No appointment needed. Treating all ages. • Bronchitis and pneumonia Many insurances accepted. • Asthma and allergic reactions Unable to accept MDwise • Physical exams at this time. • Coughs, colds, flu Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Basic laboratory and X-ray services available. 260-274-0387
• Treatment of illness and injury • Bumps and bruises • Sprains, strains and burns • Minor lacerations
20288
LIVE COVERAGE Manchester High School Commencement Ceremony -Sponsored by-
FRIDAY, JUNE 6 7:15PM on Web TV - www.thepaperofwabash.com
June 4, 2014
of wabash county inc. Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Vol. 37, No. 13
MSD school board approves controversial book list by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com On the evening of Tuesday, May 27, the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County’s school board met in the district’s administrative office to address a variety of subjects. Primary among these was the approval of a list of reading materials for use in the district’s secondary English classes. The list sparked controversy in April when parents discovered that several of the books included objectionable content. After parents expressed concerns at the April 29 meeting, four selections were removed from the list. At the May 13 meeting, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls became the focus of the debate. The vote was ultimately tabled, as board member John Gouveia was absent due to a professional obligation. While the previous board meeting was filled with concerned (and outraged) parents, the most recent meeting saw an abundance of teachers present to show support for the English department. Two parents commented on the book list, most notably, Teresa Sears, who offered suggestions for an alternative English class, among other things. “I talked to Indiana State Education, I talked to an attorney, and we have a right to have the Bible, not as a biblical class, but as a literature class,” said Sears. “If we put these things in front of our kids… OK, we’re not going to ban books. That’s fine. I respect the teachers who want to teach it, but their morals are not my morals. It’s legal to have a class on the Bible as a literature study, and I’m just asking for that as an alternative. And I will back off, and they can teach whatever they want.” Sears added that when her girls are in a class with a teacher that they like, but content is being taught that is against their morals, it takes the fun out of school. Northfield English Department Head Erin Sapusek addressed the request. “Last year, we offered an elective class of the Bible as literature, and it was not able to go,” said Sapusek. “We only had four students that signed up, and with our small staff and tight scheduling, we are not able to offer a class for just four students.” Before the board members discussed the matter, a parent asked about the length of time that would be allowed for parents to review the books being taught in their students’ specific classes. “The teachers have said to me that actually, once we know what the list is, (continued on page 4)
www.thepaperofwabash.com
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
Ivan Stoltzfus travels through Wabash on cross-country fundraising tractor journey by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com On May 22, one Pennsylvanian man’s dream brought him right through the heart of Wabash County in a most unusual fashion. Those who traveled U.S. 24 around lunchtime may have seen a strange looking John Deere tractor driving down the highway pulling a camper emblazoned with American flags and text reading “Across America for Wounded Heroes.” In the drivers seat was Ivan Stoltzfus. The retired farmer and auctioneer is on an ambitious journey across the United States to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project. Ivan’s dream was largely inspired by his late father. In the early 1940s, Ivan’s father worked his way across the country from farm to farm for a year. He would tell his son about his journey as a young man, crossing a wooden swinging bridge across the Mississippi River and driving dirt roads on his journey west. Ivan’s childhood is also filled with memories of his father farming his own land with a two-cylinder tractor. “I used to just love the sound of twocylinder tractors, and that’s where my dream began,” said Ivan. “I thought, ‘Someday I want to go across America for some benefit in a two-cylinder tractor.” Before Ivan’s father passed away he gave him a bit of advice that stuck with
IVAN STOLTZFUS STANDS IN FRONT OF “JOHNABILT” near the Wabash/ Miami County line May 22. Ivan is traveling across the country on his modified John Deere to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors Project. (photo by Eric Stearley) Ivan. “He said one day to me, ‘Ivan, if you have a dream, don’t wait until you’re too old or physically can’t do it. Just do it. I wish I would have done more,’” Ivan recalled. Having never served in the military, Ivan also had a deep desire to give back to those who fought for his freedom.
“I guess the older I get, I realize how I took my freedom for granted,” said Ivan. “I just feel our veterans today, they’re struggling to try to fit back into society again, and in some small way, if I can help them and bring awareness, it would mean so much to me. I’m just trying to reach out to America to try to help me. I (continued on page 16)
Metro North Elementary students raise $2,035 in “Smiles for Myles” campaign
MYLES BARTLEY WAS ALL SMILES during a May 27 convocation at Metro North Elementary, which concluded the school’s three-week “Smiles for Myles” fundraiser. Students raided their piggy banks to help the two-year-old’s family with medical expenses. In total, the students raised more than $2,000. (photo by Eric Stearley)
by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com When Myles Bartley came into the world, he was dealt a tough hand. Just two weeks after birth, Myles was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease. Now two-and-a-half-years-old, Myles is hooked up to a dialysis machine every night for ten hours as he waits for a new kidney. Myles is the son of Shawn Bartley and Sarah Rife. Sarah’s mother, Bridget Harner has been a custodian at Metro North Elementary for 18 years. After keeping up with Myles’ progress over the past two years, the school’s staff decided to get the kids involved to help the little guy. They told the students about Myles’ condition and started a “Smiles for Myles” fundraiser. For every $10 donated by students, a smiley face was put up on the bulletin board near the school’s entrance. “They’ve been very excited about it, and when we kicked it off, Myles and his (continued on page 5)