Around Randolph: Waterloo starts a 'Digital Diet'
- Sandy Engle. Due to a desire to increase focusing, and social interaction skills, this fall all students and staff at Waterloo School District will be undergoing a 'Digital Diet.'
Around Randolph
Around Randolph: Data center and environmental protection petitions taken up around Randolph
- Sandy Engle. Sixty senior citizens walked 7 to 12 miles a day with the Great Ohio Climate March to bring greater awareness of the dangers of horizontal shale drilling on public lands and mega data centers.
Around Randolph: Plan your Memorial Day in the township and buy local goods
- Sandy Engle. “Show me your cemeteries, and I will show what kind of people you have.” The oldest organization in Randolph, the Ladies Cemetery Association, is taking that quote to heart and is in the midst of restoring Sand Hill Cemetery, which is the oldest part of Hillside Cemetery.
Around Randolph: Spring into Health drew over 100 to learn about healthy agriculture
- Sandy Engle. With the average age of U.S. farmers being 58, it was heartwarming to see 22 young people at Friendship Bible Church eager to learn about gardening. Afterward these members of Trailside Troop 1703 planted seeds in flower pots they decorated for their moms for Mother’s Day.
Around Randolph: Spring Into Health event promotes farmers' health and safety
- Sandy Engle. On March 21, five visionary farmers will be presenting at the “Spring Into Health” event at the Randolph Community Center, located at 1657 State Route 44. This event is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of farmers and gardeners, and the intention is to instill hope and provide workable solutions.
Around Randolph: Imagining futures
- Sandy Engle. Last fall, a tragic incident at Waterloo High School left Chastity grief-stricken. She contacted Representative Heidi Workman, who calmly listened to Chastity’s concerns. Now, Heidi and Chastity frequently converse regarding ways to help teens be more resilient and by engaging in service work Chastity has rediscovered joy!
Around Randolph: For the birds
- Sandy Engle. Randolph resident Cindy Laford has been bird sitting, grooming and rescuing birds for 28 years and continues to be astonished at their intellect. Recently her son visited and said, “This coffee is horrible.” Cindy replied, “Then take it back.” He responded, “Naw, I’ll just drink this foul-tasting stuff.” Maynard, a blue and gold macaw, replied, “Coward.”
Around Randolph: Wreaths Across America and carolers at the gazebo
- Sandy Engle. On Dec. 13, more than 40 students and many community members braved the frigid temperatures to honor the veterans buried in Hillside Cemetery. Students placed a wreath on the graves of each veteran.
Around Randolph: Waterloo agriculture students excited for the future of farming
- Sandy Engle.
Nov. 9-15 was Ohio Soil Health Week, and throughout Ohio there were events to honor the soil. Surprisingly, within a spoonful of soil there are more living organisms than there are people currently on this planet. As we enter this season of delicious festivities, may we be grateful to the farmers and soil microbes which make our food nutritious and tasty.
Around Randolph: Have your say in the future of the township
- Sandy Engle.
Staff members from Portage Soil and Water Conservation and Portage Parks have shared that it is important to monitor what is happening with zoning in your community because your input is important. In Randolph, there will be a public zoning meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Randolph Senior Center.
Around Randolph: Walk a mile for veterans
- Sandy Engle.
In a time when it’s easy to dwell on the world’s problems, Portage County Auditor Matt Kelly is choosing action over apathy. He was inspired by a friend who walked 22 miles a day across America to increase awareness of the 22 veterans a day that lose their life to suicide.
Around Randolph: Waterloo raffle supports local family
- Sandy Engle.
There was a huge turnout for the Waterloo Back to School Bash. Besides having a dedication ceremony for the new track and performances by the Waterloo marching band, many wellness organizations were present to share about the services they provide. All proceeds from the PTO raffle went to the Hayes family.
Around Randolph: Combating bee colony collapse in Portage County
- Sandy Engle.
In the midst of colony collapse, extreme weather patterns, pesticides, neonicotinoid treated seeds, and varroa mites, Mary Lovin has found ways to help bees thrive. Since a third of all food is pollinated by bees, all of us in Randolph are fortunate that Mary (and other local beekeepers) are enhancing the productivity of our farms and gardens.
Around Randolph: Memorial Day recap and upcoming summer events in Randolph
- Sandy Engle.
The Randolph Lions intertwined a diversity of local groups into a meaningful Memorial Day parade honoring the 700 veterans buried within Randolph. Allie Makin, Waterloo senior, gave a thought-provoking speech at the memorial service. The morning concluded with the adorning of local veterans with Quilts of Valor.
Around Randolph: Waterloo kids take on Matilda
- Sandy Engle.
Before Covid my daughter and I journeyed to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. to see Matilda. When we heard Waterloo students would be performing The Matilda Musical we knew we had to see this.
Around Randolph: Huge turnout for Spring into Health’ event
- Sandy Engle.
Over 100 people attended “Spring into Health” at the Randolph Community Center. The keynote speaker, Klaas Martens, was the first farmer in his county to use glyphosate (Roundup). He was a successful conventional farmer for 20 years. One day while wearing protective garb and following precise herbicide instructions for 2-4-D, he became paralyzed within an hour. The entire summer, his right side was paralyzed.
Around Randolph: Free event for farmers’ health is March 22 at the community center
- Sandy Engle.
The truth is, none of us would be alive without farmers. Unfortunately, farming is becoming even more challenging with weather changes, reduction of farm aid and frozen funding for conservation/easement programs (which make farms more resilient against droughts and floods). Farmers have the highest suicide rate of all occupations. However, people in Randolph care.
Around Randolph: Meet a local watercolor artist, plus events and more
- Sandy Engle.
Despite his humble beginnings and history of severe reading difficulties, Tom Mayer is now a well-known watercolorist who has won numerous art awards. However, if it wasn’t for his older brother’s support, Tom never would have been accepted into college.