DELPHOS — Westrich Home Furnishings is expanding its storeroom capacity by 14,500 square feet, which has created economic growth in the form of job creation.

Owner Jack Westrich said with the new addition, the company will have more than 150,000 square feet of space, which will be utilized for merchandise storage. Future endeavors may include expanding the showrooms.

Construction of the two-story warehouse has progressed quickly. Last week, crews placed metal siding on the north side of the building and this week, they have been finishing the concrete floors.

By Lindsay McCoy

DHI Correspondent

VAN WERT - Social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, were booming Monday afternoon with the appearance of 90s rapper, Vanilla Ice, in the Van Wert community. The celebrity’s appearance was not an isolated incident as he is currently filming a portion of his new reality show, Vanilla Ice Goes Amish, in the county this week.

Vanilla Ice, also known as Rob Van Winkle, came into popularity as a rapper in the 90s with his mega-hit, “Ice Ice Baby.” Following this time, he moved into the world of reality TV, starring in The Surreal Life and its sequel, Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, Dancing on Ice, and Celebrity Boxing.

In Oct. 2010, The Vanilla Ice Project first aired on DIY Network and has become the top rated show on the network. The fourth season of the popular home improvement show is set to air this fall.

Now, a spinoff of this series, Vanilla Ice Goes Amish, has brought the celebrity into the Amish country of Ohio to immerse himself in their world and learn their ways of construction.

Three weeks into filming, Vanilla Ice has accompanied his new Amish family for the construction of a home outside of the Wren, Ohio, area.

“It’s a beautiful day,” said Vanilla Ice. “It’s great. The weather is perfect right now; I am marinating. I’m really enjoying it, and we are filming a great show here.”

The reality star admitted that once he becomes curious about an idea, it overwhelms his brains and thinks about it all the time. He is eager to work with the Amish, who pride themselves on construction and craftsmanship, in order to learn their ways of construction and teach them his own.

“We are going to gel and make a really cool show,” remarked Vanilla Ice. “It is going to be fun as well as an adventure because I know nothing about them. I have so many questions. I want to know how and why, but I don’t want to overwhelm them either.”

Vanilla Ice Goes Amish is set to air in Jan. 2014, and the episode filmed within Van Wert County is currently set to kick off the season as episode one.

“I’m going to give the Amish a different design style,” noted the rapper-turned-handyman. “The show will include two completely opposite worlds meeting and coming together to share a similar interest in construction.”

BY STEPHANIE GROVES

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DELPHOS — The Delphos Canal Commission held a meeting Monday night to inform and hold an open discussion with a diverse group of interested citizens about a strategic plan for the Miami and Erie Canal.

Miami Erie Canal Corridor Association Executive Director and facilitator of the committee, Neal Brady led the discussion with a presentation outlining the ‘Strategic Plan to Restore the Miami and Erie Canal in the Greater Delphos, Ohio Area’, which is comprised of six main goals, objectives, action steps and cost estimates. The plan addresses trails, green spaces, open public areas, education, economic development, history, aesthetics, water flow, signage and other issues that will help to shape the future of the canal.

The canal was constructed from 1825-45 and propelled the economy of Western Ohio to new heights, enabling the transportation of farm goods and basic materials to all parts of the young nation and the world. It increased Ohio’s population by 4,000 percent from 1800-50.

The first settlers in Delphos, established between 1836 and 1842, were German pioneers and construction workers drawn to the work being done on the canal. Soon after, the industrial revolution made its way to Delphos with merchants and industrialists propelling the city into a major port along the Miami and Erie Canal, with transshipment facilities for railroads.

By1879, there were over a hundred factories churning out goods, which were transported, beginning in 1912, by the first transcontinental paved highway, the Lincoln Highway. Since 1987, the Delphos Canal Commission has maintained the goal of restoring and utilizing this section of the Heritage Corridor to spur economic development of Delphos and the surrounding areas.

After the presentation, residents took part in an open forum where committee members, Brady, Greg Berquist, Lou Hohman and Steve Dorsten fielded questions ranging from funding the project to large item littering.

Dennis Pathoff asked about funding the plan.

“How do we fix the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) problem for the canal program?” Pathoff added. “How do we gain priority?”

Dorsten fielded this question.

“The county park systems will be in charge since the funding is shifting,” Dorsten said. “We will have better control.”

Dorsten elaborated on the effect of the plan’s first goal, which is to stabilize the banks of the canal.

“We can accomplish a lot on a local level, he said. “We get that done and you’ll have what you want.”

Bob Ulm spoke on canal littering, a topic that has not been addressed in previous meetings. Ulm believes that serious steps need to be taken in reinforcement of large item littering. In keeping with goal 6 —Promoting Appreciation for the Canal—monitoring the canal, increasing fines and punishing offenders to the greatest extent of the law would make an impact.

Hohman explained that citizens have been throwing grass and weeds into the canal. In addition, there were Christmas trees pulled from the canal this past year.

“So where do we go from here?” Brady asked.

Safety Director Greg Berquist gave a brief synopsis of the past conversations and future goals. Berquist said that for many years they have been looking at projects to connect Spencerville to Delphos. In the next few years, with the help of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the city will have a walking path through Delphos, connecting Waterworks Park to Stadium Park. In addition, the commission would like to leverage paths to the schools.

“With the exception of Jefferson High School, each school is 3 or 4 blocks from the towpath,” Berquist detailed.

At the end of the meeting, committee members agreed the first goal of the strategic plan is to create a voice by educating and informing the constituents who will be proactive in the cause.

Hohman said that the first step is to design a flyer or brochure explaining the plan, showing comparison photos of a south portion of the canal with a revitalized north section of the canal and listing state and local contact information. The flyer or brochure will serve as a vehicle to gain the interest of the community and empower the residents with the resources to be proactive and contact representatives with concerns regarding the “Strategic Plan” for the canal.

DELPHOS — The City of Delphos is looking at significant savings on electricity in the near future.

Safety Service Director Greg Berquist presented options for savings on electricity accounts at the Water and Wastewater Treatment plants during Tuesday’s Utilities Committee meeting called by chair Rick Hanser. Berquist received a snapshot of electric costs per kilowatt hour from broker Aspen Energy from Friday’s markets. American Electric Power’s rate was 9.085 cents compared to the cheapest rate of 5.379 cents. Berquist calculated the two plants would have reduced costs of nearly $250,000 in a year using the cheapest rate.

One Year Ago

Jefferson FCCLA members recently participated in the Ohio FCCLA State Leadership meeting in Columbus. Zoey Porter and Tori Schleeter received a gold star rating for their National Programs Project, “Breaking Family obstacles with Ronald McDonald House.” They have qualified to compete at the FCCLA National Conference.

25 Years Ago – 1988

The 1987-88 bowling season is quickly coming to a close and the annual year-end house leagues tournament was held recently at Delphos Recreation Center. In the women’s division the Nobodies captured the championship with a 3097 handicap score. Team members are Deb Wiechart, Sherri Etzkorn, Nancy Schimmoeller, Carol Craig and Lisa Van Metre. In the men’s division, Clyde Evans Markets won the championship with a 3293 handicap score. Team members are Rod Wagner, Dan Jettinghoff, Randy Fischbach, Tim Martin and Robert Reese.

St. John’s beat No. 12-ranked Ottoville Thursday afternoon and will get another strong test Friday against No. 3-ranked Parkway in a Midwest Athletic Conference game. The Blue Jays rapped out 13 hits, including home runs by Randy Mueller and Scott Schulte, en route to an 8-4 in at Stadium Park.

Senior Dave Kortokrax, captain of the University of Toledo golf team, was named Mid-American Conference golfer of the week (April 18-24) after firing a 2-under 142 to win the Firestone Invitational in Akron. Heading into the MAC Invitational beginning GFriday, Kortokrax, an Ottoville High School graduate, has compiled a 78.1 stroke average after 12 rounds this season to lead the team.

50 Years Ago – 1963

Afred Fetzer was installed as president of Dad’s Post, No. 201, Sunday afternoon during ceremonies held in the Veterans of Foreign Wars club rooms on West Fourth Street. Other officers installed were:  John Miller, senior vice president; Ray Baumgarte, junior vice president; L. A. Etter, secretary-treasurer; Hipolito Vasquez, adjutant; Homer Sterling, chaplain; William Grunden, sergeant-at-arms; three-year trustee, Herbert Fetzer; two-year trustee, Max Roberts, and one-year trustee, Oscar Ireland.

Michael Van Schoyek was elected to the highest office at St. John’s High School recently, that of Mission president. Mary Ann Kundert was named Mission vice president. Robert Wegesin was elected Student Council president and Marilyn Scherger Council vice present. All are members of this year’s junior class and will assume their posts next fall as seniors.

Members of the Do-Pass-O’s Western Square Dance club, in announcing a dance for all Western square dancers, to be held May 4, in the K of P Hall, also announced the names of new officers elected at the last dance. New officers are:  Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Sever, presidents; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Looser, vice presidents; and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Schimmoeller, secretary-treasurers.

75 Years Ago – 1938

A group of Jefferson musical students are in Bowling Green participating in the annual Northwestern district solo and ensemble contest. Those who went to Bowling Green are Mary Alice Fethers, accompanist Helen Fettig; Mary Jane Meads, accompanist, Billie Jean Apger; Jim Buchholtz, accompanist, Billie Jean Apger; Jim Deffenbaugh, accompanist, Alma Sanders; Don Weideman, accompanist, Betty Dell Curry; Ruth Shroyer, accompanist, Helen Fettig; and Lois Long, accompanist, Alma Sanders.

Mrs. J. Howard Apger, North Maple Street, entertained the members of the 1908 Club and two guests, Mrs. J. Clement Berry and Mrs. W. C. Ruby, at her home Thursday evening. There were three entertaining contests. Honors in the contests were awarded Mrs. Earl Scott, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. G. F. Kauffman and Mrs. Arthur Moon.

Members of Commemorative Post, American Legion, met Thursday night in regular session at their rooms. Final plans were made for the public dance which will be held at St. John’s auditorium Wednesday night. The proceeds of the dance will be used to send Adam Metzger, oldest Civil War veteran in Delphos, to the 75th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Gettysburg.