Vol. 38, No. 31
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. September 23, 2015
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
‘Mary Poppins’ to bring ‘magic’ to the stage of the Honeywell Center
Kirtlan Automotive named 2015 Business of the Year
By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
After three months of rehearsals, set building and costume preparation, local actors are ready to take the stage in the Wabash Area Community Theater (WACT) production of “Mary Poppins” Sept. 25-27 at the Honeywell Center Ford Theater. The famous story is set in 1910 and follows the London-based Banks family as parents George and Winifred Banks, played by Eric Reichenbach and Nikki Bailey, lose yet another nanny due to their children’s bad behavior. One morning, a magical nanny named Mary Poppins, played by Swayzee resident Brittany Riner, suddenly arrives at the Banks household and tells the family she is their new nanny, changing their lives forever. In mid-June, Riner told The Paper of Wabash County that it’s been her dream to play the part of Poppins. Now, after weeks of practice and the production nearing, Riner admitted that it can be difficult to portray the character’s “practically perfect and confident” nature. “But it’s fun to go through the process of portraying her,” she continued. Director Sarah Hawkins Moan said the biggest surprise about the production and cast is (continued on page 16)
By The Paper staff
Karsyn Bratch chats with Larry Graff during the opening ceremony at the second annual Kick-It with Karsyn event on Saturday at the Morrett Sports Complex. Photo by Joseph Slacian
Kick-It with Karsyn exceeds $20,000 goal Total funds matched by the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
Karsyn Bratch with help from her mother, Linette Burchett, kicks a ball to officially open the Kick-It with Karsyn fundraiser on Saturday. Photo by Joseph Slacian
Wabash resident Karsyn Bratch, 12, and her family met and exceeded their goal of raising $20,000 at the second annual Kick-It with Karsyn on Saturday, Sept. 19. More than 300 Wabash County residents headed to Morrett Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, to support Karsyn’s kickball event and donated funds toward pediatric cancer research through the Jeff Gordon Pediatric Cancer Research Center. Some participated in the event as athletes, scorekeepers and umpires while (continued on page 3)
Kirtlan Automotive is the 2015 Business of the Year, Brian Campbell, Wabash County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, announced Tuesday. “While we have many worthy businesses in Wabash County, Kirtlan Automotive is a most deserving organization,” Campbell said. “Kirtlan Automotive and the Kirtlan family have supported many local community and charitable causes and events with both time and sponsorships; all while being inundated with rising river issues and nearby construction. The resilience and community spirit of this local family business is something we should all strive to imitate. “I am proud of Steve and Cathy Kirtland and the entire Kirtlan Automotive family of employees and find them very humbled by this award.” Since 1993 Kirtlan Automotive has been serving the automotive needs of Wabash County, and beyond. They appreciate their customers and this close knit community. County residents have brought their cars, vans and trucks of all makes to Kirtlan Automotive, as well as travelers that have automotive break downs on their way through the area. “It’s the fact that we work on all vehicle models that sets us apart,” President Steve Kirtlan said. “Over the years my technicians have gotten very good at knowing a lot about a variety of vehicles. We take pride in that. And believe me we get tested on that almost every day.” Kirtlan Automotive opened on April 1, 1993, at 790 S. Cass St. The shop had three repair bays and two employees. Later that year the firm added two more employees. Through the success of the business, Kirtlan had a new facility built in the year 2000, expanding to 12 repair bays, at the current location of 750 S. Cass St. At the present time, Kirtlan Automotive employs seven full and two part time people with a combined automotive experience of (continued on page 9)
Family spearheads effort to honor police By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
A Wabash family, tired of negative publicity police officers around the nation have received in recent months, took it upon themselves to let two local departments know that their service is appreciated. Brandon and Melanie Wahl and their three young children, during Monday night’s Wabash City Council meeting, showed Wabash Police Chief Larry Schnepp and Wabash County Sheriff Bob
Land just how much the community appreciates them and the members of their departments. The Wahls’ young sons, Brayden and Mason, presented Schnepp and Land with oversized cards which simply read, “Thank you. We support you.” The cards were signed by dozens of citizens from around the county. “It just started out a couple of weeks ago with an idea that we had,” Wahl said. “The entire family got together and we designed giant thank you cards, one for the Wabash (continued on page 2)
Sheriff Bob Land shakes the hand of one of the Wahl children during the Sept. 14 Wabash City Council meeting. Photo by Joseph Slacian