Looking back; looking ahead Area leaders reflect on 2022, discuss plans for 2023 during annual State of the Communities breakfast

By Amanda Redman and Joseph Slacian news@thepaperoofwabash.com

A new wastewater facility, a new park and housing developments were among the items representatives from Wabash County’s various municipalities spoke about on Thursday, Feb. 16 during the sixth annual State of the Communities breakfast.

The breakfast, at the Honeywell Center’s Legacy Hall, featured representatives from Wabash, North Manchester, Roann, Lagro, LaFontaine and Wabash County to discuss happenings in 2022 and what to expect in 2023. The breakfast was coordinated by Grow Wabash County.

“Every year I walk out of this event feeling energized,” emcee Keith Gillenwater, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, said during his opening remarks. “And I am confident that today’s event will likewise evoke those same feelings in you as we hear from this dedicated group of community servants.”

Town of LaFontaine

New water and wastewater treatment facilities will make LaFontaine an even better place to live, said John Krhin, Lagro town council member.

“Overall the town is in good shape,” Krhin said. “The homes that go up for sale, they sell quickly.

“If realtor.com is correct we only have one house for sale,” Krhin said.

The town will have two new stores soon with the addition of a dog grooming business and a coffee/donut shop.

Troyer Memorial Library is undergoing renovation. “The outside is done. Contractors are still working on inside,” Krhin said.

Lafontaine Learning Community Center is another boon for the community with daycare and preschool offerings. It also features facility rentals including the cafeteria for events such as family gatherings and meetings.

Small Town Expo is turning into a larger event as more vendors have gotten involved, Krhin said.

The town is currently looking for a full-time employee to manage the new water treatment facility. Replacing and rebuilding the facility will be a major focus for the coming year now that the sewage project is nearly complete, Krhin said.

Infrastructure improvements will result in a rate increase, Krhin said, adding they have not had any rate increase since 2016.

“That is something we will be discussing this year,” Krhin said.

No one wants to increase rates, Gillenwater noted following Krhin’s talk.

“The infrastructure that all of our towns are tasked with keeping up is very expensive and it’s so critical for us,” Gillenwater said.

Gillenwater said the learning center is an “awesome facility” that is filling a need in the southern half of the county.

Town of Roann

A community park is finally coming to Town of Roann, said Bob Ferguson, clerk-treasurer, during his presentation.

Donations are now being accepted through Roann Public Park Fund for the project that will bring a playground, pavilion, parking lot and restrooms to the former Roann School site.

The park’s creation aligns with goals listed in the Imagine One85 plan aimed at growing population, Ferguson said

New sidewalks and streetscape are other improvements the town is presently working on.

“As we look to grow Wabash County, I’d like to think ahead,” Ferguson said. “How are we going to keep that talent right here in Wabash County?”

Ferguson mourned the loss of town folk who passed away last year and said building new personal connections is essential for the future of the town. Ellen Draper, Ruth Vigar, James Huffman, James Kendall and Dr. James “Jimmy” Turner Jr. are a few of those that Ferguson honored as having a personal connection and impact on the community.

The mural at Chippewa & Walnut might not be there without JoEllen Dyson Nelson, who passed away in October. Nelson was formerly chairperson of Heritage Committee, now Main Street.

“She was always doing something and was always so friendly,” Ferguson said.

The Little Red Caboose might not have been restored if not for Richard Keith Morris, former town board president who passed in September, Ferguson said.

Maxine Hentgen who passed in March could often be seen in her yard, picking up sticks and maintaining a meticulous lawn.

“Each one of them built personal relations. Who is going to fill their shoes?” Ferguson asked. “I’ll tell you: Not a soul is going to fill their shoes. But we can walk in their footsteps.”

Town of Lagro

Kristie Bone, Town of Lagro clerk-treasurer, presented a video highlighting “Small Town” businesses and people. set to music by Indiana native John Mellencamp.

Lagro is a wonderful place to live and to visit, said Deb Conner, co-owner of Hopewell House. Conner partnered with Randy and Tammy Keaffaber restoring the historical house that is now rented through Airbnb, and accommodates up to 12 people.

Cont. on Page 4.

Wabash singers fare well at ISSMA contest

Thirty-four students from Wabash High School and 25 students from Wabash Middle School participated in the annual Indiana State School Music Association Vocal District Contest held at Fairfield Jr/Sr High School in Goshen on Saturday, Jan. 28.

In total these vocalists earned 83 medallions: 41 “superior,” goldmedals and 42 “excellent,” silvermedals.

Vocal soloists who earned a gold medal in the Stateeligible category Group I included: Mollie Friend, Zach Simpson, Brett Shull, and Paloma Shull. All four competed a second time at the State level in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 11. At this round, Mollie earned a Silver rating, Brett and Paloma brought home golds, and Zach scored the coveted “Gold with Distinction,” the highest-ranked medal possible.

Xander Rose earned a Silver score for his Group I solo. In Group II, soloists Amaya Sellers and Eli Edmond earned golds. Caileigh Mignery, Sabrina Frank, Sara Buga, Alex Zinn, Aaliya Frasure, and Matthew Niles delivered GoldMedal performances as Group III soloists. The

SymphonAirs chamber ensemble, entered as a Group I Mixed Large Ensemble performing “Ye Followers of the Lamb” won a silver medal. These members were Paige Arrowood, Morgan Butcher, Kiara Carmichael, Eli Edmond, Mollie Friend, Liv Mollett, Matthew Niles, Gavin Palmer, Xander Rose, Amaya Sellers, Brett Shull, Paloma Shull, Zach Simpson, Hiley Ward, and Aleigha Woodward.

The Group I Men’s Ensemble, with the combined talents of the Debonairs and the Airmen, claimed 10 more silver medals for their performance of “A Red, Red Rose.” These men included Kasen Oswalt, Zach Simpson, Calvin Satur, Eli Edmond, Brett Shull, Matthew Niles, Xander Rose, Alex Zinn, Gavin Palmer, and Jared Stevens.

A Large Ensemble, Girls’ Group III division, featured the voices of the Treblemakers – the Women’s Choir.

These ladies earned a Silver rating for their performance of Jacob Narverud’s “Lunar Lullaby.” This ensemble included Olivia Shepler, Lacie Jones, Talena Sickman, Aaliyah Frasure, Caro Miller, Amber Weaver, Jordan Jones, Trinity Dalton, Kendall Gifford, Caileigh Mignery, Falicity

Baldwin, Lexi Walters, Sabrina Fisher, and Kayla Brown.

The Middle School choristers earned thirty, all Gold-medal ratings. Soloists were McKenzie Border, John Harris, Violet George, Aubreyanna Jordan, Braelyn Eis, Ashton Shepler, Lily Meadows, Luis Trejo, and Ella Harrell.

Performing in Group IV Large Mixed division claiming gold for their performance of “Witness,” were Makenna Bechtold, Shannon King, Emma VanCamp, Kinzie Flack, Audri Shidler, Violet George, Braelyn Eis, Sally Harrell, Kamden Oswalt, Raelee Weeks, John

Harris, Luis Trejo, and Austin Rider. In the Group V Large Treble ensemble singing “Sing Jubilate Deo” even more gold medals were won by Christy Howard, Aubreyanna Jordan, McKenzie Border, Lily Meadows, Gracie Bearman, Faithlyn Bruning, Kinzie Flack, Alyssa Sheridan, Lily Abshire, and Hunter Simpson. All performers are members of the Wabash City Schools choirs directed by Mark Nevil and accompanied by Judy Ward. OfffficeHours:8a.m.to5p.m.Monday-Frida

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