Know Your Neighbor Entertainment . . . . . . . 6-7
Master Naturalists program helps blossoming nature lovers
By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer
Nature lovers unite. The Kosciusko Indiana Master Naturalists program is an opportunity for adults interested in the environment to find like-minded people, preserve local ecology and learn hands-on lessons about natural resources from experts.
IMN, part of Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources, is a program held each year, which connects program members with professionals. It also generates interest in volunteer services, which benefit Indiana’s natural flora and fauna. Kosciusko County’s program is just one of many found around the state.
“The IMN program is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and develop new friendships with others who enjoy nature,” said program coordinator, Amanda Heltzel.
Local conservation organizations, like park departments, the Purdue Cooperative Extension and the Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District, host the program.
In the program, members take eight classes on natural resources that take them around the county.
Participants study subjects, such as birds, wildflowers, lakes and streams, wildlife habitats, soils and astronomy, in the field.
Members of the program develop an “appreciation of Indiana’s plants, soils and wildlife,” said Heltzel.
Classes consist of lectures and hands-on experience, teaching skills, such as plant and wildlife identification, using field guides and more.
Those within the program are also connected to local conservation efforts, which can involve activities, like native seed collection and invasive species management.
The last activity is a favorite of program graduate, Carrie Owsley, who enjoys the opportunity to spend time in the wilderness and improve habitats.
Owsley, who took the classes out of an interest in conservation and nature, found each session fun and insightful.
“Each location was unique and wonderful in its own right,” she said.
The moment Owsley “knew (she) was hooked,” was during a bird-watching hike, led by Indiana Tech Associate Professor of Biology Suzanne Beyeler.
“She blew my mind with her ability to recognize birds by their sound,” Owsley recalled. Beyeler would hear a bird, then let the class cooperate to find it. The experience gave participants the tools to make future discoveries and left Owsley with a sense of
excitement for future lessons.
Along with class sessions, Owsley participated in volunteer activities, such as rafting, with middle school students, working a booth at the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival and sorting trees for the SWCD annual tree sale.
Those who complete 24 hours of volunteer service receive Indiana Master Naturalist Certification and 30 hours of annual volunteer service, giving members advanced certification.
Some of the programs members can volunteer with include habitat restoration programs, water surveys and serving on boards for natural resource organizations.
Kosciusko’s own program was co-founded by an IMN graduate, Pardee Gunter.
“I graduated from the Elkhart County IMN program in 2014,” said Gunter.
Gunter “enjoyed the program so much,” that he helped start the Kosciusko County Program in 2016, which he continues to serve on as an advisory council member.
Graduates of the program gain an “understanding of Hoosier natural resources and build connections with natural resources professionals and organizations,” explained Heltzel.
They also receive a certificate of completion, IMN pin and a one-
year subscription to the Indiana Master Naturalist newsletter.
“Being an IMN doesn’t mean you have all the answers,” said Owsley, “but it does enable you to have a pretty good chance of finding them.”
While this year’s program is full, enrollment opens each January. IMN also offers classes for teens age 13 to 17 and children ages 9 to 12.
A schedule for upcoming classes can be viewed at in.gov/ dnr/state-parks/programs/indiana-master-naturalist-program. For more information, contact Heltzel at amanda.heltzel@in.nacdnet.net or call her at (574) 2677445.
WATER THESE FOR? Dr. Nate Bosch from the Lilly Center, right, describes how scientists collect lake measurements. From left are Andrea Keller, Doug Brown, Jodi Brown, and Bosch.
EAGLE-EYED VIEWERS Indiana Master Naturalists spot a bald eagle during a wetland tour. Shown are Frank Sapper, left, and Brandy Cody. Photos provided by Kosciusko County Indiana Master Naturalists.
K now Y our n eighbor
Parks superintendent celebrates 41 years on the job
By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer
“I have fond memories of going to the park as a young person,” stated Larry Plummer, Warsaw. “I’d ride my bike to little league at the park. I also enjoyed jumping off the high dive at Center Lake. There were softball games and tournaments at the park. I think I’ve always loved the area parks.”
Plummer has been part of the parks staff for 41 years. He’s the superintendent of Warsaw Parks and Recreation.
“Actually, I started working for the parks department part time when I was a youth. I worked at the cemetery mowing lawns, taking care of shrubs and helping dig graves when I was 14. Since I was working for the city, I also helped periodically at the parks during storm cleanup when I was in high school. After graduation, Dick Hammond, who was then the superintendent, approached me about coming to work on a full time basis. Since I love outdoor work, I took him up on it. I began my job as the assistant to the superintendent in 1988. I moved up into the superintendent position in 2012.”
A typical day for Plummer starts early. “I get to the office about 6:20 a.m. I check my
emails and calendar. Then at 7, I touch base with the staff. We talk about the daily agenda and goals we have for that day. Some of my responsibilities include preparing the budget, managing projects and preparing for board meetings.”
Even though much of his work is done at his desk, he still finds time to visit some of the area parks each day. “I love seeing the regulars. For example, we have three guys who walk the recreational trail and Central Park each day. They’ve been doing this since Covid struck. They’re great people. Talking to them and seeing them enjoy the park just makes my day.”
Being a people person, Plummer enjoys best connecting with individuals. Whether he’s directing staff members, talking to people visiting the parks or heading up an event, he’s thoroughly enjoying himself.
“I also want to make sure we have safe places for young children to play. Visiting Kiddie Land and seeing children and parents having a great and safe day is very much a high point for me.”
As superintendent, Plummer needs to be a leader. He also needs to be innovative enough to handle any situation that presents itself. “We might have some
RENTALS
Larry
is the superintendent of Warsaw
and Recreation.
been part of the parks staff for 41 years. Being a people person, Plummer enjoys connecting with individuals. Whether he’s directing staff members, talking to people visiting the parks or heading up an event, he’s thoroughly enjoying himself. Photo provided by Larry Plummer.
construction work scheduled. But if the weather’s bad, we need to have a Plan B. A superintendent not only needs to meet each day’s needs but have a mind for the future.”
At Lucerne Park the cabins were having bat problems. “Bats are beneficial to the environment. They eat mosquitoes. How-
ever, we don’t want them in the cabins. We recently built three cedar bat houses and installed them on the tree trunks. We also installed bat houses at our Pike Lake Campground hoping to help with the mosquitoes there as well. Part of my job is solving problems in practical ways.” Plummer and his wife Mary
Lou celebrated 36 years of marriage this month. “Mary Lou and I have a special bond. She has always supported me.” They have two daughters together. They also have 13 grandchildren, ranging in ages from 3 to 16. Plummer also enjoys tree farming with 4,700 trees planted on his property.
Join the Match For MFB campaign and double the impact
Milford Food Bank is announcing an opportunity for the community to make an even bigger impact in the fight against food insecurity.
Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all contributions made to Milford Food Bank’s capital campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000, from now until March 28. This means every donation made to the campaign will be doubled with the potential to raise $50,000 toward the Food Bank’s capital campaign.
Milford Food Bank’s capital campaign is raising funds for the construction of a new, larger facil-
ity. This new facility will not only provide expanded storage but will also include office space and an upgraded food packaging room to help the Milford Food Bank significantly increase its capacity to serve those in need. Groundbreaking for the new building is scheduled for later this year, marking a significant step forward in the organization’s mission.
If you’ve been considering donating to Milford Food Bank, now is the perfect time to give, as your generosity will go twice as far in creating positive change. “Whether you give $5, $50, or $500 toward our campaign, in this “Match for
MFB” window, your contribution will be doubled, helping us move closer to our goal of raising $1 million for the capital campaign,” said Angie Deak, development manager of Milford Food Bank.
Every dollar counts — make it count even more. Join the Match For MFB campaign today, and help make sure no one in Michiana goes hungry. To donate, visit milfordfoodbank.org and click on the Match for MFB banner, or mail a check with “Match for MFB” in the memo line to Milford Food Bank, P.O. Box 116, Milford, IN 46542. For more information, contact angie@milfordfoodbank.org.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Walls
Walls
Ceilings
Ceilings
Window And Door Trim
Window And Door Trim
Walls Ceilings
Stairways
Stairways
Window And Door Trim
Woodwork Staining
Stairways
Woodwork Staining
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Small Patch Repair
Woodwork Staining
Small Patch Repair
Drywall Repair
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Drywall Repair
Small Patch Repair
Great Service – Reasonable Rates References Available Upon Request.
Drywall Repair
Great Service – Reasonable Rates References Available Upon Request.
574-304-5075
Great Service – Reasonable Rates
574-304-5075
References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075
BUSY AT WORK
Plummer
Parks
He’s
Valley receives Health First Indiana funding for therapist, AEDs
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. has received Health First Indiana funding for a mental health therapist and several automated external defibrillator devices.
The funding came in through the Kosciusko County Health Department.
In spring 2024, TVSC was awarded $32,850 to support the salary and benefits of hiring an additional mental health thera-
pist for the district. By summer 2024, TVSC hired the additional therapist, who has been serving students at Mentone Elementary School and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School since Aug. 5, 2024.
“This funding has allowed us to provide critical mental health support to students who otherwise might not have access,” said TVMS Principal Kyle Wieland.
“The addition of a mental health therapist has had a profound im-
pact, helping students navigate challenges and develop essential coping skills.”
TVSC has recently received additional Health First Indiana funding to purchase six new AED devices for its school buildings.
Looking ahead, TVSC has been approved for $65,700 in Health First Indiana funding for 2025 to continue supporting the salary and benefits of its mental health therapists.
Nappanee Brethren helps repair hurricane damage in Florida
By PASTOR DAVID STONE
First Brethren Church Sarasota, Fla.
Hurricane Milton roared out of the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night, Oct. 9, and slammed directly into Sarasota, Fla., causing widespread damage, including severe damage to the buildings of First Brethren Church, Sarasota. When it made landfall, Milton was a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of about 120 mph. Most of Sarasota experienced hours of wind ranging from 90-120 miles per hour. When the wind and rain calmed down, Sarasota residents came out to survey the damage. Countless trees were down. Electric power lines were strewn over houses and roads. The majority of roofs sustained damage, ranging from a few missing shingles to complete losses. The property damage was estimated at $34 billion.
At First Brethren Church, at least six huge pine trees were blown down. One fell on the east side of the fellowship hall. It barely scraped the roof but fell right on three air conditioner compressor units. Amazingly, although they were dented severely, they could be straightened out and run. Another fell on the church shed. It was completely demolished down to the ground. Again, the riding lawnmower was parked in the only corner that was untouched by the tree.
The most damage was caused by another tree. It fell on the west side of the fellowship hall. There it damaged a covered walkway and a large overhanging eave from the gable end of the fellowship hall. It looked at first as if the building would need extensive reconstruction. What made matters worse is the church insurance excludes windstorm damage. No insurance company had been willing to cover this hazard.
The church people got to work on recovering from this devas-
tating damage. A tree company was hired to remove the trees, which was expensive. The fellowship hall roof damage was mostly confined to the eaves with only a few branches puncturing the roof over the inside of the building. The members of the church put a tarp over that area. They also fixed the air conditioner units and removed the ruins of the shed and its contents. They also picked up yard debris.
Meanwhile, many around the country saw the need. The recently retired pastor of the Nappanee Brethren Church, Tom Schiefer, heard about the damage and asked the church for volunteers who would go to Sarasota and help in recovery efforts. Nate Yoder, Travis Yoder and Ryan Mullet agreed to go down. They only had five days but they accomplished so much. They rebuilt the large eave overhang that had been damaged. They fixed all the
damage to the roof from the tree. They replaced all of the missing shingles on the church sanctuary and the fellowship hall. They also repaired a concrete lintel on the walkway canopy that had been cracked by chipping out the concrete, forming a mold, and pouring new concrete around the existing rebar. Then they replaced the destroyed canopy boards and re-roofed the canopy.
The damage turned out to not be as extensive as it appeared. The fellowship hall was constructed with massive I-beams as its main structure. The tree hit one of those I-beams and stopped without further damage. Even the large plate glass gable was undamaged.
Sarasota Brethren have gone on short-term mission trips to help others, both in the U.S. and abroad, but it’s a new experience to be on the receiving end of a mission trip.
GETTING AEDS The Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. received Health First Indiana funding through the Kosciusko County Health Department for six automated external defibrillators. Shown from left are Health First Kosciusko Administrative Assistant Elizabeth McCullough, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School nurse Alexis Drudge and TVMS Principal Kyle Wieland. Photo provided by TVSC.
Lake City Lions holding annual sausage fundraiser
Members of the Lake City Lions Club are currently conducting its annual whole hog sausage fundraiser.
Members will have the following available for purchase: 2-pound bulk package for $10; 6-pound package of 24 count quarter-pound patties (seasoned or unseasoned) for $30; and full slab of ribs for $25.
Orders must be placed by Monday, March 10. Orders will be available for pickup at Warsaw’s Center Lake Park in the parking lot across the street from the pavilion on Canal Street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, March 21. To place an order, or if you have any questions, call Jon Garber at 574-491-6126 or Sheri Reeve at (574) 551-1979. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward Lions projects, such as the dictionary project for local third-grade students, pediatric cancer care and eyeglasses for local schoolchildren in need of assistance. For more information about the Lake City Lions Club, or about volunteering or becoming a member, contract Duane Griner at (574) 269-7237 or Robin Claassen at (260) 615-1138.
the Bay Cabin Rentals; and Emily Jones, NWTTCC director, Lake City Bank.
provided by North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce.
Palace of Wellness is NWTTCC
Februrary Member Of The Month
The February Member of the Month for the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce is Palace of Wellness in North Webster, owned by Karla Ward.
“I love our small community, and I’m so grateful that I get to work and live in North Webster. My heart is to help people feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally,” commented Ward. Palace of Wellness started in March of 2013 with Ward’s vision
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to provide services to massage clients and to supply good quality products at a fair price. Since then, the company grew to a spa and salon with the addition of salon services.
“We carry skincare, bath products, and supplements, homeopathies, CBD products, also gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free protein bars and powder. My team includes Natashia Ervin (stylist) and Hope Fancher (aesthetician), who bring tremendous
talent and services. We also have a Sunlighten infrared sauna, available to use after a massage or as a standalone service,” continued Ward.
The NWTTCC chose Palace of Wellness for their commitment to the community and involvement in events, such as the Christmas tree lighting and Dixie Day.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about Karla Ward and her team’s products and services, call (574) 529-0050.
Grant proposals sought for child abuse, neglect prevention services
Community Partners, a family service program of Geminus Corp., is seeking grant proposals for child abuse and neglect prevention services.
The call for proposals supports Geminus’ partnership with the Indiana Department of Child Services to provide community-based
social services to families and children in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and Kosciusko counties. Grant awards cover services between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Nonprofits in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and Kosciusko counties, with prevention ser-
vices supporting families in those counties, may apply.
Applications are due by 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Community Partners, Geminus Corp., 8400 Louisiana St., Merrillville, IN 46410.
New applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the bidder’s symposium at noon Monday, March 31, at Lenox Event Venue, 101 N. Main St., Elkhart. All current grantees are required to attend. Geminus staff will be on-hand to discuss the process and answer any questions.
The symposium is limited to two people per agency. To register, visit bit.ly/grant2025region3.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Pustelnik at elizabeth. pustelnik@geminus.care or (219) 757-1813.
NWTTCC FEBRUARY MEMBER OF THE MONTH Palace of Wellness, North Webster, owned by Karla Ward, is the February Member of the Month for North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce. Shown are Hope Fancher, Palace of Wellness; Karla Ward, owner, Palace of Wellness; Emily Shipley, NWTTCC president, North Webster Community Center; Elise Guy, NWTTCC treasurer, Guy’s Lawn Care and Dock of
Photo
Early farming keynote topic at SWCD annual meeting
By DEB PATTERSON Editor-In-Chief
Dr. Fred Whitford, a clinical engagement professor and director of Purdue Pesticide Program, was the keynote speaker at the 68th annual Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 18. His topic was “Farming in Kosciusko County In The Early Days.”
Whitford‘s presentation brought laughs from the beginning after cutting SWCD Supervisor Ryan Martin off and telling him to sit down, during the introduction.
Whitford stated he was impressed with the large turnout at the annual meeting, adding he had helped some of those present get their pesticide certifications with “some hand holding and whispering the answers.”
Laughs continued during his presentation of old photographs of farming, a number from Kosciusko County, and interacting with the crowd.
The presentation began with what it was like in the early days: no modern roads, isolated communities, no electricity, no indoor water (or bathrooms) manual labor and working for 20 cents an hour.
One of the first slides was of three children and a pig.
“You know you’re in Indiana when a pig makes the family portrait,” said Whitford.
He noted radio was the main form of communication, how L.G.
Phillips’ home was the first to get electricity in 1939, the campaign to kill rats, methods of farming, how soybeans came about (used as substitute for hay) using dynamite to blow up stumps and ditches and the advances in farming.
He raised the question about corn. Is it a living thing? Seeking the answer from the crowd, he showed a slide of corn in a corn bin in the winter, raising the question of what happened when corn is left out in the cold. This led to information on how extension educators began testing corn for future seed.
Throughout Whitford’s presentation how extension educators helped farmers was noted. Because travel was limited, extension educators came to the communities. Photos of large groups gathering in gymnasiums with three steers, train cars packed with people, gathering at train stations were shown.
“No one came to Purdue,” he said. “Extension educators “took trains for 40 years across the state and people showed up to hear of the new offerings, seminars, soil testing ...”
Some of the seminars included milk testing, disease in pigs, how to separate chickens to determine those laying eggs and those not, and how to hitch teams of horses to plows. He even touched on the gathering of milkweed pods during the war to stuff life vests for sailors.
“What was the best way to con-
Tippecanoe Township seeking new tornado siren locations
Tippecanoe Township Trustee
Chris Francis is asking for public assistance with new tornado sirens. In conjunction with Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory
Chief Jeremy Likens, Francis is seeking locations in the west, central and south Barbee Chain and central Tippecanoe Lake region.
The tornado sirens are radio activated, placed on a standard utility pole and do require electricity. All expenses are covered by the township.
Interested property owners may contact Francis via email at tippecanoetrustee@outlook.com or telephone at (574) 526-1043.
Financial contributions toward this project are also being accepted.
vince farmers?” He asked when talking about free roaming pigs, that carried diseases. “The best way to convince farmers was no data or emotion,” he said. It was testimonials and seeing with their own eyes. Thus field days were held.”
Some of the slides included Mentone in 1934 with the famous Mentone Egg, Creighton Brothers and home economic education training. Specialists would teach canning and sewing to groups, who would then go back to teach local groups.
He did note extension educators could not be married and be at Purdue at that time.
“If they were, it was kept a secret,” he joked.
The slides used during Whitford’s presentation will be shared with the SWCD for those wanting to view or get copies of the local scenes.
Whitford has written six previous books on the history of Indiana agriculture, including “Memories of Life on the Farm: Through the Lens of Pioneer Photographer J.C. Allen;” “Enriching the Hoosier Farm Family,” a photo history of Indiana’s early extension agents; “Scattering the Seeds of Knowledge,” words and works of pioneer county extension agents; “For the Good of the Farmer,” and “Planting the Seeds of Hope,” about county extension agents during the Great Depression and World War II.
The books are available at press.purdue.edu or calling (800) 848-6224.
DR. FRED WHITFORD
Bringing Soil Health to You — Soil-Con: March 18 at Oakwood Event Center
By TASHINA LAHR-MANIFOLD SWCD Soil Health Specialist
Soil-Con 2025 will be held March 18, at the Oakwood Event Center, Syracuse.
This free conference is designed as a working meeting to explore the connections within soil health, soil fertility, ecological risk of pest management strategies and developing longterm solutions for soil health.
This all-day event will have three specialized speakers from across the U.S coming to Kosciusko County.
The keynote address, “The Great Influence of Soil Fertility on Enabling Excellent Soil Health” will be provided by Neal Kinsey, Kinsey Agricul-
tural Services.
Kinsey will talk about fertility management and how it can be used to improve soil health. He uses Albrecht’s theory, declining soil fertility, due to a lack of organic material, major elements and trace minerals — or a marked imbalance in these nutrients — is responsible for poor crops and in turn for pathological conditions in animals fed deficient feeds from soils.
Kinsey argues that you cannot have a functioning soil health system, without balanced soils.
Kinsey will have local soil sample results and will share how he would suggest correcting these soils for optimal production. If you would be interested in analyzing your micronutrient
balance, the district has funds available to help you sample your soil.
John Tooker, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at The Pennsylvania State University will be presenting on the “Relationships of Pests and Predators.”
His research group studies relationships among plants, invertebrate herbivores and natural enemies to understand factors that regulate populations of herbivorous insects and slugs. The long-term goal of his research is to exploit ecological interactions for sustainable insect pest management.
plants, and analyze nitrogen use in relation to carbon in the soil.
Rant is the owner of Terraform Ag and Nutrilink Biosystems. After graduating from Kalamazoo College, he took over management of his family’s blueberry farm and transitioned it to USDA Organic status. During this process he found the products he needed to address his soil and plant needs did not exist, so he decided to create his own. Since then, he has been consulting for farmers across the country and designing products to meet the unique needs of their soils.
This event is free to attend.
dation, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Hoosier Ag Today, Louis Dreyfus Company-Regen Ag Program, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, ADM, Purdue Extension, Purdue On the Farm, American Farmland Trust and the USDA-Natural Recourse Conservation Service along with Farm Service Agency. Registration is required. Call the local SWCD office (574) 267-7445 ext. 3 or visit kosciuskoswcd.org/soil-con-2025 to reserve a seat.
RJ Rant will discuss the key principles to soil health management strategies that can improve the nitrogen use on the farm through C:N ratios. Learn how to grow your soil, feed your
This event is funded by the Kosciusko County SWCD in collaboration with dedicated partners, Clean Water Indiana, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, The Watershed Foun-
Girl Scout cookie sales in final week
The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana are in the last week of its annual cookie campaign.
Girl Scouts have a complete lineup of favorites on hand for direct sales, including Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel Chocolate Chip (gluten-free) and more.
At the close of this year’s cookie season, the cookie flavor, Toastyay, will be retired.
The cost of cookies in the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana Council is $6 per package, including gluten-free.
Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local with councils and troops to power experiences year-round for Girl Scouts.
Beginning Feb. 21, customers who do not already know a Girl Scout have been able to purchase cookies to be shipped directly to their homes by entering their zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at girlscoutcookies.org. This link can also be used to find a local booth, purchase cookies, and/or donate cookies to local community causes.
The sale continues through March 3. As a special bonus this week, from Monday, Feb. 24, through Monday, March 3, customers who order nine to 12 packages for direct shipping will receive free shipping on their purchases.
To learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, visit gsnim.org.
Girls in grades kindergarten through 12 can join Girl Scouts at any point in the year. Interested individuals can join, and adults can become volunteers, by visiting girlscouts.org/join.
NEIL KINSEY
RJ RANT JOHN TOOKER
Love Our Lakes –‘Protect our Lakes’ theme for next Lake Talk and Eats
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is partnering with the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams for another informative Winter Lake Talk and Eats program from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at the WACF Levinson LaBrosse Education Center, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse.
The theme for this panel discussion is “Protect our Lakes.” The four panelists will discuss how to keep sediment and pollutants out of the water, what their role is in this endeavor and what individual homeowners can do to help.
As many already know, lake sediment contains phosphorus, which contributes greatly to excess weed and algae growth. As that excess growth dies, it decomposes reducing the amount of oxygen in the water fish and other aquatic life needs to live. So the more sediment kept out of the waterways, the healthier the aquatic life will be.
What can you do to help? Find out at this presentation.
Panelists will be Matt Sandy, Kosciusko Plan Commission director; Matt Burlingame, Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams assistant director of research; Scott Fetters, U.S. Fish & Wildlife biologist; and Ben Schlipf, Design Engineer-Precision Planting, Kosciusko Soil & Water Board member nominee.
It’s free and there’s even a free continental breakfast.
Can’t attend in person? Find WACF on Facebook or email pam@ wacf.com to find out how to attend online.
Altrusa Club hosting spring bazaar in Warsaw
Altrusa Club of Warsaw will be presenting its eighth annual Spring Bazaar Saturday, March 1.
The bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeview Middle School, 848 E. Smith St., Warsaw. Use door No. 11 to enter the school.
More than 100 vendors will be on hand with a variety of crafts, food items and one-of-a-kind gifts for sale.
This annual fundraising event supports Altrusa Club’s many service projects in and around Warsaw.
Living in Transition Effectively has partnered with Warsaw Continuing Education to offer high school equivalency classes for those seeking to earn a general educational development certificate.
Classes are free and meet from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays or 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, at the L.I.T.E. Recovery Cafe, 210 W. Catherine St., Milford. L.I.T.E. is willing to provide transportation within Kosciusko County, per requests. For more information, call Tammy Cotton, L.I.T.E. executive direc-
at 574-306-0006.
SPEAKERS INTRODUCED Pam Schumm, right, introduces the speakers at the first Winter Lake Talk and Eats held Feb. 1. The topic focused on winter sports and what happens to the lake in the winter. From left are Ed Clayton, Dr. Nate Bosch, Bob Fanning, Matt Linn and Frank Levinson.
The next Winter Lake Talk and Eats will be Saturday, March 1, with the theme “Protect Our Lakes.” Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
O B ituaries
Joe Rohrer Woodward U.S. Navy Veteran
Joe Rohrer Woodward, 82, Fort Wayne, peacefully passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital while surrounded by the love of his family.
He was born April 24, 1942, in Anderson to the late Maurice and Catherine (Rohrer) Woodward. After meeting Jo Ann Kriegbaum at the mutually significant Lake Wawasee, they had their first date and became engaged in the Woodward family wood boat. They were married on July 30, 1966, by his uncle Dr. K.K. Merryman at her parents’ home in Huntington.
As a lifelong farmer and a U.S. Navy veteran, Joe loved spending time with his family, studying the Bible and building model airplanes.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; his children, Ann, Beth and John (Kimberly) Woodward; his grandchildren, Charlie, Jack and Eleanor; sisters, Rolene (John) Popp and Linda (Donn) Baird; and his beloved nieces and nephews.
Calling was held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Fairhaven Funeral Home (see website for additional details). The funeral was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, with visitation at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Donna
Mort Retired Dekko Accountant
Donna Mort, 84, North Webster, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 13, 1941, in Wabash, to Paul and Maxine (Roberts) Sleighter.
She formerly worked for Commodore Homes and retired as an accountant for Dekko of North Webster.
Donna is survived by her husband, Don Mort; her daughter, Natalie (Dave) Ross; son, Jeffrey Fites; two stepdaughters, Kandi Knight and Kelli (Lawrence) Yoder; nine grandchildren; and a brother, Paul Sleighter.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert Fites; a brother; a sister; and a granddaughter, Angela.
Visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. A memorial service commenced at 4 p.m.
At Titus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, our caring and knowledgeable staff is here to guide you in making the best choices for your family - decisions that honor your loved one while remaining in your budget.
Choosing Titus Funeral Home’s Cremation Center for your loved ones cremation is ideal for many families. We own and operate our own crematory with licensed and certified staff.
Marita K. Boggs
Established Lisa Anne (Boggs) Fawley Memorial Scholarship
Marita K. Boggs, 87, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw.
She was born on Sept. 29, 1937, in Mentone, the daughter of Dearl and Olive Tucker and spent her early years growing up in the Mentone area. She was a graduate of Mentone High School. Marita made her mark as a cheerleader, a role that instilled in her the values of support and positivity — qualities she carried throughout her life. Marita and Robert S. Boggs were united in marriage in Mentone on June 17, 1955.
Marita’s professional journey included a brief tenure at R.R. Donnelley & Sons, where she contributed her talents in the human resources department. She was also co-owner of the family-owned and operated pool table sales business. Later in life, after moving to an apartment in Warsaw, she dedicated her time to volunteering at Our Father’s House and the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter.
In addition to her work and charitable endeavors, Marita was a member of Palestine Bible Church. Her faith was an integral part of her life, guiding her actions and interactions. Musically talented, she enjoyed singing and playing the piano, sharing the joy of music with those around her. She was a kind-hearted individual.
In 2016, Marita and Robert established the Lisa Anne (Boggs) Fawley Memorial Scholarship at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to honor the life of their late daughter.
Marita is survived by her son, Brett (Sarah) Boggs of Akron; her grandchildren, Eve (Bill) Mock of Wakarusa, Evan (Stephanie) Boggs of Nappanee, Elyse Boggs of South Bend and Ian (Katherine) Fawley of Ferndale, Wash.; and her great-grandchildren, Dillon, Aiden, Eden and Sam. She is also survived by her brother, Terry (Sandy) Tucker, and her son-in-law, Jay Fawley.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Boggs; her parents, Dearl and Olive (Smalley) Tucker; her daughter, Lisa Fawley; and her sister, Marilyn Coleman.
Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Warsaw, is entrusted with care of Marita. A private family service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Palestine Bible Church with Pastor Thomas Craig officiating. Burial followed in Palestine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be considered to Palestine Cemetery, 316 Saner Drive, Akron, IN 46910.
To leave a written condolence, visit Marita’s obituary page at TitusFuneralHome.com.
Goshen Hospital still under visitor restrictions
Goshen Hospital is implementing new visitor restrictions in response to the high transmission rates of respiratory illnesses in the community. These measures are designed to protect patients, visitors, and colleagues.
The new guidelines for Goshen Hospital, including the Center for Cancer Care, are as follows:
• Visitors must be a healthy adult, 18 years or older.
• A maximum of two visitors per patient at any given time. Healthy adults may rotate. A clergy member will be allowed in addition to the two visitors.
• The birth place: two visitors in the room at one time, may ro-
tate, in addition to one pre-approved doula.
Exceptions can be made for end-of-life situations.
“At Goshen Hospital, the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and colleagues are our top priorities. Given the current high transmission rates of respiratory illnesses in our community, it is crucial that we take these additional precautions. We understand that these restrictions may not be each family’s preference, but they are necessary to ensure a safe environment for everyone. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time,” said Randy Christophel, CEO of Goshen Health.
“Our
Kimberly A. Click
Kimberly A. Click, Warsaw, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Clarice M. Kilmer
Clarice M. Kilmer, 99, Milford, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Waterford Crossing, Goshen.
Arrangements are currently pending at Mishler Funeral Home, Milford.
John Williams
John Williams, 77, Warsaw, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at Mason Health Care, Warsaw. Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Feb. 15, 2025. She weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces.
Students named to dean’s list
The following local students were recently named to the dean’s list of their respective colleges/universities: Manchester University
Bourbon — Hannah Snyder Claypool — Jaden Owens
Cromwell — Riley Krider
Leesburg — Anna Allen, Adaline Haynes, Kendall Hill, Christina Morrow
Ligonier — Aubrey Weigold
Mentone — Kristina Bubb, Braiden Hurley
Milford — Gracelyn Hills, Leo Wrage
Nappanee — Sierra Knight
North Manchester — Tyler Andritsch, Jacob Caudill, Kaden Dillon, Ava Egolf, Miriam Erbaugh, Elise Harter, Samuel Hupp, Gracie Lauer, Zachary Mangham, Emilee Manns, Marissa McLean, Bryce Mugford, Logan Penrod, Megan Pierce, Ashley Pierce, Frank Roth, Elaine Shock, Gabrielle Simmers, Brayden Stamm, Chloe Steele, Elizabeth Weitzel Silver Lake — Emily Dotson, Aymia Miller, Sean Reiley Pega, Alexander Trusty
Syracuse — Bailey Fox, Kaleb Salazar
Warsaw — Anna Arter, Kinsey Atkins, Cameron Brown, Anthony Foust, Claire German, Kelsey Holland, Valerie Lopez, Ephraim Meyer, Abigail Oliver, Vanellyz Vazquez Texidor, Jessi Zhao Winona Lake — Sophia Lunsford
Biola University
Wakarusa — Benjamin Dedrick, Caleb Dedrick
Pierceton and Warsaw Michael and Tracy Wilson
JOE ROHRER WOODWARD
DONNA MORT
MARITA K. BOGGS
Leah Ann Chupp James and Marilyn (Miller) Chupp, Nappanee, are the parents of a daughter, Leah Ann, born at 2:28 a.m.
TVHS students advocate for tobacco-free communities
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, students from Tippecanoe Valley High School traveled to the Indiana Statehouse to speak up for a healthier, tobacco-free future.
Led by health teacher, Mallory Eaton, and Austin Rhodes from Live Well Kosciusko, the students joined more than 380 others from across the state to meet with lawmakers and share why they believe in tobacco-free communities.
As members of the Voice program, the students work to help their friends and classmates avoid smoking and vaping. At the Statehouse, they met Sen. Ryan Mishler of Indiana District 9 and talked about ways to keep young people from being targeted by the tobacco industry. They also shared ideas for stopping the sale of flavored tobacco products, which are often marketed to children and teens.
“I think what stood out was getting to talk to Sen. Mishler,” said student Chris Marquez. “I appreciate that he took time out of his day to talk to us. It feels like Voice is getting out there and growing.”
“It was really inspiring to see a bunch of other people who believe
in the same things we do on that day,” said student Emily Seaberg.
During the visit, Tippecanoe Valley student, Colton Crabb, helped lead a youth-training session with other students from across Indiana.
“The passion shown on our day of advocacy was truly inspiring,” said Crabb. “Seeing the work that all the VYA (Voice youth ambassador) members have put into this project prosper is amazing to see.”
The trip gave the students a chance to see how laws are made and how their voices can make a difference.
Voice students will next take part in an Arts Commission Project, where they will share their stories and thoughts on tobacco through creative expression. All forms of art are welcome, including poetry, paintings, drawings, graphic designs, songs, and more, allowing students to use their creativity to make an impact.
If you are a Kosciusko County student and interested in creating a work of art for this project, you can submit it to youth@livewellkosciusko.org.
READ ALL ABOUT IT Shown are Jennifer Simpson, left, of the Warsaw chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presenting hard-bound books to Jefferson Elementary School Principal Joshua Wall. The local DAR is donating books to Kosciusko County elementary school libraries in honor of the 250th birthday of the U.S. Photo provided by Agnes Pruyn Chapman Chapter of the DAR.
Warsaw DAR chapter donates books to elementary schools
In February, the Warsaw Agnes Pruyn Chapman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution began celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States by donating books about American patriots to Kosciusko County elementary school libraries. The schools include: Syracuse, North Webster, Milford, Akron, Mentone, Sacred Heart, Lakeland Christian, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Washington, Leesburg, Claypool, Eisenhower and Harrison.
The hard-bound books donated are titled “She Fought, Too: Stories
of Revolutionary War Heroines” by Tara Ross and “A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent” by Anne Rockwell. The Warsaw DAR chapter applied for and received a grant from the America 250 committee. The purpose of the grant project is to celebrate the nation’s founding, promote interest in American history and discover American ancestors. If you have an interest in joining DAR, visit dar.org for more information. Genealogical research assistance can be provided if needed.
Pastor Denny Wilson retiring from Warsaw Community Church
After more than 30 years of leadership, Pastor Denny Wilson, one of the founding pastors of Warsaw Community Church, is retiring in February.
Wilson and his wife, Cookie, dedicated their lives to ministry. After graduating from seminary in 1983, Wilson and his wife be-
came parents in 1984 and, in 1993, launched Warsaw Community Church at Harrison Elementary School with a group of more than 100 people.
Over the years, the church grew, moving to multiple locations before settling at its current home in 2005.
C ounty R epo R t
Court News
Small Claims
The following small claims have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Sherri Makinson v. Ashlee Anton, Robert Ditton, $2,305
CL Benz Co. LLC v. Tracey Bridgewater, $2,395
Snow and Sauerteig LLP v. Martha Cardona, $2,060.51
Mineral Springs LLC v. Madison Clutter, Hayden Harter, Skyler Randall, $5,454
Joe’s Kids Inc. v. Ashley Gamsby, $1,280.50
Lori and Fred Miller v. Nicole Gibson, $617.50 Civil Collections
The following civil collections have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court IV, Judge Christopher D. Kehler presiding:
LVNV Funding LLC v. Sherri Allen, a/k/a Sherri Bradley, $1,822.10; v. Daniel Anderson, $2,341.39; v. Kaelynn Himes, $1,449.86; v. Edward J. Lapato, $1,727.76
Terry D. McDaniel, $1,532.37; v. Kanesha Moody, $1,065.93; v. Rachel Neace, $982.79; v. Brandi Tlahuetl, $1,281.41; v. Angela A. Vickery, $2,391.97
Northwest Bank, successor in interest by merger to Mutual Bank v. Logan Brown, $12,609.53
Via Credit Union v. Matthew Carter, $9,465.03
First Financial Bank NA v. Trever Embury, Linda Kincaid, $12,150.83
SAC Finance Inc. v. Nathan J. Klinge, $9,351.04
Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC v. Ashley Lemler, $1,191.06; v. M. McCallum-Houston, $1,922.40; v. Cassandra Steen, $993.30
OneMain Financial Group LLC v. David W. McConnell II, $8,034.05; v. Brian G. Prater, Chante D. Prater, $6,584.19
Western Funding Inc. v. Justin Perry, Anna Scott, $6,895.39
Capital One NA v. Thea N. Sainer, $5,722.19
Goshen Hospital Association Inc. v. Erin Smith, $3,559.79; v. Kaiden Wert, $6,158.30
Evictions
The following evictions have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Canterbury House Apartments v. Christopher Francis, $1,519.04; v. April Jackson, $4,169.59
Superior Court III
The following fines for infractions have been assessed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding:
Speeding — Eric J. Watkins, Warsaw, $164.50; Jacob A. Lucas, Warsaw, $164.50
Improper passing — Adam E. Hurley, Syracuse, $164.50
Operating with expired plates — Matthew E. Elenich, Warsaw, $164
Failure to register — Jakoub A. Stanley, Silver Lake, $164.50; Lucas B. Schrock, Cromwell, $164.50
Failure of occupant to use a safety belt — Mary Catherine Baker, Cromwell, $25
Marriage Licenses
The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court
Melissa Boggs: Heath-Maxwell
James Michael Heath, 34, Leesburg, and Dnia Patricia Maxwell, 26, Leesburg DeBoest-Ulloa
Melissa Lin DeBoest, 21, Winona Lake, and Williams Coronado Ulloa, 26, Hebron, Ky. Ray-Ashcroft
Kolten Hudson Ray, 25, Warsaw, and Kaylee Marie Ashcroft, 24, Cassopolis, Mich.
Robertson-Hunter
Michael Thomas Ian Robertson, 27, Warsaw, and Joi Dione Hunter, 27, Warsaw
Under Wilson’s leadership, WCC has impacted countless lives, including celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023.
Wilson delivered his final message Sunday, Feb. 23, in a sermon that focused on reflecting God’s goodness, power and plan for each person.
Allen-Johnson
Mindy May Allen, 20, Etna Green, and Timothy Michael Johnson, 37, Etna Green
Marriage Dissolutions
The following couples have filed for a marriage dissolution in Kosciusko Superior Courts I or IV: Freel — Mariah Freel, Warsaw, and Garrett Freel, Indianapolis. They were married Sept. 4, 2021; no separation date given. One minor child.
Carson-Bueno — Seth Carson, Claypool, and Amber Bueno, Claypool. They were married Sept. 16, 2023; separated Feb. 11, 2025. No minor child(ren). Lozano-Chavez-Cardosa Hernandez — Victor Noe Lozano Chavez, Warsaw, and Erica Cardosa Hernandez, Winona Lake. They were married Feb. 5, 2020; separated June 20, 2023. No minor child(ren).
Hernandez — Renee Hernandez, Warsaw, and Sepas Hernandez, Warsaw. No marriage date given; no separation date given. No minor child(ren).
Ditton — Melissa Ditton, Warsaw, and Robert Ditton, Warsaw. They were married July 6, 1993; no separation date given. No minor child(ren).
Burkholder — Kresta L. Burkholder, Silver Lake, and Kevin R. Burkholder, Mentone. They were married July 27, 1996; separated Feb. 8, 2025. No minor child(ren).
Shelhart — Colleen Shelhart, Warsaw, and Jeffrey Shelhart, Hickory, N.C. They were married Feb. 14, 2004; separated Sept. 26, 2024. No minor child(ren).
FAREWELL MESSAGE Pastor Denny Wilson of Warsaw Community Church is retiring and delivered his farewell sermon Sunday, Feb. 23. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Church.
TALKING TO LOCAL LAWMAKER Sen. Ryan Mishler, left, talked with Tippecanoe Valley High School students, who visited the statehouse. Photo provided by Live Well Kosciusko.
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P ublic A uctions
Online Bus and Equipment Auction
Bidding open until 5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 27. Inspection
1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 401 S. Oakland Ave., Nappanee. School buses, tractors, air compressors, welders, sewing machines. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Online Building and
Industrial Supply Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 27. Pickup located at 416 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Bid online at bid. kraftauctions.com.
Online Restaurant Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Property located at 704 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. Restaurant and bar,
equipment included. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Miller Public Auction
9 a.m. Saturday, March 1. Located at 6559 W. 900N, Ligonier. Farm Toy Auction
3 p.m. Monday, March 3. Located at 890 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.
Imhoff Bare Land Auction
6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. Auction located at 64784 CR 11, Goshen. Land located 4 miles north of Wakarusa or 4 miles south of Elkhart on SR 19 to CR 30, then east 2 miles to CR 9, then north 1/4 mile on east side. One parcel, 68 acres. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Tues-
day, March 4. Open house 3:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. Property located at 1205 Lakewood Hills Drive, Warsaw. Two-story condo off Center Lake. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction. com.
Online Estate Auction
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. Pickup located in Warsaw. Appliances, coins and currency, jewelry, craft and hobby supplies, glass, electronics, furniture, holiday decor. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Land Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6. Property located at 9255 S. 600 E., Claypool. 4.05 acres. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction. com.
Online Pro Wake Watersports Online Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Friday, March 7. Pickup located at 4780 N. SR 13, Leesburg. Boat and pontoon inventory reduction. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Farm Auction
9 a.m. Saturday, March 8. Located at 1½ miles south of Shipshewana on SR 5 to US 20, west 2 miles to 1000W, south 1 mile to 0010 N. 1000W, Middlebury. Spring Man Cave Auction
10 a.m. Saturday, March 8. Located at 2653 E. US 30, Warsaw. Cars, motorcycles, advertising, petroliana, coin-op games, toys, guns, knives. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Organic Farmland Auction
6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Lo-
cated at 119 E. Canal St., Warsaw. Property located at 418 N. Parks Schram Road, Warsaw. Inspection noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. 115 acres, offered in four tracts. Schrader Auction, schraderauction.com.
Dinner and concert March 16 at Middlebury church
The Sisters of Strength Ministry at the Middlebury First United Methodist Church, is sponsoring a Crock-Pot cook off and fundraiser Sunday, March 16. It is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The ladies of the church are making many different home recipes to share and allow people to vote for their favorite slow cooker dish. Votes are placed with a donation in a jar, placed in front of each slow cooker. The one with the most dollar votes wins. All funds will go to a local mission in the community.
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The cook off begins in the church fellowship hall directly at 11 a.m., after the one-hour 10 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary. There will be many different choices to choose from. The meal is followed by a piano and organ concert with Celia Weiss in the sanctuary at 12:30 p.m.
Preschool kids are also going to sing at the 10 a.m. March 16 worship service.
ask for the sale. Previous Telemarketing experience would be helpful.
Inside account executive would be responsible for advertising revenue for our weekly and monthly publications. You must be a relationship builder, work with minimum supervision, and promote quality customer service.
We are a long-established, family company that publishes numerous weekly, monthly and annual publications as well as inkfreenews.com. In addition to a competitive compensation package and strong benefits, we have paid vacation and holidays, 401(k) and a great group of people to work with.
For questions, call the church office, (574) 825-2585. First United Methodist Church is located at 720 S. Main St., Middlebury.
Weiss is one of few musical artists who holds the record of having served as a soloist on two different musical instruments. A pianist and organist well known to local audiences, the artist has appeared on numerous occasions with the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the IUSB Philharmonic, the Manchester University Symphony Orchestra, and in recitals throughout the area.
This is a free concert for the community.
Weiss is an adjunct assistant professor of music at IUSB for the Raclin School of the Arts where she teaches organ. She is a past recipient of the IUSB Merit Status and Outstanding Alumni Awards. She holds a B.M.E from Manchester College and a M.M. in piano from Indiana University. An educator as well as a performer, she has taught music in the Elkhart and Goshen Community Schools and piano at Goshen College. Since 1975, she has held the position of director of music and is an organist for the First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart. She is a frequent accompanist for the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra and performs several piano and organ concerts for the Lerner Theatre’s “Lunchtime Live!” each year.
Schlipf, Miller elected SWCD supervisors, FFA members recognized
Photos
Text and
By DEB PATTERSON Editor-In-Chief
The 68th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Tuesday, Feb. 18, saw two area residents elected as supervisors and two Wawasee FFA members recognized as top soil judgers in the county.
Ben Schlipf, Milford, was reelected to his second three-year term as a supervisor.
Roger Miller, North Webster area, was also elected to fill the remaining two-year term of Jewel Wise. Wise has been elected to the state SWCD.
Gabe Ihnen and Wyatt Shafer, members of Wawasee FFA, were among the four students recognized by the SWCD as the top high school soil judgers. Two other students, Katie Stookey and Luke Tucker, from Tippecanoe Valley High School, were also recognized.
The annual meeting, held at the Zimmer-Biomet Pavilion, Warsaw, provides an opportunity for the public to hear a year in review by SWCD staff, elect supervisors and the presentation of four awards.
Ed Boggs was the recipient of the River Friendly Farmer Award. Boggs has implemented cover crops, no-till, nutrient management, hay, land and pasture planting and a grade stabilization structure on his approximately 920 acres of cropland and his beef farm. His current operation still utilizes many of these conservation practices to ensure continued protection of Kosciusko County and Indiana’s rivers, lakes and streams.
Scott Fetters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, presented the Friend of Conservation Award to Velma Pfleider and her late husband, Glen.
Glen Pfleider has been an integral part of SWCD for over 29 years, contributing countless hours and volunteering at many events.
Fetters stated he has known the Pfleiders since around 1999 and they became friends. He helped plant 20,000 seedlings on their
property near the Kosciusko/Wasbash county line as well as 12 acres of prairie plantings on the SR 13 farm. He noted he has received permission to hunt on the property for rabbits, pheasant and quail. “It was a lifetime opportunity,” Fetters said about working along side Glen, who spent time in his retirement “volunteering with the SWCD tree
THANK YOU
To The Syracuse Community
We want to thank all the people, churches, philanthropic organizations, business, factories, and schools, Individuals, too many to name, for donations and food drives. Your caring and compassion has helped the food pantry to fulfill its mission to feed our neighbors in need. Also, a big thank you to all those who participated in our “Adopt a Family Christmas program.”
Your efforts have influence in our community. When many of our neighbors in need must choose between purchasing food and /or paying their rent or utilities, this food helps families stay in their homes and keeps families together.
With all the challenges in our community today, we need your help more than ever.
We cherish all of you and your continued support so we can reach those who are hungry and put hope in their lives!
Thank you and God Bless!
Sincerely,
The Syracuse Food Pantry
sale until his passing.”
The Outstanding Volunteer Award, was presented to Monica Grubbs, who has volunteered with the SWCD since 2016. Grubbs started volunteering when she helped bring the Indiana Master Naturalist program to the county as part of the local advisory committee. She has donated hours of volunteer time to the program, tree sales, school programs and rafting trips. It was stated she can often be found teaching local students about water quality, trees and more. She was noted as bringing energy and enthusiasm to the SWCD volunteer team.
Randy Dahms, principal at Mentone Elementary, was the recipient of the Conservation Educator of the Year. Dahms was nominated for the award by colleague Scott Sterk
for his dedication to environmental education and innovative approach to fostering partnerships, which have made an impact on students at Mentone and Akron elementary schools.
Sterk noted Dahms has been instrumental in forging a partnership with the Kosciusko SWCD, which has opened the door for over 600 students to engage in hands-on learning through SWCD field trips
to explore conservation concepts in a tangible and meaningful way. Dahms also took the initiative to secure a grant for a set of waders to be used by students to engage with aquatic ecosystems.
Year In Review
A year in review was given by Tashina Lahr-Manifold, soil health specialist; Amanda Heltzel, education coordinator; and Dawn Armey, technical programs.
During their presentations, upcoming events, such as Soil Con 2025, March 18, in Syracuse; and a farmer’s breakfast and round table Feb. 27 at North Webster, were noted.
SWCD’s education programs reached 3,505 students, and provided 21 adult programs.
There were 14,000 tree seedlings sold and planted last year, 34 soil samples for gardens and small farms tested through the Urban Soil program, and two landfill inspections.
It was noted over $53,380 in grants were received in 2024 to provide programs or purchase materials, such as pocket-sized peepers for little bird seekers and wet waders for little learners.
CONSERVATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Randy Dahms, left, principal of Mentone Elementary, received the Conservation Educator of the Year award. David Ransbottom, SWCD chairman, presented the award.
RIVER FRIENDLY FARMER AWARD Ed Boggs, left, is shown with the River Friendly Farmer award, he received from David Ransbottom, right, SWCD chairman.
FRIEND OF CONSERVATION Scott Fetters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, left, presented the Friend of Conservation Award to Velma Pfleiderer and her late husband, Glen, during the Kosciusko County SWCD’s annual meeting.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD Monica Grubbs, center, received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. On the left is David Ransbottom, SWCD chairmn and on the right is Amanda Heltzel, education coordinator.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Tippecanoe Valley hopes to spoil the party in new sectional
The Tippecanoe Valley varsity boys basketball team are in a new sectional for the 2025 postseason and have the firepower to make an immediate splash. The Vikings have started the season 15-4 and went undefeated in the month of January. The Vikings were able to shake off a 2-3 start and win 13 of its next 14 games prior to press for this publication.
NorthWood hosts Sectional 20 and is the favorite with a top 10 ranking in Class 3A but Tippy Valley has not played a sectional opponent this season making them a true wild card in the field.
Coach Joe Luce is in his third season at Tippy Valley and has coached in every corner of the state in his 23 seasons. He has had stops at Fountain Central, Benton Central, Marion, Richmond, and Jeffersonville.
Senior Ian Cooksey leads the Tippy offense at 15.1 points per game. Junior Stephen Akase is flirting with a double-double at 12.8 points per game and 8.6 points per game. Senior Blaine Sheetz is averaging 8.2 points per game and 5.8 boards a contest. Junior Davis Cowan is has one of the best shooting percentages from three on the team at just under 40%. Senior Deondre Hamilton rounds out the starting lineup.
Key players off the bench include sophomore Owen Omondi, junior William Mellott and senior Trystyn Ragon.
The Vikings have not won a sectional since 2019 but have had winning seasons for four straight campaigns.
High point of the season: The overtime win over Jimtown, 38-35, on Feb. 14, secured the Indiana Northern State Conference for the Vikings. Tippy went a perfect 5-0 in conference play.
Low point of the season: Tippy Valley had a chance to win the Switzerland County Tournament known as the Ryder Reality Holiday Classic but fell in the final to Hauser, 48-39, on Dec. 28.
BLAINE SHEETZ
DEONDRE HAMILTON
ETHAN DRUDGE
IAN COOKSEY
JJ KAMMERER
WILLIAM MELLOTT
PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE AND DARCI WALTERS.
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Lakeland Christian with a chance to capture first-ever sectional
Lakeland Christian is hoping 13 is the lucky number for its basketball team because the Cougars are entering their 13th sectional in school history. The problem is they are still looking for its first sectional for the young program.
The 2025 postseason is a promising year to do so thanks to a Sectional 52 field at Fremont that appears to be wide open. Among the six teams, Lakeland Christian is the lone school with a chance at a winning record for the regular season. The Cougars began the season at 10-10
and have doubled their five wins from last season.
Neal Frantz is in his first season coaching Lakeland Christian and has seen his team rattled off nine straight wins prior to press. The Cougars began the season 1-10, but have won every game for a span of a month from Jan. 18, to Feb. 18.
Seniors Micah Martin and Josiah Rice make up the majority of the offense with over 70% of the points scored. Martin is averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game
and Rice is averaging 15.8 points per game. Junior Aaron Gause is scoring 5.5 points per game. The team also gives big minutes to junior Jashawn Zielasko, and sophomores Zaiden Miller and Jayden Moneyheffer.
The Cougars have defeated two of their potential sectional opponents in Hamilton and Lakeland Park.
High point of the season: Lakeland Christian defeated Trinity Greenlawn Jan. 18, 54-44. Trinity Greenelawn is the lone win the Cougars have against a team with a winning record.
Low point of the season: Lakeland Christian hosted its own tournament, the Cougar Classic, Dec. 27-28 and went 0-3 in the event. Two of three losses were by over 10 points.
AARON GAUSE
JOSIAH RICE
MICAH MARTIN
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VARSITY BASKETBALL Players include in front row from left Kolton Shepherd (2), Josiah Rice (24), Micah Martin (0), and Zaiden Miller (14). In back row are head coach Neal Frantz, Jayden Moneyheffer (22), Noah Higham (12),
Jorge Gerber (34), Aaron Gause (21), Jashawn Zielasko (1), Isaiah Stahl (32), coach Landon Gause and coach Caleb Orr. Photos courtesy of Lakeland Christian Academy Athletics.
FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Fairfield Falcons heating up at just the right time
Fairfield began the season at 6-8 but since then rattled off four straight wins prior to this publication going to press. The 10-8 start for first-year head coach Brodie Garber has the Falcons showing potential heading into sectionals.
The 2024 postseason was a memorable one for Fairfield with it featuring its first sectional title since 2017 and first regional crown since 2007; however, the Falcons saw a large senior class graduate in Carson Smith, Tyson Frey, Alex Hofer, Mitchell Miller, Noah Mast and Ezekiel Yoder.
Leading the Falcons this season is a rotation consisting of Cole Knight, Matthew Holsopple, Brant Garber, Parker Smith, Grady Garber, Elijah Miller and Drew Beachy.
Fairfield did obtain a winning streak prior to February, but the Falcons did earn some big wins. Fairfield defeated two Northern Lakes Conference teams starting with Wawasee, 46-43, to start the season Nov. 26. The second win was in overtime against Mishawaka Jan. 28, 6961. In the win over Wawasee, the Knights scored 25 points. Fairfield will travel to the NorthWood Sectional where the host Panthers are favored to advance. NorthWood defeated Fairfield 66-40 Dec. 14.
High point of the season: Fairfield beat two Northern Lakes Conference teams in Wawasee and Mishawaka and took a third in Concord to overtime.
Low point of the season: On Jan. 31, at home, Fairfield lost to West Noble 58-50. The win for West Noble remains the lone win the Chargers have against a sectional opponent.
COLE KNIGHT
ELIJAH MILLER
FAIRFIELD STUDENT SECTION
MATTHEW HOLSOPPLE
PARKER SMITH
WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL
Top 10 Warsaw aiming high
To say things are going good at Warsaw would be an understatement. Warsaw Tigers began the 2024-25 season with a 19-4 start and won the Northern Lakes Conference outright with a 7-0 record.
Coach Matt Moore is in his fifth season at the school and has had a winning record each year; however, it was not until last season when Moore won his first sectional at Warsaw as his team knocked off Concord and Penn for the title. The Tigers fell in overtime to Crown Point in the regional. It was Warsaw’s first regional appearance since 2017.
Warsaw is ranked inside the top 10 for Class 4A and has defeated all four of its sectional opponents. The most competitive game against a sectional foe was against Northridge Jan. 10, when the Tigers defended its home court 64-59.
Warsaw began the season 6-0 and also had an 11game winning streak that ended Feb. 11, with a 70-64 loss to Marion.
An exciting moment from the season was a buzzer beater from junior Mydin Burgher to beat Homestead 6260 in overtime Dec. 6.
The Tigers have a balance-scoring attack full of seniors — Brandt Martin, Luke Bricker, Carson Gould, Robbie Finlinson, Parker Justice — and sophomore Sam Lara. Warsaw will compete in the Elkhart Sectional.
High point of the season: Many to choose from but knocking off Northridge, 64-59, and Penn, 59-55, in consecutive games Jan. 10, and Jan. 14, makes Warsaw the favorite in sectionals.
Against Northridge, Warsaw went on a 14-2 run to win after trailing 57-50. Martin scored a career-high 27 in the win. Warsaw trialed to Penn 23-20 at the half, but Tigers responded with 26 points from Martin rally in the second half.
Low point of the season: Warsaw played in two challenging tournaments during Christmas break and had three of its four losses in them. The Tigers went 0-2 in the prestigious Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle Dec. 28. Warsaw finished ninth in the Bob Wettig Tournament in Richmond Jan. 3, but the tough schedule came in handy for the wins against Northridge and Penn in the following two weeks.
ROBBIE FINLINSON
WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL
TRITON HIGH SCHOOL
ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ARI ARVESEN AND SYLIAS SHUFELT OF TRITON ATHLETICS.
Triton continues to pile up winning basketball seasons
Coach Jason Groves has piloted the Triton program the past 20 years and the common denominator has been winning. The Trojans enjoyed a 17-3 record at press time and will be a favorite to win its first sectional since 2022.
Triton has been winning games with defense, holding teams to 33.8 points per game. The points allowed is the lowest total in the state. Triton’s average margin of victory is 21st in the state at 18.3 points per game.
The Trojan offense features a balanced, scoring attack starting with junior Gage Riffle averaging 11.6 points per game. Riffle leads the team in 3-pointers but the Trojans have multiple players who can hit from beyond the arc, including junior Julian Swanson, freshman Brady Wood and senior
Dante’ Workman.
Swanson, Workman and senior Tanner Witt-Hoyo are all scoring over seven points per game. Witt-Hoyo is the team leader in rebounds. Workman is the team leader in steals and assists.
Triton began the season 11-1. The Class A school knocked off several teams from bigger schools, including Plymouth, 4643, Dec. 3, and John Glenn, 64-31, Jan. 15. The Trojans enjoy a top 10 ranking at No. 7 in Class A. Triton will carry a 7-1 record against sectional foes into the post-season. North Judson-San Pierre will play host for the Sectional 51 field.
High point of the season: In the second game of the season Dec. 3, Triton made the short drive to county foe Plym-
outh and won 46-43. The last time Triton defeated Plymouth was 2022, the last time the school won its sectional.
Low point of the season: Losing to sectional foe Elkhart Christian, 32-28, Jan. 30, showed Triton can be beaten by a fellow Class A team.
BRADY WOOD
CADEN LARGE
DANTE’ WORKMAN
GAGE RIFFLE
TANNER WITT-HOYO
NORTHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
NorthWood expecting deep post-season run
The NorthWood Panthers won the state championship two seasons ago and have the tools to do so again in 2025.
Coach Aaron Wolfe is in his 18th year at NorthWood and hit the 300-career win milestone earlier this season. NorthWood rattled off eight straight wins to begin the season before falling in its first game to Ben Davis in the Bob Wettig Tournament in Richmond. The Panthers have started the season 17-3 with only one defeat to a Class 3A team in South Bend St. Joseph. Both South Bend, St. Joseph and NorthWood will enter their respected sectionals ranked inside the top 10 of Class 3A.
Senior Tyler Raasch is the main returner from last year’s squad that went 15-9. NorthWood had to replace
graduating seniors: Ethan Wolfe, Kevin Stats, Owen Reeder and Seth Russell.
Three Wawasee transfers Maddux Everingham, Myles Everingham and Davis Everingham made up for the graduation hits. Maddux reached 1,000 career points Jan. 10, against his former school in a 69-33 win.
Junior Mason Pearson, a 6 foot, 6 inches forward, adds another tall body in the paint to compliment Raasch. NorthWood has been averaging over 60 points per game and the Panthers have been holding teams to 43 point per game on defense. The 17-point margin of victory is in the top 30 of the state.
The Panthers are in 4-0 against sectional foes as NorthWood will host Sectional 20 in the Panther Pit this
postseason. NorthWood did not play Tippecanoe Valley in the regular season and the Vikings are new to the sectional.
High point of the season: NorthWood has defeated a number of bigger schools from Class 4A this year but the one Panther fans are probably the most proud of is a 50-46 win at county rival Northridge Jan. 17. The Raiders are ranked in Class 4A as the win showed the ceiling for the NorthWood team.
Low point of the season: The two straight defeats on the road at South Bend St. Joseph, 72-60, and at Warsaw, 61-49, to close the month of January. The two losses by double-digits might pour water on the state championship expectations for the team.
& WEAVER
Box 501, Nappanee, IN 46550
OTHER OFFICES: Goshen
COACH AARON WOLFE
COLIN EDWARDS
MYLES EVERINGHAM
NORTHWOOD STUDENT SECTION
TYLER RAASCH
WAWASEE HIGH SCHOOL
Wawasee trying to heal up for sectionals
Wawasee boys basketball returned only a fraction of its varsity of team from last season but the Warriors have not let that become an excuse for the 2024-25 season. What has been a problem is the lack of depth when injuries impact the starting lineup.
“It’s been the daily ailment. We can’t go to the next game without somebody being hurt or sick,” Coach Lou Lefevre said.
Wawasee features four returners from last year with three seniors — Brayden Miller, Kane Dukes and Weston Hoffert. Junior Nolan Holzwart is the leading scorer for the Warriors and played the most minutes last season; however, all four have battled injuries or missed games due to illness during the season, forcing Lefevre to turn to freshman and sophomores to play on the varsity level. The result is a season that started 6-15.
The starters, when healthy, have had career games this season including Dukes scoring a career-high 32 points against Bethany Christian Jan. 28. Hoffert scored a career-high 20 points against Mishawaka Jan. 17. Holz-
wart scored 20 in a win over Lakeland Feb. 1 and 19 against Goshen Feb. 14.
The team has had a few wins at the buzzer too, including freshman Jack Shoemaker hitting a three to beat Bethany Christian 60-57 Jan. 28. Dukes hit the game winning shot from three to top Lakeland 39-37 Feb. 1.
The Warriors do not have any player listed over 6 foot, 3 inches putting them at a disadvantage on rebounds. Sophomores Camden Reel and Kaden Andrew have had the role of representing Wawasee in the post.
The Warriors are in the competitive sectional 20 field, hosted by NorthWood this season. Wawasee is 1-3 against the four sectional opponents it has faced.
High point of the season: Wawasee rolled through sectional foe West Noble 52-28 Dec. 7, despite missing a starter for the game.
Low point of the season: Wawasee did not win a game in the Northern Lakes Conference this season with the most disappointing performance coming against Plymouth Jan. 24. The Warriors fell at home 60-35.
WAWASEE BENCH
