Fulton County Ohio Media

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The Christmas in Swanton Parade Committee truly outdid themselves this year with a float-filled lineup that also included both the Swanton High School Marching Bulldogs and the Delta High School Marching Panther Bands as well as dancing troupes and cheerleaders among other participants.  Once again, the Village of Swanton was so beyond blessed to have Committee Chair Mandi Gineman and her many volunteers put forth a tremendous effort to the delight of crowd that lined the parade route from the Swanton Sports Center, down Main Street and west on Dodge Street.

Serving as the 2025 Grand Marshal was long-time Swanton Schools educator Christine Elliott.  As her float traveled down Main Street, Master of Ceremonies Pat McCarty, better known as Guy in the 419, read Chris’s bio to the crowd:

While Swanton wasn’t her hometown, or even her first job, she landed in Bulldog territory and took off running with both feet.  As a student teach with the exceptional likes of Pat Lovejoy and Larry Becker, she fondly recalls her time falling in love with the occupation, the students, and ultimately, our small town of Swanton.  She states she was never made to feel like an outsider and gives credit to her fellow teachers for that warm embrace.

Her unwavering care for her students doesn’t stop in the classroom, it just so happens to follow her home on weekends in the form of the Backpack Buddy Program.  From its inception with Charlene Blankenship and Paulette Baz, to its group of volunteers now, our Grand Marshal feels strongly about how the Backpack Buddy Program makes a positive impact on our students.  Once retired, she plans to continue making that program a priority in the Swanton Community.  She states that an interaction with a student, a field trip and a bag of nickels is her “why” as you never truly know someone’s story or struggles.

Our Grand Marshal states some of her favorite Christmas in Swanton memories include decoration at Park School and walking in the parade with her fellow teachers and students.  Her favorite memories and traditions with her family include Christmas Eve church services, singing Silent Night, and just being together.  She will be joined in the parade with her husband John, daughter Kaitlyn and a special appearance by granddaughter Evelyn.  Her daughter Jessica and family are unable to attend as she is due to have a child very soon, but will be with her in spirit.  The Christmas in Swanton is proud to present the 2025 Grand Marshal, Mrs. Christine Elliott.

As part of her duties as Grand Marshal, Chris lit the Christmas Tree at Pilliod Park on Friday evening at that celebration.  She also served as a judge prior to the parade to determine the best decorated float.  This year the float entered by the Swanton Corn Festival Committee won first place.  Swanton Baptist Church finished in second place followed by the Swanton Schools Bus Garage.

Click on the link above to access the more than 400 photos from the parade. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared courtesy of the fultoncopuntymedia.com website.

Photo: Masters of Ceremony Pat McCarty and MacKenzie Roytek

Following the mandated automatic recount of the Swanton Village Council election by the Lucas County Board of Elections Tuesday morning, Deacon D. Dzierzawski was declared the winner over incumbent Patrick Messenger by two votes.  Prior to the recount, Mr. Dzierzawski held a two-vote advantage.  Once completed, there were no changes in the number of votes for either candidate, thereby giving Mr. Dzierzawski the victory.

After the first of the year, all four successful candidates, Patricia Pilliod, Dave Pilliod, Noah Kreuz and Mr. Dzierzawski will be officially sworn into office.  The Swanton Village Council is scheduled to hold their first meeting of 2026 on January 12^th where the recently elected members will be formally sworn in and the 2026 Council will be seated.

Photo: Deacon Dzierzawski speaks at the Village Council candidates Town Hall in October

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The Wauseon Indians, trailing by six pins to Evergreen entering the final Baker Game, out scored the Vikings 233-133 to win the NWOAL match 2177-2083 on Monday night at the Swanton Sports Center.  Jakob Yocom led Wauseon with a two-game series score of 372.  Xaviar Robinette rolled a 347 series for Evergreen.

Wauseon Indians:  Jakob Yocom (184 + 188 = 372), Camden Sherman (178 + 177 = 355), Isaak Hays (146 + 174 = 320), Evan Stevens (148 + 148 = 296), Trey Long (173 + 109 = 282), Baker games (155 + 164 + 233 = 552)   Total = 2177

Evergreen Vikings:  Xaviar Robinette (149 + 198 = 347), Thomas Baker (162 + 173 = 335), Cohen Myers (151 + 166 = 317), Austin Garcia (183), Owen Dohrmann (174), Elliot Prescott (158), Colton Ruby (124), Baker Games (148 + 164 + 133 = 445)   Total = 2083

In the girls’ match, the Lady Indians took a 314-pin lead into the Baker Games and went on to defeat the Lady Vikings 2163-1609.  Kymberlee Yocom topped all bowlers on the night with a two-game series of 390, including a 215 in her second game.  Addison Wilson bowled a 296 series for Evergreen.

Wauseon Lady Indians:  Kymberlee Yocom (175 + 215 = 390), Ruth Shelt (178 + 182 = 360), Josie Spires (159 + 176 = 335), Annabella Meyers (116 + 132 = 248), Lilly Netcher (114 + 126 = 240), Baker Games (208 + 197 + 185 = 590)    Total = 2163

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  Addison Wilson (1891 + 115 = 296), Appollonna Roesner (107 + 163 = 270), Joanna Brown (150 + 104 = 254), Leona Bucher (140), Keira Myers (123), Lila Baker (97), Molly Walker (79), Baker Games (146 + 110 + 94 = 350)   Total = 1609

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

Photo: Top Wauseon Bowlers – Kymberlee Yocom and Jakob Yocom

It has been almost four weeks since the November 4^th election where the voters of the Village of Swanton were asked to fill four seats on the Village Council.  Three candidates, Patricia Pilliod, Dave Pilliod, and Noah Kreuz, received enough votes to be officially elected as members of the Swanton Village Council beginning on January 1, 2026.  A fourth candidate, Stephen Kasprzak, had the lowest number of votes and was eliminated.

The vote totals received by incumbent candidate Patrick Messenger and candidate Deacon D. Dzierzawski, in both Fulton County and Lucas County, were close enough to trigger, by law, an automatic recount.  Initially, Mr. Dzierzawski held a two-vote lead over Mr. Messenger in Fulton County balloting, while Mr. Messenger garnered four more votes than Mr. Dzierzawski in the Lucas Couty portion of the election.

In the recently completed and certified recount in Fulton County, Mr. Dzierzawski’s advantage increased to six votes.  However, Lucas County has not yet conducted their recount.  It is scheduled to be held by the Lucas County Board of Elections on Tuesday, December 2^nd with final results expected the following day.

All six candidates were mailed letters notifying them of the recount and were invited to attend and monitor the proceedings.   

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The Delta Panthers boys’ and girls’ bowling teams opened the NWOAL season at the Swanton Sports Center on Monday by losing both matches to the Tinora Rams.  The Panthers lost 2103-1665 to the Rams and the Lady Panthers fell 1500-1391. 

Delta’s Marcello Miracola topped all bowlers with a two-game series score of 382, including a 216 in his second game.  Mathew Monfette rolled a 381 series for Tinora.  Cadence Barkhimer bowled a two-game series of 285 for the Lady Panthers to lead all girls.  Jennifer Lichtenwald had a 269 for the Lady Rams.

Tinora Rams:  Mathew Monfette (186 + 195 = 381), Daegon Begin (183 + 172 = 355), Casen Healy (141 + 202 = 343), Ian Tong (118 + 144 = 262), Andrew Petch (115 + 145 = 260), Baker Gams (215 + 155 + 132 = 502)   Total = 2103

Delta Panthers:  Marcello Miracola (166 + 216 = 382), Cameron Fortmann (160 + 148 = 308), Luca Miracola (150 + 125 = 275), Jacob Fortmann (96 + 115 = 211), Kaiden Boeliner (90), Layton Fisher (88), Baker Games (131 + 89 + 91 = 311)   Total = 1665

Tinora Lady Rams:  Jennifer Lichtenwald (129 + 140 = 269), Aleksia Cook (96 + 142 = 242), Ashlynne Bussing (127 + 96 = 223), Isabell (89 + 236 = 215), Taylor Spangler (105 + 108 = 213), Baker Games (130 + 106 + 102 = 338)   Total = 1500

Delta Lady Panthers:  Cadence Barkhimer (157 + 128 = 285), Kallie Leonard (125 + 103 = 228), Gracie Boshears (121 + 105 = 225), Marcella Morris (99 + 107 = 206), Autum Hasapes (85 + 73 = 158), Baker Games (77 + 112 + 101 = 289)   Total = 1391

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

Photo: Top Delta bowlers – Cadence Barkhimer and Marcello Miracola

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On Monday afternoon at the Swanton Sports Center, both Evergreen and Swanton opened the NWOAL bowling season with the Vikings taking both boys and girls matches.  Thomas Baker rolled a two-game series score of 342 to lead the Vikings over the Bulldogs 2105-1632.  Swanton’s Conor Yates led all boy bowlers with a 369 series.  Appollonna Roesner had a two-game series score of 377 to carry the Lady Vikings over the Lady Bulldogs 1809-1082.  Emma Leonard bowled a two-game series of 274 for Swanton. 

Evergreen Vikings:  Thomas Baker (164 + 178 = 342), Elliot Prescott (160 + 179 = 339), Xaviar Robinette (163 + 161 = 324), Colton Ruby (138 + 145 = 283), Owen Dohrmann (155), Cohen Myers (127), Baker Games (193 + 197 + 145 = 535)   Total = 2105

Swanton Bulldogs:  Conor Yates (193 + 176 = 369), Nick Trumbull (136 + 185 = 321), Devon Bumbera (130 + 1021 = 232), Logan Partin (86 + 118 = 204), Stephen Hartbarger (60 + 102 = 162), Baker Games (110 + 105 + 129)   Total = 1632

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  Appollonna Roesner (190 + 187 = 377), Joanna Brown (140 + 138 = 278), Addison Wilson (160 + 113 = 273), Lila baker (117 + 132 = 249), Keira Myers (120 + 109 = 229), Baker Games (131 + 87 + 185 = 403)   Total = 1809

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Emma Leonard (124 + 150 = 274), Lily Gaschge (106 + 113 = 219), Ksenia Veilkoglo (72 + 94 = 166), Amelia Stanton (30 + 82 = 117), Baker Games (85 + 106 + 120 = 311)   Total = 1082

For the record:  The Lady Bulldogs were unable to field a full team of five bowlers for this match.

Click on the link to access photos from the match. 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: Top Evergreen bowlers – Thomas Baker and Appollonna Roesner

Last Monday, November 17^th, a Ribbon Cutting was held at the H.O.O.V.E.S. (Healing Our Veterans) Sanctuary and Healing Center located on Wilkins Road in Swanton, to introduce the public to the recent facility upgrades through the amazing generosity of many local business owners.  HOOVES is a non-profit organization dedicated to their mission of “Bringing veterans and rescued horses together in life-changing experiences, creating powerful bonds that heal, restore purpose and empower new beginnings.”

The organization is run by Amanda Held, founder and CEO of HOOVES and a team of volunteers.  Amanda is a Mustang gentler, equines services facilitator, and a SMSgt in the Michigan Air National Guard.  She is also a published author and passionate advocator for veterans healing.  Amanda’s own journey of overcoming challenges inspires the work at HOOVES.

Prior to officially cutting the ribbon in front of a large crowd of supporters, Amanda gave the following speech:

Community members, veterans service organizations, volunteers, staff, and veterans. Thank you all for being here today. This is a special moment for HOOVES, because it represents what happens when a community decides to invest in the healing of our veterans. These upgrades are not just improvements to our property. They are acts of generosity that will directly impact the men and women who come here to rebuild their lives.

I want to begin by thanking the Ohio Contractors Association for rallying around this project and bringing together an incredible team of partners.

Miller Bros. for the excavation and leveling in the back area.  Crestline for the asphalt installation.  Shelly and Gerken for providing asphalt.  E.S. Wagner for the excavation and stone prep for the driveway.  SanJan Trucking, Ebony, and Green Earth Transportation for providing trucking and topsoil.

Heidelberg Materials for donating the stone for the driveway.  Mosser Construction for the concrete work around the house.  Exceed Trucking for providing additional trucking.  All Ohio, part of Shelly Co., for providing concrete.  Kuhlman, part of Gerken Co., for providing concrete as well.

Each of you contributed in a way that goes far beyond machinery, materials, or labor. You created access. You created safety. You created an environment where veterans can step onto this property and feel supported from the moment they arrive.

I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to Window World for donating all of the new windows throughout our retreat center. These windows do more than brighten a room. They let in hope. They make this place feel warm, safe, and like home for the veterans who stay here during our healing intensives.

Every one of you has played a role in transforming this sanctuary into a place where breakthroughs happen every day. A veteran will walk down this driveway and take their first deep breath in years. Someone will sit inside and look out through these windows and see a future they thought they had lost. Your work and your generosity make that possible.

On behalf of our team, our volunteers, our horses, and every veteran whose healing journey begins right here, thank you. This ribbon cutting is more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of what we can accomplish when a community stands with its veterans.

Thank you all so much.

Following the ribbon cutting, a luncheon was held inside the “Bunkhouse” with donated food provided by the Whitehouse Inn.  If you would like more information on HOOVES, you can checkout their website at hooves.us or send an email to info@hooves.us or call 419-930-7936.

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Despite the cold steady rain and a formidable opponent, the Liberty Center Football Tigers continued their Running Clock Playoff Tour with a 38-0 beatdown of the Genoa Comets, Champions of the Northern Buckey Conference Friday night at Fostoria High School.  The wet conditions hampered both teams’ offense early on with the only score coming when LC’s Jaxton Lawniczak picked off a Myles Mollenhauer pass down the middle and returned it 44 yards to paydirt, followed by a Max Walker successful PAT.

While the Tiger defense kept the clamps on the Comets, their offense came alive in the second quarter.  Garrison Kruse finished off an 83-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge into the left corner of the end zone to push the lead to 14-0.  Two Genoa turnovers on their side of the field, an interception by Kaden Sonnenberg and a fumble recovery by Degan Schwaiger, set up Liberty Center to take complete control of the contest.

Kruse grabbed a screen pass from Kaden Kreinbrink and ran 17 yards, crossing the goal line for a 21-0 LC advantage.  Kreinbrink then hooked up with Lawniczak for a 20-yard score towards the end of the first half.  Up 28-0 with little time left in the first half, great defense and strategic clock management by the Tiger coaching staff led to a 43-ard field goal attempt by Walker.  The kick sailed through the rain and fell just over the crossbar with no time left on the clock, putting Liberty Center on top 31-0 at the end of the first half. 

The late score proved to be a dagger in the hearts of the Comets and the Genoa faithful.  As the case in almost every game of the 2025 season, the Liberty Center opponent entered the second half of the game with a deficit of 30 points or more and a running clock to further shackle their chances at a comeback.  Isaiah Badenhop returned a punt 48 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter for the only score in the second half to complete the 38-0 victory and secure the Tigers’ third consecutive OHSSA Division V Regional Championship.

Liberty Center will now travel to Lima next Friday night, November 28^th at 7:00 PM to take on the Indian Lake Lakers in the State Semi-Finals.  The winner will advance to the D5 State Championship game to be played in Canton on Saturday night, December 6^th at 7:30 PM.

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

The Swanton Local Schools Board of Education is seeking qualified applicants to fill an open board seat for the term beginning January 2026.  Since no candidate filed to run for this position in the November election, the board of education will appoint an individual to serve the first two years of the term. 

Community members interested in serving are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest explaining why they wish to serve on the board of education and how they plan to support the district, its students and the Swanton community. 

The application deadline is 3 PM on Wednesday December 10, 2025. Applications may be submitted via US Mail to 108 N. Main St. Swanton, OH 43558 or electronically to Becky.Nelson@swantonschools.org. Questions can be directed to the Board Office at 419-826-7085.

Chris M. Lake

Superintendent