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Around Charlestown: Dale Nething honored with Distinguished Service Award
- Ruth Ann Bartholomew
Have you been told that you make the BEST chili around? Do you like to eat chili? Then you need to go to the Chili Cook Off at Charlestown United Methodist Church on Saturday, Feb. 14. Forget the chocolates and roses and join in the competition, or just enjoy the chili and cornbread. To enter the competition, arrive at 5 p.m. with your crockpot of chili and a list of its ingredients. Taste-testing will begin at 5:30 p.m., with voting open until 6:15 and winners announced at 6:30. All the while you can enjoy the house chili, cornbread, assorted veggies and an array of desserts. All are welcome to attend, and the event is free. Please use the entrance at the back of the building.
The Portage County Farm Bureau recently honored Dale Nething with its Distinguished Service Award. Dale and his son, Don, are co-owners of Maplecrest Farms on Knapp Road. Dale grew up in Charlestown and is the third generation of this six-generation family farm. After serving our country in the Air Force, he returned home to the family’s “red tractor” farm. They have always raised grain, and for over 30 years had a hog finishing operation. Dale has seen many changes in the industry and the science of agriculture in his many years of farming. Maplecrest is still a busy working family farm, keeping his grandsons involved in seasonal work.
2025 was an eventful year for Dale. He turned 90 in August; he and his wife, Helen, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in September; and he welcomed his fifth great-grandchild. Congratulations, Dale, on your well-deserved honor!
Many thanks to all who participated in the annual Christmas lighting contest. Also, thanks to the Charlestown volunteer firefighters who drove around the township and had the difficult task of picking the winners. And the winners were: Most Traditional - Larry and Beverly Kertoy; Most Colorful - Ryan and Katie Pahls; and Most Spectacular – Gary and Cheryl Hunsicker. Rumor has it that there was a little friendly competition between a certain father and son, with the father coming out on top! There were a lot of great Christmas lights in the township this year, so if you are going to put them out, you may as well enter. Check out the Charlestown Township Facebook page to find out about all township activities.
Charlestown United Methodist Church was looking for a way to share God’s love and care with our neighbors and friends when the idea of a Blessing Locker came to be. It’s located at the back of the church on the covered, well-lit entrance porch. In it you will find non-perishable food, hygiene products, coats and other everyday necessities. Please pick up what you may need, no questions asked. Likewise, if you have something you would like to donate, you are welcome to put it in the locker. The locker is checked and restocked as needed. If you are struggling, please know you are not alone.
The Charlestown Activity Committee met recently to begin planning events for 2026. The committee’s focus is planning fun, family-friendly activities for the community such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Summer Festival. The committee is always looking for new members. If you would like to join or have some questions about what the committee does, feel free to text Ruth Ann at 330-281-3723 or Janeen at 330-931-1860.
The dates have been set for the 2026 calendar. More information on each event will follow closer to the event date:
Sat., March 28, 1 p.m. – Easter Egg Hunt at the park
Sun., May 24, 11 a.m. – Memorial Day Parade and Service at Town Hall. Service to follow at the cemetery
Sat., June 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Community Garage Sale Day
Sat., Aug. 1, 3-7 p.m. – Summer Festival and Cruise-In at the park
Sun., Oct. 11, 2-4 p.m. – Trunk-or-Treat at the park
Sat., Dec. 12, 2 p.m. – Santa’s Special Delivery
Sun., Dec. 13 – Christmas Lighting Contest. Lights up and ready for judging!
If you would like to be included on a township information email list, send your request to me at ruthannbartholomew@yahoo.com.
Ruth Ann Bartholomew