The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab, better known as the W.I.L.L. bus, has been an instrumental force in transforming science, technology, engineering and mathematics education across Warsaw Community Schools over the past decade.
“As we celebrate 10 years of success, we reflect on the impact it has had, not only in our schools, but also in our community,” said Daniel Graney, S.T.E.M. integration specialist for Warsaw Community Schools, and a W.I.L.L. Bus instructor.
The idea for W.I.L.L. began in 20122013 and in 2014, it became a reality.
The W.I.L.L bus was conceived with a bold mission — to bring S.T.E.M. learning directly to the elementary schools and to equip teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to foster S.T.E.M. learning in their classrooms.
“We chose a mobile classroom to bring science directly to the students and teachers, making S.T.E.M. education accessible to everyone,” said Graney.
As Washington S.T.E.M. Academy took off in 2014, the school board gave the administration a challenge to provide all eight of the Warsaw elementary schools with S.T.E.M. education. Thus, the W.I.L.L. bus.
“All grades K-6 benefit from this program,” said Graney of the W.I.L.L. bus.
As a result of this 10-year journey, all of Warsaw schools now have robust S.T.E.M. programs, ensuring students
are consistently engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across the district. The mobile classroom played a key role in fostering this growth by providing hands-on experiences and sparking interest in S.T.E.M. subjects.
“The lessons offered focus on thinking like an engineer or thinking like a scientist, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based learning skills that are essential for STEM education,” said Graney. “It incorporates a variety of lessons so that when students walk off the bus, they will be able to see themselves as scientists and engineers, whether in kindergarten or sixth grade.”
By participating in lessons, students engage in hands-on activities and real-world applications, which enhance their understanding of engineering and scientific concepts.
Over the years, the W.I.L.L. bus has made significant strides in fulfilling this vision. Through its hands-on instruction, it provides students with access to cutting-edge S.T.E.M. experiences, many of which were not otherwise available in the traditional classroom setting. The bus became a familiar sight, a traveling hub of excitement and learning that sparked students’ imaginations and deepened their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Thanks to the W.I.L.L. bus and its dedicated teachers, S.T.E.M. is now a permanent and thriving part of the curriculum in all Warsaw elementary schools.
Continued on page 4
HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION The W.I.L.L. bus provides hands-on instruction in S.T.E.M. curriculum. The program started in 2014.
MOBILE LEARNING LAB — The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab, known as the W.I.L.L. bus, has been an instrumental force in transforming science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Warsaw Community Schools for students in K-6 grades. Photos provided by Dan Graney.
By LAUREN ZEUGNER Editor
hunting fish while mallard ducks chill out on the shore.
On the other side, a Great Blue Heron stands statute still, waiting to snag dinner. As we sit down to chat, a kingfisher takes off from a nearby tree to hunt for fish.
Both she and her husband, Chic, are Hoosier natives, but not Kosciusko County. The two retired to Pike Lake in spring of 2020.
When they moved into their home, Sweeney learned about The Watershed Foundation and Pike Lake is filling in faster than other lakes in the area. She explained this is due to Deeds Creek, which feeds into Pike Lake, bringing in a lot of sediment.
Both the city of Warsaw and The Watershed Foundation, along with the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, have done a lot to address the issues.
In her professional career, Sweeney worked with nonprofits and consulted with nonprofits, but she never had the opportunity to serve on a board of directors, which is something she’s wanted to do.
After moving to Warsaw and learning about the organization, she joined The Watershed Foundation’s board of directors. Now in her third year on the board, she is currently serving as vice president.
Her professional background was assisting nonprofits with fundraising and engaging new donors.
“The Watershed Foundation has done a very good job maintaining donors,” she said.
She explained in its first two decades, the organization focused on Lake Tippecanoe and northward. Recently, it has increased its focus to include Chapman Lake in Warsaw and Winona Lake.
She’s been busy looking at how to engage others, like her, who are concerned about the environment who may also be new to the community.
“We’re doing better at engaging this portion of the watershed,” she said. “We’re trying to expand our base of the watershed.”
Many of the projects The
Watershed Foundation undertake are funded through government grants. The planning, education and community support of those projects, however, are funded through local philanthropic support.
“Staff time for educating homeowners on issues is supported through funds raised privately,” she explained.
She serves on the committee which plans The Watershed Foundation’s fundraisers. This summer, the organization hosted two cottage tours: one on Lake Tippecanoe in July and one held recently on Winona Lake.
Along with the cottage tours, there was an online art auction featuring artwork from local artists and art collectors with the theme, “Lake Life.”
Many of the local artists chose to do work highlighting their favorite lake spots.
Sweeney said she enjoys partnering with other committed community members learning how to ensure area lakes and streams remain healthy.
Kosciusko Republicans to hold fish fry Oct. 2
The Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee invites the community to a fish fry 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The fish fry will be held at the Home and Family Arts Building on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
Dinner includes all you can eat fish, along with slaw, applesauce,
baked beans, bread and butter, lemonade and coffee.
The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 5-12.
In addition to the meal, the community has the opportunity to meet elected officials and candidates.
Carry-outs are available.
“I’m not out there doing it alone,” she said. “Through Lyn (Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation) and other allies, we have good information. It’s not uninformed or uneducated opinion as to what should be done. Thinking of the lakes as an asset to the communities they are in, it’s up to us to be the stewards.”
Along with The Watershed Foundation, Sweeney also serves on the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation board; this is a five-member board appointed by the Kosciusko County Commissioners and Council.
“I’ve enjoyed that work and learned a lot,” she said.
The park board is currently working on a trails’ plan and is getting close to getting contractors bids on a trail that will run from the Chinworth Historical Bridge to the Creighton Brothers Crazy Egg Cafe.
An avid bird lover, she also serves on the Tippecanoe Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society that serves eight counties with Warsaw being the largest municipality.
From her sunroom, she’s identified over 100 different species of birds. The chapter oversees three nature sancutaries.
“I’ve been really impressed with the work that’s been done over the decades,’ Sweeney said.
One area was originally a marsh, which was drained for agriculture and was recently returned to marshland.
“I’m really proud of the group and the work it’s done,” she said.
She and Chic have two children and one grandchild.
ENJOYS THE OUTDOORS Aggie Sweeney is an avid birder. After a career working with nonprofits, she now serves on three — The Watershed Foundation, Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board and Tippecanoe Audubon Society — to ensure there are outdoor spaces for everyone in the community to enjoy. Photo provided by Aggie Sweeney.
Fair.
Elkhart County Fair announces 2025 theme
During a celebratory banquet held Tuesday, Sept. 17, the 2025 Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board
President Randi Yoder unveiled the theme and logo for the 2025 Fair: “Taste the Flavor, Share the Fun.”
Yoder, who also serves as the Fair’s Concessions Director, collaborated with his oldest daughter, Stephanie, on the design of the theme and logo, with additional input from his wife, Anita. The logo highlights the excitement of Fair Food, a centerpiece of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. Yoder explained, “Guests to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair look forward to our amazing
Honoring our veterans
Veterans Day honors military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Some communities will host parades, others will host programs or offer free meals for veterans.
‘the PAPER’ wants to honor the veterans in our county in our Nov. 6 publication. We will be dedicating space to publish photos of these veterans and asking our readers to help by sending photos and information.
Please send us a photo, past or present, of a veteran in the family. Include the veteran’s name, military branch and the years served.
Email photos and information to dpatterson@the-papers.com, mailed to ‘the PAPER,’ P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 or bring a photo and information to either our Warsaw office, 114 W. Market St., Syracuse office, 102 E. Main St., or the main office at 206 S. Main St., Milford.
Information published in the 2023 salutes will not be used unless we are notified to use the photo and information again.
Please provide photos and information by Friday, Oct. 25.
Time to tidy up
Lakeview Cemetery
for fall
The board of directors of the Lakeview Cemetery in Silver Lake wants to remind patrons that all faded grave decorations need to be removed by Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Any faded decorations remaining after that date will be discarded. In addition, decorations not in compliance with cemetery regulations will be removed as well.
Fall and winter decorations may be placed after the fall cleanup is completed.
CARL SHEETS U.S. ARMY 1943-1945
fair food. We have over 75 various locations offering a wide variety of food options. Taste The Flavor is what we want all our guests to experience while enjoying our fair food.”
“The logo has several symbolic elements,” said Yoder. “Including the clover in the center as 4-H is the center of what we do. The blue background represents the blue ribbons 4-Hers strive for. The gold plate represents the high standards the fair board, staff, and volunteers set for the fair every year.”
Yoder also said, “As one of the largest county fairs in the Midwest, our constant goal is to continue to Share the Fun of who we are and everything we have to offer during our 9-day fair.”
Yoder will formally take the reins as the 2025 Elkhart County Fair Board President on Oct. 1.
“I hope the success we had with our 2024 Fair continues. Our staff and Fair Board always look forward to July and hosting our annual Fair.”
The 2025 Fair will be held July 18-26 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.
FAIR THEME ANNOUNCED The 2025 Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board unveiled the Taste the Flavor theme and design. Shown from left are Anita Yoder, Stephanie Yoder and Randi Yoder, 2025 fair board president. Photo provided by the Elkhart County 4-H
Good Neighbors
Editor’s Note: The Good Neighbors column is for people looking for hard-to-find or old items or for people seeking advice, not for items you can find in a local store or sell through the help of a classified ad.
This column runs every other week.
Music notebooks — I have lots of music notebooks for the piano/organ/keyboard players. Free if you pick them up. I am located between Milford and Nappanee. Call (574) 526-0646.
New questions
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Grocery
Games — Looking for games that have paper money, paper tokens, playing cards for games. These are for a community project. Call (574) 306-8527.
Aluminum pie pans — Looking for aluminum pie pans in good condition. The kind you normally throw away. Call (574) 306-8527. Will pick up.
Used washer — Wanted: Used washer to use for laundry spinner. Only spin cycle needs to work. Call (574) 642-1115.
Calendars/greeting cards — Looking for pretty, vintage, new or used calendars. Also looking for more used or unused greeting cards, old or new. Looking for Christmas, happy birthday, Easter, sympathy, thinking of you and any more you have. These cards are used for bookmarks for the elementary schools. Call (574) 306-8527.
M ilestones
Gosherts celebrate golden wedding anniversary
Paul and Sue Goshert will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Oct. 5.
Paul Goshert and the former Sue Stephens were married Oct. 5, 1974, at the United Methodist Church in Mentone by the Rev. Warren McCuen.
Paul is retired from DePuy Synthes as a tool cutter grinder specialist. Sue is retired as office manager at the Kosciusko County Fair Office.
They are the parents of three sons: Adam, Andrew (and spouse Joni) and Aric (and spouse Brenna), all of Warsaw. They also have three grandsons, Braden, Beau and Evan.
The couple will celebrate with family and a short trip. Greetings may be sent to them at 1241 N. CR 350W, Warsaw, IN 46580.
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Paul and Sue Goshert will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Oct. 5. Photo provided.
Celebrating a
Continued from page 1
In fact, four of those schools have been honored and recognized by the state as Indiana Department of Education Certified S.T.E.M. Schools, a testament to the lasting influence of this initiative.
As the W.I.L.L. bus transitions from an instructional tool to a community showcase, it cele-
brates the culmination of its original mission.
Though it will no longer hold classes, the W.I.L.L. bus will continue to play an important role in special WCS events and community celebrations, serving as a reminder of the progress made in S.T.E.M. education.
“The journey that began with
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Paul Goshert and the former Sue Stephens were united in marriage on Oct. 5, 1974. Photo provided.
the goal of bringing S.T.E.M. to schools has not only been realized but exceeded, and as we look ahead, we do so with gratitude and excitement for what the future holds for S.T.E.M. in Warsaw,” said Graney. For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/warsawschools.org/will2024?usp=sharing.
EXPLORE CARVING Shown are just a few examples of small, carved objects people can see at the Kosco Wood Carving Show on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Senior Activity Center, Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo.
DONATION TO SYRACUSE-WAWASEE TRAILS The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club recently donated $1,500 to the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee for its help with the Rotary Club’s fundraiser, Tour Des Lakes.
Pictured in front from left are Susan Stump, Rotary president; Matthew Bochard; Amanda Plank, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails director; Jerry Wright, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee member; Virginia Cazier; and Jeremy Doerr. In back are Richard Brungardt; DeeAnna Muraski; Dave Colquitt; Cameron Plew; Brad Poltuney; Clarkson Leffler; Erick Leffler; and Alan Tehan. Photo provided.
Wood carvers will be gathering Saturday, Oct. 5, to exhibit their handiwork during the fourth annual Kosco Wood Carving Show, held by the Kosco Wood Carving Club.
The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.
Expect to see a variety of handcarved objects, from small, intricate puzzles, toys and figures to larger items, such as walking sticks, canes, a 3-foot eagle’s feather or a bust of a Native-American.
Examples of all types of carving should be on hand, including carving in the round, relief carving, wood burning and chip carving, according to the club’s coordina-
tor, Brent Julian.
Visitors can marvel at the carvings and chat with the creators. Anyone who might like to try their own hand at carving is welcome to sit down for some free lessons with club members when they regularly meet.
The club meets from 6:30-8
p.m. each Tuesday, at the Senior Activity Center, Warsaw. Members include males and females, ranging in age from 13 to 83.
“Wood carving is something of a lost art,” Julian said. “A lot of people don’t do it or think they can’t do it, but you don’t have to be a carpenter or an artist.”
For more information about the club, call Julian at (574) 2653114.
Local FFA member launching supervised agricultural experience
By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer
and
reer or start their own ag-based business.
“It’s more about learning to do real world things,” he explained.
Garner’s family raises hogs and he shows hogs. He’s in the very early stages of launching Agri-Wave, which is offering magnetic wave or pulsed electromagnetic fields therapy for livestock.
“This is an electromagnetic therapy that treats livestock without steroids or side affects,” Garner said.
PEMF therapy is used to treat muscle tightness, stomach issues and while not proven, stress-related health issues.
Garner got interested in the therapy after seeing veterinarians use it on his family’s hogs. His dad, Jaimene, then decided to purchase his own PEMF machine after seeing the positive results the therapy provided.
Garner decided to become certified as a PEMF technician.
Columbia City, IN 46725-8707 www.yagelgrainsystems.com 888-327-5279 • Grain
He had to take an online course where he watched videos and was tested on the information.
Garner, who loves to learn, said “It (the course) is supposed to take a couple of weeks. I got it done in an hour and a half.”
It was his dad who encouraged him to become certified and start the business.
He’s been providing the therapy to his family’s pigs and would like to work on horses. He believes PEMF therapy can be especially useful in helping horses recover after a show.
“I know a lot of horse people who have PEMF therapy done weekly,” he said.
Garner noted he started his business although he isn’t old enough to drive yet, nor has he turned a profit yet. He explained he worked on the business structure of Agri-Wave right before the Elkhart County Fair and he’s still doing research on how PEMF can be helpful to livestock. He said he wants to be an expert at it before he starts charging clients. He said he plans to start charging clients as soon as he gets his driver’s license and can be mobile.
For his SAE, he records the amount of time he spends working on his business to show he has real-world experience. While doing his research on PEMF therapy, he was surprised at the number of rabbit holes he could get lost in.
Garner turns 16 next spring, so in the meantime, he’s working on his business plan making sure he has a good idea of what he’s doing. For example, in his research, he’s learned that social media is the best way for him to advertise his business. He plans to use social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, to advertise AgriWave. He’s also working on a before and after film with a pig to show how the therapy works.
Garner admitted he is highly motivated. His plans include graduating from high school early, getting his pilot’s license, which he is working on, and then going to Purdue University for aviation science. He hopes Agri-Wave will pay for both flight school and college.
Garner lives in New Paris with his parents, Jaimene and Lee, and his siblings, Briggs, Gage and Cole.
GETTING IN SOME PRACTICE Paxton Garner does PEMF therapy on one of his show pigs. Garner, a freshman at Fairfield Junior/Senior High School, is working on a supervised agricultural experience as he launches his business offering pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for livestock. Photo provided by Paxton Garner.
Text and Photos By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer
Robert Frantz, a life-long Warsaw area resident, was honored at the 67th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District held back in February. He was awarded the Conservation Farmer Award.
Frantz was awarded the honor due to his adoption and maintenance of cover crops, his dedication to nutrient management and no till on his over 380 acres. Frantz has been farming all 86 years of his life.
One of the ways Frantz uses conservation matters on his farm is by maintaining cover crops. Cover crops can be beneficial to farmers in many ways, including improving soil health, managing weeds and enhancing crop yields.
Some common cover crops include legumes, such as clover, vetch and peas, which can help fix
nitrogen in the soil which is beneficial for subsequent crops; grasses, such as rye, oats and barley, which can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure; brassicas, such as radishes and turnips, which can help break up compacted soil and suppress weeds; and buckwheat, which can be used for its quick growth and ability to suppress weeds. Each type of cover crop offers different benefits, so farmers select them based on their specific farm needs and goals.
“Right now, we got an autumn mix of radishes down,” Frantz mentioned.
Frantz utilizes various methods of nutrient management on his over 380- acre farm to promote soil health. Healthy soil has balanced nutrients that help maintain soil structure and fertility, promoting long-term soil health.
“Soil testing is important,” Frantz said. “If you want good crops, you need good soil.”
There are a variety of benefits
to maintaining healthy soil nutrients. Healthy soil produces improved crop yields due to the crops receiving essential nutrients they need to grow and flourish.
Additionally, by applying the right amount of nutrients, farmers can reduce waste and lower costs, which can be associated with over fertilization. Proper nutrient management can help minimize runoff, reducing the risk of water pollution and promoting environmental protections.
Maintaining nutrient balance supports sustainable farming practices by ensuring the soil remains healthy and fertile for future farming generations. Nutrient management is vital for both the economic and environmental sustainability of farming.
“You can’t grow nothing without good soil,” Frantz stated. “The better the soil, the better the yields.”
Frantz opts to utilize no-till farming on his land for a variety of benefits, including soil structure.
tractor. This one of many farm chores Frantz does to keep his farm up and running.
Sprayer
No-till farming can help maintain soil structure and prevents soil compaction, which can help improve water infiltration and root growth.
Not tilling farmland can help control erosion. It reduces soil erosion by keeping the soil covered with crop residues, which protect it from being whipped away by wind or washed away by water. No till can preserve soil moisture, making it particular beneficial to farmers who farm in droughtprone areas. No-till farming also is cost efficient for the farmer because it eliminates the need for plowing, which can save on fuel and labor costs.
“Tilling often brings up stone,” Frantz explained. “No till prevents that.”
Being named this year’s SWCD Conservation Farmer Award is not the first time Frantz has been honored for his dedication to farming. In 2020, The Frantz farm became a Hoosier Homestead Farm, which means it has been owned by the same family for over 100 years. The award is presented by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The Frantz farm dates back to 1918, and in 2020, it received the Centennial Award for 100 years.
CONSERVATION FARMER AWARD Robert Frantz, Warsaw, was awarded the Conservation Farmer Award at the 67th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, held back in February.
FARM CHORES Robert Frantz uses his Bobcat to load some bales of hay onto his
Lechlitner mentored others through 4-H
By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer
Caleb Lechlitner of Nappanee is a 2024 graduate of NorthWood High School. He is the son of Fred and Heather Lechlitner. A Purdue freshman, he spent 10 years in 4-H.
He grew up in a farming family. His grandfather, Dr. Bruce Lamb of Milford, is a veterinarian. Lechlitner recalls going to his grandfather’s farm where he raised Angus cattle.
“Grandpa Lamb has taught me everything I know about cattle and the livestock industry. He is always there to help and encourage me,” he said. Growing up, Lechlitner raised and showed Angus cattle and sheep and did livestock judging.
“I grew up in the ag industry. It’s always been there. I was born into it,” he said.
He enjoyed mentoring and helping younger 4-Hers with Continued on page 10
INcredible!
FUTURE IN AG — Caleb Lechlitner of Nappanee is a freshman at Purdue. A Northwood High School graduate, he plans on having a career in the agriculture industry. Photo provided by Heather Lechlitner.
Grain farmers experience a dry season
Text and Photos By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
Kent Richards has been farming grain for nearly 50 years on the land owned by his father and grandfather before him. He now shares the operation with his son, Dayne. All told, they have about 900 acres, consisting of both corn and soybeans. Most of their crops go either to ethanol production or animal feed.
Richards stated this year has seen a dry growing season with above average temperatures. Conditions were such that a burn ban was put in place in Kosciusko County from Thursday, Sept. 19 to Tuesday, Sept. 24. The hot, dry weather led Richards and many other area farmers to irrigate their fields over the summer.
At the time of this writing, there had been a few rainy days following a period of weeks with “no measurable rain,” said Richards.
“We had not gotten very much the last three weeks whatsoever. ... It’s impacted the soybeans more than the corn. Soybeans are more
NO PAIN, NO GRAIN Dayne Richards pulls an ear of corn from the field he farms with his father, Kent
has seen a very dry season for grain farming.
dependent on moisture late in the summer,” he explained. “The corn, it might not have any effect on it, but it’ll at least help them to finish.”
At the Richards’ family farm, irrigation is used primarily on the corn, rather than the soybeans.
“We like to have a nice season and not have rain set in and interrupt us until everybody gets done, but that’s probably what’s gonna take place. It seems like it happens some falls,”
Richards said on the arrival of rain.
He emphasized the unpredictability of farming and the dependence on weather.
“You never know what you’re going to produce. We had predicted we might have an above-average season for soybeans, but now it looks like it might be average or even below average,” he said.
Richards noted he has seen some farmers in the northern parts of the
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county, such as Syracuse and Leesburg, beginning to harvest already.
“I’m hearing some guys who are combining, (in) some areas, are disappointed their beans aren’t better,” he reported.
While they have not yet begun their harvest, Richards said the lead up to harvest time involves plenty of activity, including maintenance and repairs on farm equipment in order to avoid breakdowns during the crucial work period.
Farmers also prepare for harvest by marketing their crops, though he
Continued from page 9
their sheep and cattle projects.
“I enjoyed giving back by mentoring and helping younger 4-H’ers with their cattle and sheep projects. I had several special and important older 4-H’ers and 4-H alumni invest in me and help me over the years,” he said. “I have been blessed, and I think it is important to give back and pay it forward what I have learned to younger 4-He’rs.”
He was a 4-H ambassador for Kosciusko County and named the 2022 4-H fair king.
He said 4-H taught him “hard work and responsibility.”
Lechlitner, 18, and his two siblings, Hayden and Halle, were junior members of the Indiana and American Angus associations. He also did a consumer beef project with one of his siblings. He raised pigs but said he doesn’t have a favorite animal.
In addition, he worked for Genesis Show Lambs in Millersburg, where he got his sheep from.
noted marketing can also be a yearround activity.
“You can only sell each bushel one time,” he mentioned.
In addition, advance planning and budgeting are key to running a farm. Meetings with financial managers and chemical dealers are important tasks that have to be carried out each season.
“There’s a lot more to agriculture than what meets the eye,” Richards said. “There’s a lot of details; it’s more than just equipment out in the field.”
He said 4-H was a family affair.
“All of our 4-H projects we did together as a family,” Lechlitner said. “We all enjoyed it.”
He was also a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers and Kosciusko County 4-H Junior Leaders clubs.
His 4-H projects included: beef, swine, sheep, consumer grilling, farm toy scene, electric, tractor (lawn and garden mower, zero-turn mower, garden tractor), shooting sports, Junior Leaders and senior achievement, and milk and meat production.
“You have to devote a lot of time to it,” he said of 4-H, “and do it the best of your ability. It teaches you a lot about yourself.”
His plans for the future include getting a degree in agri-business management with a minor in ag policy and pre-law.
“I’d like to do something in the ag industry,” he said of his future career plans.
LONG-TIME FARMER Kent Richards is pictured in the cab of his combine harvester. He has been farming grain for nearly 50 years.
Richards. This year
Fervida harvesting unique crop: peppermint
By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer
Those driving into Milford early in the morning during the spring and summer are often greeted by the scent of peppermint, lingering in the air after a heavy dew fall or rainy night.
Jeff Fervida has been farming mint since 1995, but growing mint has been in his family for far longer. Fervida’s grandfather grew mint with help from his dad during the 1940s and 1950s. His grandfather quit in 1953.
Then as an adult, Fervida was farming low muck ground and having problems with late spring frosts killing the corn he planted. Then he heard peppermint could handle a hard frost. Today, he farms 400 acres of mint.
“Actually it’s a dying industry,” Fervida said about mint farming. “People want to know where the ingredients come from in the products they use, are they sustainable, while companies are concerned about price. There are still companies where quality is of the utmost concern. We supply to those companies.”
Twenty years ago, there were 32,000 acres of mint grown in Indiana with about 40 mint farmers. Today 3,500 acres of mint is grown throughout the state by eight farmers.
Fervida explained he’ll grow mint for four or five years in a field before rotating it out with corn or soybeans. He does this for disease mitigation.
The mint fields are planted in late March or early April, harvested in July or August, and then the fields are tilled under in November. Fervida said the first year a field is planted, the mint will come up in rows.
Fervida farms acreage within an eight- mile radius of his home farm in Milford. Ninety-five percent of the peppermint he grows goes to Colgate to flavor toothpaste. The remaining 5% is sold as essential oil at several retailers, such as Coppes Commons and Miller Orchards, both in Nappanee.
When harvesting mint, it’s mowed like hay. Fervida lets it lay for a few days to dry out and then it is chopped into steel wagons. The mint is then brought back to the mint still where steam is introduced into the wagon. The steam carries the mint oil into the mint still where it is condensed into a liquid. The water is removed and the pure mint oil is then loaded into 55-gallon drums.
It takes about two hours to steam a wagon and during harvest season, Fervida tends to do eight wagons at a time.
“Steaming 40 acres is a good day for us,” he said.
It takes about six acres of mint to fill a 55-gallon drum.
“It takes one pound of mint to flavor one ton of toothpaste,” Fervida said. “Colgate is the toothpaste people want to use; it uses all American (sourced) products.” Other toothpaste
companies use other varieties of mint from outside the U.S.
Mint harvest is done for the year and Fervida will leave the fields alone until later this fall when he’s ready to till it under.
Fervida said mint has great medicinal uses. It contains menthol with is good for clearing sinuses. Fervida said mint oil is also good for alleviating the pain caused by tension headaches and arthritis.
Mint farming for Fervida is still a family affair as his father, Bryon, who is 80, still works the farm along with his son, Tanner Fervida, and sonin-law, Daniel Wilson.
Along with peppermint and spearmint, the Fervidas raise corn, soybeans, Angus and Cha-
rolais cattle.
Fervida shared some history about mint and its history. It is one of the very few plants that have a square stem.
Growing mint started when chewing gum came out before World War I. And a lot of that mint was grown in Indiana with Bremen once being known as the “mint capital of the world.” Fervida said chewing gum was put in care packages sent to service men overseas.
In the 1930s and 1940s, there were over 1,000 mint stills in the state.
In the 1950s, Washington and Oregon started growing mint. Today, those states, along with Idaho, are now the biggest mint producers in the U.S.
INTERESTING CROP Jeff Fervida has been growing peppermint like this since 1995. The majority of his crop goes to flavor Colgate toothpaste. Peppermint is one of the few plants with a square stem and can handle a hard frost in the late spring. Photo provided by Shutterstock.
By KARLEIGH CREIGHTON Farm Journal Foundation
Representative
at an Indiana farm event to discuss the urgent need for greater investment in agricultural research and development to improve global food security and, in turn, help ensure U.S. national security.
In a fireside chat, Yakym spoke to what’s already been done to improve food systems and nutrition, what long-term solutions are still
needed, and what’s happening on Capitol Hill to address global food security and national security. He was joined by Kip Tom, former ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Kassi Tom Rowland, Farm Journal Foundation Farmer Ambassador; and Kelsey Barnes, Farm Journal Foundation director of government Affairs.
“Food security is national security, and here in Indiana our farmers and ranchers grow and raise the agricultural products that feed America and ensure we don’t have to rely on other nations for
one of our most essential needs,” said Yakym. “I enjoyed visiting Tom Farms and partnering with the Farm Journal Foundation for this important and timely conversation about the R&D investments we can make today to help ensure U.S. food security can remain strong well into the future.”
Today, the global food system is facing multiple challenges due to geopolitical conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe weather events. Right now, 10% of the global population experiences hunger and three billion people are unable to afford a well-balanced diet, according to a recent Farm Journal Foundation report; however, U.S. public investment in agricultural R&D has declined in real dollars over the last two decades, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Agricultural research has one of the highest returns of any public investment, returning on average $17 in benefits for every $1 invested. Yet today, China and Brazil now outspend the U.S. on public funding for agricultural research, threatening America’s competitive advantage in agriculture, according to a report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Agriculture is particularly important to Indiana, where the sector contributes $35.1 billion to the state’s economy.
“Today’s conversation was a critical one with farmers, Congressional leaders, and agricultural and policy experts, about the pressing need for increased public investment in agricultural research and development,” said Rowland. “It showcased how innovation has revolutionized global food systems and nutrition, as
well as provided an opportunity to get an update from Capitol Hill. All who participated are a part of shaping the future of agriculture.”
Cooper stays active in ag
By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer
Rylan Cooper is a 2024 Warsaw Community High School graduate. He plans to attend Purdue University in January 2025 to study agriculture.
He has worked for an agricultural business whose primary activities included crop scouting, implementing integrated pest management programs and soil and crop testing.
Cooper grew up Kosciusko County and is the son of Drew Cooper and Rachell Hatfield. The youngest of four siblings, he graduated from Warsaw Community High School this year.
Continued on page 14
DISCUSSING FOOD FUTURES — Ambassador Kip Tom, left, and U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym talk about U.S. food security. Photo provided by Rep. Rudy Yakym’s office.
FOOD SECURITY FIRESIDE CHAT — Congressman Rudy Yakym speaks at a farm event in Leesburg.
Photo provided by Rep. Rudy Yakym’s office.
ACTIVE IN FFA — Rylan Cooper was active in FFA while attending high school. He plans to attend Purdue University in January 2025, where he will major in ag economics.
Photo provided by Rylan Cooper.
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FALL FARMING
Free soil sampling program available for Indiana farmers
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia program to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations. The program, “Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program,” is open now for applicants through Friday, Nov. 1.
Cooper stays
Cooper said he “grew up as someone who hunts and loves the outdoors, so I bridged those two together.”
While he didn’t grow up on a farm, he said his interest in ag came from the fact that “we are surrounded by cornfields.”
He joined FFA in eighth grade. While in high school, he assumed several officer positions. He became treasurer his sophomore year.
“I enjoyed that a lot,” he said.
While in FFA, he was chapter secretary and the district treasurer his junior year.
“I love doing both,” Cooper said. “My senior year, I was president and district treasurer.”
He also ran for a state FFA officer position, but that didn’t go as planned, he said.
FFA, he said, helped him overcome shyness and engage in public speaking. He would attend FFA
“Soil health is incredibly important, and our farmers remain diligent in protecting and enhancing their farms’ soil properties,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “One way to enhance soil health is to identify nutrient levels via soil sampling. Unfortunately, this can be another expense farmers cannot afford, so we are thankful that with the help of our partners, farmers can sign up to have their soil sampled and tested at no cost.”
conferences, which, he said, “I always enjoyed those.”
While in FFA, he did a number of contests, like forestry and parliamentary procedure.
“I like the idea I had to be quick on my feet,” he said. “I also did welding, which I enjoyed.”
In the spring, he did a natural resources demonstration, animal tracking and calls, “and I also did public speaking.”
The Natural Resources Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop leadership and communication skills.
In the summer, he would attend camps in which he would spend three days developing certain skills.
“You’re developing leadership skills,” he said. These skills included the acronym SOAR: seeking opportunity and achieving results.
“I stepped out of my comfort zone,” Cooper said. “It allows kids to basically find their passions. So, I did ag services.”
When he attends Purdue, he plans to study ag economics and has an interest in ag policy.
“They are very important,” he said. “It’s the first line of defense in ag.”
While in high school, Cooper worked at Elite Agronomy in North Webster, which helped him with his SAE project.
“That gave me insights into agronomy,” Cooper said. “SAE stands for supervised agriculture experience. It gave me a new perspective in ag.”
After he gets his bachelor’s degree, Cooper said he’d like to eventually work in either Indianapolis or Washington, D.C., in order to “help the policies that benefit the ag industry. I’m thinking about going the political route.”
ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principle of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The 4R framework incorporates using the “Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place” to achieve cropping system goals. The program focuses on soil sampling and testing because it’s a key component and first step of developing a plan for nutrient management.
Soil sampling provides an assessment of the soil’s fertility, which can be used for making fertilizer application recommendations, assessing available nutrients over time, increasing farmer profitability, and enhancing environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss.
This project was developed to help further Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts.
“Farmers’ bottom lines are tighter than ever, so this free program will be welcomed again with open arms,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb. “Last year’s free soil sampling program was so successful, we had to close program sign ups sooner than anticipated to ensure we had enough available resources, so we are beyond excited to bring this program back to Hoosier farmers this fall.”
This program includes row
crop, pasture, hay and specialty crop fields, located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River basin. Eligible landowners will be prioritized by acreage enrolled (i.e. 100 acres or less), fields that have never been soil sampled and fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e. within the last four years).
Further prioritization may be implemented, based on ISDA’s workload capacity. This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns. Interested farmers can sign-up online at in.gov/isda/ divisions/soil-conservation/indiana-soil-sampling-program/ or by emailing soilsampling@isda. in.gov.
This program is meant to demonstrate the importance of soil sampling and the valuable information it can provide. This program is not meant to act or replace an operation’s existing soil testing schedule.
This program was made possible thanks to ISDA, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance, Indiana Conservation Partnership members, farmers and crop advisors.
For more information, contact Ophelia Davis at (317) 232-0305 or email soilsampling@isda.in.gov.
FALL FARMING
Boggs is seeking career in agriculture
By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer
Thomas Boggs is a student at Huntington University, where he is studying agronomy and agriculture business.
He grew up on a 1,300-acre family farm outside Warsaw with his parents, Ed and Tammy Boggs. He has two older brothers.
“We had 60 heads of Angus freezer beef,” he said. “We are a farming family.”
He was in both 4-H and FFA. He was in 4-H for 10 years and spent six years in FFA.
He first began 4-H when he was younger, called “mini 4-H.” While in 4-H, he showed beef and did shooting sports for the club and as a 4-H project.
He graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2023. He ran track and played football while in high school.
Working on the family farm, he learned the basics of working hard, Boggs said.
“We were always learning while we grew up,” Boggs said. “You learned while you were working and enjoying what you do.”
While in FFA, he competed in crop judging, horticulture and parliamentary procedure.
“Crop judging was fun, and I continued to learn about agriculture,” Boggs said.
He also learned about crops, especially seeds, diseases, and pests.
He earned numerous awards while in FFA. One was in crop judging and the other was running a meeting, also known as parliamentary procedure.
His senior year, his SAE project earned him a spot in the final four in Indiana. His project was on forage production. He got sixth in the nation for the same project.
Boggs especially enjoys agronomy, which is the science of soil management and crop production. He enjoys collecting soil samples, which helps farmers’ crops.
“I enjoy going out to a field and finding a solution to fix it,” he said of finding problems in crops.
Soil samples, he said, help farmers by getting the best yields to understand nutrients and the levels they need to be at.
At Huntington University, he is a representative-at-large for the Student Government Association.
“I like to speak in front of people,” Boggs said. “So, when you are under pressure, you can
END OF SEASON SALE ON IN-STOCK ITEMS!
handle that.”
He is a member of the school’s trap and skeet club on campus. His future plans are to get
his degree and eventually get a job in grain merchandising, go back and help on the Boggs’ family farm and take over the
family business.
“I will be the fifth generation,” he said of the Boggs’ family tradition.
AG STUDENT Thomas Boggs of Warsaw is a student at Huntington University where he is studying agronomy and agriculture business. He earned numerous awards while in FFA and 4-H.
Photo provided by Thomas Boggs.
O bituaries
Change in our obituary policies
Effective Monday, Oct. 7, there will be a charge for obituary notices published in ‘the PAPER.’
‘the PAPER’ will offer two options to have an obituary published of a loved one.
The first option is a standard one- column obituary, which will cost $20 for up to 250 words and $10 for each additional 100 words.
The second option is a two-column format, which will cost $45 for up to 250 words and $25 for each additional 100 words. This option will be highlighted.
For both options, the obituary will include a photo printed in
full color. For the one-column option, the obituary will include:
Full name, age, town of residence, time, day, date and place of death.
Date of birth, date of marriage, to whom and if the spouse survives or is deceased.
Survivors — list names of parents, sons, daughters, stepchildren, brothers and sisters, including names of spouses and town of residence. It will list as numbers grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Walter D. Click United States Army Veteran
Walter D. Click, known as Walt, was born on June 21, 1954, in Sullivan, Ill., to Glenn and Nelly (Clearwater) Click. He passed away at home in Warsaw on Sept. 21, 2024.
Walt dedicated over 30 years to driving a truck, hauling every type of freight imaginable, including dry box, refrigerated goods, large farm equipment and farm animals. His strong work ethic and commitment to his job were evident throughout his life. He was a hard worker and was away for weeks at a time.
Walt was known for his ornery and independent spirit. He loved to share a laugh and express his opinions. A proud patriot, he honorably served in the United States Army, a commitment he carried with pride. His love for dogs, especially his faithful companion, Jack Daniels, brought him joy.
He is survived by his daughters, Janet (John) Cox of Seven Points, Texas, and Toni Click (Mike Roberts) of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; his son, Scott Click of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and his beloved grandchildren, Martin Gunter, Allan Michael Chittenden, J.J. Roberts, Cody Roberts, Lara Click and Cassandra Click. Walt also leaves behind three siblings.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Glenn and Nelly Click; and by three siblings.
Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services is entrusted with care of Walt. The family is grieving privately; no services are planned at this time. To leave a written condolence, visit TitusFuneralHome. com.
Sandra Shepherd Homemaker
Sandra Shepherd, 78, rural Akron, passed away at 9:36 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Sandra was born on March 21, 1946, in Warsaw to William and Marie (Wideman) Rathbun. She graduated from Mentone High School in 1964. She married on Dec. 9, 1967, to Ellis Shepherd, who preceded her in death on Oct. 14, 2021.
Sandra was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was known for her meticulous attention to detail, her creativity and ability to make something with nothing. Sandra’s home was her work of art and noted by many for being one of the coziest homes they had been in. She was also known for being able to pull together a meal for a crowd with little notice and fed many “extra” teenage boys and young men at her table.
Sandra was also known for her ability to keep a family recipe a secret. She was a homemaker in every sense of the word and was the true heart of her home. Sandra had an unbelievable green thumb and was well known for her skills with house plants. She had a love of learning that came through in her voracious reading habits and love of all things nature.
She is survived by her children, Todd and wife Shannon of Rochester, Scott and wife Lori of Warsaw, Josh and wife Stephanie of Akron and Ashley and husband Daryn of Roann; eight granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Carol and husband Don of Mentone. Also surviving is her beloved Maine Coon cat, Tuffins.
Along with her husband, Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Cam Rathbun.
The funeral service was held at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone, with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. A private interment took place in Mentone Cemetery next to her husband. Visitation hours were held from 3-5 p.m. Friday at King Memorial Home, Mentone.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
Preceded in death by names.
Visitation — Time, date and location.
Funeral service — When, where, time and who is officiating.
Burial — Cemetery name, when and time.
Memorial contributions and name of funeral home.
Online condolence information.
The two-column obituary will include the above noted information plus any additional information the family wishes to be included.
All obituaries provided by private individuals must be paid in advance of publication.
Russell G. Antrim
Russell G. “Rusty” aka “Rooster” Antrim, 68, Bass Lake, formerly of Winamac, died at 5:08 a.m. Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born March 8, 1956. On March 29, 1976, he married Chris Dommer; she survives.
Also surviving are sons, Henry D. Antrim, Valparaiso, and Russell D. Antrim, Royal Center; brothers, Jeff Antrim, Kentland, and Kevin Antrim, Rochester; sister, Sheila Wilson, Warsaw; sisters-in-law, Connie Haschel and Cheryl Fox; brother-in-law, Curt Dommer; and 14 grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Rans Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joni Sylvanus Beachy
Joni Sylvanus Beachy, 83, Nappanee, died Sept. 23, 2024.
He was born May 23, 1941. On Dec. 21, 1963, he married Mary Ellen Slabaugh; she survives.
Also surviving are his children, Rhonda Schrock, Harrisonburg, Va., Shawn Beachy, Hillsville, Va., and Todd Beachy, Bremen; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Owen Beachy and Lloyd Beachy, both of Hartsville, Ohio.
Services were held Sept. 25 at Sandy Ridge Mennonite Church, Bremen. Burial was in Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery, Nappanee.
Joyce N. Boggs
Joyce N. Boggs, 93, Warsaw, died Jan. 11, 2024.
She was born Sept. 24, 1931. On July 8, 1951, she married Harry D. “Jim” Boggs.
She is survived by a daughter, Pam Kolter; daughters-in-law, Anna Boggs and Faith Boggs; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews.
A memorial service was held Sept. 28 at First United Methodist Church, Warsaw. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw, was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Ann Burgess
Shirley Ann Burgess, 83, LaFontaine, died at 10:09 a.m. Sept. 25, 2024.
She was born Aug. 22, 1941. On June 23, 1962, she married Stephen Burgess; he survives.
She is also survived by a son, Todd Burgess, Warsaw; sister, Betty Crull, Wabash; and two grandchildren.
Services were held Oct. 1 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel. Burial was in LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery.
George W. Campbell
George W. Campbell, 85, Goshen, died Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born April 19, 1939.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Campbell, Goshen; son, Brett Campbell, Elkhart; daughter, Lauri Dresch, Las Vegas, Nev.; stepdaughter, Amy Stark, Queen Creek, Ariz.; brother, Jim Campbell, Kemp, Texas; sister, Phyllis Burnworth, Columbia City; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services were held Sept. 28 at Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial was in Oak Park Cemetery, Ligonier.
Tia Marie Clemons
Tia Marie Clemons, 32, Warsaw, died Sept. 22, 2024.
She was born March 10, 1992.
Surviving are daughters, Rayann, Maggie and Kailee; their father and Tia’s lifelong partner, Jesse Manns, Warsaw; her mother, Lisa Jackson, Warsaw; and sister, Sheli Clemons, Fort Wayne.
Services were held Sept. 27 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.
Timothy Cripe
Timothy Cripe, 70, Cromwell, died Sept. 24, 2024.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse.
Patsy A. Deel
Patsy A. Deel, 80, Ligonier, died Sept. 25, 2024.
She was born April 17, 1944. On Jan. 5, 1963, she married Edgar Deel; he survives.
She is also survived by a daughter, Sue Slabach, Wolcottville; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Darlene Deel, Vansant, Va. Services were held Sept. 29 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Ligonier. Burial was in Sparta Cemetery, Kimmell. Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier, was in charge of arrangements.
Carl Dean Duff
Carl Dean Duff, 90, rural Tippecanoe, died at 9:22 p.m. Sept. 20, 2024.
He was born March 17, 1934. On Dec. 23, 1954, he married Fay Hensley. She preceded him in death Feb. 6, 2015.
Surviving are daughters, Debra J. Robbins, Warsaw, Donna K. Burkholder, Waupun, Wis., and Denise M. Klingerman, Bourbon; sons, John E. Duff, Plymouth, and William E. Duff, Argos; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and stepsister, Patty Miller, Panama City, Fla.
Private services were held Sept. 26 at Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos. Burial was in Tippecanoe Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the United States Army Honor Guard and Bourbon American Legion Post 424.
Michele Elrod
Michele Elrod, 57, Warsaw, died Sept. 23, 2024.
She was born June 26, 1967.
She is survived by a sister, Alisha Wagner, Warsaw; brother, William Derek Elrod, Warsaw; honorary brother, Mark Snyder, Warsaw; two nieces; a nephew; three great-nephews; four great-nieces; her lifelong friend, John Selewski, Macomb, Mich.; and two furbabies, Calliope and Jasper.
A graveside service was held Sept. 27 at Jack Arnett Cemetery, Prestonsburg, Ky. Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, and Hall Funeral Home, Martin, Ky., was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Leonard Ferguson Sr.
Charles Leonard Ferguson Sr., 73, Cromwell, died at 8:32 a.m. Sept. 20, 2024.
He was born June 2, 1951.
Surviving are his children, Charles L. Ferguson Jr., Fort Wayne, and Cheryl L. Allen, Columbia City; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Oak Park Cemetery, Ligonier, with military honors. The family will host a celebration of life following the burial.
Violet M. Gagnon
Violet M. “Vi” Gagnon, 86, North Manchester, formerly of Akron, died at 11:38 p.m. Sept. 21, 2024.
She was born Dec. 9, 1937. On June 26, 1954, she married Marvin P. Gagnon. He preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 2007.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Ammerman, Akron; sons, John Gagnon and Terry Gagnon, both of Akron, and Bob Gagnon, Rochester; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Poppy, Delon, Fla.; and brother, Billy “Butch” Sitts, Warsaw. Services were held Sept. 2, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron. Interment
followed in the Roann Community Cemetery, Roann.
Henry Edward Goble
Henry Edward Goble, 79, Warsaw, died Sept. 25, 2024. He was born Dec. 28, 1944. On Dec. 1, 1983, he married Kathleen Joan Overmyer. She preceded him in death May 24, 2022.
He is survived by a son, James Goble, Leesburg; daughter, Elizabeth Goble, Warsaw; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Benjamin Goble and Leonard Goble, both of Warsaw; and sister, Garlene Bolt, Warsaw. A memorial service was held Sept. 30 at Pathway Church, Warsaw. Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Hidy
Dorothy Hidy, 66, North Manchester, died Sept. 23, 2024.
She was born Sept. 23, 1958.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Hidy, North Manchester; children, Christopher Hoyt and Vanessa Rickert, both of California; stepson, Steve Besolin, California; brother, Jerry Thom, Edgeley, N.D.; and three grandchildren. It was Dorothy’s wish to not have services, but instead to have people remember her in acts of kindness and love. Burial will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, N.D. McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, was in charge of arrangements.
Jorge De La Rosa Hinojo
Jorge De La Rosa Hinojo, 64, Warsaw, died Sept. 18, 2024.
He was born April 23, 1960. He is survived by his wife, Elisa De La Rosa; children, Isabel De La Rosa, Georgina Gomora, Valeria De La Rosa Hinojo, Alejandra De La Rosa Hinojo and Jorge De La Rosa Jr.; 11 grandchildren; his mother, Evangelina Hinojo Lopez; and siblings, Esperanza, Ramiro, Santiago, Norberto, Armando, Guadalupe, Jose Isabel, Evangelina, and Lorena.
Services were held Sept. 27 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Warsaw. Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw was in charge of arrangements.
Jay Marlin Huber
Jay Marlin Huber, 65, Nappanee, died Sept. 25, 2024.
He was born June 29, 1959.
Surviving are his children, Danielle Davidson and Jaymi Diaz, both of Mishawaka, and Reece Huber, Nappanee; five grandchildren; his mother, Romaine Huber, Lebanon, Pa.; sisters, Sandy Lutz, Lebanon, Pa., and Barb Lapp, Quarryville, Pa.; and brothers, Ray Huber and Jim Huber, both of Lancaster, Pa.
Cremation will take place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Patricia Ann Johnson
Patricia Ann Johnson, 76, died Sept. 21, 2024.
She was born April 21, 1948. On Sept. 16, 1971, she married Raymond Edward Johnson, who preceded her in death in 2021.
Surviving are her children, Danyelle Johnson, South Bend, Gabrielle Johnson, Milford, Aaron Johnson and Marcus Johnson, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren; and sisters, Michalene Lessert, Colorado, and Tracy Tassie, Hawaii.
The family will host a celebration of life, in lieu of a funeral and memorial, on Nov. 10. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Irene J. Kuhns
Irene J. (Gingerich) Kuhns, 76, died Sept. 22, 2024.
She was born Dec. 9, 1947. On Dec. 28, 1967, she married Freeman L. Kuhns.
Surviving are sons, Robert Kuhns and Joni Kuhns, both of Milford, Devon Kuhns, Etna Green, Carl Kuhns, Middlebury, Matthew Kuhns and Leon Kuhns, both of Nappanee; daughters, Wanda Miller, Napapnee, and Susan Miller, Milford; 35 grandchildren; 19 Continued on page 17
SANDRA SHEPHERD
great-grandchildren; brothers, Ervin Gingerich, Bloomfield, Iowa, and Larry Gingerich, Syracuse; sisters, Esther Weaver, Sarasota, Fla., and Mary Yoder, Bloomfield, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Miller and Martha Ann Miller; and brother-in-law, Willis Miller.
Services were held Sept. 28 at the family residence in Milford. Burial was in Graber Cemetery. Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, was in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis Jayne Lentz
Phyllis Jayne Lentz, 94, Nappanee, died Sept. 26, 2024.
She was born Jan. 19, 1930. On Nov. 22, 1950, she married James Lentz, who preceded her in death in July 1994.
Surviving are sons, Jeff Lentz and Terry Lentz, both of Nappanee; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held Sept. 30 at First Brethren Church, Nappanee. Burial was in South Union Cemetery. Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, was in charge of arrangements.
Wilson B. Lutz
Wilson B. Lutz, 97, North Manchester, died Sept. 3, 2024.
He was born May 12, 1927. On June 11, 1950, he married Mary Adine Eley; she survives.
Also surviving are his children, Paul Lutz, Bloomington, and Marilyn Lutz, Joshua Tree, Calif.; brother, Ron Lutz, Harleysville, Pa.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East St., North Manchester. The family will receive friends following the service. McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.
Joan Margherone
Joan Margherone, 92, Warsaw, died Sept. 25, 2024.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Lance William Michaelson II
Lance William Michaelson II, 55, Syracuse, died, Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born Feb. 12, 1969. On June 25, 1994, he married Tangi Duff.
Surviving are his children, Kyle Michaelson, Kody Michaelson, Kara Kreft, Lance Kohl Michaelson III, K’leb Michaelson and Kadi Michaelson; six grandchildren; a sister, Tracy Leigh Michaelson; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Services were held Sept. 25 at Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse.
Timothy R. Mikel
Timothy R. Mikel, 72, rural Mentone, died at 8:24 p.m. Sept. 21, 2024. He was born Nov. 29, 1951. He first married Noma Ruth Bays, who preceded him in death July 13, 2007. On May 31, 2008, he married Vicki Horn Romine; she survives.
Also surviving are his children, Melissa Mikel, Fort Wayne, Jerry Mikel, Akron, Sarah Christena and Emily White, both of Fishers; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brothers, Steve Mikel, Michigan, Dave Mikel, Etna Green, Tom Mikel, Bourbon, Joe Mikel and Seth Mikel, both of
Etna Green.
Services were held Sept. 26 at King Memorial Home, Mentone. Private family interment took place in Mentone Cemetery.
Lisa G. Owens
Lisa G. Owens, 66, Warsaw, died Sept. 24, 2024.
She was born May 3, 1958.
Surviving are daughters, Tara Smith and Ellisha Barmore; sons, Damian Pass and Toby Pass; sisters, Shelly McMillan and Debra Pass; brother, Deron Kosloski, Dustin Owens and Torre Owens; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at First Christian Church, 115 Park Ridge Drive, Warsaw. Interment will be private at Wooden Cemetery. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Joe Patrick
Larry Joe Patrick Sr., 69, Warsaw, died at 10:45 p.m. Sept. 26, 2024.
He was born Feb. 23, 1955. On Aug. 18, 1982, he married Rhonda Renee Black. She preceded him in death Jan. 18, 2024.
He is survived by a son, Larry Patrick Jr., Warsaw; daughters, Jessica Patrick, Warsaw, and Nancy Lilves, Plymouth; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Rivera, Florida; and brothers, Dannie Patrick, Africa, Ronnie Patrick, Claypool, Jimmy Patrick, Warsaw, Billy Patrick, Akron, Steven Patrick, Florida, and Morris Patrick, Sidney.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, was in charge of arrangements.
Ricky Poe
Ricky Poe, 70, Warsaw, died Sept. 23, 2024.
He was born Jan. 31, 1954. On Feb. 23, 1973, he married Joyce A. “Jo” Miller, who preceded him in death in 2021.
Surviving are sons, Jason Poe and Jesse Poe, both of Warsaw; three grandchildren; a great-grandson; brother, Bill Poe; and sister, Connie Pamer.
Services were held Sept. 25 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Carolyn Pratt Pollock
Carolyn Pratt Pollock, 91, Warsaw, died Sept. 26, 2024.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
George Riley Prater
George Riley Prater, 79, Warsaw, died September 15, 2024.
He was born Nov. 20, 1944.
He is survived by his wife, Mary K. Prater; stepsons, Mat Johnson and Craig Johnson; three grandchildren; his bonus daughter, Elyse Hardin, along with her faithful companion, Sarge the dog; and his sister, Joy Zelhart.
Services were held Sept. 27 at Titus
C
Court News
Small Claims
The following small claims have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Snow and Sauerteig LLP v. Karina Cisnerosvilla, $3,398.52
Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Leroy Wade Rassi
Leroy Wade Rassi, 82, Goshen, died Sept. 18, 2024.
He was born Oct. 7, 1941. On April 23, 1961, he married Shirley Larimer; she survives.
Also surviving are daughters, Shelly Rassi, Rome City, and Jill Hoover, Middlebury; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held Sept. 28 at First United Methodist Church of Middlebury. Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse was in charge of arrangements.
Jason L. Reed
Jason L. Reed, 49, died at 8:32 a.m. Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born Jan. 9, 1975.
He is survived by a son, Elias Layne Reed, Kokomo; his mother, Rosemary and David Bellamy, Rochester; his father, David and Pam Reed, Andrews; a brother, Jarrod Reed, Wabash; and paternal grandmother, Ann Reed, Florida.
A celebration of life was held Sept. 25 at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.
Joan Darlene Reeve
Joan Darlene (Frehse) Reeve, 94, Albion, died Sept. 20, 2024.
She was born April 1, 1930. She married Leland J. Reeve, who preceded her in death.
Surviving are sons, Gary Reeve, LaGrange, and Randy Reeve, Albion; sonin-law, Duane Winebrenner; sister, Suzanne McCluhen, Sewickley, Pa.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Following Joan’s wishes, there will be no services. Her ashes will be placed next to her husband at Sweet Cemetery, Albion. Lebacy Cremation & Remembrance Center, Ligonier, was in charge of arrangements.
Verlyn Grace Reinhardt
Verlyn Grace Reinhardt, 71, Waddell, Ariz., formerly of Nappanee, died Sept. 22, 2024.
She was born Oct. 8, 1952. On Feb. 26, 1977, she married Vernon “Bud” Reinhardt; he survives.
Also surviving are her children, Steve Reinhardt, Nappanee, and Kirby Reinhardt, Waddell, Ariz.; her mother, Elizabeth (Miller) Tyson, Goshen; brother, Don Tyson, Argos; sisters, Barb Demis, Hamlet, Sharon Layman, Quicksburg, Va., and Mary Hofstetter, Milford; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and 12 nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life services will be held at a later date at Christ’s Church of the Valley, Surprise, Ariz., and Nappanee Missionary Church, Nappanee. Final resting place will be Hopewell Mennonite Cemetery, Kouts.
Patsy Lou Trimble
Patsy Lou Trimble, 73, Warsaw, died Sept. 21, 2024.
She was born March 6, 1951. On Oct. 14, 1966, she married Danny Lee Trimble; he survives.
Gene Edward Davis Heavy Equipment Operator
Gene Edward Davis, 84, Rochester, passed away peacefully at 12:56 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, leaving behind a lifetime of love, dedication and cherished memories.
Born on Nov. 7, 1939, in Plymouth, to John Edward and Ruby Evadine Fletcher Davis, Gene lived a life full of purpose and joy.
On July 26, 1987, Gene married his soulmate, Jean Ann Smith, in a vibrant and unforgettable ceremony in Las Vegas. Their love was the heart of his world. In 1991, they settled in Rochester after moving from Argos, creating a home filled with warmth and devotion. For over 30 years, Gene worked as a proud heavy equipment operator with Union Local 150, embodying the values of hard work and dedication.
Beyond his profession, Gene found happiness in simple pleasures. He had a passion for selling tools at swap meets and auctions, and he found joy in the challenge of puzzles, the camaraderie of playing softball and escaping into the pages of James Patterson mysteries. His easy smile and love for life touched everyone around him, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him.
Gene’s legacy lives on in those he loved most: his son, Billy Joe Davis and wife Penny of Argos; daughter, Brenda Lee Chilton and husband Chuck of Etna Green; daughter, Barbara Ann Wagoner of Etna Green; and his four beloved grandchildren, Barry Zahm and wife Michelle, Michael Davis and wife Rebecca, Jena Van Der Weele and husband Mark and Angela Benn and husband Bryan. He was also adored by his 14 great-grandchildren and his blended family, Darrell Moss and wife Pixie, Tonya Cates and husband Allen and Carla Sewell and husband Steve. And of course, his cherished companion, Billy the feline, who brought him comfort in his later years.
Gene is now reunited with his parents, who preceded him in death, but the love and kindness he shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A celebration of Gene’s life was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at goodfamilyfh.com.
She is also survived by a son, Robbie Lee Trimble, Warsaw; daughter, Nancy Frantz, Fort Wayne; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Sept. 25 at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, was in charge of arrangements.
Marshall Anthony Woods
Marshall Anthony Woods, 63, Mentone, died at 11:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born Jan. 22, 1961.
He is survived by his mother, Carmalou Henderson, Mentone; an aunt; and a cousin.
No services will be held at this time. King Memorial Home, Mentone, was in charge of arrangements.
Steven J. Yoder
Steven J. Yoder, 80, died Sept. 19, 2024.
He was born May 17, 1944. On Aug. 23, 1964, he married Dawn Leer; she survives.
Also surviving are daughters, Shan-
na Alfrey, New Paris, and Kelli Luther, Goshen; son, Kevin Yoder, Goshen; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Leah Yoder, Topeka; a niece; and a nephew.
No services will be held at this time. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, was in charge of arrangements.
Michael David Zawadzke
Michael David Zawadzke, 64, Albion, formerly of Cromwell and Ligonier, died at 3:30 a.m. Sept. 20, 2024.
He was born June 27, 1960. On Feb. 5, 1994, he married Twila Caskey; she survives.
Also surviving are daughters, Caskey Zawadzke, Albion, and Rylea Peterson, Kendallville; three grandchildren; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dick and Joyce Caskey, Ligonier; brothersin-law, Grant Caskey, Wolf Lake, and Gary Caskey, Ligonier; three sisters; and a brother.
Services were held Sept. 25 at Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial was in Sparta Cemetery, Kimmell.
Evan Drew Miller
Daryl and Doretta (Miller) Miller, Etna Green, are the parents of a son, Evan Drew, born at 11:59 a.m. Sept. 21, 2024. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.
Alivia Jo Bontrager
Andrew and Kaitlyn (Miller) Bontrager, New Paris, are the parents of a daughter, Alivia Jo, born at 5:58 a.m Sept. 22, 2024, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. She weighed 8 pounds, 11.4 ounces, and was 20 3/4 inches long.
Lake City Animal Health and Wellness v. Lainey McClure, $932.21
Client Services KL v. Michael J. McKee, $792.51; v. Emily A. Wise, $792.51
Warsaw Health System LLC, d/b/a Kosciusko Community Hospital v. Jason Miller, $2,211.11
Civil Collections
The following civil collections have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court IV, Judge Christopher D. Kehler presiding: CommunityWide Federal Credit Union v. Raymond C. Almy, a/k/a
Raymond Curtis Almy, $7,487.09
Interra Credit Union v. Ashley N. Blankenship, $6,900.87; v. Heather R. Menchaca, $12,856.15 Opportunity Financial LLC v. Adam Craft, $1,187.84; v. Travis Dickson, $1,423.20; v. Dayton Hernandez, $1,134.18; v. David Snyder, $1,935.66
Cavalry SPV I LLC, as assignee of Citibank NA v. Stacey Boettcher, $4,452.04
LVNV Funding LLC v. Regina Croghan, $1,725; v. Leticia Lopez, $629.95; v. Phyllis A. Sizemore, $4,041.57; v. Daniel Sumwalt, $2,473.63 and $7,358.81; v. Lisa M. Zartman, $890.96 Via Credit Union v. Tyler Evans, $11,069.85; v. Katherine Hines, $11,900.67
Credit Acceptance Corp. v. Ezekiel Fitzpatrick, $14,365.25 Midland Credit Management Inc. v. James Porter, $2,854.21; v.
Mark A. Porter, $3,885.18; v. Jeremy Wilson, $2,055.77
Credit Service International v. Allison Richardson, $3,149.17
BCG Equities LLC v. John Ruggles, $1,225.77 Evictions
Judy Hall v. Ashley Lawson, $5,289
Culver Development Corp. v. Kaitlyn Vincent, $4,598
The following evictions have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Ruch Rentals, LLC/M Dee Acres LLC v. Mackenzie Cook, $4,060 Sherri Makinson v. Kristopher King, $10,000
Bidding open until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. Property located at 8211 E. 1290N, Syracuse. Storage barn and 48-storage until building. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Live Webcast
Fall Spectacular Auction
10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4. Live bidding located at Kraft Auction Service, 416 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Online bidding at kraftauctions.hibid.com.
Public Auction
9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Located at Hahn Auction Facility, 401 S. Oakland Ave., Nappanee. Boats, vehicles, tools, furniture and household items. Hahn Auc-
tioneers, hahnrealtyandauction. com.
Country Home & Acreage Auction
10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Located at 2207 E. 550S, Warsaw. Country farmstead, quality cropland and woods. Personal property including farm equipment, vehicles, tools and household goods. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Jack McKenzie Estate Auction
10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Located at 2207 E. 550S, Warsaw. Vehicles, tractors and equipment, shop tools, household items. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Real Estate Auction
6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7. Located at 304 E. High St., Atwood, 960 sq. ft. house and garage. Property open for inspection two hours prior to auction or by appointment. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Real Estate Auction
6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. Located at Chupp Auction Center, 890 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Property located at 5950 N 1000W, Shipshewana.
Phone Bid Real
Estate Auction
ed at 2909 Peddlers Village Road, Goshen.
Commercial
Real Estate Auction
6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14. Located at the corner of Shelden Street and Escalade Way, Warsaw. Commercial property, 2.28 in a high traffic area. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Phone Bid
Real Estate Auction
ed at 2656 E. Lapoint Drive, Milford. Lakefront house on Camelot Lake. Furniture, kitchenware, tools, lawn mower. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. Open house 5:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. Property located at 4294 E. Defreese Road, Syracuse. Lakefront home with 1-car garage on Dewart Lake. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. Property located at 4105 W. SR 120, Shipshewana. Inspections 4-6 p.m. Thursdays. For bidding and bidding updates, call (260) 499-0216 or (260) 499-0093.
Online Only Auction
Bidding open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. Pickup located at 2653 E. US 30, Warsaw. Gun collection, vehicles, duck decoys, fishing poles and tackle, ammo, hunting gear. Bid online at metzgerauction.com. Metzger Property Services.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. Open house
5:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. Property located at 5847 E. 900S, Claypool. Country home with 2-car detached garage on 5.65 acres. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Farmland Auction
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Located at 3027 E. 900S, Claypool. Cropland and recreational woods, 113 acres in two tracts. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Military & Firearm Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Pickup located at 1582 W. SR 114, North Manchester. Firearms, ammo, swords and knives, military items and collectibles. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Open house 5:30-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7. Property located at 563 Deerfield Path, Warsaw. Two-bed villa in Paths of Deerfield neighborhood. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Property located at 9020 N. 500E, Syracuse. Open house 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Bid online at steffengrp. com/auctions.
Goshen Consignment Auction
9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. Locat-
Bidding open until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Property located at 5150 W. 600S, Topeka. Inspections 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays. For bidding and bidding updates, call (260) 499-0216 or (260) 499-0093.
Magiera Real Estate & Personal Property Auction
2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Locat-
6 p.m Tuesday, Oct. 29. Located at 4011 N. Valley Lane, Warsaw. Brick home, 4-bed, 2 1/2 bath with attached 2-car garage on corner lot. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Nappanee Apple Festival entertains all ages
By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
The town of Nappanee celebrated its 48th annual Apple Festival from Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22.
Staples, like food, rides, face painting, vendors and a wide selection of apple products, were present as always.
There were three entertainment venues, located at The Nappanee Public Library parking lot; Kountry Cabinets
Entertainment Tent, located in Depot Plaza; and the UFP Industries Nappanee Stage, located on North Clark Street. In the Kids Zone, located in the Nappanee Public Library parking lot, families could enjoy puppet shows, Silly Safaris animal shows, and WeFlip Entertainment, who displayed acrobatic and stunt tricks.
Live music, rides, balloon animals and fire juggling delighted crowds of all ages, as well.
Learn if sugar is a drug
Did you know that many studies have shown that sugar can be as addictive as cocaine?
The dopamine that is released when processing sugar has a similar feeling to a short-term, drug-induced high. Learn about the dangers of sugar and why limiting consumption is vital for your health.
Purdue Extension is offering an educational program, presented by Emily Christ, Purdue University extension educator in health and human sciences in Elkhart County.
This program is being offered at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Elkhart County Family Re-
source Center, 612 E. Bristol St., Elkhart. The program will be about one-hour long.
To attend the program, pre-register by calling Jenn at (574) 533-0554 or email fink24@ purdue.edu. This program and all programs of the Purdue University Extension Service are open to everyone. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, call Christ at (574) 533-0554 by Oct. 8. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
A STUNT TO REMEMBER A WeFlip Entertainment performer jumps double-dutch on her hands. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.
Grace College welcomes author Nathan Dahlstrom
Grace College will welcome author, S.J. (Nathan) Dahlstrom, to its campus at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Dahlstrom will give a public reading from his latest young adult novels, followed by a brief Q&A at the Morgan Library, 921 Connection Circle, Winona Lake. The event is free and open to the public.
“Before coming to Winona
Lake, I developed a friendship with Nathan in Texas,” said Dr. John Poch, creative writing professor at Grace. “My daughters took his classes at Hutchinson Middle School, where he is famous for his middle school novel-writing class and for bringing his horse, Fancy, to school several times a year, racing the fastest students the length of a football
field and walking Fancy through the hallways. I look forward to introducing him to the Grace community.”
Dahlstrom writes and teaches middle school in West Texas, where he lives with his wife and three children. A fifth-generation Texan, Dahlstrom’s “Wilder Good” series is a four-time winner of the Wrangler Western
Heritage Award. The series has also won the Will Rogers Medallion five times, been a finalist for the Lamplighter Award four times and received a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
Interested in all things outdoors and creative, Dahlstrom writes poetry while bow hunting and collects wildflower seeds
Animal Welfare League
FALL FEST COLORING CONTEST
COMING TO GRACE COL-
LEGE Grace College will welcome author, S.J. (Nathan) Dahlstrom, to its campus at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Photo provided by Grace College.
when doing ranch work. He lives by the twin mottos: “Be Wilder” and “Find Beauty.”
His writing draws on his experiences as a cowboy, husband, father and as a founder of Whetstone Boys Ranch.
“I wrote these stories about Wilder Good for kids who grew up in the outdoors and for kids who long for the outdoors … working, fishing, hunting, farms, ranches, mountains and prairies,” said Dahlstrom. “We should not forget that we have real adventure to offer kids if we can have the courage to turn off our machines and screens and go outside.”
The reading is sponsored by the Department of the Humanities at Grace College.
To learn more about Dahlstrom, visit wildergood.com. To learn more about Grace’s creative writing minor, visit grace. edu/programs/creative-writing-minor.
Animal Welfare League coloring contest begins this week
The Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League and The Papers Inc. are once again partnering to bring attention to the number of animals in need of a loving home by hosting a coloring contest.
Age Groups are:
4-6, 7-9 and 10-12
1st Place: $40
2nd Place: $30
3rd Place: $20
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in EACH AGE GROUP will receive cash prizes.
ENTRY DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 @ 5:00 P.M.
**Tape your entry to an 8½x11 piece of Xerox paper or construction paper, then write your name, age, address, phone number and email address on the back of your entry.
ENTRIES MUST BE DROPPED OFF IN PERSON AT The Animal Welfare League located at 1048 325 East, Pierceton, Indiana
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE
Children ages 4-12 should begin pulling out their crayons, colored pencils and markers for a chance to win. The picture is included in this week’s edition of ‘the PAPER’ and should be colored to the best of the child’s ability.
To qualify, entries must be dropped off by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Animal Welfare League, 1048 CR 325 East, Pierceton.
A first-place, second-place and third-place winner will be selected from the following age groups: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.
The Papers Inc. will be furnishing the cash prizes to the coloring contest winners. The first-place prize is $30, second-place prize is $20 and third-place prize is $10.
The winners names and photo will be announced in the Wednesday, Nov. 6, edition of ‘the PAPER.’
The winners will be contacted and a group photo will be taken at the Animal Welfare League prior to the announcement.
PROGRESS 2024 on Business
DOCKSIDE APPAREL & GIFTS
KOSCIUSKO CONNECT
MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Attractions for everyone in the Lakeland area
Each community featured in the 2024 edition of The Mail-Journal Progress is charming in its own way. Read on and you will see us take a closer look at the small northern Kosciusko county towns of Milford, North Webster and Syracuse.
More details will be brought out in the articles about each of the towns. Together it all adds up to making the area a more attractive place to live, work and play. We don’t claim perfection, but we believe there is much to enjoy about what is called the Lakeland area.
There are many industrial, commercial, retail and service-minded businesses to help meet the needs of the population. Many of the businesses are still locally owned, and we strongly support these types of businesses. Some are off the beaten path, but still provide needed services Others meet more specialized needs.
The Lakeland area, of course, is also known for its lakes and tourism. Many are familiar with the larger lakes of Wawasee, Syracuse, Tippecanoe, Dewart and Webster, but Waubee and the Barbee chain are attractive, too, though smaller.
In this edition of Progress you will find information about service clubs, government entities and businesses. If you don’t already know, you will soon discover the attractions of the area.
Local residents enjoy boating, waterskiing, personal watercrafts of various types, swimming and other lake-related activities. The lakes have a mixture of summer weekend and year-round residents.
There is a developing trails system around Syracuse and Wawasee Lakes, encompassing parts of the town of Syracuse. North Webster has joined the trails system to connect its community to Wawasee Middle School.
A generation ago, few trails even existed anywhere and they were not high on the priority list. But they have proved to be a major attraction for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. What a wonderful way to get people outside and exercising.
A variety of businesses, several of which are featured in this publication, serve the area. These include restaurants, marinas, inns, lodges, bed and breakfast facilities, home furnishing stores, specialty stores, landscaping and about everything in between. We strongly encourage readers to shop locally and keep money circulating locally without having to rely on chain or big box stores.
The Wawasee Community School Corporation has an outstanding academic reputation and each year many students graduate from Wawasee High School with honors and/or distinction. The school corporation also offers career and technical options.
Lakeland area residents are known for their kind hearts and generous spirits. When there is a need, they ask how they can help. We have many service clubs reaching out and meeting different local needs Food
pantries, generously supported, exist in Milford, North Webster and Syracuse.
Though the local area does not have some of the attractions found in larger cities and towns, some people still enjoy the friend-
liness and charm of small towns. When you walk into a local business, it is not uncommon to meet the owner.
We feel the information provided in this edition of The Mail-Journal Progress will be
helpful and we hope you enjoy reading it. Find a comfortable spot, relax and read on. Discover why tourists continue to be attracted to our area and how we are adapting to the changing world around us.
North Webster offers valuable resources in the community
North Webster offers many valuable resources in the community.
Known as “The Heart of the Lakes,” North Webster bustles during the summer months as residents and visitors enjoy activities on Webster Lake, the Barbee Chain of Lakes, and Tippecanoe Lake. Though it might seem small, this lake-centered community has a lot to offer visitors and residents alike, including festivals, restaurants, shopping, and water recreation.
The North Webster Town Park is owned by the town of North Webster. It is overseen by its own board of directors with approval of the North Webster Town Council. The park has many attractive features, including a playground, a public swim at your own risk beach on Webster Lake, a pavilion, which can be rented for special occasions through the town clerk’s office, municipal piers, and a larger fishing pier, which is adjacent to Lakeside Pizza King and Restaurant.
The park also hosts free public concerts by local and regional entertainers at 7 p.m. every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. The park is located at 403 S. Dixie Drive.
The Dixie is fully operational and operates daily public cruises on the Dixie tour paddle boat for $7 per person from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It is located at the town park.
Indiana’s oldest stern wheel tour boat, it has been cruising Webster Lake since 1929. Refurbished and now on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Dixie offers 90-minute cruises with narration and music. Popcorn, candy, and soft drinks are available on board. Visit ridethedixie.com.
The Dixie Day Festival, held every summer, has something for everyone, with extra cruises on the Dixie, an arts/crafts fair, open-air market, antiques, food court, car, truck, bike and tractor show, plus a boat dealer show.
The Mermaid Festival is held every year in June. Watch the annual Cutie Parade and shop from local vendors at the
Community Building, and Waubee Lake Park —
event. Plus, there is a Cutie King and Queen pageant, along with a Queen of the Lakes pageant.
The North Webster Community Public Library is located at 110 E. North St. It opened in a brand-new facility in 2020 and continues to serve Tippecanoe Township, its residents and its patrons. Visit nwcpl.org or call the library at (574) 834-7122.
For those who like to get some exercise, there’s plenty of spots to do so. A disc golf course is located near North Webster Elementary School. In addition, a walking trail is located near the school as well. The North Webster Community Center also has several amenities, such as pickleball.
Where Milford goes to gather
Waubee Lake Park is best known for its beach and boat ramp, which gives the public access to the waters of Waubee Lake. Located two miles southeast of Milford at 325 E. Camp Mack Road, the park also features a playground, basketball courts and two pavilions, which are available for rent. Waubee Pavilion rental is $60 for the day. Rental includes a key to the restrooms and use of electricity if needed.
Lifeguards are present at the beach from noon to 6 p.m., May through August. A concessions stand is also open at the same time, Thursday through Sunday. Public restrooms are open when a lifeguard is on duty, with portable restrooms available when they are not.
The park’s playground underwent a $67,000 renovation in 2019. While there have been no significant renovations since then, the parks department has worked hard to maintain the park at its best.
“I just like to have a safe and clean environment for a family to enjoy themselves, and it’s something to be proud of,” said park superintendent Steven Marquart.
Meanwhile, the Milford Community Building, located at 111 S. Main St., has a meeting room, which already serves as the regular meeting place for the Milford Town Council, Lions Club and Kiwanis. The building also features restrooms, a full-service kitchen and a parking lot, where community events like Food Truck Friday and Trunk-orTreat take place.
The community building is available for rental between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. The general public rate is $30 per hour, with a minimum rental time of two hours and a maximum charge of $180 per day. A $50 deposit is required. For local nonprofit organizations, the rate is $20 per hour, with a minimum rental time of two hours and a maximum charge of $120 per day. No deposit
DOWN BY THE BEACH
Lake Park offers a boat ramp and a beach where visitors can enjoy the lake.
is required.
All renters are allowed one hour beforehand to set up and another hour after to clean up.
For the complete rental policies of the
Milford Community Building and the Waubee Lake Park Pavilion, or for more information, contact Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall at town. clerk@milford-indiana.org, call (574) 6584519.
On the cover
In the top left photo Shelly Hoover with Dockside Apparel & Gifts, Syracuse, heat transfers a business logo onto a work shirt. On the top right, John Lindsay, a lead fiber optic technician with Kosciusko Connect, speaks with a customer.
In the bottom left photo are Judy and Ed Clayton checking out the mums at their business, Clayton Garden Center in North Webster. Maureen Haab, cataloger/ clerk at Milford Public Library, is shown in the bottom right photo. Photos by Marissa Sweatland, Lauren Zeugner and provided.
DIXIE BOAT RIDE The Dixie operates daily public cruises for $7 per person from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend on Webster Lake. Photo provided.
Waubee
Photo by Lilli Dwyer.
Eastlund Funeral Home is focused on families
For over 45 years, Eastlund Funeral Home has served area families with a tradition of respect, dignity and commitment. The tradition continues with current owners Dave Colquitt and his wife, Sheryl Eastlund Colquitt, who assumed ownership in 2009.
Licensed for over 27 years in Indiana, Colquitt may be the most experienced funeral director in Kosciusko County. For the last 13 years he has overseen Eastlund’s operations, bringing a philosophy of cooperation to the business, which extends not only to clients, but also to other local businesses, including funeral homes. His plan is simple. “I want to make sure I do things the right way and continue taking care of families.”
One example of the “right way” is providing Eastlund’s spacious accommodations to all groups, large or small, at fair prices. Despite recent inflation, Eastlund Funeral Home has maintained the same prices since 2019.” That is almost unheard of in our business,” Colquitt observed. “We feel we have have the most competitive pricing in our area.”
record on file. This ensures the products and services you have selected will be provided.
Such service is how Colquitt hopes to continue growing the business he and Sheryl were “blessed with the opportunity to purchase in 2009.” While he oversees Eastlund’s many services, Sheryl, who also works full time in the mortgage industry, is the bookkeeper.
Colquitt started as an intern at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels in Warsaw. Later, he and Sheryl purchased Eastlund, which had merged with Mishler Funeral Homes. He maintains rela-
while also working with area fraternal organizations.
Eastlund Funeral Home consists of an 8,000-square foot facility situated on more than four acres, conveniently located at the lighted crossing at CR 100N and SR 13 north of Syracuse. The location allows Eastlund to easily serve North Webster, Syracuse, Leesburg and many more area communities.
The facility includes a family lounge, which offers a beautiful, large stone-encased fireplace with plenty of seating area for families to eat, have coffee or just relax. There are also large screen televi-
sary automotive equipment, the register book, memorial cards and floral arrangement.
Families are encouraged to bring other items of memorabilia to further personalize the service. Eastlund is also available to provide a DVD video slideshow, using pictures the family provides of your loved one.
Graveside Service is a funeral ceremony held at the cemetery of your choice. This service may be limited to the immediate family or open to all.
“Our community is pretty tight-knit, and to keep it that way it’s essential to keep it local.
Locally-owned businesses are nicer, more friendly and know you by your name.”
Colquitt is also a licensed prearrangement counselor. Pre-planning allows families to lock in the prices of today for future services. Furthermore, Eastlund will honor pre-arrangements from other funeral homes.
“We will be happy to come to your home, or visit with you at our facility,” he added.
At the time you make your funeral plans and arrangements, Eastlund can let you know the costs involved at today’s prices. Once you make your decision, they will be kept as part of your permanent
tionships with both organizations. “I still work with him. We’re still friends and colleagues … We’ve always given a helping hand and vice versa.”
The Colquitts also make a point of patronizing local businesses for Eastlund Funeral Home’s needs as well as they own, from floral shops to car repair and renovations.
“We do everything local.” said Colquitt. “Our community is pretty tightknit, and to keep it that way it’s essential to keep it local. Locally-owned businesses are nicer, more friendly and know you by your name.”
The Colquitts also support veterans through the local American Legions,
sions for families to view memorial DVDs of their loved ones. Eastlund is completely handicapped accessible.
“We are able to handle memorials or celebrations of life on- or off-site,” Colquitt added.
Eastlund Funeral Home provides personalized services to meet the personal desires of each family. Personal preferences or cost concerns make each funeral unique as the person being honored.
Traditional Service includes services of the funeral and staff, embalming, casket and vault, funeral service at the funeral home or local church of your choice, calling hours for the family to receive condolences from family and friends, neces-
Memorial Service is a ceremony that helps family and friends contend with their loss. This particular option is usually unique to the individual and can be held in Eastlund’s Funeral Home Chapel or a location of your choice. Loved ones are encouraged to help personalize the service with memorabilia, photographs and other personal items. A DVD video slideshow may be made using several pictures provided to Eastlund by the family.
Eastlund Funeral Home offers a variety of cremation options to fit your needs, ranging from basic direct cremation, without visitation or services, to customized cremation services with visitation and a funeral or memorial service.
Veterans Honors: Eastlund believes every person who has served our country deserves to be recognized. They will help you understand any benefits that may be available to the family, and can show you the many personal and touching ways to honor a military veteran or service hero.
Eastlund Funeral Home is located at 7458 E. 1000N, Syracuse. For more information call (574) 457-3144, visit eastlundfuneralhome.com.
EXPLAINING THE FLOW OF WATER Russell Anderson, right, who hosts a farm tour each year for the WACF, explains the Great Lakes Basin and where water from area land, rivers, streams and lakes flow. He shares the work he is doing on his farm to help protect the Wawasee Watershed. On the left is his daughter, Elizabeth. Photo provided by Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.
Get to know the WACF
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was born in 1991 by forward-thinking Wawasee Property Owners Association members who knew there needed to be a separate organization watching over lake health. And that’s its mission in a nutshell.
WACF is preserving and enhancing the watershed for now and future generations. Look at its logo on this page. Note the three colors at the bottom — green for plants, crops, and forests; brown for earth and soil health; blue for water in our lakes, tributaries, and underground. All three are essential for good water quality and a healthy watershed.
Those are WACF’s focus areas.
Private donations are like an insurance premium paying to help protect the lake and property values. WACF researches, analyzes, and remediates problem areas. In other words, it does the work.
All of its partners are working toward the common goal of protecting the watershed. Volunteers help in many ways, from serving on committees, researching issues, educating youth and adults, and maintaining the properties. More help is always needed as it continue to grow.
Every little bit helps with donating — either of time or of money. WACF has lots more to do, so please … won’t you lend a hand?
Feel right at home at Bobi’s Shear Success
A warm welcome and atmosphere plus a bright and sunny salon greet customers at Bobi’s Shear Success in Milford.
Bobi’s Shear Success is a place where one can be treated as a longtime friend, even if it is your first visit.
Connecting with customers is a priority that has kept Bobi Doll in business on Main Street since opening her salon Dec. 23, 1992.
The business was first housed next door to its present location. But after Dr. Floyd Rheinheimer’s office became available six years later, she decided to move into bigger accommodations. Her salon is beside the town’s big parking lot and community building.
Doll’s husband, Dave, was instrumental in much of the demolition and remodeling of both of the salons. “He can do anything,” she boasted.
The beauty industry has grown and changed so much with such a variety of places to go, so she is grateful for the loyalty of her clients. She says there is a nice percentage of dear friends who have been with her for over 40 years.
Doll received her best training while working in North Webster at Jerri and Jill’s Salon. “The sisters modeled hard work, integrity, skill and artistry that taught me so much,” Doll said.
and Milford is a very caring town, she said. Doll knows her clients, not only how they prefer their hair but also about them as individuals. She makes every customer feel as if she has known them for a lifetime through friendly conversation.
Bobi’s Shear Success is a family place for women, children and men.
“It’s great to have kids come back after they’ve grown up to still get their haircuts and then their kids in the next generation,” said Doll. “Many people watched my own kids growing up in the salon, just a blink ago.”
Sadly, many wonderful long-term friends have passed away to their heavenly home that added so much to her friend list.
Doll enjoys her shop immensely and each person brings different circumstances to make it a very interesting occupation. She said loyalty is key to keeping small business doors open, “so thanks to all who patronize.”
The couple are active members of Wawasee Community Bible Church. The Dolls have a daughter, a son and their families.
Among the fine hair care products available at Bobi’s Shear Success are Paul Mitchell, Sexy Hair Concepts, Redken and Matrix.
Services include haircuts, highlights and color, perms and special occasion styles.
It’s easy to see why people enjoy spending time with Doll. A smile for every customer and her friendliness adds to the ability to pray with those who are hurting plus share in the joy of good things happening.
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior for placing me in a wonderful setting,” she said. “It’s great to watch our community come together to have fun or be serious in a time of need.”
Prayer is one of Doll’s greatest tools,
The salon is closed Sunday and Monday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Generally appointments are necessary but walk-ins are possible.
Doll looks forward to making the acquaintance of new and existing customers where newcomers soon become friends.
For an appointment, call (574) 6589834.
Dan Buchman: over 50 years of State Farm insurance experience
Dan Buchman of State Farm in Syracuse has been immersed in the insurance business since 1966. He brings a lifetime of experience to the State Farm mission: to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.
Buchman first became associated with State Farm at the age of 17 in his hometown of Newark, Ohio. Since then he has devoted much of his educational experience to his chosen career. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1970 with a degree in administrative sciences, majoring in risk management and insurance.
“Continuing my education has been an important part of my career,” Buchman said.
He holds additional degrees and professional designations, including a master’s degree in financial services from the American college in Malvern, Pa. He is a chartered property and casualty underwriter, chartered financial consultant and chartered advisor for senior living.
“Sixteen years ago I was selected to replace longtime State Farm Agent David Ridings (retired), at which time I moved from Elkhart to Syracuse.” Since then, Buchman, who has two children and five grandchildren, has been an active member in the community he serves. He is a chamber of commerce ambassador, Kiwanis Club member and a trumpet player in the Lake Area Community Band.
State Farm offers a broad range of products covering nearly every insurance need, including auto, life, home and property, health, disability and liability. State Farm can also provide coverage for small businesses, identity restoration and medical for pets.
Dan Buchman’s State Farm Insurance office is located at 1101 S. Huntington St., Suite 2, Syracuse. His website is dan4insurance.com and he can be found on Facebook as well. For more information, call (574) 4574807.
TIME FLIES Time flies when you are having fun. Dan Buchman has been associated with State Farm for more than 50 years. The last 16 have been in Syracuse helping people “manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.” He can be reached at his office 1101 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, by calling (574) 457-4807 or by visiting dan4insurance. com. The Mail-Journal file photo.
OFFICE STAFF — Ami Stout, left, and Heather German are account representatives. The Mail-Journal file photos..
Clayton Garden Center provides top-notch quality and service
No one wants to get mediocre results after all the time spent turning soil, planting flowers, fruits and vegetables and pulling weeds.
To get the most of your efforts, with top-quality products, expert advice and excellent service, Clayton Garden Center in North Webster is always ready to help.
Customers can expect expert advice from people who have produced results time and time again at Clayton Garden Center. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways of doing things, but we also have a good idea of what’s going to work, what will produce the flowers people want.
more,” he said.
COVID did change the way Clayton orders his products. “We buy early and take it early, so we have it on hand. It’s really rethinking how you order. Before you had to think six months out. Now you have to think about it from a year out,” he said.
“We work hard to ensure our customers have higher quality plants to start their gardens off on the right foot,” said Clayton.
“Whether people are looking to make their outdoor spaces more appealing to the eye or create the garden of their dreams, we have the materials and experience to help them get the results they want,” said Ed Clayton, who along with his wife, Judy, owns the garden center.
At Clayton Garden Center, you will find unique garden products and varieties of plants not found in the box stores. You’ll find up-to-date, new and unique items in the garden industry the Claytons have discovered by attending trade shows and summer plant tours.
“We try to find products and brands sold strictly to independent garden retailers,” said Clayton
“Most people really were getting into the garden industry because of COVID. They were home and they started taking to gardening more because they were staying home so much. We’ve enhanced everything we’ve done before. We’re right where we were before, except we’re selling a lot
Clayton Garden Center grows many of its plants in its 10,000-square-foot greenhouse. “We work hard to ensure our customers have higher quality plants to start their gardens off on the right foot,” said Clayton. “We always try to have something new; there are always new colors or new varieties to try. We always have an excellent selection of perennials to choose from, so people can complement the colors of their homes or other outdoor spaces.”
Looking ahead to fall, Clayton Garden Center has grown hundreds of healthy mum plants for its customers and fall decor items are arriving daily.
Vegetable gardeners can buy individual starter plants or seeds to start their garden each spring with a great selection available.
The expert advice people get here really makes a difference in gardens all across the area. Among the specialties at Clayton Garden Center are the hanging baskets. Literally hundreds of baskets are grown each spring, meaning every customer can find the right plant.
Everything needed to landscape your home or office can be found at Clayton Garden Center as well. The center has plenty of stock trees and shrubs ready to plant. Bulk grass seeds, bagged mulches and soils are also on hand. Revitalize an existing lawn or start a new lawn with a complete line of
lawn and garden solutions found at Clayton Garden Center. You can find Bonide products as well. as a line of Jack’s Water Soluble fertilizer.
For those looking to add a special touch to an outdoor area, Clayton Garden Center has an exciting line of birdbaths, birdhouses, ceramic pottery and other garden decor items. “The decorative items are gaining in popularity as people add to their gardens and backyards,” said Clayton. “Bird feeders attract all kinds of attention and we carry a high-quality bird seed, which will keep them coming back for more.”
Don’t forget Clayton Garden Center in the winter months. Staff members enjoy helping people pick out just the right fresh Christmas tree. The center has been a local favorite for many years with Fraser firs, fresh homemade evergreen wreaths, roping
and garland, poinsettias, fruit baskets and decor.
The outdoor garden center now boasts a new greenhouse. The outdoor garden area is now more open and has a whole new look. With high-quality products and a knowledgeable staff ready to give excellent advice, it’s no wonder Clayton Garden Center customers come not only from the northern lakes area, but well beyond. “We get a lot of new customers who said a friend referred them to us and that makes us feel good,” he said. “I think people still appreciate great service and you just can’t get that everywhere.”
Clayton Garden Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Extended hours are offered in the spring.
The garden center is located at 7185 N. SR 13, on the north side of North Webster. For more information, call (574) 834-2249.
EXPERT ADVICE Co-owners Ed and Judy Clayton are pictured with their shop dog, Frasier. Customers can expect expert advice from experienced representatives at Clayton Garden Center. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.
Customers are family at Crop Fertility Specialists
Successful farming in the 21st century requires keeping up with the latest breakthroughs in science and technology and modern farm practices and maintaining a profitable business.
For more than 52 years, Crop Fertility Specialists has been a valuable resource for northern Indiana farmers. with a total focus on the crop input retail business, CFS provides leading corn and soybean technology — products and services helping farmers maximize returns — while also offering a full lineup of lawn care and gardening products.
The company has eight retail outlets stretching from Illinois and Indiana to Ohio. CFS services the surrounding counties of Kosciusko, Whitley, Noble, Marshall and Elkhart, with the rural Milford plant being one of the farthest north.
CFS is located at the intersection of CR 900N and Old SR 15, south of Milford. Proudly independent and family owned for over 77 years, CFS emphasizes solid relationships with its farmers’ prosperity as well as customer care.
“Our mission is to treat every acre as if it were our own.” said Max Grady, general manager. “We care for the land, and we have a genuine care for the people we deal with.”
The one-on-one personal relationships with each customer have earned Grady and CFS the respect of producers and the community it serves.
Grady has a vast background in agriculture spanning his whole life. He has worked for CFS for the past 18 years. A certified crop advisor, he has been dealing with crops and their protection for more than 45 years.
The knowledge and access to practical information Grady and CFS provide customers sets the business apart from its competitors. It is a year-long process; company representatives stay with their customers from the time
of planting to harvest.
“The service comes with the sales,” he said. “If there’s a problem, the same guy who stood in your driveway and recommended or sold it to you is going to be the same guy who answers the phone to solve it.”
Customers are not just an order number to CFS; they are family. Each employee is highly trained and certified to assist every customers’ individual wants and needs. CFS maintains this by consistently sending employees to training seminars and conferences to keep them up to date on the latest technology and best practices in the industry.
Grady also emphasized CFS is “not just for large commercial farmers.” Anyone can tap into the expertise of the CFS staff and purchase grass seed at a fraction of the cost of one of the big box stores.
“A yard is just a small cornfield,” said Grady.
Beyond providing excellent products and exceptional service, CFS is dedicated to community involvement.
“We want to keep kids interested in agriculture,” said Grady.
The next generation is also ensuring the future of KOVA Ag team, with eight children of team members joining the company.
“For another 50 years to come,” said Grady, “we will be 100% committed to agriculture and agriculture only.”
CFS believes additional value is offered to customers through the KOVA agriculture team. The CFS staff is linked to additional services, such as finance, crop insurance and risk management. From the field to the front lawn, with the many resources available, there is no need or problem CFS cannot fulfill or fix.
Business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. For more information, visit the Milford location, call (574) 658-4158 or visit ekova.com.
Countless bargains await savvy shoppers at Shonda’s Place
Tucked away between Milford and Syracuse is a hidden gem for anyone looking for a bargain. Shonda’s Place, located at 11904 N. 175 E, east of Milford, officially opens for business on Thursday Sept. 26, Shonda and Bill Weaver have had a loyal following of fans through their past retail ventures.
Shonda’s Place discount store will carry a variety of items useful in everyday life, offering a wide selection of cleaning supplies, household items, including decor, and tools. Their new location offers a 4,000 square-foot warehouse/sales floor, you can find things such as outdoor furniture, lighting, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, electrical supplies, outdoor power equipment, tools, floor and wall tiles and other flooring, all at discounted prices. They also have clothing items, and safety PPEs, including high-visibility wear, many in extended sizes.
Shonda pointed out that they will also carry a variety of medical equipment and devices, such as wheelchairs, knee scooters and walkers, including a variety of convalescent aids such as grab bars and reachers.”
“One of our goals is to offer, if we are able to acquire, gently used equipment, the prices will be even lower,” added Shonda. “We know it’s very hard to get used convalescent aids, especially when you need them the most.”
Most of Shonda’s Place’s inventory comes from shelf pulls, closeouts, liquidations and some returned merchandise. They also have some used items for sale.
“Whatever’s available, we’ll look at,” said Bill. “Wherever we can get it — pallets, auctions, estates. We go up to Michigan, and all across northern Indiana.
The Weavers have experience in retail sales. They formerly had a discount grocery store, but decided not to do that this time around, because of increasing regulations. Their previous sales last year, were located on the (west side of Syracuse) in which they offered similar products to that they will carry in the new store. That former location was only open a few times last year, as inventory was collected and prepared for resale. With this new, permanent location, they have turned the concept into a regular venture.
“We were running this as a garage sale,” said Shonda. “People were asking us when we were going to start a business.”
“We’ve done this kind of stuff off and on, as our time allowed it,” said Bill. “The stores inventory will always be changing. If someone doesn’t see what they want on one visit, the next time it might be here. If someone is looking for something specific, they can let us know and tell us their price range and we’ll try to get it. We are planning on setting up a consignment area inside where others may be able to offer some items for sale. Limitations may be necessary. “
Shonda’s Place will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, call (574) 658-3054 or email shondasplacediscountstore@ gmail.com.
years and counting
At Ruch Service in Milford, quality is not the exception but the rule.
When owner Doug Ruch says his business provides full service to vehicles, he means it. Ruch Service has been a family-owned and family-operated business for the last 54 yers.
The service center specialize in electrical work, air conditioning, brake repair, suspensions and transmission work. In addition to offering fuel systems maintenance and fuel injection cleaning. Ruch Service is fully equipped to complete frontend alignment work.
Ruch Service has Hunter computerized four-wheel alignment equipment and can even provide complete computer diagnostics on engines, including fuel-injection systems. Additionally, they have a Mitchell on-demand information center for today’s technical updates and repair information.
In recent years, onboard computers have begun to be used to control many different aspects of a vehicle’s functions. Recognizing that switch in trends, Ruch Service technicians are fully versed in the electronics of today’s onboard computers. They regularly attend seminars to keep up to date with the latest automotive advancements.
Ruch Service has come a long way since 1970, when the business was begun by Robert “Hap” Ruch, Doug’s father. Doug’s family helps him run the business and they are all dedicated to continuing the exemplary family tradition maintained of more than five decades.
Doug is assisted by his wife, Doreen.
Their son, Grant, has become the third generation to work in the family business. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio, Grant has a degree in auto technology and business. His goal is to someday become the owner of the shop.
The building where Ruch Service is located, at the corner of SR 15 and CR 1250N on Milford’s north side, has a rich history in the small town. It started 75 years ago as a full-service gas station, Baumgartner Service. Materials from the old Milford Hotel were used in its construction back in the late 1930s.
When the Ruch family bought the gas station, it became incorporated. Doug began to learn the finer points of the trade. Sensing a shift in Milford and the lakes area, Ruch Service closed the gasoline pumps in 1989 and began to concentrate on only providing the community with complete, full-service repair and care.
The public has responded to the change in a positive way, appreciating the services the Ruch family has offered throughout the past 54 years.
“I like to think we take care of people first and cars second,” Ruch explained. “We appreciate the Milford community and the surrounding area’s past and future patronage.”
Service appointments can be scheduled by calling (574) 658-4313. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also can follow them on Facebook by searching for Ruch Service Inc.
CTB works to help feed a hungry world
Even with over 3,000 employees and approximately one billion dollars in annual sales and facilities located around the globe, CTB, Inc. retains a small business feel. Their global challenge is to use innovation, new technology and acquisitions to meet the future demands of both poultry, livestock and grain production as well as “help agricultural producers and processors become much more efficient in feeding a hungry world by maintaining a safe, sustainable, affordable and abundant global food supply,” says Mike Kissane, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the company.
Based in Milford, CTB is the parent of 14 companies with 46 facilities located in 17 countries. Among these companies are Chore-Time, Brock and PigTek. The company has proven to be a market leader in grain, protein, processing and non-agricultural industrial equipment. Founded as Chore-Time Equipment in 1952, CTB became a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2002.
For grain production, CTB’s Brock Grain Systems offers “solutions with larger storage capacities, higher production, increased efficiency and more accurate performance for managing harvested grain,” Kissane explained. These products include storage bins, grain dryers, bin sweeps, bucket elevators, catwalks, towers and conveyors.
Chore-Time poultry products include systems for feeding, watering and environmental care, electronic controls and software. He noted these products can be used for “growing broilers and turkeys for meat as well as raising breeder birds to produce broilers” to keep up with the increasing demand for poultry.
According to Kissane, egg production is also a priority for Chore-Time. As a company, they “strive to optimize the health
and productivity of poultry through systems that allow finite resources, such as feed, water and energy, to be used more efficiently.” They do this through products such as cage-free egg laying systems, egg collectors, environmental control systems and manure handling systems.
CTB’s PigTek division is helping to meet the growing demand for pork. They continually find ways to improve sow and pig care systems, environmental control systems, electronic feeding, air quality systems and integrated management software.
Though not located in Milford, some of CTB’s other investments are in the food processing and packaging industry. Over the years, CTB companies have expanded to “offer solutions for processing and packaging a variety of foods, such as poultry, seafood, fruit, vegetables and convenience foods,” Kissane said.
CTB also supplements their primary focus on agriculture to offer products in the industrial equipment category. These are oil containment systems, precision-molded plastic components and industrial storage and buildings. Additionally, the company manufactures air cleaning and scrubbing systems for agricultural use as well as high end stalls, feeders, architectural doors and windows for the equine market.
“One of the hidden gems is our people. Our employees are the strength behind the business,” he emphasized. CTB recruits top talent, works to empower their employees by creating opportunities to help them be successful, and promotes from within whenever possible.
Kissane noted CTB also takes pride in the quality of its dealers, distributors and other customers, many of whom have promoted, purchased or used CTB’s products for decades.
Something for everyone at Rentown Country Store
Rentown Country Store is a one-stop spot for cheese, bulk food, deli meats, gluten-free products, jams and jellies, gifts, kitchenware, poly lawn furniture and a variety of useful supplies.
While running around Nappanee and Bremen, why not stop by one of the area’s best-known country stores, whose name comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch word meaning “Gadding about?”
For years, Rentown Country Store, has been a favorite stop for locals, as well as curious out-of-town visitors. With a little bit of everything in stock, it is easy to see why Rentown Country Store is so popular.
Rentown Country Store carries more than 100 varieties of cheeses, all at competitive prices However, one of its biggest claims to fame is that it is the home of the enormous 1,000 pound block of mild cheddar cheese, currently on hand and to be cut into pieces for resale
Rentown Country Store also is known for its variety of bulk foods. Just a few of the many items customers will find on the shelves include spices, homemade noodles, mixed nuts, dried fruits, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, sesame sticks, pretzels and popcorn. There also is a big variety of candy at great prices.
When it comes to baked goods, customers are known to come from miles around to purchase Rentown Country Store’s cookies, breads, pies, cakes, rolls and more, all baked fresh daily.
In the housewares department, Rentown Country Store carries all of the necessary baking and canning supplies, including Ball jars and lids, utensils, pressure cookers, stainless bowls, paring knives, knife sets and even popcorn poppers. They also have a toy section.
Owner Dennis Hochstetler tells to story of Rentown Country Store and the meaning behind its name. In the early 1950s, Hochstetler’s grandfather, Dan Hochstetler, and a neighbor, Manas Hochstetler, used to like to
take the horse and buggy to town or to auctions. Rentown Country Store’s brochure explains it as such: “They were always gadding about and kidding each other about ‘rum renna,’ which means ‘gadding about.’”
Because of their running about, Manas Hochstetler used to joke, “We’d better be careful, or they’re going to call this Rentown,” based on the Pennsylvania Dutch phrase, “rum renna.”
Pennsylvania Dutch is the German dialect most commonly used among the Amish.
In the 1960s, Dan’s son, LeRoy, Dennis Hochstetler’s father, purchased 17 acres of land between Bremen and Nappanee Then, in 1972, he built a shop at that location and, remembering Manas’s “gadding about,” named it Rentown Shop. Thus, Rentown was born!”
Today, Dennis and his wife, Leah, run the store known throughout northern Indiana for its amazing selection of items. The store has been in its current location for nine years. The new building, which holds the bulk foods, bakery, meats and cheeses, is right across the road from the original location.
The old store has become a full-scale restaurant with plenty of old recipes and home-cooked meals. it is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Hochstetler said they have regular patrons from as far away as Chicago, Michigan and across northern Indiana visiting on a regular basis, noting they even have customers from a couple different foreign countries.
“Much of our business comes from wordof-mouth,” Hochstetler said “Our sales have more than doubled in the last several years. We do our best to bring you fresh cheese and top quality products at the beset possible price!
“Since 1987, we’ve been dedicated to offering customers stellar service and quality items. We offer fresh local goods, gourmet cheese, deli meats, fresh local produce, fresh salads, homemade baked goods and more We look forward to continuing to provide our customers with delicious items. Keep us in mind
for your custom or special orders.” Rentown Country Store is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed
on Sunday. It is located at 1530 Third Road, Bremen. For further information, call (574) 546-9010.
CHEESES GALORE Rentown Country Store has more than 100 varieties of cheese from which to choose, including its enourmous 1,000 block of mild cheddar, which is cut into smaller packages for resale. Photo by The Mail-Journal.
WIDE VARIETY A delicious selection of home-baked goods awaits customers as they enter Rentown Country Store. Photo by The Mail-Journal.
South Shore Social —
A premier destination for food, drinks and entertainment
South Shore Social, a modern-day sports bar and social club, is quickly becoming the go-to destination for locals and visitors alike.
thing for everyone, combining sports, dining and relaxation in one place. With an impressive array of activities,
South Shore Social features indoor golf, multi-sport simulators and auto-scoring steel-tip darts. These state-of-the-art amenities al-
avid golfer, a football enthusiast or simply looking for a place to relax with friends, South Shore Social delivers an unparalleled experience.
The venue also boasts a full-service restaurant and bar, serving a variety of lunch and dinner options to cater to all tastes. From signature dishes to craft cocktails, patrons can indulge in a wide range of dining experiences. For those seeking a more refined atmosphere, South Shore Social’s martini and bourbon lounge provides a perfect setting to unwind and enjoy premium drinks.
Open six days a week, the club extends its hours late into the weekend nights, making it a great spot to catch up
with friends or enjoy a night out.
This fall, South Shore Social will air live NFL and college football games, making it a prime destination for sports fans. The venue welcomes guests of all ages, offering a family-friendly environment during the day and transforming into a lively hangout as the night progresses.
With its unique blend of entertainment, food, and sports, South Shore Social stands out as the ultimate place to eat, drink and play. Visit it online at SouthShoreSocial.net.
What is Chautauqua?
Making Lasting Memories
The Chautauqua (pronounced SHUHTAH-KWAH) movement started in the 1800s as a traveling show that brought lecturers, special speakers, singers and performers to rural communities
With the onset of radio and later TV, entertainment came right into people’s homes. Although people just had to turn on an electronic device to be entertained, they still had a deep desire for self-improvement and to learn more about the world and its people. Today, Chautauquas are organized gatherings that continue to introduce people to big ideas, new ideas and topics for exploration, as well as provide entertainment value.
For the past 10 years, Chautauqua-Wawasee has presented quality programs throughout the year for people living in Kosciusko and surrounding counties. People are always looking for events where they can learn from an expert about a topic they don’t know much about, and whose life experiences may be very different from their own. This dedication to local culture and values helps us forge a strong connection with our community, making our events a cherished part of the area’s social fabric. There is a great mix of arts, education, faith and recreation programs for everyone to enjoy, from kids to grandparents.
Taps Across the Water is one of Chautauqua-Wawasee’s most popular events, happening the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. There is one minute of silence followed by buglers positioned around lakes Wawasee, Syracuse and Papakeechie, playing Taps. This much loved event is a great reminder of why we honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s just a great tribute to kick off the summer season!
There is so much to learn from personal stories and tales of people, both past and present. Hometown basketball legend Shanna Zolman Mahaley packed the Wawasee High School gym as she spoke about her faith throughout her career, spanning from high school through her time in the WNBA and beyond. Zolman Mahaley was able to eloquently describe what it was like growing up in a small, rural community and how that shaped her life.
Another famous Hoosier hero, John Wooden, the winningest coach in NCAA history, inspired high school and college basketball players with his sports knowledge as well as his keys to success both on the court and in life. Looking back in history, Ben Franklin, was a famous inventor and diplomat. The Annual Patriotic Speaker Series brought Barry Stevens, a reenactor dressed as Ben Franklin, who painted a verbal picture of what life was like in the 1700s. For an hour, attendees were taken back to a time in our history when life was very different from what we know today. Franklin is known for signing the Declaration of Independence and worked as a diplomat in France during the American Revolution.
Another favorite sight in summer is all of the happy puppies out frolicking in the beautiful sunshine. The Pawasee Dog Parade has been a huge hit for dog owners and dog lovers alike. What fun to gather with people who love their pets, some even dressing up with them, with everyone proudly showing off puppies. As part of the event, there was a dog training demonstration. We look forward to this event growing every year.
People connect so closely with some of the events because it sparks a memory from their childhood, such as Old Fashioned Christmas, when the excitement of the season and the falling snow conjures up memories of hot chocolate and fun times with family and friends. Participants even get to pet a reindeer. This event is a true celebration of community and togetherness. Circle Nov. 30 on your calendar for the next Old Fashioned Christmas at Oakwood.
We are so lucky to live in a place with a vibrant Chautauqua providing quality programs and experiences to entertain, educate and broaden our horizon’s on a variety of themes and topics.
At Chautauqua-Wawasee, we take pride in being different in the best possible way. Our commitment to fostering community spirit and creating unforgettable moments brings value to Kosciusko County and the Syracuse-Wawasee area. What truly distinguishes us is not just our dedication to organizing events, but the attention to detail we bring to every experience. If you’ve never been to a Chautauqua-Wawasee event, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Oswego Mini-mart and Café serves the lakes’ communities
Owego Mini-mart is nestled in the heart of the lake community.
Located on Armstrong Road, it is located between Leesburg and North Webster. Close to the area’s lakes, Oswego Mini-mart has a convenience store and a café.
The convenience store has food, snacks and hot and cold drinks, or basically anything to go, as well as beer and wine.
“We have grab and go sandwiches, doughnuts and coffee to go,” said Raven Donovan, the store manager.
The cafe serves breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu consists of eggs Benedict, French toast and pancakes. It also serves avocado toast, biscuits, waffles, biscuits and gravy and hash browns. The patty cake consists of two griddle cakes, two sausage patties with he option of blueberries
and Nutella. It also serves corned beef hash with two eggs and toast or biscuit. Other specialities include the country benny, the Ellsworth and the early riser.
“We have a lot of regulars,” said Donovan. “A lot of people don’t know we have a café here.”
The lunch menu includes daily specials. It offers three kinds of salad, including a chef’s salad. The quaint café also offers sandwiches and baskets. Breaded tenderloins, BLT club sandwich and chicken sandwich are on the menu. The baskets consist of corkscrew shrimp basket and chicken tender basket. The entrees include coleslaw, cottage cheese or fries. Seasoned fries are also offered.
Specialty burgers are also served in the café. The burgers include a copycat Mac (like
a Big Mac), Frisco melt, classic cheeseburger, patty melt, brunch burger and a breaded cheeseburger.
“We have fresh, hand-smashed burgers,” said Donovan.
Sides and extras include garlic cheese curds, onion rings, battered fries, cottage cheese and coleslaw.
On Friday, the café serves fresh fish with chips and coleslaw. The café offers dine-in and outdoor seating. It also offers carry-out.
“We do a lot of carry outs,” said Donovan.
The café’s bar came from Holiday Lodge and was fully restored. The owner wanted it because it was part of history, said Donovan.
The owner is Steve Kesler and Roger Rapsavage is the general manager.
Kesler opened the business with the idea of having somewhere for locals to go,
said Rapsavage.
“It’s a friendly environment,” he said.
“I’ve never had such good customers, an amazing group of people,” added Donovan.
“We are the heartbeat of Tippy.”
Café Hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The kitchen closes at 2 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and is open until 7:30 p.m. on the other days. There is plenty of parking in the front and back of the building.
A marina is located at Tippy Lake and it sells gas, has pontoon rentals, for an a snack shack with ice cream and snow cones “right on the lake,” said Donovan.
Oswego Mini-mart and Cafe is located at 2757 E. Armstrong Road, Leesburg. For more information, call (574) 453-3359 or visit Facebook.com/oswegominimart.
DOUBLE CHECKED ORDER Raven Donovan, manager, double checks a to-go order made by Beth Lomperski, chef. Every to-go order is cooked, boxed and bagged with care. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE — Dollie Bumgardner, a customer-favorite server, and other staff members consistently provide good service with a smile. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.
Picket Fences Hair Salon helps you look your best
For the past 46 years, Picket Fences
Hair Salon has been offering haircuts and color, manicures and pedicures. Picket Fences has five hairstylists and a nail technician.
Sande Wappes started the business in 1978 and Elmer Stutzman took over in 2014.
“We offer several services including haircuts, colors, perms, facial waxing, manicures and pedicures,” said Wappes.
“We also have a wide variety of hair trends, including highlights.”
Picket Fences has five employees including from Holly Urbin, Wappes, Analisa Perry, Jill Knafel and Donna Hare.
Urbin does hair and nails. The hairstyl-
ists are Wappes, Perry, Knafel and Hare.
“We keep up on the latest hairstyles,”Wappes said.
Also while clients get pedicures done, they can relax in one of two massage chairs.
The salon is located at 611 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
“We are always looking for new hair stylists and nail techs to join our team,” said Wappes.
For more information visit Facebook or call (574) 457-4771 for appointments. Walkins are welcome, if tech time is available.
North Webster Community Center offers many valuable resources
The North Webster Community Center is a small town’s gathering hub for residents and visitors alike. Opportunities for all ages to engage in programs and activities occur throughout the entire year.
Located in the historic North Webster School building on Main Street, all 55,000 square feet are utilized to truly make the center “the heart of the community.”
Many activities and community events take place at NWCC. Pickleball is a favorite sport played indoors and outdoors at the center.
Cardio drumming and yoga are classes offered several times a week. A walking path and open gym times, outdoor basketball courts, a playground and sand volleyball courts are free when the center is open.
This summer, the community center hosted free lunches and a craft time, both for children. NWCC houses 12 local businesses and nonprofits and is the meeting point for several local organizations and is also a polling location for elections.
NWCC also has a senior center for older adults — the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center. Meals are served at SPEC five days a week for those who wish to eat lunch and socialize.
Batting cages are available for rent.
The center hosts a community wide garage sale, the area’s largest Kids Business Fair and Breakfast with Santa.
Summer at the center is always a big hit, which includes a variety of community events, including free outdoor movies, painting classes, boater education classes, special glow drumming classes, and a series of community service programs.
The center has several rooms available to rent for meetings, baby and bridal showers, birthday parties or other special events. Zero tax dollars go into operating the center; only the generous support of individuals, organizations and businesses.
The center hosts several fundraising events throughout the year to help with the costs of operating the center. These include the 16th annual fundraiser, The Heart of the Community Charity Auction, which is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. The Hubie Ashcraft Band is headlining the event. Visit nwcommunitycenter.org to buy tickets or stop by the office located at 301 N. Main St., North Webster. For more information, call (574) 834-1600 or visit its Facebook page.
PICKET FENCES SERVING CUSTOMERS FOR 46 YEARS Picket Fences Hair Salon has been offering haircuts and color, manicures and pedicures for the past 27 years. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
LOOKING BACK — Norma Roose, right, and Vicki Johnson look over scrapbooks at the 20th anniversary celebration. Roose, a founding member of the senior center, also played piano for the attendees at the celebration. Photo provided by Nancy Gray.
The essence of Dr. Richard Brungardt, DVM’s, heart is expressed on his business sign at Lakeland Animal Clinic: “Where love is the best medicine.”
It is a motto near and dear to Brungardt and his staff, who are passionate about providing their patients with the best care possible.
Brungardt deals with each patient on an individual basis.
“I want them to know we care,” he said of the concern the staff has for the patients and their owners.
Every day he is faced with new challenges, new medicine and new opportunities to help animals. While Lakeland Animal Clinic takes care of sick animals all the time, he encourages preventative medicine — taking regular care of a pets health to prevent drastic and expensive procedures in the future.
One innovative technology Brungardt, or “Doc,” as most in the community know him, uses to aid pets with pain management, healing and inflammation is cold laser therapy. In particular, Brungardt said he uses this form of therapy on arthritic patients.
“I have several clients who use it on their arthritic patients,” he said. “it does help out a lot.”
Brungardt said it takes knowing how to read an animal to know what is best for the pet. During the healing process, he urges owners to interact with their pets. One time he encouraged a patient’s owner to visit their animal, knowing it would help the healing process. The visit put the pet in good spirits and it was soon heading home.
Lakeland Animal Clinic has the capacity to perform routine surgeries, such as spays and neuters and more complicated surgeries, including fracture repairs, IM pinning, abdominal exploratory and eye surgeries.
Vaccinations, routine preventative care, geriatric exams, dentistry, X-rays and blood work can also be done by the clinic staff. Brungardt pays special attention to preventative medicine, such as immunizations. He also recommends a pet vitamin supplement, which features pet forms of vitamins C and D3, along
with an ESSIAC supplement caplet, available in health food stores.
Available vaccines include those against illnesses, such as rabies, canine parvovirus infection, coronavirus, Lyme disease, feline panleaukopenia and feline chlamydia.
In addition, the clinic performs microchipping and grooming and offers boarding services for cats, dogs and small animals. Room for sick animals is available as well.
As a veterinarian, Brungardt is constantly learning. Communication is one such skill he gained through his membership with Toastmasters, in which members learn to be better speakers and communicators. This has helped Brungardt better communicate with his patients and their owners.
With the advances in medicine, there is a never-ending need to stay up to date with veterinary science.
“We are always trying to keep up with education,” he said.
Each year, he spends 40 hours on continuing education. He also stays involved in vet medicine associations and attends conventions with the nearby states’ VMAs.
Another area Brungardt continues to learn more about is dental service. He is able to perform dental surgeries; however, his primary dental procedures are cleanings. He noted regular dental care will help with the animals overall health.
Brungardt has not a love not only for the animals he treats, but also from his own animals. Horses, dogs, and cats are all part of his household.
He grew up in Kansas and bonded with farm animals. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and during his time of service met a gentleman who was a vet. That planted the seed for his future.
He went to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., before transferring to Kansas State College of Veterinarian Medicine. He observed with Dr. Weldy and Associates in Wakarusa and Goshen Animal Clinic. He worked in WaKeeney, Kan., and in Utah before opening the Lakeland Animal Center in Syracuse.
—
land Animal Clinic, with his office buddy,
Brungardt opened the first clinic in September 1979, north of Syracuse. He purchased his current location in December 1980 and moved into it in February 1981.
Involvement in the community is important to him. He is a Syracuse Wawasee Rotarian and helps with the Rotary Club’s REAL 4 Kids reading program and lemon shake-up stand. Rotary Club has helped with the Syracuse Boy Scout facility.
Brungardt is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, in addition to be active in his church, St. Martin
De Porres Catholic Church. He is a past board member of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County and continues working with AWL.
On May 18, 2016, a fire broke out and destroyed the Lakeland Animal Clinic barn on Brungardt’s property. Nobody was injured and the clinic was not affected, continuing to do its business.
Lakeland Animal Clinic is located at 11639 SR 13, south of Syracuse. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information call (574) 457-5574.
LAKELAND ANIMAL
LOVE IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Dr. Richard Brungardt is pictured at his business, Lake-
Baxter. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
Goshen Home Medical, equipping you for independence
Goshen Home Medical provides a wide variety of products and services that can improve the quality and safety of life at home
“Searching for the right home medical equipment can be frustrating, and even worse, choosing the wrong home medical equipment can be unsafe,” said Marlies Selent-West of Goshen Home Medical.
“Often times, we see people who have purchased medical equipment either online or at a local retailer, just to find out the product does not meet their needs. Our customer service specialists can help eliminate much of the stress by helping their customers find the equipment that is best for their situation
and can also help determine what is covered and not covered by insurance. Plus, we offer free limited delivery within a 50-mile radius of Goshen with knowledgeable delivery technicians who can deliver the item(s) and offer proper instructions on use and care.”
Goshen Home Medical can elevate lives, every step of the way with stair lifts, ramps, power mobility, lift chairs, respiratory equipment and supplies, continuous glucose monitors, aids to daily living and so much more. Goshen Home Medical also stays up to date with the latest equipment while maintaining the highest level of quality. West said, “Many patients and their caregivers don’t realize there are many types of items that
can truly help make their lives easier.”
Goshen Home Medical’s certified assistive technology professionals can assist customers in finding the perfect power mobility device — standard or custom and can collaborate with your physician and insurance company.
Goshen Home Medical also has certified fitters for orthopedic shoes and mastectomy prosthesis. Fitters work with each client by appointment and will occasionally do house calls.
Items can be easily reordered by phone, fax, website or by using the new app, with optional reminder texts or email messages. Items can be picked-up in-store,
delivered or drop shipped.
“We’re trying to keep people in their homes for as long as possible,” West said. “We have ways to make their lives and their caregivers’ lives easier.”
The showroom displays a large variety of products ranging from maternity to mobility and everything in between. Showroom hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Goshen Home Medical is part of Goshen Health System and has been serving the community for nearly 50 years. To learn more about Goshen Home Medical, visit the showroom or GoshenHomeMedical.com or call (574) 533-0626.
CHOOSE GOSHEN HOME MEDICAL
STAY MOVING Goshen Home Medical has trained, certified fitters who work with clients to find a properly fitting power chair or power scooter, so they can safely remain active for as long as possible. Along with mobility aids, Goshen Home Medical, also has fitters for orthopedic shoes and mastectomy prosthesis. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.
WIDE SELECTION Goshen Home Medical has a wide selection of items, ranging from maternity products to mobility aids and many more. The store has been serving the community for nearly 50 years. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.
WARRIOR GEAR Dockside Apparel is stocked with Wawasee gear so you can be decked out to support your Wawasee Warrior. Dockside has polos, crewnecks, sweatshirts and t-shirts. Stop in to Dockside to find your game day gear.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Don’t know what to order? Just visit the Dockside Apparel in-store showroom. They have already customized t-shirts, sweatshirts, cups, signs and more. Customized items make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Photo by
Dockside Apparel & Gifts — quality embroidery service
Dockside Apparel specializes in screen printing and embroidery. They are a family owned and operated company offering customized promotional items that are sure to exceed your expectations.
Dockside Apparel was started in 2020 by Pat Tranter to continue his career in the industry and fulfill the area’s need for an embroidery shop. Tranter has been involved in this industry since 1988 and has been around the printing business his entire life. He started working for his dad, learning how to create signs and immersing himself in the business operations.
He attributes a lot of Dockside Apparel’s capabilities to his knowledge base.
“Being in the industry for over 30 years, I have the creativity and necessary resources available to me.”
The amount of experience he has and the connections he has made along the way have been an influential part of Dockside Apparel’s success.
They pride themselves on their outside-the-box thinking and ability to take on complex projects. Tranter believes their vast product line in an element of Dockside Apparel that puts them over the top; not only can they customize items in many different ways, but they can also customize a variety of items.
He references the company’s range,
stating, “we do anything from key chains to T-shirts, signs, hats or custom engravings. Anything that can be personalized, we can do it for any individual or any company.”
Tranter chose to open shop in Syracuse because he noted the not only were there no other local embroidery shops, nut his niceness offered something unique that suited the area. The positive reaction Dockside Apparel has received from the community proves him right.
“We get a lot of positive feedback. At least two or three times a week we hear ‘we needed a place like this’ or ‘this is great.’”
Dockside Apparel, located just a short drive from local lakes, has many lake life
apparel and home decor. Dockside offers all types of custom apparel for your business, club, sporting events or just for personal use. It was one of Tranter’s goals to provide quality service at an affordable price stating “I did not start this business to gouge my customers like a lot of my area competition”, which is another element of the shop that set them apart.
Dockside Apparel has a very laid-back atmosphere for its employees and customers.
For more information, visit dk-promotions.com, call (574) 457-0217 or stop in the store at 110 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.
Photo by Marissa Sweatland.
Marissa Sweatland.
Whether it is for lunch or dinner, a celebration after a special event or a sweet treat at the end of the day, Chubbie’s PubN-Grub and Joe’s Ice Cream — both located within the Wawasee Bowl complex — have you covered.
Both provide customers with favorites seven days a week.
Chubbie’s Pub-N-Grub
Featuring quality food and portions at reasonable prices, Chubbies Pub-N-Grub is a destination for the whole family. Special emphasis is placed on freshness, with pizza dough being hand-tossed, hamburgers hand-pattied and the tenderloins made from fresh pork loin, pounded out and shaped.
Though there have been some changes, Chubbie’s continues to offer the same great lunch specials customers have grown used to: Monday, half price pizza; Tenderloin Tuesday with fried or grilled tenderloin; Thursday is Build a Burger Day; and Friday is all-you-can-eat fish and shrimp.
On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy 69cent wings during the day and prime rib Saturday night. Some specials are dine-in only, so call for availability.
Chubbie’s is open at 11 a.m. seven days a week and the kitchen closes daily at 9 p.m. Wawasee Bowl
Wawasee Bowl has updated and expanded its game room arcade with the purchase of several new game pieces and the introduction of a redemption ticket arcade. It will continue to expand the arcade over the next few years.
many popping by for a cool, creamy snack after work, attending a baseball or softball game, spending time on the lake or completing yard work. A stop at Joe’s has become a treat or reward enjoyed by all ages. Youngsters are especially delighted when staff members add a few sprinkles to their cones or create a face.
There are 50 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream to chose from at Joe’s, along with milkshakes, a variety of sundaes and vanilla and chocolate soft serve, which can receive an additional flavor burst of injected syrup.
Among its varieties of flavors are key lime, Marion’s blackberry, orange pineapple, cookies and cream, chocolate covered cherries, carrot cake, rainbow sherbet, turtle PB cup, salted caramel, candy play dough, raspberry chip, cheesecake, birthday cake, cake batter, Milky Way, red velvet, Superman, cappuccino, grasshopper, cotton candy, s’more, chocolate, and vanilla.
Favorites though the years have remained consistent, however: chocolate chip, cookie dough, lemon custard, cake batter, and pecan.
There are 11 specialty sundaes available: banana bonanza; chocolate covered strawberry; salty caramel; chocolate volcano; Oreo butter; Reese’s hot fudge; peanut butter jelly; red, white and blue; firecracker; dusty road; and s’more.
If in season, visitors can find strawberry shortcake, too. The strawberries are always fresh and shortbread is made in house.
Joe’s Ice Cream
Joe’s Ice Cream has been a community staple for more than 18 years, starting with one ice cream cooler and a small area for outdoor eating. The coolers have expanded to three, while the patio area has continued to grow. Joe’s waffle cones have become particularly popular over the years.
It’s a popular spot for families, with
Joe’s Ice Cream normally opens around spring break each year and closes when the weather turns colder, usually in October.
Joe’s also owns a portable cart, which is available to rent for graduations, weddings and parties; just pick out three flavors and Joe’s will man it.
For more information, contact Wawasee Bowl at (574) 457-3855.
50 FLAVORS A trip to Joe’s Ice Cream, Syracuse, makes the perfect reward after a long day and it has 50 flavors to choose from. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE — Kayla Walker, an employee of Chubbie’s, prepares to serve a customer a drink from the bar. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
LIGHTING THE NIGHT The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Tree Lighting Festival with activities starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in downtown North Webster. An ATV parade will begin at 5:45 pm. with the official tree-lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m.
“The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce is ecstatic to once again host the annual tree-lighting festivities,” said Chamber President Emily Shipley. “This night is a favorite event for the chamber and its volunteers to put on. It brings the community together and kicks off the holiday season with cheer. We have grown the event by inviting Santa to come, and have included an invitation to organizations to provide snacks, crafts and entertainment the entire evening.”
Shipley also noted how much the chamber has grown over the last couple of years, especially since COVID.
“We have 126 members in 2024 from Warsaw, North Webster, Syracuse and surrounding areas,” she said. “The chamber’s mission is ‘helping to build a stronger community by promoting local business and area opportunities for growth.’ We do this by hosting events that bring people into the community.”
“We also are working hard to beautify the town. Recently, we purchased large flower pots that line Main Street and will soon be adding more benches along Main Street. The street banners are also a chamber project. We look forward to continue to beautify our great town so that it will not just be a passthrough on a major highway, but a destination.” The Mail-Journal file photo.
Milford Public Library keeps finding ways to give back
Books are not the only item in abundance at the Milford Public Library, assisting the Milford community is in strong supply too. One program is the upcoming “Socktober: event, in which socks can be donated to the library and routed to charitable organizations. Julie Frew serves as director for the library.
“Socks are the least donated item. Last year was the first year we had ever done Socktober. All through the month anyone can bring in new socks of any size and we divided them the Milford School, the Milford Food Pantry and the Milford Food Bank,” Frew said. “It was very successful, we brought in a lot of pairs of socks so we thought we would do that again this year.”
Another event in the month is a Halloween celebration in a form of a scavenger hunt at the library. The scavenger hunt will last a week and prizes include a full-sized candy bar.
It was a successful summer for the library with 148 children and 48 teenagers taking part in the summer reading program.
“I’m very happy with the summer reading program this year,” Frew said. “As soon as it’s over we start planning for the next year. It takes a lot of hours of planning. Everybody that we scheduled for entertainers we had a good turnout. Kids seemed like they were very interested in it and had a good time. We’re trying to keep their reading skills up so when they go back to school in the fall they will not have
lost a bunch of their progress they had the previous year.”
The library offered support to the com munity during the summer as it hosted a free lunch program for students under 18 in the school corporation. Roughly 85-90 lunches given out daily during the pro gram and the library will host the lunch program again next summer.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, the library will host an event titled “What’s in your bag,” to educate the public on how to prevent iden tity theft. A Christmas tree workshop will also take place at the end of the month. A Christmas activity in December will fea ture live animals such as a reindeer.
North Webster Holiday Festivities
Tree Lighting Festivities, November 23rd
Join us for fun activities around town followed by the lighting of the tree
Shop Small Saturday, November 30th
Support local business and get all your Christmas shopping done!
Enjoy the lights and nativitiy all season downtown North Webster! Decorations and Activities sponsored by NWTT Chamber of Commerce and local Busiensses and Organizations
FALL STORY TIME BEGINS
“We have people who come Warsaw and Goshen to come to this. Everybody gets to meet the reindeer and have their picture taken with it,” Frew said. “A huge draw. One of our biggest programs we have all year.”
In the spring, the library will be giving out children’s books as part of children’s book week. A popular program in the winter is a puzzle exchange through the library. Those tired of the same puzzles can exchange them with puzzles brought in by other members of the community. The library has a similar program with cake pans that can be checkout for birthday parties.
Other programs include a knitting club and a Lego club.
“It’s never a boring job,” Frew said. “There is always neat stuff going on in the library.”
Wednesdays at 10:30 am or 1:30 pm with Miss Felicia & Miss Kristina
THE COLD AND WARM OF IT Sharing the warmth of a fire, good cheer and camaraderie during a past North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Tree Lighting Festival are North Webster residents Suzen Lauber, left, Ben Lauber, Jamel Meerzo, Kingston Meerzo and Dan Hagan. The Mail-Journal file photo.
The Papers Inc. serves the community with a personal touch
When Arch Baumgartner left college and his job as an ice truck driver for his brothers in 1939, he took over the reins of the local weekly newspaper, The Milford Mail. The paper had facilities for hand-setting type, a printing press and 600 subscribers.
Since that time, The Papers Inc. in Milford has evolved into a diverse combination of newspaper and magazine publications, along with commercial printing.
Arch’s wife, Della, joined the company in 1945. Through hard work and persistence, they built the newspaper into one of the more respected weeklies in Indiana. The couple’s son, Ron, joined the business in 1966, followed by his wife, Gloria, in 1970.
The Baumgartners formed The Papers Inc. in 1972. The family guided the company through an extended period of continuous growth.
Today, the company has sales representatives in three states. Ron remains the publisher and president while Kristin Divittorio serves as director of sales and marketing.
The company currently publishes 12 weekly and monthly publications as well as one seasonal publication. The Papers also prints a host of weekly and monthly newspapers and magazines, plus school and college publications.
The Mail-Journal is The Papers’ flagship publication. A weekly, hometown newspaper, The Mail-Journal serves subscribers in the northern half of Kosciusko County, including the greater Lake Wawasee area. Staff members gather and report news with a focus on the community.
Included in its publications are two weekly, free community newspapers. ‘the PAPER’ is distributed in Kosciusko and parts of southern Elkhart counties.
The Shopping Guide News is distributed throughout Fulton County. The concept for both weeklies is total saturation coverage, street by street and house by house., in their market areas.
The Papers also publishes four editions of Senior Life monthly newspapers, catering to individuals over 50 in the Fort Wayne mar-
ket, northwest Indiana, St. Joseph County and Elkhart/Kosciusko counties. Senior Life emphasizes the prime time of life.
The weekly Auto & RV magazines are amazingly successful and loaded with most anything else on wheels. Three separate magazines are distributed in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Michiana House and Home is the complete resource for home remodeling, landscaping and decor.
In December 2011, the first issue of The Municipal magazine was published. The monthly publication is directly mailed within the continental United States, giving administrators and department heads news on issues, products and processes to help them run their cities and towns better.
Glo magazine is a monthly women’s lifestyle publication offering a fresh, local perspective in the greater Fort Wayne area.
The newest publication is the sensational LAKELife magazine, which is mailed to lake property owners throughout Kosciusko County.
BRINGING YOU THE NEWS The editorial staff at The Papers Inc., works diligently covering board meetings, events, sports, and press releases to provide readers information of what is happening in the Lakeland area. Shown in front, from the left, are Anita Bias and Deb Patterson. In the second row are Marissa Sweatland and Lauren Zeugner. In back are Phoebe Muthart, Lillian Dwyer and Nate Pace.
It highlights local towns, lakes, organizations and events.
The company’s first venture into online news reporting started in April 2012. InkFreeNews.com, northern Indiana’s only digital daily newspaper, offers information on up-to-theminute breaking news, features, obituaries, public records and entertainment — and it’s all free! The site is available on computers, smartphones, tablets. Be sure to “like” InkFreeNews on Facebook to view up-to-the-minute breaking news.
There are 80,000 to 100,000 unique visitors on the site each week, along with more than 78,000 Facebook followers.
In 2021, the PAPERS launched a brand new digital division offering affordable website design aimed at serving local businesses with expert design, hosting and solutions.
SpectraPrint, a division of The Papers, markets and publishes specialty publications. The division produces printed products for businesses and organizations, from initial planning stages through sales and production phases.
SpectraPrint publishes membership directories, image magazines, tourism maps and calendars supported by advertising sales.
The commercial printing division enhances The Papers’ ability to maintain a full-service environment for graphic needs. The sheet fed and web presses are capable of printing one to four-color processes.
The company also offers complete bindery and mailing services for trimming, folding, saddle-stitching and addressing. Staff members are able to create and maintain ink jet mailing lists, zip sort, bundle and deliver to the post office.
To view all current publications and select back issues, visit the-papers.com.
INKFREENEWS STAFF The InkFreeNews staff helps bring the news of the county to local readers. Seated are Liz Adkins and Madison Hart. Standing is Leah Sander. Photo provided.
Syracuse is a dynamic community
Syracuse is a small, dynamic community, but unlike many such towns, it is not dying. Its Main Street is not the hollowed-out, boarded up Main Street of 21st century lore.
Along a couple blocks, there are several law offices, a stock brokerage, newspaper office, library, hardware store, several antique and resale shops, an insurance brokerage, several restaurants, n audiologist and chiropractor, among other businesses.
Syracuse is a place where there is a great respect for the individual creativity entrepreneurs contribute. There is an appreciation for the unique and artisan, not the mass produced and uniform.
Syracuse provides an environment where business can flourish with an outstanding quality of life. An abundance of natural resources,unique real estate properties and an affordable and dependable workforce fosters the best in business development for visitors where there are several breathtaking lakes, including Indiana’s largest natural lake.
Syracuse, in cooperation with county government and local economic authorities, is one of those communities in Indiana that has shown rural America can attract new businesses.
Syracuse has been able to attract new business operations and expansions. Favorable tax rates and incentives, zoning cooperation and community support are contributing factors that are used in bringing new and expanding business to town.
One way the town is able to attract new business is through the development of a technology park with several new businesses that have bought lots and are building factories on
them. The sale of the last lot was in the process of being finalized at press time.
It’s a community where leaders have the foresight to make the right decisions essential to successful economic development. Local decision makers, town government and business leaders understand the benefits of ensuring facilitation and coordination with economic development activities require short- and longterm investment, either directly or through creative partnering.
Syracuse supports efforts by Wawasee Community Schools and local businesses in providing skills training in targeted industry sectors, supports adoption of new technologies and business practices to enhance productivity and encourages workforce training programs with local businesses.
A $35 million build project currently underway at Wawasee High School, includes expanding space for skills training in a variety of industry sectors.
Syracuse continues to make strategic, highly leveraged investments in basic infrastructure projects that support specific community economic development goals. The town is always looking for ways to support downtown revitalization efforts tied to business retention and attraction objectives and create community facilities to support the retention and attraction of new businesses and residents.
During the last several years, Syracuse has used a variety of resources to enhance the overall visual quality of the community with the elimination of visual blight and addition of streetscape improvements, along with the continuous development of the River District
Local churches offer variety of services for believers and seekers
Area churches continue to offer a variety of options for those who wish to join worship or get involved in a local body of believers.
Many of the area churches are members of the Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association, which meets monthly and collaborates in planning community-wide services and outreaches. For more information, visit wawaseecompass.org.
All following times mentioned are Sunday, except where otherwise noted. Milford
Christian Church of Milford, 201 N. Henry St. Worship is held at 10 a.m. and a Spanish worship is held at 3 p.m., (574) 6589151, christianchurchofmilford.com.
First Brethren, 110 W. Catherine St. Sunday School is 9 a.m. with worship to follow at 10 a.m. A free community dinner is held at 5 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. (574) 658-3141, milfordfirstbrethren. org/.
Milford Chapel, 321 E. Beer Road. Worship is 10:30 a.m., after Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. (574) 658-9618.
New Salem Church of the Brethren, 10937 North CR 200E. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. (574) 658-4965.
Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2035 East CR 1300N. Worship is held live or online 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (574) 658-9161, wawaseebible.com.
Word of Truth Ministries, 210 E. Catherine St. Worship is at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The church also offers a Wednesday night Bible study. (574) 658-9223.
North Webster Country Bible Church, 4782 North CR 850E. Worship is 10:05 a.m. (574) 253-5099. The church hosts a discipleship meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, followed by a prayer meeting at 7:30 p.m.
North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main St. Worship is 8 a.m. for traditional, followed by two modern services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (574) 834-4281, nwcog.org/.
North Webster Church of the Brethren, 7281 East CR 600N. Worship is 9:30 a.m. and is live streamed on Facebook, facebook.com/ groups/287861091251301/. (574) 834-7000.
North Webster United Methodist, 7822 E. Epworth Forest Road. Worship is 10 a.m.
NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT — The Town of Syracuse strives to provide amenities for everyone in the family. Earlier this summer the Syracuse Park and Recreation Department installed new playground equipment at Henry
by Syracuse Park and Recreation.
and other commercial areas. These activities include decorative light, flags, banners, landscaping and benches, garbage receptacles, crosswalk improvements, entrance sign improvements and marketing materials.
The town’s future lies in community action. Syracuse is one of those small towns, thriving today because it has a vision, a vision of what citizens in the community want it to be.
As a lake community, Syracuse is challenged with seasonal influences that affect the
population, town services and business community. Throughout the years, Syracuse has worked hard to balance the season and yearround environments. Syracuse is continuously searching for additional ways to improve and expand town services, programs, facilities and businesses for all residents and visitors of the community.
Overall the town of Syracuse is committed to providing a high quality of life for all residents.
in Sanctuary, after 9 a.m. adult Sunday School in the parlor. northwebsterumc.org/, (574) 834-2871.
Syracuse
Calvary United Methodist, 801 S. Huntington St. Worship is in-person or via live stream at 10 a.m. The church hosts a free community dinner 5-6:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. (574) 457-3778.
Dewart Lake Community Friends, 91 EMS D16C Lane. Worship is at 10 a.m. dewartlakefriendschurch.org/
Grace Lutheran, 203 E. Main St. Worship is 10:30 a.m. (574) 457-3845.
St. Andrew’s United Methodist, 1413 N. Long Drive. Traditional worship is at 8:30 a.m. and a contemporary service follows at 10:30 a.m. standrewssyracuse.org/home/, (574) 457-4111.
St. Martin de Porres, 6941 E. Waco Drive. Mass is 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday. Weekday Mass is 8 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. stmartinchurchsyracuse.org/, (574) 4578176.
Shepherd by Lakes Lutheran, 7449 East CR 1000N. Worship is 9:30 a.m. sbtl-lcms. com/, (574) 528-6137.
Syracuse Baptist, 10013 N. Syracuse-Webster Road. Worship is 10:30 a.m., after Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. Prayer meeting is held 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays. syracusebaptistchurch. com/, (574) 457-5846.
Syracuse Church of God, 104 E. Washington St. Morning worship is 9:30 a.m., followed by small groups and Sunday School at 10:45 a.m. Prayer group is hosted at 6 p.m. syracusechurchofgod.com/, (574) 457-2796.
The Church in the Heights, 504 S. Syracuse-Webster Road. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. facebook.com/whbcsyracuse/, (574) 457-4107.
The Sanctuary, 10121 North SR 13. Worship is 11 a.m. Sunday, after 10 a.m. Sunday School and 7 p.m. Wednesday. syracusesanctuary.org/, (574) 457-2638.
Vineyard Community Church, 7566 East CR 1000N. Worship is at 10 a.m. vineyardsyracuse.org/new, (574) 457-4880.
Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, 10419 North Turkey Creek Road. Worship is 10 a.m. wawaseelakesidechapel.org/, (260) 8562533.
Syracuse-Wawasee Trails ready to begin next phase
The Syracuse-Wawasee Trails provides opportunities for walking, running and biking on its diverse trailways throughout the community. The Trails recently initiated a rebranding, which includes updated signage along the current trailways throughout the Syracuse-Wawasee community to improve the experience of all trail users. Users will see maps, distance markers and educational materials about the area’s wetlands, birding and more along the routes. Keep an eye out for the new look.
Presently, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail system consists of 12 miles of walking/bicycle trails, which connects Syracuse, Syracuse Lake and the northern part of Lake Wawasee.
Earlier this year, the trails committee recently announced the Wawasee South Campaign, which will add another 2.2 miles of trails in and around Syracuse. In this next phase of expansion from Grandview Drive, the trail will push south to Wawasee Middle School. This will allow the community’s first school-to-school connection, providing safe trailways along SR 13 and the vital link to the east and north sides of the lake.
It has been two years since the Conklin Bay expansion. The SWT committee has been gearing up for this next step, which was first laid out in its 2021 feasibility study, ultimately taking the trail around the lakes.
In August, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails held its annual fundraising event, which also celebrated its 20th anniversary. The event was held at The Owl’s Nest in North Webster.
This year, SWT partnered with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on a small wetland restoration demonstration project where the Conklin Bay boardwalk nears SR 13. The first step in the multi-year process was cutting back the invasive cattails.
Projects like these take a village. The trail committee asks residents to consider joining the movement by making a donation today. Visit SyracuseWawaseeTrails.com for more information, or contact Executive Director Amanda Plank at (574) 528-0100, or by email at ed@syracusewawaseetrails.com.
Ward Park, which was much appreciated by area children. Photo provided
ON THE TRAIL — Thanks to community support of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, 2024 has been a great year. The trail committee and Executive Director Amanda Plank are looking forward to continued progress in trail maintenance and expansion in 2025. Photo provided by Syracuse-Wawasee Trails.
Kosciusko Connect expands service and offers new home security options with Arlo cameras
Launched in 2021 by Kosciusko REMC, Kosciusko Connect set out to meet the urgent demand for reliable internet service in Kosciusko County. In just a few short years, Kosciusko Connect has connected over 8,700 subscribers to its high-speed fiber internet, and now the company is expanding both its service area and its product offerings.
The success of Kosciusko Connect has spurred both community development and company growth. KREMC has added a dozen new employees dedicated to the Kosciusko Connect project, and many staff members now serve both companies. With the initial fiber roll-out completed in 2023, Kosciusko Connect has opened service to all KREMC members and is now focusing on future expansion and adding valuable services that provide subscribers increased quality of life. The demand for reliable internet continues to grow, as both local residents and those who live in surrounding areas frequently ask, “When will you be in my area?”
The answer to that question is multi-faceted. KREMC Vice President of Technology & Broadband Curt Barkey said there are several factors that come into play with expanding the service into new territories.
“Cost, demographics, and time,” Barkey began. “Expanding a fiber internet network is a complex and costly endeavor due to the extensive infrastructure required. Laying fiber-optic cables involves significant expenses in materials, labor, and equipment,” Barkey elaborated.
The complicated process also requires securing rights-of-way and obtaining necessary permits. Additionally, specialized equipment and skilled technicians are needed to install and maintain the network. Barkey noted the high upfront costs, combined with ongoing maintenance and operational expenses, make rapid expansion challenging for a smaller internet provider.
“Our competitors are mostly venture capital-backed and are massive companies that trade on wall street. We are not. We don’t have that level of capital. Instead, we want to focus our efforts where they matter most,” he explained.
“We live, work, and play here and it’s important for us to be a true partner to our customers. Our customers are our neighbors, and we want to treat them that way,” Barkey said.
According to Barkey, balancing the financial demands with the goal of providing reliable, high-speed internet to more areas is a careful, long-term effort. This year, Kosciusko Connect did begin to expand their service. A notable project was recently completed that brought fast fiber internet to the town of Sidney.
The expansion of service to Sidney was made possible through a combination of government and grant support, primarily using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The county applied for a grant through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to identify and address underserved areas needing better internet connectivity. Sidney was chosen as a priority area, and Kosciusko County allocated the funds to Kosciusko Connect to provide the service. This initiative was part of a broader effort to improve rural broadband infrastructure across the state.
Aside from Sidney, other new areas that have been connected or will be connected soon to Kosciusko Connect’s fiber network include a six-mile stretch of East US 30, Hunters Ridge, Shadow Lakes, Teepee Drive, CR 1200 South, Harrison Landing, and Leesburg.
The expansion of Kosciusko Connect’s fiber network represents more than just faster internet. Reliable broadband access is a critical tool for local businesses, allowing them to compete in today’s digital economy. It also opens
CONNECTING FIBER NETWORK
Kosciusko Connect Fiber Optic Technician
Adam Churchill loops fiber optic cable during a home installation.
up new educational opportunities for students who can access online resources and participate in remote learning. Families benefit too, as they gain access to telehealth services and the ability to work remotely from home. In this way, Kosciusko Connect’s growth directly supports the well-being and future success of the community.
In other exciting developments, Kosciusko Connect recently launched a new product and service for their customers. Starting this month fiber internet subscribers can choose a plan that includes Arlo home security cameras. According to Barkey, the decision to partner with Arlo just made sense.
“First and foremost, it was a good business decision to bring them in,” Barkey began. “We know that our customers want home security through our NPS (Net Promoter Score) survey we conducted and other engagement tools we utilize. It was evident that a lot of customers were interested in cameras,” he explained.
According to Barkey, Kosciusko Connect
customers will have different packages to choose from depending on their home security needs.
“You’ll also get the fastest internet plan within that Arlo package as well as Protect IQ to keep your home network safe from cyber threats,” Barkey added.
Customers seeking home security solutions will benefit from Kosciusko Connect’s optional ‘white glove service’ which includes professional installation, easing the burden of set-up. All plans will include technical support for the Arlo cameras.
As Kosciusko Connect continues to expand its fiber network and introduce valuable services like VoIP phone, MyBundleTV, and Guardian Protection, the company remains committed to its mission: providing its communities with essential access to modern technology and reliable communication. With every new subscriber and service, Kosciusko Connect is building a more connected future for Kosciusko County.
Scan the code with your mobile device or visit kosciuskoconnect.com to learn
