Several Village Council Meetings ago, Council members had asked that community organizations send a representative to a meeting to help the Council understand what was the main function of the organization and how it impacted the Village of Swanton. At tonight’s meeting, Alyssa (Gombash) Walberg spoke in front of Council members Derek Kania, John Schmidt, Dianne Westhoven, Noah Kreuz, Sam Disbrow and Patrick Messenger and Mayor Neil Toeppe, Administrator Shannon Shulters and Fiscal Officer Holden Benfield. Below is her address:
My journey with the Corn Festival started when I was just a kid. My mom joined the committee when I was in elementary school, and I got to watch firsthand the passion and love she—and so many others—poured into this event and into our town. It left a lasting impression on me. Now, as someone who has chosen to stay rooted in Swanton and raise my own family here, I want my children to grow up loving the Corn Festival, appreciating our town, and feeling proud to be part of this amazing community.
That’s why I do this—so other families and kids can experience just how special Swanton truly is. The Corn Festival is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of Swanton. It brings together families, friends, and neighbors, and it gives our local businesses, churches, school groups, clubs, and organizations a chance to shine, raise funds, and connect with the community. Whether it’s a nonprofit hosting a booth, a sports team selling lemonade, or a small business meeting new customers, the festival lifts up so many parts of our town in meaningful ways.
Each year, we also see so many people return home to Swanton just for this weekend. It’s become a time for reunions, memories, and tradition. One of our most beloved events is the All Class Reunion and Party in the Park, which [CO1][CO2]celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. It’s a chance for alumni, friends, and community members to reconnect and celebrate everything that makes Swanton special.
Over the years, the Corn Festival has also donated tens of thousands of dollars to various local groups, projects, and improvements throughout our community. From park upgrades to helping fund youth programs, we take pride in giving back and supporting the town that supports us. We plan to continue working with the village and different groups in our community to continue to donate and help improve our park and town.
This year, we’ve got some exciting additions and returning favorites. The festivities kick off with our brand-new Family Fun Color Run and a revamped 5K. We’ll also have our classic parade, live music in the beer garden—including Not Fast Enuf at 8PM—local vendors, kids’ activities, inflatables, and so much more. We’re also proud to showcase local businesses like Benfield Wines and Oncore Brewing in our beer tent this year.
I want to recognize my incredible team of volunteers who have been working tirelessly all year to bring this day to life. They’ve dedicated their time, talents, and hearts to making this year’s festival a fun, safe, and memorable event for everyone. We can’t wait to see our streets filled with laughter, music, and, of course, lots of corn. Thank you for your continued support in helping us bring joy and connection to the Swanton community. And also – if we could all just send up some good vibes for 75 degrees and sunshine on August 9th, I would greatly appreciate it.
Before Alyssa stepped away from the podium, she mentioned that the committee, which is made up of approximately 15 volunteers that work year-round on the planning, could use more volunteers during the two-day event. Anyone willing to help out can contact the committee by sending a message to their Facebook page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Delray E Busch, Executive Director, Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony for Bear Arms Armory & Archery, now located at the former site of Cleland’s Outdoor World at 10306 Airport Highway in Swanton.
The two-day grand opening event will be held: ● Saturday, June 28, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. ● Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 PM. ● Sunday, June 29, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
This event marks the official celebration of new ownership and a full-scale renovation of one of the area’s most long-standing firearm and archery retailers. Attendees can enjoy food, giveaways, product demonstrations, and tours of the facility. Bear Arms Armory & Archery offers a modern experience for firearm and archery enthusiasts of all levels. The facilities boast an indoor pistol range, a dedicated indoor archery range, and a retail showroom stocked with firearms, gear, and accessories. The site also offers on-site concealed carry (CCW) classes and training with a focus on safety, education, and confidence building.
Bear Arms is an expansion of Bear Arms Tactical in Perrysburg and continues the company’s commitment to exceptional customer service, training, and access to quality products for personal protection and sport. For more information, contact Bear Arms Armory & Archery at (419) 865-4713. PO Box 116 Swanton, OH 43558 | Facebook | SwantonCC@gmail.com | 419.826.1941
My name is Noah Kreuz, and over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Swanton Village Council after being appointed by the current council to fill a vacancy. While I wasn’t initially elected by the residents, I took that responsibility seriously and made it my mission to serve with the same dedication and accountability as someone who was.
From day one, I’ve worked to be a true representative for the people of Swanton—listening to your concerns, advocating for your needs, and always putting our community first. I believe that every voice matters, and I’ve strived to ensure those voices are heard at the council table.
Now, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for reelection, and I’m asking for your support to continue the work we’ve started together.
My wife, Kayla, and I moved to Swanton in 2023 after buying our first home on Brookside Dr. From the moment we arrived, we’ve loved every minute of living here. Swanton has quickly become home, and we’re proud to build our future—and raise our family—right here in this amazing community. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be going door to door throughout the village to introduce myself, listen to your thoughts and concerns, and gather signatures for my petition to appear on the ballot. I’ll also be at the upcoming Swanton Block Party on July 19, so please stop by, say hello, and share what matters most to you.
I’m looking forward to meeting more of you and continuing to serve this community we’re so proud to call home. Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!
In an earlier Facebook posting, Mr. Messenger made the following announcement:
Patrick L Messenger Announces Re-Election Bid for Swanton Village Council
My name is Patrick L Messenger, and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Swanton Village Council.
As I near the end of my first four-year term, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made—and the work that still needs to be done. I’m a father of five and have been a resident of Swanton for 12 years. This village is my home, and I’ve been honored to serve the people who make it such a special place.
Over the past four years, I’ve been involved in several positive changes, including increasing transparency in local government through the implementation of live-streamed council meetings. I believe these efforts have helped make local leadership more accessible, accountable, and responsive to the needs of our community.
That said, I know there’s still more to do.
As part of my re-election effort, I will be collecting signatures throughout the community to secure my place on the ballot. I’ll also be making myself available to hear your questions, comments, and concerns—because I want to get a head start on ensuring that the next four years are as productive and proactive as possible. That means addressing not only the issues we face today, but also preparing for those that may arise in the future.
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. It has been an honor to serve, and I respectfully ask for your support as I seek another term on the Swanton Village Council. — Patrick L Messenger
Current Swanton Village Council President, Derek Kania, has decided to run for another term as a Swanton Village Councilman and serve his community for another four years. Below, Mr. Kania, or Senior Master Sergeant Kania, who serves in the 180th Fighter Wing (180 FW) of the Ohio Air National Guard located at Toledo Express Airport, states his case to be reelected:
Lessons Learned from 4 Years on Council
April 28th, 2021, I was sitting in my hotel room at Ramstein Air Force Base writing to all of you in the Village, why I would like to be on Village Council. While most of what I wrote was a letter about who I was and where I came from, the last paragraph outlined what I would do IF I was elected in November of 2021. I aimed to bring more participation to Village Council meetings. I wanted all community members to have a stage to voice their concerns and their solutions to what was bothering them. I wanted to empower the elected officials to serve the community, not their own agendas. I can tell you after 4 years of Council, I feel this agenda has been moved in the right direction. For almost 4 years I have sat on Council and tried to push this community forward, and after 4 years I have learned a lot. So, I’d like to lay out 4 things that I have learned over the 4 years as one of your honored elected officials.
1. SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!!! After over 20 years of military service I should have known the government machine was slow whether it’s at the federal level or the local level. I’m an action-now kind of guy and that mentality doesn’t work with government. There are so many layers of legal, financial, and political protocols that MUST be adhered to just to purchase certain items, fix a road, or even hire someone. It took me a while to accept the speed at which certain things get done in government. The downside to this snail’s pace is what many of us see every day things don’t get fixed right away when reported, projects don’t start on time, and the list goes on and on. The other side of this slow but steady pace is that it allows all department heads to grasp the project at hand, financially obligate funds, or make sure the engineers have done their part. This slower pace is what gets projects done in a manner that doesn’t later burden the Village. If the Village operated at the pace many of us in the community would like, the Village would more than likely be broke from redundant projects, excessive spending just to get something done, and knee-jerk reactions to issues. Sometimes slowing down and having others look at the issue from different angles is the smarter way to get something done. It may not be fast, but it will get done.
2. BUDGET!! Oh boy, this was a fun topic to learn about. Growing up, balancing a checkbook could be difficult moving money from savings to checking and writing down that move for tracking purposes and then writing checks for bills and then later using an app on your phone to do that same thing. Governmental funding is another beast on a different level. Each department has their own accounts and sub-accounts, and there are transfers from one account to pay for another worker it can be very intimidating. Projects like Munson, Hallett, and Airport Hwy need loan and grant applications submitted and tracked, and then once a grant or loan is awarded, there are stipulations on how that money can be spent and, in some cases, it must be spent within certain timelines. All of this doesn’t even account for the investments, insurance, and retirement accounts that need to be tracked and reviewed by Council. Thankfully, we have a great finance guy that is able to break all this down into digestible information for all of us to… enjoy?!
3. TEAMWORK… Despite what the community thinks or what is said on social media, EVERY Village employee works hard to improve the Village. WRRF, Water, Public Service, Parks, Admin, FD, Police all strive to make this Village better. Each department works to create new ways to save time or money on given projects so that resources can be directed to help the community. Unfortunately, this side of the Village is only seen if you are part of the governmental workings of the Village. I had my own thoughts of how things operated at all these departments before I was on Council. However, between meetings and visits to facilities and numerous other communications with all of these members over the past 4 years, I can assure you they are working to improve the community.
4. THE COMMUNITY… When I first decided to run for Council four years ago, I talked about community because it was, and still is, the heart of everything. My family set roots here. We invested not just in a home, but in a future. And during my time on Council, I’ve had the incredible privilege to see just how deep and resilient Swanton’s sense of community really is. The Corn Fest Committee, Rotary, Lions Club, VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, SACC, and many more don’t just exist on paper. They’re filled with real people, your neighbors, who put in real work to make our town stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. Their commitment is inspiring. Whether it’s helping a family through a rough patch, organizing youth programs, fireworks, community festivals, or simply being a constant source of pride and positivity, these groups reflect the best of Swanton. The community is why I stay in Swanton; the community is what will always make Swanton great not the governing bodies, the community is what will hold this town together through hard times and celebrate the good.
Now that my term is almost up, I need to make a decision: do I pursue re-election or walk away and let someone else push Swanton forward? I’ve tossed this idea around for a few months and have had numerous conversations with my family and to be honest… with myself. My internal issues with re-election were geared around whether or not I still have more to give do I have another 4 years in me? I don’t want to be on Council and not be effective. My daughter asked if I had made a decision on running again. I told her I hadn’t made a decision, she then looked at me and said, “Dad, I think you should do it again. You have more to give. You can make things happen.” I just looked at her, with this weird liquid welling up in my eyes and said, “You’re right. I’m not done yet.” So, after all is said, I’m asking all of you once again to please support me on my quest for re-election to Village Council. My loving wife has again agreed to support me on this endeavor and will be collecting signatures for my petition that must be submitted in early August. So, if you’d like to support me continuing on Village Council, and are a Village resident, please come to CK Sweets located at 95 S. Main St. in Swanton and sign the petition. I’ll also set up some time to collect them as well and meet with some of you. Thank you all for the time, and your support.
Derek Kania
Current Swanton Village Council President, Derek Kania, has decided to run for another term as a Swanton Village Councilman and serve his community for another four years. Below, Mr. Kania, or Senior Master Sergeant Kania, who serves in the 180th Fighter Wing (180 FW) of the Ohio Air National Guard located at Toledo Express Airport, states his case to be reelected:
Lessons Learned from 4 Years on Council
April 28th, 2021, I was sitting in my hotel room at Ramstein Air Force Base writing to all of you in the Village, why I would like to be on Village Council. While most of what I wrote was a letter about who I was and where I came from, the last paragraph outlined what I would do IF I was elected in November of 2021. I aimed to bring more participation to Village Council meetings. I wanted all community members to have a stage to voice their concerns and their solutions to what was bothering them. I wanted to empower the elected officials to serve the community, not their own agendas. I can tell you after 4 years of Council, I feel this agenda has been moved in the right direction. For almost 4 years I have sat on Council and tried to push this community forward, and after 4 years I have learned a lot. So, I’d like to lay out 4 things that I have learned over the 4 years as one of your honored elected officials.
1. SLOW, SLOW, SLOW!!! After over 20 years of military service I should have known the government machine was slow whether it’s at the federal level or the local level. I’m an action-now kind of guy and that mentality doesn’t work with government. There are so many layers of legal, financial, and political protocols that MUST be adhered to just to purchase certain items, fix a road, or even hire someone. It took me a while to accept the speed at which certain things get done in government. The downside to this snail’s pace is what many of us see every day things don’t get fixed right away when reported, projects don’t start on time, and the list goes on and on. The other side of this slow but steady pace is that it allows all department heads to grasp the project at hand, financially obligate funds, or make sure the engineers have done their part. This slower pace is what gets projects done in a manner that doesn’t later burden the Village. If the Village operated at the pace many of us in the community would like, the Village would more than likely be broke from redundant projects, excessive spending just to get something done, and knee-jerk reactions to issues. Sometimes slowing down and having others look at the issue from different angles is the smarter way to get something done. It may not be fast, but it will get done.
2. BUDGET!! Oh boy, this was a fun topic to learn about. Growing up, balancing a checkbook could be difficult moving money from savings to checking and writing down that move for tracking purposes and then writing checks for bills and then later using an app on your phone to do that same thing. Governmental funding is another beast on a different level. Each department has their own accounts and sub-accounts, and there are transfers from one account to pay for another worker it can be very intimidating. Projects like Munson, Hallett, and Airport Hwy need loan and grant applications submitted and tracked, and then once a grant or loan is awarded, there are stipulations on how that money can be spent and, in some cases, it must be spent within certain timelines. All of this doesn’t even account for the investments, insurance, and retirement accounts that need to be tracked and reviewed by Council. Thankfully, we have a great finance guy that is able to break all this down into digestible information for all of us to… enjoy?!
3. TEAMWORK… Despite what the community thinks or what is said on social media, EVERY Village employee works hard to improve the Village. WRRF, Water, Public Service, Parks, Admin, FD, Police all strive to make this Village better. Each department works to create new ways to save time or money on given projects so that resources can be directed to help the community. Unfortunately, this side of the Village is only seen if you are part of the governmental workings of the Village. I had my own thoughts of how things operated at all these departments before I was on Council. However, between meetings and visits to facilities and numerous other communications with all of these members over the past 4 years, I can assure you they are working to improve the community.
4. THE COMMUNITY… When I first decided to run for Council four years ago, I talked about community because it was, and still is, the heart of everything. My family set roots here. We invested not just in a home, but in a future. And during my time on Council, I’ve had the incredible privilege to see just how deep and resilient Swanton’s sense of community really is. The Corn Fest Committee, Rotary, Lions Club, VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, SACC, and many more don’t just exist on paper. They’re filled with real people, your neighbors, who put in real work to make our town stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. Their commitment is inspiring. Whether it’s helping a family through a rough patch, organizing youth programs, fireworks, community festivals, or simply being a constant source of pride and positivity, these groups reflect the best of Swanton. The community is why I stay in Swanton; the community is what will always make Swanton great not the governing bodies, the community is what will hold this town together through hard times and celebrate the good.
Now that my term is almost up, I need to make a decision: do I pursue re-election or walk away and let someone else push Swanton forward? I’ve tossed this idea around for a few months and have had numerous conversations with my family and to be honest… with myself. My internal issues with re-election were geared around whether or not I still have more to give do I have another 4 years in me? I don’t want to be on Council and not be effective. My daughter asked if I had made a decision on running again. I told her I hadn’t made a decision, she then looked at me and said, “Dad, I think you should do it again. You have more to give. You can make things happen.” I just looked at her, with this weird liquid welling up in my eyes and said, “You’re right. I’m not done yet.” So, after all is said, I’m asking all of you once again to please support me on my quest for re-election to Village Council. My loving wife has again agreed to support me on this endeavor and will be collecting signatures for my petition that must be submitted in early August. So, if you’d like to support me continuing on Village Council, and are a Village resident, please come to CK Sweets located at 95 S. Main St. in Swanton and sign the petition. I’ll also set up some time to collect them as well and meet with some of you. Thank you all for the time, and your support.
Fulton County, Ohio is Small Town America. It has a population of just under 43,000 (2020 Census) that resides in one very small city (Wauseon), six villages, three Census-designated places and 11 unincorporated communities. Situated within America’s heartland, sharing a border with the state of Michigan and a short drive from Indiana, Fulton County is mostly rural with an agricultural-heavy economy. Many of the families have been here for generations and hold traditional and conservative viewpoints and know the importance and value of hard work.
Each of these communities, regardless of their size, have something special and unique about them. And once a year a group of dedicated volunteers from each community will organize, plan and produce a celebration of their town and invite the whole world to stop in and celebrate that uniqueness along with them. Nobody does it better than small towns because of the deep and life-long connections that area residents have with each other and the love they share and the pride they feel for their community. These volunteers, and I need to emphasize they are all unpaid hard-working individuals who have gladly stepped up for the cause, want their community to shine in the best possible light for all the visitors to see and to show the local citizenry what can be achieved with great effort. These volunteers are role models for the next generation and a gift to their communities.
The Fulton County Fair aside, it’s hard to beat the smaller annual festivals we have. For example, Archbold has the Route 66 Bash, Delta Has the Chicken Festival, Fayette has the Bull Thistle Festival, Lyons has the Chicken Barbeque, Swanton has the Corn Festival, Metamora has the Parkorama, Pettisville has its Friendship Days and Wauseon has its Homecoming. The one thing these celebrations have in common is that they employ an all-hands-on-deck philosophy to ensure everyone has a great time and stays safe. This approach requires a coordinated effort among the festival committees, chambers of commerce, police departments, fire & rescue departments and village services.
Obviously, all this comes at a cost, some of it borne by the taxpayers. However, more often than not, the municipality recoups those expenses in several ways, some quantifiable, some not. Many times, festival committees will pay for certain village expenses, donate to or supplement various village funds or help pay for special village projects. Here is just one example. A number of years ago the Swanton Corn Fest Committee purchased approximately four acres of property inside the village limits hoping to create a paved walking path on the north side of town then donated it to the Village. While the project never came to fruition, the Village sold the property for just over $31,000, with the expressed understanding the money would be used for Memorial Park expenses.
Overall, a community will benefit in other ways that you cannot put a price tag on. Several local businesses will have booths on the grounds generating exposure to visitors outside of town. Community service organizations such as the Lions Club or the Rotary will be selling raffle tickets or running a food booth to help fund their benevolent local projects. Local churches, school organizations and the American Legion or VFW will do the same. The money raised by these groups will be injected into and ripple through the local economy, making that town a better place to live and raise a family.
Another economic boost to the town comes by way of visitors stopping to fill their gas tanks or do some grocery shopping as a matter of convenience, before or after the event. It may be hard to fully quantify, but an increase in local shopping means an increase in local business tax revenue and lessens the tax burden on the village’s residents.
Not only do these great events create long-lasting memories for local citizens, especially the children, they offer an opportunity for all those former residents who have relocated around the country to return, reunite and reminisce with old friends and relatives. Annual festivals bring out the best in Small Town America and the return on the investment is priceless.
Click on the link to access photos from the 2017 Swanton Corn Festival parade and Memorial Park activities. The photos will show the mix of attendees from all around Northwest Ohio which always determines the financial success of the Corn Fest itself and the economic impact on the Swanton economy. Take a look and see how many familiar faces you can spot and see how they have changed from eight years ago. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
As he will sometimes jokingly brag, Swanton High School’s head baseball coach, Josh Siewert, will tell others that he did not lose a single game in his first year at the helm of the Bulldogs. It is an undisputable fact. However, he did not win a single game either. Coach Siewert assumed the head coaching position prior to the 2020 baseball season which, as we all painfully remember, was cancelled by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Starting with the 2021 season, Siewert, a Swanton High School alum, began to rebuild the program. Like most rebuilds, it took several years and this past season, the hard work and effort of Coach Siewert and his staff paid off as the Bulldogs broke the school record for wins in a single season with 19, two more than the previous mark of 17. Because of this unprecedented achievement, he was selected as District I Coach of the Year for the OHSAA Division V level.
“It’s an honor to be given that award,” said a humble Coach Siewert. “It shows that my hard work and our coaches’ hard work is paying off. People are noticing and it feels good to be honored for that and get the recognition.” Working with Siewert was an experienced and very knowledgeable assistant coaching staff that included Matt O’Shea, Craig Chonko, Jon Lemon, Joe Bolyard and Todd Geahlen.
“If you look at some of our league losses, we had one in the bottom of the seventh and one in the ninth so, it’s kind of skewed a little bit but we took care of business outside of the league,” explained Siewert of the Bulldogs’ 3-4 record in the NWOAL. “The boys kept plugging along even though one of our goals could not be reached and we won a Sectional Championship which is like only the third one in the past 43 years.”
Swanton graduated five very talented seniors this Spring in Adam Lemon, Drake Harris, Isaiah Bolyard, Evan Smigelski and Vinnie Fanelli but it also returns a lot of talent and experience in 2026, headed by District I Baseball Player of the Year, Luke Marlow and OHSAA Division V First-Team All-Ohio Carson Lemons.
PHOTO: Coach Siewert goes over ground rules at a game against Wauseon
This past Saturday, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Downtown Swanton DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), was filled to near capacity as the Swanton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Block Party of 2025 sponsored by Benfield Wines and Hub’s Swantucky Pub. Entertaining the record crowd with a mix of rock, soul and blues music was Shane Piasecki and the Lone Wolf Hippies, performing from the open garage doors of Benfield’s banquet room.
With moderate temperatures and no threat of rain, it was fun-filled evening for adults as well as children. Benfield’s and Hub’s were serving adult beverages and there were three food trucks (Hot Dogs 2 Go, Benny’s Lonchaeria, Cheat Day) to satisfy anyone’s appetite. There was a giant bouncy house, corn hole games and footballs and rubber balls being tossed around in the grassy areas. The big scoop of the evening was soft opening of Swanton’s newest ice cream shop, The Spot-Swanton, located on the corner of N. Main Street and Zeiter Way.
There are three more Block Parties scheduled this summer (Saturday – July 19, Saturday – August 16, Friday – September 12). If you would like more information on the events, please contact Delray Busch, Executive Director, Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce swantoncc@gmail.com | 419-265-0102/419-826-1941 or visit swantonareacoc.com.
Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow fort editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
A Special Ribbon Cutting was held to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Hub’s Swantucky Pub, a major milestone for one of Swanton’s most iconic businesses located at 109 Zeiter Way in Swanton. Moreover, Mike Westmeyer, a proud veteran and dedicated local business owner, is celebrating 10 years of owning the bar that’s become a true gathering place for the community. The ceremony, was organized by Delray E Busch Executive Director, Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce, on June 7th during Swanton’s First Block Party of the year.
Hub’s, has been a local favorite since 1945—known not just for cold drinks and good times, but for giving back. Under Mike’s leadership, Hub’s has sponsored school events, supported athletic programs, hosted fundraisers, and helped make our downtown block parties something to look forward to all summer long. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing this milestone and raising a toast to one of Swanton’s best.
Fulton County Ohio Media 