Vol. 38, No. 44
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. December 23, 2015
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Mayor receives Sagamore award By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
The special gift of time By Barb Maggart Special to The Paper of Wabash County The light was beginning to fade, on a lite winter afternoon in mid-December. Sara, delivering her daily newspapers, was enjoying the neighborhood Christmas lights. Nearly all the homes had some type of festive illumination to greet the coming holiday. But, she noted, as always, Grandma Katie’s home was nearly dark. Only one dim light burned in the back kitchen. Grandma Katie was Sara’s favorite customer, as she was also endeared by many others in her neighborhood. She wasn’t Sara’s real grandmother, but everyone called her that. The weather had turned cold and Sara’s hands were numb. She was hoping a cup
of hot chocolate would be waiting for her at Grandma’s house. She always delivered her paper to the door, and many times was invited in for a cookie and a cup of cocoa. Sara loved talking to the elderly lady. She had so many interesting stories to tell, and seemed to enjoy telling them, even if it was just to the papergirl. Each time she left the dark, lonely house, she felt sorry that Grandma had to live there all alone. She found herself staying long on her visits, until her mother would quiz her as to why she was taking so long on her route. Upon explaining to her that she had been talking to Grandma, and not just poking along on her delivery, her mother smiled, and said, she too needed to spend some (continued on page 7)
Mayor Robert Vanlanding-ham became the newest Sagamore of the Wabash in the State of Indiana on Friday afternoon. Vanlandingham received the honor from Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann in front of about 100 people during an invitation-only farewell luncheon at the Honeywell Center’s Legacy Hall. “I’m really humbled,” the mayor said moments after receiving the honor. “I don’t know what to say. It was totally unexpected. “You know, I certainly appreciate the award, but what made it very special is having the lieutenant governor here to give it to me personally. That really meant a lot. She’s a great lady.” Ellspermann and State Sen. (continued on page 9)
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Mayor Robert Vanlandingham read the Sagamore of the Wabash award she presented tohimon Friday afternoon. Photo by Joseph Slacian
Garber is remembered for love of his community and of song By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
NORTH MANCHESTER — The North Manchester community is mourning the loss of Chris Garber, 60, who passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. “He was always thinking forward,” North Manchester Chamber president and Town Council member Laura Rager told The Paper of Wabash County, “which you always need those people that worry about
CHRIS GARBER
Joy delivered through children’s eyes By Bill Barrows Special to The Paper of Wabash County
Have you ever had one of those weeks where you just couldn’t get much to go as it should? Well, I had one of those this past week. It seemed that nothing much went the way it was supposed to … until I agreed to do something that I haven’t done for a few years. I was asked to play Santa Claus for a group of kids who were participating in Kids Day Out at the Y on Dec. 12. The brainchild of Danielle Darnell, Kids Day Out, was a day for Christmas projects, letter writing skills, and having
holiday fun. Assisted by Jana Slacian and Addi Harden, 17 wide-eyed kids ranging in age from 4 to 9 were happily composing letters and playing when Santa arrived. To be honest, I wasn’t that excited about the task at hand, even though I had agreed to do it earlier in the week. The girls were probably desperate when I was asked to play Santa. But I reluctantly agreed to do it. I decided to recruit an accomplice, someone to be Santa’s elf. Another co-worker, Amanda Jones agreed to join me. When this old Santa and his cute elf arrived, the children became excited. I had just (continued on page 8)
those day-to-day nuts and bolts and how you’re going to cover this or that and the other, but then you also need those dreamers that will give you the goals you’re going to go for. “I don’t think he thought of it as dreaming. I think he thought very matter of fact about it. ‘Ok. Well there’s our goal. Let’s go for it.’ “That will be missed. He was very good at that.” In a release from Manchester University, President Dave McFadden explained that (continued on page 29)
The Paper to be closed Thursday, Friday By The Paper staff
Santa’s “helper,” Bill Barrows, staff members at they YMCA and children pose for a photo. Photo provided
The offices of The Paper of Wabash County will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, to allow its employees to celebrate the holidays with their families. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28. The entire staff of The Paper wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas.