News, notices, stories, and happenings from Flatfield, Ohio.
ISSUE 006 · SEPTEMBER 2026
Flatfield honors passing of rock legend Danny Red
Flatfield joined music fans around the country this week in remembering Danny Red, guitarist, singer, and co-founder of the legendary rock group The Caps. Redwood officials report Red's death was due to natural causes; he was 99.
Red formed The Caps with longtime musical partner Kelly Blue. Together, the pair produced a catalog of loud, fuzzy rock songs that have survived well beyond their original release dates.
In Flatfield, none may have survived better than “Bobby Lump.”
The song, led by Red’s unmistakable low growl and guitar riff before Blue’s pounding beat kicks in, remains a favorite in Packets around town. It is old by traditional standards; many parents remember hearing it as kids, and now some of their children love it.
Candle Avenue resident Avner Offtenmiller counts himself among the faithful.
“You hear those first few beats, and you turn it up,” Offtenmiller said. “That’s just what you do.”
His sons, Marshal and Kian, apparently agree. Ten-year-old Quinn Offtenmiller offered a different assessment. “They like it.”
Rock on Danny Red!
Tricorns prep Harvest Festival art
Mighty Maples and Little Leaf Locusts will turn yellow, orange and brown in the coming weeks as cooler temperatures settle over Flatfield and the green chlorophyll begins to fade.
“The leaves will go from green to brown,” Gazette intern Edward explained.
Yes, even the interns here at the Gazette understand that when September arrives, the leaves eventually change color.
The same autumn transformation is already underway inside the bustling halls of Washington Elementary.
Paint, paper, brushes, and more than a few unfinished pumpkins have taken over parts of the school as Tricorns finish artwork for this year’s Flatfield Harvest Festival.
Student work will be displayed around the town square during the festival, continuing a longtime Washington Elementary tradition.
Mrs. Moritz’s students have spent the past several days creating pieces inspired by life in Flatfield. Ohnay, Lake Erie, Packets, pumpkins, and familiar scenes from around town have all found their way onto paper, signs, and banners.
“If we don’t know where we are from, then we can’t understand where we are going,” sixth-grade teacher Tanya Moritz said.
Our resident teacher-artist has made sure that students have a chance to reflect on the place they call home while creating something the entire community will see.
The finished pieces will be installed downtown as Harvest Festival preparations continue.
Ferrets finish season on a hot streak
by Jack Ridge
Better late than never, as the saying goes. The Flatfield Ferrets waited until the final stretch of the season to become completely unbeatable.
The Fighting Ferrets closed out their Triple-A campaign with a historic 20-game winning streak. The perfect August will go down as the most dominant stretch in franchise history.
The winning streak came too late to change Flatfield’s postseason plans, but it may change what comes next for several players. Multiple Ferrets are expected to get a look at the next level down by Lake Erie, including several of the team’s top hitters and pitchers.
"You don't win 20 games in a row by accident in this league," Ferrets manager Darryl Gervin said. "We proved what this group is capable of when everything clicks. We showed the organization that we are stronger together."
For the Flatfield faithful, the historic run provided a thrilling finale to the summer, even as the end of the baseball calendar signals a return to the classroom.
"I love the hot dogs, getting to stay up late, and seeing Ferris," 10-year-old superfan Allison Mackie said.
The season may be officially in the books, but Flatfield fans can head into the winter with one undeniable truth: nobody could touch the Ferrets down the stretch.
Packet parade planned for spring
Calling all packetheads, One Flatfield has announced May 30th for this year's Packetpalooza. The parade will step off at 10 AM. Festivities will include the Packet walk around the square, Mag Salt motor displays from Flatfield High, and of course the latest in Packet technology.
The Packet parade celebrates the vehicles that have carried generations of Flatfield families around town and far beyond it.
Modern Packets run on renewable mag-salt and are designed to connect directly to the Mag-Salt Railway for longer trips. But some of the Packets still traveling Flatfield streets have been doing so for decades.
Many older models remain in remarkably good condition, thanks to owners who have preserved original interiors, maintained their railway hardware and, in some cases, spent years tracking down replacement parts.
Organizers say the spring event will give residents an opportunity to bring those older Packets out of their garages and onto the streets together.
Details about the route, registration, and participating models will be announced in April.
Around Flatfield
Lake conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 69°F
Winds: SE 15 mph
Ohnay advisory: LOW
Sunset: 7:32 PM