Former school house holds memories for Weigand family
By Kyle Valentini
July 25, 2011
686
Summary: The Crossroads Hospice Team of Tuscarawas County joined forces with School House Winery at Dover to grant the wish of Herman and Mary Weigand to be reunited with their six children, including their son Jonathon who has been unable to travel as he battles cancer. The winery was formerly the Oak Grove School and holds dear memories for the Weigands.
The Crossroads Hospice Team of Tuscarawas County likes making wishes come true and with their Ultimate Gift, Gift of a Day Program, their clients wishes are their command. Herman and Mary Weigand wished to spend the day with their six children and their spouses, including their son Jonathon whom they hadnt seen in seven years.
Jonathon resides in Houston, Texas and is battling cancer. He has been unable to travel. Thanks to Crossroads Hospice, where the Weigands are patients, Jonathon was flown from his home in Houston to join the family for a very special reunion.
Herman Weigand grew up in the Ruslin Hills area of Dover. He attended Oak Grove School until 6th grade. The school was situated on the Weigand Family Farm just down the road from the farmhouse where he lived. That same farmhouse was also home to Paul Wiegand years before. Paul Weigand was the father of Mary, who would meet Herman in 1940 when they attended St. Joseph School together.
Sharing more than similar last names, Herman Weigand and Mary Wiegand also share memories of the old Oak Grove School. The couple married on August 30, 1947 and held their reception at the school.
Mary and I have always been good together, said Mr. Weigand.
The 1886 school house is now home to School House Winery where owners David and Jennifer Jagunic have renovated the structure into a boutique winery at 455 Schneiders Crossing Road.
The Jagunics allowed the Weigands to use the school house for their reunion on July 23.
When we bought this old schoolhouse we knew there was something special about it, said Mrs. Jagunic. Having renovated the building has allowed the Weigands to have this reunion here today. We did the right thing.
Both families at one time owned this property so it holds significance to them, said Kasey Rippel of Crossroads.
The Weigands spent much of their life together in a house they built on Fourteenth Street in Dover. Back then it was all farm land around there. We built our brick house right in the middle of all that, said Mr. Weigand. Wed love to get a picture of all of us at the old house again.
The Weigands currently reside at Schoenbrunn Healthcare at New Philadelphia.
When I was boy, I walked from the farm all the way to St. Joseph School every day and then back home again, said Mr. Weigand. Oh, dont let him fool you, said Mrs. Weigand. My dad drove him home in the car after basketball practice most times.
Mr. Weigand worked as an internal auditor for the government for 42 years and also had his own accounting practice for 50 years prior to his retirement.
Surrounded by their family, the Weigands enjoyed Mary Zifer pizza at the request of Jonathon. They dont make pizza well in Texas, he said. Other refreshments were served courtesy of Crossroads.
The Ultimate Gift, Gift of a Day program brings out the best in everyone by challenging staff, volunteers, and local businesses to get creative. Its a concept like no other, and it has brought smiles, tears, laughter and joy to hundreds of terminally ill patients and their families. Crossroads has been doing the program for fourteen years.
