Millersport spelling bee winners and local events roundup

Millersport Elementary/Middle School named Jonas Dixon district spelling bee champion and announced grade-level winners, while Winterfest activities and community events at Buckeye Lake and area churches were held amid very cold weather.

Millersport schools and local groups reported recent events and announcements. The Millersport Elementary/Middle School held its spelling bee and winners were recognized at the February Board of Education meeting. Winterfest activities around Buckeye Lake drew crowds and included fireworks and a Polar Plunge despite very cold temperatures. Local churches and township officials also published schedules and meeting outcomes for February. Noted details: - Spelling bee winners reported at the February Board meeting: 4th grade Levi Evans; 5th grade Barrett Keeran; 6th grade Jonas Dixon; 7th grade Conrad Keener; 8th grade Piper Everitt; the district champion is Jonas Dixon. - Winterfest 2026 at Buckeye Lake included fireworks, the Benny the Bass event, and a Polar Plunge on Jan. 31; the festival is sponsored by the Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. - Businesses Building a Stronger Community will meet Feb. 18 at the old American Legion Hall, with networking beginning at 8:15 a.m.; more than 20 people attended the group's January meeting. - Thurston Methodist Church will hold a carry-out Lenten Fish Fry on Friday nights from Feb. 20 through March 27, 4:30–7 p.m., at $13 per meal. - Walnut Township Trustees met Jan. 21, approved minutes and routine reports, and approved measures including hiring full-time firefighter Will Fox and an agreement to use the township garage to store election equipment trucks prior to 2026 elections. Summary: The reporting highlights student achievement alongside seasonal community gatherings and routine township business. Scheduled local events include the Businesses Building a Stronger Community meeting on Feb. 18, the Thurston Methodist fish fry beginning Feb. 20, and the Millersport Methodist chili cook-off on Feb. 22. Township decisions and community activities were noted and recorded for the coming weeks.