles, one to center and one to left field and had one RBI.  Lemon pitched five innings, giving up one run on three hits while striking out nine and allowing two walks for the win.  Brady O’Shea closed out the game throwing two innings of one-hit, no runs relief with one strike out.  Swanton followed up the victory with a 5-1 road win over the North Central Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

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: A close play at the plate between Delta catcher Lane Lopez and Swanton base runner Luke Marlow.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ppRo8uyJaDCdLJs9

Eli Keifer, sharp shooting guard of the Evergreen Vikings basketball team, signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and basketball career at Trine University in Angola, Indiana, the newly crowned NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball National Champion.   In joining the Thunder basketball program, Eli will be under the tutelage of NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball 2023-2024 Coach of the Year and 1999 Evergreen graduate, Brooks Miller.  Coach Miller played basketball for the Vikings and for Eli’s father, Jerry Keifer, who retired this year after 31 seasons at the helm.

“The connection is obviously the best part.  I have a former teammate (Evan Lumbrezer ‘23) that goes there and the academic aspect of it is really intriguing,” explained Eli.  “I’ve grown up going to all the camps and I’ve always been drawn to Trine because of the connection so, that’s where I’m ending up.”  When asked about becoming a part of a national championship program, Eli said, “It’s exciting.  Obviously, they’ve got a bunch of guys ahead of me, but any impact I can make I’m willing to do.”

 The other part of the connection is Brooks Miller having spent four years being coached by Jerry Keifer and will now be coaching his former mentor’s son.  “It’s very special. I’m very close to Coach Miller and that’s never going to change,” said Jerry.  “I’m excited to see what happens next and I know Eli is excited about getting there.”  Coach Keifer is also excited about being just a dad and a fan after running a very successful Viking basketball program for over three decades and chalking up over 400 wins.

For Eli, the academic aspect will be studying to earn an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and pursue a PhD after that.

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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Eli Keifer signs along side father and coach Jerry, mother Dorinda and sister Kennedi.

By Bonnie Holdman

I know this is early but I need to get things lined up. I am in charge of the gates this year at the fair. I am in need of gate workers to sell tickets at the gate. I need two workers per shift. The pay is $8 per hour per person. I would like to get groups to commit to a specific gate for the week to cover all the shifts. I was wondering if know of any groups or organizations looking to earn money that would be interested. Please let me know. Thank you! Fulton County Fair. Luann Lumbrezer has asked me for HELP. Her cell is 419-583-6763 Thank you.

Hannah Patch, Swanton High School Class of 2021, was recently named Bowler of the Year for the Siena Heights University (SHU) Saints women’s bowling team.  As she completes her junior year, the former Lady Bulldog was not only more than surprised to receive this accolade, but still amazed that she has even been on this incredible journey with another season remaining.  “It’s crazy. I never thought I would do bowling in college.  I didn’t think I was good enough to bowl in college.  I didn’t even think about it.  I was going to go to the University of Toledo and get a business degree,” said Hannah.  “But they (Siena Heights) reached out to me, I went on a visit and I loved it.”

Hannah began bowling at a very young age when she was encouraged by her good friend, Amy Lawson, to take up the sport.  Both Hannah and Amy joined the Swanton Lady Bulldogs bowling program under the tutelage of Coach Nick Staler and his daughter Ashlin during their freshman year, bowling at the Swanton Sports Center.  The team improved each season and in their senior year, they captured the NWOAL Tournament Championship, defeating the perennial power Bryan Lady Golden Bears in their home alley.  “It was great.  I loved that team.  It felt like we were a family,” reflected Hannah.

And her sentiments about her Lady Saints teammates are very similar.  Practices at the Lenawee Recreation Bowling Center in Adrian, which are four times a week, begin the same time as classes start in August.  During the actual bowling season, which runs from early October to late February, Hannah spends a great deal of time traveling around the mid-west competing in matches and tournaments in the 12-team Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).  The long bus trips can be grueling and the overnight stays are very time consuming, but, according to Hannah, they are great bonding experiences and she does find time to catch up on her homework and her sleep.

In her final year at SHU, Hannah plans to focus on obtaining her degree with a major in Business and a minor in Communications.  She will work hard on her bowling to improve her game and help the team succeed, but she also wants to have fun with her teammates and fellow students.  Hannah knows her degree will be very beneficial when she ventures out into the work force, but for now, the real world can wait.

Photo: Hannah Patch – SHU Women’s Bowler of the Year

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gnTNCKYPFcpzGeyg8

The Swanton Bulldogs allowed the visiting Lake Flyers take a 5-0 lead and rallied for three runs before dropping the baseball game 5-3. It was the Bulldogs’ first loss of the young season to go along with one win and one tie. Swanton plays next Tuesday at Pettisville against the Blackbirds at 5:00 PM.

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: Luke Marlow scores Swanton’s first run of the game.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FRHajLMWG7w1ytYH7

Swanton pitcher Adam Lemon and the Bulldog defense worked themselves out of two early inning jams and went on to defeat the Evergreen Vikings 2-0 in a non-conference game at Evergreen High School.  The Vikings loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, all on walks, but failed to bring anyone home.  Hunter Vaculik reached second base on a throwing error to lead off the second inning, was advance to third on a sacrifice bunt but was stranded there when Lemon struck out the next two batters.

Evergreen hurler Brady Kanneman kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard until the top of the fourth when Carson Lemons stroked a one-out double and came home on a clutch two-out single by Evan Smigelski for a 1-0 lead.  Swanton added an insurance run in the top of the seventh after an errant pick-off throw towards first base sent Luke Marlow to third and then home when the in-throw sailed over the third baseman’s head.

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: Adam Lemon delivers to the plate.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vdiqu81fwMk8svEfA

The Swanton Lions Club held their annual Easter Egg Hunt this past Saturday afternoon at the Memorial Park Pavilion. Several games were played inside the pavilion and popcorn was given out. A separate session was held for the different age groups, (2-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10). All discovered eggs were exchanged for hands full of candy. One Golden Egg was hidden for each group and the finder was awarded a special Easter basket.

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GXQhEdFNCAPc22tQA

Under the direction of first-year Choir and Music Director Jayce Bender, Swanton High School performs the “Sound of Music” this weekend, March 22^nd to 24^th.  With senior Kai Snyder portraying protagonist Maria Rainer and senior Jaiden Hardaway as Captain George von Trapp, the exceptionally talented cast of singers and actors recreate the story of the Trapp Family Singers during the lead-up to the invasion of Austria by Nazi Germany.  The show is filled with many memorable Rogers and Hammerstein songs that people have been singing for decades since the musical premiered on Broadway in 1959 and became a blockbuster Oscar-winning movie in 1965.  This is a performance you do not want to miss.

Click on the link to access the more than 600 photos from the show. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.