Shawnee Life - October 2023

Happy Halloween from the GILLES Family

The Story of Us

Neighborhood Sponsor Directory

These local businesses are proud to serve our community and sponsor Shawnee Life Magazine. Their contributions make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and let them know that you saw them in Shawnee Life

APPLIANCES

Tracy’s Appliances

(419) 223-4786

Westrich Furniture & Appliances

(419) 695-6045

BAKERy

Sara’s Sweets

(419) 371-4745

BUILDING RESTORATION EXPERTS

Trisco Systems

(419) 339-3906

CANCER CARE / ONCOLOGy

Cancer Care of West Central Ohio

(419) 221-2273

CEMETERy & MAUSOLEUMS

Gethsemani Cemetery

(419) 233-0484

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

Gillis Chiropractic Clinic

Lima (419) 228-0000

Cridersville (419) 645-5555

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING

Light Up Lima

(567) 208-0551

CLEANING SERVICES

Grizz Cleaning

(567) 940-9449

Mark’s Maid Service

(419) 604-0298

Northwest Ohio Kwik Dry

(419) 701-2081

DONATION PICK UP

Habitat for Humanity

Lima ReStore

(419) 222-4937

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Brunk Electric

(800) 642-8942

EDUCATION

UNOH

(419) 998-3120

FOOD & DRINK

Padrone’s Pizza Lima West (419) 331-3111

Purple Feet Wine Boutique

(567) 940-9944

FUNERAL HOME

Bayliff & Son

(419) 645-4501

FURNITURE

Tracy’s Appliances

(419) 223-4786

Westrich Furniture & Appliances (419) 695-6045

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Fresh Press Threads

(419) 405-6575

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s

(419) 227-3361

HEATING & AIR

Cleaves American Heating & Air (419) 227-4328

Washam Plumbing Heating & Air

(419) 339-0729

INSURANCE

Beery Insurance Services

(419) 228-4000

Stolly Insurance Group

(419) 227-2570

JEWELER

Vons Diamonds & Jewelry

(419) 227-5616

LEASING LOFTS & BUSINESS SPACE

Kelly Martino

(419) 604-2356

MANUFACTURERS & INDUSTRy

Cenovus Energy Lima Refinery

(419) 226-2300

ORTHODONTIC SERVICES

Orthodontic Associates

Lima (419) 229-8771

Celina (419) 586-6195

Ottawa (419) 523-4014

PET MEMORIAL SERVICES

Bayliff & Son

(419) 645-4501

PHOTOGRAPHy

The Ayers, Inc.

(419) 236-8418

PLUMBING

Washam Plumbing Heating & Air (419) 339-0729

POOL CARE & INSTALLATION

Shawnee Pools (419) 999-1505

REALTORS

Busy B Realty (419) 339-0600

CCR Realtors

Jodi Cartagena (419) 204-7610

Ann Trueblood-Stiles (419) 231-5101

Cowan Realtors (419) 222-1212

RETIREMENT COMMUNITy

Burton’s Ridge Assisted Living (419) 228-8412

SECURITy

Lima Security, Inc. (419) 222-1250

SKILLED NURSING & REHAB

Shawnee Manor (419) 999-2055

TRANSPORTATION / LIMOS / PARTy BUS

Lucky Limo, LLC (419) 236-3964

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Affordable Window Fashions (419) 991-4400

CONT ENTS

8 KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: MEET THE GILLES FAMILY

18 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT: CHECK OUT THE NEW SPRING & MAIN PROJECT

6

A

10 SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP

Stay up-to-date with a message from Chief Robert Kohli.

14

MAKING A MARK

See what a difference our local non-profit organizations and service groups are making.

16 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

The rejuvenation projects in our are are numerous and exciting. Check in to read about all of the new developments.

21 MERCY MATTERS

Learn how Mercy Health provides high-quality hometown care.

22 HAPPY HOUR

Who knew we had such fantastic, local mixologists in our neighborhoods! Learn how to make a delicious cocktail perfect for fall!

24 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Our sponsors have the opportunity to share who they are and how their busines works.

16 TALK OF THE TOWN: CARIBBEAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL OF LIMA, OHIO

28 PRECIOUS PETS

Everyone loves to share stories about their pets. Find out how many people tend to treat them like another member of the family.

31 CENOVUS SAYS

Get the latest news from Lima Refinery and learn how Cenovus is reducing environmental impacts, leveraging new technology, and contributing to our community.

34 AMAZING ACHIEVERS

Our Junior Writers and special school correspondents share stories about successful students, athletes, or events in local schools

36 FINANCIAL FOCUS

Securities, Real Estate, Tax Planning. We bring the sharpest minds with their practical advice of how to strategically invest your capital to meet you family’s goals.

38 WELCOME WAGON

New people are always moving into Shawnee... meet them here!

FROM DIANE’S DESK

message from the publisher, Diane Schoonover.

From Diane’s Desk...

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Just when I start wondering if there are more stories to share, our community always comes bursting through! We live in an area that is full of people doing amazing things that contribute to the health of our society as a whole. The mission of this publication is to tell the “The Story of Us” and I truly believe that is what we are doing. Every time I do a final read of the magazine before we send it to the printer, pride is the feeling that fills my bucket and makes me delighted to begin next month’s issue. I hope you as the reader also feel englightened about who is in our community and all the wonderful happenings.

Remember to keep the magazine in mind when you have a story, article to share, or a business you want to advertise! Feel free to contact me at Diane@ShawneeLife.com with your ideas.

Sincerely,

Diane Schoonover Publisher / Advertising

Michael Ayers Photographer

Janine Douglass DISH-cussions

Georgianna Damschroder Precious Pets & Amazing Achievers

Julie Lundin Know Your Neighbor

Nicole Davis Welcome Wagon & Mercy Matters

Tara Reynolds Bales Talk of the Town Lifestyle

Libby Simmons Amazing Achievers

Nick Schoonover Der Partymeister in Lederhosen

Meet the Gilles

Know Your Neighbors

by Julie Lundin

Meet the Gilles family on Atalan Trail in Indianbrook: Matt, Tara, Samantha, Adrianna, Danielle, Cole, Camryn, Andrew, and Gabriella. Matt and Tara purchased their home in 2017 and have been enjoying life there with their furry friend, Myla. Their grand fur doggies, Ollie and Koda also love to come and visit. Matt and Tara thoroughly enjoy living in Indianbrook! “Our favorite part of living in the neighborhood is living in a close-knit, safe community for our children to grow up. We also enjoy the neighborhood walks with our dog, Myla, and seeing the neighborhood dogs along the way,” stated Tara.

Matt and Tara both grew up in Shawnee. Matt is an operator at Cenovus, while Tara is a Nurse Practitioner for general surgery at Mercy Health. Their daughter, Samantha, is a Developmental Specialist at the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and is also attending graduate school for her master’s degree in speech pathology. Her daughter, Adrianna, is a third grader at Shawnee Maplewood. Adrianna is part of Shawnee Red Cheerleading for youth football, and she dances at Lyn’s Academy of Dance. Matt and Tara’s other daughter,

Family

Danielle, is a stay-at-home mom for her daughter, Camryn, but she also works part-time as a photography assistant for Our Story Studio. Her husband, Cole, is a paramedic and firefighter in Columbus and their family resides in Amanda, Ohio, moving into their newly built home last November. Tara and Matt’s son, Andrew, is an independent contractor, and their youngest daughter, Gabriella, is in eighth grade at Shawnee Middle School where she is a member of both the volleyball and softball teams. In addition, she plays club volleyball for Mintonette out of Columbus.

As a family, they all enjoy going to Clearwater, Florida. Matt and Tara love taking vacations in the fall due to

the perfect weather in Florida during that time of year. Between the weather and the lure of the sandy white beach, no wonder the Gilles family adores this part of the country!

When the Gilles family is home, they enjoy having large family gatherings while eating everyone’s favorite dish, Goulash. Of course, having people over for cookouts is also something they enjoy doing during the summer months! When it is time to go out for a family meal, you will probably catch them at their favorite restaurant, Western Sizzlin. Matt, Tara, and the rest of the family love their food and they have built relationships with the employees over the past 30 years. In addition, they enjoy having movie and game nights with family, large parties with extended family, and baking and decorating cookies together during the Christmas season.

Tara and her daughter, Samantha, enjoy giving back to the community. They have organized fundraising events for Nationwide Children’s Hospital over the past three years, including a fundraiser in Samantha’s daughter’s honor. Through these events, they have donated $10,000 to the Hearing Team at the hospital, which is near and dear to the family because Samantha’s daughter has cochlear implants. In addition, Samantha volunteers her time at Night to Shine each year. This program organizes a prom for the special needs community here in Lima.

October is a special time for the Gilles family! They are huge Buckeye fans and never miss a football game. In addition, they enjoy attending high school football games, going to the pumpkin patch, and participating in trick-or-treat! It is obvious for the Gilles family that sweater weather is definitely better together!

by

Shawnee Township Trustee Election

Tuesday, November 7th

candidates must be residents of the Township they serve.

Every vote counts and that certainly rings true when it comes to Shawnee Township Trustee elections. Learn what the candidates bring to the table. Your Trustee should be familiar with our community and the goals of its development, know Ohio ethics laws, have good business sense, and have integrity. In 2017 a separation of only 17 votes decided the winning candidate. Hopefully, your selection will fit the bill for the right candidate, but remember, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” -George Carlin. So please take the time to learn about the candidates, talk to others, and vote!

The 2023 Special Election is Tuesday, November 7th. During this election, our community will be tasked with selecting a Trustee to fill an open seat and selecting a Fiscal Officer. Shawnee Township is governed by a body of three Trustees. With the unexpected death of Trustee Russ Holly in March of this year, the Trustees had the difficult job of selecting a community member to fulfill the remaining term. They interviewed ten people interested in the position and selected one to finish out Trustee Holly’s remaining term. Now it’s up to the people to elect the next candidate to serve for the next four years.

A Trustee provides services for roads, police, fire protection, cemetery, zoning, and emergency medical services. They are the primary decision-makers pertaining to the advancement and planning of the Township and are elected to a four-year term. The Fiscal Officer is responsible for the budget, records, and financial details of the Township. They keep track of accounts, payments, receipts, and all transactions and proceedings of the Township. Both

Shawnee Township

Robert A. Kohli, Shawnee Township Police Chief

Measuring Success

by Randy Kimpel - Director, Our Daily Bread

Our roots begin in 1991 when a group called Church People for Change and Reconciliation began serving a daily meal. This group consisted of 18 different churches from many different denominations. In February of 1992, a building at 610 E. North Street was purchased and renovated to use as a soup kitchen. In 2001, that building was purchased by the Lima Board of Education for the current Lima Senior School complex, so we moved to our present site at 125 S. Central Ave. In 2006, Church People for Change and Reconciliation was dissolved so we were reincorporated and renamed Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and became a standalone entity. We are supported fully by the community and receive no government funding.

At Our Daily Bread, we currently serve donuts and coffee from 9:00 until 9:30 am. At 11:30 we have announcements, a devotional, and the blessing, followed by lunch until 1:00 pm. We serve dinner from 4:30 until 5:15 pm, Monday through Friday. We are closed on weekends.

If you want to help serve the meal, come in about 15 mins before service time and if you want to help prepare lunch, come in around 9 am. If it is one or two people, simply stop in, however if there are three or more volunteers, please contact us so we can schedule.

We offer free clothing for our patrons, free showers, and we set out excess items for anyone in need to take home. We accept donations of food, clothing, knick-knacks, and almost anything except furniture and appliances. We are currently serving an average of 172 meals a day, which increases each month. We have three full-time positions: Director, Cook, and Site Manager. The Site Manager position is currently open.

My own time at Our Daily Bread has been amazing. I came in 2014 to volunteer and never left. That first day felt as if it was laid out just for me…every worry, every uncertainty, every question. It was the end of July and they offered me a position shortly after that. By the following

March I was offered the Director’s job. Each day I get to see God’s hand at work, either by receiving a donation of exactly what we need, finding out someone who we prayed with had the prayer answered, or my favorite is when one of the children who I’ve watched grow up comes in and runs up to me for a hug. I’ve made a lot of friends here and I have lost a few to addiction or due to the lifestyle they have lived. Since I have been here, God has used me to build a garage, remodel the kitchen, get a new floor, install showers, and expand the men’s room. All of those accomplishments pale to the decision to hire Miss Sharon as our cook. Not only can she cook, but the heart she displays each day is truly remarkable. I know it was God that brought her to us, but I like to take a little credit in that move. I have truly been blessed to call this my job for the last eight years. I enjoy my weekends off but come Monday I can’t wait to come back to work.

While we keep track of the meals served and track other numbers there isn’t really a way to measure our impact with numbers. We may serve someone for several weeks but when they get back on their feet many times, we simply do not hear from them again. We measure success by a different standard, the people themselves. Success is how many thank-yous we get after the meal. Success is a truck pulling up with a food donation. Success is touching someone’s heart with God’s word. Success is a family not coming back because Mom or Dad is now employed. Success is one of our patrons coming back after an absence, not to eat but to donate or to volunteer. One day while standing outside the back door a new car pulled up in the driveway. A man got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side back door and opened

it. Inside I could see trash bags. The man then saw me and approached me. He introduced himself and reminded me of his experience.

He paused then said, “I just felt like it was time to give back, can I make a donation?” In the three trash bags in his car, he had hooded sweatshirts of different sizes. They are a staple at Our Daily Bread. That is how we measure our success. We put God first at Our Daily Bread and God always takes care of our needs.

“Seven years ago, I was coming here every day. I was living at the mission. I would wake up, eat breakfast, then come on down here to hang out until you served the meal. After the meal, I would go out and smoke, drink, or take whatever I could find.”

He looked down, took a breath, then he continued.

“Drugs and alcohol had taken my life. I lost my home, my job, and my family. I would go visit my parents and they wouldn’t let me in the house. But here, I kept hearing about grace. I felt like that was something I should learn more about. So, I went to more classes the mission offered. I even went to the library and read what I could. Then one day after getting back to the mission too late and being locked out the night before, I went around to the front of the building that I slept next to, and people were going inside. It was Sunday morning, and it was a church. I followed the people in, and it was like the sermon was for me. I went back the next week and the next. I got saved. I got a job and I moved out of the mission. I got a better job. I got baptized.”

Talk of the Town

30th Caribbean American Festival of Lima, Ohio

by Tara Reynolds Bales

The 30th Annual Caribbean American Festival of Lima, Ohio (CAFLO) was the place to be. The music was quick and lively. The food was beyond delicious. The dancers and performers were breathtaking. The atmosphere was welcoming, lively, and communal.

Located in Faurot Park, the festival was a blend of community and family reunion. The festival began as a picnic for a few families that came to Lima from the islands. Each year the picnic grew larger, and more people were invited to attend. I had heard of the festival but never attended it until this year. Shame on me! I have been missing out on a wonderful experience.

When I arrived at Faurot Park I was greeted by an aroma that took me to the islands. The air was filled with the smell of barbecue, spices, and fresh flavors. The island aroma sent me on the hunt for dinner. My hunt led me to four delicious options: fried chicken, stew chicken, roti & curry goat, and curry chicken. I had the stew chicken with a side of red beans and rice, and cabbage. The chicken was in a favorable savory brown sauce that was delectable. The red beans and rice were the quintessential Caribbean side dish exploding with flavor. The subtle flavor of the cabbage added depth to the stew chicken and paired well with the red beans and rice.

Words cannot describe the energy of the dancers. Dressed in colorful outfits, they moved with grace

as they entertained the audience. Dancing to the sounds of steel drums which originated from Trinidad and Tobago, the dancers glided across the grass and awed those who watched. The rhythmic energy of the Calypso reggae and Soca music were the anthem of the festive day at Faurot Park. Kids competed in games such as egg-and-spoon and sack races. Adults and kids participated in the limbo contest. Vendors sold essential oils, clothing, cosmetics, and artwork. Free massages and kids’ haircuts were provided by local businesses. There was something for everyone.

The vibe was as if I walked into a family reunion. And, in many ways, I did! The community was invited to a festival that started out as a small gathering of several families with Caribbean roots. The families gathered under a tree in Faurot Park for food and fellowship, which became a tradition. The gathering continued for many years and this year marks its 30-year anniversary. According to the daughter of one of the founding families, Glynis Henderson, “the second generation has ensured that the Lima area would continue to be enriched by sharing our culture.” Because of Glynis and other members of the found-

Cynthia Remy & Nikki Corbin Glynis Henderson

Stephen Cuffy

Moko Jumbie, stilt dancer

ing families, over 800 Lima community members had the unique experience to be a part of a Caribbean family reunion which included wonderful food, fantastic music, fun games, and a colorful costume parade. City of Lima Mayor, Sharetta Smith, presented the families with a proclamation marking August 12, 2023, as Caribbean American Festival Day. Glynis is astonished by the growth of the festival and is anticipating an even larger turnout in future years.

Attending the CAFLO was an incredible and enjoyable experience. Thank you to the Remy, Cuffy, Sargent, Corbin, Doughty, Aguard, and Lawerence families for sharing your traditions and cultures with Lima. If you enjoy delicious food, amazing Caribbean music, and dancing, plan to attend the 31st Caribbean American Festival of Lima, Ohio. I will see you there!

Cuffy, Remy, Lloyd, Corbin, Aguard, Sargent, Doughty, and Lawrence Families with City of Lima Mayor, Sharetta Smith

A New, Transformational Entertainment District in Downtown Lima

by John Heaphy

Exciting new restaurants, bold entertainment options, and dynamic office space. Spring & Main Lima represents a daring new vision for nearly 36,000 square feet of historic buildings in Downtown Lima. Connecting Town Square with the new Greater Lima Region Amphitheater, Spring & Main will transform Downtown Lima’s long-neglected southeast quadrant into a regional hub of entertainment and culture.

Reviving a Legacy in Downtown Lima

The crown jewel of Spring & Main, 147 S. Main Street was built as the home of Blattner’s Department Store in 1926. A product of Lima’s boomtown heyday, the nearly 26,000 square foot building was a regional hub for shopping and a gathering place for the local community before slowly falling into disrepair with the decline of Lima’s downtown in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Now, nearly 100 years later, 147 S. Main, along with several surrounding historic buildings, will be revived once again into an exciting regional destination for leisure and entertainment.

This redefining renaissance began 11 years ago with Old City Prime. I have a hard time turning off a vision and I have been working hard to acquire all the pieces of the puzzle to make

my vision a reality. The passion for wanting to make a difference is a strong force in my life. The synergy that is currently happening downtown between public and private sectors is the most exciting I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime.

The hope is that the Spring & Main project will serve as a vibrant gateway into the new amphitheater and complement the traffic generated from Rhodes State College and the Civic Center.

Sufficient downtown parking is also available nearby, in order to have a stress-free and convenient way to visit this rejuvenated quadrant of downtown Lima.

CORNER PINS

Duck Pin Bowling Alley, Retro Arcade, Pinball & Cocktails

Duckpin bowling and classic arcade games. Join us in this high-energy environment for a retro experience unique in Northwest Ohio. Try your hand at duckpin bowling, take a walk down memory lane with our range of retro pinball and arcade games, or just enjoy the stunning views of downtown Lima. Whatever you choose, pair it with a selection from our expertly crafted cocktail and draft beer list, or a casual bite to eat.

CASA LU AL

Classic Italian American Dining in Downtown Lima

Classic red-sauce Italian in downtown Lima. A local legacy returns with an all-day menu featuring award-winning pastas and Italian American staples crafted with love. Choose your experience: our contemporary and bustling street-level bar and dining room, or step down into Nonno’s Cellar for the ultimate Old World experience.

NONNO’S CELLAR

at Casa Lu Al

A tribute to Good Food Restaurants founder, John Heaphy’s grandfather (Nonno in Italian).

In 1918, Marco Sciortino arrived at Ellis Island from Palermo, Sicily with little else but hope and a desire to pursue his vision of the American Dream: a family to love and celebrate life with, a good job, a nice garden, and a modest house with a cellar. In Lima, Nonno found all those things. His cellar - filled with mason jars of the summer harvest and fresh tomato saucewas a place of love, fun and warmth, where family gatherings and celebrations were enjoyed. Join us below Casa Lu Al to enjoy the warm hospitality of Nonno’s Cellar.

VISTA TACO Tacos, Cocktails, Rooftop Bar

Fun, funky, and always casual. Vista Taco brings the anything-goes excitement of the contemporary taco and tequila scene to downtown Lima. Enjoy your new favorite taco cre-

ation, sip on our extensive collection of Tequila and Mezcal, or try our from-scratch margaritas. Any time of year you’ll love our eclectic-chic dining room housed in the historic 113 E. Spring Street building; but in the warmer months, step up (and out) onto Lima’s premier rooftop patio for the ultimate outdoor taco party.

OLD CITY PRIME Classic American Steakhouse

Anchoring the south end of the Spring & Main district, Old City Prime is the premiere destination for extraordinary steaks and seafood in west central Ohio. From fresh oysters and chilled seafood to classic tableside salads, gourmet appetizers, USDA prime aged steaks, and bread and sweets from our in-house bakery, Old City Prime is a revival of ageless taste. With a best-in-class bar program featuring an extensive wine list and innovative cocktails, we are your go-to spot for any celebration, big or small.

UPPER LOUNGE at Old City Prime

Enjoy an evening of entertainment in the region’s most unique live music atmosphere. The Upper Lounge features a wide variety of acts, including blues, country, Motown, live comedy, big band swing, and much more. Catching a show in the Upper Lounge is the perfect way to top off an evening at Spring & Main.

RUDOLPH FOODS Office Space

Spring & Main is thrilled to welcome Rudolph Foods to downtown Lima! The world’s largest producer of pork rinds, as well as other innovative snack foods, Rudolph Foods will relocate their R&D and IT departments, to the third floor of 147 S. Main Street. For nearly 70 years, Rudolph Foods has been a proud fixture in the Lima business community and their renewed presence in downtown Lima represents their ongoing commitment to the economic vitality of our community.

Quality, Compassionate Stroke Care in Lima

As the area’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center, Mercy Health — St. Rita’s Medical Center is here for you when it matters the most. When you need swift, specialized stroke care, our expert team of health care professionals are prepared with the most advanced life-saving procedures available. We’re committed to providing you with the personalized care you need so you can be there for what matters most. Visit mercy.com to learn more.

Know Your Stroke Risk

Take a first step and complete your free assessment today. Scan the QR code below to get started.

I Pink I Can!

by Nicole Davis

Mercy St. Rita’s would like to invite you to the second annual I Pink I Can Race on Saturday October 21st, 2023! This 5k Run/Walk was created to promote breast cancer awareness as well as fun physical activity. Online registration is $5 and already open. The deadline to be guaranteed a 5k shirt is October 2nd. You may also sign up on the day of the race. Registration begins on October 21st at 8 am at 730 W. Market Street and the race promptly starts at 9 am. Also, there are prizes for the best pink attire, so don’t be shy and show your pink!

Aimee Kuhlman, Director of EVS, Linen, and Patient Transport for Mercy St. Rita’s, created this race after being diagnosed with breast cancer herself. Aimee was diagnosed two years ago in April and has gone through a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. She is currently completing reconstructive surgery. Aimee also founded the breast cancer support group: Wisdom of Warriors (WOW), after hearing patients in the cancer center having struggles and needing people to talk to. The I Pink I Can event originated from these meetings and brings attention to breast cancer, the importance of mammograms, and gets your body moving. The WOW group is open for anyone to provide support for you, friends or loved ones with breast cancer. Aimee is also working with Maggie Wannemacher, Hospice Social Worker for Mercy, to create a support group for anyone, including men, with any type of cancer. They want to be

there to help all cancer patients with resources, activities, and mentorship.

Please contact Aimee Kuhlman at (567) 204-6755 for information about joining WOW or registering for the race. Use the QR code for online registration or find the link on the Shawnee Life Facebook page. We can’t wait to see you wearing pink and showing Lima the importance of breast cancer awareness at the I Pink I Can Race on October 21st!

https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Lima/BCAIPinkICan5k

The Sunflower

The Perfect Date Night Cocktail

by Heath Barnes, Indianbrook Mixologist

It’s happy hour once again, and we have a delightful cocktail that is perfect for fall. As the days grow shorter and the sun sets, casting a warm golden hue across the sky, there’s a cocktail that embodies the essence of that fleeting moment, capturing the beauty and vibrancy of nature’s most radiant flower - the sunflower. Okay, that last bit was for the ladies. Gentlemen, the truth is that your women are going to love this cocktail. Think of it as a date night pregame. In the words of Clarence Carter, it’s going to leave her “sassified.” But before we embark on the journey of crafting the perfect date night cocktail, let’s delve into the cocktail’s dubious past.

The History

The sunflower has two origin stories. The credit in mixology circles is given to Sam Ross, who worked at the bar, Milk and Honey. During the depths of the 2008 recession, he created a variation of the Corpse Reviver No. 2 and named it the Sunflower. While this might very well be the true story, I personally favor a prohibition-era tale about a bartender named Amelia Green. She honed her craft at a renowned New York City speakeasy. The story goes that Amelia drew inspiration from the sunflowers gracing the windowsills of the speakeasy, infusing a cheerful glow even within the dimly lit establishment.

Amelia’s ingenuity led her to experiment with the flavors and aromas of the sunflower, culminating in the creation of the now-iconic Sunflower Cocktail. She harnessed the delicate sweetness of sunflower petals, melding them with the subtlety of elderflower liqueur. The result was a drink that encapsulated the very essence of nature’s beauty in a glass.

Alright, enough storytelling.

Let’s move on to the Elixir!

Crafting the Elixir

1 oz Monkey 47 Gin - Don’t even think about using any other kind of gin in this drink; it won’t yield the same taste. You can find it at Wine Sellers, and besides, who wouldn’t want to use something named “Monkey 47?”

1 oz Cointreau Liqueur - This orangeflavored liquor can be employed in various other drinks, such as a killer margarita. However, the magazine’s printing gods will likely never let me publish a margarita recipe, as he asserts his supremacy in the marg-making domain. It seems a mix-off might be in the cards, but I digress.

improve on perfection, buddy! You can get ‘em at THE PUB too! - Nick

1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur - This is where the magic begins, imparting those exquisite floral undertones that will set the stage for your date to dance among the sunflowers.

1 oz lemon juice - I know we’ve discussed this before, but don’t skimp on store-bought lemon juice. Squeeze those lemons yourself. You want your partner to recognize the maximum effort you’ve invested in crafting the perfect elixir.

½ oz agave nectar - Feel free to adjust this proportion slightly based on your taste preferences—slightly less for a tangy note or a touch more if you prefer a sweeter profile.

Combine all the aforementioned ingredients in your shaker, and then add ice. I personally prefer using crushed ice, as it imparts a few delicate ice crystals to the final drink, maintaining it at an ide al temperature for your lady’s sipping pleasure. To infuse your drink-making spectacle with vitality, consider taking whole ice cubes and tapping them with your bar spoon into the shaker. This imparts a professional mixologist flair that your date will undoubtedly find irresistible.

Now, vigorously shake the shaker until you begin to feel frost forming on the exterior of your shaker tin. It might sound like a lot of shaking in one sentence, but you’re almost at the finish line, so keep those shakes coming.

Strain your concoction into a coupe glass and garnish it with a slice of dehydrated citrus on top. This is the perfect libation for your date night pregame. As for the rest of the evening, I’ll leave that in your capable hands. Cheers!

Lucky Limo LLC, is a local, family owned and operated business that proudly provides top notch service every time. Whether you are looking for a fun night out, or you have a special event, they have a vehicle to meet your needs. For over 14 years, Lucky Limo offers an entire fleet of luxury transportation options, as well as polite and professional chauffeurs. Providing a clean, safe, and reliable transportation service for all of their clients, is what Lucky Limo truly strives for every single day. Lucky Limo is also proud to be one of the few local transportation companies that CAN travel out of state!

Mark Evans, owner of Lucky Limo, opened in the year 2009. Something that started out as a “fun idea,” soon turned into so much more! 14 years of providing excellent service to thousands of clients, is something Mark himself takes great pride in.

During COVID in 2020, Lucky Limo was hit pretty hard like many other small businesses. The decision was made to start renting out their personal camper for clients to enjoy. Fast forward three years later, Mark and his fiancé Amanda proudly offer four rental campers to all their clientele. Lucky Limo will show up, set up, and have the camper completely ready for you at your destination, then gladly haul it away at the conclusion of your rental. “We take the work out of camping!”

As if limo/party bus services and camper rentals weren’t enough, Mark and Amanda fell into another business opportunity together - Lucky Limo Detailing Services. In the auto detailing industry, they promise to provide each client with the highest level of satisfaction guaranteed! They offer 3 basic packages, as well as additional add-on services. Lucky Limo Detailing exclusively uses Car Brite Products on every single vehicle brought in. From motorcycles, cars, trucks, semis, boats, or campers; no job is too big or too small, they do it all!

Mark has lived in Spencerville, Ohio pretty much his entire life and was a graduate of Spencerville High School. Amanda was raised just a few miles outside of Spencerville, however she is a Parkway High School alumni. Mark and Amanda had a MAGICAL engagement at Walt Disney World in Florida two years ago and plan to wed soon, as they have been together for almost five years. Blending their families into one big

happy family has been a huge blessing to them both. Amanda has an 11-year-old daughter, Harper, who plays spring and fall softball, as well as indoor and outdoor soccer; and also a 6-year-old son Hayes, who is in T-ball, flag football, and wrestling. Mark has a 14-year-old daughter, Emma, who is a football/ competition cheerleader, as well as a dancer. The couple has a goldendoodle named Mack, and a dalmatian puppy named Stone.

The duo has continued to grow their businesses together since 2020. Amanda was a Registered Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist prior to working alongside Mark full time. While Lucky Limo is a full-time commitment, Mark is also a volunteer firefighter at Spencerville Invincible Fire Department, as well as a parttime Delphos firefighter.

The couple looks forward to their yearly family vacations to Florida and Walt Disney World, as well as many other experiences throughout the year as a family of five. When the Evans family finally finds some down time in their busy lives, they can all be found floating in their backyard oasis…their inground pool.

Contact Lucky Limo LLC today for your next limo/party bus rental, camper rental, or auto detailing service. Visit www.luckylimollc.com and complete the quick and easy, “Free Quote Request.” This provides us with all the information we need, in order to give you accurate pricing. “We Roll For You”

Precious Pets

Sheepdog Shenanigans

by Georgie Damschroder

The name of every breed will tell you something about the dog, be it where it came from or what it was bred for in the first place. Through a little deciphering, you can find the meaning behind every doggy title. However, it won’t take a rocket scientist to determine how the sheepdog earned its label! This bluntly named pooch has been helping us herd sheep for centuries. Running tightly alongside the livestock to guide them, these dogs have ancient instincts that tell them they must keep the herd together. So built-in are these instincts that even an untrained sheepdog with no experience in the field may feel the need to herd. Some puppers attempt to round up cats, other dogs, and people! You can even find a hilarious video online of a Saint Patrick’s Day event in which a trained herding dog attempts to herd a group of men past distractions, such as the couch and restaurants, to the ending point: a pub.

One of these loyal shepherds lives with the Pruitt family. Ramses is a sixteen month old Old English Sheepdog, the sixth sheepdog to have been in the family! Physically, Ramses is the fluffiest dog you’ll ever see, and under all that fluff, he has a unique tail. Sheepdogs traditionally have their tails docked to show their status as working pups, but rather than the standard one inch stub, Ramses’ tail is four inches long! This leads to his tail waggings being exceptionally wiggly and adorable.

Ramses is known for his love of play! This happy pooch is always up for a long run or game of fetch. His undying energy has proven to be too much for some chew toys, which have a tendency to break from his constant roughhousing!

“He’s gone through five blue dragons, a couple of orange snakes, and several other squishy toys,” says mother Molly Pruitt.

It seems that Ramses’ lovable personality manages to charm both humans and dogs alike, as he has many doggy friends who come over for playdates! The pups will chase and crash into one another for hours on end, tiring each other out (much to the relief of their owners!). Ramses also sometimes attends a doggy daycare for extra play if he is particularly frisky! Soon, Ramses will have to make some time for work. His humans have decided to put his cuteness to good use and get him trained as a therapy dog for nursing homes and cancer centers. Sheepdogs aren’t renowned for their smarts, but

Molly knows that Ramses’ good manners will help him get through training with flying colors!

Though Ramses’ thick coat looks like it’d be a nightmare to clean up after, he doesn’t shed as much as you’d think! However, his long fur makes him prone to matting, so it does take care to keep his fluff healthy. He needs to be combed multiple times a week, and makes frequent trips to the groomer. One controversy among sheepdog owners is whether or not to shave them come summer. While some say the heavy coat will make for a very hot puppy, others argue that the dog could be easily sunburned without their fur. This year, husband Robert Pruitt has won the argument, leaving Molly dismayed and Ramses shaved!

A steadfast rule in the Pruitt house is that no dogs are allowed on the furniture. That was, until Ramses arrived! He was such a big cuddler that Robert finally caved and let the gentle giant on the couches.

The Pruitt family had included a sheepdog for over thirty years. Though Ramses would much rather play than herd, some of the Pruitt’s previous dogs have carried that deep instinct to round up their family and keep them safe. Bentley was a three-year-old sheepdog when son Alex Pruitt was born, and Bentley immediately assumed the position of his sole protector. When the pair would wander to a nearby creek, Bentley refused to let the toddler near the water, stationing himself between Alex and the running waves. If Alex misbehaved, Bentley would promptly herd him all the way home!

Duncan was another late dog who had herding tendencies. At the time, the Pruitts lived across the street from a practice baseball field that Duncan loved to walk himself over to. Sometimes, when Duncan saw the kids leaving the

dugout, he would block them! That instinct told him that this herd needed to stay together, so he would try to stop any children from straying away.

Though the Pruitts have lived and moved from coast to coast throughout all of the dogs, they have found “their last stop” on Sands Road in Fairway Estates with Ramses. Molly Pruitt is mostly retired, but still enjoys working at the schools as a substitute or volunteer. Robert “Bob” Pruitt is semi-retired, working from home wholesaling armaments. Son Alex Pruitt now resides in Columbus, but Bob and Molly now welcome foreign exchange students into their home. Last year, they housed a boy from Germany and one from Norway. Since this August, they have also welcomed two boys from Latvia and Austria. Ramses adores the company and cuddles from both the students and the Pruitts, and he will continue to keep the house as welcoming, loving, and fluffy as ever!

RESPONSIBLE OPERATOR AND TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNER, FOR MORE THAN 135 YEARS

At Cenovus, we are committed to creating positive impacts and to making people’s lives better. In Lima, that means safely and responsibly producing products we use in our daily lives, and strengthening our community as a trusted partner. CENOVUS.COM

Lima Refinery Health Clinic: making people’s lives better

Tabby Williamson and DeeDee Haselman, Senior Occupational Health Nurses at Lima Refinery, have gone above and beyond to make it better, one of Cenovus’s company values

At Cenovus, we believe that both physical and mental health impact how we show up every day. As passionate health and wellness professionals, Occupational Health Nurses Tabby Williamson and DeeDee Haselman have taken our make it better value to heart.

Tabby and DeeDee play a vital role in our Occupational Health Program in Lima. They’ve gone above and beyond to support our refinery employees’ health and wellness by organizing yearly screenings, fun weight loss challenges, physical activities, and mental health initiatives. By offering screenings that exceed regulatory requirements, their diligence has caught several employee health issues that may not have otherwise been identified, allowing their patients to seek critical early treatment.

“We strive to make it better by encouraging our employees to get the free services we offer and making them as convenient as possible,” says DeeDee. “We want our employees to be proactive about their health by providing them with opportunities to do so. To us, it’s more about the wholeness of an employee’s physical and mental health, not just what’s required here at the refinery.”

Thanks to their diligence over their time in the clinic, Tabby and DeeDee have been instrumental in identifying early-stage cancers, pre-diabetes, thyroid issues and other health problems for employees.

“We have things that are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated, but we encourage all employees to participate in the wellness physical, which is a more comprehensive and holistic screening than what’s required,” says Tabby. “They’re convenient, on-site, free, and allow for us or the employee’s physician to catch things early and provide wellness education.”

Through physical activities, such as circuit training provided by local professionals, to emotional and mental support provided through counseling, Tabby and DeeDee also focus on creating safe spaces in which employees can come together and work towards a healthy lifestyle together.

“This work is extremely rewarding,” reflects Tabby. “We want our employees to be able to go home and have a good life outside of the refinery, even after they retire, and that’s certainly worth getting out of bed at 4 a.m. every morning.”

Cenovus Says

Tabby Williamson and DeeDee Haselman

New Dean of Students at St. Charles School Anthony “Tank” Wilkerson

Hello everybody in the Shawnee Life community! My name is Anthony Wilkerson II. Many of the students around town know me as Mr. Tank, or Coach Tank, which was a name given to me by my doctor at birth and my family kept it as my nickname. I now work as the Dean of Students at St. Charles Catholic School. This is my first year in education and first year serving in this role at St. Charles.

I was born here in Lima, Ohio. My parents are Tony and Brenda Wilkerson and I have a sister named Kami Wilkerson. I attended St. Charles School and Lima Central Catholic as a student from 1st through 12th grade. I graduated from the University of Saint Francis in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 2017. I might be new to the Dean of Students position, but I have worked at St. Charles Church and School for the previous two years, as the Director of Operations. I also followed in my father’s footsteps and coach youth football for the Thunderbird Youth Sports Organization. I see the game of football as the best representation of life. We all come from different backgrounds, different homes, different races, and different views, yet we still have to work together. It has been a blessing to work at a place that goes the extra mile to make sure its students, families and parishioners get the absolute best possible education and experience.

Sitting around with family and friends is something I truly enjoy. I love spending time with my girlfriend, Hannah Hodges and my three-year-old pitbull named Bean. My two nieces, Avery and Zoey, are an important part of my life too. I’m really just a big homebody and appreciate the simple things in life.

The most common question I get since starting this position is, “What does the Dean of Students do?” I don’t have a concrete perfect answer for that question. The demands of this position change on a daily, hourly or even sometimes a minute-by-minute basis. I do a little of this, a little of that and then sprinkle a little more of whatever is necessary. I handle discipline, but I focus on discovering the why behind any discipline issue because there usually is a reason. I strive to create a safe space for students to calm down when life can get hectic and stressful. The safe environment we offer at St. Charles is called the Calm Down Room, and my office is housed there as well. In today’s environment especially, the emotions of children should not be neglected. We have all heard or witnessed people who act out in hopes of being seen. I have found that giving a child a safe space to feel heard, can eliminate most discipline issues.

It’s my goal to make our students feel seen and heard without having to act out. Covid 19 changed what a traditional student looks like, acts like, and how they learn. The adjustment back to classrooms during these past two years has been tough and felt by all parties involved. There is so much to unpack and the fun is in getting back to developing relationships between students and teachers, while also differentiating instruction to meet the goals of the new standards.

Another responsibility I have as the Dean of Students is motivating and providing our students with advice to help them get over the proverbial “hills” in their life. So, I will leave you, Shawnee community, students, and families with this: “Today is temporary, the unknown is forever!” Encouraging people to have faith in the unknown, or what they don’t see coming next, is very difficult. Spending too much time fretting over what’s next, can be unproductive. During all that worrying about what’s next, we forget to be present and enjoy the moment, no matter how great or difficult that moment is. Do your best to stay present in the moment, because it can be on and gone as fast as you can blink. Staying grounded where your feet are at, in my opinion, is the best advice to surviving a school year. We don’t know what next week will look like, so we might as well enjoy the day!

Tank with his father

What’s Fannie got to do with it?

by Michael McCormick, CPA

We recently talked about mortgage rates and thought this might be useful. The “average person” can’t afford the average house, and the average business owner can’t afford the average business property. Banks and credit unions across the country know this, so even the basic building blocks of good business sense would dictate that they should never loan money to them for purchasing a property. As true as that is now, it was even more true in the 1930s following the wake of the Great Depression. But that good business sense cut out a lot of the market (bad for the lenders) and meant families and business owners couldn’t start building up their lives (bad for everyone else). That’s where the government stepped in with the New Deal in 1938. While this landmark series of programs included a lot of different initiatives — the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) among them — one of the fundamental changes it introduced was the Federal National Mortgage Association. Today, most people affectionately (or unaffectionately) know it as Fannie Mae.

Normally, when the news mentions Fannie Mae, it’s about fees, regulations, or (infamously) the bailout during the Great Recession. But what exactly does Fannie Mae do? More importantly, how can you — a commercial real estate owner, investor, or owner-to-be — use Fannie Mae to get where you’re going?

Let’s start by knowing what Fannie Mae isn’t. It isn’t a lender. It doesn’t originate loans. You will not be doing business with Fannie Mae when you invest in a property or buy a property. Instead, Fannie Mae (and its sibling organization Freddie Mac) operates entirely in the secondary mortgage market. It buys and guarantees mortgages in the layer of the mortgage market under the consumer

layer, which is where most commercial real estate buyers spend most of their time.

As a quick example: Whether you’ve purchased commercial real estate before or not, you probably have — or know someone with — a house mortgage. They get the mortgage loan from a lender in the local branch of ABC bank. For a couple of months, they pay their mortgage. Then they get a letter in the mail saying that some other organization they’ve never heard of, XYZeeo, bought up the loan, and all future payments will go through them. That’s your peek into the secondary mortgage market. ABC bank is great at securing business and originating loans, but they don’t want to hold onto all that risk long-term. So they sell the mortgage to someone who can; they make less money than if they’d held onto the mortgage loan until the end of the term, but they offload the risk of the borrower defaulting.

Fannie Mae powers these efforts. The government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) pools mortgage debts into packages and sells the cash flow those packages represent to other companies and investors. Those packages are called mortgage-backed securities, and the process of pooling and selling them is called ‘securitizing.’ Fannie Mae can do this with both residential and commercial mortgages. This gives lenders more flexibility to focus on lending, which widens the markets for property levels of varying credit levels, wealth accumulation, and assets to secure mortgages. You benefit when banks and credit unions can create more flexible mortgage arrange-

ments instead of having to stick with very conservative, low-risk borrowers.

J. Paul Getty of Getty Oil Company fame once negotiated his grandson’s ransom with kidnappers. He also once said this: “If you owe the bank $100, that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that’s the bank’s problem.” With Fannie Mae humming along in the background, the banks don’t have as much of a problem and can keep on lending to commercial real estate buyers with a credible plan.

The good news is that Fannie Mae powers lenders to sell the debt (and the cash flow built into that debt) to keep reaching new customers and making new loans. But there is a check on the system: Fannie Mae only accepts mortgages that fit within certain parameters. Fannie Mae Multifamily loans are the loans commercial real estate investors can use to buy multifamily housing: apartments with 5+ units, senior housing, you name it. However, to fall within this bucket, the loan needs to meet certain requirements regarding: Loan terms and amortization, Interest rates, Loan amounts, Minimum debt yield. There’s also a lot of documentation and buyer requirements that need to be followed while the mortgage is in place. Lenders generally want to operate within the parameters Fannie Mae sets up — it makes it easier to handle the mortgage in the secondary mortgage market instead of being saddled with that big liability in their books. That means many lenders will only offer you mortgage loans if you fit the bill. Some lenders may be a bit more flexible, but you’ll pay for that with higher fees and higher interest rates; it’s their way of protecting themselves against the risk of lending money.

Mortgage lenders (commercial and residential) also have to comply with the government’s Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending. That means:

● Fully disclosing product information to consumers, both in marketing materials and throughout the lending process

● Complying with restrictions on predatory lending

● Cooperating with risk management and compliance reviews from the Federal Reserve

● Engaging in best practices for risk management

Fannie Mae Is Queen, Risk Management Is King

All of this boils down to risk. In 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac received a collective $187 billion dollar bailout. The industry was overinflated and didn’t have enough failsafe mechanisms in place, and a lot of taxpayers and companies paid the price when the economy toppled. Now, industry stakeholders, from Fannie Mae executives to your local lender, are following much more stringent regulations to try and mitigate the risk of similar events happening in the mortgage industry.

Fannie Mae’s primary mechanisms for doing that surround helping borrowers. There are loan modifications that can keep mortgages viable so borrowers don’t have to default and lose the property. There’s a more detailed process for foreclosure where the goal on all sides should be to prevent foreclosure, not snatch back the house. (Keep in mind: banks — or the mortgage package owners — don’t want the house. They’re not in the real estate business, and they’d much rather receive the monthly payments (even smaller ones) than suddenly be juggling hundreds of houses.) This might take the form of lower interest rates or monthly payments and longer mortgage loan terms. The lion’s share of this leniency is reserved for residential mortgage loans, but commercial borrowers get some of it, too.

Bottom line on-time payments keep the bank off your back and keep the system functioning.

WELCOME WAGON

New to Shawnee? Welcome to our Community!

If you’re new to the area, we have a beautiful gift basket full of wonderful donations from our magazine sponsors and friends.

Introduce yourself and your family by emailing our Welcome Wagon Coordinator, NICOLE DAVIS, at WelcomeToShawnee@gmail.com, and we’ll deliver a gift basket to your doorstep.

Welcome Basket made possible by:

Affordable Window Fashions

Bayliff & Son Funeral Home

Brunk Electric

Cleaves American Heating & Air Conditioning

Gillis Chiropractic Clinic

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning of Northwest Ohio

Mercy Health

Purple Feet Wine Boutique

Sara’s Sweets

Shawnee Station – Coffee ▪ Bar ▪ Grill

Tracy’s Appliances

Westgate Entertainment Center

Have you or someone you know moved into a neighborhood that receives Shawnee Life Magazine?

Let us know so we can present you with a beautiful WELCOME BASKET, full of goodies from our sponsors, and possibly feature you in this spot so your neighbors know who you are!