The Farmers Market, sponsored by the Akron Area Chamber of Commerce is held every Wed., in the Akron City Park. The Aug. 29 food stand is the Care Center Auxiliary. The Sept. 5 date is open. Call Cristi, 568-8750, to reserve this spot. Sept. 12 is also available.

A Remembrance Concert for Tyler Dawdy will be held Thursday, Aug. 30 from 7 to 9:30 p.m., in the new gym at the school. The A-W  class of 2008 are planning the concert. The parents of the Class of 2008 will be serving refreshments at the concert.

Enjoy hot dogs at Peoples Bank Aug. 31, 11-1 to kick off the Labor Day weekend.

Turn in items for the 2007 time capsule by Aug. 31 at Peoples Bank or Feauto Auction & Realty.

New Horizons Church is sponsoring Pork in the Park, Sept, 8 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The A-W school board election is Sept. 11 with polls open from noon to 8 p.m.

Akron-Westfield students began their first day of the 2007- 2008 classes on Aug. 23. Grades DK-8 students and their families attended an Open House, Aug. 22, so students and their families could meet their teachers and arrange their supplies in their desks and lockers. First day enrollment numbers revealed the following: Discovergarten, 17 students; Kindergarten, 38; first grade, 34; second grade, 34; third grade, 51; fourth grade, 35; fifth grade, 40; sixth grade, 40; seventh grade, 46; eighth grade, 46; ninth grade, 39; 10th grade, 59; 11th grade, 60; and 12th grade, 49.

Row 1: Caine Westergard, Lauren Blinde, Caitlin Heyl, Kaylee Hughes, Karly Groon, Amanda Heyl.

Row 2: Jordan Harris, Kristin Martin, Sheriden Eastman, Tasha Johnson.

Row 3: Jesa Wolthuizen, Alison Kusler, Tessa Baker, Talia Baker.

Row 4: Jordan Dirks, Carissa Westergard, Haley Banks, Shelby Johnson, Mackenzie Heyl, Tasha DeRocher.

The Akron-Westfield Lady Westerners’ volleyball team is coming into this season with only four seniors. They are Haley Banks, Mackenzie Heyl, Shelby Johnson and Carissa Westergard. They’ll have a tough time this year living up to last year’s record of 19-10. At the Sports Drink Scrimmage, Aug. 24, the girls showed off their stuff. Even though it was only a scrimmage, they gave it their all and showed the crowd how the game is played. When asking Akron-Westfield Head Volleyball Coach Monica Chamberlain what she thought the outlook for this season is going to be, she responded, “We have a great outlook this season.” “We have good playing all around the court with four very dedicated seniors to lead the team this year,” she continued. “With games starting this week, we will get to see the girls take it to the court and show us how it’s done.”

Coach Zach Pflantz greeted 39 players for the upcoming football season. Coach Pfantz is assisted by Kent Johnson, Dan Utesch, Jeff Wolthuizen and Rich Fischer. The coaches have had two-a-day practices for the last number of days and the kids have responded well. Practice starts a 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. An hour rest period and then again from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. There is no standing around as players are put through strenuous practices, drills, and basic fundamentals. Five seniors, nine juniors, 14 sophomores, and 11 freshmen. The offense will be a balanced attack. About one half running and one-half passing. A-W hopes to keep the defense off balance. The kids are taking to the new system pretty good. They had one weak practice, but the kids recovered well in the next. Defense will be very aggressive getting after people, with aggression it’ll make things happen, hopefully good things. The main thing Coach Pfantz said, “We have to have 100 percent on every play. Both offensively and defensively. We want the kids to give a good effort.” After losing 19 straight the kids are ready to turn it around and it’s pay back time. At the Sports Drink Scrimmage Friday evening, personally, I thought the offense was good, uncomplicated, simple, and well executed. A-W’s offense will run out of the “I” formation as well the “shotgun.” Overall, a lot of young kids will have to step-up. The talent is there but they are young. Once they get a couple of games under their belts, they’ll all be veterans.