The Paper of Miami County -- Nov. 23, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving

Ole Olsen Theatre to present “Scrooged Up!”

By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com

Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre is prepping for their latest production, “Scrooged Up!”

The play, written by Dan Roberts is about a tiny town that has the Hillsdale Community Theater. The small group wants to produce "A Christmas Carol," but they don't have enough actors to play the extraordinarily large num ber of parts. So, their undaunted director, being resourceful (if not totally realistic), has triple and quadruple-cast the roles. And since everyone in sight has been recruited, the cast also fills in as costumers, stagehands, and technicians. The impossibility of this situa tion brings tensions to a comical head as the final rehearsal invites one calamity after another. "Scrooged Up!" provides a Dickens of a time for everyone. The play is set to run about 30 minutes, but veteran Ole director, Shanna Stoll, has allowed the cast to ad lib to add more to the play.

Stoll said this play is what she would call immersive theater which means the audience is sitting in the rehearsal.

“We have also given the cast a little bit of freedom so there are lots of ad libs in the show

that the cast members have come up with on their own. There are places in the script where it says, “this is a good place to ad lib.” A lot of the stuff that is funny has been by complete accident…things they have come up with on their own during rehearsal. Jeff (Carnagua) is really quick on his feet. Gloria (North) looked like she wanted to say things at times, and I told her to just say whatever it was. She now says things like, “it’s not supposed to be like this,” and I told her to keep it! The things that come out of her mouth are hilarious if you catch it.

Stoll has referred to this play as a “hotmess express.” As an audience member, it can seem that way. The constant banter between cast members leaves you wondering if it is supposed to happen or is something else going on. It’s fast-paced and fun. As Stoll mentioned during the interview, “even the scene changes are scenes.” The desk falls apart. A wall falls. Someone gets hit in the head with a tube and much more.

The cast members and characters they play are: Jeff Carnagua (Bert); Landon Stoll (Lester); Faith King (Marge); Ella Townsend (Mable); Gloria North (Wilma); Kamaria Ambrose (Beth); Carsten Loe (Claudia); Kilynn

Local business owner seeks help to keep children warm inside and out

By Michelle Boswell mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com

Temperatures have dropped and Miami County has even had some snow. A local business owner has taken note and posted on social

media hoping to reach students who walk to and from school in the cold weather.

Sandra Tossou, owner of Dreams to Reality Cakes, Inc., and Aroma Coffee Shop, LLC., addressed local students about getting warm while

walking to and from school.

“We have quite a few walkers in town. Some are regulars stopping in for a warm beverage on the way to school, but some just need to get warm! We know times are tight and sometimes gloves and hats are left

at home or just not cool. If you are freezing, please stop in and warm up!” She also wanted to make sure they knew they didn’t have to buy anything to come in to get warm.

Tossou has a board placed inside

Wallace (Evelyn); Richard McQuinn (Frank) and Cage Dubois (Larry). Stoll’s assistant director is Brandi Murphy.

Two preschoolers from Elmwood Elementary lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Photos by Michelle Boswell

her store with coupons for those who cannot afford to purchase hot drinks or other treats. Anyone who would like to contribute to this board can go in and buy coupons to be placed on the board. And because there may be children who do not have gloves, mittens, hats, or scarves, Tossou will have a basket for folks to donate these items for kids in need. Tossou has

Police

Nov. 13

A possible inva sion of privacy via text was reported at 1834 Norton Ave, Peru. Officers said they would follow up with a prosecu tor.

A male at 150 E Market St, Bunker Hill hit his motherin-law in the face with a snowball.

The female advised she would come give a statement at the Sheriff’s De partment at a later date.

A female at S Sease Dr. and S U.S. 31, Peru struck a deer. Martins Wrecker from Kokomo towed the vehicle. A state crash report was completed. Female was given a ride to Dukes Hospital on

Scrooged

The Dinner Theatre is Dec. 1 and begins at 6:30 p.m. The Dec. 2 and 3 shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 be gins at 2 p.m. The cast takes a break for few days and then the show en ters its final per formances beginning Dec. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. with the final per formance Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m.

For the first time ever in Ole history, this show

an unrelated mat ter.

A traffic stop was conducted at S U.S. 31 and W 1350 S, Kokomo. A citation was issued for 90 mph in a 60-mph zone.

A single car vs. deer crash was re ported at N U.S. 31 and W 300 N, Peru. No injuries were re ported.

Wabash County advised of a crash at E 600 N & N 700 E, Peru. All parties refused medical treatment. A state crash report was completed. Heeters towed passenger car (vehicle #1) at the owner’s request and Bowmans towed the pick-up truck (vehicle #2).

Loose dogs were reported at 8446 N 100 W, Denver. The dogs belonged to Rachel Harp, who complained that her dogs go onto

the complainant’s property because they chase the com plainant’s cats off the property and onto the com plainant’s property. Information was forwarded to the dog catcher for fur ther investigation.

Officers spoke with a female at 1834 Norton Ave, Peru who had ques tions regarding a possible violation of a protective

been offering coupons for pur chase for a couple of years, but do nations are low at this time, and she hopes to get the board filled to help local youth stay warm in the months ahead.

“We had a little boy come in this morning, him and his brother are regulars. But they were just frozen, you could tell. They didn’t have gloves on. I am not sure how far they walk

from but my Dreams manager, invited them in and let them sit to warm up. When she told me about the situation this morning, I knew that we needed to make a post. My heart just hurts knowing that in these times the children are the ones getting over looked,” Tossou said.

Anyone inter ested in donating just needs to go into the stores lo cated at 59 and 61

North Broadway, downtown Peru. Tossou said the baristas can ring up any combina tion anyone wants to put on the coupon board. Hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves can be put into the dona tion basket any time.

In this time of Thanksgiving, no doubt many chil dren will be thankful for dona tions made to help keep them warm.

us on...

order. Female stated she had al ready spoken to a deputy early this morning and would be following up with them for up dated information.

A traffic stop was conducted at Schilling St. and Hamilton CT, Peru. James Dean was ar rested for Theft. A theft report for a stolen gun was

See Police, Page 3

will be available through a livestreaming service for those who would like to see it from home. The only time it will not be livestreamed will be during the dinner theatre. Tickets for this are $20 and can be purchased online just like in person seating. Go to www.oleolsen.org to make ticket or livestream service purchases.

Deadlines

Miami County Sheriff’s Department

Obituary

Services for Betty Mae Brown, age 78 of Unionville, Ten nessee, and for merly of Peru/Denver, Indi ana, were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver.

Friends visited at the funeral home from Noon until the time of service. Burial followed in Westlawn Ceme tery, Denver, Indi ana.

Ms. Brown passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at her resi dence surrounded by her loving fam ily.

Betty was born Friday, Nov. 12, 1943, in Berwyn, Illinois to the late Randall Melvin Herman Sr. and Mary Constance Wieler Herman. She was a high

school graduate and retired from Lions Club Interna tional in 1999 after 22 years of service.

On Feb. 14, 1991, she married Joseph S. Brown, and he preceded her in death in 2002.

She is survived by two children, Denise (Steve) Paulson, Thomp son, Illinois; and Leigh Ann (Jason) Williams, Unionville; one sis ter, Shirley Michels, Lyon, Illi nois; two sisters-inlaw, Gloria Herman, Camden ton, Missouri; and

Patricia Bowman, Bardwell, Ken tucky.

Betty is also sur vived by two grand children, Rachel (Steven) Teeter, Unionville and Katelyn Paulson, Thompson, Illinois; and two greatgrandchildren, Cameron McGee, Unionville; and Christopher Rec cord, Thompson, Illinois; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Along with her parents and her husband, Betty was preceded in death by two brothers, Randall Herman Jr., and Jack Her man; two sisters-inlaw, Sally (Ken) Couch and Dixie (Dennis) Johnson; and one nephew, Timothy Couch.

Police

filed at 721 S 250 W, Peru.

A mutual combat between a male and female was re ported at 1547 Forbes Ave, Peru. Neither party was willing to pursue charges.

A vehicle vs. deer crash was re ported at E 800 N and N St. Rd. 19, Denver. A local crash report was completed.

Nov. 14

A traffic accident with damage was reported at E U.S. 24 and E 250 N, Peru.

A traffic accident with damage was reported at 272 E Broadway, Mc Clure’s Oil, Peru.

Officers re sponded to the area of 8735 N 500 E, Denver for a 911 hang up. Upon ar rival it was deter mined there was a verbal domestic that took place prior to officer ar rival. Other party was no longer on the scene when of ficers arrived. Nothing physical reported.

Domestic distur bance between evicted parties was reported at 1134 Barksdale Ave, Peru. A disor derly conduct warning was is sued.

A single car vs. deer crash was re ported at W 400 N & N 100 W, Peru. No injuries were reported. A state crash report was completed.

Juveniles were reported to have been loitering in the area of 180 E Commerce St, Macy Post Office, Macy. They dis

persed upon ar rival.

Nov. 15

An unknown medical emer gency was re ported at 160 W Commerce St, Macy.

A report of tres passers at a resi dence in 2518 Kelly Ave, Peru in which an eviction was ex ecuted on earlier in the day was taken. The subject at the residence was an Eagle's Pointe mainte nance worker.

A car vs. deer crash with damage was reported at 14 S Jefferson St, Peru.

A single vehicle crash was re ported at N U.S. 31 and W 1250 N, Macy. No injuries reported.

A two-vehicle property damage crash was re ported at 12948 S U.S. 31, Kokomo. A state crash report was completed.

A complainant at 1065 W Main St, Peru stated that he is being stalked. Officers attempted to contact the sus pect. The com plainant was advised to contact officers again if they saw the indi vidual once more.

Invasion of pri vacy was reported at 2943 W 300 S, Willow Springs Mobile Home Park, Lot 1, Peru. This was handled by Indiana State Police.

A welfare check

was conducted at 8902 N 175 W, Macy. All checked okay. The subject ad vised he was mak ing cookies with kids and is not sui cidal. The subject also added that he is going to coun seling. The initial complainant ad vised that she has text messages about the com ments; officers are waiting on the screenshots.

Officers in the area of 6497 E 950 S, Amboy assisted medics with a ju venile with a lacer ation to upper lip.

Nov. 16

A prowler was reported at 2243 E 250 N, Peru. Offi cers were unable to locate anything suspicious.

A male at 2416 Lowry Ave, Peru advised he heard someone in his house and talked to two males at the front door. Officers were unable to lo cate anyone in the area.

An incarcerated subject at 1104 W 200 N, Miami County Jail, Peru reported items missing from his residence.

A two-vehicle crash was re ported at S U.S. 31 and S Bus. 31, Peru. No visible damage to either vehicle was dis covered.

A suspicious per son or vehicle was reported at 2416 Lowry Ave, Peru.

An unauthorized

use of a credit card was reported at 1281 N 175 E, Peru. This is an ongoing investiga tion.

An initial report of possible child sexual abuse re ported by Child Protective Serv ices was received at 1104 W 200 N, Miami County Jail, Peru. An in vestigation was initiated.

A suspicious ve hicle was reported at S U.S. 31 and W Broadway St, Bunker Hill. This was unable to be located.

A female caller at 35052 Altus CT, Peru had ques tions about a pos sible protective order violation.

A report of two deer hunters tres passing on prop erty was taken at 7953 N Old 31, Vohne Liche Ken nels, Denver. DNR responded and is sued a citation to one of the individ uals, both were is sued trespass warnings.

An SUV vs. deer crash was re ported at N Mex ico Rd. and W 200 N, Peru.

A wanted person was reported at 95 E Harrison St, Denver. No answer was given on the phone.

A car vs. pole crash occurred at N St. Rd. 19 and E 250 N, Peru. No in juries were re ported.

An SUV vs. ditch crash was re ported at N Mex ico Rd. and W 200 N, Peru. No in juries were re ported.

Betty Mae Brown, 78

If a loved one has passed away, let your funeral home know you would like to have the obituary published in

Indiana State Police Post adds new detective

By Tony Slocum

Recently, Indi ana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced the reclassification of Trooper Jon Cole to the posi tion of detective.

Cole is an eight-year vet eran of the Indi ana State Police Department. He earned his as signment into the Criminal In vestigation Divi sion through written testing and a competi tive oral inter view process.

Fulton, Grant, Howard, Miami, Tipton, and Wabash Coun ties.

Detective Cole graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in May of 2014 and was assigned to the Indiana State Po lice Peru Post, where he worked road patrol pri marily in Miami County.

Cole has served as a field train ing officer. In 2021 he was rec ognized as the In diana State Police Peru Post Trooper of the

Juvenile arrested after calling in bomb threat

A reported bomb threat called into Ma conaquah Ele mentary School has landed a male juvenile in jail.

According to a press release by the Maconaquah School Corpora tion Police De partment, a voicemail was left just before 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, stating, “there’s a bomb coming your way.” The boy’s age and identity have not been re

leased.

All staff mem bers and students of the elementary and middle schools were evacuated to an other location after being noti fied of the threat.

Explosive detec tion dogs of the Indiana State Po lice as well as the Howard County Sheriff’s Depart ment arrived at the school around 9:45 a.m. and began a thorough sweep of the schools. It was

during this time the male juvenile was located. The Miami County Sheriff’s Office was also involved with the investi gation.

The phone num ber the threaten ing call came from was linked to the student from information found in the school’s phone system. The boy’s cell phone was confiscated, and he was arrested.

Although the threat came into

the elementary school’s building, police searched the middle school as well. After sweeping both schools, police found no evi dence of a threat to students or staff. All were able to go back to the buildings and finish out the day.

If anyone has any information about this event, they are to call MSCPD Chief Wayne Ives at 765689-9131.

District. The award is given annually to the trooper that per sonifies in tegrity, professionalism, and a wellrounded work ethic. Cole was selected by the command staff

at the Peru Dis trict for dedica tion to his job, traffic and crimi nal enforcement, community in volvement, in structor ratings, and other serv ices performed for the depart ment beyond nor

mal expecta tions.

Cole holds a bachelor's degree in secondary ed ucation from In diana Wesleyan University. He re sides in Miami County with his wife and their two children.

Detective Cole will work from the Indiana State

Police Peru Post, which is respon sible for Cass,

Detective Jon Cole

Sports Calendar Sports

North Miami

Nov. 23

6:30 p.m. – Varsity Wrestling @ Nor well High School Nov. 26

9 a.m. – Varsity Wrestling vs. Wawasee Super Duals – location unknown at press time.

Nov. 28

6 p.m. – Boys Sev enth Grade Basket ball vs. Caston –Home

7:15 p.m. – Boys Eighth Grade Bas ketball vs. Caston –Home Nov. 29

6 p.m. – Boys Jun ior Varsity Basket

ball @ Taylor High School

6:30 p.m. – Varsity Wrestling vs Whitko High School – Home 7:30 p.m. – Boys

Varsity Basketball @ Taylor High School

Nov. 30

6 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball @ Hamilton Heights High School

7:30 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball @ Hamilton Heights High School

Maconaquah

Nov. 26

Community Calendar

Every Monday

10:30 a.m. –Movers and Shak ers, a music and movement program at the Peru Public Library. Ages 0-5.

Noon – AA Recov ery Meeting – First Christian Church Library, 53 W. Main Street, Peru (use el evator entrance).

7:30 p.m. – AA Re covery Meeting –Miami Nation of In dians Tribal Head quarters, 80 W. Sixth Street, Peru (use east entrance).

First Tuesday/every month

6 p.m. - The Miami County Republican Party holds its monthly meeting at party headquarters, 171 N. Miami St., Peru.

Every Tuesday

10:30 a.m. – Story time at the Peru Public Library.

6 p.m. – AA Recov ery Meeting –Miami Nation of In dians Tribal Head quarters, 80 W. Sixth Street, Peru (use east entrance).

Every Wednesday

7:30 p.m. – AA Re covery Meeting –Miami Nation of In dians Tribal Head

High School –Home

6 p.m. – Boys Sixth Grade Basketball vs. Peru High School - Away

7:30 p.m. – Girls

Nov. 28

6 p.m. – Junior Var sity Wrestling – Lo gansport Invitational –Away Nov. 29

6 p.m. – Boys Jun ior Varsity Basket ball @ Taylor High School

7:30 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball @ Taylor High School

Nov. 28

5:30 p.m. – Boys and Girls Varsity Swimming vs. Mul tiple opponents –Carroll High School – Home Nov. 29

6 p.m. – Boys Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade Bas ketball vs. North western MS-HS –Home

6:15 p.m. – Boys Freshman Basket ball vs. Peru High School – Home 6:30 p.m. – Coed and Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity Wrestling vs. Oak Hill High School –Home

Peru Lions Club helping the community...

7:45 p.m. – Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Northfield Jr./Sr. High School – Home Nov. 30

5:30 p.m. – Boys Seventh and Eighth Grade Bas ketball vs. Peru High School –Away

6 p.m. – Girls Jun ior Varsity Basket ball vs. Northwestern

Varsity Basketball vs. Northwestern High School –Home Peru Nov. 23

6:15 p.m. – Boys

Junior Varsity Basketball vs Lo gansport High School – Home

7:45 p.m. – Boys

Varsity Basketball vs. Logansport High School –Home

6:15 p.m. – Boys Freshman Basket ball vs. Ma conaquah High School – Away Nov. 30

5:30 p.m. – Boys Seventh and Eighth Grade Bas ketball vs. Ma conaquah Middle School – Home

6:30 p.m. – Junior Varsity and Var sity Wrestling vs. Tippecanoe Valley High School –Home

Meeting will be at Beef O’Brady’s, 911 West Main Street, Peru. This is the monthly meeting. For more informa tion, contact Bryce at 765-985-2215.

Dec. 2

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. –Homemade Chicken and Noodle Dinner at Wayman AME, 201 East Third Street, Peru. $10 do nation per order. Carry out only. Noo dle fundraiser is $7 per bag. The menu for the dinner in cludes Chicken and Noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll. Call ahead to place order at 765-4722369.

Dec. 10

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Sec ond Saturdays –Downtown Peru.

Dec. 14

quarters, 80 W. Sixth Street, Peru (use east entrance).

Every Thursday

4:30 p.m. – Lego Club at the Peru Public Library. 6 p.m. – AA Recov ery Meeting –Miami Nation of In dians Tribal Head quarters, 80 W. Sixth Street, Peru (use east entrance).

Every third Thurs day each month

4:30 p.m. – Ameri can Girl Club at the Peru Public Library.

Every Friday

Noon – AA Recov ery Meeting – First Christian Church Library, 53 W. Main Street, Peru (use el evator entrance).

7:30 p.m. – AA Re covery Meeting –Miami Nation of In dians Tribal Head quarters, 80 W. Sixth Street, Peru (use east entrance).

Every Saturday 10 a.m. – AA Re covery Meeting –First Christian Church Library, 53 W. Main Street, Peru (use elevator

entrance).

Every Sunday 2 p.m. – AA Recov ery Women’s-only meeting, First Christian Church Library, 53 W. Main Street, Peru (use el evator entrance).

Nov. 28

6 p.m. – Miami County Democratic Party Meeting –

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. –Free COVID-19 Test ing and Vaccination Clinic at the Miami County Health De partment, 12 S. Wabash Street, Peru. Time can be saved by making an appointment online at OurShot.in.gov.

Rapid antigen tests available onsite. Flu vaccine available. The vaccines are free. People 12 and older can get the

Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Children five to eleven years old can receive the pediatric Pfizer vac cine. Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. This is a walk-in clinic.

Dec. 17

6 p.m. – Annual Miami County Dem ocratic Christmas party – Beef O’Bradys, 911 W Main Street, Peru. For more informa tion, call Lynette at 765-985-3929.

Dec. 20

8 a.m. – Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District – Breakfast with a Forester at Dutch Café.

Jan. 8-10

Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Dis trict Annual Confer ence at Westin Indy – District Showcase Award

Feb. 1

6:30 p.m. – Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District Annual meeting.

If you have an up coming event, send it to: mboswell@thepap erofmiami.com.

The Peru Lions Club had a donation for the PPD/FOP. Members donated items and the Peru Lions Club donated $200. Pictured are Officer Lee Mitchell, Officer Shelby Cochran, Lion Dave Frushour and Officer Dillion Mongosa.

Photo provided

SWCD of Miami County earns Showcase Award

Front Row – L-R: Brenda Weaver Miami County Commis sioner, Courtney Schmidt, Purdue Extension of Miami County, Leah Harmon, ISDA, Amy Work, IASWCD. Second row – Mary Lou Watson, Miami SWCD staff; Dan Hovland, NRCS, Acting State Con; Gary Horner, Miami SWCD staff; Brad Clemons, Miami County Supervisor; Kris Vance, NRCS. Back Row – Rick Duff, Miami County District Con servationist; State Representative Ethen Manning; Roger Roeske, retired NRCS & Miami County SWCD; Fred Mus selman, Miami County Commissioner; Trevor Laureys, ISDA; Caleb Fricke, Miami County FSA CED; Sherm Liechty, NRCS Area Con; Jon Reese, Miami County Super visor. Photo provided

By Amy Work IASWCD Com munications and Member Programs

Manager

Indiana’s Dis trict Showcase Award is de signed to high light the success of four local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in the Hoosier state.

The award focus allows Indiana Districts the op portunity to share new proj ect ideas or bet ter ways to design and im plement exist ing conservation projects.

The annual District Show case Award pro gram has inspired addi tional districts to duplicate these successful programs and

has encouraged them to try something new. This award is sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership and will be given during the 2023 Indiana Associ ation of Soil and Water Con servation Dis tricts’ (IASWCD) An nual Conference in January. Miami County was among other award re cipients in Indi ana. The following de scribes the proj ect that earned an award for Miami County. In 2013, to pro mote cover crops on Miami County acres, the Miami County SWCD introduced a cover crop cost share program that would in centivize all county

landowners to try cover crops on a few acres, without being committed to a three-year fed eral program. A well-attended, annual Soil Health Work shop promotes the cover crop cost share pro gram before the application deadline in Au gust. Now, ten years later, this cost share pro gram has proven success ful as over $260,000 SWCD dollars have been used to provide over 26,000 acres with cover crops. Various grants were pro cured to sup port this funding.

For more in formation, go to the Indiana As sociation of Soil and Water Con servation Dis tricts website.

Miami

Miami Couty every

Volunteers and employees from Miami-Cass REMC and the Peru Street De partment began decorating the Miami County Courthouse recently. This was in preparation for the Light Up! Peru! tree lighting ceremony that took place Sat urday, Nov. 19, right after the Christmas Parade in downtown Peru. Employees from Peru Utilities also decorated the streetlights on Broadway and Main Streets with Christmas wreaths and garland. The organization, Light Up! Peru!, purchased nine new wreaths this year. Paul Forman, in photo below, helps string lights on one of the courthouse trees. Forman is the organizer for Light Up! Peru!

Photos by Michelle Boswell