Vol. 37, No. 43
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. December 31, 2014
www.thepaperofwabash.com
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Be Well Wabash County to sign charter Jan. 8
by Emily Armentrout emily@thepaperofwabash.com Be Well Wabash County is a new collaborative initiative focused on moving Wabash County towards better wellbeing by promoting life balance. On Jan. 8, initiative leaders will make a public declaration and sign a new charter at the Wabash County YMCA. Be Well Wabash County founders, supporters, and members of the community will join together to show their support for the new initiative. “It started off as an idea of planning a lecture series on health issues,” said Bryce Lindsay, marketing committee member for Be Well Wabash County. “The YMCA began to reach out to other potential partners in the community. Purdue Extension was one of the first ones, and Manchester University was another, along with the Bowen Center, Wabash County Hospital, Ford Meter Box, Wabash Marketplace and NuStart. We got excited, because now we’re bridging multiple communities within the county.”
Be Well Wabash County was created to pull people together to identify needs within the community pertaining to wellbeing. Wabash County is following in the footsteps of other Indiana counties, such as Clinton County, which began a similar initiative a few years ago. “One of the highlights of our state is Clinton County. They have been able to organize over the past several years, working with St. Vincent Hospital. Clinton County has been able to raise grant money and build new trails and sidewalks. They’ve been able to focus on some key areas and get state and federal funding for the community, earmarked for wellbeing projects,” continued Lindsay. “We recognize that Wabash is ranked pretty low within the state.” Wellbeing projects such as this are a primary goal of Be Well Wabash County. According to the Indiana County Health Rankings, published in collaborative study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, Wabash ranks 61 out of 92 in
health outcomes. Be Well Wabash County wants to not only seek solutions to the needs identified, but also identify organizations already engaged in community awareness. “When someone’s talents and interests intersect, we can plug them into each one of those groups already in existence,” said Lindsay. “A lot of people who participated in the monthly meetings for Be Well as it was getting established have the experience in the history of what’s been done in the past and what’s currently being done within their knowledge.” Be Well Wabash County is broken into four key focus areas: community, purpose, mind and body. The community aspect includes all of Wabash County. “That’s everybody in our community, from every town,” added Lindsay. Purpose will zero in on individuals, identifying vocation, stewardship, finance and faith. “Especially integrate faith into all of this,” said Lindsay. “People kind of identify who they are or who they want to be
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and begin to build that path and put them in the direction, for all age groups, from school age through retirees.” The mind aspect will focus on mental and emotional wellbeing. The fourth part, body, focuses on physical health, concentrating on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management. “Within these four primary areas, we’ve divided into task forces. Some of us are working on resourcing and support. Others are more operational and are incorporating all four of those areas (continued on page 7)
Underwood prepares for weekend’s Indiana State Fair Pageant
AMANDA UNDERWOOD crosses the Ford Theatre stage after being crowned Wabash County Fair Queen on June 29. Underwood will contend for the state title at the Indiana State Fair Grounds this weekend. (photo by Emily Armentrout)
by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com The Indiana State Fair is breaking the mold this year by crowning a new queen on Jan. 4. Previously held during the fair’s final weekend, the new schedule will see a queen crowned in the first week of the new year in which she will reign. Eighty-five contestants will vie for crown, one of which is Wabash County Fair Queen Amanda Underwood. Underwood was crowned during the local pageant held at the Honeywell Center on June 29, which she didn’t expect. “This was my third year being in the pageant, so I was thinking, ‘I have a chance,’ because I’m experienced, and it’s my last year,” said Underwood. “I was thinking, ‘If I get anything, it will probably be something on the court or miss congeniality.’” The pageant included an interview, and the modeling of formal wear and business wear in the weeks leading up to the county fair. Following a choreographed dance, brief introductions, and a speech from outgoing queen Kylie Echard, the time came for a winner to be chosen. Miss Congeniality went to Alyssa Lambert. Arie Kennedy took third runner-up. Katlyn Hippensteel was named second runner up, and with only two spots left on the court, the judges gave first runner-up to Underwood’s close friend, Abby Lybarger. “I heard her name, and I was just so excited,” said Underwood. “I was thinking, ‘Oh well, I didn’t get anything, But that’s OK. I’m really excited for Abby, because I know she’s worked for this for a long time and she’s always wanted to be on the court.’” Then, the long-awaited announcement came, and Underwood was crowned queen.
“I was so not expecting it that I almost started clapping, because I wasn’t even thinking about it, and then I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s me!’” said Underwood. “So I stepped forward, and I was so nervous and excited and in shock. I didn’t know what to do, but it was so fun and exciting to win.” The victory came just a month after Underwood graduated from Manchester High School. The 10-year 4-H member and reigning queen then took her talents to Muncie, where she’s studying business at Ball State University. Since being crowned, Underwood has managed to balance her schoolwork with her commitments as queen, attending local festivals and parades to represent 4-H. She’s also been preparing for this weekend’s pageant at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. Though similar in format to the Wabash County pageant, the state pageant’s interview segment is composed of a trio of three-minute interviews. “Honestly, I think most people would be most nervous about the interview, because it’s a lot of talking and trying to sound professional, but I am most nervous about modeling, because I’ve never really been very coordinated or anything, so I’m always scared I’m going to fall or trip or something,” said Underwood. “So that’s the part I’m nervous about, but I’ve been practicing; I walk around in my high heels sometimes during the day.” She’s also been working on her interview skills, with her family and friends asking her questions similar to those she might encounter in Indianapolis. Following the preliminary round, judges will narrow the field to 10 contestants, who will then take the stage to model formal wear and business wear and to answer an on-stage question. Sunday afternoon, the (continued on page 7)