Moving from Miami, Florida I was worried about adapting to life in a small town. Though I saw a lot…read moreof postings to the change, I was worried about finding things to do. Also I love culture, theater, art and was worried I would have to travel far to experience that. My realtors from Beegee Realty, The Gambles, gave me a tour of Van Wert and one of the third stop on the tour was Niswonger Performing Arts Center. It's a beautiful theater, and I was pleased to know I can see quality theater blocks from my soon to be home. We went up to the ticket counter and we spoke with those working there and they gave me a short tour of the theater, they also explained to me it was already well into their season but they showed me which shows remain. I got a chance to come here, when I won some orchestra tickets at a company raffle (in my first week working there! Score!) to come see Jeanne Robertson at Niswonger. I love to laugh! So I was excited to see her. I have seen many stand up comedians in the past, but I noticed she is a humorist. That is something I had not seen before. There is a difference... more high brow and sophisticated. Per wiki: "Humor is the quality which makes experiences provoke laughter or amusement, while comedy is a performing art. The nineteenth century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer lamented the misuse of humor (a German loanword from English) to mean any type of comedy. A humorist is adept at seeing the humor in a situation or aspect of life and relating it, usually through a story; the comedian generally concentrates on jokes designed to invoke instantaneous laughter. The humorist is primarily a writer of books, newspaper or magazine articles or columns, stage or screen plays, and may occasionally appear before an audience to deliver a lecture or read a piece of his or her work. The comedian always performs his or her work for an audience, either in live performance, audio recording, radio, television, or film." So I was excited to experience something new... something I had not seen even in Miami. Walking into the theater, I walked around and looked at the art. I checked my coat with my family in their coat room and relaxed before going to find our seats. It was easy to get to them and everyone who worked there was helpful. Watching Jeanne was a pleasure. I was in tears most of the show because she is just so funny! She is also very personable and endearing and you cannot help but love her and her show. Truly it was an amazing experience. If you want to get an idea of her humor, she has gotten a lot of notoriety on YouTube... with 12 million views with her story on her husband (who has a PhD) epically failing at buying the necessary ingredients at a grocery store for 7-Up cake. Which oddly is one of my favorite cakes, but I digress. Just look up on YouTube: "Don't send a man to a grocery store!"... you will laugh I guarantee you! Wonderful show! Enjoyed every moment! I am truly happy to be able to go to such an amazing performing arts center in my new home!

Great location and seating. Everything is a breeze attending an event at this venue. Will be back…read morefor future events.

In December of 2023, my family and I watched a production of Sorry Wrong Chimney at the Van Wert…read moreCivic Theatre. It was a well acted play that was incredibly enjoyable to watch. We were laughing out loud with the audience throughout the play! Here is what the play was about that I took off a website: "Sorry! Wrong Chimney! is a full-length comedy by Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Sears. A young office worker secretly takes an evening job as a department-store Santa to earn extra cash to buy his wife a Christmas gift. She suspects he's having an affair. The "other woman," the notorious Santa burglar, and a confused policeman add up to a rollicking Yuletide farce. Sorry! Wrong Chimney! takes a holiday tradition and turns it upside down in a comedy of errors set 10 days before Christmas. Newlywed David Tuttle has secretly been moonlighting as a department store Santa so that he can buy his wife a fantastic, expensive gift. He tells her he's working late at the office - but she suspects his late nights are an excuse to sneak out to have an affair. She tries to get her psychiatrist neighbour to hypnotize him and reveal his secret. The suspected other woman, some wacky neighbours, a slightly off-balance Santa burglar, his tough gun-toting fiancée, and a hypnotized policeman (who thinks he's an exotic dancer) add up to a rollicking lighthearted tale that is full of mistaken identities and zany foul-ups - with a smattering of slapstick!" The plot summary itself shows you that it was funny! We had a great time!

Back on March 3, 2024, my family went to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center to see, On Your Feet:…read moreThe Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. I bought tickets to see this musical for several reasons. 1) My mother was and is a fan of Gloria Estefan 2) I grew up hearing her music as she always had it on 3) We are from Miami and most importantly 4) I am the son of Cuban immigrants. The story of their family is similar to the story of mine. Coming in, I was wondering If I would enjoy the play. I was sure my mom would, but you never know. I have to say it was one of the best musicals my family and I have ever experienced, and we have seen many. It was wonderful to hear our music played, to see the actors talk about their struggles, struggles we completely understood! The two actresses who played Gloria Estefan (one played a young Gloria another the adult version) had a heck of a voice and passionately conveyed her life, her music, and her beliefs. Their story is the story of America, the struggle of immigrants in a new land. Lots of emotional moments were felt watching it. I was thrilled when the show directly stated that Emilio and Gloria were Americans and half the crowd cheered. My mother wept during the scene showing the life of Gloria's mom the night it was discovered that Batista (the President of Cuba) was leaving the country and Castro was poised to take over. I felt the pain when Gloria talked about her father's death through a slow debilitating condition. I too had to see loved ones go thru different ones and have to take care of them. Again, her families story mirrors mine. It was truly amazing!

In the end of December 2023, my family and I watched Away in the Basement:The Church Basement…read moreladies. It was an enjoyable Christmas play. It had themes of both tradition and accepting new ideas and people into a community. The play certainly made us laugh and was very enjoyable. The plot according to wikipedia: "A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, Church Basement Ladies is a musical comedy featuring four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church about to undergo changes in 1965. From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, we see them handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter fundraiser, and a steaming hot July wedding. They stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the Pastor on course while thoroughly enjoying, (and tolerating) each other as the true "steel magnolias" of the church. Funny and down to earth, audiences will recognize these ladies as they witness the church year unfold from below the house of God." Again, our family enjoyed this play!

I have been living in Van Wert since 2020, and this year was the first time I went. I used to love…read morefairs growing up. Where I am from we had a large county fair as well as parish fairs. I was a bit surprised at how relatively small this county fair is, small compared even to the parish fair I used to go to. I do love the fact they had the usual fair food and having a car show during the fair was really cool. I also love the farmers market type area with small businesses selling their wares. That said i do think they had way too few rides. Moreover, i wish there was a second entrance directly next to the fair rides instead of having to walk through the area where the 4H contests are. The fair food was also pretty pricey. Still, i did enjoy my time at the fair.

When I go to Lima or Ft Wayne theaters I have sticker shock. They are so much more expensive than…read moreVan Wert. I've always loved this place.

Seats are very uncomfortable. New Reclining Seats but they don't tilt back far enough! Try sitting…read morethrough a 2.5hr movie and you'll know what I'm talking about. The Cashier said it was so you don't fall asleep.. ha ha! This was at screen 2. Hopefully they're not all that way!

It's my 700th review! High fives to all! Confetti dropping! Ahem...For my 700th review, I wanted it…read moreto be special. I decided to save it for a review of my favorite restaurant since moving to the area from Miami, Florida: Willow Bend Country Club. I first came to Willow Bend for lunch in December when I first traveled to Van Wert. I ate lunch with people from the company during the interview/recruitment process and I was impressed by the service and the delicious food. The fact that I got a social membership as part of my joining the company was a perk and certainly a reason why I started working for the company I am in now. I easily could have seen myself coming here to eat... place is nice... classy, and again the food is delicious! I have come a few times since then, leaving it as a place for special occasions including for when I found out I got the house I am currently living at. The waitresses and bar tenders are always friendly. Just love this place. I have eaten various items on this menu, I will focus on my favorites that I've had: 1) Asian Boneless Wings. I love wings, it's one of my favorite things to eat... but I am not a fan of boneless wings. I am a traditionalist and a bit of a snob when it comes to this. These wings, though, I will make an exception for my dislike of boneless wings. These wings which are breaded and covered in a sweet and spicy hoisin oriental sauce... is perfect. It expertly blends spicy and sweet so much, I don't care if they are boneless. 2) Baked Potato Soup. I love this kind of soup, and this is one of the better versions I've had. Especially good during a cold day! 3) Peach-Apple Glazed Pork Chop Ribeye. Another exception to my normal rules of food. I like pork chops with bone... I had boneless. These chops are so juicy... it doesn't matter! It's a bit sweet... almost too sweet for my taste but it just straddles that line... I could eat this over and over 4) 12 oz. Texas Ribeye. This is a big steak! It's a delicious, hearty-cut ribeye with a dried pepper and coffee rub seasoning, char-grilled to perfection... i normally can't finish a 12 oz... I did when I came here! I just couldn't put down my fork! Honorable mention: bread... allegedly made out of veggies? Waiter and manager didn't know which... still that's pretty good... and the bread was warm and soft... and with some butter.... mmmmm! I also feel I should mention that yes there is a golf course attached to this... haven't played and don't know how so I can't opine on that. Moreover, they do have events. I haven't been to one but I may attend the next one since they are bringing a comic... surf and turf dinner included in price. Willow Bend therefore is a great place to both eat and have some fun! I am super happy I am a member of such a wonderful country club! Never saw myself ever becoming a country club guy... but life has a way of surprising you! If you are in the area, join!

Amazing food, great staff, and cozy atmosphere. My suggestions would be to promote outdoor seating…read moremore, have a less formal/stuffy atmosphere in the "lounge" area, and open it up to the public (at least partially)!!!