🎭 Matilda magic

Good morning, Fairfield County. The magic of Roald Dahl's beloved tale is coming to life as Bloom-Carroll Middle School students prepare to dazzle audiences with "Matilda Jr." this week. Beyond the performances themselves, the BC Music Boosters are transforming dinner into a supporting act with themed pre-show meals ranging from taco bars to mandarin chicken – proving that in our community, even intermission can have a delicious purpose. With tickets starting at just $10, this production offers affordable family entertainment while nurturing young theatrical talent.

Meanwhile, leadership transitions continue in Etna Township with Newark HR director Bill Spurgeon stepping into the administrator role after a split trustee vote. His $125,000 salary brings over two decades of government experience to a position that's seen significant turnover. In a nod to our educational heritage, we're also remembering the legacy of industrialist Gordon W. Herrold, whose vision for local higher education materialized in the $2 million building that bears his name on the Lancaster campus.

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🎭 Bloom-Carroll Middle School brings "Matilda Jr." to life this week. The musical runs April 10-12 with evening performances in the school auditorium. Pre-show dinners hosted by BC Music Boosters offer unique menus each night, from taco bars to mandarin chicken, with proceeds supporting music programs. Tickets for the show are available online at $10 for students/seniors and $12 for adults, while dinner tickets can be purchased separately through the Bloom-Carroll music website.

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🏢 Etna Township taps Newark HR director for top administrative role. Bill Spurgeon, who brings over 20 years of local government experience, was hired as township administrator in a 2-1 vote by trustees. Spurgeon, who previously served as Newark's fire official and interim state fire marshal, will earn $125,000 annually plus a car allowance when he starts April 28. He becomes the township's third administrator in just 16 months, following Susan Bedsole who departed after less than five months. Trustee Mark Evans opposed the hire, citing concerns about Spurgeon's administrative experience and a generous severance package.

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🏛️ Lancaster campus honors industrialist with new $2 million building. Herrold Hall, named after Ohio University alumnus Gordon W. Herrold, was dedicated in 1976 at the Ohio University Lancaster campus. Herrold, who died in 1968, had served as chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee that helped establish the Lancaster branch campus. The building contained classrooms, laboratories, art studios, and a small rehearsal theater. At the dedication ceremony, speaker Clarence Miller praised Herrold's commitment to education, noting that "Gordon's vision materialized on this campus."

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⚾ Baseball Scoreboard

Fairfield Christian Academy kept their perfect record intact, shutting down Grove City Christian 5-1 in Tuesday's league showdown. The Knights improved to 4-0 while the Eagles stumbled to 1-4, with both teams facing quick turnarounds for Wednesday matchups against conference rivals.In a nail-biter at Williamsport, the Westfall Mustangs squeezed past Fairfield Union 4-3, handing the previously unbeaten Falcons their first loss of the season. The Mustangs remained perfect at 4-0 while Fairfield Union (5-1) will look to bounce back against Bishop Hartley in Wednesday's non-league action.

🥎 Softball Scoreboard

🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Wooded paradise loaded with updates: Priced at $639,900, this 5-bedroom home in Meadows at Spring Creek offers an open floor plan, private office, and rec room, nestled on a wooded cul-de-sac lot with recent updates including new flooring and HVAC systems.

Urban oasis great schools: This charming $329,000 home in Park Place subdivision offers 3 bedrooms, Pickerington schools with Columbus taxes, and indoor-outdoor living spaces including a pergola deck and fenced backyard.

Ranch Haven With Serious Space: This 2,000+ sq ft ranch home in Preston Trails is priced at $399,900 and offers a split floor plan, soaring ceilings, screened porch, and full basement on a quarter-acre lot near shopping and medical facilities.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🙏 In Remembrance

Lois M. Boyd Amanda Lois M. Boyd, 79, of Amanda, passed away on April 6, 2025, at the Pickering House after being born in Parkersburg, WV in 1946. She was a woman of strong faith who enjoyed gardening, sewing, and spending time with her family. Lois is survived by her three sons, six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, a sister, and several nieces and nephews, while being preceded in death by her parents, husband David, two sisters, and two brothers. A memorial service will be held on April 12, 2025, at Taylor-Theller Funeral Home with inurnment alongside her husband to follow at a later date.

Barbara Jo Haffey Barbara Jo Haffey, 69, of Lancaster, passed away on April 7, 2025, at Fairfield Medical Center. After graduating from Lancaster High School in 1973 with cosmetology training, she worked as a hairstylist from her basement salon before later retiring as a cook-cashier from Lancaster City Schools. Barbara cherished her three grandsons and enjoyed bird watching and visiting with a squirrel she named Cut-Tail. She is survived by her husband David, two children, three grandsons, and several siblings, with funeral services scheduled for April 11, 2025, at Frank E. Smith Funeral Home.

Robert William Sonnichsen Major Robert William Sonnichsen, 96, passed away on April 6, 2025, in Reynoldsburg. Born in 1928 in Idaho, he earned a forestry degree and served honorably in the Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam wars, later working in security services. Survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, he was preceded in death by his wife Georgia, a daughter, a son, and two sisters. A funeral service will be held on April 10, 2025, at Morgan Funeral Home in Bremen, with burial at Bethel Cemetery.

🍞 Daily Bread Crumb

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

-Psalm 55:22