December 2021

By Wendy Broadhead, BA, IBCLC, CBS Blanchard Valley Health System Lactation Team

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This time of year can pose quite a challenge for nursing mothers. While the joy of the holidays is among us, with it all comes the business and stress of family gatherings, decorating, cooking, shopping, wrapping and other holiday activities. This is also the season where we often see more upper respiratory infections. 

Studies show that breast milk helps to protect infants and toddlers from infections that are common during this season. However, breastfeeding and pumping can be unusually challenging for parents during this time, as we engage ourselves in all the extra activities the holidays seemingly demand from our already busy lives. 

By Cort Reynolds

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Visiting Ada went scoreless in the third period and lost 44-19 at Columbus Grove in Northwest Conference girls basketball play Thursday night, December 9.

Grove led 21-13 at halftime, but outscored Ada 15-0 in the decisive third quarter to pull away. 

The Ada girls fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the NWC with the defeat. The Grove girls improved to 4-1 and 2-0 with the victory.

"I was pleased with our defensive efforts," said Ada head coach Morgan Bass. "The first half was fun and competitive, but we hit a block in the third quarter as we did not score.

"I am proud of our efforts but we are moving on to try and get better for the next game," she added.

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Deborah Gayle “Debi” Lowery, age 69, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

She was born on April 24, 1952, in Lima, Ohio to Clinton and Betty Aileen (Brown) Selvage. Her father preceded her in death and her mother survives in Alger.  On January 18, 1974, Debi married William J. “Bill” Lowery and he survives in Alger.    

Also surviving are her two children: Clint Lowery of Dallas, Texas and Shea (John) Cummings of Westerville; five grandchildren: Reed, Drew, Paige, Addison and Jackson; and a sister, LaVonna (Mike) Rose of Kenton.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sydney.

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Dr. Melissa J. Baumann has been selected as the 12th president of Ohio Northern University. Her appointment was unanimously approved at a recent Board of Trustees meeting. She will begin on July 1, 2022, succeeding President Daniel A. DiBiasio when he retires at the end of June 2022.

The university’s announcement describes Baumann as “a dynamic and talented leader who has been serving as provost and chief academic officer at Xavier University…. The search committee was impressed by her academic background, leadership accomplishments, and compassionate commitment to student, faculty, and staff excellence at private and public colleges during her more than 30-year career.”

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The Ada Exempted Village Schools are seeking candidates for the position of Interim Elementary Principal (K-6). Principal Ben Thaxton has submitted his resignation to the Ada Board of Education for approval at their December meeting, according to superintendent Robin VanBuskirk.

Thaxton has accepted the position of Executive Director at the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative (NOACSC). He will be replaced on an interim basis, with a permanent position to be filled for the following school year.

Thaxton began working for the Ada Schools in 2007 as Education Technology Coordinator. He became a principal in August 2011.

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The Ohio Northern University sesquicentennial photo book is now on sale. The book includes sections on academics, student life, faith and community, buildings and architecture, traditions and milestones, and alumni. The photos show how Ohio Northern evolved from humble beginnings in 1871 into a top private university in the Midwest.

Books can be ordered online for $65 at https://bit.ly/3xLyjkc. Shipping is $8; you can also choose to pick up your order in the Office of Alumni Relations, 122 Lehr Memorial, between the hours of 1-4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.

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Lauren Samuel, a Bluffton area Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, didn’t ever expect to start her own business but knew that she wanted to do one-on-one counseling. “I got my first job at WIC and I’m still working there part-time,”she explains. However, it was clear to her: “If I want to do my dream job as a dietician, I’m going to have to start my own business.”

That business is Embrace Mind & Body Wellness LLC, which she created in 2020. In addition to providing general nutrition guidance, Samuel helps clients adopt more intuitive eating practices and shows women how to manage the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through diet.

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Navneet Patti, MD, a physician who specializes in adult and child psychiatry, recently joined the Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio team at Caughman Health Center, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System. 

Dr. Patti completed medical school at Guru Gobind Medical College in Faridkot, India. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University and her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Toledo Medical Center. 

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John N. Dearth, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

He was born on September 1, 1945, in Lima, Ohio to the late Jasper Earl and Aezelda B. (Robnolte) Dearth.  On February 18, 1966, John married Anita L. Long and she survives in Ada.

Also surviving are two children: Tim (Elena) Dearth of Ada and Jennifer (Mark) Bartley of Findlay; four grandchildren: Evan (Danielle) Dearth, Haley Dearth, Hattie Dearth and Tyler Bartley; a brother, Tom (Janice) Dearth of Ada; two sisters: Kate Bear of Lima and Esther (John) Penhorwood of Mansfield; and many nieces and nephews.

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Ada Exempted Village Schools texted this reminder: December 9, 2021 is the last day for the after school program.  It will resume on January 18, 2022.

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