Shawnee Life - April 2024

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Learn more about what we have to offer you and your loved ones at

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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.

AMUSEMENT

Sky Zone Trampoline Park (419) 549-5818

The Axe Cave - Delphos (937) 558-1930

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

CLEANING SERVICES

Mark’s Maid Service (419) 604-0298

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Modish Maven (419) 581-7926

Twelve Oak Boutique (419) 773-0050

CUSTOM HOME BUILDER / REMODELING

Architon (419) 303-7138

DONATION PICK UP

Habitat for Humanity

Lima ReStore (419) 222-4937

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Brunk Electric (419) 812-2821

FOOD & DRINK

Good Food Restaurants

Beer Barrel, Happy Daz, Old City Prime, Sycamore (419) 991-5346

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

Purple Feet Wine Boutique (567) 940-9944

Schoony’s Pub (419) 991-4821

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

HOME DECOR

Farmhouse Decor & Co farmhousedecorandco@outlook.com

INSURANCE

Beery Insurance Services (419) 228-4000

INTERIOR DESIGN

Deborah’s Interiors (419) 991-4400

JEWELER

Vons Diamonds & Jewelry (419) 227-5616

LAWN CARE

Select Lawn Care Services (419) 204-4498

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

PARTY RENTAL & VENUE

A & S Party Rental (419) 339-9701

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

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Busy B Realty (419) 371-4633

REALTORS

Cowan Realtors (419) 222-1212

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

18

April CONT ENTS

33 WEST PRODUCTIONS: THIS SUMMER’S CONCERTS WILL EXCITE YOU!

22 MAKING A MARK: CROSSROADS CRISIS CENTER

6 FROM DIANE’S DESK

A message from the publisher, Diane Schoonover.

8 KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: THE HARRIS FAMILY

28 PRECIOUS PETS

12

15

16

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

Read the next article in our mini-series on the topic of this year’s special solar eclipse.

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.

TALK OF THE TOWN

See how our sponsors and writing tribe are appreciated.

21 MERCY MATTERS

Learn how Mercy Health supports the community and provides high-quality hometown care.

24

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

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

26 SPECIAL FEATURE

The Ohio State University at Lima offers a lot to potential students and our community.

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

30 DISH-CUSSIONS

What’s cooking in Shawnee? This is where you will discover a delicious recipe and the story behind the dish and the chef.

32

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 your family’s goals.

39

WELCOME WAGON

Our sponsors love to welcome new families to the Shawnee area! If you have a new neighbor, let them know about the free welcome basket!

From Diane’s Desk...

It’s official...this April 2024 issue marks the two-year anniversary of Shawnee Life Magazine. I know I have shared this before, but working on the magazine has been extremely fulfilling work for me. The feedback has been rewarding and continues to propel me forward. I believe the readers in our circulation are slowly but surely feeling bonded together as we read this common publication. I also think the total solar eclipse will be a bonding moment as we all stop and are united in darkness. Is it just me that can’t stop singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart?”

Make sure to check out the Ugliest Air Conditioner Contest on the back cover of this issue - American Heating and Cooling is giving away a brand new air conditioner valued up to $5,000! And good luck finding the feather if you are participating in this month’s Find the Feather contest. My son Evan really found a challenging hiding place in one of our sponsor’s ads this time.

Please 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.

MEET THE TRIBE

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

April Fool

Know Your Neighbors

by Julie Lundin

Meet the HARRIS Family!

Introducing the Harris family of Tonkawa Trail in Indianbrook: Chase, Mara, Georgia, Scout, and their French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix, Margaux. The Harris family has lived in their home since July 2022 when they moved back to Lima. They love living in Indianbrook, especially their quiet cul-de-sac street and taking family walks throughout the neighborhood. “We have such friendly neighbors who were all very welcoming when we moved to Indianbrook,” said Mara.

Chase was born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, while Mara grew up here in Lima attending Lima Central Catholic High School. The couple met briefly before college, but began their relationship as undergrads at Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater, Florida. Following school they moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina where Mara attended medical school. Chase and Mara then relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, where Mara completed her residency at the University of Louisville. The pull of Ohio brought them back up north, settling back in Mara’s hometown of Lima. Currently, Chase is the owner of a lawn care company and Mara is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.

Chase and Mara have two daughters, Georgia “Georgie” and Scout. Georgie will be three years old in May and she attends Trinity United Methodist (as does her younger sister.) She is also a fan of going to the Mom and Tots Gymnastic Class at Flip Training Center in the Lima Mall. She is the perfect mix of sweet and sassy! In fact, when she was born the attending physician told the new parents that their daughter was fiery, “Boy was he right! Georgie definitely keeps us all on our toes and laughing!” exclaimed Mara. Scout is nine months old and she is as sweet as they come. She loves to smile at people and gladly follows her big sister’s lead…at least for now. Lastly, there is their four-legged daughter, Margaux. Chase and Mara got her shortly after getting married in 2015 and she has been a true companion through all of life’s changes!

Before starting their family, Chase and Mara loved to travel, with Ireland being the best vacation destination. They also recently went to Sedona, Arizona, and were amazed at the beautiful red rocks while out on the golf course, which was a highlight for Chase. Both Chase and Mara grew up going to the Smoky Moun-

tains, so a cabin in the woods is always hard to top for both of them! They are now looking forward to traveling with their young girls. In fact, they have a goal of visiting all 50 states as a family before the children are grown and out of the house. In the meantime, visiting their families, hiking, and spending time outside are all cherished times spent together. “I’m hopeful that at least one of the girls will like to play golf and spend time with me in the woods… but that is still to be determined,” announced Chase.

When out on a “date night” you might find Chase and Mara at The Met. They love the atmosphere and their ever-changing specials. (However, they are loyal to the fried cauliflower appetizer!) If the kiddos are in tow, Georgie loves to get “noodles” (AKA Lo Mein) at Hunan Gardens or they are getting a burger and fries at the Kewpee! When at home, everyone’s favorite dish is Chase’s amazing chili! He loads it up with chicken, sausage, steak, venison, and plenty of black beans… which are Georgie’s favorite.

For many years Chase has wanted to start a lawn care business like his dad and Uncle Tom had when Chase was growing up. Select Lawn Care Services was created to provide quality, reliable lawn care services for our community. Chase’s knowledge and interest in the industry, along with his love for being outdoors, has made this the perfect fit! Now that they are finally settled here in Lima, Chase’s dream is now a reality!

Mara is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician for Mercy Health, working primarily in the inpatient rehab unit. Mara said, “I work with an amazing group of nurses and an outstanding therapy team, and I get to partner with patients to get them back to doing things that matter most!” When a patient finishes his or her rehab, they get to ring a bell before heading home. “It is a true celebration of all their hard work

and the small (and big) victories during their stay.”

The Harris family usually celebrates Easter visiting Mara’s parents and her sister’s family. All of the kids enjoy an Easter egg hunt, too! This year, though, they will spend Easter visiting Mara’s extended family in Puerto Rico.

April is a month that reminds us that something new and wonderful is always around the corner! May these warmer and brighter days bring each of our Shawnee Life readers a promise of new beginnings and, of course, knowledge in knowing that those April’s showers will bring May flowers!

WHY ECLIPSES ENTHRALL US

by Dr. Wayne Schlingman, Ph.D.

Planetarium Director, Director of Undergraduate Studies - The Ohio State University, College of Arts and Sciences

On April 8th, 2024, a spectacular total solar eclipse will occur across much of Ohio. An event like this hasn’t happened in this state since 1806. In some parts of the state, it has been hundreds of years since the sky went dark in the middle of the day. These rare events are incredible to experience and will last a lifetime as shared memories. To understand why these events are so rare and so magical we need to understand why eclipses happen.

The Sun, at the center of the solar system, has a diameter over 100 times the diameter of Earth. It is absolutely huge compared to the planet we live on, but it is also 10,000 Earth diameters away from us, meaning it covers about one half of a degree in the sky. The Moon is really close to the Earth in comparison, but it is also one fourth the diameter of the Earth. It just happens to be at the right distance to also cover about one half of a degree on the sky. This means that it is possible for the Moon to completely cover the Sun if the Sun, Moon, and Earth all align. A Total Solar Eclipse occurs when we have this specific alignment in order. When this alignment is the Sun, Earth, and Moon, we get a lunar eclipse. The entire nighttime side of the Earth will see a lunar eclipse, but a total solar eclipse can only be seen from a narrow strip of the Earth’s surface. We get these alignments every year in eclipse seasons that are six months apart when the Moon’s orbit crosses the Earth’s at New and Full moon. On March 25th, 2024, the Moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow resulting in a penumbral eclipse leading up to the main event.

The Solar Eclipse will happen regardless of the weather in Ohio. The sky will get dark whether it is raining, snowing, or sunny. Assuming it is clear, the moon will start passing in front of the Sun and the partial phase will begin. In Lima Ohio, this is around 1:54pm. The Moon will slowly pass in front of the Sun taking a small bit out of it like nibbling on the edge of a cookie. The sky and everything around us will appear as normal. As the Moon covers more and more of the Sun it eventually will change the visible shape of the Sun to a crescent which looks incredible through certified eclipse shades and through a pinhole projector. This is also the time when the shadows start to change on the ground as the small holes through tree branches turn into crescents. Once we reach about

80% of the Sun covered by the Moon, the air temperature will have noticeably dropped and it will start to feel colder outside. As we reach 90% coverage, the light outside will start to appear dimmer than before. It’s a very noticeable change from full daylight and the sounds will begin to change as well. The animals around you will begin to go to sleep like it’s the end of the day and the birds will roost and get quiet. During this entire time the only safe way to observe the Sun is through certified eclipse viewers or pinhole projectors.

As we head into full totality, you will see the Moon’s shadow through the sky as almost a wall of darkness heading toward you. Once the shadow is on top of you and the Sun’s surface is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to take off your eclipse shades and look at the sky. You will see the Sun’s Crown or Corona around where the Sun would be in the sky. This should look fairly pointy compared to the last eclipse in 2017 as the Sun is entering the active phase of its 11-year cycle. We will be able to see 5 planets crossing the Sun - Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn in order from high in the sky toward the western horizon. In the eastern half of the sky, you will be able to see the constellation of Orion, the Hunter. On the horizon it will look like dusk in all directions. It is absolutely incredible to see, hear, and feel everything that happens during totality and the events leading up to it.

This may be the last Total Solar Eclipse many of us may see without traveling large distances. It will be 2044 in Montana for the next one to impact the lower 48 and 2099 before it passes over Ohio. This is why it is such an amazing and inspiring event here in Ohio this April. These are the shared experiences we will take with us for the rest of our lives. Just be sure to be safe and never look at the Sun without proper eclipse shades or using an indirect method like a pinhole viewer.

WE’RE A CANADIAN-BASED INTEGRATED ENERGY COMPANY HEADQUARTERED IN CALGARY. WE ENERGIZE THE WORLD TO MAKE PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER.

And, we’re growing in Ohio. We’re now the state’s largest refiner, sustainably providing products needed for everyday living: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt. We employ more than 1,000 people at our Lima Refinery, Toledo Refinery, and our marketing office in Dublin. We also have opportunities for students and new graduates.

To learn more about Cenovus, including career opportunities, visit cenovus.com/careers.

Cenovus is now an official partner of MLS champions Columbus Crew

As the Columbus Crew opened their season Feb. 24, beginning the defense of their championship, Cenovus Energy was front and center as a new official partner.

As we continue to build presence in Ohio and the United States, Cenovus is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Major League Soccer club, Columbus Crew.

The 2023 MLS champions have been an important part of the Columbus community since 1994. Through its support for youth soccer camps, community clean ups and soccer field developments in Central Ohio, the Crew brings its vibrant energy in many ways, so this partnership was a natural fit for Cenovus. Partnering with the Crew allows us to positively contribute to the Columbus community - which is home to our U.S. regional office in the suburb of Dublin - and Ohio as a whole.

Cenovus will sponsor an upcoming title night later this season, provide employee engagement opportunities and feature advertising in the stadium, and on the Crew’s website and social channels. Cenovus will also have permanent signage in a newly developed fan area, Cenovus Energy Zone, in Lower.com, the Crew’s home field.

“With our new partnership, the Cenovus Energy Zone will provide supporters with a unique bird’seye view to enjoy the beautiful game through our

shared commitment to elevating the fan experience and matchday atmosphere,” says Chief of Strategy & Development at Haslam Sports Group, Josh Glessing.

As part of our U.S. social investment approach, we’ve been looking for strategic partnerships that align to our corporate social investment focus areas and help us increase our brand presence, aid in our recruitment efforts and allow for employee and stakeholder engagement opportunities. One of the ways we’re doing this is through partnerships with high-performance organizations – ones that match our energy.

“Through this important partnership, we’re able to increase our brand profile in the U.S. given the national attention of major league soccer and its broadcast affiliation with Apple TV. The team reflects our vision of fostering teamwork, nurturing talent and building a strong and resilient community,” says Rhona DelFrari, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Vice-President, Stakeholder Engagement. “We can feel the energy of the community rallying behind the Crew and we want to be a part of that,” says Rhona.

Talk of the Town

by Tara Reynolds Bales

Awestruck by ARRIVAL

In 1974, ABBA was Sweden’s first Eurovision contest winner with their hit song “Waterloo.” Eurovision was in Brighton, United Kingdom that year and the world fell in love with the Swedish supergroup. Everyone has a favorite ABBA song which has made this Swedish band timeless. Their upbeat rhythms have been drawing fans to dance floors and clubs for 50 years.

Since 1995 ARRIVAL From Sweden - The Music Of ABBA has toured the world performing the greatest hits of ABBA. Millions of ABBA fans have flocked to watch ARRIVAL and Lima ABBA fans followed suit. People arrived at the Lima Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center (VMCCC) in their ABBA inspired attire. The venue was filled with fans donning bell bottoms, long vests, knee high boots, satin, and sequins. Lima City Councilman Jon Neeper and his wife, Chandra got the memo and came to impress with bell bottoms, headband,

and Jon’s shiny silver satin jacket. Rick and I did our best to bring tinsel and sparkle to the fabulous VMCCC venue with our sequin outfits.

Concert goers were taken back to 70’s dance music. It was impossible to stay seated as ARRIVAL replicated ABBA hits such as “S.O.S.,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Fernando.” The spot-on performance of the 1976 hit, “Knowing Me, Knowing You” did justice to ABBA. The venue was alive with high spirits as ARRIVAL perfectly performed the crowd’s favorite, “Mamma Mia.” ARRIVAL nailed the essence of ABBA’s number hit song “Dancing Queen.”

ARRIVAL is the closest you will ever get to ABBA. Don’t take my word for it. Lorraine Ignarski of Jonathan Drive was at Eurovision 1974 and watched ABBA win! Lorraine was impressed with ARRIVAL’s performance. She loved the “authentic” sound of the ABBA tribute group. She said it was like she was back in Brighton at Eurovision. ABBA fans are ARRIVAL fans because of their genuine sound, lovely costumes, and talented singing. ARRIVAL keeps fans coming back for more. Paula Vorhees of Pro Drive saw the group in Dayton and was excited to see them at the VMCCC. If you can see ARRIVAL, put on your bell bottoms, go, and prepare to be awestruck by the group’s tribute to the best Swedish export of all time, ABBA.

Rick Bales, Tara Reynolds Bales, Jon Neeper, Chandra Neeper

Lorraine Ignarski & Paula Vorhees

Who is behind 33 West Productions? One Night Only Country Rumble Music Festival

Evan Nieto & Don Fischer share their story...

33 West Productions has been in the making since 2019 when Evan Nieto and his wife, Whitney, packed up their house in Columbus, OH & took Interstate 33 West for the move to live in Lima, where Whitney was born and raised. Don Fischer is the father of Whitney and life-long Lima resident. In Columbus, Evan spent 10+ years in the concert industry working with names like Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Kane Brown, Justin Moore, Old Dominion, Midland, Jon Pardi, Lee Brice & so many more. Don, who is very familiar with the stage & spotlight, is an avid music lover & performer himself playing around Indian Lake & around town in Lima! Towards the end of Evan’s tenure in Columbus, Don’s curiosity in hosting concerts sparked and he too would join Evan’s team in promoting & orchestrating concerts around the country music genre.

After the move to Lima in 2019, Evan approached Don with a plan to replicate the shows they promoted in Columbus, right here in our backyard. Together, they used their past experience, great relationships in the industry and general love for putting on a damn good party to chase their dream!

Will you share a bit about yourselves as the owners?

First and foremost, we wouldn’t be doing this interview nor would we have even dreamt to be where we are today without the support and encouragement of our wives, Sherri Fischer

and Whitney Nieto. Those two have shown us in more ways than one that they believe in us and have taken on so many thankless jobs around our home, with our kids, and maintained normalcy in our lives so that we can focus on putting together something this community can be proud of! Not to mention, Sherri has even played a role in helping to identify talent that we bring to concerts! She has a great ear for talent!

With that said, we’re grateful to just have this opportunity. The Good Lord has had his hand over our family and blessed us with the skillset to put on something as big as a concert! Both of us have never talked about money to be made with putting on a concert and quite frankly, a return on our investment is something we hope to achieve down the road. We enjoy that we can do this as a family and share it with members of this great community. With enough support on these shows, it allows us to bring in bigger artists so that people from Lima don’t have to travel to Columbus or Dayton or Indianapolis to see their favorite artists. There’s no booking a hotel, three hours of driving roundtrip, $40 parking fees or $15 beers when you attend one of our concerts. Live music should be affordable and it’s meant for the fans, regardless of how many zeros you have in your bank account!

What is your mission with 33 West Productions?

Our mission has been the same since our first meeting: Bring something to Lima, OH that our residents can look forward to and be proud of, while also giving back to the people in our community. We aim to make a positive impact through music. Every event we put on, our proceeds benefit The Ava Ray Foundation, which supports families in Allen County who are going through the NICU experience. As a former NICU parent, Evan knows firsthand how difficult it can be mentally, financially and logistically to have a lengthy stay in the NICU. Between lost wages, travel expenses and a plethora of expenses that add up, without any support, it takes your mind off what matters most, your child(ren). Through financial support and prayer, The Ava Ray Foundation allows parents to be present for their child(ren), without extra worries.

Why are you so passionate about supporting our local community?

This is our home and we have a civic duty to leave this place better than we found it. What’s great about concerts or events of this caliber is that they attract people from outside our city

Don Fischer & Evan Nieto

too! Visitors stay in our hotels, visit local restaurants and stores, and spend their money right here. It’s great for uplifting our local economy and it allows Lima to be highlighted for the great city we are! Our city is blessed to have organizations like The Allen County Fairgrounds, The Lima Civic Center, The Ohio Theatre, bars/pubs and many more who bring in talent of all calibers for our residents to enjoy. For us, it’s an opportunity to see someone you hear on the radio, congregate with fellow community members, and just live the way we are meant to... together.

What concerts are coming up?

We are bringing back our AwardWinning Concert, ONE NIGHT ONLY on Friday May 17th, 2024!

This year, we are thrilled to have country superstar, CHRIS JANSON headlining the show, LANCO as direct support to Chris Janson, Colin Stough – 2nd Runner-Up on Season 23 of American Idol and we continue the tradition of giving an Ohio-local band the shot to open for these great artists. This summer we invited Dan Wallace & The Dirt Road Disciples to perform! Chris Janson just came off his fifth #1 song “All I Need Is You” in February of this year. One of Country music’s biggest accolades is becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry, which Chris is part of!

We are proud to announce that we will be hosting Ohio’s Newest Country Music Festival, COUNTRY RUMBLE MUSIC FESTIVAL, right here in Lima at the Allen County Fairgrounds! Shawnee Life Magazine readers are the first to have access to this exclusive print announcement regarding the headliners, so save the date for June 21st & 22nd, 2024.

Friday Night will feature a Grand Ole Opry member who has won a Grammy, three CMA awards and a Country Music Association Award... none other than ASHLEY McBRYDE!!

Saturday will feature an artist we all became very familiar with over the past few years and is known for his TikTok dances, was the 2022 CMT Artist of the Year and won the 2022 Billboard Award for Top Country Song… Country Superstar, WALKER HAYES!!

Joining Walker Hayes on Saturday night, is a group with 20 singles on the Hot Country Song Charts, nine #1 hits and so many pieces of hardware from major country music awards... True Legends in the Country Music genre, LONESTAR!!

Country Rumble Music Festival will feature 10 National Touring Bands from Nashville over two days with camping/lodging available, affordable tickets and some of the best priced concessions in the industry! Our goal is to bring something special to Lima and for musicians to give our great city a second look when routing their tours! We are beyond excited to share this breaking news with you first, because from our first show, you have been a supporter of ours and it’s time for all of Lima to uplift all of our local businesses! For more information regarding Chris Janson: One Night Only or Country Rumble Music Festival, head over to our website and you’ll find the answers to most questions there!

www.33westevents.com

by Nicole Davis

Healing Through Music

Throughout Shawnee and the greater Lima area, the Lima Symphony Orchestra is known for bringing joy and entertainment to its patrons during live shows. What you may not know, however, are the ways they are a true community partner and are deeply committed to the health and well-being of the people in Lima. Thanks to generous donations from the community, including Mercy Health – St .Rita’s Medical Center, the Lima Symphony Orchestra created a program that takes ensemble groups to Mercy Health and Allen/ Oakwood Correctional Institute to address the opioid and mental health epidemic in our region. This program, called Healing Through Music, takes orchestra members, once a quarter, to the Rehab Floor of Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. Musicians from the Lima Symphony Orchestra share their musical talent and the healing power of music with people who need it the most.

Dawn Mansfield, Director of Behavioral Services for St. Rita’s Medical Center, shared her appreciation for the program. It is an important aspect of rehabilitation because Healing Through Music, “recognizes how music and art promote positive coping skills and bringing the music to the hospital provides an opportunity patients may not experience otherwise.” When the string quartet performs, they are so accepting of patients through interactions and answering any questions. The musicians provide a holistic approach and give the history of the piece that they are about to play. Dawn went on to say, “We look forward to them coming and offer for the families of patients to also join.”

Healing Through Music is something that is also very close to Elizabeth Brown-Ellis’ heart. She is the Executive Director of The Lima Symphony Orchestra and believes, “Music is a palpable source of light for people who truly need it and a survival tactic for many dealing with life’s difficulties.” The Lima Symphony Orchestra was able to unleash the power of their music from the concert hall and take it to the community. Each performance is highly interactive, with musicians and clients falling into easy conversation, sharing experiences, stories, and feelings. Elizabeth explained, “We added another tool for clients to explore and express their emotions and build a life away from illness and addiction.” After each performance, they also offer free tickets to patients at Mercy Health- St. Rita’s Medical Center for upcoming concerts.

Without a doubt, music therapy has been recognized as an effective form of reducing anxiety and stress. With the success of the Healing Through Music program, the Lima Symphony Orchestra has extended their community outreach with Drumming Up Hope. Using a 40-piece drum set, musicians help create a drumming circle. Inviting people into the creative process and allowing them to perform with members of the orchestra has proven to be incredibly cathartic and has deepened the feelings of community and belonging. Drumming up Hope has taken place at SAFY (Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth) and Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institute. Elizabeth shared one final thought, “We’ve been so enriched to be able to continue these programs and appreciate Mercy Health, Allen/ Oakwood, and our community partners, who make them possible.”

Making a Mark

Survivor Quotes:

“I’m so happy I came here, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt safe.” “I’m grateful for the opportunity to start over with my children.”

“It’s been a long time since me and my kids could breathe…it’s nice to finally have some quiet and peace.”

by Olivia DePalma - Mobile Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator

Crossroads Crisis Center is the sole domestic violence agency in Allen County whose mission is to enhance safety for survivors of domestic violence and their children by educating, advocating, and empowering individuals. Through our leadership and expertise, we strive to engage our communities in promoting zero tolerance of domestic violence. Crossroads originally started as a rape crisis hotline in 1975. Due to the high number of phone calls that the line was receiving from domestic violence survivors, the hotline shifted from a rape crisis to a women’s crisis hotline in 1977. In 1980, with funding and assistance from the YWCA, Crossroads was able to open its doors as a shelter for those fleeing from domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a prevalent and on-going issue, not just in our local community, but throughout the country and world. When it comes to domestic violence, everyone is impacted because everyone knows someone who is going through it. As of 2023, it is estimated that about a third of women will be physically abused by an intimate partner, while 1 in 4 will be abused by a family member or partner. A common question that advocates at Crossroads receive is why do the survivors return, but the better question is why is this individual being abused by someone who claims to love them?

Crossroads serves men, women, and children who are survivors of domestic violence. The services that we offer include: 24/7 emergency shelter, 24/7 phone and text/chat hotline, educational/support group, court advocacy in Allen County and Non-Residential/Mobile Advocacy services. All of our programs offer safety planning, case management, information and referrals, and advocacy. The advocates at Crossroads strive to provide client-centered and trauma informed advocacy to the individuals that we work with. We strive to provide safety and a support system to the survivors we interact with and to provide education and information to the community. Through the hard work of the advocates, Crossroads was able to serve over 700 individuals in 2023 through the services that we provide.

When an individual first enters into an abusive relationship they are often unaware. This could be for several reasons; they don’t know what warning signs to look out for, the abuser manipulates them into believing that everything is fine, or they grew up around abuse and to them it is normalized. Often the warning signs, or red flags, are small and the abuser will explain them away: jealousy, mood swings, wanting to know where you are at all times, have access to your social media and accounts, and try to move faster in the relationship than you are comfortable with. All of these warning signs are often explained away by the abuser as a means to show their love and affection for you and never wanting to be away. It is important to remember that autonomy and being able to function without your partner is a sign that you have a healthy relationship; possession is not romance. It is not uncommon for abusers to start with these smaller warnings and then move into the bigger, and oftentimes, more hurtful warning signs: calling you names, putting you down, telling you no one will ever love you, using substances as an excuse for their behavior, throwing and breaking things, threatening you with acts of violence, threatening suicide, threatening to harm you or

people that you love. All of these actions, or red flags, are used to try and keep the survivor afraid and in the relationship, and fear is a contributing factor for why individuals don’t leave. Leaving is actually the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship.

There are many reasons as to why someone doesn’t leave an abusive relationship such as fear of retaliation, love for the abuser, fear of losing their children, religious beliefs, lack of support, lack of financial stability, and sometimes it is just the lack of knowledge that there are resources that could assist them. Most survivors that I, and other advocates at Crossroads have worked with, have heard survivors tell us, “it would have been so much easier if someone had believed me the first time I had asked for help.” Many survivors lose trust because when they reached out for assistance, they faced shame and victim-blaming. If community members could do one thing to assist survivors of domestic violence, it would be to believe and support them. Your belief and support will most likely be the reason why someone chose to leave the abuse. For people looking to leave the abuse, or for those looking for information to provide to family and friends, contact Crossroads at 419-228-4357 or chat with us on our website at www.crossroadscrisiscenter.com and we will assist you to the best of our abilities.

in honor of Amy Jorgensen, a woman who grew up in Lima but who unfortunately lost her life to domestic violence. All proceeds, after the initial cost, will be donated to Crossroads Crisis Center and representatives of Crossroads will be at the event. If interested in signing up for the event, please go to https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Lima/GirlCanCookMemorialRun. If anyone is interested in being a sponsor or donating raffle items, they can email girlcancookmemorialrun@gmail. com or call Crossroads at 419-228-4357 and ask for Olivia.

Believing and supporting survivors is a wonderful way to assist survivors of domestic violence and there are many more ways that community members can assist. Crossroads is always looking for donations to be made to the agency; many survivors come to us with nothing and we are happy to assist them with restarting. Donations of clothing, cleaning products, kitchen supplies, furniture, decor, and household items are always appreciated. We urge those who are interested in donating or volunteering for our agency to call us at 419-228-4357 to either schedule a pick-up time for donations or to talk with someone about volunteering. Other ways to help are by participating in fundraisers or events that are being held by or for Crossroads. The nearest fundraiser taking place is the 2024 Girl Can Cook Memorial Run. This run is

Sponsor Spotlight

by Mark Gordon, Owner - Mark’s Maid Service

My name is Mark Gordon and I am the owner of Mark’s Maid Service along with my wife Jenny Gordon. After operating a well-known cleaning franchise, I know the business inside and out, but I realized I had a vision to create something better. We opened our business in June of 2022 after noticing there was a need to provide a high quality cleaning service that goes above and beyond expectations. There really isn’t another business in our area like Mark’s Maid Service – no one else works quite like we do!

People always tell us they like how we do business the “old-fashioned way,” and this means they appreciate customer service. I began working since I was legally allowed to work at the age of 15. I quickly learned the importance of customer service and that the customer is right. It is rare to find someone with excellent customer service skills. We believe the customer should feel like the most important person in the world to us, so that is how we treat them. We want you to be smiling, when we leave your home or business clean and fresh.

Mark’s Maid Service works hard to bring a level of professionalism into the cleaning industry. What sets us apart from other compa-

nies is how we value the relationships we create with our clients and staff, the way we communicate, the schedule we keep, and our attention to detail. We train our staff on all the best strategies to get your home or business sparkly clean, but we also spend a great deal of time on the seemingly little areas that make a big difference. For example, no one wants to see dust bunnies behind the door and window curtains, or turn on the ceiling fan and see dust flying in the air. We also leave little signature touches to remind you of our high-quality service, like a gold seal left on your perfectly folded toilet paper roll or a text after a cleaning to get a review on how we performed. We stand by what we do and if something isn’t right, we will come back and make it right every time! You deserve to come home from your day at work and relax or be able to focus your time on your family. Leave the dirty work to us!

There is nothing like the feeling of a clean home! We want you to think you just walked into a beautiful vacation home, and then realize you live there. One of the best parts about our service is how easy we make it for you. We keep you on a regular schedule, so you know

when we are coming. We bring all of the cleaning supplies and equipment with us, or we can use your preferred supplies. We work to make life easier so we can take the major chore of cleaning your home or business, off of your TO DO list, and put it on ours.

Our business stands out for three main reasons: 1) We have the “know-how” based on our background and experience in the field. 2) We dedicate significant time and resources to training our staff. 3) We prioritize building positive relationships with our clients and staff. And of course, Mark’s Maid Service is licensed and fully insured.

Shortly after launching Mark’s Maid Service, business started exploding for us, which truly validated our local market research that showed there was a need for a dependable and professional cleaning company for residential and commercial spaces. We have added so many customers that we had to expand our team of hardworking staff members! We are blessed with great employees and customers, especially in the Shawnee area! Just like we form relationships with our clients, we also care for our employees and show how much we value them being part of the Mark’s Maid Service team. Reach out to us today, so we may begin servicing your home or business!

Research shows that living in a clean and organized space can actually improve your quality of life and reduce stress. We do what we do because we love the sense of pride we feel when clients appreciate the service we provide, so their life can be stress-free and calm. We believe we can meet any cleaning need you have, so call us for a free estimate.

The Ohio State University at Lima

Many campuses. One Ohio State.

by Dr. Meggie Young, Interim Dean & Director, The Ohio State University at Lima

Nestled just five miles east of downtown Lima lies a hidden gem filled with a community of dedicated learners striving to create a world people need now. I’ve spent my entire adult life within higher education – first as a student, then as a faculty member, and now as a leader at The Ohio State University at Lima. I am firmly committed to the idea that higher education – in all its forms –has value beyond the credentials that one receives upon successfully completing a program. Higher education can powerfully transform lives and communities. In fact, that was the driving purpose of establishing The Ohio State University and other land grant universities in the 19th century.

Land grant universities were charged with providing a practical education that directly benefited citizens’ lives and that of their communities. Initially focusing on agricultural and mechanical arts during their inception in the 1860s, these universities began to expand their curricula as our country’s identity shifted. These universities now provide a comprehensive education equipping students with a broad range of skills and knowledge.

The other critical aspect of land grant universities was that higher education had to be accessible and affordable for all its citizens. At Ohio State Lima, we are the living embodiment of that vision and work every day to give back to the community that advocated so strongly to bring us here.

Picture this: a bustling community rallying together in the 1960s, fueled by a collective dream of bringing the prestige of an Ohio State education to west central Ohio. Led by visionary figures like John E. Galvin, Harry Moyer, Charles Cook, and Perry Webb, our campus emerged from grassroots efforts and relentless dedication. Today, we proudly carry forward that legacy, offering an education that's not just within reach but actively removes barriers to entry.

The hopes for our region and its students, articulated by the Galvin family with their inaugural gift to build the campus, still resonate as we work to create the solutions we need today to build the future we want for tomorrow.

“As we accumulated information on colleges, it quickly became evident that the only way for many young people to acquire the education which they should have, would be to bring it to them where they live. This kind of education today isn't a luxury; it's an outright necessity,” said Robert Galvin in The Lima News upon announcement of his family's pledge in 1963.

At Ohio State Lima, accessibility is not just a principle, it is a practice. Here, students step into a world of opportunity where admission isn’t bound by standardized test scores or class rank.

• Any student who applies to our campus with an Ohio high school diploma or GED is admitted. We do not require prospective students to submit ACT or SAT scores.

• Regional students pay, on average, one third less tuition than Columbus students. This is not because we compromise quality, but because we believe in removing barriers to admission while simultaneously offering an affordable university education.

Regardless of locale when graduating, each regional student earns and graduates with an Ohio State degree. Students can complete 13-degree programs at Ohio State

Lima:

Biology

Business Management

Education - (Child and Youth Studies, Dual License in Primary Education and Intervention Specialist, Early Childhood/ Primary Education, Middle Childhood Education)

Engineering Technology

English History

Psychology

Social Work

Theatre

Zoology

Each degree leads to a diverse set of outcomes and a broad range of opportunities. Along with the 13 bachelor’s programs, we offer associate degrees and certificates. Students may also choose to begin any of the 200+ Ohio State degree programs in Lima and then transition to the Columbus campus when they are ready.

Students on our campus get to work directly with our incredible faculty. We have internationally renowned faculty who have expertise across a wide array of subjects, including everything from the use of hypnosis for smoking cessation and cancer treatments, to fossils in Ohio, to the role technology plays in access to education, to insects found in pine trees, and to the history of books, just to name a few. Our faculty regularly win teaching and mentoring awards. But most importantly, they intentionally choose to work in Lima so that they can interact directly with our students and have a positive impact on our community.

Our students undeniably and consistently benefit from that access to our faculty – in the past few years we’ve had students discover a new species of mammals in Pakistan, win a coveted prize for their research project, raise funds to provide books for our area schools, and build a miniature version of one of our campus buildings at Safety City. Because of our close proximity to our community, students gain a firsthand understanding of how their classroom knowledge directly impacts the world around them.

Over the past few years, we've actively pursued opportunities to engage with our vibrant community. Whether it's our new partnership with Ford Motor Company as part of our Engineering Technology degree program, the Fowler Science Series in partnership with

the City of Lima and Lima City Schools, or the free, family-friendly STEAM on the Quad that we host with 4-H each fall, Ohio State Lima is committed to giving back to the community that advocated for us 60 years ago. This community is incredible, and we want to do what we can to enhance the lives of everyone here in Lima.

Ultimately, that’s one of the comments we hear most from our students. Our students want to be here. They want to make a difference in our community.

Learning extends beyond earning a degree. It’s about applying your knowledge in ways that resonate with your interests.

Our Buckeye community is open and welcoming, whether you are a student, alumni, neighbor, or friend. I encourage you to experience it firsthand by stepping onto our campus to enjoy the diverse array of events and opportunities that happen here every day. From engaging lectures to vibrant cultural celebrations, there's something for everyone to discover and embrace.

Again, I invite you to stop by our campus any time to see the great things we have to offer. We’d love to host you on campus!

Dr. Meggie Young is an associate professor in the department of music at The Ohio State University Lima where she serves as the Interim Dean and Director and previously taught music appreciation, group piano classes and applied piano lessons. She and her family have lived in Indianbrook for 12 years.

Fortissimo Finnigan

by Georgie Damschroder

From a dalmation’s spots to a golden retriever’s sunny hues, many dog breeds have come to be known for their iconic furs. Though many furstyles are practical and fashionable, some pooches have come to sport more unique, strange hairdos. Take the Komondor, a dog usually described as a living mop. These pups are covered from head to toe with long, white dreadlocks that make them look as though they came straight from the janitor’s closet! The purpose behind this style is to allow them to blend in easily with sheep, which they have historically been used to guard. This way, any unsuspecting predator approaching a seemingly vulnerable flock will instead be met with a cleverly disguised guard! The Rhodesian Ridgeback is another dog known for their strange fur. As their name suggests, they boast a long ridge of fur that runs along their spines. This is a result of past hunting dogs with raised fur, who seemed to perform better in hunts than their flat-furred counterparts. Recognizing this strange trend, hunters began to breed for the ridge, believing dogs with it would naturally be better hunters.

Finnigan is a local dog who carries this strangefurred trait. He is a six year old Cockapoo, a mix between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Poodles are traditionally known for their goofy fur styles, being bald save for large mounds of fluff on their heads and chests. These stylish poofs were meant to protect the dog’s major organs while allowing them to swim swiftly through the water, as they were bred to do, without being slowed by excessive fur.

Finnigan, nicknamed “Finners,” was welcomed into the Young home when he was just a puppy from Celina. He is known by his family to be a very peppy and playful dog, often going on mini adventures by sneakily bolting out the door to race around the neighborhood and meet as many new friends as he can before his people catch up with him! Finnigan also loves to chew and throw around his favorite toy squirrel. When his toys fail to entertain,

Finnigan will simply steal clothes and play with those instead! His favorite laundry to pilfer are soccer socks.

Besides play, Finnigan has a peculiar love for music, which is why the word fortissimo was selected as the title of this article because it means “a musical word that denotes a very loud note,” which could be fitting for Finnigan’s loud howling. When sons Eli and Oliver gather to practice on the family piano, Finnigan can be found sitting right next to them on the bench, singing along to his favorite tunes with howls and yips!

“He has distinct musical tastes and preferences. His singing is never quiet, though,” remarks mother Margaret.

Once his energy has finally run out, Finnigan loves nothing more than to curl up on the couch to receive pats and watch his favorite TV cooking shows. A snuggly boy, he will lay there with his people to his heart’s content!

When his people leave the house, Finnigan obediently sits in his kennel, waiting for the cuddles and play to continue when his family returns home.

Finnigan lives on Tillamook Trail in Indianbrook with the Young family: Matthew, who is the vice president of Operations at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, Margaret “Meggie,” who works as the Interim Dean at Ohio State Lima, and sons Eli and Oliver, who go to school at Shawnee in sixth and fourth grades respectively. At their home, the Youngs enjoy their large yard, where the boys and Finnigan have plenty of room to run and play sports. They also adore their neighbors, who are always genial and friendly! Though poor Finnigan may be subject to some bad hair days, his family will love him for his bubbly and musical spirit, no matter how crazy his fur gets!

No Peek Chicken

from the Kitchen of Tara Reynolds Bales and Rick Bales, June Drive, Shawnee

by Janine Douglass

You might know

Tara Reynolds Bales as Executive Director of the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission, or perhaps you’ve noticed her headshot included in your Shawnee Life magazine’s staff, listed as Talk of the Town Lifestyle writer for just a little over a year. Even if you’re lucky enough to know Tara and her husband, Rick Bales, a law professor at Ada’s Ohio Northern University, as members of your Shawnee neighborhood, you might not know of Tara’s passion for collecting Church cookbooks, compiled and curated by a parish’s own household chefs. Tara says by amassing and perusing these cherished gems, she feels like she’s virtually in someone else’s kitchen, getting to “know” that congregation’s members individually. This particular recipe Tara found about 20 years ago in her favorite cookbook ever from the First Baptist Church of Mexico, Missouri, in a used book store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home to her from 1999 to 2021 when she, Rick and the kids returned to Lima.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 large chicken breasts (may use chicken thighs)

• 1 can water

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup

• 1 env. Lipton dry onion soup

• 1 pkg. Uncle Ben’s long grain wild rice (slow cooking)

• 1 can cream of celery soup

DIRECTIONS:

Spread rice and seasoning mix on bottom of 9x13 inch baking dish or oblong pan. Mix in mushroom and celery soups and water. Place chicken breasts skin side up over rice. Sprinkle dry onion soup over chicken. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours. No other seasoning needed.

Tara and Rick’s household includes older sons Nathan and Christian, and daughter, Tatum, a freshman at Lima Central Catholic, who all love this chicken dish, which Tara still serves, easily accompanied by a salad or seasonal vegetable. She considers No Peek Chicken (meaning “don’t lift its cover until it’s done”) an early forerunner of a crockpot-type prep method, and an easy fix to throw together quickly when returning home from a workday with a hungry family to feed.

Tara has all kinds of connections with this treasured First Baptist Church cookbook, including a serendipitous meeting with some actual Mexico, Missouri congregational members! If that wasn’t good luck in itself, she and Nick Schoonover, husband of Shawnee Life publisher, Diane Schoonover, and staff member himself, are first cousins, share “tons of cousins” between them, and are so glad to live in close Shawnee proximity, “relatively speaking!”

Shashank Chanamolu

Amazing Achiever

by Georgie Damschroder

Senior year is known for being a very busy and eventful time. With academics, college applications, extracurriculars, friends, and much more weighing on students simultaneously, the final year of high school can certainly be a challenge. But some students, like Shashank Chanamolu, are working tirelessly to finish off their last year of grade school with a flourish. Throughout high school, Shashank has pushed himself to take many difficult courses, his favorite of which was AP Art History. Here, he enjoyed learning about the connections between historical events and the artwork of that time. His teachers and classmates know him to be an incredibly diligent student, always willing to participate and never backing down from a challenge! Outside of academics, Shashank loves to try out a variety of different sports. He has acceler-

ated through sports such as cricket, football, and pool basketball, though one of his favorites remains tennis. With the school tennis season in full swing, Shashank has worked to practice as much as possible. Though playing his best is always a priority, Shashank’s main goal for this season is to have fun with his teammates, seeing as this will likely be the last time he will play tennis competitively.

Shashank is also an active member of Shawnee’s Science Olympiad team. The Science Olympiad is a national team competition where students compete in several events that challenge their knowledge of the sciences. Shashank’s personal favorite event is “Flight,” where he must construct an eight gram wooden plane that can fly for two minutes straight with only the power of a rubber band!

“It’s a very trial-and-error dependent event, but I like that part about Science Olympiad,” says Shashank.

Shashank’s love for building doesn’t stop at school events. In his free time, Shashank enjoys putting together structures from Lego bricks, then challenging himself to take them apart and rebuild them purely from memory. Shashank also enjoys figuring out puzzles and patterns, making him an invaluable helper when his grandma attempts her daily Wordle or when his mom plays Wordscape! Travel is another passion

of Shashank’s, and he loves visiting various towns and states.

With graduation just around the corner, Shashank has worked to plan out his future education and career. He aspires to become a physician. As such, Shashank plans on attending Ohio State University, where he will major in Biomedical Sciences and also work with emergency medical services. Though the coming years of education and work will certainly be a challenge, Shashank knows this is a challenge he is capable of surmounting.

Shashank is a strong advocate for the message of individuality of all, urging others to do what they love and be proud of themselves.

“If there’s one thing that I could tell every high schooler, it would be to just be yourself and enjoy what you do. I strongly believe that everyone should have their own unique perspective and personality because

it’s that uniqueness that makes a person who they are,” Shashank says.

Shashank lives on East Spring Lane with his father, who works as a pulmonologist at St. Rita’s, his mother, who is a stay-at-home caretaker, and his sister, who, like her brother, aspires to be a physician. Despite the many challenges senior year has to offer, Shashank refuses to let any of it keep him down, and he will never stop working to achieve his goals and serve as a role model for all around him!

Using a Ghost Preparer?

Who you going to call when the IRS comes knocking?

Submitted by Deifendeifer Accounting

As people begin to have their 2023 tax returns prepared, this is a reminder to avoid unethical “ghost” tax return preparers.

A ghost preparer is someone who charges for but doesn’t sign tax returns they prepare. Unscrupulous ghost preparers often print the return and have the taxpayer sign and mail it to the IRS. For efiled returns, the ghost preparer will prepare the forms but refuse to digitally sign as the paid preparer.

By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return. If a preparer does not sign a return that should be a big red flag that the preparer may be looking to make a quick profit by promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund. Ghost tax return preparers usually require payment in cash to avoid paying taxes on the income and from being traced.

How do ghost preparers attract clients? They often fabricate tax deductions and tax credits to generate unusually large refunds, and then their clients spread the word, attracting others. Here are some of the fabricated tax benefits they use to inflate refunds.

• They invent business income or adjust expenses to maximize the lucrative earned income tax credit (EITC).

• Claim fake charitable deductions to boost the size of the refund.

• Claim off-road fuel credits.

• To hide their fraudulent behavior, they’ll:

- File a tax return without letting the taxpayer review it.

- File a tax return without getting the taxpayer’s signature or consent.

• Invent income to qualify their clients for tax credits.

• For businesses, claim fraudulent employee retention credits.

• Claim fraudulent home energy credits.

• Claim fraudulent education credits.

• Claim fake deductions to boost the size of the refund.

• Direct refunds into their bank account, not the taxpayer’s account.

The list goes on, and then the preparer vanishes, leaving you holding the bag when the IRS comes knocking. Who are you going to call then? OK, the IRS won’t literally come knocking on your door, but you can count on receiving a return correction notice and bill from them. Paying back ill-gotten refunds, interest and penalties can empty your pockets for years to come.

In addition, ghost preparers generally don’t take continuing education, are not up to date on current tax law changes, and are not aware of lawful tax-saving strategies. Also, unlike most professional tax preparers, they do not carry errors and omissions insurance.

No matter who prepares your return, you should review it carefully and ask questions about anything that’s not clear before signing it. You should verify the routing and bank account number on the completed tax return for any direct deposit refund. Taxpayers should watch out for ghost preparers putting their own bank account information on the returns. Also watch for Form 8888 that directs the IRS to split the refund into multiple bank accounts. These unprincipled folks frequently tell their clients the refund is an amount less than the actual amount and have the difference deposited into their bank account without raising any suspicion.

Don’t fall victim to a ghost preparer. Trained and trustworthy preparers who sign off on returns are cognizant of the high standards of conduct they are held to and the penalties for a violation of those standards. Ghost preparers don’t know, or don’t care, about such standards, and their unscrupulous actions subject their victims to an array of problems.

Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS by using IRS Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.

For more information or help cleaning up IRS trouble created by a ghost preparer, please contact our office.

GUEST

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

Biggby Coffee

Brunk Electric

Cleaves American Heating & Air Conditioning

Gillis Chiropractic Clinic

Mercy Health

Purple Feet Wine Boutique

Sara’s Sweets

Shawnee Station – Coffee ▪ Bar ▪ Grill

Tracy’s Appliances

Westgate Entertainment Center

Welcome to ShaWnee, Singer Family!