The Swanton Bulldogs were able to make only one outside shot in the first half of their home boys basketball game, scoring only 11 points, seven by Charlie Wood, and fell to the visiting Liberty Center Tigers 52-43 in NWOAL action. Down 24-11 going into the third quarter, the Bulldogs began to rally, triggered by Bray O’Shea’s three consecutive baskets from beyond the arc and a driving left-handed layup for all of his 11 points, but the Tigers were able to respond the rest of the way to hold off Swanton.
The loss drops Swanton’s record to 7-8 on the season and 0-3 in the NWOAL. They play next on Tuesday at home against the Fayette Eagles. Liberty Center improves to 6-6 for the year and 1-1 in the league. They will next host the Bryan Golden Bears on Friday.
Liberty Center Tigers:10-14-18-10 = 52 Blake Garber (12), Gavin Geahlen (11), Grady Miller (9), Eathen Gray (6), Isaiah Badenhop (5), Wes Wilhelm (3), Garrison Kruse (2), Hunter Spangler (2), Max Walker (2)
Swanton Bulldogs: 5-6-22-10 = 43 Charlie Wood (23), Brady O’Shea (11), Adam Lemon (4), Evan Reinhard (3), Logan Young (2)
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: Charlie Wood slams home for two of his game-high 23 points
Prior to the Swanton versus Liberty Center boys’ basketball game, the Swanton National Honor Society (NHS) honored U.S. Army veteran Jerry Lemons for his service to our country. Swanton senior and NHS member Hannah Crouse read a short biography to the crowd. The bio read as follows:
Jerry Lemons, a proud 1966 graduate of Fairview High School, excelled as a standout track and cross-country runner and was also a starter on the varsity basketball team. Shortly after his graduation, on October 18, 1966, Jerry answered the call of duty and was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving with the 25th Infantry Division, famously known as “Tropic Lightning.”
Jerry served as a Specialist 4th Class Technician, stationed in Cu Chi, Vietnam, near Saigon and the Hobo Woods. His service coincided with the intense Tet Offensive, during which he recalls the frequent reality of being mortared a dozen times in a single night. For his bravery and dedication, Jerry was awarded three Bronze Stars during his time in Vietnam.
After two years of honorable service, Jerry returned home to the United States on October 18, 1968, a day he was thrilled to set foot back on American soil.
Jerry has been happily married for 55 years and is the proud father of two children; his son Ash of Swanton and his daughter Autumn of Columbus. He is also the beloved grandfather of three grandsons, Alex, Brady and Carsen.
After dedicating 35 years of hard work to General Motors, jerry retired but continues to stay active. He keeps busy as a seasonal mower for the city of Bryan and enjoys being a part of several coffee groups, attending auctions, exploring sales and building his collection.
Photo (L to R): Lillyanna Valderas, Zara Wylie, Hannah Crouse, Jerry Lemons, Brady O’Shea
At halftime of the Swanton vs Liberty Center boys basketball game, the packed house of the Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium was treated to several routines from dozens of Little Lady Swanton Bulldog cheerleaders.
Click on the link above to access photos from the performance. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
With what may have been their toughest test of the season, the Delta Lady Panthers took their spotless 14-0 record into the Archbold Thunder Dome and held off the always dangerous Lady Blue Streaks 57-48 to run their school record of opening season consecutive wins to an incredible 15.
Archbold entered the contest with an impressive overall record of 12-3 and employed a zone-trapping defense to disrupt the Delta offense. However, in the first half, the Panthers executed precise and timely ball movement to easily overcome the Streaks’ defensive strategy, leading to easy baskets underneath and drawing several fouls in the act of shooting. “We’ve been working on that, just better ball movement,” explained Delta head coach Kelsey Gillen. “At times just kept passing the ball and we were able to pull it together.” Delta outscored Archbold 19-4 in the first quarter and led 30-10 at one point in the second quarter before going into halftime with a 30-16 advantage.
Early in the third quarter, the Streaks mounted a comeback and were able to reduce the deficit to single digits. But the Panthers regrouped with senior Kendall Sprow scoring 8 of her 14 points in the frame, helping to keep Delta’s 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Again, Archbold rallied and pulled with five points before Delta was able to stretch the lead back to nine for the 57-48 NWOAL victory. “You have to give them a lot of credit,” Coach Gillen said of the Lady Blue Streaks and the comeback they made. “They have a great coach and a great team.”
Delta freshman standout Anna Lohman led all players with 21 points but her defense was also a major contributor to the win. With Archbold drawing close late in the fourth quarter, Lohman made a thunderous block of a three-point attempt and the Streak shooters became very gun-shy when being guarded by her. “It felt really good,” said Lohman of the defensive play. “I was watching her warm up and I knew she liked to shoot from there.”
Delta’s stellar 15-0 overall record includes 3-0 in the NWOAL. They will play the Fayette Lady Eagles on Saturday in the “Jungle” at Delta High School. Archbold drops to 12-4 on the season and 2-2 in the league. They will welcome the Springfield Blue Devils into the “Thunder Dome” on Saturday.
Archbold Lady Blue Streaks: 4-12-17-15 = 48 Miley Gericke (19), Charlie Forward (11), Klaire Kern (8), Alana Pedraza (6), Makena Thiel (4)
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 fuiltoncountymedia.com website.
Mark Butler, Swanton High School Class of 1976, has produced a movie about the experiences of African-American soldiers from Ohio who trained at Camp Delaware during the Civil War. The camp was named after the City of Delaware, Ohio and was located on the east bank of the Olentangy River.
Mr. Butler will be screening the movie at Swanton High School on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm, as a fundraiser for the Community Arts Network Performing Arts Scholarship that he provides to a Swanton High School graduate.
Evergreen seniors Trevor Johnson and Michael Laver combined to bowl four games for an average of 200+ pins, leading the Vikings to a 2273-1940 victory over the Wauseon Indians yesterday at the Swanton Sports Center. Included in their series, Johnson rolled a match-high game of 217 and Laver added a 204. Wauseon junior Evan Stevens led the Indians with a two-game series of 391, including a 216 game.
Evergreen Vikings: Trevor Johnson (199 + 217 = 416), Michael Laver 9204 = 186 = 390), Thomas Baker (178), Layne Vance (169), Owen Dohrmann (124), Isaac Hansel (122), Baker Games (196 + 179 + 172 = 547) Total = 2273
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: Trevor Johnson led all bowlers with a two-game series score of 416
The Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 is currently holding cornhole tournaments twice a month on Sunday afternoons starting at 2:00 pm. Entry Fee is $5.00 and prizes are awarded to the top three placers.
Click on the link above to access photos from yesterday’s tournament. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
In NWOAL bowling action on Friday at the Swanton Sports Center, the Evergreen Vikings defeated the Swanton Bulldogs (2145-1381) and the Tinora Rams took both the girls (1880-1505) and boys (2177-1474) matches from the Delta Panthers.
Evergreen senior Michael Laver rolled a two-game series score of 402 including a match-high game of 232 to lead the Vikings and Caden Beier had a 353. Thomas Baker had a single game 204. Bulldog sophomore Conor Yates bowled a two-game series score of 295 and Jeremia Jordan threw a 270.
Evergreen Vikings: Michael Laver (232 + 170 = 402), Caden Beier (176 + 177 = 353), Thomas Baker (204), Layne Vance (165), Cage Williams (144), Cohen Myers (137), Isaac Hansel (124), Baker Games (160 + 182 + 125 = 467) Total = 2145
Swanton Bulldogs: Conor Yates (149 + 146 = 295), Jeremia Jordan 9150 + 120 = 270), Nick Trumbull (94 + 121 = 215), Devon Bumbera (103 + 99 = 202), Stephen Hartbarger (97 + 81 = 178), Baker Games (73 =+ 88 + 60 = 221) Total = 1381
Delta junior Chloe Cole bowled a two-game series of 313 to lead the Lady Panthers and Serena Shelhart had a 247. Tinora sophomore Jennifer Lichtenwald tossed a two-game series of 355 including a match-high game of 202 for the Lady Rams and Rose Billing had a 344.
Tinora Lady Rams: Rose Billing (161 + 183 = 344), Jennifer Lichtenwald (153 + 202 = 355), Paige Weber (143 + 150 = 293), Aleksia Cook (124 + 123 = 247), Mackenzie Maassel (94 + 889 = 182), Baker Games (146 + 170 + 143 = 459) Total = 1880
Delta junior Taven Johnson and senior Konrad Hawkins each rolled a two-game series of 283. Tinora senior Anthony Punches bowled a two-game series of 399 including a 220. Drew Higbea had a 348.
Tinora Rams: Anthony Punches (179 + 220 = 399), Drew Higbea (160 + 188 = 348), Lucas Stein (165 + 176 = 341), Daegon Begin (188), Casen Healy (183), Trace Bucholz (166), Mathew Monfette (145), Baker Games (158 + 124 + 125 = 407) Total = 2177
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.
With just 3:38 remaining in the contest, Wauseon held a tenuous 43-41 lead over visiting Swanton when Bulldog big-man, Charlie Wood, picked up his fifth foul and had to leave the game. The Indians took full advantage by attacking the basket and outscoring the Bulldogs 9-3 the rest of the way to win the NWOAL game 52-44.
Wauseon 6’5” senior Nicholas Stinner scored nine of his second half 20 points in the final frame and led all players with 28 points for the game. Sophomore Riley Riegsecker added 13. Wood’s 14 points topped Swanton and Evan Reinhard scored 10.
It was Wauseon’s first league game of the season putting their record at 1-0 and 5-4 overall. Their next NWOAL game is at Evergreen on Friday, January 17th. Swanton drops to 0-2 in the league and 7-6 for the season. They will welcome in the Ottawa Hills Green Bears on Tuesday, January 14th.
Swanton Bulldogs: 4-14-13-13 = 44 Charlie Wood (14), Evan Reinhard (10), Giovanni Ruiz (8), Brady O’Shea (7), Isaiah Bolyard (5)
Wauseon Indians: 8-11-17-16 = 52 Nicholas Stinner (28), Riley Riegsecker (13), Nathaniel Stinner (4), Carter Gype (4), Seth Richer (20), Ryan Neff (1)
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: Nicholas Stinner lays in two of his game-high 28 points
The Swanton Lions Club lost one of its most cherished members the day after Christmas with the passing of Dick Notestine. No amount of words can define the profound impact on the lives of people who knew Dick or even had a brief encounter or experience with him. He had the rare God-given gift of making people feel welcome and comfortable and accepted only moments after the first “hello” and the smile to go along with it. When you walked away from Dick after your first contact with him you felt you had just made a new friend.
Dick joined the Swanton Lions in 2016 and immediately began to make a difference with his fresh ideas and leadership of several fund-raising committees. When he was made aware of people in need, he would not only bring it to the attention of the Club but also suggest ways the Club could help. Rare was the Lions Club program or event that did not include Dick. He worked diligently through the Lions to serve the Swanton Community and, like most in the organization, never sought a “thank you“ or a pat on the back. It was never his style.
Dick was laid to rest today surrounded by family, friends and many members of the Swanton Lions Club. These were the people who loved him and had their lives enriched and changed forever for having known him. He leaves a hole in the heart of the Swanton Lions that can never be replaced but he will always be remembered.
Obituary: Richard A. “Dick” Notestine, age 88, a cherished father, grandfather, and dedicated public servant, passed away peacefully at his home in Swanton, Thursday evening, December 26, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 8, 1936, in Lindsey, Ohio to Warden and Rachel (Travis) Notestine, Dick led a life marked by commitment to family, dedication to his career, and service to his country.
A graduate of Fremont Ross High School, Dick’s career was distinguished by his military service in the United States Navy from November 16, 1964 to September 19, 1969, where he held the rank of Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Petty Officer and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He devoted 35 years of his professional life to the Federal Aviation Administration, where he served as an Air Traffic Controller, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to ensuring the safety of countless flights.
Dick loved spending time with family and had several hobbies throughout his life, including traveling across the world with his wife BettyLee. While living in Florida and Tennessee, Dick was often found in his woodworking shop or fishing. His grandkids fondly recall going fishing, tubing, and skiing with him as well as going on day trips to museums and other local attractions.
Dick was known for his vibrant personality and his ability to tell a good story, captivating those around him with tales of his experiences. His sense of humor and engaging nature left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Dick was a proud member and past-president of the Swanton Lions Club, where he contributed to his community and formed lasting friendships. His impact on those around him was significant, as he devoted time to helping others and building a sense of camaraderie in his neighborhood.
He is survived by his beloved daughter, Norene Smith; his son, Richard (Lauren) Notestine; son-in-law Glen Dominique Jr.; stepson, Charles (Libbie) Jester; along with his grandsons, Bryan Heenan, Alec Heenan, Nicholas Dominique; step-grandchildren Jacob Jester and Shannon Jester.
Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, BettyLee, his daughter, Tonya Dominique, and his grandson, Brock Joseph Heenan. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of his family and friends, who will remember him with great fondness and respect. Richard A. Notestine’s legacy of family, love, service, and storytelling will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
A special heartfelt thank you to Kind Hearts Hospice for the comfort and care provided to Dick and family during his final weeks here on earth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Swanton Lions Club, 204 Chestnut St., Swanton, OH 43558.
Photo: Dick accepting a Proclamation from the Village of Swanton Mayor Ann Roth for the Club’s 10-year anniversary with Lloyd Cass and Tom Snyder
Fulton County Ohio Media 