Liv覺ng W
ABASH VALLE
Y
JUNE 2014
FREE
ADAMS, JAY & WELLS COUNTIES
& NEIGHBORING OHIO COMMUNITIES
Small-Town
Technologies Modern Products Meeting Needs Locally & Around the Globe
Celebrating
FIVE YEARS in Print!
Adams Memorial Hospital Orthopaedic Services “Your arm bone is connected to your shoulder bone”
When you need Orthopaedic care we’ll get you connected
Connecting knees, hips, and specializing in joint replacement Our orthopaedic team works with patients and coordinates their care from the very first visit through their physical rehabilitation process. Orthopaedic Care, Surgery, and Rehabilitation all under one roof! Services provided include:
• Broken Bones • Dislocations • Sprains & Strains • Sports Injuries • Joint and Tendon Pain • Arthritis
• Arthroscopic Surgery • Joint Replacement Surgery • Bone and Joint Surgery • Trauma Surgery • Work-related Injuries • Hand Problems
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Coats call 260-728-3900.
Exceptional Care! Close To You! 1100 Mercer Ave. • 260-724-2145 • www.adamshospital.org
WABASH VALLEY
LIVING www.wabashvalleyliving.com
CONTENTS
Editor................................... Amy M. Orr Contributors...Lee Anne Augsburger Dee Fisher
JUNE 2014
Sylvia Marbach Amy M. Orr Holly Wuebker Advertising.............. Raelene Hirschy
• COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF IBERDROLA RENEWABLES•
Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2014 © Wabash Valley Living, 2014. Published monthly since June 2009. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Editorial office: 346 U.S. Hwy. 27 North, Berne IN 46711. Call (260)849-2187 for editorial or advertising. Wabash Valley Living is printed by:
169 S. Jefferson Street, Berne, IN 46711 (877)589-2145 • www.EPGraphics.com
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Adams Memorial Hosp Amy's Professional Hair Anytime Fitness Backyard Furniture Berne Chamber Biggs Property Manage Blue Creek Bakery Bluffton Regional Med Bluhm & Reber Brad Alberson Agency Bryant Combine Parts Century 21 Advance Chain Reaction Classics Plus Auto D L Schwartz Company das Marit Farmers & Art Decatur Sculpture Tour Decatur Self-Storage E & M Blacksmith E & R Seed Earthen Treasures East of Chicago Pizza Edelweiss Floral Engine House Quilt Gathering House Geels Backhoe Gersh's Carpet Clean GM Plants & Produce Helen Woodard's Indiana Tech Installat Joe's Lighting
2 19 44 18 21 45 20 48 36 31 12 27 6 8 16 14 15 46 31 21 47 13 37 35 19 35 40 16 28 30 36
Just Because Karen's Treasures Liechty Bros M & M Flowers M.C. Hilty Miller's Variety MR Planners New Look Exteriors Next Page Bookstore Outdoor Concepts Pizza King of Decatur River Terrace Retirem Sam's Engine Clinic Schwartz Manufactur Schwartz Shoe Store Shaka Shack Signature Healthcare Simon's Manufactur Standard Auto Rental State Farm Steve Rich Swiss Heritage Village Swiss Village Retirem Swissland Cheese Tattered Treasures Troxel Equipment Van Wert CVB Velocity Motors Villa Lanes / Molly's Willow Creek Store Willshire Home Furnish Wilmen's Country Store Zurcher's Best-One
45 20 32 34 41 37 10 13 9 38 25 32 14 36 42 8 41 20 25 42 41 16 15 9 28 7 10 46 37 7 8 28
4
OUR 5th ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY
5
Harvesting Energy from the Sky
11
Basic to Complex Web Design & More
17
Pneumatic Actuators & Automated Assembly
22
CALENDAR OF AREA EVENTS
29
Business Network Management & More
33
Commercial Audio, Live Productions
39
Protecting from Fraud & Identity Theft
43
Foundry Tooling & 3D Printing
47
COUPON PAGE
Blue Creek Wind Farm – Van Wert, OH
Dynamic Business Solutions – Portland, IN
Micromatic, LLC – Berne, IN
Indiana Technical Installations – Bluffton, IN
Stage Right Productions – Fort Recovery, OH
iAB Financial Bank – Markle, IN
Hoosier Pattern Inc. – Decatur, IN
BIG
COUPON SAVINGS Page 47!
SCAN THE CODE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! We’ll keep you informed about special offers and discounts each month, and you’ll have quick access to any extra content that wasn’t included in the print edition!
5TH ANNIVERSARY
GIVEAWAY PRIZES INCLUDE:
•
$135 GIFT CERTIFICATE from New Look Exteriors in Geneva, IN
•
$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE from Eichhorn Jewelry in Decatur, IN
•
1-MONTH MEMBERSHIP at Anytime Fitness in Decatur, IN
•
1-MONTH MEMBERSHIP at Curves in Decatur, IN
•
$50 GIFT CERTIFICATE from EP Graphics in Berne, IN
•
$50 & $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES from TW Fable Restaurant in Bluffton, IN
•
ZOO PASSES FOR 2 ADULTS & 2 KIDS from Wabash Valley Living
•
TINCAPS BASEBALL GAME TICKETS FOR 4 from Wabash Valley Living
•
MOVIE TICKETS FOR 2 + $10 CONCESSIONS from Wabash Valley Living
•
$25 GIFT CERTIFICATES from D.L. Schwartz Co., East of Chicago Pizza, and Simon's Manufacturing in Berne, IN & MR Planners in Decatur, IN
•
$25 CHAMBER DOLLARS & 1.5 lbs. FUDGE from Jay County Visitors & Tourism Bureau in Portland, IN
•
1 lb. DOUBLE-DIPPED PEANUTS, 1 lb. MALTED MILK BALLS & PAIR OF PORCELAIN MUGS from Sharlette's Fudgery in Portland, IN
To Enter, Fill Out the Form Below and Mail it to: WVL CONTEST, 346 US HWY 27 NORTH, BERNE, IN 46711
Entries Must be Received by July 1, 2014. One entry per household. Must be 18 or older to enter. Winners will be drawn at random and notified by mail within 2 weeks of the entry deadline. Prizes must be picked up at the address above.
WVL 5th ANNIVERSARY CONTEST ENTRY FORM Full Name
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Blue Creek Wind Farm HARVESTING ENERGY FROM THE SKY Article by Dee Fisher Photos provided
A
s you approach Van Wert County on State Route 30 from either the east or the west, you cannot help but see the latest crop being harvested in this pastoral landscape. In the summertime, you can see corn, bean, and wheat fields stretching for miles, green plants sprouting and growing tall and strong.
The new crop, however, isn’t something grown in the ground or even walking around on four legs. It’s all around us, constantly being used, renewed, and used again. The new crop comes out of thin air – it’s the wind! Wind power has been used for thousands of years by humankind, since the first sailors
WVL May 2014 / 5
unfurled their sails and began to explore the world. It has been used to move machines to grind grain and pump water for at least two millennia. Wind is widely available, not requiring the fast-moving currents of rivers and streams or any other fuel source. And, in today’s ecoconscious world, wind power is valued because
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it is renewable and leaves little to no imprint on the local ecosystem. Today, wind power is especially used to generate electrical power, the life blood of our civilization. You’ll find wind-powered generators in many sizes, from small plants for isolated farms and homes to huge offshore wind farms that help supply electricity to national networks.
In 2010, Ohio passed Senate Bill 221, which brought changes in state tax policy that made quick development of a site in northwestern Ohio financially feasible. The wind farm site in Van Wert and Paulding counties was actually the fifth to be approved by the Ohio Power Sitting Board, but Iberdrola was the first
136 E. Main Street Van Wert, OH 45891
419-238-WERT (9378) Fax 419-238-4589
Toll-Free 877-989-2282 info@visitvanwert.org WVL May 2014 / 7
www.visitvanwert.org
PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY MEN & WOMEN
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The beginnings of the Blue Creek Wind Farm go back to 2006, when Iberdrola Renewables acquired two companies in northwest Ohio that had laid the foundations for wind farm development. Some of the project work had already been started for parts of what would become the Blue Creek Wind Farm. That, along with good wind resources, existing infrastructure for power transmission, and a community open to the benefits a wind farm would provide helped convince Iberdrola to come to Ohio.
W
“What (wind power) does do is provide a significant amount of energy throughout the year, and there are lots of benefits we receive from it: (helping create) a cleaner environment; reducing wholesale power prices, since we (wind farms) don’t pay for fuel and can bill lower than other energy companies; and increasing local economic development and tax revenues.”
SMALL-TOWN FRIENDLY & EXCEPTIONAL PRICES
“Don’t expect wind to do everything,” says Dan Litchfield, a project manager for the Blue Creek Wind Farm. He explained that wind is just one form of energy production, and the public shouldn’t have unreasonable expectations for its use.
ILLSHIRE
On a small scale, wind power can replace other, more traditional means of energy. At 4-5% of the total available energy supply, the large windmills erected in Van Wert and Paulding Counties in recent years will not replace the traditional power plants operating throughout Ohio, but they do provide a much more clean and renewable energy resource.
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to begin development of the site they had selected in northwestern Ohio. Litchfield, a native of Greenville, Ohio, revealed that the Ohio site was in competition with one just over the state line in Woodburn, Indiana. “In 2008, we were neck and neck between the two (sites),” Litchfield said. “When that law was passed, I said, ‘Hey, let’s focus in Ohio! We know there’ll be a market there.’” Ground was broken in September 2010, and the project reached completion in early 2012 and started commercial operation in June 2012.
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421 E 100 S MONROE, IN 1 mi. south & ½ mi. east of Monroe
Currently, the Blue Creek Wind Farm is the largest wind farm project in Ohio, located in Tully, Union, and Hoaglin Townships in Van Wert County and Benton, Blue Creek, and Latty Townships in Paulding County. It consists of 152 turbines, currently making it the largest of Iberdrola Renewables’ 50 U.S. projects. Since it went online in 2012, the project supports twenty employees: a plant manager, an administrator, and eighteen technicians. Iberdrola has donated funds to Vantage Vocational School in Van Wert to begin a training program to produce technicians who will be needed in the future. The ongoing energy contracts with FirstEnergy Solutions, American Municipal Power, and The Ohio State University will be in force for about twenty years. Jeff Thomas, owner of Lincoln Ridge Farms and a local landowner who leases land to Iberdrola, is a big supporter of alternative energy sources. He was approached by Iberdrola representatives about four years ago. After talking to the company, he and his wife, Cathy, have never looked back. “We’ve been treated very fairly,” Jeff said during a recent phone conversation.
8 / WVL May 2014
“Iberdrola is a very responsible company. They have gone above and beyond to make sure that both we and our land are treated very well.” Jeff emphasized how the local economy has been helped. “Iberdrola (and the Blue Creek Wind Farm) have been great for the tax base in the community. One of the wonderful benefits has been the money given to our local school systems.” Dan Litchfield also commented on the monetary benefits to both the schools and the community in general. “Iberdrola looks at giving back to the community for the long term. “We’ve given funds to the historical societies in both Paulding and Van Wert Counties. We also started an educational scholarship through the Van Wert County Foundation, and it was awarded for the first time this year.” What will happen when the current energy contracts run out in about twenty years? Litchfield says that the company will review the status of the wind farm. Then, depending on the financial health of the project and the energy demands present, Iberdrola will make the decision to maintain the farm or take the turbines down and move on.
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But, that’s a few years down the road. In the meantime, the winds keep blowing, and the windmills keep turning here in Van Wert County.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Iberdrola Renewables 126 E. Main Street Van Wert, OH 45891
(567) 259-3063 http://iberdrolarenewables.us
TATTERED TREASURES HOME DECORATING CONSULTANTS VINTAGE FURNITURE HOME DÉCOR
222 N. 2nd Street, Decatur IN
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Like us on Facebook to see our latest projects! WVL May 2014 / 9
Check out our blog at www.thetatteredtreasures.blogspot.com
Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary!
V
ELOCITY MOTORS
1750 N. Hwy 1, Bluffton • 260-824-2165 Velocity Motors is proud to announce our 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SALE. Since opening in May of 2009, we are proud to have sold over 1500 vehicles. We sincerely thank all of you, our customers, for our success. Since we have opened, we have been happy to support many groups, clubs, and events in Wells County and the surrounding area. We are also members of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association.
9,875
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‘10 Chevrolet Cobalt Blue | 4 Dr | 66,268 mi
To celebrate our anniversary, we are having a $500 CASH DRAWING on June 30th. You need not be present to win. Just come by the dealership to register. Thank you again for all your business the past 5 years. Chad, Brad, Kramer, Wes and I look forward to serving you in the future! Thank you very much, Steve Feasel
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WINDOW & DOOR our Maytag outdoor cooling/heat pump unit fails to operate during the first twelve years APPLIANCES mal use and due to a defect in materials or workmanship, NORDYNE will replace the
Dream...We PLAN... bor fee up to $250 will be paid to the service company toYou replace the failed piece of You are responsible for the balance of all labor charges. YOU GET TO ENJOY FAMILY! MER
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SUMpackage n your Maytag gas/electric unit or furnace fails to operate during the first ALS PECI E! S BEST APPLIANCE PACKAGE PRICE ip, under normal use and due to a defect in materialsSUITE or workmanship, NORDYNE will N ONLI or We’ll for Driving Here!to s/electric unit or furnace. A labor fee up Wash to $250Your will beCar paidJust to the service company of above listed equipment. You are responsible for the balance of all labor charges.
Dynamic Business Solutions BASIC TO COMPLEX WEBSITE DESIGN SERVICES & MORE Article by Holly Wuebker Photos provided
D
wanted to start his own business. He began coding sites from scratch, and even then, he created everything based on the needs of the individual customer.
Craig says he’s always had a passion for web design. He was a young man when he started building his first true website in 1993. His enthusiasm for the work multiplied, and Craig decided then that he
With limited resources and an abundant knowledge of web page design, Craig Frazee established Dynamic Business Solutions in 2005. From the comfort of his home, he began building websites for individuals and businesses throughout Jay County and in surrounding areas.
ynamic Business Solutions, based in Portland, Indiana, is an innovative company focused on assisting customers with all their website needs. From design and compilation, to hosting and technical support, the company is always ready to help.
WVL May 2014 / 11
In a short time, the company expanded even further than Craig had expected. Now, Dynamic Business Solutions assists customers across the country – from New Jersey, along the East Coast, to the West Coast in California. As a web design company, there are no limitations because of distance, and Dynamic Business Solutions offers a variety of ways for customers to communicate with the company. While nearby residents can stop by to meet with the staff in person and set
up custom web pages, customers from around the U.S. can get make contact via Skype, email messages, or telephone. In 2011, Craig moved his business downtown to 205 North Meridian Street. There were many benefits to the new location, including public visibility and gaining credibility within the local community through the establishment of a brickand-mortar headquarters. As a result, Dynamic
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Business Solutions continued to grow, and two new employees were added to assist the expanding customer base. Craig says he feels his staff has a “strong relationship” with the company’s current customers. “And,” he adds, “we have a lot of growth planned in the future.” Whether the customer is a retail business or a non-profit organization, large or small, every web page is custom-designed above a content management system. The accessibility of each website is also customized, as some customers prefer to update content themselves, while others leave it up to the experts at Dynamic Business Solutions. Craig and his staff can build a site from scratch, or maintain and add content to a pre-existing site. Dynamic Business Solutions takes care of the legwork, making website development easier and ensuring that designs are done correctly and to the best possible standards. So, what are the keys to creating a memorable and effective website? “Keeping it uniform with the company’s existing brand,” Craig responds. He recommends a deliberate and consistent focus on the topic of most interest to the audience. This is one advantage Dynamic Business Solutions offers over many online web pages which present “pre-determined” content with very little support. Craig explains, “We are designing the site to reflect how you want your business portrayed, in a custom way and with professional support.” So how does the web design process work? First, Craig says, there’s a meeting with the customer to discuss what they need or want, and a proposal is created based on those needs. Adjustments are made along the way according to the customer’s wishes, and, based on the customer’s degree of technical experience, Dynamic Business Solutions tries to simplify the process as much as possible. Craig and his team are able to provide the most basic “three-page presence sites” to very complex websites that host events, slideshows, newsfeed, sales, donations, ecommerce transactions, and more. The
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keys to web design success are tailoring features to each individual’s needs and providing safe, secure services. Dynamic Business Solutions also offers graphic design, business branding, and building apps or QR codes that can boost business. Custom apps can provide information and the means for potential customers or supporters to interact with a business or organization on a regular basis. These can be accessed with smartphones and tablets and can be used to “engage individuals” – to notify existing customers of upcoming sales, for instance.
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Websites, apps and QR codes can also be linked to ever-popular social media sites. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and others serve as way for businesses and organizations to link their clients together. Dynamic Business Solutions offers consultations on establishing a social media road map to outline how often users need to post or to provide ideas for spurring conversation between clients or “followers.” As technology advances, continuing education is necessary for web designers. The staff at Dynamic Business Solutions utilizes a variety of online courses to obtain certifications, maintaining a high level of proficiency and expertise. The courses also help to provide common knowledge of the search engine realm, which is continuously changing. Craig says the most rewarding part of his work is “seeing visitors go to the sites we have designed and get the information they need from our customers.” As a business owner and employee, he also admits, “It’s great to hear someone say something is ‘better than it used to be.’” Serving customers from coast to coast, as well as the local communities where its employees have their roots, is what Dynamic Business Solutions is all about.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 205 N. Meridian Street Portland, IN 47371
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EVERY SATURDAY 8 - NOON US 27 & SR 218, BERNE, IN Vendor Contact: (260)589-2936
14 / WVL May 2014
TM
Unveiling, Unveiling1 6p.m. p.m. Saturday, June 813 Friday, June
NNEW ONDiSplay DISPLAY ewSSCULPTURES culptureS oN • 1:00 p.m. Sculpture unveiling, music and tours • 11-3 p.m. Children’s Chalk Walk, food vendors, outdoor art gallery and more • 5-8 Music Wine–Tasting • 7-9p.m. p.m.Food, Outdoor musicand concert Riverside(Downtown) Center • 6• p.m. Unveiling 9:27 p.m. Old 27(Courthouse Film Festival atSquare) the Old 27 Ice Cream Shop • 2-4 p.m. Artists Inspiration Forum and Children’s Activities (Library)
• 8-10 p.m. Music Tent featuring My Lost Tribe (Charity Fundraiser - Vinnie’s) Join us Downtown Saturday, June 8 as we launch the 2013 tour with 15 new sculptures. Take time to appreciate our country’s first Join us Downtown Friday, June 13 as we launch the 2014 tour with 20 Peace Monument located on the Adams County Courthouse grounds, new and returning sculptures along 2nd, 3rd and Monroe Streets. which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Questions? Call Call the at 260.724.2604. Questions? theChamber Chamber TM
at 260.724.2604.
www.
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Micromatic LLC PNEUMATIC ACTUATORS AND AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY EQUIPMENT Article and Photos by Sylvia Marbach
W
hile the operations of Micromatic, LLC, are based in Berne, Indiana, the manufacturing company was established in Holland, Michigan in the 1920s. Specializing in rotary actuators and automation systems, Micromatic has experienced a great deal of success in both product lines. In equipment or machinery, a pneumatic actuator converts energy into motion. With a
rotary actuator, the motion is a rotation, rather than a straight line. Rick Bush, President and CEO of Micromatic, briefly describes some applications of the rotary actuator. “An actuator is used inside a larger piece of equipment. The actuator provides a mechanical wrist or an elbow motion in a very compact package with a lot of torque.�
WVL May 2014 / 17
“On the animation side, it’s used for a wrist or an elbow to move something, such as the corner mechanisms of a container spreader.” Interestingly, Micromatic’s actuators were used in the movie Jurassic Park. “In a mining application, a rotary actuator would be used to slow the door on a dipper, a mining piece of equipment. Or, in a sanitation
application, a rotary actuator would tip the garbage can into the truck. There are lots of things that need to have actuation or movement.” In addition to pneumatic actuators, Micromatic assembles a wide variety of automation systems, as well. The main application, Rick explains, “is for engaging piston connecting rods for automotive small engine or diesel, and also
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for transmission components. Nissan, Toyota, and Honda all utilize Micromatic automation equipment in their piston connecting rod assembly operations. “We’ve also done a few systems for washing machine components.” Rick has been with the company since April of 2006. He grew up on farm 30 miles from Indianapolis and graduated from Indiana University in 1980 with a degree in accounting. After a few job changes and relocations, he eventually settled in at Micromatic eight years ago. The position gave him the opportunity to be closer to home, while fulfilling his desire to operate a manufacturing business.
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What is it like to be president and CEO of a local company? Rick responds, “I don’t have a normal day. It could include anything from dealing with an issue we have to development of a project or product. I could be dealing with a personnel issue or a sales opportunity. “I actually go with our sales people, from time to time, to promote our growth and our product lines. My day could be anything – anything that I want it to be, and sometimes, things that I don’t want to address. But, such things have to be dealt with.”
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Rick says some of his duties include “accounting” and “setting the missions, the strategy, the plans for what we want to do going forward.” He also takes time to review resource requirements and to look at business needs.
(260) 589-8327
Since Rick joined the company, Micromatic has experienced a tremendous amount of progress. He says, “In the last eight years, we’ve grown the business by 60 percent.”
ATHERING HOU G THEcome see what our vendors SE
According to Rick, Micromatic has made several improvements in recent years. “We’ve taken our actuator product line from a process where we took customer
1027 S US Hwy 27 • Berne, IN
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WVL May 2014 / 19
105 W. Main Street, Berne, IN
260.589.8466
PRECAST CONCRETE STEPS orders, to one of business development, where we are actually out looking for new opportunities. We’ve been fortunate to get the owners of the business to invest in additional engineering resources so that we can develop new actuator products to meet specific industry needs.”
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Micromatic has also encountered numerous advances in technology over the past few decades. “Clearly technology has changed, as it relates to the actuator product line,” Rick says, “but the product itself has not changed substantially. The means of machining the product, and the individual parts, have changed dramatically. “This facility has been here [in Berne] since 1960,” says Rick. “Since that time, we’ve seen the equipment to machine the parts changing from manual controls to CNC (computer numerical control). “On the automation side, we’ve gone from vacuum tubes to state-of-the-art terminals that have little buttons to control things, versus controlling things with keypads.
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“All of the things that technology has changed in relation to your cell phone... those are also changes that have happened here, especially with production equipment – the technology relative to computers, controls, and conveyance. “Electronic eyes, robots, bar coding, 2d matrix...all the technology that you may take for granted today is technology that has evolved within Micromatic over the last few years. And, the tolerances (permissible limits of variation) have all become much tighter over the last 50 years.” In recent years, Micromatic has also expanded its service area. Formerly, it served North America exclusively. Today, Micromatic conducts business with companies around the world. Micromatic has potential for more growth, particularly in “the mining
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20 / WVL May 2014
THE ONE-STOP SHOP industry, the waste industry, and the testing industry,” Rick explains, “relative to our actuator product line.” Along with continued growth in these areas, he would also like to see Micromatic “expand its global footprint” even further. Another goal at Micromatic is building its relationship with the surrounding community. “Our biggest need in this community is to continue to get the word out about who Micromatic is, what it does, and the kind of jobs that we have,” Rick says. Positions at the company include: machinists, skilled clerical, engineers, product development, process engineers, and more. Rick states that the company “desires to be in partnership with the community.” Cooperation with the community and its workforce development is necessary to promote “the skills we need in order to grow Micromatic to be a premier employer in this community.” He says, “We’ve been working hard to reach out to South Adams Machine Trades, the Adams-Wells Manufacturing Alliance, and Project Lead The Way. We continue to spend a lot of time with IPFW and Ivy Tech up in Fort Wayne to find more skilled employees.” “What we do here is highly technical, and since we don’t sell to the immediate community, most don’t realize what we’re doing within these walls,” comments Sunita Winchester, Human Resource Manager at Micromatic. “There’s just a lot of opportunity inside this building that not too many people know about,” adds Rick.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 525 Berne Street Berne, IN 46711
(260) 589-2136 www.micromaticllc.com
WVL May 2014 / 21
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AREA EVENTS CALENDAR
1st
Decatur Flea Market 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Riverside Center Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2341
2
nd
Poetry Coterie
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Family Game Night 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Culpepper & Meriweather Circus 5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. US Hwy 27 & SR 218 Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8080
3rd
Blood Pressure Checks 8:15 a.m. McDonald’s Restaurant Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
Senior BINGO
8:30 a.m. McDonald’s Restaurant Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
Get Jazzed Up with Jamie (by appointment) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Blood Pressure Checks Noon - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
4th
Basket Class with Wilma Rigby
Tai Chi in the Park 11:00 a.m. Storybook Park Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Singles & Separates Support Group
2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Farmers Market - Every Wednesday in June 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Dutch Mill Plaza Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6412
Crafts & Chat
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Wet & Wacky Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells Community Pool Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
5th
Farmers Market - Every Thursday in June 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 1st Street Parking Lot Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2604
Genealogy Workshop 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Chicks' Run 5K
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. City Gym Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Community Garage Sale Weekend Begins Citywide Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2530
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
6
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Downtown Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6911
Needles, Hooks & Pins
22 / WVL May 2014
th
Artrageous / Peony Festival Opens
Farmers Market - Every Friday in June 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hwy 1 Pennville, Indiana (260) 731-2244
Papa Doo Run Run in Concert 7:00 p.m. Fountain Park Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-1743
The J Taylors in Concert 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Muensterberg Plaza Berne, Indiana (260) 589-3139
7th
Farmers Market - Every Saturday in June 8:00 a.m. - Noon Dutch Mill Plaza Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6412
Farmers Market - Every Saturday in June 8:00 a.m. - Noon Webster Depot Park Dunkirk, Indiana (765) 768-6877
Farmers Market - Every Saturday in June 8:00 a.m. - Noon Jay County Courthouse Portland, Indiana (260) 726-2565
dasMärit Farmers & Artists Market - Every Saturday 8:00 a.m. - Noon US Hwy 27 & State Road 218 Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2936
Monroe Lions Club 5K 8:15 a.m. Adams Central Schools Monroe, Indiana (260) 692-6610
Great Lakes Nations Pow Wow Opens 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tri-State Club Grounds Portland, Indiana (765) 426-3022
LEGO Club
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Elwood Haynes Mural Dedication 1:00 p.m. Meridian & Arch Streets Portland, Indiana (260) 726-4260
Jubilee Flower Show Opens 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wassenberg Art Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-2744
Wilburn & Wilburn in Concert 6:00 p.m. Gospel Barn of Bluffton Bluffton, Indiana (651) 269-2120
Concert in the Park - Every Saturday in June 7:00 p.m. Webster Depot Park Dunkirk, Indiana (765) 768-6877
8th
Haystack Luncheon
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Swiss Heritage Village & Museum Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8007
Grandpa & Me
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Kehoe Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Music in the Park 2:00 p.m. Storybook Park Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Brown Bag Book Club
Needles, Hooks & Pins
Melted Crayon Art
Food & Fun Cooking
Father's Day Craft
Tai Chi in the Park
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
11:00 a.m. Storybook Park Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
10
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
th
Blood Pressure Clinic 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. McDonald's Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Blood Pressure Clinic 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Richard's Restaurant Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Blood Pressure Checks Noon - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Bloodmobile
Noon - 6:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Computer Club
Ballroom Dance
Flight Risk in Concert
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
8:00 p.m. Van Trees Park Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2530
9
th
Cozy Christian Readers Book Discussion 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
10:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Riverside Center Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2520
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
iPad Club
Cookbook Club
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Color Chaos
Crafts & Chat
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Wet & Wacky Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells Community Pool Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
12th
Germs, Germs Everywhere 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Limberlost Trailblazer 2K 7:00 p.m. Loblolly Marsh Bryant, Indiana (260) 368-7428
13th
Healthy Cooking Class 10:00 a.m. - Noon South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Market on Main - Fridays through June
11th
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Downtown Main Street Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6911
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-3173
Safe Sitter Class
Scrapbooking Card Craft
WVL May 2014 / 23
Sculpture Tour Artists Forum 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Designer Purse BINGO 4:30 p.m. Van Wert Senior Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-5011
Decatur Sculpture Tour Unveiling 6:00 p.m. Courthouse Square Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2604
Arts in the Park 8:00 p.m. Memorial Park Ohio City, Ohio (419) 238-5011
14th
Touch a Truck
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Riverside Center Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2520
Hope Run for Haiti 5K 8:30 a.m. Amishville U.S.A. Geneva, Indiana (260) 849-3622
Touch a Truck
9:00 a.m. - Noon Washington Main Commons Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Kids' Garage Sale
9:00 a.m. - Noon Washington Main Commons Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Game Day for High School
Students & Adults 9:30 a.m. - Noon dasMärit Farmers & Artists Market Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2936
Wren Stock Music Festival 4:00 p.m. Downtown Wren, Ohio (419) 495-2752
The Hoppers in Concert
Stevens Puppets Presents Wizard of Oz 6:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
6:00 p.m. Gospel Barn of Bluffton Bluffton, Indiana (651) 269-2120
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Swiss Village Auditorium Berne, Indiana (260) 589-3173
17th
Saturday Night at the Village
15th
Chelsea House Orchestra 8:00 p.m. Van Trees Park Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2530
16th
Stevens Puppets Presents Wizard of Oz 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Senior BINGO
8:30 a.m. McDonald’s Restaurant Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
Pedicures with Jamie (by appointment) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Blood Pressure Checks Noon - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Dr. Who Party
Blood Pressure Checks
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Free Senior BINGO
18th
12:30 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877 1:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Cartoons on TV with Carlton Bishop 3:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
Make & Take Father's Day Craft
All Books Considered Book Discussion
June Art Exhibit Opens
Family Game Night
Needles, Hooks & Pins 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Food & Fun Cooking 10:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
Tai Chi in the Park
10:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
11:00 a.m. Storybook Park Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wassenberg Art Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6837
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
24 / WVL May 2014
Float Your Boat
Cartoons on TV with Carlton Bishop 3:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
(260)728-2151 310 E. Monroe Decatur, IN
Crafts & Chat
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Autism Parent Support Group 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Card Making Class 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Wet & Wacky Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells Community Pool Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Cooking with Chef Hector Minon
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Arts Commerce Visitors Ctr. Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
19th
Senior Theater Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
If I Had a Robot
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Ladies' Night Out
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Harvest Jubilee Opens
Named Business of the Year by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce!
SMORGASBORD LUNCH: Mon. thru Fri. 11a.m. - 1p.m. | Sun. 11a.m. - 1:30p.m.
SMORGASBORD DINNER: Tues., Thurs., & Sat. 5p.m. - 9p.m.
15% OFF TOTAL BILL –when you present the coupon on page 47–
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6:00 p.m. - Midnight Ambassador Park Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2530
Limberlost Trailblazer 3K 7:00 p.m. Loblolly Marsh Bryant, Indiana (260) 368-7428
WVL May 2014 / 25
20th
LEGO Club
Blood Pressure Checks
TBA Smiley Park Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-9121
Bison Craft
Tie Dye Day
1:00 p.m. Ouabache State Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 468-2127
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Washington Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
White Bison Scavenger Hunt
25th
Welch Trophy Fastpitch Tournament Opens
Jewelry with Anita
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Cartoons on TV with Carlton Bishop 3:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
Decatur Motor Sports Festival 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Downtown 2nd Street Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2604
Tom Rigney & Flambeau in Concert 7:00 p.m. Fountain Park Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-9378
21st
Flat 50-Plus Bike Tour 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bellmont High School Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2705
Bison Stampede 5K & Fun Run 8:00 a.m. Ouabache State Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 468-2127
St. Clair 5K
8:30 a.m. Fort Recovery State Museum Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2123
Genealogy 101
9:30 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Bison vs. Buffalo Hike 10:00 a.m. Ouabache State Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 468-2127
26 / WVL May 2014
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
2:30 p.m. Ouabache State Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 468-2127
Tribute Quartet in Concert 6:00 p.m. Gospel Barn of Bluffton Bluffton, Indiana (651) 269-2120
Night Fair Run
9:30 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (260) 726-3366
22nd
Music in the Park 2:00 p.m. Storybook Park Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
23rd
Spark Your Creativity 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Preserving Nature's Bounty 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Noon - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Pennville Legion Lions Fair Opens 9:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. Pennville Park Pennville, Indiana (260) 726-0600
Needles, Hooks & Pins 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Food & Fun Cooking 10:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
Senior Luncheon
Noon South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Crafts & Chat
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Wet & Wacky Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells Community Pool Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
26th
"Team Berne" Day
24th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Berne Clock Tower Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8080
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. McDonald's Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
7:30 p.m. Ouabache State Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 468-2127
Blood Pressure Clinic
Blood Pressure Clinic 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Richard's Restaurant Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Limberlost Trailblazer 4K 7:00 p.m. Loblolly Marsh Bryant, Indiana (260) 368-7428
27th
Willshire Days Opens 6:00 p.m. Willshire Park Willshire, Ohio (419) 495-2655
Broaden
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Brass Transit in Concert 7:00 p.m. Fountain Park Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-1743
Your Own Horizon!
3404 W 700 S - Berne, Indiana
Star Gazing
9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Lancaster Park Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
28th
Rough & Muddy 5K
8:30 a.m. Elm Grove Road & IN 201 Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Document Shred Day 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. iAB North Branch Bluffton, Indiana (855) 422-2264
Kustoms of America Cruise-In 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Moose Lodge Portland, Indiana (260) 726-8006
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10:00 a.m. - Noon dasM채rit Farmers & Artists Market Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2936
Geneva Car Show & Family Fun Day 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 Downtown Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7251
The Kingsmen in Concert
6:00 p.m. Gospel Barn of Bluffton Bluffton, Indiana (651) 269-2120
29th
MEGAHITS! Concert 8:00 p.m. Van Trees Park Fort Recovery, Ohio (419) 375-2530
WVL May 2014 / 27
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Indiana Technical Installations BUSINESS NETWORK MANAGEMENT, HOME AUDIO/VIDEO & MORE Article by Amy M. Orr Photos provided
T
hese days, it’s difficult to catch business partners Seth Eisaman and Matt Hirschy at their office in Bluffton, Indiana. While their company, Indiana Technical Installations, will only celebrate its one-year anniversary next month, the owners, who have more than 20 years experience between them, are quite busy. Seth says, “I have always been interested in electronics. Car audio is really what got me into
this field. I installed a lot of car audio in high school, and it was something I never gave up on.” While Seth started out as a CNC machine operator before moving on to manage a fabrication shop, he returned to his teenage passion just a few years later. Before opening Indiana Technical Installations (ITI) last July, Seth spent four years in the field he’s in now, installing car audio, home video/audio and security, and network wiring.
WVL May 2014 / 29
For Matt, the interest in technology came at an even younger age. “When I was 12, my dad built me my first computer shop in our garage,” he explains. “I bought every piece of junk computer I could afford and assembled the pieces into some of my first computers.” Matt worked as a farm manager for three years before accepting a job in computer sales and repairs. For seven years, he designed, built and
supported all forms of business networks, as well as building, selling and repairing computers, laptops and servers. Interestingly, Seth and Matt crossed paths in the pursuit of outdoor adventure. Seth recalls, “We met to make a trade – a four-wheeler for a motorcycle. “Matt and I had both been considering starting our own companies for some time. We felt this was the
best way to achieve our desired goals. We got to talking about our ideas and decided to merge them.” Combining forces, these two men offer a wide variety of services at ITI. For individuals, the company provides PC repair, including virus and spyware removal, as well as automotive installation of stereos, speakers, subwoofers, and remote start equipment. Services for homeowners are as basic as remote control solutions to consolidate as many as five remotes into one single controller and as complex as the installation of video surveillance accessible by smart devices. ITI also offers monitored security, surround sound installation and wholehouse WiFi. Business owners may take advantage of the same services and more. In fact, ITI specializes in business network design and implementation. Seth says, “We really like to make technology easy for companies and show them the many ways they can benefit from it.” In addition to technical consulting for businesses, ITI offers installation or retrofitting of network wiring and network management, which includes keeping all computers up-to-date and functioning correctly. Cell booster installation is another service available to businesses and can eliminate cell phone dead zones in small offices or throughout large buildings. “We are focused on taking care of companies that do not need someone full-time, while giving them the attention needed to make them feel as though they do have someone on-staff,” says Seth. “We try to understand our customer companies and everything they do, from start to finish, so we can give them ideas about where technology can benefit them.” Just shy of ITI’s first anniversary, Seth says their biggest jobs to date were for businesses in the area. The first was a cloud-based surveillance camera system for Nesco in Bluffton and included installation of 19 cameras. This job was also the most unusual for ITI because the company requested a 70-inch flat screen television be mounted sideways in one of its shops.
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ITI’s most complex job so far was in Fort Wayne. “Bertsch Frank and Associates purchased a new location. We wired the whole building for network, which included computers, printers, WiFi, servers and network-attached storage, and moved their existing equipment from the old location to the new location.” In the future, the ITI owners would like to branch out into new construction wiring for both commercial and residential construction. “But,” Seth adds, “the main focus of the business will always be to provide all-around technical support for small businesses.”
? ? A N U A S
GIVE US A CALL! 251 E. Water Street • Berne, IN 46711
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Seth feels the strength of ITI is that it is a “one-stop shop” for customers. “We provide multiple services to keep technology, as a whole, simpler for the customer.” While he acknowledges that his work is very time-consuming and can be “stressful, at times,” Seth says it has been a great experience so far. “The only thing I wish I could do differently is to take the plunge earlier.” To business owners, Seth advises, “Don’t be afraid to ask us about any of your technology needs. No job is too big or too small. We really enjoy creating custom technical solutions for all different types of businesses.” For the rest of us, he offers a bit of advice for extending the life of a PC or laptop. “General check-ups and internal cleaning can improve the longevity of computers. They can get packed with dust and overheat. “Battery back-ups can be put in place, as well, to help with power interruptions and fluctuations.”
CONTACT INFORMATION: 2250 N. Main Street Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-2488 http://ititech.biz
32 / WVL May 2014
Stage Right Productions COMMERCIAL AUDIO EQUIPMENT & LIVE PRODUCTIONS Article by Holly Wuebker Photos provided
W
hile enjoying a festival concert or a choir or band performance, you probably don’t give much thought to the event set-up – all the hard work that is necessary to make such an event possible. Whether it’s a weekly church service, or a rocking concert with the most up-and-coming band, there is quite a bit of preparation that goes into the process. That’s where you’ll
find Steve Merrill of Stage Right Productions – taking care of all the behind-the-scenes details. According to Steve, Stage Right Productions is an “authentic sound company” that focuses on precision and completing jobs correctly. Aiming to provide the best audio experience possible, Steve and his staff are some of the best in the commercial audio business.
WVL May 2014 / 33
Last June, a Sound & Video Contractor Podcast featured Steve and Stage Right Productions’ audio installations at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Minster, Ohio. The interview focused on Stage Right’s precision, problem-solving skills and expertise for completing the project, and it led to more work for Steve, including another church project in Sidney, Ohio.
Steve has done several jobs for churches in Mercer County and the surrounding area. He recently installed audio equipment in several rooms at St. Charles Seminary in Celina, as well. Stage Right Productions’ expertise has also been employed by a number of local corporations and factories, including Minster Machine Company.
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With such a specialized business, it’s not unusual for Steve to travel longer distances. For instance, Huntington University has asked Steve to outfit their recital room. He has also scheduled work at Sandusky High School, where he will install a complete new audio system. Typically, Steve prefers to stay within a three- to four-hour radius, but he says it depends on the size of the project or event and the type installation that is needed. Festivals are also an important aspect of Steve’s work. Stage Right Productions sets up sound for the Coldwater Community Picnic, Celina Lake Festival Pageant, Coldwater K of C Picnic, and Maria Stein’s Country Fest, just to name a few. Steve says he enjoys working with “such wonderful people” at these area festivals, and at times, the local event planners are “almost like a second family” to him. Some of the largest shows he has done have been for popular bands, including the Newsboys (twice). Other events, like Fort Recovery’s Mad Run, are more relaxed. For some weekend events, Steve starts his work as early as 8 a.m. on Friday and doesn’t tear down and pack up until Sunday afternoon. Steve has ventured even further from home. For two weeks, he accompanied Christian singer Audrey Assad during her concert tour along the East Coast. With concert locations about five hours apart, the crew set up for the popular young artist in a variety of locations, from small churches to gymnasiums. The challenge for Steve was trying to figure out the sound system in each location. In fact, the wide variety of sound venues is what makes Steve’s profession so unique. Every event is distinctive,
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whether indoors or outdoors. Hiding wires and achieving optimal sound are his utmost priorities, as well as his biggest challenges. One of the keys is the RTA (real time analyzer) equipment he utilizes which sends noise through a room to help determine the appropriate settings for speakers and other equipment, based on the size, shape, etc. of the space.
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Basically, as Steve prepares for an event, he first gauges the needs of the customer. Typically, customers provide guidelines on the equipment that will be needed for an event. Next, Steve uses an RTA system located on his computer to monitor sound and to determine how it is reverberating off walls. The program shows pattern differences on the computer and uses room analyzing software to note the best spots to set up equipment and equalize the room. Sometimes, says Steve, it’s about “sounding natural.” He adds, “Your body can tell you a lot physically... whether a room is hollow or too brassy.” With the constant changes in technology, it’s of utmost importance to be familiar with the variety of equipment available. Today, analog sound boards are being replaced by digital versions. Some digital boards can be accessed with an iPad, and sound technicians are able to change the settings on the board remotely. To stay up-to-date, Steve takes sound courses throughout the year to learn about new equipment and the latest techniques. He recently attended a training seminar in Findlay, Ohio, for
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mixing professionals using Soundcraft digital boards. Now, with “production season” approaching, Stage Right Productions will be booked during the week and on weekends in preparation for upcoming summer festivities. For Steve, his wife Betsy, and their seven children, this schedule works out well. Betsy is a graphic designer, so she is able to help out quite a bit. And, the Merrills’ fourteen year-old son travels with Steve when he can because he enjoys setting up the shows. Steve says the mission of Stage Right Productions is to be “a Christian operation” while offering competitive quotes and professional services. From the rental, purchase or set-up of speakers, amps, microphones, cables, lighting equipment, sound boards and more, they provide complete commercial audio services. Stage Right Productions also offers free training on their products at the time of installation. Steve points out that since the company is local and independent, this lowers some costs. His goal is to provide the best service possible. Steve adds, “That’s what we are there for – to custom tailor our services to what the customer needs.”
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iAB Financial Bank PROTECTING CUSTOMERS FROM FRAUD & IDENTITY THEFT Article and Photos by Lee Anne Augsburger
I
f you are looking for a dependable bank, Markle’s hometown bank, iAB Financial Bank, may be the right choice. iAB goes out of its way to secure your finances, and with its many friendly employees, you’ll feel right at home. In 2005, a Fort Wayne company known as Independent Alliance Banks merged the holding companies of two hometown banks – Markle Bank and Grabill Bank – which were both founded in 1946. In 2012, Independent Alliance
Banks formally merged the two banks, as well, establishing iAB Financial Bank. Today, iAB employs a staff of 285 and operates branches in Allen, Wells, Huntington and Grant counties. For nearly 70 years, the company has been locally owned. Rick Oatess, Security Officer at iAB in Markle is the man to speak with if you are concerned about identity theft or the security of your finances,
WVL May 2014 / 39
although all iAB employees are trained to protect customer information. Rick’s former experiences as a state trooper and a latent print examiner lend him additional authority on matters of security. This bank employee has a very keen prospective on detecting and identifying suspect behavior to help protect customers like you and me from the bad guys! He was once able to help find a kidnapped woman from an elbow print left behind by her abductor.
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To protect your identity and your financial accounts, Rick says you should never give out your personal information, especially if someone contacts you to ask for such information. It should create suspicion when someone asks you to send or wire money to them. Always check into a situation before you give out information or money. Don’t feel pressured, no matter how convincing and persistent someone
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might sound. Check your sources, verify information, and call your bank and check with them in these situations. Protecting your accounts with passwords is another good way to help to protect your personal information and finances. For more suggestions on protecting your identity, visit iAB’s website at www.iabfinancial.com, and click on the Fraud / Identity Protection link at the bottom of the page. There, you will find helpful tips to protect and secure your financial future. One of the ways iAB helps to prevent identity theft for its customers is by offering a Protection Pak service on customer checking accounts. iAB’s Protection Pak includes: • Card patrol with fraud support service: Real-time, online monitoring of registered debit or credit cards and immediate notification if any suspicious activity has been detected on the registered cards, plus fraud support, should any identity theft occur.
•
•
Credit alert: A 24-hour, daily credit monitoring service with automatic alerts of certain negative changes to a customer’s credit. MyIDMatters: An educational website that keeps customers informed of topics associated with personal identity and security fraud. Customers learn tips to stay protected from the latest fraud scams, trends, and tactics.
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Identity theft insurance: Customers receive up to $2,500 in financial compensation for covered expenses incurred in the recovery of stolen identity.
Another special iAB public service will be offered at the end of June when iAB hosts a document Shred Day on Saturday, June 28th from 9 to 11 a.m. This event allows consumers to get rid of sensitive documents and personal information while keeping the data out of the hands of identity thieves.
(260)768-8154
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iAB also offers public speakers for events at schools, churches and civic organizations to educate consumers on how to protect themselves and their finances from identity thieves.
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WVL May 2014 / 41
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iAB’s Shred Day is free to the public, and anyone can bring documents to be shredded at the following locations: • Bluffton North Branch at 1405 Baker Place, Bluffton, Indiana •
Huntington Branch at 2845 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana
•
iAB Operations Center at 118 East Ludwig Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana
The employees of iAB take pride in serving the community. Along with the traditional banking services of checking and savings accounts, iAB also has a strong focus on business, agribusiness, and mortgage lending. iAB is excited to offer new technology conveniences for customers, including a Plastic Checking account that pays customers back when they use their debit card (transactions over $5). iAB is the only bank in the area to offer this incentive. Plus, the bank has added new mobile and iPad banking apps this year that provide extra convenience (and safety) for mobile banking. According to Meegan Siegwarth, Marketing Director at iAB, the bank “continues to thrive because of great products offered, plus the employees’ commitment to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. In fact, we continually ask for customers to provide their feedback through customer surveys.” Meegan adds, “We also conduct our own Mystery Shops, where we hire ‘customers’ to shop our bank and help us meet our own internal goals and standards. It’s a great way for us to measure ourselves and continue on a positive progression.”
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So, whether you stop at one of the many locations or go online, iAB Financial offers a number of options to secure and manage your finances. Take a look at what iAB has to offer, because they are what community is all about.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 180 Morse Street Markle, IN 4770
(260) 758-3111
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42 / WVL May 2014
Hoosier Pattern Inc. FOUNDRY TOOLING AND HIGH-TECH 3D SAND PRINTING Article and Photos by Lee Anne Augsburger
J
ust out of high school, Keith Gerber was persuaded by a teacher to pursue a career in machine tool technology. Today, he couldn’t be happier with his choice. Keith earned an associate’s degree in machine tool technology, and upon graduating, he was offered a job with a Fort Wayne company. Keith accepted an apprenticeship at Ward
Pattern Engineering and continued to work there until he felt he had more to offer. In an entrepreneurial spirit, Keith determined to advance his career by starting his own business. So, in November 1997, Keith (now sole owner) and two partners established Hoosier Pattern Inc. in Decatur, Indiana.
WVL May 2014 / 43
Foundry tooling is Hoosier Pattern’s specialty, though it’s not their only service. Keith says they strive to be up-to-date with the latest in foundry knowledge and technology. The company sends employees to training seminars, and continual research is done in search of new products and procedures to remain profitable and further the company’s growth.
Hoosier Pattern’s employees come from a wide variety of occupational backgrounds. This, combined the latest technology, gives the company an advantage when approaching new and challenging tasks. Hoosier Pattern prides itself in on-time delivery, knowing that timing can make or break a foundry’s schedule.
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One service Hoosier Pattern offers that is unique is its 3D printing. The ExOne S-Max™ sand printing system, selectively dispenses foundry-grade resin into thin layers of specially engineered sand. With an on-demand sand management system, a printhead offering precise dosing of the binding agent, and capabilities for complex internal details, the process produces accurate, uniform cores and molds, quickly reducing lead time. Hoosier Pattern’s website insists, “If you can design it, we can build it.” The ExOne S-Max™ is the biggest and newest model, and Hoosier Pattern is the only service provider in the U.S. with this machine. Manufactured in Germany, the ExOne S-Max™ takes six months to build and then is shipped to its location. Hoosier Pattern also operates a laser scanner which can scan an item to reproduce it. With on-the-edge technology, and the company’s drive to be the best and stay on top of its game, there is no end to what Hoosier Pattern can offer its customers! Some in the area aren’t aware of Hoosier Pattern and its capabilities. The company is something of a hidden treasure. But, Keith is very much involved in the community and partners with many local businesses, as well as high schools in the region. Hoosier Pattern is active at Spotlight on Decatur and works to get high school students interested in the technology of engineering manufacturing. The company is very involved in all six schools in the Adams County and Wells County communities. In fact, Keith is a founding member and president of the Adams-Wells Manufacturing Alliance, “a group
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of manufacturers, educators, and community leaders who meet monthly to work towards improving technical training for skilled trades at the high school level.” Hoosier Pattern also donates and supplies the area high schools with equipment when machine trades classes are in need of specialized tools, such as calculators or even large machinery. In the near future, Keith is hoping to offer two high school students a paid two-week internship at Hoosier Pattern. He’d like to see these students learn about the work and produce a product of their own to take home with them. Learning some of the basics of production at Hoosier Pattern might persuade them to pursue this everexpanding career, just as Keith was persuaded years ago. Hoosier Pattern also offers an apprenticeship program that includes 10,000 working hours over five years, as well as 12 classes completed at Ivy Tech Community College. Apprentices learn to set up jobs in the CNC machining centers, how to bench and assemble tooling, how to properly operate manual mills and lathes, operation of the CMM and laser scanner, programming of the machining centers, and modeling tooling. Keith believes his employees are his greatest asset. He affirms their role in the company’s success, admitting, “I couldn’t do it without them.”
CONTACT INFORMATION: 906 N. 10th Street Decatur, IN 46733
(260) 724-9430 http://hoosierpattern.com
46 / WVL May 2014
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