- 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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-Sandy Engle
This year, several friends have decided to focus on words like “rejoice,” “beauty” and “awe” instead of making New Year’s resolutions. So, instead of shaming themselves for not keeping New Year’s goals during challenging times, they are choosing to shift their thoughts to an attribute that is uplifting.
-Sandy Engle
While watching 62 firefighters from seven fire departments practice search-and-rescue skills, it was obvious that these brave individuals have found their calling. Our county auditor, Matt Kelly, looked on with pride and shared how his years of firefighting in the military created an even greater appreciation for firefighters.
-Sandy Engle
Gather the threads of your life and stitch them into joy! Jody Houghton Twice a month, the Country Piecemakers Guild meets at the Randolph Community Center to learn new ways of intertwining fabric. This month, seven members donated patriotic-themed quilts to veterans. Forty hand-made dresses are sent each month to Africa. They also donate to Children’s Hospital, Ravenna University Hospital and Blessings of Kent. Since sex trafficking is a problem in Ohio, the Country Piecemakers are stitching quilts for Safe […]
-Sandy Engle
In September, 88 people trekked through the fields of the Barton Family Farm to participate in the Haymaker Harvest dinner. Susan White, Randolph township trustee was one of the sponsors and attendees of this event.
-Sandy Engle
Thanks to the foresight and vision of Ken Riley, a Waterloo science teacher, and the support of Mike Lanham, a member of the Waterloo grounds crew, there are extensive hiking trails that meander through meadows and forests behind the elementary school.
-Sandy Engle
Let’s give thanks to the individuals and organizations who have donated their time/money to make the 2024 Randolph County Fair a success.
-Sandy Engle
This is the first Around Randolph column in The Portager. Columnist Sandy Engle is a retired school psychologist. She has been a flower essence practitioner and flower essence producer for over 25 years. During her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling with her husband Newt, and playing with her four grandchildren.