National Night Out August 1st, 2023

by Robert A. Kohli, Police Chief

For twenty-four years Shawnee Township has designated the first Tuesday in August to host a National Night Out event. Join us at Heritage Park 2092 Reed Rd. Lima, OH for our event. National Night Out is an opportunity for our community to engage with one another with a focus on family-oriented free entertainment for our residents to enjoy. The event will consist of food, music, activities, giveaways, local resources, education, area businesses, local public services, and an all-around display of unity and fun. This year’s National Night Out is August 1st, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. A 5k run/walk will start at 5:30 PM.

Thanks to our local businesses and individuals, all ages will have something for them to do this year. We are providing pony rides, a putt-putt golf course, a petting zoo, an interactive bird encounter, bounce houses, an axe-throwing station, an escape room, and inflatable play units. Look for signs around these activities to see the great sponsors who donated to the specific activity and event for our community.

Come hungry, several sponsors supply free food and beverages for our residents to enjoy. Chief Super Markets, Texas Roadhouse, McDonald’s, and Shawnee Township Police supply all sorts of food and treats to enjoy.

So much to do! Engage with your local Police and Fire Departments, and grab a ticket for the opportunity to win giveaways from local businesses. Other local resources and businesses will be on display with tables for you to receive free services and handouts. You never know what will be available, a wide array of things, from face painting to coupons.

Last but certainly not least, we are proud to announce a 5k event will kick off the festivities. “Run for Russ 5k” is in memory of our local coach, leader, teacher, and friend Russ Holly. Early registration is available at the Shawnee Township Administration Building at 2530 Fort Amanda Road. Registration forms can be found on the Shawnee Township Facebook page. The cost is $20.00 and if you register before July 15th you will be guaranteed a special “Run for Russ 5k” T-Shirt. Signup and shirt pickup will start at 4:30 with the run at 5:30. Proceeds from the run will be donated to the Ch-Ki-Lo Food Pantry in honor of Russ, and to establish the Russell Holly Scholarship.

Being a lifelong member of the Shawnee Community and having over 20 years of employment with the Shawnee Township Police Department, National Night Out has always been a unique and neat community event. This year will be the biggest yet. We look forward to seeing you this year at our National Night Out!

Savvy Spaces

@agedgraceful

agedgracefullydesigns agedgracefullydesigns@gmail.com

Casa Chic - 109 West Auglaize St, Wapakoneta, OH

by Amy Runkel

My love for reviving furniture started in 2014 when I painted a few pieces for my own home, close friends, and family. Over the next few years by word of mouth, entering vintage markets, and social media, my hobby began to grow into a full-time business. I started out using Annie Sloan Chalkpaint. Several of my pieces have been featured on Annie’s social media pages and I had the opportunity to meet her in person.

In 2018, Aged Gracefully, LLC was born and I haven’t looked back since. I love transforming pieces of furniture that people would normally just donate, set out at the curb, or pieces that they think have served their purpose and retire from their homes. I love going to flea markets and antique stores looking for that next transformational piece. Seeing the furniture before and after pictures are what makes this so rewarding. I love the reactions of my clients when I give them progress pictures or final staged images of their furniture makeovers. I’ve redone family heirlooms, pieces that just need some love and updating, and repurposing. For example, taking old headboards and turning them into benches, or using local barn wood to make dining tables to name a few. I also work in the woodshop with my parents on occasion to revamp a piece of furniture, make dining tables or work on custom order pieces.

Painting and repurposing furniture is mostly what I do. The piece below was a vertical stacked invoice cabinet. I repurposed it into two entry tables; one out of two of the existing pieces and the other with the remaining stacked piece. I now use a variety of paints, however this is done in Annie Sloan Chalkpaint. I choose the paint based off the client’s piece, usage, and what my overall vision for the piece happens to be. This piece has a vintage industrial vibe so I wanted light distressing around the drawers and straight edges to make it look worn. I highlighted the existing hardware with gold and black wax for an aged look, added some pin legs, and made and stained a sawcut wood top. I sent my client a few ideas on how to stage it in her entryway once we had delivered the final piece. Her final décor choices help make this piece come to life and it serves as a definite statement piece as you enter their home. It turned out amazing and beautiful. Transformations like this make all the time and hard work worth it. You can now also find my pieces for sale upstairs by the front window at Casa Chic in Wapak.

Recently Wapakoneta had a destructive tornado that unfortunately destroyed an old brick schoolhouse. We were asked to come up with something from the rubble and decided to make a farmhouse table and bench with the wood, a frame that would hold a watercolor of the schoolhouse, and a picnic table for the couple’s children for their back patio. The finished piece and the time spent with my parents gives me memories I will cherish forever along with knowing the clients’ misfortune now gives them a piece of furniture that they in turn will make new memories with their families.