|
Local News
|
|
Realtors Since 1905 -
Landes & Landes has the unique distinction of being the oldest Real Estate office in continuous operation in Wooster. Founded in 1905, the company originally specialized in selling farms but as the years passed and the supply of available farmland dwindled, their focus gradually shifted to serving the community's complete real estate needs. Shirley E. Dillon, GRI, began her real estate career at Landes & Landes in 1977 when she first received her license. Both sets of her grandparents had dealt with Landes & Landes in the past and it only seemed natural for Shirley to join their staff. In 1988, she purchased the agency from Harry Landes, recognizing the value becoming heir to the Landes & Landes name and tradition. As they prepare to enter their one hundredth year of operation, we visited with Shirley as she taught us about this historical company; - read more...
|
|
|
A Company Filled with "Progressive" Thinkers -
Progressive Crop Service was started in Shreve in 1983 to sell agricultural chemical and services by Duane Martin and his family in conjunction with five investors. Craig Franks began his career with PCS in 1990 and upon Duane's death in 1997, purchased the company from the family and moved the operation to Wooster. We interviewed Craig recently as he explained how PCS has continued to offer their original agricultural services while offering new ones as the result of customer requests; - read more...
|
|
|
Sealed and Protected -
With her experience in sealcoating, Dianna Headley was disappointed to learn that her employer had decided to leave the sealcoating industry. A local coatings supplier suggested she open her own sealcoating business and placed her in contact with a gentleman who was going out of business. With her husband Chuck, Dianna went to Salem to see if they could make a deal on the equipment he'd no longer need. By the time the conversation was over, Chuck and Dianna had purchased the necessary equipment and in 2000, they opened Headley's Sealcoating. During a recent visit, Dianna explained the services they offer; - read more...
|
|
|
Four Generations and Still Building -
Lanny Chio's family has a tradition steeped in the building trades. From his grandfather to his own son, his family has built an enviable name for quality that spans over seventy years. We recently visited with Lanny and listened while he told of Nu-Way Construction's history and services; - read more...
|
|
|
A Fun, Affordable Dining Experience -
TJ's Restaurant was founded by Tom Tieche and Jack Clampett in 1964. Tom's son Greg began working at the restaurant in 1976 and purchased it from his father in 1978. With the changing demographics in 2001, Greg began a remodeling project that would enable him to host not only the legendary TJ's Restaurant, but also a new restaurant where he would introduce the Wooster community to a unique concept and an unparalleled local dining experience. While searching for a name for the new restaurant, his father's nickname "Melvin", given to him by one of his best friends, kept coming to mind so Greg decided to name his new establishment Melvin's Brick Oven and Bakery. We visited with Greg recently and were introduced to the "brick oven" concept that gives the new restaurant its name; - read more...
|
|
|
With a Love for Cars -
With his love for cars and racing, Craig Fry's decision to become an auto technician didn't surprise anyone who knew him well. Once he had several years experience working for other people in their shops, he knew it was time to open his own. Craig opened Pitt Stop in October 1993 and has seen his reputation grow steadily ever since. While visiting with him recently, Craig explained the services available at his shop; - read more...
|
|
|
Clipping and Quipping -
There are many prolific members of the Wooster business community but I'd venture to say that few have remained the focus of the public eye as consistently as Dick Stull, owner of Stull's Hair Clinic. From real estate sales to home renovations and hair replacement, Dick has proven to be a tireless worker who keeps the well-being of the local community at the top of his agenda. - read more...
|
|
|
Comprehensive Cardiac Care Beginning Right Here at Home -
Through the expertise of The Heart Group cardiologists such as Alex Nicolozakes, MD, Cyril Ofori, MD, and Paul Moodispaw, MD, the Heart Center of Wooster Community Hospital provides the Wayne County community with the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic cardiology techniques available. The Heart Group, Inc. works very closely with Wooster Community Hospital who provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities which enable these fine physicians the opportunity to live in our wonderful community while practicing high quality cardiac care. Director of Nursing Nancy Strausser, RN, and Office Supervisor Teresa Kendall graciously spent time recently teaching us about their vital services; - read more...
|
|
|
The Hospice Difference -
Over the past few generations, our society has moved from providing home-based care for family members nearing the end of their lives to placing them in the hospital where they live out their final days, separated from their loved ones. In answer to this trend, Hospice of Wayne County offers a special kind of care for those nearing the end of life's journey by treating the physical needs of their patients in addition to their emotional and spiritual needs. We recently had the pleasure of visiting with Volunteer Coordinator Rebecca McCurdy and listened as she explained the special and memorable experience known as hospice care; - read more...
|
|
|
Top Quality - Guaranteed! -
The Home Builders Association of Wayne & Holmes Counties was founded in 1975 and chartered in 1984 to provide a support organization for both local home builders and those involved in purchasing a new home. At the time of its conception, home building was growing rapidly and The Home Builders Association provided a framework for ethical builders and new home owners to work together to make the home buying experience a pleasant and professional transaction. We recently visited with Executive Officer Debbie Arnette and Vice-President Mindy Roberts to gain a better understanding of what The Home Builders Association offers local home buyers; - read more...
|
|
|
The Doorway to Amish Country -
Starting with a 48 seat restaurant in Wilmot, Ohio, Milo and Kathryn Miller have grown their business to include both Wilmot and Wooster facilities. The Wilmot restaurant now seats 450 in addition to hosting a banquet center capable of handling 500 people and a 52 room hotel. The Wooster restaurant, opened in 1999 in the space formerly occupied by the Chuck-wagon Restaurant, holds 360 in the main dining room with two banquet rooms on the second floor seating up to 200. Chairman of the Board Joseph Miller and General Manager Amanda Miller agree that the key to their growth has been the combination of top quality food coupled with superior service, both served liberally and consistently. As we visited, Amanda described the enticing fare that keeps the restaurant filled on a daily basis; - read more...
|
|
|
Working Hard to Keep You Safe -
Bob Park's family has been working to keep you safe since the 1950s. His grandfather began a tradition of providing fire extinguisher sales and service in the Wooster area and through time, the business has grown into being one of Northeast Ohio's most trusted names in fire protection. With his formation of Auto-Tech Fire Systems in 1990, Bob continued to build his reputation and now has a customer list that ranges from the smallest stores and office buildings to nationally known corporations and even local fire departments. We recently met with Bob, Service Manager Don Banfield, and Sales and Service Technician Craig Curtis as they detailed their wide range of offerings; - read more...
|
|
|
You'll Get a Charge Out of This -
The Battery House has been putting a charge into Wooster area residents lives since the early 1980s. Founded by Homer Schmidt, the business was purchased by Bob Bricker in 1997 after he retired from Rubbermaid. Bob had always bought the batteries for Rubbermaid's buildings and grounds department from Homer and when he learned that The Battery House was for sale, he didn't hesitate. As he's quick to tell everyone he knows, "I retired from Rubbermaid to buy a little business of my own. I had always liked this one and I'm tickled to death that I bought it!" During a recent visit to his shop, Bob explained his company's product line with these words; - read more...
|
|
|
The Utmost in Care and Caring -
The Cancer Treatment Center in Wooster is home to the most advanced cancer treatment therapy to be found anywhere. Prior to their opening in 1990, cancer patients were traveling from Wayne County to Canton, Cleveland, Hartville, Mansfield, and Columbus for their treatment, many times making the trip twice each day. Now providing leading edge treatment locally, the Cancer Treatment Center brings comfort and support to their patients while saving them the needless inconvenience of lengthy car rides to secure treatment.. Mary Alice Streeter, Administrator of the Cancer Treatment Center, explains their services and goals; - read more...
|
|
|
A One-Stop Financial Service -
Have you ever noticed how just one seemingly unimportant event can change the entire course of not only your own life, but can ultimately effect the lives of many others? Today's story describes an experience in Terry Sustar's life and how that moment played an integral role in the conception and the success of one of Wooster's largest financial services firms. Terry and his wife Sandy own and operate DataView Tax Service, Inc. and spent time recently outlining the history and service offerings of their company; - read more...
|
|
|
From Dirt Bikes to ATVs -
With encouragement from his uncle, Jess Salmon began tinkering with motorbikes when he was only eight years old. His first lessons were learning to change the air filter and the oil on a '74 Harley and as time went on, his interest in bikes just continued to grow. While working at The Gerstenslager Company, Jess dreamt of owning his own business and he began to build his current shop. Finally, on January 5, 1999, his shop was ready and Dirt Road Cycles opened its doors to the public for the first time. During a recent visit, Jess's enthusiasm while telling us about his shop let us know just how much he loves his work; - read more...
|
|
|
How PAX Initiative Began -
Many have asked how and why PAX Initiative came about. My name is Tom Lyons, spokesperson for PAX Initiative, and the following is our story, explaining what we believe to be God's direction of the PAX Initiative. Our story begins in August of 2002 when news broke of a sexually oriented business scheduled to open in downtown Wooster, Ohio. Having been mildly involved in pornography in my earlier years, I knew of the potential dangers that pornography brings, and therefore I felt immediate concern for our community and the possibility of what these businesses would do to our neighborhoods. Even with my concern, I gave little thought as to doing anything about it myself until I awoke at 4:00 AM one morning in late August. - read more...
|
|
|
We Do It All -
Ermon French founded Wayne Siding & Home Improvements, Inc. in 1978 and began building a company that would be come known as one of the leaders in the local home improvement industry. In 1994, Wayne Siding & Home Improvements, Inc. was purchased by employees Wayne Pruitt and Mike Akey who, with the assistance of their loyal staff, have continued to build their growing reputation. We recently visited with Mike and Wayne as they explained their success; - read more...
|
|
|
A Reputation for Excellence -
LEHR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., incorporated in 1946 by Ward and Percy Lehr, is the oldest plumbing and heating contractor in the Wooster area. While this in itself is a remarkable feat, when you factor in a fifty-eight year history of enjoying a reputation that has to be described as glowing, this achievement quickly escalates from remarkable to outstanding. It takes great care to find a caretaker for a business of this caliber and when Ward decided to retire, he offered the company to Don and Barb Caperton. Don had been working for LEHR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning since 1985 and had been building his own reputation for quality since his first day on the job. In 1996, Don and Barb not only became the new owners of LEHR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., they became the new custodians of the enviable LEHR tradition. While browsing through their beautiful showroom recently, Don proudly gave us this overview of his company's services; - read more...
|
|
|
Your Child's First School and Second Home -
The Wee Care Center, Inc., was founded in 1964 as a mission of the First Presbyterian Church. The January opening of their pre-school and child day care facility consisted of three teachers, five children, and a five hundred dollar grant from the church. The Center's mission is to provide support for families by developing each child's intellectual, social, and emotional potential in a nurturing educational environment. Although still housed in the church and one of the church's ongoing missions, Wee Care Center's educational component is best described as having a secular orientation rather than one of faith based teaching. Speaking with Public Relations Liaison Julie Miller and Program Director Kathy Wigal, we received an in-depth look at their facility and their mission; - read more...
|
|
|
Signs of Distinction -
With prior art experience gained during his high school days, Maynard Troyer was a quick learner when his employer began to teach him how to hand letter company names on the truck bodies they manufactured. Before long, he was handling all of their lettering needs and eventually, they decided to phase out their own lettering service and contract the work directly to him. As his lettering business grew, Maynard began to design and produce a variety of signage products and in 1981, he and his wife Lydia formed Troyer Signs, Inc. in the basement of their home near Apple Creek. Within ten years, their business was rapidly outgrowing the basement so they moved to Wooster and turned an unused cabinet shop into the present home of Troyer Signs, Inc. When asked about the scope of their operation, Maynard provided this description; - read more...
|
|
|
Wired for Success -
Michael McClintock, President of McClintock Electric, Inc., has seen each and every step of the phenomenal growth of the company his father founded in the early sixties. He was there when they were storing supplies in the chicken coop and he was there when they moved to their current location a few short years later. He's seen the company grow from one employee to well over thirty, and he's not only seen but also helped engineer their growth from small residential work to technologically advanced projects for the likes of IBM. Join us as Mike blueprints his company's stellar growth; - read more...
|
|
|
A Camper's Paradise -
Lauren and Ruth Beck had enjoyed camping trips with their family for years. They decided that when they retired, they'd like to own a campground of his their so in 1977, Lauren and Ruth purchased Lazy J Ranch, changed the name to Beck's Family Campground, and proceeded to build the retirement they had planned. Almost thirty years later, Beck's Family Campground remains a family-run operation under the care and guidance of Nancy Beck and her son Keith. We recently stopped by to visit and listen as Keith outlined the dramatic transformation and modernizing efforts underway at the campground as they prepare for another fun-filled season; - read more...
|
|
|
Painting the Town -
Everything in life comes full circle. I've seen it myself and I'm sure you'll find that Al Barto, owner of Barto Decorating, agrees. Some of his early experiences involved paint and wallpaper and although he hit the corporate trail in search of fame and fortune, by 1981 he was taking a walk down memory lane while starting what would become one of Wooster's premier painting and papering companies. During a recent visit, Al spoke of what I believe is his one true love; - read more...
|
|
|
Red Carpet Service -
With a father and an uncle as trained plumbers, John Buckingham decided to carry on the family tradition while still in high school. After spending years working in the field and learning his trade, John and his wife Deb opened J & D Plumbing Services in July 1997 and have built a reputation for their company as one of Wooster's most trusted plumbing companies. John and his office manager Nancy Dudte visited with us recently and explained their business; - read more...
|
|
|
Neat, Clean, and Ready to Install -
Dan Hostetler, owner of Hostetler Finishing, has opened a new market for local homeowners and builders. In the past, those wishing to install new doors and trim-work would gather their supplies at the lumber yard and then spend the needed time and aggravation painting and staining their purchases to their liking. Starting his company in 1993, Dan now provides these same items as either unfinished trim-work or as pre-finished and ready to install. Join as as Dan describes this neat, clean, labor saving method of adding the finishing touches to your building projects; - read more...
|
|
