Author Archive: Chad Baus

Having written not only one, but two blog posts about my grandfather, the second generation of our family business, literally on the day of his passing, I expected that I would be able to do the same about my dad, who I was blessed to work with almost every day for 19 years, and who passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 24, 2022.

But those words just won’t come – at least not yet.

Thankfully, words DID come at his Celebration of Life service, when we marked his passing with family, friends, church and community. So instead of waiting for what won’t come, I’m going to share here what already has been.

I pray it helps you remember Dad, or, if you weren’t privileged to know him, feel a bit more like you did.

Dad loved telling stories, and so after the service we thought it fitting marked his passing by telling some [...]

Larry N. Baus joined his heavenly Father on November 24, 2022. He was born August 1, 1950 in Wauseon, Ohio, the son of the late Edward D. Baus & Leanna M. (Nofzinger) Baus. A graduate of Archbold High School and Stautzenberger College, Larry was a resident of Archbold for most of his life.

He married his wife of nearly 51 years, T. Eileen Shinabery, on December 25, 1971, and she survives. They were blessed with two sons, Chad (Beth) and Aaron (Marissa), along with four grandsons, Daniel, Levi, Owen and Leo. Larry is also survived by one brother, Gene (Marva) Baus.

Larry enjoyed attending his grandsons’ sporting and musical events.

Larry was thankful to have been able to serve Archbold and our surrounding communities for more than 50 years through the family’s automotive business, Nofzinger Motor [...]

Preventative maintenance now can help ensure worry-free driving this winter

The vacations are over, the kids are back in school and cooler evenings have begun. Take advantage of the lull to prepare your vehicle for the winter ahead, advise the pros and the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Breakdowns, never convenient, can be dangerous in cold weather period.

The following tips from ASE should give parent and student alike a road map to fall car care.

There are a number of times when people need to store a vehicle for an extended period of time. Maybe you have a convertible that you love to drive in the summer, but winter is on the way. Or perhaps you’re going to leave town for a job or an extended vacation. Maybe you are in the military and are being deployed overseas.

Whatever the reason for your time away from the vehicle, you’ll need to put it in storage. If you simply let your vehicle sit on the street or in a garage for an extended period of time, you may return to a dead battery or — worse yet — a damaged engine, ruined tires and a rat’s nest under your hood.

Here are important steps to take before you store a vehicle. They will preserve the life of the engine and ensure that your car starts when you return to it.

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You don’t have to travel far to take in the phenomenon of fall foliage. All across the U.S., from New England to the Pacific Northwest, deciduous trees put on their dazzling display of color. Leaf viewing is one of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to experience America’s awe-inspiring natural beauty. Check out our picks for the ten best destinations for fall foliage or get out there and discover your own.

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It won’t be long before the weather gets iffy, if that time hasn’t already arrived. Driving safely during the fall months requires more than just cautious driver behavior. Your car also needs some attention.

Here are 10 practical tips to help get your car ready for fall.

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Fall is a time for hay rides, leaf peeping and pumpkin picking. It’s also a time when road and weather conditions make getting there a little tougher.

Stay safe on the road this season with these smart driving tips.

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It’s perhaps surprising, but true: Driving on a rainy day is more dangerous than driving on a snowy one. When the rain starts to fall and pavement is wet, your likelihood of a crash is higher than during wintry conditions like snow, sleet and ice, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

After averaging 10 years of statistics, NHTSA researchers found that 46 percent of weather-related crashes happened during rainfall, but just 17 percent while it was snowing or sleeting. Those statistics are partially explained, of course, by the fact that many drivers have the good sense to stay home during a bad snowstorm, says Debbie Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, which offers defensive driving courses. But the statistics also reflect a sobering truth, she says: Drivers often do not respect the rain, and fail to adjust their driving habits to hazardous conditions.

Here is how to [...]

Regular preventive maintenance is probably the single thing you can do as a car owner to keep your ride happy and save money on repairs in the future. However, not everyone agrees on what preventive maintenance is, what you should do, and when you should do it. Let’s clear that up, and give you some tips that’ll apply to any vehicle.

Anyone who’s ever worked on cars or spent a ton of money getting their car repaired will tell you: Don’t ignore preventive maintenance. The basics, like changing your oil, checking your tire pressure, and getting scheduled inspections and work done are like getting regular checkups at the doctor. They keep you healthy and give you—and the experts—a chance to catch anything serious before it becomes a major problem. With your car, that can save you thousands.

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