Set to take place in Downtown Tiffin’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), the annual 2023 Downtown Tiffin Pizza Party, chaired by the Seneca County Young Professionals (SCYP), will showcase local restaurants next Thursday, September 21, as part of Downtown Tiffin’s 3rd Thursday Series.

The event will take place from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, on Washington Street and in City Lots 5 & 7. Pre-purchase ticket sales start September 14th at Pan Yan Bookstore, Ralph’s Joy of Living, Simply Susan’s, and The Renaissance of Tiffin during their normal business hours. Tickets will be available for purchase on the evening of the event at the Seneca County Commissioners parking lot adjacent to Reclaim It 127 and volunteers will also be on foot selling tickets up and down the street. All tickets will be sold for $2, and only cash payments will be accepted.

This year’s event will include: Clover Club, Domino’s Pizza Tiffin, The Empire at 138, Fort Ball Pizza Palace, FroZone Tiffin , Heavenly Pizza-Tiffin Ohio, Jac & Do’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza – Tiffin, OH, Napoli Pizza, Reino’s, Simply Susan’s, and VC Tiffin Cameo.

An aspect that makes this event even more meaningful is the SCYP’s commitment to supporting the community. Fifty percent of the proceeds from each ticket sold will be donated to the local non-profit organization, Transformation Life Center.

Attendees can enjoy live music with No Eileen from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM in City Lot 7 sponsored by Bailiwicks Coffee Company, JT’s Bagel Bar, Happy Days Nutrition of Tiffin, RE/MAX Unlimited Results, and Simply Susan’s. Beth Mattia and Nate McMaster will be playing from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in City Lot 5 and Thursday Night Tunes, sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank, featuring The Eric Sowers Band from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater at the East Green Amphitheater.

Grab your friends and enjoy an awesome night in downtown Tiffin with LOTS of pizza! 

Shopping, food, and fun on a picturesque farm in Attica, OH. That’s what you’ll find at the 3rd Annual Fall at the Farmhouse event on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Hosted at the home of the owner of The Farmhouse Collection, Lori Niedermier, Fall at the Farmhouse will feature new and returning vendors. There will be home, outdoor, and seasonal decor, jewelry, clothing, baked goods, snacks, and more! Route 99 Barbecue, Coffee & Crumb Cafe, and Sweet Thangs Kettle Corn will all be returning for lunch, coffee, and goodies. Carle’s Bratwurst will also provide samples.

There are many new products and items to find! Don’t miss it!

For updates follow The Farmhouse Collection and invite your friends to the Facebook event!

A hidden gem that offers more than what meets the eye awaits you, say hello to The Front 9!

The Front 9 provides a restaurant, 9 hole golf course, bar, and event space, all in one! Located at 6730 North Township Road 69 in Kansas, Ohio, The Front 9 is a centrally located spot that you will not want to miss. The Front 9, previously known as Nature Trails, was purchased in 2018 after the space sat empty for a year and a half. They officially opened their doors in 2019 and were forced to close for seven weeks during Covid, but still offered carryout during that time. Brian and Tracie, along with their three children, have made The Front 9 a family-friendly gathering place where everyone is welcome! 

The 9 hole golf course is a beautifully maintained public course that is open everyday at 8am for use. Carts are available, but walking is also accepted if you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery. Course memberships are offered and there are league options as well! If you are on your way to the PGA tour or just learning, you are welcome at The Front 9. With a welcoming environment and staff, picking up your clubs has never been easier to enjoy a round. Looking to play a full 18? Play the course twice!

Maybe you have just finished a round or are just looking for some of the best food you can find in Seneca County and beyond, you can find it at The Front 9! The Front 9 Restaurant offers delicious eats available for dine in or carry out and you can also order online. You can enjoy playing Keno (Multistate Lottery Games), live music, karaoke, trivia and other fun events throughout the week. You can find a list of all upcoming events on their Facebook page, along with lunch and weekly dinner specials like their famous Frog Legs on Thursdays and Perch on Fridays, just to name a few! The bar offers a wide selection of drinks from selections on tap and mixed drinks made special for you. With local selections of wine and beer, along with your classic favorites, and special seasonal drinks, you are sure to find something you like! Looking to just enjoy being outdoors? Get your food and take it to the beautiful patio and enjoy being in the sun while getting your fill! 

Looking to host a shower, birthday celebration, company party, or even a wedding? The Front 9 offers several event spaces to suit your needs. Their indoor event space accommodates up to 150 people. It features a newly renovated open space design with a neutral décor, so you can decorate it to suit your event. Their outdoor shelter space is also available in the summer to accommodate any occasion and features a beautiful view of the golf course. Memories are waiting to be made no matter which space you choose!  

The Front 9 loves their customers and can’t wait to see you walk through the door! You can reach them at 419-558-6463(NINE), keep up to date with their offerings and events on their Facebook page, or visit thefront9.com for more information. The Front 9 is family run and family focused. They treat each of their patrons as more than just customers, but truly as friends. They believe in making you feel welcome and and at home, so pull up a seat or grab a cart. No matter if you’re looking for fairways, food, friendships, or more, you can find it at The Front 9!  

The Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the state of Ohio and offers a weekend full of history, fun, and entertainment for all. Brand new this year, admission to both the Living History Village AND the Downtown Festivities (excluding the  amphitheater entertainment) are FREE! A special thank you to all the Festival Sponsors who have made this year’s event special!

Throughout the Festival Weekend, Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation (SCAT) will be providing free shuttles to the different festival areas. Pickup and dropoff locations will be at the corner of S. Washington Street and Frost Parkway and the corner of E. Perry and Jefferson Street. Shuttles will run every 10 minutes. Looking for a bite to eat? Food trucks of all varieties will be located on Court Street and Jefferson Street all weekend long!  

Check out the full schedule and don’t miss out on a moment! For more information, visit TiffinFestival.com.

Downtown Tiffin

(Starting on Madison Street running to Jefferson Street and Includes Court Street)

Heritage Village

(Located at Rotary Park on Frost Parkway)

The Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival, in partnership with the Tiffin-Seneca United Way and JAM’s Monthly Markets, has announced the launch of the Heritage Festival Putt-Putt Course Contest to take place during festival weekend on September 16, 2023 from 11 AM – 4 PM and September 17, 2023 from 10 AM – 3 PM. The course will be located in the green space areas surrounding Calvert High School. Money raised from the courses being played will go directly back to the Tiffin-Seneca United Way into the general campaign fund.

The Putt-Putt course existed many years ago during previous Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festivals and the committee decided it was time to bring it back for the festival and for a good cause. The 9-hole course has been split into three sections, 3 holes per section, that will be given to local student groups to decorate, clean up, and used to recruit players during the festival weekend. Groups participating include the Tiffin Columbian Key Club, Hopewell-Loudon FFA, and New Riegel FFA. The groups will be competing against one another to see who can raise the most money from their course section. Each course will be $2 to play, please cash only, with putters and balls provided by Mohawk Golf and Country Club. Supporters may play more than one course and may also play a course more than once. First, Second, and Third Place prize packs will be given to the participating groups depending on how they finish at the end of the weekend. Prize packs have been graciously sponsored by Rise FM, MC Insurance, the Seneca County Young Professionals, and JAM’s Monthly Markets.

The Putt-Putt Course Contest adds another level of fun as part of the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival while also giving back to the organizations and youth of the community. The Tiffin-Seneca United Way will officially be kicking off the 2024 Campaign Season on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The Course Contest is meant to jumpstart and raise awareness about the campaign.

Jami Fadley, owner of JAM’s Monthly Markets and Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival Board of Trustees member, states, “When the putt-putt course was discovered in storage from long ago, it was a no brainer that we could use it to give back to the community. With the campaign kicking off for the United Way that same weekend, we are excited to see the success and support the course contest will receive. Having the youth organizations that are working on the course sections able to raise money for their own specific groups is a huge bonus and has really bought them into the project.” All are welcome to play and thank you for your support in advance.

Press release courtesy of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers’ Market.

Last week at the Farmers Market the market staff and BergServe Students conducted a survey. Results showed that over 2⁄3 of shoppers felt that they saved on their grocery bill when shopping at the farmer market.

We are just over half way through the season and we are still providing fresh food weekly. Every week, the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market offers locals and visitors the opportunity to experience the very best local Ohio produce. With a variety of products from local vendors, tasty food trucks, and fun activities for kids, there’s something for everyone here.

Thank you to our sponsor Sutton Bank for allowing the market to happen weekly. We would also like to thank our Harvest sponsor Cuadra Pediatric Dentistry; our Crop Sponsor Madison Street Tavern and Nicole Miller State Farm; and our Sprout Sponsors: Ag Credit, Seneca County Farm Bureau, Mercy Health, and the Seneca County Master Gardeners.

Benefits of shopping at your local farmers market include meeting local farmers and artisans and learning about their products and farming practices, receiving produce picked at the peak of ripeness for maximum flavor and nutrition, discovering new and unusual fruits and
vegetables, and eating with the seasons.

This week shoppers will find beef, pork, produce, baked goods, and more! If you enjoy a good coffee while shopping we have that too! Outpour Coffee is here nearly every Saturday ready to serve you.

This week vendors include: Baked by Bells, Bella Cuisine, Clay Hill Organic, Countryside Acres, FELC, Flo’s Homemade Pies, Friends of the Tiffin Seneca Public Library, Good News Grass and Cattle, Hope’s Landing, Outpour Coffee, Riehm Produce Farm, Rose Leaf Flowers, Sacred Soil Farms, Tiffin Lions Club, and Yesteryear Farms.

About Seneca County Common Ground

Created in 2019, Seneca County Common Ground (SCCG) is a new organization whose mission is to strengthen Seneca County’s local food system through collaboration to improve the health and growth of our community, and a vision of a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable local food system in Seneca County that supports the health of residents, businesses, and institutions. The board of the organization includes Reverend Aaron Gerlach of Old Trinity Episcopal Church, local business owner and chair of the Downtown Retailers Committee Dave Spridgeon, local business leader Dale Depew, TSEP Development Coordinator Adam Gillmor, Director of Franciscan Earth Literacy Center Mimi Lange Johnston and local food vendors Kristy Buskirk of Clay Hill Farms and John Riehm of Riehm Produce Farm, owner of JAM’s Monthly Market, Jami Fadley, and Ryan Poignon, of the Poignon Project. SCCG oversees the operations of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and supports other local food initiatives including the Tiffin Community Kitchen Project. Find out more at sccommonground.org or find Seneca County Common Ground on Facebook.

About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Read more at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program.

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society will host the 21st annual Rail Festival on September 23, 2023, in Fostoria, OH. The Rail Festival will be held at the Fostoria Junior/Senior High School (1001 Park Avenue. Fostoria, OH 44830) and at the Fostoria Elementary Gymnasium from 10am – 4pm.  There will be more than 200 tables that guests can visit during the Rail Festival that will include vendors and displays. The Rail Festival will offer train memorabilia and merchandise for sale, toy trains, a swap meet, model train displays, a photo contest, coloring pages for kids, food, and more. Golf carts will be available to take guests to and from the high school and elementary. 

In addition to vendors and displays, the Lens-Eye View Photo Contest entries will be on display along with  Romick Railway providing free rides (to those who purchase admission to the Rail Festival and children with a wristband) in the parking lot.

Admission to the Rail Festival is $5 for adults and children 10 years of age and younger get in free. Parking is free for both the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Iron Triangle Swap Meet. With your admission fee, you will receive a raffle ticket that is entered in to win a $10 gift certificate that can be used at any of the vendors at the Rail Festival. Winners will be pulled throughout the day and posted.  In previous years, the Fostoria Rail Festival has brought in more than 1,000 people to attend the event.  Of these attendees, they have represented 18 different states, hundreds of cities, and two different countries.     

In addition to attending the Rail Festival, guests can visit the Fostoria Rail Park, which includes the Iron Triangle. The Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park is a 5-acre tract directly inside the three double-track mainline freight rail lines that meander through Fostoria. Open 24/7, this park provides a 360-degree viewing platform that allows one to experience the sights and sounds of the 60-plus trains that pass-through Fostoria daily. At the Iron Triangle, the 1966 B&O Caboose will be open from 11am-1pm on Saturday!

For more information on the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society, visit: www.fostoriairontriangle.com.

The 4th Annual Taste of Downtown Tiffin Returns this Thursday! Make sure to come hungry and we can guarantee you will leave happy! 

The Taste of Downtown Tiffin will take place this 3rd Thursday, August 17th from 5pm to 9pm. Twenty local Tiffin eateries will gather at National Corner, the Public Library parking lot, and Jefferson Street to serve a unique variety of menu samples. Included in this year’s lineup are both familiar establishments like Jolly’s, Reino’s, and The Empire, and new additions to the event such as Wall Street Pub, Happy Days Nutrition, Double D’s, and The Deli Cafe, to mention just a few.

Tiffin’s Mayor, Dawn Iannantuono, is thrilled about the upcoming event and enthusiastically expresses her support, stating, “The Taste of Downtown Tiffin event is a great way to find your favorite flavors within our city! Much like the culinary minds that create these dishes, you’ll find some sweet, some a little salty, and some even a little spicy. There is something for everyone, come join in the fun!”

Tickets for the Taste of Downtown Tiffin are available for purchase at either the event itself or in advance at Pan Yan Bookstore, a pack of 5 tickets for $5 and a pack of 20 tickets for $20. Most items are priced between 1-3 tickets, giving attendees an opportunity to taste different items without committing to a whole meal.

During 3rd Thursday, TMAC – Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission will host the Court Street Market, featuring a display of local artists, makers, and crafters showcasing their handmade products. Adjacent to the Taste of Downtown Tiffin, the Tiffin Park & Recreation Department will present its annual “Band Bash” at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater on the East Green from 7pm to 9pm. This concert will highlight the musical talents of local university and high school marching bands, including Heidelberg University, Tiffin University, Columbian High School, and New Riegel High School.

Third Thursdays are proudly sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships, UIS Insurance & Investments, and Destination Seneca County. 

Press release courtesy of Seneca County Commissioners.

The Seneca County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Seneca County Bicentennial Committee, were thrilled to announce the unveiling of the official Bicentennial logo during Thursday morning’s board session. The logo, featuring an hourglass, symbolizes the theme “standing the test of time,” reflecting the community’s enduring spirit and love for Seneca County.

Seneca County, officially organized on April 1, 1824, is approaching its historic 200th birthday, and the Bicentennial Committee has been diligently planning events to commemorate this significant milestone. Members of the committee, including Seneca County Museum Director Theresa Sullivan and Marisa Stephens from Destination Seneca County, were inspired by the hourglass symbol being used in ads of local businesses in newspapers during the sesquicentennial and decided to incorporate this into the Bicentennial logo.

“We want all of Seneca County to come together to celebrate and promote our community during this momentous occasion,” said Theresa Sullivan, Director of the Seneca County Museum. “The Bicentennial presents an excellent opportunity to collaborate and combine events with people and organizations from across the county.”

The Bicentennial Committee envisions hosting village festivals and events throughout the county as perfect opportunities to celebrate the community’s 200th anniversary. An exciting lineup of events is being planned, including a kickoff event on April 1st, 2024, at the Seneca County Justice Center, featuring distinguished speakers and proclamations from local governments.

To support the celebrations, the commissioners allocated $10,000 in funding Thursday morning. These funds will be used for marketing, supplies and events. Additionally, a special fund will be created to assist villages, townships, businesses and other organizations in making their events Bicentennial themed. Those interested in applying for funding can find more information through the application available at Destination Seneca County.

“We encourage all our citizens to join in and add a Bicentennial flair to their traditional events next year,” said Marisa Stephens of Destination Seneca County. “We want to create a sense of community for everyone and celebrate our shared history.”

A driving tour is also being organized, showcasing historically significant sites across the county. Dr. Roy Zinn, a member of the Bicentennial Committee, revealed details of the “Historic Secrets of Seneca County Driving Tour,” allowing community members to visit sites in each of the county’s 15 townships and learn more about the county’s rich history.

Additionally, the Tiffin Community Foundation plans to offer grant funding opportunities to community organizations and local governments seeking support for their Bicentennial-themed events.

In addition to the county’s Bicentennial celebrations, Destination Seneca County officials are preparing for the rare total solar eclipse that will grace the region on April 8th, 2024. Seneca County will be in the path of totality, with the centerline passing directly over Bloomville. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. This once-in-a-lifetime event presents a unique and spectacular opportunity for residents and visitors alike to witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon.

For more information about the Seneca County Bicentennial and the exciting events planned for 2024, please visit:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenecaCounty200
Website: https://DestinationSenecaCounty.org/SenecaCounty200

“Join us as we come together to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Seneca County during the Bicentennial,” said Commissioner Tyler Shuff.

The Attica Independent Fair is one of only seven independent fairs in Ohio and is among the best! This year, The Attica Fair will be held August 8-12, 2023. The Attica Fair offers a variety of attractions including antique tractors, tractor pull, horse races, a cheerleading contest, live music, a beer garden, 4-H judging, the royalty contest, and several other awesome events. While visiting, you can also enjoy the excellent food stands and free inflatables for kids, and most grandstand entertainment is included in the admission price! 

Some fair week features include…

• Attica Fair Royalty Competition: Tuesday, August 8th
• Cheerleading Competition: Tuesday, August 8th
• Pig Scramble: Thursday, August 10th
• Wiener Dog Races: Thursday, August 10th
• Off-Road Truck Show: Friday, August 11th
• OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pulls: Saturday, August 12th
• Beer Garden Entertainment: Every night featuring Sam Stephenson & Steve Baxter, The Yankin’ Covers, Gopher Baroque, Jessica Hannan Band, and Hunter Hoop
• Kids Corn Pit: A tent with a kids’ play area filled with shelled corn and toys to play with! 

SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HERE!

The Attica Independent Fair is hosted at the Attica Fairgrounds at 15127 E Twp Rd 12 Attica, OH 44807. The Fairgrounds are maintained by the Fair Board and are home to the Attica Raceway Park, another great destination here in Seneca County. Many individuals, local organizations, and businesses volunteer their time, talents, and treasure to support the Attica Fair! A special thank you to this year’s fair week sponsor Simplot and to the fair day sponsors, which include: Attica Lumber, St. Francis Senior Ministries, Mercy Health, North Central Electric Cooperative, Sutton Bank, OSS Solid Waste District, J&F Construction and Development, and AgCredit. 

There is lots to see, do, and enjoy, so stop on out to the Attica Independent Fair! 

The Attica Independent Fair is one of only seven independent fairs in Ohio and is among the best! This year, The Attica Fair will be held August 8-12, 2023. The Attica Fair offers a variety of attractions including antique tractors, tractor pull, horse races, a cheerleading contest, live music, a beer garden, 4-H judging, the royalty contest, and several other awesome events. While visiting, you can also enjoy the excellent food stands and free inflatables for kids, and most grandstand entertainment is included in the admission price! 

Some fair week features include…

• Attica Fair Royalty Competition: Tuesday, August 8th
• Cheerleading Competition: Tuesday, August 8th
• Pig Scramble: Thursday, August 10th
• Wiener Dog Races: Thursday, August 10th
• Off-Road Truck Show: Friday, August 11th
• OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pulls: Saturday, August 12th
• Beer Garden Entertainment: Every night featuring Sam Stephenson & Steve Baxter, The Yankin’ Covers, Gopher Baroque, Jessica Hannan Band, and Hunter Hoop
• Kids Corn Pit: A tent with a kids’ play area filled with shelled corn and toys to play with! 

SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HERE!

The Attica Independent Fair is hosted at the Attica Fairgrounds at 15127 E Twp Rd 12 Attica, OH 44807. The Fairgrounds are maintained by the Fair Board and are home to the Attica Raceway Park, another great destination here in Seneca County. Many individuals, local organizations, and businesses volunteer their time, talents, and treasure to support the Attica Fair! A special thank you to this year’s fair week sponsor Simplot and to the fair day sponsors, which include: Attica Lumber, St. Francis Senior Ministries, Mercy Health, North Central Electric Cooperative, Sutton Bank, OSS Solid Waste District, J&F Construction and Development, and AgCredit. 

There is lots to see, do, and enjoy, so stop on out to the Attica Independent Fair! 

Seneca County’s newest mural has bloomed! This beautiful work is located at Wolf Creek Shopping Plaza, 2451 West Market Street in Tiffin, on the end of the building on the outside wall of the Edward Jones- Chris Lee office space. Wolf Creek Shopping Plaza is home to many local businesses including Jeffrey Jewelry, Threads, Rose Leaf Flowers, Neumeister’s Candy Shoppe, Tangles Salon, and many more! While these local businesses bring Seneca County residents and visitors to their storefronts, this new mural will add another reason for everyone to make their way to Wolf Creek and to Seneca County. From photo sessions to the perfect Instagrammable background for any occasion to just taking in its beauty, we are so happy to have the arts alive and well in our community with this new piece. What makes this even more special is that the mural was done by the hands of Tiffin’s very own Claudia Riedy. It is through passion, collaboration, and determination that projects like this one can come to fruition! 

Please enjoy the official artist statement from Claudia: 

“Let me start by saying this is a dream come true for a lot of reasons. The short version is that I love public art and I love our community, and I was thrilled for an opportunity to work with a local business to create something that years ago I would have not had the confidence to do (really, I was actually asked a few years back and I declined for that very reason). Some people may not see the value of having some giant flowers painted on the side of a building, but I want to share why I think it is important.

We live in an uncomfortably fast paced world. I can personally attest that I am always in a rush, always anticipating what’s next, and rarely living in the moment. I think a staggering amount of people live in that state too. In regard to my experience working on this project, I cannot think of a more cliche saying to reference than “stop and smell the roses”, but that is truly what I witnessed countless people doing over these past few weeks. I’m unsure of all of the different reasons that brought people around the corner of the building each day, but as I’ve painted, I’ve watched so many unassuming people stop whatever they were doing, even for just a brief moment, to appreciate art. Some people have simply stopped and smiled, some people have rolled down their windows to chat and take photos. I’ve had people share thoughts about their own artistic interests, or about great art they’ve seen in other communities, and I’ve even have had several people tell me how something in my artwork reminded them of a loved one who passed. I’ve had people from out of town stop their travels to get a picture, even though they will never actually see it finished, while I’ve had other people make it a regular stop during their week to see the progress. People of different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and beliefs, all pausing whatever they were doing to appreciate art with a total stranger (which half the time turned into a realization that we actually knew of one another because that’s how small towns are). Art has an immeasurable power to make us pause, reflect, and connect. We often take it for granted. 

I’ve been drawn to art for my whole life, but when I started to seriously consider it as more than a hobby, I recall people constantly asking where I planned to go to pursue this passion, as if the immediate assumption was that I had to leave Tiffin to feel successful or supported as an artist. I really never felt compelled to leave – why would I go somewhere else when there is need right here? There is something indescribably special about changing the landscape of something you have known your whole life, whether it be a physical change like painting an otherwise ordinary wall, or something potentially even more profound, like cultivating relationships, sharing visions, and seeing them actually come to fruition with other members of the community. Yes, I know that the world outside of our small town has so much to offer and see, but I can’t help but feel excited about all of the ways the world outside can inspire opportunities here too.

I am passionate about the arts. But passion isn’t limited to just artistic endeavors. Our town is full of people who are passionate about all sorts of things. This building itself is home to many people who are so passionate about something, that they pursued it and turned it into a small business. And the best thing they have in common is that they too, decided to stay and share that passion here with us. When you come around the corner in the future, I invite you not only to stop and smell the roses – get out of your car, check out the artwork, have a whole photoshoot – but, also stop and support the local businesses here who have just as much beauty to share with you.” 

Thank you to Claudia for sharing her talents and to everyone who made this project possible. Go check out these beautiful blooms today! 

In Case You Missed It…

Santa’s sleigh landed in downtown Tiffin last night for a wonderful Christmas in July – Third Thursday! While the weather caused some adjustments to be made, it was still a night full of local shopping, great food, fun festivities, and a lot of holiday cheer! Thank you to everyone who participated and supported to make this brand new Third Thursday possible and a success.

Now that everyone is on the nice list, make sure you save the date for next month’s Taste of Downtown Tiffin – Third Thursday. Come hungry and leave happy!

Downtown Tiffin is gearing up for an evening of holiday cheer with its highly anticipated Third Thursday Christmas in July event. Set to take place on July 20th from 5-8pm, this festive extravaganza promises an array of exciting activities and entertainment for all ages.

Lot 7 will host Santa’s Heroic Helpers “Touch-a-Truck” event featuring the Tiffin City police, fire, and rescue vehicles, allowing families to get up close and personal with the courageous heroes who protect their community. As an extra treat, rumor has it that Buddy the Elf may make a special appearance. This lot will also feature holiday music perfect for singing along and dancing!

Located in front of Calvert Catholic Schools, kids will delight in the North Pole obstacle course bouncy house, generously donated by Tiffin Inflatables. Just across the street, JAMs Monthly Markets will be hosting their Christmas in July Market, offering an opportunity to browse and purchase unique holiday-themed items. The RTA Lot will be transformed into a food lover’s paradise, with a variety of food trucks including JT’s Bagel Buggy, Tijuana Tacos, Double D’s Food Cart, and Dough My Gosh and will serve as the Community Lot for the Christmas In July event where local businesses and organizations will be set up.

Meanwhile, local merchants throughout Downtown Tiffin will be in the holiday spirit, offering Christmas in July sales, exclusive discounts and specials. Summer Santa will also be making his way up and down the streets so you can get your lists in extra early this year! The Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission (TMAC) will host its first Court Street Market of the summer to provide a haven for art enthusiasts, showcasing the talents of local artists, makers, and crafters. Attendees will have the chance to explore a diverse range of handmade products, from stunning artworks to intricately crafted crafts. To cap off this festive evening, the Thursday Night Tunes concert series will be hosting The Eric Sowers Band at the East Green Frost-Kalnow Amphitheatre starting at 7:00 p.m.

Third Thursdays in Downtown Tiffin are made possible with the generous support of event sponsors Reineke Family Dealerships, Destination Seneca County, and UIS Insurance and Investments. Free street parking will be available in addition to City Lots 1-6.

The National Depression Glass Association, Inc. has announced that they will be hosting the 48^th Annual Glass Show & Sale Convention in Tiffin on Saturday, July 13 from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, July 14 from 11 AM to 4 PM in 2024.

The show returns to Tiffin for the first time since 2016 and will take place at the Tiffin Middle School, 103 Shepherd Drive. Nationally known glass dealers will be set up for this popular glass show that attracts collectors from all over the United States. In addition to the show and sale, the organization is to hold a silent auction and live auction, along with glass identification, educational seminars and displays, and hourly door prize drawings. Additional seminars are to be announced closer to the show. Admission is $10 and is good for the entire weekend.

The show is in a handicapped accessible facility with free parking. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Tiffin Glass Museum & Shoppe, 25 – 27 South Washington Street, where over a thousand pieces of glassware and memorabilia items from the old factory are displayed. The retail shop offers Tiffin glass and other fine glassware for sale. Extended hours will be observed during the weekend.

About the National Depress Glass Association Inc.

The National Depression glass Association, founded in 1974, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of all American-made glassware, and the history of the companies who manufactured it, with emphasis on that manufactured in the three decades centered on the “Great Depression”, providing a forum for members to exchange ideas and information on topics related to American-made glassware, the dissemination of educational information regarding the glassware and its manufacture, and the history of the companies who manufactured the glass, and promoting interest, with emphasis on the younger populace, in the preservation and history of American glassware.

Celebrate the 4th of July weekend at Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market! Explore our handmade and homegrown selection of produce, flowers, baked goods, and more. Plus, enjoy our special 4th of July themed crafts and activities.

When preparing your Fourth of July menu ensure you come to the Farmers Market to get your burgers, lettuce, tomatoes, and other fresh produce to make your burgers! You will also be able to pick up your fourth of July themed baked goods including festive cookies!

Kids will have the opportunity to create festive gnomes and owl crafts and partake in festive games including a sack race and bean bag toss. Prizes for the week will include festive headbands, glasses and stick on tattoos. 

While the kids are entertained with activities, stock up on healthy greens, crisp carrots, and root veggies, straight from our local farms. Enhance the aroma and flavors of your food with the freshest herbs, from basil to mint. While enjoying fresh foods also enjoy our freshly baked breads and rolls. Satisfy your sweet tooth with our freshly baked cookies and pastries, made with love and the finest ingredients.The market will also give you the opportunity to bring some greenery into your home with our locally grown potted plants – perfect for any space.

None of these activities would be possible without our sponsors including: Sutton Bank, who  allows the market to happen weekly. We would also like to thank our Harvest sponsor Cuadra Pediatric Dentistry; Crop Sponsors: Madison Street Tavern and Nichole Miller State Farm Insurance; and Sprout Sponsors: Ag Credit, Seneca County Farm Bureau, Mercy Health, and the Seneca County Master Gardeners. Without their support token distribution would not be possible.

Fresh produce is chock-full of nutrients that can help you maintain a healthy diet. And with local produce, you can be sure you’re getting the freshest, most nutritious food around.

This week vendors include: Baked by Bells, Bella Cuisine, Clay Hill Organic, Creative Pottery, FELC, Hope’s Landing, Juno the Doodle Dog Treat, Kiwanis Club,  Nagle Family Beef, Outpour Coffee, Riehm Produce Farm, Roseleaf Flowers, Sacred Soil Farms, The Tiffin Lions Club, and Whiskey Creek Woodworking.

Destination Seneca County has announced that the Heritage Festival Parade, sponsored by Brian Bower – loanDepot, will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10 AM in downtown Tiffin. The parade will take place during Heritage Festival weekend that kicks off Friday, September 15 and runs through Sunday, September 17. The theme of this year’s parade is, “Honoring Yesterday’s Pioneers, Celebrating Today’s Heroes”, with Connor Whaley serving as the Grand Marshall of the parade.

In February of 2021, at the age of three, Connor was going to multiple doctor visits for seemingly unrelated issues. He didn’t want to eat, had trouble sleeping and was very irritable. He had intermittent fevers as high as 104.5 degrees, yet all his tests would come back negative. His parents were stumped, but after three weeks of symptoms, on March 12, they requested bloodwork. They were told multiple times it wasn’t necessary, but they kept pushing, and it was good they did. Within a half hour of bloodwork, they were told to pack a bag and get to Nationwide Hospital as soon as possible. Bloodwork, plus a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed their son, Connor, had B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

In May 2023, Connor rang the bell after nearly 800 days of intensive treatment. At this year’s parade Destination Seneca County will honor Connor and the thousands of children and families that are impacted across the country as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Children and families that have been impacted by Childhood Cancer are asked to sign up to walk along Connor in the parade at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org/Parade.

The Heritage Festival Parade route will begin on South Washington Street at St. Joseph Catholic Church and go through the intersection at Riverside Drive. The parade will begin promptly at 10 am. All are welcome to participate in the parade and can register at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org/Parade. Parade participants are asked to be registered no later than September 8, 2023. 

The Ritz Theatre Presents The 2023-2024 Season!

The Ritz Theatre is proud to announce another outstanding season of events for 2023-2024 consisting of music, comedy, community theatre, family entertainment and movies. The season includes celebrated artists such as Amy Grant, Kenny G, Clint Black, Micky Dolenz and Foghat and so much more. Subscriptions for all events on The Ritz Theatre’s 2023-2024 season go on sale beginning July 10 and individual event ticket sales begin August 7. For ticket and subscription information contact The Ritz Theatre Box Office at 30 S. Washington St., downtown Tiffin, 419-448.8544 or info@ritztheatre.org. Information is also available online at ritztheatre.org.

Micky Dolenz

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 7:30pm  – Micky Dolenz IS the voice of The Monkees. The unmistakable performer that moved a generation and led this pop culture phenomena to a dozen Top 20 singles, four #1 albums and two Emmy Awards. Having entertained audiences his entire life, Micky brings a one-of-a-kind presence to the stage, drawing on his background in television, film broadcasting and Broadway. The Monkees had three #1 singles, “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer” (both with lead vocals by Micky) and “Daydream Believer.”

Amy Grant

Friday, October 20, 2023 | 7:30pm – Conventional wisdom has it that Amy Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit #1 on the Pop charts (“Baby, Baby”), and the first to perform at the GRAMMY Awards. Since then, Grant has been strumming her way through a thirty-plus year adventure as a singer-songwriter, author, television host, and speaker. Early on, Grant’s iconic voice became instantly recognizable in both the Christian and pop worlds. Over the years, she has sold more than 30 million albums world-wide, including three multi-platinum, six platinum, and four gold. Her chart performance has also been consistent throughout her career, boasting six #1 hits, 10 “Top 40” Pop singles, 17 “Top 40” Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In recognition of such success, Grant has received six GRAMMY Awards and 26 Dove Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. Additionally, she was most recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

RaeLynn

Saturday, October 28, 2023 | 7:30pm – Two-time ACM “New Female Vocalist” nominee RaeLynn continues to carve her unique lane in country music with her gift for storytelling through songwriting, accented by a one-of-a-kind, electric personality. Her most recent 2023 release “It’s Happening Right Here” is the human trafficking awareness featured title track from the Original Documentary by Operation Underground Railroad. She released multiple new songs in 2022 including “I Love My Hometown,” “If God Took Days Off” and “Raisin’ Me A Country Girl,” amassing over one billion total career streams which includes “God Made Girls,” “Lonely Call” and “Queens Don’t.”  

 

 

Clint Black

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 7:30pm – It is one of the most storied careers in modern music. Clint Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of ’89, reaching #1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, Killin’ Time. He followed that with the triple-platinum Put Yourself in My Shoes, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the ’90s. Perhaps most impressively, Clint wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including “A Better Man,” “Where Are You Now,” “When My Ship Comes In,” “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain” and “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” part of a catalog that produced 22 #1 singles and made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era. Along the way, Clint has sold over 20 million records, earned more than a dozen gold and platinum awards in the U.S. and Canada including a GRAMMY, landed nearly two dozen major awards and nominations, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

The Hit Men | The Ultimate Rock Concert

Saturday, November 4, 2023 | 7:30pm – Relive Rock’s greatest hits with The Hit Men – five fantastic musicians who have shared the stage with legendary artists, including members of Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Wings, Alan Parsons, Billy Joel, Sting, Elton John, Journey, The Who and Cream.   In this Ultimate Rock Concert, The Hit Men celebrate their associations with these mega-stars, share their first-hand experiences as eyewitnesses to rock history, and perform classic hits you know and love…  “Layla”, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “I Want To Know What Love Is”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Eye in the Sky” and many more… just the way you remember them!

With backstage stories, multi-media and top of the charts classic rock hits from so many different rock legends, a performance by The Hit Men is like seeing 10 Rock Legends for the price of one!  Come hear the soundtrack of your life.  Come see The Hit Men.

 

Kenny G

Friday, December 15, 2023 – Over a career that spans four decades, Kenny G has become the most successful instrumental artist of the modern age and has racked up an enviable list of accomplishments that includes more than 75 million albums sold and more than 1.5 Billion global streams, seven Top 40-charting singles, 17 GRAMMY nominations, and collaborations with a remarkable array of artists including Aretha Franklin, Katy Perry, Frank Sinatra, Kanye West, and The Weeknd. The show features a mix of holiday hits and fan favorites infused with Kenny G’s captivating and distinctive blend of R&B, pop, Latin, and jazz. Hit songs include “Songbird,” Silhouette” and “The Moment.”

Nobodies of Comedy

Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 7:30pm – You’ve never heard of them. But hey, they’ve never heard of you either! Here’s your chance to see the funniest up-and-coming comedians in America. We’ve hand-picked these comics from the best unknown talent from across the country and rolled them into one hilarious show. They may be a bunch of nobodies. But not for long! Don’t miss this chance to see tomorrow’s stars of comedy today. (Intended for mature audiences only)

 

Chicago Transit | The Best of Chicago

Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 7:30pm – There are a lot of bands doing a tribute to the band Chicago, but back in the early ‘90s, when Powerhouse decided to put together their Chicago Transit tribute act, they were the first in the world to do so.  And they remain today as the longest running Chicago tribute band and the only one to carry four lead vocalists, just as the band Chicago does. The band, with its 3 piece horn section, five piece rhythm section and four lead vocalists is able to cover all the Chicago material from the early horn-dominant classics like ‘Make Me Smile’, ’25 or 6 to 4’ and ‘Saturday in the Park’ to the later, softer, keyboard-oriented ballads like ‘If You Leave Me Now’.

 

Here Comes the Mummies

Friday, March 22, 2024 | 7:30 PM – Back by popular demand, Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5,000 year-old Egyptian Mummies with a one-track mind. Their “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave” is sure to get you into them (and possibly vice versa). Since their discovery, HCTM has opened for P-Funk, Al Green, and Cheap Trick; rocked Super Bowl Village; become a regular on The Bob and Tom Show; been invited to play Summer Camp Music Fest, Common Ground, Voodoo Fest, Musikfest, Summerfest and Riverbend; and sold tickets by the thousands across large swaths of North America. Some say they were cursed after deflowering a great Pharaoh’s daughter. Others claim they are reincarnated Grammy-Winning studio musicians. Regardless, HCTM’s mysterious personas, cunning song-craft and unrelenting live show will bend your brain and melt your face (Intended for mature audiences only).

The Four Freshmen

Friday, April 12, 2024 | 7:30 PM – One of America’s oldest active vocal groups have been bringing a jazz sensibility to the classic American songbook in their own special way for 75 years. With a tight four-part vocal blend, sort-of-like barbershop, by harmonically similar to jazz, The Four Freshmen deliver a fresh take on every tune from swinin’ up-tempo arrangements that make a quartet feel like a big band to dreamy crooner-style ballads. The Freshmen sound, both classic and sophisticated, yet young and hip, is equally adept at winding back the clock for older audience members as it is at entrancing younger members with its energetic and authentic blast from the past style. Hits include “Graduation Day,” Day by Day” and “It’s a Blue World.”

 

Foghat

Saturday, April 20, 2024  | 7:30 PM – Foghat live performances show why the band is still around and why they will be able to keep on rockin’ as long as they want to play! Their music is timeless, and touring is part of their DNA. Foghat’s live show is as intense as ever with the incredible energy and musicianship that one would expect and hope for from a seasoned band with such a long musical history and they are bringing their fans along for the ride. Foghat fans are everywhere and their audience consists of all ages. From the young who play Guitar Hero III and know all the lyrics to “Slow Ride,” to the Dazed and Confused generation of 30-40 somethings and the ‘boomers’ who bought Foghat’s first vinyl or 8-track. Looking out at the audience and seeing all generations rockin’ to Foghat is very gratifying to the band. Other hits include “Fool for the City” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You.”

 

Toledo Symphony Brass Quintet

Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM – The Toledo Symphony Brass Quintet creates the perfect ceremonial sound: two trumpets, a French horn, trombone, and tuba. Together, they ensure a commanding performance from Sousa to Purcell’s Trumpet Tune.

 

 

 

 

Friday Night Live

October 13, November 10, December 22 – 2023 | January 26, February 9, March 8, April 19, May 3 – 2024: Fridays at 7:30 PM – Looking for something to do on a Friday night? The National Theatre at The Ritz will host an eclectic selection of artists in an unplugged performance environment. Each Friday Night Live will feature two or three regional entertainers that may include a folk singer, a jazz musician, an aspiring singer/songwriter or some other style of artist who is passionate about the opportunity to showcase their talents. Join us for a glass of wine in this casual, intimate setting. These events will take plane in The National Theatre.

 

 

Monday Night at the Movies

Before television, movie complexes and the internet – there were movie theatres. Grand movie palaces were built with great excess including elaborate interior design, conditioned air and the incredible ambiance that became an important part of the movie-going experience. Built in 1928 to capture the huge demand for “talkies,” The Ritz Theatre became “the” place to see movies in Tiffin. Take a Monday evening to enjoy a nostalgic journey down memory lane with the movies that played an integral role in the history of The Ritz.

October 16, 2023 – North by Northwest (1959)

November 20, 2023 – To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

December 18, 2023 – Bells of Saint Mary’s (1945)

January 22, 2024- The Maltese Falcon (1941)

February 19, 2024 – Philadelphia Story (1940)

March 18, 2024 – On the Waterfront (1954)

April 15, 2024 – Gaslight (1944)

May 13, 2024 – A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

The sounds of Summer come alive in downtown Tiffin this Thursday during Fête de la Musique – Third Thursday!

Originated in France, Fête de la Musique (also known as “Music Day”) is a celebration of music where people take to the streets to perform live music. Community members and their families are encouraged to walk around downtown Tiffin and enjoy the music while shopping and supporting our local retailers and eateries. Fête de la Musique will showcase a diverse range of musical styles, from classic rock, country, and pop, to acoustic folk, indie, barbershop, blues, reggae, jazz, beatbox, R&B, and more. Music lovers of all tastes are sure to find something that resonates with them as they stroll through the streets of Downtown Tiffin.

Get fired up for freedom in Seneca County! Celebrate Independence Day with fun events, booming entertainment, and activities for all ages across the county.v

 Tiffin, OH | July 4

The City of Tiffin is proud to announce its annual 4th of July Celebration will take place Thursday, July 4th at Hedges-Boyer Park, 491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883. Many activities are planned for the day, including the third annual Cruisin’ Thru the Years car show sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships, inflatables, food trucks, fireworks and more.

Fostoria, OH | July 6

6 pm – Sign ups for talent show start at amphitheatre in Foundation Park, 1225 South Union Street with two divisions, 5-17 and 18+

7 pm – Sign for talent show close

7:30 pm – Start of talent show

Dusk – Fireworks display

Green Springs, OH | July 6

The Village of Green Springs event hosted by the Fire Department and sponsored by Kenneth Myers Construction Co., Inc. will take place at 120 Catherine Street in Green Springs.

 *Know of other events happening the county that we may have missed?  Please contact Marisa Stephens at 567-220-6387. *

The Fostoria Area Historical Society and the St. Wendelin Parish are partnering for a third straight year to host Heritage Day featuring the St. Wendelin Mini-Fest in downtown Fostoria on July 29.

The Fostoria Area Historical Society will be hosting their free car show with classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a DJ, and a antique show from 11 AM to 3 PM on Main Street. The Governor’s Choice, Audience Vote, Longest Distance, Oldest Ride, and Best Modern (after 1998) will awarded to participants. Participants can register online here or they can download a paper registration form off here. The registration fee is $10 and goes back to supporting the mission of the Fostoria Area Historical Society.  The society will also be hosting free museum tours throughout the event. 

The St. Wendelin Parish will be hosting their Mini-Fest from 11 AM to 11 PM and serving their famous bratwurst  and beer, along with other food vendors. They will have kids activities, free bouncy houses, a $3,000 grand raffle, and live music from 7 to 11 PM by SugarCreek. Tickets for the grand raffle are $1 each, $5 for 6 or $10 for 14 and be purchased at the St. Wendelin Parish office.

For more information, please visit www.Stwendelin.org/heritage.

The Tiffin Juneteenth Committee welcomes area residents and visitors of all ages to participate in the Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration, June 17th – June 19th, 2023; this year’s theme is, “Community.”

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. 

Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

The Juneteenth Celebration in Seneca County will be a weekend of fun, informative, and entertaining events. See the full schedule below!  

Community 5K Walk/Run

• Saturday, June 17 at 9:00am
• 141 Madison St., Tiffin
• $20 registration fee

Musical Celebration

• Saturday, June 17 at 7:00pm
• East Green Amphitheatre, Tiffin
• Free and open to the public

 Worship Service and Hymnal Walk

• Guest Speaker: Pastor Kristopher Johnson
• Sunday, June 18 at 10:00am
• East Green Amphitheatre, Tiffin
• Free and open to the public

 Fish Fry – Community Meal

• Monday, June 19 at 6pm
• 45 S. Washington St., Tiffin
• Free and open to the public

In addition to the in-person events, the Tiffin Juneteenth Committee is currently accepting artistic and written submissions for the Juneteenth Art & Essay Contest. The Art & Essay contest is currently open for participants PreK thru adult.  For more information about the Art & Essay Contest, email: Kharper@heidelberg.edu

Come celebrate Juneteenth and embrace the theme of COMMUNITY through these amazing planned events! 

Press Release Courtesy of the Seneca County Museum and the Seneca County Commissioners–

The Seneca County Museum is pleased to announce a special program honoring the remarkable achievements of Marion Cramer, a Tiffin native and Calvert High School graduate, who played a crucial role in World War II Naval Intelligence and Cryptology. The event will occur on Sunday, June 11th, at 3:00 pm, at the Seneca County Museum at 28 Clay St.

A patriotic individual, Marion Cramer answered the call to duty after the Japanese’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Serving in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946, Cramer’s dedication and service were shrouded in secrecy. Even his wife, Agnes, and their children, Ann and Mark, were unaware of the nature of his contributions during the war. After Marion Cramer’s passing, his family discovered the truth about his extraordinary service as a cryptologic officer in Washington, D.C., and Pearl Harbor, HI. His mission involved breaking Japanese encoded messages as part of an ultra-secret assignment. The significance of his work in Communications Intelligence during World War II cannot be understated.

To shed light on Marion Cramer’s remarkable story, the Seneca County Museum has invited Master Chief Intelligence Specialist Andrew T. Jones, a retired member of the US Navy and a dedicated museum volunteer, to present a captivating account of Cramer’s service and the efforts in World War II Communications Intelligence. “Master Chief Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight, making this event an opportunity not to be missed,” said Museum Director Theresa Sullivan. Join us on Sunday, June 11th, at 3:00 pm at the Seneca County Museum for an afternoon filled with history, admiration and the celebration of a local hero. The event is open to the public, and all community members are invited to attend. This is a unique chance to honor the memory of Marion Cramer and gain a deeper understanding of the invaluable contributions made by individuals like him during World War II.

For further information about this event, please contact the Seneca County Museum, at (419) 447-5955.

Destination Seneca County and the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced the launch date of their Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail for June 17, 2023. The trail allows residents and visitors to explore Seneca County one slice at a time by supporting six different pizza eateries to redeem a Slice of Seneca County t-shirt or locating 19 pizza-related geocaches to receive a limited-edition and trackable two-piece geocaching coin. Participants can choose to complete each individual portion of the trail or both together.

Destination Seneca County has again partnered with Geocachers Anonymous, a group of geocaching enthusiasts in Northwest Ohio, to launch the Slice of Seneca County Geocaching Trail. In September of 2021, Destination Seneca County launched the first geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio that saw more than 200 geocachers travel more than 20,000 miles to complete it.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers.

Participating locations include Smitty’s Pizza and VC Attica Cameo in Attica, Sauber’s Stumble Inn in Bascom, Domino’s Pizza, Fostoria Pizza Palace, Marco’s Pizza, and Red’s Pizza in Fostoria, Big C’s Smokehouse & Pizza in Green Springs, Left Field in New Riegel, Fat Head’s Family Restaurant in Republic, and Domino’s Pizza, Fort Ball Pizza Palace North and South, Heavenly Pizza, Jac & Do’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza, Napoli Pizza, Reino’s Pizza & Pasta, and VC Tiffin Cameo in Tiffin.

Passports can be downloaded online and printed out by visiting www.SenecaPizzaTrail.com, or be picked up at the front desk of Hampton Inn of Tiffin starting on June 17, 2023. All passports of the Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail must be turned in at the Hampton Inn of Tiffin to redeem the geocaching coin and/or t-shirt. Once completed and turned into the Hampton Inn of Tiffin, participants will receive 25% off a room stay that night (contingent on room availability).

Looking to elevate not only your golf game but also the overall experience? Then look no further! Mohawk Golf & Country Club is the premier 18-hole golf course and only private country club in the Tiffin area. Throughout its 100-year history, Mohawk has changed with the times to provide the best experience possible, but has stuck to its roots and remained constant in their commitment to providing its membership with a quality golf course, quality dining options, and excellent amenities in a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere. Mohawk Golf & Country Club is home to PGA Professional, Stewart O’Malley, who is well versed in all things golf from course management to all aspects of the game.  

Mohawk Golf & Country Club is a spectacular Donald Ross-designed golf course which gives the golfer a feeling that is not found anywhere else near Tiffin. The 18-hole course can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers and the beautiful landscape of the course provides the perfect place to step away from the hustle of everyday life for a while and focus on yourself, allowing you to relax, take in the sights, and fuel your passion for golf while improving your game. You will be able to test your skills with their fast and smooth greens, pristine fairways, various water hazards, and strategically placed sand traps. They are proud to be the home golf course for both Tiffin University and Heidelberg University and are the gracious hosts of many outings and events throughout the year.

They not only have their top-notch course, but the 18-holes are accompanied by next level amenities and facilities. Inside the clubhouse, you will find renovated and modern locker rooms for both men and women, the 19th Hole which is a great place to grab a beverage before or after your round, and the Pro Shop. The Pro Shop is open to the public, not just members, which provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone in the community to have access to the best gear, apparel, and accessories at terrific prices.

Brands that the Pro Shop is excited to carry include, but is not limited to, Bad Birdie, Adidas, TravisMatthew, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland Golf, Foot Joy, and many more! These brands are the hottest on the market and provide not only functional fashion for any golfer, but also comfort and style on and off the course. The best thing about the Pro Shop is that it allows anyone the ability to go in and try on the different styles and sizes that are available. If you are looking for a size, style, color, or item that is not currently carried in the Pro Shop, the Mohawk team will order it for you right to the shop! From apparel, clubs, balls, bags, and more, the Pro Shop is your destination for anything you might need and will take your game to the next level. You know what they say, look good, feel good, play good. 

Mohawk Golf & Country Club features several membership and golf lesson packages to best suit any need and budget. Their eager and knowledgeable team would love to give you a tour of the facility and are available for any questions or concerns you may have. For more information, visit mohawkgolf.com or call the Pro Shop at 419-447-5951. Mohawk Golf & Country Club is located at 4399 South State Route 231 in Tiffin and is passionate about upholding their most important principle and goal; ensuring YOU have the best day of golf possible! 

Ready for an un-fore-gettable experience? Check out Mohawk Golf & Country Club today! 

Last summer at the Ohio GeoClash & Festival in Trumbull County, Seneca County was announced as the 2023 host for this exciting event! The Ohio GeoClash & Festival is an annual event put on by the Ohio Geocaching Association in partnership with local communities throughout the state. The Ohio Geocaching Association is a non-profit member-led organization created for the sole purpose of promoting the game of geocaching within the State of Ohio and beyond. Their mission is to enrich the experiences of all geocachers by creating unique geocaching opportunities, events, trails and tours, and activities. They accomplish this by leveraging their core values of making the game of geocaching accessible to everyone, and promoting positive land stewardship throughout the state.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers. Seneca County was put on the geocaching map when the first ever geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio was launched. The Seneca County Geo Trail received more than 200 completes and had more than 20,000 miles traveled by cachers to participate in the fun. Destination Seneca County and the whole community is so excited to have cachers in town to explore everything there is to do while finding the geocaches all throughout the county! 

Historically, the Ohio Geoclash & Festival draws in more than 500 geocachers into the host community throughout the week. The 2023 Ohio GeoClash & Festival will be taking place from May 31, 2023-June 4, 2023, with different activities happening each day. 

Please be aware that the increase in geocachers to the area may result in result in more geocachers than normal being spotted around the area finding geocache locations. Although geocaching is a harmless, family-friendly activity, occasionally, this may result in additional concerns of ‘suspicious’ activity from those that may not be familiar with what the geocaching game entails. 

 The full schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | 6pm-10pm: Check in at Carmie’s BBQ & Grill (2460 OH-231, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Founded in 1998, Carmie’s BBQ & Grill follows the tradition of their namesake Carmella Fabrizio, whose love of family, unity, and a life well-lived is their guiding star. In 2015 they added the distinct flavor of smoked BBQ to their menu along with the great burgers, salads, and entrees that they’re known for. Cachers will be able to check in for the event in the hallway where the Ohio Geocaching Association will have a table set up and get their merchandise they purchased. Destination Seneca County will put together welcome bags for those who check in. Carmie’s will be open and available for those who would like to order food and also have a full bar. 

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 9am-11am: Event Kick-Off and Opening Ceremonies at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Learn the rules and how the competition between the different teams works! You will also have the opportunity to hear from local dignitaries, the Ohio Geocaching Association, and Destination Seneca County. Looking for swag and merchandise? You can find it here! There will be tables set up for you to pick up new coins, caches, event merchandise, and more! 

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 10am-5pm: Teams Caching for event throughout Seneca County!

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 6pm-8pm: Evening Gathering at The Barn at Hedges Boyer Park (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

The Barn is a great gathering place for large groups of people. There are picnic tables, a sink, and restroom for cachers. We will have cornhole set up, live music by Mimi Lange Johnston, local musician, and people are welcome to bring in their own food and drink! 

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 9am-11am: Event Check In and Send Off at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 11am-5pm: Teams Caching for event throughout Seneca County! 

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 6pm-8pm: Evening Gathering at Garlo Nature Preserve/Shelter House (6777 South SR 19, Bloomville, OH 44818) 

Garlo Nature Preserve will take cachers to a different part of Seneca County! Garlo offers beautiful views of nature, walking paths, and the shelter house complete with picnic tables, electricity, charcoal grill, and vault restroom. Cachers can bring their own food and drink and we will have lawn games to enjoy! 

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 9am-5pm: The Main Event! at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Everything will be set up all day (DSC table, merch tables, Ohio Geocaching Assoc, etc.) and this will serve as the HQ for the event. During this time, the Tiffin Art Festival will also be taking place at the park. This includes musical entertainment, food vendors, art vendors, and activities for guests. While cachers aren’t caching, it will be a nice opportunity for them to stroll through the Art Festival! 

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 5pm-7pm: Closing Ceremonies at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

After closing ceremonies, cachers are invited to explore Seneca County on their own! Check out the Community Guide to see the best places to eat, shop, and check out! 

Sunday, June 4, 2023 | 9am-11am: CITO Community Clean Up along Rock Creek Trail and Roger Young Fields (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883) 

This is part of Hedges-Boyer Park (it is the path that runs along the river and then baseball fields and greenspace) is enjoyed my residents and guests of Seneca County, especially in the warmer months! Tiffin Parks & Rec will be providing gloves and trash bags to collect trash and then having volunteers help collect sticks that may be blocking the path or be dangerous. 

Registration to join in any of the events throughout the Ohio GeoClash & Festival is not required and all are welcome! Whether you are long time geocacher or someone who doesn’t even have the app downloaded, we invite you to join in and see everything the geocaching community and Seneca County has to offer you. For more information, visit: ohgeo.org.

The East Green Summer Concert Series has selected “The Soul of Ohio” as its 2023 theme.

Six concerts presented every other Saturday evening at the Frost Kalnow Amphitheater in downtown Tiffin are featuring exclusively Ohio artists who are making an impact locally, regionally and nationally. The free concerts begin at 8 p.m.

The East Green Summer Concert Series full season is sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships. The series was organized as a nonprofit organization to promote fine arts, the performing arts and music education while engaging the community as determined by the board of directors. The East Green park is managed in conjunction with Tiffin Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, visit www.eastgreenconcerts.com.

Liquid Crystal Project w/Dre Peace

June 17 ▪ 8 PM

The season kicks off June 17 with the East Green’s first-ever celebration of Juneteenth, the U.S. federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Following a ceremony involving community leaders, the concert will feature the Columbus soul-jazz band Liquid Crystal Project, along with vocalist Dre Peace. Dre Peace is a Dayton native who has toured in 48 states, appeared on Broadway as young Simba in “The Lion King,” and performed for two presidents, according to a news release from the East Green Summer Concert Series. From central Ohio, Liquid Crystal Project is known for a soulful sound that fuses jazz and hip hop, having released four albums and developed a loyal international following during their tours of Europe. Together LCP and Dre Peace will perform a variety of music ranging from classics from the 1970s to modern neo-soul hits.

 

 

Honey & Blue

July 1 ▪ 8 PM

Taking the East Green stage July 1 will be the Columbus band Honey and Blue. The duo performs a blend of pop and soul. Fronted by the singer/songwriter duo of Adam Darling and Stephanie Amber, Honey and Blue has a 10-year history of credits that include Good Morning Columbus, NPR radio, Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival, Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, Ann Arbor Summer Festival: Top Of The Park, Stonewall Pride Festival and Columbus Arts Festival. They’ve opened for Postmodern Jukebox, Bettye Lavette, Aloe Blacc and Charlie Hunter, who also served as producer of their most recent album entitled, “Bloom.”

 

  

Regina Sayles Band

July 15 ▪ 8 PM

The series continues on July 15 with Tiffin native Regina Sayles heading an allstar band in a tribute concert to local musician and Sayles’ first bandmate and co-writer Kyle Beidelschies, who passed away in November at the age of 42. The band will play classic rock, country and modern popular songs, and will feature musicians from around the region along with friends of Beidelscheis.

Sayles is based in eastern Pennsylvania, where she has built a career as a dynamic singer/songwriter and most recently, studio producer. Her sound blends pop, jazz, rock and country, and she performs more than 100 shows each year around the Northeast and Midwest. Sayles has opened for female folk pioneer Tret Fure and folk icon Ani DiFranco, and she played as a featured artist on the 2019 Melissa Etheridge Cruise. Her two recent singles “Better With Your Love” and “Rollin’ in the Hay” have earned her national attention, and she has released two full albums and anticipates an EP release in the coming year.

 

Emmaline

July 29 ▪ 8 PM

Jazz singer and songwriter Emmaline is to be on stage July 29. The release said she is one of the fastest-rising stars in the music industry. At 24 years old, she has grown from a social media star while a student at Cincinnati College and Conservatory of Music to starring in the 2023 Hollywood feature film “Sweetwater,” in which she plays 1950s nightclub singer Jeanne Staples and performs alongside legendary artists Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo, Terri Lyne Carrington and Dianne Reeves.

Now based in Nashville, Emmaline is “a throwback in the best of all possible ways,” having been called the modern-day equivalent to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Blossom Dearie. As a solo musician and leader of her own jazz band, Emmaline has opened on tour for Chaka Khan, collaborated with funk icon Bootsy Collins and headlined clubs nationwide. She was featured in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter and has accumulated more than a half-million followers on social media for her videos and EPs of original music.

 

Jared Mahone

August 12 ▪ 8 PM

Columbus-based singer-songwriter Jared Mahone and his band visit the East Green stage on Aug. 12. Known as the forerunner of the Midwest “garage soul” movement, Mahone transformed hometown open mic night into a career as a nationally touring independent musician. His songs and storytelling create a sense of intimacy and meaning. His upbringing in a touring family band fed his musical appetite with the writing of Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Sting, and resulted in his own brand of original pop art. Mahone was recognized in 2013 as the Verizon Indie Icon, appeared as a featured musical guest on Katie Couric’s ABC talk show and was named Best Male Artist in the 2014 International Acoustic Music Awards. In spite of his national notoriety, the release said he dismisses fame-chasing in favor of a troubadour-style career meeting new supporters one handshake at a time.

Da Land Brass Band

August 26 ▪ 8 PM

The season closes on Aug. 26 with Da Land Brass Band, Cleveland’s modern brass band collective known for their energy and ability to “get the party started.” Formed in 2016, Da Land features a modern take on New Orleans street bands with a high-energy funk sound, and the band is bridging the gap between musical tradition and and a vision for the future. Boasting original tunes, funky adaptations of classic songs and true roots New Orleans music, Da Land members dedicate much of their time to educational outreach programs that teach children the joy of performance and showmanship through practical improvisation and live music master classes. The band is made up of some of Cleveland’s best jazz musicians, including alumni of Heidelberg University.

While you will no longer feel the rumbling of an approaching train for passenger pick up, you can still enjoy the beautiful architecture and restored space that is the Tiffin Train Depot. The Tiffin Train Depot was built in 1862 and served as one of six passengers depots throughout the Tiffin area.

Seneca County experienced a real estate boom as a result from the rail lines running through the county. While the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad changed ownership over the many decades, in 1892 the railroad went under the control of of the Big Four Railroads (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis). The Big Four operated the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad along with the bustling depot until the railroad began failing to make a profit. In 1938, services between Berwick and Sandusky, which included Tiffin, were ended. 

After the depot was no longer serving as a passenger pick up, it became part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Area Historic District that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. While a CSX rail line still carries dozens of freight trains past the old depot each day, the end of passenger service left the sturdy brick structure to be used for other purposes. For a time after the passenger trains left, the building was used to store coal by the Fisher Coal Supply Co. The structure fell into despair after it was no longer used after 1938 for passengers and even more so that by the time the 1960s hit, the building was largely abandoned and was serving as a storage space.  

In 2002, the Train Depot saw hope for a new life when Larry Breidenbach purchased the property and began restoring it to save a piece of the neighborhood’s transportation history. Since then, he has poured countless hours and dollars in restoring what was once the heart of Tiffin. The Tiffin Train Depot now adorns two Ohio Historical Markers, one for the depot itself and the other for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad alongside a Tiffin Historic Trust Preservation Award. 

Larry’s passion for bringing the once ornate structure back to life began with painting, a new roof, and cleaning up the space. In addition to that, the windows were replaced allowing for beautiful natural light to cascade into the building, evergreen trees donated by the City of Tiffin landscape the grounds, and an eight foot waterfall that flows down rocks into a pond in the front of the depot was added.  

You may not be boarding a train any longer when you step on the depot grounds, but you will feel transported to a space of beauty, peace, and gathering. The Tiffin Train depot now serves as the perfect place to host special events and group gatherings such as weddings, parties, showers and more. The gorgeous and well kept landscaping serves as the perfect backdrop for photos of every occasion. The Tiffin Train Depot is located at 65 North Monroe Street in Tiffin, OH and can be reserved by messaging the official Facebook page! 

It’s time to go to the trains, well the train depot that is. Start admiring and exploring this hidden gem that awaits you in Seneca County! 

Press Release Courtesy of Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market, Seneca County Common Ground – 

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers market is back for the 2023 season at the new location on Madison Street. We offer fresh, locally grown produce and products every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. We accept multiple forms of payment including SNAP, Produce Perks, SFMNP, WIC, and credit card. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a sponsor of a great community event. Watch Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market Social media for more details!

Every week our vendors will provide fresh and sustainable produce that has been grown right here in Seneca county and surrounding areas. When shopping at the market customers support local farmers while enjoying the freshest, most flavorful produce around. The growers offer an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even flowers. Try something new, liven up meals, and support local agriculture at the same time. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can provide the body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong. Check out our selection of colorful berries and leafy greens.

Discover the unique flavors of Seneca county with our incredible selection of artisanal foods. Sample a wide variety of local honey flavors, perfect for everything from sweetening morning coffee to drizzling on favorite dishes. Savor the sweetness of our delicious homemade jams and jellies, perfect for spreading on toast or using in a recipe. Enjoy freshly baked breads, delicious cookies, and other baked goods made locally.

Join us for some lively, family-friendly entertainment at the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market. Special activities for kids will be offered weekly to keep the young ones entertained while parents get their shopping done, including the famous “market bingo”. The third Saturday of every month shoppers will enjoy themed markets to coincide with JAM’s Monthly Market, live music, and face painting. On the third Saturday of the month shoppers will listen to local musicians as customers peruse the market. From folk to jazz, enjoy a variety of genres as shoppers sample the local agricultural offerings.

When shopping at the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market, customers are supporting both local agriculture and the community. The Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market is a true community destination. Meet with neighbors and peruse the offerings of multiple local vendors. These events would not be possible without the Support of Sutton Bank.

There is still an opportunity to be a sponsor of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market. If interested please contact Kirsten Kemner, Marker Manager at manager@sccommonground.org. See sponsorship packages below!