It was a natural transition for Steven Hanford. He had trained under Ken Gillenwater since he was of elementary school age.

So when Hanford replaced Gillenwater as director of the Lions Karate Academy in North Webster officially in April, he was not exactly treading new territory.

The change in directors took place due to Gillenwater being diagnosed with health problems. Hanford, who had been teaching martial arts in Fort Wayne for two years, was looking to expand or build a new building. “He (Gillenwater) was looking for less duty,” Hanford said.

Hanford said he and Gillenwater had talked for several years about Hanford being the new director when it was time for a change. Gillenwater had been director of Lions Karate Academy since it opened in 1986.

Hanford brings an impressive set of credentials. He is a fifth degree black belt in tae kwon do, a third degree in kobudo and a first degree in aiki-jujitsu.

He has updated the building with a new roof and bathroom and will have a new ceiling installed and painting done, too. The academy’s presence has also been expanded in the digital age with an Internet site and a Facebook page.

“We want to get out in the community more by sponsoring youth league teams and doing some classes at the North Webster Community Center,” he said. “We plan to do halftime demonstrations at Upward basketball games,” and martial arts classes have been added, too.

There are three kids classes, two teen classes and two adult classes at Lions Karate Academy. At 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, a school bus from North Webster Elementary School drops off kids at the main stoplight in Webster and one of the black belt students meets them there.

Lions Karate Academy is located at 126 S. Main St. (SR 13). For more information, call 574-834-4053 or 574-527-5765. The website is www.lionskarate.com.
Hanford can be reached by email at [email protected].