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MARCH 2015
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WABASH VALLEY
LIVING www.wabashvalleyliving.com
CONTENTS
Editor................................... Amy M. Orr Contributors....................... Dee Fisher Jim Kirkwood
MARCH 2015
Sylvia Marbach Amy M. Orr Advertising......................Ed Ferguson Mary Ann Seavers
Cover Photo Courtesy of Pretty Plain Janes
See the blog at prettyplainjanes.com.
Vol. 7, No. 3, March 2015 © Wabash Valley Living, 2015. 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.
5
Amish Country Popcorn Portland, Indiana
11 Messmakerbaker Gourmet Preserves
Editorial office: 346 U.S. Hwy. 27 North, Berne IN 46711. Call (260)849-2187 for editorial or advertising.
Van Wert, Ohio & Surrounding Communities
17 Don Ray Drive-A-Way
Wabash Valley Living is printed by:
Decatur, Indiana
22 CALENDAR OF AREA EVENTS
169 S. Jefferson Street, Berne, IN 46711 (877)589-2145 • www.EPGraphics.com
27 Honegger, Ringger & Co. Bluffton, Indiana
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS A Perfect Blend
29
Honegger Ringger & Co 30
Adams Memorial Hosp
48
Jay County Retirement 33
Amy's Photography
35
Jerry Flack Financial
Amy's Professional Hair
9
14
Joe's Lighting Products 19
25
Karen's Treasures
8
Biggs Property Manage 43
Lillie's Tin Ceiling
13
Bixler Insurance
8
LJ's Leatherworks &
20
BKM Real Estate
40
Mariachi Loco
28
Bluffton Tire
30
Merlin's Martin Houses
Arnold's Drive-In
Century 21 Advance
7
Milo Schwartz AKC
19
Pasquetti's Italian Rest 38
14
Porter-Takats Insurance 34
Courtyard Lakes Villas
15
Pizza King of Decatur
25
Crossroads Federal Cred
4
Rebecca Cochran CPA
44
D & H Workshop
16
River Terrace Estates
29
D L Schwartz Co
32
Schug House Inn
14
Decatur Self-Storage
44
Schwartz Manufactur
9
Earthen Treasures
10
Schwartz Shoe Store
20
East of Chicago
39
Shari S Tomac Insurance 21 Steve Rich Insurance
43
Edelweiss Floral
39
Swiss Village Retirement 6
Engine House Quilt
21
Swissland Cheese Co
16
4
The Hope Clinic
42
Fort Fitness-N-More
34
Van Wert CVB
15
Geels Backhoe
20
Velocity Motors
18
Family LifeCare
Gersh's Carpet Cleaning 33
Willshire Home Furnish 13
Graber Insurance
Yager Furniture
39
Helen Woodard's Yager 35
37 Fort Recovery State Museum Fort Recovery, Ohio
41 Rebecca Cochran, CPA, PC Decatur, Indiana
19
Classics Plus Auto
7
Portland, Indiana
8
Chain Reaction
Eastview Apartments
31 Becca James Photography
10
Zurcher's Best-One Tire 12
46
FIND FRIEDRICH CONTEST
47
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BIG
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Popcorn Article and Photos by Sylvia Marbach
rian Lehman jokes, “My kids were raised on popcorn.” It might not be the sort of joke you’d expect to hear from a parent, but when you realize you’re speaking with the founder and owner of Amish Country Popcorn, based in Berne, Indiana... it makes sense. Amish Country Popcorn operates on the very same plot of land where Brian grew up. He says, “I’ve lived on this road all my life, except for six months after I got married.” The farm has been in the family even longer.
The family traces its ownership back to the late 1800s. “It’s been a Hoosier homestead for over 100 years,” Brian adds. Brian’s first experiences with raising popcorn happened right there on the family farm. He was introduced at a young age. “My parents put popcorn in the garden when I was six. They don’t know why they chose to plant it. “At harvest time, I took it to school and sold it to teachers. I’ve been selling popcorn ever since.”
WVL March 2015 / 5
The name Amish Country Popcorn was coined in late 1970. “Amishville was one of my first customers,” Brian explains. “We thought it fit.” At the time, Brian was too young and inexperienced to foresee the benefits such a name would bring. “I named it that because I was in the middle of Amish country, not because I realized the term ‘Amish’ was going to be a big selling point.”
Years later, Brian acknowledges, “The name does catch attention.” In fact, many of his regular customers are Amish-related tourist sites, such as Amishville U.S.A. Campground. Following his graduation from South Adams High School in 1977, Brian planted 25 acres of popcorn. Up to that point, he had grown and sold it on a much smaller scale.
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Although the business did not take off at first, even struggling in its early years, Brian stuck with it. “I’ve never known how to quit. It probably looked pretty crazy from a distance. But, I was young, and nothing scared me.” According to Brian, raising and selling popcorn isn’t only a means of providing for his family. He also loves farming. “My dad recommended it, and I wanted to farm. Popcorn kept me in farming.” Another reason Amish Country Popcorn has been so successful is because of the wide range of popcorn varieties they offer. “Being around popcorn, I knew there were a lot of different types,” says Brian, “so I started thinking, ‘I wonder what would happen if we come up with as many types as we can and put them all together, side-by-side.’” After all, he points out, “If you’re going to sell jam, you don’t just do strawberry, so why not try all these different types of corn. “We found as many different types that we felt were quality corns, or varieties that we felt had a selling point to them, and put them side-by-side. And, our sales just went up. “And then, customers started coming to us because we’re the only ones who have a particular type of corn. Maybe there’s another producer that has one or two of these varieties, but we’re the one that has all of them. When I have eight or ten on the shelf, side-by-side, the competition looks boring.” Amish Country Popcorn offers red, white, yellow, blue, purple, and rainbowcolored popcorn in a variety of sizes. They also sell mushroom popcorn, which is used for caramel corn. Brian explains, “Customers want it for that reason.” The kernels produce firm, round pieces when popped. “It’s not as good for eating by itself, but it’s great for candy coating.”
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One of Amish Country Popcorn’s biggest sellers is the ladyfinger variety. Brian recalls, “We were told it couldn’t be massproduced because it is very complicated to grow and to harvest. It took awhile to figure that process out. “But, we always thought that if we could figure out how to mass-produce ladyfinger, people would buy it. And, that has been true. It’s also what really has helped us the last 15 years.” Amish Country Popcorn has expanded its retail selection to include gift items, microwave popcorn, oils, and salts. Popcorn is also available for purchase packaged in burlap bags that resemble feed sacks. “I’ve found a product that sells itself,” Brian says, “and a lot of our growth in the last 15 years – they’ve come to us. That’s fun because I don’t feel I’m pushing anything on anybody. “It’s something they’re looking for, and they’re wanting. So, I don’t aggressively go out and market because I haven’t had to. I like knowing that they’re coming here because they enjoy it, not because it’s a product they have to have. “If they come in the door, I know they’re looking for corn. They come to us because they like our product. It’s rewarding.”
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Brian’s small-town business has grown from “coast-to-coast.” Amish Country Popcorn reaches customers in every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. “We marketed somewhere around 5 million pounds last year.” However, with an immense amount of success comes some “growing pains.” Brian says challenges have included “trying to stay ahead of the finances as we grew, trying to get more building space and more inventory. Those were probably some of our biggest challenges.
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“Quality control and keeping the right amount of corn on hand” are other complicating factors, adds Brian. “You don’t want more than you need. You want to keep it fresh, so you want a new crop every year. But, you don’t want to run out, either.
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“Stores, especially outside of rural areas, do not understand when you run out. So, the challenge is to never run out of product. “But, you always have the quality issue there, too. And, this is weather-related, so there are quality issues related to farming that are unavoidable.” What is Brian’s role at Amish Country Popcorn? “I would say my biggest duty is farming and seeing to it that there is corn available for them to package.” Though he is involved in the many other aspects of the business, Brian admits, “My dream had always been to farm, so I prefer being on the tractor.” Most of his employees are people of faith; the team at Amish Country Popcorn begins every morning in prayer. “I do believe, as a Christian, all things work together for good. “I’ve been asked what my next goal is, and I’ve passed them all. Now, we just keep building the business so we can pass it on. So, if our kids or grandkids want to be a part of it in, they have that opportunity. “I’ve got enough. I’m living comfortably, and I can stay busy.” Brian credits much of his business success to his wife Shelly and their seven children.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 5433 S 150 E Berne, IN 46711 (260) 589-8513 www.amishcountrypopcorn.com
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Gourmet Preserves Article by Dee Fisher
Photos Courtesy of PrettyPlainJanes.com
bout 10 years ago, Vicki Miller, a stay-at-home mom, decided to start canning so that her family could enjoy fresh food flavors throughout the year. Working out of her kitchen, she began creating, among other things, fruit preserves, granola, and baked goods. Vicki made enough over the next few years to give homemade gifts to her friends and family for special occasions, or “just to let them know they were appreciated,” she says. The gifts became so popular that friends and
family began to ask her if they could purchase her products to give as gifts and favors at birthdays, bridal showers, and weddings. As the requests continued to roll in, Vicki soon realized that, financially, she couldn’t continue making an ever-increasing number of products for an ever-increasing number of clients. However, she wasn’t prepared to stop providing goods for people that loved them so much. So, with the support of her family, Messmakerbaker Gourmet Preserves was born!
WVL March 2015 / 11
“The name ‘Messmakerbaker’ came about as I was trying to come up with a unique brand name, especially for online use,” Vicki says. Every homemaker can relate to the “mess” that home cooking can make in a kitchen. “Messmakerbaker” became Vicki’s logo very quickly in her business.
time researching exactly what was needed to create a viable business that would also comply with state requirements for small food businesses. At the same time, she wanted to stay true to her vision of always using fresh, additive-free ingredients for her products. “There is a lot that goes into starting a business like this, including learning a lot about state regulations
However, she didn’t make the decision to open a business lightly. Vicki spent much
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“And then, I use social media to help promote other local small businesses that I partner with at various local vendor shows like Market on Main in Van Wert and, most recently, the Apple Festival held in the fall at the county fairgrounds.” Vicki is committed to supporting local businesses. “I’ve grown my business by partnering with other small businesses in the county, not only as a means of distribution, but also to bring awareness to the many small businesses and talents in the area,” she says.
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Even the fresh ingredients for her products are locally grown, and she participates in local events to sell her goods. “I purchase produce in season from local farmers, such as Adam’s Apples.
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But her support of local business doesn’t stop there! “My labels for the jams and jellies are created at Gibby’s Express, and my business cards are printed at Wilkinson’s Printing, both in Van Wert.”
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Currently, besides using word of mouth, the internet, farmer’s markets and vendor shows to sell her goods, Vicki’s products are displayed at Once I Was on Washington Street in Van Wert and The Secret Garden on Tully Street in Convoy.
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“So, I had a brand created and used local businesses to supply my business paperwork and advertising supplies. That way, I was also adding to the local community. To me, community is very important.”
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Currently, Vicki creates gourmet preserves and jams, as well as granola, for her appreciative customers. Flavors
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include raspberry jam, raspberry caramel jam, raspberry habanero jam, blackberry caramel jam, dark chocolate raspberry jam, and bananas foster jam. Her granola is “naked” – created with all natural ingredients and no fillers of any kind. “I have a son with a severe peanut allergy, so all my granola is made absolutely 100% peanut and tree nut free,” Vicki says. “The granola I make, as well as the jams and preserves, are made with all-natural ingredients, with no preservatives or fillers included. “Using no artificial ingredients creates more value in the product and also explains why it costs a bit more.” She smiles. “It’s worth it, though, to give healthy products to my family and community.” Last year, she created Christmas Granola – a blend of old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, olive oil, pure maple syrup, dried organic coconut, cinnamon, sea salt, white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and local farm fresh egg whites (this helps to bind the granola together for that crunchy texture). Sounds yummy, doesn’t it? For the moment, Vicki continues to work out of her home kitchen, a large, airy, and immaculate space with lots of counter space for production. “Everything I make is made ‘slow and low’ – all in small batches,” says Vicki. “I will never use an ‘assembly-line’ method to create my products.” Her family helps her in the cooking and canning, especially her mother and her older daughter. Eventually, Vicki would like to have a larger space to work in. “Over the next 12 to 36 months, I will be expanding
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my operation to a commercial space, with the ultimate goal of selling my products in gourmet food shops across the United States, online, and locally here in Ohio,” Vicki states. In the summer of 2015, Vicki is looking at expanding her local product distribution to a store called Celebrate Local. It’s located in the Easton Mall in Columbus and sells only products created in Ohio. She adds that she would like her larger work space to be on her family’s property outside Convoy so that she can maintain her “stay-at-home mom” status. “Much of that depends on getting the proper papers and permits for a larger operation from the government,” she says. “In the meantime, I will continue making my products in small batches!” As a part of her commitment to the local community, Vicki regularly donates products to support various charitable causes and organizations in the county. “Giving back is something important to me,” Vicki shares. “I ensure that a minimum of five jars of gourmet preserves are passed along as ‘joy in a jar’ to share with those in need of a little sweetness!” Messmakerbaker Gourmet Preserves is located outside Convoy, Ohio. Products can be ordered by phone, and they are available for purchase at several Van Wert business locations.
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Drive-A-Way Article and Photos by Jim Kirkwood
itting in the captain’s chair of a brandnew, sleek motor home, you feel as if you are above the world. Looking out at the uninterrupted panorama of the road ahead, it is impossible to keep your mind from considering the adventures that await you in your travels to imagined Shangri-las. This sumptuous home on wheels will soon arrive at destinations in the mountains, the desert, the seashore, the lake, hidden trout streams, or even the driveway of your far-away grandchildren. The dreams never stop.
The reality, however, is that this motor home is still at the factory or in a transition area and has yet to be delivered to you. The responsibility of moving this vehicle, or any kind of trailer, from manufacturer to a dealership is Don Ray DriveA-Way Company in Decatur, Indiana. Their modern facilities are situated on U.S. 27, but Don Ray Drive-A-Way began as a small transportation business at the home of Don and Louise Ray in 1971. The Decatur couple took a leap of faith by hiring one other driver to assist them in hauling units from a local motor home
WVL March 2015 / 17
manufacturer and storing the units on a small rented lot for dealer pickup. The business was a success and grew much larger. By 1973, Don and Louise received their federal motor carrier operating authority and named their business Don Ray Drive-AWay Company, Inc. The business continued to grow because this certification allowed them to deliver motor homes directly to dealerships across the country.
V
Don eventually created dispatch offices to expand their business to Elkhart and Nappanee, Indiana. They also have an office in Bloomington, California. Don’s motto, “Transportation House of Quality,” has served as a guide throughout the years of development. Don Ray Drive-A-Way’s business is to “move things.” They move big things and have done so for more than 35 years. They work with manufacturers and dealerships to move motor
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homes, straight trucks, travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers across the United States and Canada. Louise currently heads the company; Don passed away several years ago.
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Zac Bolen, Operations Manager in Decatur, explains that “the ideal driver” is a person “who has some flexibility (in his or her schedule) and is ready to move on to a different occupation.” He says, “Our goal is to train them and make sure they are DOT qualified. “This allows them to use what some of our drivers call their ‘golden years,’ where they can travel the country and see the things they’ve never had a chance to see before. They were doing a ‘9 to 5,’ raising their kids and making a living, and now they get to travel – and get paid to travel.”
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In regards to the job, Zac says, “The trailer deliveries are made by owneroperator drivers. They own their pickup truck, and they pull our trailer. Once they deliver it, their contractual responsibility has been fulfilled. Depending on where the unit is going, and the route they are taking, we like to have it delivered in 4 days.” Driver Cathy Legg reports about one onthe-job experience. “I met (NASCAR driver) Brian Vickers, and he was very short. I told him I’d put the steps down because the (RV) floor was about four feet high. “He said he didn’t need them, but I said he couldn’t make it without them. He said ‘Bet me?’ and jumped in, much to my surprise.” Zac says the motor homes and trailers are not held on the parking areas of Don Ray Drive-A-Way for very long. “I always tell the staff that we are in the transportation business, not the storage business. When we are storing, we are not making any money.
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“We strive to get the product on the road to its destination within three days. It needs to be on the road.” An interesting distinction is made between the professional drivers and the customer. Zac explains, “During the time it is commercial, there are a lot of very strict rules that we have to follow. We can take a 45-foot $650k motor home to a dealership, and during the time we have it, everything is strict, strict, strict. It’s got to have a CDL (DOT certified) driver.
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“The purchaser could be a 95 year-old man with a walker. At that point, it is no longer commercial. It is recreational, and the new owner has no driving restrictions. So, he can pop in with a regular driver’s license.” It is hard to imagine a 95-year-old driver “popping into” one of these massive vehicles, but his point is taken: The transport driver is a professional with specific DOT rules to follow; the new owner needs only have a driver’s license. According to Zac, only part of the delivery trip lends itself to personal enjoyment. “It is not a job where you are in the RV, and you pass the Grand Canyon, so you pull over and stop. “That’s not what you do on the outbound trip; those are the opportunities that you can have on the return trip, when you are in your personal vehicle.” Drivers often attach a personal vehicle to the back of a motor home and use that to drive back home. Cathy reports, “The RVers are so friendly, and when they see us, they think we are also RVers. For example, if we are moving a used coach – say we are taking it to or from getting some repair – a friendly RVer might say, ‘Why don’t you come in for coffee? My wife’s cooking something
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– why don’t you stop in?’ But, of course, we can’t.” Zac agrees. “The RV community is very friendly and outgoing. So, if our driver pulls in to get fuel or stops for a rest, you get, ‘Wow! That’s a pretty nice product! Can I see that?’ “The answer is, ‘No, no, we don’t want dirt, or footprints—no, you can’t come into my coach.’ Our drivers are not allowed to use any of the amenities, the toilet, the refrigerator, the beds and so on.” Cathy and her husband are both drivers for Don Ray Drive-A-Way. They travel together frequently. When asked if she rides alongside her husband, she says with a proud look, “Heck, no. I drive another one. This way, we get paid double. “Sometimes, when we are stopped for fuel or a break, and my husband is driving a big one, and I’m driving another big one, people come up to chat and ask, ‘Why are you driving two of them?’
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“My husband jokes, ‘Well, I didn’t like the color of hers, and she doesn’t like the color of mine.’” These and many other interesting stories are told by Don Ray Drive-A-Way’s professional drivers as they enjoy their “golden years.” They contribute to the growing field of moving recreational vehicles from the manufacturer to the final destination, ready for adventures.
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AREA EVENTS CALENDAR
2nd
3rd
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
8:15 a.m. McDonald's Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
Tax Aid for Seniors
AARP Tax Preparers 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Cozy Christian Readers Book Discussion 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Lunch & Learn 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Jay County Hospital Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7890
Mom's Support Group 1:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Poetry Coterie 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Blood Pressure Checks
Senior BINGO 8:30 a.m. McDonald's Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
Toddler Gold Hunt & Bank Tour 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. City Gym Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Blood Pressure Checks 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Read Across America 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Computer Basics 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Musical Monday 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
22 / WVL March 2015
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
LEGO Club
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Genealogy Workshop 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Weight Watchers Meeting 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
6th
Crochet Lesson
Artists in Action
PJ Story Hour
LEGO Club
6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
4th
8th
Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
3:00 p.m. Niswonger Perf. Arts Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6722
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
AHA Healthcare Provider Needles, Hooks & Pins CPR Class 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Crocheting with Dawn
Internet Basics
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
5th
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ballentine Gallery Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
Love Letters
9th
Tax Aid for Seniors 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Tai Chi Class
AARP Tax Preparers
Moms' Morning Out
Brown Bag Book Club
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. YMCA Bluffton, Indiana (260) 565-9622
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Mom's Support Group 1:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Cooking Class
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bluffton Middle School Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Cookbook Club
6:15 p.m. Jay County Public Library Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7890
10th
Blood Pressure Clinic 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. McDonald's Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
AARP Tax Preparers 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Fiber Arts Group 6:30 p.m. Creative Arts Center Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
11th
Needles, Hooks & Pins 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Jewelry Class with Becky Lehman
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
12th
Tai Chi Class
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
13th
Artists in Action 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ballentine Gallery Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
Fiber Fest & Spin-In 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (260) 726-3366
Montana Skies 7:30 p.m. Arts Place Portland, Indiana (260) 726-4809
The Newsboys 7:30 p.m. Niswonger Perf. Arts Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6722
14th
Moms' Morning Out
Childbirth Education Class
Blood Pressure Checks
Creative Cards Class with Tanya Fox
Fiber Fest & Spin-In
Computer Club
JL Trekkers
iPad Club
Weight Watchers Meeting
Blood Pressure Clinic 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Richard's Restaurant Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
No Boys Allowed! Book Club 6:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
No Girls Allowed! Book Club 6:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. YMCA Bluffton, Indiana (260) 565-9622
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Who Picked This Book, Anyway? Book Club 6:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Early One Evening Opens 8:00 p.m. Van Wert Civic Theatre Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-9689
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (260) 726-3366
Movie at the Branch 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Saturday Afternoon at the Movies 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Saturday Night at the Village 7:00 p.m. Swiss Village Auditorium Berne, Indiana (260) 589-3173
WVL March 2015 / 23
15th
Canal Commission Boatman's Benefit Dinner 6:00 p.m. Niswonger Perf. Arts Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6722
16th
Tax Aid for Seniors 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Blood Pressure Check 12:30 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Free BINGO 1:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Intermediate Internet 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Mom's Support Group 1:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
All Books Considered Book Discussion 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Where Am I Eating? w/ Author Kelsey Timmerman 6:15 p.m. Jay County Public Library Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7890
17th
Senior BINGO 8:30 a.m. McDonald's Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2327
24 / WVL March 2015
Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
AARP Tax Preparers 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Moms' Morning Out 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. YMCA Bluffton, Indiana (260) 565-9622
Seniors Theater Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Blood Pressure Checks
March Madness Games & Snacks
Red Cross Bloodmobile
LEGO Club
Crochet Lesson
Weight Watchers Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Kids Club
6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
JL Crew: Canvas & Cookies 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
18th
Needles, Hooks & Pins 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Intro to Microsoft Word 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
19
th
Tai Chi Class
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
12:30 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
20th
Artists in Action
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ballentine Gallery Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
LEGO Club
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
21st
Adams County Winter Market
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Adams County 4-H Dining Hall Monroe, Indiana
NCGLNAC Spring Cultural Arts Classes 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (765) 426-3022
NCGLNAC Lecture: Prophet's Trail 7:00 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (765) 426-3022
22nd
(260)728-2151
NCGLNAC Spring Cultural Arts Classes
310 E. Monroe
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, Indiana (765) 426-3022
Decatur, IN
The Peregrine Falcon 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Limberlost Visitor Center Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7428
Formula for Life 5K Scholarship Run 2:00 p.m. Fort Recovery High School Fort Recovery, Ohio aobringer@sf.edu
High School Invitational Exhibit Opens 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wassenberg Art Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6837
Concert Pianist Leon Bates 3:00 p.m. Niswonger Perf. Arts Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6722
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23rd
Tax Aid for Seniors 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
AARP Tax Preparers 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Geneva, Indiana (260) 368-7270
Mom's Support Group 1:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
K123 Club: Make It & Take It 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
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WVL March 2015 / 25
24th
Blood Pressure Clinic 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. McDonald's Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
AARP Tax Preparers 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Blood Pressure Clinic 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Richard's Restaurant Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Cut, Crease, Create Paper Sculpture 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Blood Pressure Checks 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Muselman Wellness Pavilion Berne, Indiana (260) 589-4496
Youth Movie
2:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
Hook & Needles Club 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Jay County Public Library Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7890
Evening LEGO Club 6:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Monthly Program Meeting 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Jay County Historical Museum Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7168
25th
Needles, Hooks & Pins 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
26 / WVL March 2015
Paper Kites Take Flight 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Game Day
2:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
SLR Camera Workshop 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
26
th
Tai Chi Class
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. South Adams Senior Center Berne, Indiana (260) 589-8877
Moms' Morning Out 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. YMCA Bluffton, Indiana (260) 565-9622
Fancy Nancy Tea Party 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
SLR Camera Workshop 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
Weight Watchers Meeting 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Homemade Card Class 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. City Hall Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-6069
27th
Artists in Action
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ballentine Gallery Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-5222
You're Never Too Old to Finger Paint 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
Youth Movie
2:00 p.m. Berne Public Library Berne, Indiana (260) 589-2809
28th
Make It Take It Craft 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Jay County Public Library Portland, Indiana (260) 726-7890
Memphis
7:30 p.m. Niswonger Perf. Arts Center Van Wert, Ohio (419) 238-6722
30th
Tax Aid for Seniors 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wells County Library Ossian, Indiana (260) 622-4691
Mom's Support Group 1:00 p.m. Adams Memorial Hospital Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2145
Spring Eggstravaganza 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wells County Library Bluffton, Indiana (260) 824-1612
Easter Egg Decorating 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
31st
AARP Tax Preparers 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adams Public Library Decatur, Indiana (260) 724-2605
& Company Article by Amy M. Orr
Photos Courtesy of Ed Ferguson
round the offices of Honegger, Ringger & Company, says Karen Everett, the joke is, “We have three seasons: preparing for tax season, tax season and recovering from tax season.” Karen serves as Firm Administrator at Honegger, Ringger & Co. “That title covers a lot of duties,” she says. “My main role is meeting the needs of our team. You could say that I’m the human resources department.” She also handles the firm’s in-house accounting.
Honegger, Ringger & Co. celebrates 45 years in business this year. The firm was founded in 1969 by Ken Honegger. “This was a time when CPAs were not permitted by their licensing agency to advertise or directly solicit business,” Karen adds. During the early days of the business, Ken struggled to cover the bills. However, held to his faith and prayed for provision – his prayer was answered with an anonymous monetary gift that showed up at the office one day. Karen
WVL March 2015 / 27
says with “God’s blessing,” Ken slowly built his business through his involvement in community organizations and by providing quality service. After working for a national CPA firm, Steve Ringger joined Ken in 1975, and together, the men launched what became Honegger, Ringger & Company. Karen testifies, “The founding principles of faith, integrity and client service continue to fuel the vision for the company as we serve our clients and our community.”
Today, Honegger, Ringger & Co. has nine partners, including: Ken Honegger, Bruce Miller, Mark Gerber, Trent Bucher, Lisa Girod, Mark Klopfenstein, Brad Johnson, Karla Lipscomb, and emeritus partner Steve Ringger. “All have leading credentials and growing loyal client lists.” And, says Karen, employees are generally very content in their work. “I started here in 1996,” she says. “Before coming here, I had never
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worked more than five years at any one place. As with many of my co-workers, though, once we came to Honegger, Ringger & Co., we stayed. “There is so much that I appreciate. I guess the things I appreciate the most are my coworkers and the Christian environment of the firm. We did a survey several years back and asked what employees liked the most, and the majority said their coworkers. “We are very blessed to have that environment. I have worked places where that would have been what people liked the least.” Karen continues, “The scope of our services has grown over the years to reflect the changing needs of our clients. In addition to our accounting, tax, estate planning and consulting services, we’ve compiled more than 45 years of experience in working with the special needs of a variety of businesses, farmers, agri-businesses, and not-for-profits. “We offer payroll services and have six QuickBooks Pro Advisors on our team. We have an affiliation with Shelton Financial Group, who offer a full line of investment and life insurance products, as well as assistance with your financial and estate planning needs.” Not only does Honegger, Ringger & Co. provide advice on estate and retirement planning, but the staff also furnishes business consulting services. “We offer a variety of services to meet the needs of our clients and allow them to spend more time doing what they do best – running their business.” Consulting services include: succession planning, business valuations, business expansion, purchase or sale of businesses, business check-ups, entity selection, and lease or buy decisions. “Most of our clients are located in Wells and surrounding counties,” Karen reports. “However, we have clients located across the United States. With the technology we have today, servicing our out-of-state clients has become easier.
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“Tax season comes into full swing for us in December and runs through the middle of May. Of course, with the different tax deadlines, the office is very busy. You will see lights on in the office from very early in the morning to very late at night.” According to Karen, the biggest challenge of tax season is often the timing of changes to tax laws – with some made in the midst of tax season. “It puts everything on hold,” she explains. “Once the law is finalized, programmers have to update the tax software to reflect the new law. “The software forms must be approved by the government before the software company can release them. A couple years ago, the law and forms were not approved yet by the government for the March 1st deadline for farmers, so the government extended the deadline to April 15th. “For us, that just put a lot more work in a short amount of time.” Fortunately, tax forms may be completed online, and most forms are now filed electronically. Honegger, Ringger & Co. even employs its own in-house IT technician. “He keeps our operations running smoothly and also assists with our clients’ IT needs.”
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The mission of Honegger, Ringger & Co. is to “provide proactive consulting, tax and accounting services in an environment that promotes integrity and concern for both the client and team needs.” Karen says, “We truly live by our mission statement. In every big decision we make, we discuss what our mission is, and that is how we make the decision. “All of us at Honegger, Ringger & Co. are so grateful to Ken Honegger and Steve Ringger for the company they built.”
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Photography Article by Jim Kirkwood
Photos Courtesy of Becca James Photography
hotographer Becca James and I sit down to chat in the quiet and pleasant Genealogy Room at the beautiful Jay County Public Library. Shortly before I enter the room, she snaps a photo of a reflection in the interior window of the library. The photo shows a row of houses.
As I try to see the attraction she visualizes in the viewfinder of her Canon 7D camera, I notice a ghost of a reflection of ceiling lights in the library window and mention it to her. Becca spent her early years as a teacher, and slipping back into that role, she explains, “The reflection of the lights above sort of frames it.”
“I think I’m going to like it,” she says. “I know the person who owns that house.” She offers to let me have a look.
Yes, it really does; I see what she means. But I wonder how many people would have taken that photo? Most of us would not have seen
WVL March 2015 / 31
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Grinders & parts ▪ Horseshoeing She says, “I’m a show-and-tell type of learner. I been scanning, I realize I had a good eye, too. It always had a camera, even when I was a kid… wasn’t recognized or pushed by▪ anybody. supplies Horse training headsta so, I’ve always been aware.” Becca recently ▪ Anvils ▪ Oil lamps ▪ Coleman See our assortment of LED looked through old albums of photos she had “I didn’t take good photos consistently – only repair For parts ▪ Pressure battery taken in the past – some manylamps years agoand – andheadlights. every once in a while. example, there cookers & parts ▪ Parmak fencers decided to convert them into digital images. are photos of my son, which I took through ▪ and muc more…..
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playground rings. I just didn’t realize at the time that was interesting composition.” At present, Becca is teaching composition and cropping to a young teen-age girl. Primarily, Becca instructs her student to look at subjects with the idea of how that scene might look in a finished photograph. “I’m not teaching techniques to her now, or even how to use her camera. I’m trying to develop a good eye, and I believe she’s getting it,” says Becca proudly. “She’s entering photos in the 4-H shows, and she’s doing well; she got some big ribbons at the state fair.” Becca recalls her own progression in learning photographic composition. “The first picture I got any praise for was of a stone doorstep at the Hawkins cabin in Jay County.” The log cabin is gone, but one of the descendants had “doorstep” carved into the old stone step. “The photo was so amazingly sharp that my brother was blown away.” She modestly adds, “It was really the camera that did the work. Not too much later, my brother switched from film to digital. Early one morning in 2007, Becca was leaving Portland on her way to Limberlost Cabin, a richly photogenic site. “I was photographing Freedom Park, which was beautiful and blue in the fog; when I turned around, there was the Arch Bridge, just visible.” She quickly and carefully composed her shot. Once she put it on Flickr, she discovered that many people commented favorably on it.
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“Everybody loves the bridge photo,” she says. It is one of many photos that Becca has sold to various people and organizations. One of her favorite photography subjects is horses. “Why horses?” I ask. With a
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sheepish grin, she answers, “Because I didn’t get a horse when I was a child.” Becca often stops at nearby Amish farms to look at their Belgian draft horses. “One day, I saw these great big horses in Randolph County, and I was so fascinated, I drove in. A guy came out, and he was so friendly. “He and his wife allowed me to hang out and take photos,” says Becca. She has many photos of “Rex” and “Prince” in the barn and at work in the field. Becca’s favorite horses are the magnificent shires at Shire Power Farms in Portland, owned by Jan and Dick Forthofer.
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While not having a physical store or a permanent display of her photos, Becca uses social media such as Facebook and Flickr to make people aware of her work. She also participates in a local artist’s group known as The Alcove. “We meet every month, and we have shows on display in Blackford County and the John Jay Center, and we have pop-up galleries in doctors’ offices and similar places. If they say yes, we hang up lots of photos. “We thought of having a pop-up show in an empty storefront but haven’t settled on one yet. Since there is often a charge to display photos in offices, we leave them up for just a few months.” Becca’s photos on the Flickr website can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ becca3k/sets.
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There, one can spend hours looking through Becca’s amazing collection of very interesting, sometimes humorous, sometimes sublime photographs. There is a link on that site to contact Becca, should you wish permission to download one or more of her photographs.
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State Museum Article and Photos by Jim Kirkwood
irtually unknown to the general population outside of Fort Recovery is the Fort Recovery State Museum. Managed by the Fort Recovery Historical Society, and with Nancy Knapke as museum director, it welcomes visitors and tour groups between the months of April and November. “The museum was built as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project in the 1930s,” says Nancy, “and originally served as the town library. Later, the library was moved, and the Ohio Historical Society leased the building and created the museum.”
In 1980, the museum was closed by the Ohio Historical Society (OHS) due to lack of state funding. In 1982, an OHS rep came to the community and met with a group of Fort Recovery organizational leaders. Their proposition: “If we (OHS) give you the money ($8,000) it costs us to keep the museum closed per year, would this town be willing to take over the management and day-to-day running of the museum?” Nancy, as president of the local hospital auxiliary, her brother-in-law, Jim Zehringer, representing the Lions club, Pat Hull, the
WVL March 2015 / 37
local historical society, and Charlie Hein, a community-minded businessman, formed a group who agreed to take on that responsibility. Nancy recalls, “After we committed, we said, ‘If we are going to run the museum, we are going to need a lot of participation from the community.’ “I went to school here and graduated from here, but when I went to college, if people would have asked me what happened historically in Fort Recovery, I couldn’t have told them. You would
think, as a citizen of the town, people would have cared about this museum. But few seemed to care. “So, in 1983 we got Merritt Wood, a professor from Wright State University, to offer a series of four classes in what used to be our old West School cafeteria. About 50 to 60 people came. And, in four nights, Mr. Wood pretty much taught us the entire history of Fort Recovery and its significance.”
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Visitors learn about the two most momentous Indian battles that ever took place in the United States. “Comparing the battles here against the better-known Little Big Horn (Custer’s last stand), there’s no doubt the size and ferocity were greater here. The world balance of power hung in jeopardy here after this first battle.”
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The Fort Recovery State Museum features educational dioramas and many artifacts from St. Clair’s Defeat, now known as the Battle of the Wabash. The museum tells two main stories: first, how Chief Little Turtle and Chief Blue Jacket defeated the American army of 2,000 soldiers and officers under General Arthur St. Clair on November 4, 1791; and, secondly, of the victory of Anthony Wayne’s Army over that same confederation in the battle of Fort Recovery in 1794.
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“There aren’t many places you can go that really tell a story as well as this museum does,” says Nancy.
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The main floor of the museum is divided into sections with breathtaking exhibits. A large, life-size diorama illustrates Wayne’s soldiers in a stockade, with a packhorse cannon and artifacts and uniforms of the 1790s soldier.
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The small nucleus of supporters soon grew to a critical mass of people who cared about the museum and who understood its significance. Presently, there are nearly 200 patrons who volunteer and/or contribute yearly to the museum. “There exists positive energy and trust between the museum, the community, the patrons and the trustees who now run the Fort Recovery Museum.”
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Nancy points out an artilleryman training a fearful-appearing soldier in this exhibit. “Some soldiers volunteered to be artillery, but they were the first ones killed in battle. When they needed another artilleryman, they impressed an infantryman. “This one was an ammunition passer. When he was pressed into service as artillery, he was not happy; his expression shows clearly he did not want to be here because his chances of being picked off were increased greatly.” Your Reliable Hometown Insurance Agency!
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In a glass case is a life-sized model of a Shawnee Indian in war regalia. He stands across from another life-sized model, this of one of General Wayne’s infantry officers, holding his rifle, bayonet affixed. The Fort Recovery State Museum also possesses some beautiful framed illustrations. Nancy explains, “The paintings you see here were donated to the historical society auction by Peter Dennis, illustrator of Wabash 1791, St Clair’s Defeat (Campaign) by John F. Winkler. The local VFW bought Dennis’s paintings and donated them back to the Museum.” The museum basement showcases authentic battlefield artifacts: bullets, parts of rifles, cannon balls, etc. Of special interest is the actual Greenville treaty-line stake. On the third floor of the museum is one of the largest prehistoric artifact collections on display in Ohio. A long, color-coded chart helps visitors follow the time-line from early pre-historic to historic artifacts. “Four years ago, the main part of the museum was totally renovated,” Nancy says. “People can see realistic-looking soldiers and Native Americans, and they can get tours of the battlefield itself - either walking tours or personal tours.” The Fort Recovery State Museum will open for weekend visitors in May. The museum welcomes visitors daily, starting in June, until September, when visiting hours return again to weekend-only through the end of the month. The cost of admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 5 to 12.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 1 Fort Site Street Fort Recovery, OH 45846 (419) 375-4649 www.fortrecoverymuseum.com
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Are you a strong writer? We are looking for a freelance writer to take 1-2 article assignments in northern Adams County each month. If interested, please contact us at amyorr@wabashvalleyliving.com for information on applying.
40 / WVL March 2015
Certified Public Accountant Article by Amy M. Orr
Photos Courtesy of Ed Ferguson
ow that income tax filing season is well underway, local tax preparers like Rebecca Cochran find themselves extremely busy at the office. During tax season, Rebecca says, “There are never enough hours.” A native of Adams County, Indiana, Rebecca has been an accountant in Decatur for more than three decades – since her graduation from college, in fact. It wasn’t difficult to make her career choice. She recalls, “I took two years of
accounting while a student at Adams Central High School and really enjoyed it. “Because I enjoyed the classes, I decided to check into it when I went to college. I found that there would likely be many good jobs when I graduated from college, so I decided to go for it.” Since she planned to earn a degree in accounting, Rebecca also decided she would pursue the education and licensing needed to
WVL March 2015 / 41
become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, a CPA license indicates to the public that an accountant “has mastered the critical elements of the profession.” Rebecca completed her degree at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne in 1981. She took the state licensing test and earned her CPA certificate before returning to begin her career in Decatur.
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“I became a partner with Ted Brehm in 1981, and we formed Brehm & Cochran, CPAs,” she says. At that time, the company was renting office space on Madison Street. “We bought the office on north 2nd Street – my current location – in the fall of 1985. “We totally renovated the office space and moved into the building by the start of 1986. Since then, we have made only minor changes in the office setup.”
In 1991, the accounting business underwent a significant change in structure. “Mr. Brehm decided to semiretire,” Rebecca explains. “We split our practices, which gave life to my current business, Rebecca S. Cochran, CPA, PC.” (The “PC” stands for Professional Corporation.) She continues, “We offer tax preparation, accounting services, payroll and payroll taxes, compilation, review and audit of financial statements, and QuickBooks assistance to individuals (including farmers), partnerships, corporations, notfor-profits and trusts. “The majority of our clients are from Adams County, but we have several from Wells County, Jay County, Allen County, and Ohio – plus, a few clients who used to live here and now reside across the United States.” Outside of income tax filing season, Rebecca says her staff serves several local businesses and not-for-profit clients with year-round payroll, payroll taxes and financial statements. But, as tax season approaches, business picks up so much that Rebecca must take on additional help for the season. “In December, we get prepared for tax season by attending seminars, loading updated software, etc. During tax season – from January 1st through April 15th each year – I hire several part-time employees. This will be the third season that Randy Scherer has worked for me as tax preparer in the evenings and on Saturdays. “The main change in the office is the working hours. They change from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during non-tax season to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday during tax season.” Rebecca adds, “Of course, Chris Kaehr, my office manager/staff accountant, and I work many more hours beyond that. Chris has worked here full-time since 1986.”
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“There are always issues with owning your own business,” she adds, “but that just adds to the excitement. I guess I have been my own boss for so long now, I don’t know if I could work for someone else.” Rebecca enjoys the variety of work her job offers. “Every day is different.” Being a small business owner came in handy when Rebecca’s children were young. “I really appreciated the freedom to change my work schedule to accommodate their schedules. Since they’re grown now, that is not as much of an issue.” This tax season, Rebecca advises, “If you file your own return, make sure you do your homework to verify you are getting all of the tax deductions your are entitled to. Or, you can hire a professional to do that for you – but make sure you find someone reliable. “We also help with tax planning to make sure that our clients will save the most taxes possible.”
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Shari S Tomac, Agent 1055 Us Highway 27 N Berne, IN 46711 Bus: 260-589-2195 shari.tomac.du9e@statefarm.com
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Shari Berne, INS Tomac, 46711Agent Us Highway 27 N Bus: 1055 260-589-2195 Berne, IN 46711 ari.tomac.du9e@statefarm.com Bus: 260-589-2195
shari.tomac.du9e@statefarm.com
0901085.1
State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
discounts you15% deserve. OFF TOTAL BILL
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Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
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tate Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
FREE Paul Mitchell
Expires 03.31.15 1027 S US Hwy 27 • Berne, IN
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Limit 1 coupon per party per visit. Not valid with other discounts or coupons. Expires March 31, 2015
MARIACHI LOCO Mexican Grill & Bar 1595 Harrison Plaza Bluffton, IN
State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
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Karen’s Treasures AT
164 W. Main Street, Berne
Participate in the Bunny Hop and get a
444 E. MAIN - BERNE, IN
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EXPIRES 03/31/15
EXPIRES 03/28/15
10% OFF YOUR IN-STORE PURCHASE AT Expires 03.31.15
US Hwy 27
Just north of Berne, IN
SAVINGS FIND MORE GREAT OFFERS ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
4 - 9 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 34 - 35 - 38
Spring into Savings!
FREE 1st Months Maintenance Fee when you sign a contract in March for an Apartment or Villa!
Open House every Saturday in March from 1pm-3pm. Sign up to win 18 holes of Golf w/cart. For more information call Natasha at 260-223-0639 Apartment and Villa Amenities include: • Newly remodeled Dining Room and Bistro • Beauty and Barbershop • Lifeline • Utilities and appliances included • Transportation • Many scheduled activities & trips • Bank services • Snow removal and yard care • Library
1300 Mercer Avenue • Decatur, Indiana
spring & summer events All events free to 55 and older
Saturday, May 9
Fitness walk at campus center, registration 9 a.m. walk begins at 10 a.m. Winner receives a movie basket. Free lunch for all to follow. RSVP by 4/27/15
Thursday, May 28
Concert by the pond 5:30-6:30 p.m., featuring “A Vegas Sounding Show”. Serving BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches, RSVP by 5/18/15
Thursday, June 25
Summer Fest from 5:30-6:30 p.m., featuring “Classic Voice”. Ice cream provided by Old 27 Ice Cream Shop, RSVP by 6/15/15
Thursday, July 16
German Fest from 4:30-6:30 p.m., featuring “Jay Fox Band”. German inspired meal provided by our culinary specialist Amy Saum, RSVP by 7/6/15
Saturday, Aug. 15
Hog Roast and car show from 4:30-6:30 p.m., featuring the Old Fort Model A Group, RSVP by 8/4/15
STOP BY FOR A VISIT...WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU! 260-728-3989 • www.adamswoodcrest.org