Wabash Business Journal Winter 2021

WINTER 2021

The Paper of Wabash County PO Box 603 Wabash, IN 46992

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233

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Featured in this Issue 4

From the Office of Grow Wabash County: There’s no place like home for the holidays … in Wabash County

7

Millions listen to Wabash-based podcasts Joseph Slacian

12

Mainview Inn working through changes Eric Christiansen

14

Wabash Marketplace celebrates 40th anniversary Joseph Slacian

18

Lighthouse Mission thrift store now open

19

Manchester early learning center to celebrate 50 years Eric Christiansen

24

News & Notes Business briefs around Wabash County

30

Pauline J. Barker Education Trust awarded $105,000 in grants to Wabash County Organizations Joseph Slacian

32

Downtown Wabash was designated an Indiana Cultural District by the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC)

34

Newly renovated 950 Speakeasy Bistro opens

On the cover: Shane L . Waters records an episode of the podcast “F oul Play” in the recording studio lo ate in the r i ht e ia o e in downtown Wabash.

The Business Journal is a joint effort between The Paper of Wabash County and Grow Wabash County.

Published by / The Paper of Wabash County A Hometown Media, Inc. Publication

This quarterly publication is designed for businesses in Wabash County to share their news with other businesses in and around Northeast Indiana. It is our goal to share information on promotions, awards, new products or other items that may be of interest to business people and industrialists in the highlighting local businesses and industry, looking at their history, products, employees and more.

Publisher / Don Hurd

We welcome you to submit items for publication or suggest story ideas to business@thepaperofwabash.com Don Hurd Hometown Media President

Editor / Joseph Slacian, Jr. Reporters / Eric Christiansen Sales Representatives / Arlene Long Photographers / Eric Christiansen, Joseph Slacian Jr. Editorial Office 606 N. State Road 13, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326 business@thepaperofwabash.com https://issuu.com/thepaperofwabashcounty Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 3

From the office of Grow Wabash County

There’s no place like home for the holidays … in Wabash County As the air gets colder, it is undeniable that the holiday season is upon us.

And, as many crooners from Perry Como to Michael Bublé, have sang, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” And, in my experience, there is no home quite like the one I have found in Wabash County.

BY KEITH GILLENWATER President and CEO Grow Wabash County

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That is why Grow Wabash County, the City of Wabash, the Town of North Manchester, private developers, and others have made it part of our community development mission to come together to spearhead several housing projects that will ensure many people in the future are able to call Wabash County home. As the community

works through the Imagine One 85 initiative, the need for additional housing options had been made abundantly clear, and we’ve heeded that call. More homes that will house birthday parties and neighborhood barbecues, more front lawns with signs cheering on the home team, more families filling our schools, local businesses, and Little League baseball teams.

And those families will have ample choices about where they want to lay their roots and grow in Wabash County.

In downtown Wabash, things have looked a bit different on the east side of Market Street. Thanks to the generous support

of the City of Wabash, the Wabash County Business Alliance Foundation, a supporting foundation of Grow Wabash County was able to acquire the old, dilapidated houses along that street and is clearing the way for new development of market-rate housing to welcome in a new wave of young professionals and their families right into the bustling heart of downtown Wabash.

The Town of North Manchester continues to build out the Chester Heights community. This development includes sites for 20 single family homes and an additional 14 villas, and was formally approved by the Town in 2018 after several years of planning, with site work launching in late 2019 with the first homes going up in 2020. To date, four homes and villas have been built and sold, with several more planned for construction in the near future.

Further north of the city, Kentner Creek Crossing is under development at the southwest corner of CR 50 N and IN-15, just north of the Honeywell Golf Course. With 26 lots available ranging from 1/4 acre villa lots to large acre lots lush with mature trees, along with two lots fronting the golf course available there is a something for everyone at Kentner Creek Crossing. Lots are expected

to be available yet this year and construction will soon be underway.

Work is also underway to give new life to two sites in the City of Wabash that are rife with opportunity to create something new. The Parkview Legacy site, located on the property of the former Parkview Wabash Hospital will be the location of a new neighborhood of homes of all types to welcome families to our community, and the site of the former GDX facility is also well on its way to being remediated and ready for the future housing development.

Beyond these, we are constantly working with private developers to support downtown housing, reimagining of existing sites, and infill opportunities.

This is only a sampling of the ideas and works in progress that will result in more houses and communities to invite more families to make themselves at home.

We all believe the more the merrier in Wabash County, and what could be merrier than seeing our communities grow and thrive with new energy, diversity and an exuberant hope for what the new year may bring.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 5

85 West Canal Street Wabash, Indiana 46992

260.579.4555 info@chittickag.com

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One of the windows in the A rc L ight e ia o e in the ar et treet uare uil in

MILLIONS LISTEN TO PODCASTS ORIGINATING FROM DOWNTOWN WABASH

By J o sep h S l acian Beginning in the 1920s, and lasting until the 1950s, radio theater was a popular form of entertainment in the U nited States. F amilies could be found huddled around their radios in the family’s living room, listening to the likes of “The L one Ranger,” “L ights Out,” “Boston Blackie,” “Sam Spade,” “The Shadow” and many more.

In fact, Orson Welles’ broadcast of “War of the Worlds” in 193 8 caused a panic, with many believing that Earth was being invaded by space invaders.

The growing popularity of television in the 1950s led to the decline of radio’s popularity. While some stayed on the air into the 196 0s, most fell by the wayside, left only to the memories of those who grew up during that time period.

In the late 20th century, new technology led to the introduction of something very similar to radio theater … podcasts. n a dimly-lit o ce in the arket Street S uare uilding in downtown Wabash, Shane L . Waters sits behind a giant

computer screen, while Brent Allred sits behind another. aters, president of Arc ight edia, is researching information for an upcoming episode of one of the four podcasts the company produces. Allred, the company’s executive audio engineer, is adding music and sound effects to another episode. “ started my first podcast in 201 with oul lay, ” Waters said, taking a break from his work. “At the time, there were only a few true crime podcasts. I decided to do a true crime one because I went to college for forensic science, specifically, forensic psychology.”

It was his degree in forensic psychology that made him interested in true crime podcasts.

“I had some type of background in forensics and the psychology behind why some people commit crimes,” Waters said. “I wanted just a hobby, and since I knew something about crimes, I wanted to create a podcast as a way to explore those crimes and maybe try to solve a few.

That’s what got me started in it.”

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 7

edit audio, and that’s how it all started.”

Since they began in 2014, the number of true crime podcasts has grown exponentially. “ hat is uni ue to us, is not only were we one of the first true crime podcasts, ut ecause we were one of the first, we were able to get in before the big boom,” Waters said.

“Because of that, ‘F oul Play’ has two million followers per month.”

“F oul Play” deals strictly with unsolved cases. They are presented in seasons, with the current season entitled “The Throwaways.”

“There are nine episodes,” Waters said. “The Throwaways is uniq ue because not only are we presenting a cold case, I solved the case. It was a serial killer case from the ’8 0s. I was able to help them identify three of his victims, one of them was from Indianapolis. “ also identified who the killer was. He died right when started working on the case, oddly enough.”

The podcast features exclusive interviews with family mem ers of the ictims aters identified, as well as detectives who worked the original case and even the widow of the killer.

“They identified him through NA,” aters said. “They convened a grand jury and presented the evidence, and the grand jury said it would charge him if he were still alive.”

Brent A llred, A rc L n ineer shows off his wor on a o u ea ue alle Bla

ight Media’ s Ex ecutive A udio an war he re ei e for entar a out the e ro Base all Base all in n iana

Since that humble beginning, Arc L ight Media has grown into producing four different podcasts, all with different themes. In total, the four podcasts have about three million listeners per month.

In addition to the award-winning “F oul Play,” the company also has “Hometown History,” “F rightful” and Obscura.” ( “F oul Play” received a 2021 G old Davey Award for the Best Series of Podcasts for the “Throwaways” season and a 2021 Silver Davey Award for the Best Overall Podcast – Crime & Drama.)

“Hometown History” tells, as the name hints, little known stories from hometowns around the world. “F rightful” tells tales of real paranormal encounters, stalkers, and more.

“Obscura” is another true crime about real murders, mysteries, missing persons and more.

“When I started to do the podcast, I didn’t know anything about podcasts,” Waters admits, noting that he contacted his old high school friend Allred, for help.

“By that point, he had just won an Emmy for composing music for a documentary,” Waters continued. “I was like, ‘Hey, you seem to know how to edit audio. Could you teach me? ’ So I went out to his studio and he taught me how to 8 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

Arc L ight gets ideas for episodes from its millions of listeners.

“F or ‘Throwaways,’ a local listener from Kentucky … submitted it through our website, and that’s how I got ahold of it,” he said. “There was a Jane Doe found in their area.

No one e er knew who she was, what happened to her or anything like that.”

To do the research, Waters and the Arc L ight team depend greatly on the F reedom of Information Act to receive documents related to the various cases.

“We send in req uests to the government, the F BI, the CIA, whomever,” he said. “We get copies of autopsy reports. We do a lot of digging; a lot of research. “ e try to find out as much as we can from what s out there. Normally, you can t find much out there on the internet on the cases we cover because no one else has covered them efore. Then we do our due diligence and find out what is already out there, then we contact the agencies that are in charge of the case and ask, ‘Hey, would you be willing to talk to us? We’ll give your number, if anyone has tips or if we find anything, we ll gi e that information to you.”

However, not all are always cooperative.

“Some law enforcement o cials may not want to do interviews,” Waters said. “But, they always are willing to take whate er we find. So, if someone has tips, we will give them law enforcement’s phone number. I’ve not run into situations where law enforcement has been willing to take interviews and participate that way. They don’t always agree to interviews because, I think, a part of that is fear of

aters sections off what he will narrate and what narrate. He then sends the script to ee.

ee will

“ ll narrate my half in here,” he e plained. “She ll narrate her half in her home studio. e ll piece it together, then we ll send it off to rent. He does all the audio editing, He ll produce the music. He will also do all the special effects.”

Ad ertisements from arious companies that uy spots on the podcasts, are inserted, then the podcast is pu lished. n addition to Allred and ee, other staff mem ers are Nick e Neff, who is the head of content and who writes for “Hometown History” and “ rightful” emma Hoskins, who co-hosts an ongoing second season of “ oul lay” which is entitled “Sister athy” and Justin S. rown, who hosts “ scura.” aters elie es that the popularity of podcasts is tied to the popularity of radio theater from decades ago.

“A lot of older people stop in a lot,” he said. “ ur podcasts remind them a lot of like 1 20s and 0s old radio shows, where you sit in front of the radio and hear a story, and it sounds ust like someone is telling you a story that s your friend. That is something that is uni ue with podcasting. hane aters shows off a si n in the r i ht e ia o e that rea s el o e et s tal a out serial illers

“They listen to us all the time and it s kind of like they know us. lder people from that generation who e perienced those type of shows really en oy it ecause they can sit in front of the radio and listen.” aters noted that their podcasts are played in a lot of nursing homes, ecause it is something that the residents

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can relate to. ost of that which is played is “Hometown History,” he said, noting that “some of the ladies like oul lay. ” “A out 0 percent of true crime listeners, may e 5, are female,” he continued. “So, a lot of older females lo e to listen.”

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hat he doesn t know, howe er, is what makes true crime podcasts so popular.

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“That is a uestion for psychologists,” he said. “Now, do know that the largest population of true crime podcast listeners are female. sychologists speculate that the reason it is so popular among females is the motherly instinct, to always try to protect their young. So, a part of listening to true crime podcasts is that it gi es you that feeling like something could happen, ut you re away from it.

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“ n terms of why else it might e popular, don t know. eople lo e a murder mystery. think pro a ly some of that is a out that.” t was an early true crime tele ision program, “ nsol ed ysteries,” that planted the seed of true crime programming into aters. hen he was young, his grandmother would let him watch the program, which starred former “The ntoucha les” star o ert Stack.

is e ery other Sunday.

The podcasts can e found on e ery ma or podcast outlet, including Apple odcast, Spotify, Heart adio and more.

aters shows off a la ue e i ate to the e or of his grandmother, Barbara C. Foster, who spark ed his interest in true crime stories by letting him watch “ U nsolved Mysteries” as a boy growing up.

He is so appreciati e of her allowing him to watch the tele ision program, he has a pla ue honoring her memory hanging on the Arc ight edia wall. “ lo ed the way that o ert Stack would narrate his shows,” he said. “ always thought, an, that would e so cool to do.” So, ecause of that, credit her with this fascination ha e and for ha ing such a popular show.” ne of the iggest uestions, is why did a ash to open his Arc ight edia o ce.

aters choose

“So, could gi e you a reason that says it s such a cool place, which it is,” he said. “ met a girl from here Alecia app . e re married now. That s how learned a out a ash, initially. e got married and decided that a ash was a place that she would like to work, e near her family. ecame good friends will all of her friends. So, decided to come here.”

The name of his firm pays homage to the community.

“Also, for Hometown History, people learned a out the history of a ash eing the first electrically lighted city,” aters said. “ ut also, on oul lay, you learned a out the John Hu ard case.”

Waters look s at a painting sent to him by one of the serial k illers involved in the “F oul Play” podcast series, “M aps.”

Hu ard was arrested, tried, con icted and e ecuted for the murder of the rench family near ich alley. His e ecution took place on the lawn of the a ash ounty ourthouse. n late No em er, Hu ard s ones were on display in the Arc ight o ce, on loan from the a ash ounty useum.

The four podcasts are released e ery other week. “ oul lay” and “ scura” are released e ery other ednesday, “Hometown History” is e ery other onday, and “ rightful” Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 11

MAIN VIEW INN works through changes

By Eric Christiansen As the saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Nothing could be further from the truth for the Main View Inn in downtown North Manchester.

A staple in the center of downtown on Main and Walnut Streets since the mid-193 0s, Karen and Bob F awcett have seen a number of changes since they purchased the historic restaurant and bar over 20 years ago.

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After selling the North Manchester Dairy Q ueen in the mid-1990s, the F awcetts bought and ran the Main View until they sold it to Bill Augilar in 2007. By the end of 2007, Aguilar handed the business back to the F awcetts.

The F awcetts, however, had recently purchased The F rog Tavern in Syracuse, so family member Scott Carlin stayed with the Main View while Karen ran The F rog.

While the F awcetts were never aggressively looking to sell the Main View, they did listen to intrigued potential buyers, and that is where James and Marcie Haist entered

the conversation.

The Haists purchased the Main View on Oct. 1, 2019, but through various struggles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, were forced to close on Nov. 3 0, 2020, handing the restaurant back to the F awcetts.

The Main View remained closed until Cheryl Working came knocking with interest in operating and potentially buying the establishment.

After months of a complete remodel to all three sections of the restaurant – the family side, bar side, and banq uet room – Working and her team opened with a soft opening on June 29, complete with a new menu, while keeping a few of the old favorites.

Howe er, orking made the di cult decision to close the doors on Oct. 29, 2021, due to family health issues, and once again, the F awcetts took over.

While the Main View hasn’t opened as of mid-November 2021, Karen F awcett hopes to be open, complete with the original menu and recipes they ha e always offered in the past, by the end of November.

According to a F eb. 1, 2006 , newsletter by the North Manchester Historical Society, the history of ownership of the News-Journal is as follows: “The Main View Tavern started around the middle 193 0s. Joe Mosier bought the tavern in 1941 after selling his interest in H. M. & M. Cafe .

“Mosier then sold the business by 1945 to Deke Baker.

Mr. Baker married Minnie Eilts and when they separated in divorce, Mrs. Baker got ownership of the tavern. She later married G eorge J. “Jot” F reeman and they ran the tavern until his death, then she continued on for many years.

“The business was taken over by Mrs. F reeman’s son, known to all as JP F reeman, and expanded to a full menu restaurant.”

The ain iew has een owned and operated y fi e different families since reeman took o er, the reeman family, followed by the Ayres family, the F awcetts, now four different times, ill Aguilar, James and arcie Haist, and Cheryl Working.

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WABASH MARKETPLACE CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW NAME, NEW LOOK

By J o sep h S l acian F or 40 years, Wabash Marketplace, Inc., has been promoting the revitalization of downtown Wabash. In the minds of many, it has succeeded.

Incorporated in 198 1, Wabash Marketplace was among the first to oin the growing trend of ain Street programs in the State of ndiana.

“There had ust een a national mo ement talking a out ain Street organi ations,” ecuti e irector Andrea wie el said. “ ain Streets were designed to re itali e

Musicians perform outside of the Wabash ar et la e o e in the a ash an in urin the in le u ilee ele ration

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downtown districts, and so the national organization started in 198 0. Wabash q uickly followed in 198 1. I’ve been told there were several Indiana communities that were piloted in 198 0 by the national organization, but Wabash wasn’t one of them.

“The founding father, would say, was on napp, when he worked at the Honeywell F oundation. He saw that ision of what a ain Street could do for the district.

He was the iggest proponent.” napp, who retired as Honeywell oundation e ecuti e director in 1996 , now lives in Bellingham, Wash.

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“I incorporated it, according to ( former WMI Executive Director) Steve Downs,” said Knapp, who served as WMI’s executive director for 12 years. “Marketplace began as a Main Street organization. There were a lot of Main Street organizations formed around the country, so we decided to do it. There was a general interest in it, but there were probably some naysayers who weren’t really turned on by it, particularly if it req uired them to contribute funds to get it started and run it.”

The articles of incorporation were filed with the ndiana Secretary of State on May 29, 198 1. to:

According to the articles, the organization was designed

Reduce unemployment and under-employment by assisting and enabling expansion of small business in and around downtown Wabash.

Combat community deterioration by promoting stability, growth and development of small business in and around downtown Wabash.

Strengthen the existing physical development in and around downtown Wabash by assisting and enabling the preservation and rehabilitation of buildings.

Otherwise conduct charitable and educational activities necessary and appropriate to alleviating the serious problems of unemployment, blight and deterioration in and around downtown Wabash.

“ or many years they ust did olunteer efforts downtown, a lot of them focusing on facades of buildings,” Z wiebel said.

That emphasis was something that didn’t sit well with Knapp.

“The Main Street program was part of the national trust for historic preservation,” he said. “Its emphasis was, to a great extent, rehabbing and preserving historic building.

That started out to be our principle mission. But the thing I had some disagreement with the Main Street philosophy was because it put so much emphasis on rehab, and not other aspects such as off-street parking.

“It’s hard to have a retail district without parking.”

Over the years, WMI has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one which now has two full-time employees.

“Around the 2000s they hired a part-time staff mem er,” Z wiebel said. “F rom there the ( position) grew into a fulltime e ecuti e director. The o ces used to e in the Eagles Theatre store front. This year, we transitioned into this brand new store front in this beautifully restored uilding. And, we added a second full-time staff mem er.”

The o ce is now located in the a ash anding building, 18 9 S. Miami St. between the Eagles location and its current site, the organization was located in the law o ce of owns, Tandy and etruniw.

“We’ve kind of hit that high point right now as an

w

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 15

organization,” Z wiebel said. “There are about 118 Main Streets in ndiana. ach state does it a different way, ut each state has a coordinating program that communicates with the national program. f those 11 , only 20 are considered nationally accredited. e re one of those in kind of that top tier in the state of Indiana.”

Throughout the years, programs.

has had many successful

“ eryone s fa orite is the Small usiness e olution,” wie el said. “That really rought a ash to the national le el. e e een a ig player within ndiana for that, and to ha e a Hulu series. That s pretty cool. t rought a lot of energy to downtown for a long time.

“That was a big turning point for the organization.” wie el egan e ecuti e director in 201 , ut she has been involved with the organization for longer than that. uring that time, she chaired the group s esign Committee. “ e led the charge for the creati e placemaking and public art initiatives that went through downtown,” she said. “That was one of my fa orite things we saw, seeing some of the pu lic spaces re itali ed. eteran s la a the pergola project and putting out benches. F ocusing on the walkway and the murals, doing other things to enhance the uality of downtown.”

The fa ade program was another aspect of t helped pro ide 1. million for refur ish 2

s work. uildings in

the downtown area. “ ook around downtown a ash and think 10 years ago,” wie el said. “This is not what downtown a ash looked like.”

The group has plans for the future, first and foremost reconnecting with the community so it etter understands its mission and how it is different from other organi ation. “ think people were ust confused, what is a ash arketplace ” wie el said. “ e don t see you. e e perience you ecause we are irst ridays, we are the F armers Market, we are small business support, the faça de program.”

And while it does that, it also seeks to continue to “establish who we are within the state and the nation as a Main Street organization,” she continued.” oth she and napp elie e for the ity of a ash.

has een eneficial

“ t must ha e enefitted to some e tent ecause it s still ongoing,” napp said. “ orty years that s a long time. t must ha e een eneficial.” wie el noted, “ is in its 0th year. orty years uilding its momentum and, really, in the last 10 years, really putting that effort on downtown uilding and re itali ation. t s slow and steady.” ut the organi ation is going to undergo change, the soonest coming in 2022.

Santa Claus visits with local children during the lighting of the Wabash County Courthouse ceremony, and event sponsored by Wabash Mark etplace I nc.

16 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

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cials announced at the group s annual meeting in No em er that it is changing its name to owntown a ash, nc., in January. “ e hope the new name will alle iate confusion a out who we are and what we do,” wie el wrote in an email.

“To cele rate, we are re randing with new logos and we site. The shade sails are the new icon for downtown.”

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Wabash Marketplace 2021 highlights

• 1 4 new businesses, resulting in 1 2 full- time and 1 3 part- time N EW J OBS (not relocated) • D owntown real estate purchases totaled $ 2 , 2 4 3 , 5 0 0 • D owntown property improvements were more than $ 2 , 9 8 3 , 0 0 0 • R eceived the state- wide designation of Wabash Cultural D istrict • There was growth because of in- k ind event support valued at $ 4 0 , 5 0 0 • Event attendance to totaled 2 0 , 5 0 0 guests • N ew storefront location at Wabash L anding

ZWIEBEL NAMED TO RURAL AFFAIRS WORKING GROUP

L t. G ov. Suzanne Crouch and Denny Spinner, ecuti e irector of the ce of ommunity and ural Affairs A , recently appointed a ash arketplace ecuti e irector Andrea wie el to ser e on the newly formed ural Affairs orking roup.

The OCRA Rural Affairs orking roup is made up of 12 mem ers and includes the representation of elected o cials, economic development professionals and those in the field of higher education.

They are tasked with pro iding well-rounded e pert insight to help the State and the agency ser e ndiana s Z wiebel small communities.

A s mission is to work with local, state, and national partners to pro ide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping and achie ing their own ision for community and economic development. “ am honored to represent ain Street rgani ations across the State,” wie el said.

“The ain Street Approach is an economic de elopment strategy for rural communities. a ash arketplace, nc. uses historic preser ation and community engagement to re itali e downtown a ash.”

According to Spinner, the state appreciates the willingness of those selected to e part of the process that will ena le the ce of ommunity and ural Affairs to launch new programs in the coming years. epresentati es are from a ash, ochester, urdue ni ersity, Angola, ndiana ni ersity, State Senate, ush ille, all State ni ersity, y Tech, ne Southern ndiana, loyd ounty ommissioner, and ndiana Association of egional ouncils. “ e are fortunate to ha e so many strong, dedicated leaders from around the state in this new working group,” Spinner said. “ look forward to working with each of them to find new ways to help our rural communities thri e.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 17

LIGHTHOUSE MISSION THRIFT STORE NOW OPEN L ighthouse Mission Thrift Store opened at its new location on Monday, June 21. Customers lined up outside the doors waiting to explore the aisles.

L ighthouse Mission Director, Jenny Ritzema said it feels good to be open after a long process of moving locations.

“We are so excited,” she said. “We are a little bit nervous this morning, but very excited. The community, already, has been donating so much stuff, so we ha e already een a le to fill the store, and we still have tons of donations back there to keep filling so we are thrilled with that.”

“The process has been crazy, but that’s okay. We still have stuff in our other uilding, ut we ha e a few weeks to kind of deal with all that, so we are just thrilled to be down here and be open.”

The new location will also house the F ISH F ood Pantry, 8 5 Hope Medical Center and Advantage Housing.

“We were saying this morning how excited we are that this place will be such a better place to help the community because of our location, of course, and having the other agencies with us, and just that I think we will be seen more down here and I think people will realize, ‘Hey, that’s that place that could maybe help me,’ so I’m hoping that they will come in to be helped whether it’s clothes, or food, or whatever they need.”

L ighthouse Mission is located at 123 West Canal Street and is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Community Foundation of Wabash County Program Director hands a check for $10,000 to Manchester Early Learning Center Director Mike Baker with MELC students Roman, Waylon, Stephanie, Abram, and Parker joining them.

manchester early learning center

to celebrate 50 years Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 19

The Manchester Early Learning Center building that opened in 2017.

planned preschool curriculum that is suited for each age group, and accommodates full-time schedules.

The former home of the Manchester Early Learning Center on West South Street.

By Eric Christiansen F or more than 50 years, North Manchester area parents have entrusted their children with the Manchester Early L earning Center, not only for day care, but even more important, for learning.

MEL C Director Mike Baker plans to celebrate those 50 years with an anniversary celebration next month.

“We want to celebrate the history of MEL C; the present, what we’re doing right now, and celebrate the future,” Baker said. “F ifty years have gone by and we want 50 more.” offers infant and toddler care with preschool programs ages 0 to 5 years old, with 20 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

Before and after-school care accommodate school-age children, including transportation to and from select schools. Children may arrive at MEL C for breakfast and receive transportation to school, and upon return, the after school daycare program pro ides snacks and fun-filled curriculum.

As has offered childcare for North Manchester families for over a half-century, Baker wants to make sure the recognition isn’t just a q uick, passing ceremony, but a full-on celebration and party.

The actual 50th year of MEL C was in April 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a celebration wasn’t possible; this year, a date had been set for Oct. 2, 2021. Now, the celebration still stands in limbo, and Baker insists the party will go on, but the q uestion remains ‘when? ’ “We wanted to make up for last year, and

back when the ( Covid) numbers were good, we planned this for October 2021, as long as the county numbers were in the low double-digits,” Baker said.

Now, he waits.

MEL C Board member Jim Chinworth spoke of the importance the Center is for children and families at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the current home on North Market Street on June 24, 2017.

“F or nearly 50 years now, the Manchester Early L earning Center has been part of this community, caring for and educating children alongside parents, schools, churches, service clubs, neighbors and friends. It has not always been a smooth ride for the Center, and it still isn’t, having been more than once on the brink of closing,” he said, noting that several individuals have fought to keep the Center open over the years.

“These champions of this place believed first what we now all elie e a community that nurtures, educates and cares for children is healthier, stronger and more ready to meet the demands that life sets before us,” Chinworth added. “They also believed, as we now do, in the persons who tirelessly take the time to assure a child who is scared or hurt, a rm the spirit of play that rises up in children, patiently address a child’s anger or frustration, celebrate achievement and learning, and provide working parents trust and confidence in the care of their children.”

F ast-forward to 2021, Baker said the idea of a celebration of MEL C was put together at a “Meet the Director” night last year.

“I met a lady who was a teacher here in the beginning, and we talked,” he said. “It was really cool to hear that history. That’s what we want to do with this program re ect on that history, talk about how it leads to here, where we are now, and kick off the future.

“We’re inviting our donors, our friends, people we know,” Baker continued. “Anybody who has crossed our path in the past, we’re inviting them.”

The celebration will have live music with snacks, a dessert bar, and a program, all while allowing people to mingle, hang out, and get to know new friends, according to Baker.

“We’ve got a big surprise lined up,” Baker said.

“There’s a past-tense part with the older folks.

There’s the future part where we are going to say ‘partner with us, become one of our neighborhood donors, the people who really want to walk with us because you value what we’re doing here.’

“But the present part … it’s a surprise,” he said.

“It’s going to be a jaw-dropping moment to see what we’re doing.”

While Covid-19 has remained ever-present in Wabash County, Baker’s worries came true, and the celebration is still postponed.

“Numbers got worse ( in September) , and we had to cancel it, but we aren’t going to cancel it forever – we’re just going to move the date,” he said. “If it’s not this fall, if it’s not winter, if it’s not spring, we are going to celebrate this 50th anniversary, even if it takes two months or two years. We’re going to do it.”

But Baker says the celebration is just as much about the future is it is the last 51 years.

“Where are we going to be in the next 50 years? ” Baker asked. “Do I get called up on the 100th anniversary when I can barely stand up and be this guy who was once a part of this place?

“It would be really cool to honor the folks going back,” he continued. “That’s want we want to do – call up the older folks who were there in the beginning, invite them, and show them how far we’ve come, and where we’re going.”

The Manchester Early L earning Center is located at 705 North Market Street in North Manchester and can be reached at 26 0-98 24913 .

Operating hours are Monday through F riday, 0 a.m. to 5 0 p.m.

For more information, see www.manchesterearlylearningcenter.org Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 21

MPS Egg Farms receives Business of the Year Award

MPS Egg Farms CEO Bob Krouse (left) and Gillenwater show off the Business of the Year plaque. The business received the award during the Grow Wabash County annual meeting in October.

22 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 23

News & Notes Wieland named Manchester Community Schools superintendent Kyle Wieland, who has led Wabash High School as principal since 2015, accepted the job of Superintendent of Manchester Community Schools at an MCS Board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Wieland, a 1994 graduate of Manchester High School, taught math at his alma mater from 1999 through 2007, and was the school’s boys and girls head swim coach, as well.

He was named Manchester JuniorSenior High School Athletic Director in 2007 until he left for Wabash City Schools, first as assistant principal at Wabash High School until June

2014, then spent one year as assistant principal at OJ Neighbors Elementary School, before settling in as principal at Wabash High School since 2015.

Wieland said he is excited to return to his alma mater, but will miss Wabash, and is thankful for his time there.

“It’s been a great 10 years at Wabash,” he told The Paper of Wabash. “There are so many amazing people that I had the opportunity to work with. They’ve supported me both personally and professionally, and I’ll greatly miss those people.”

Northfield teacher is finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year Shelly Myers, a Social Studies teacher at Northfield Jr.-Sr. High School was recently named to the “Top 25” finalist for the 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year.

In May, Myers was announced as the 2021 Northfield Teacher of the Year. After receiving that honor, she was then selected as the MSD of Wabash County High School Teacher of the Year. Teachers who receive this honor from their school district are invited to apply for the Indiana Teacher of the Year award.

“It is an honor to represent MSDWC as High School Teacher of the Year and an exciting surprise to have been selected as one of the ‘Top 25’ State Teacher of the Year applicants,” Myers said.

“Teachers have the opportunity to be a light in the lives of their students each 24 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

and every day, and my favorite part of teaching is the connection that I get to build with my students. They are young adults, and they are an important part of this community, our school, and my life.

“I want to be someone in their lives who helps them to see what they are capable of doing, someone who can show them that it doesn’t matter who they are or where they came from, they have it within themselves to be successful and to make a difference for others.”

In addition to teaching, Myers serves as a Head of the Social Studies Department, Senior Class Sponsor, Representative of the Teacher’s Association, and Assistant Volleyball Coach. She is about to begin her nineteenth year of teaching.

News & Notes Bachelor Creek Church of Christ names new minister Bachelor Creek Church of Christ o cials are pleased to announce and welcome Joel ogdell as the church s new ead inister. After a unanimous recommendation from a 10-person search committee, staff and elders, ogdell accepted the call, and a congregational ote affirmed their selection on arch 2 . astor Joel egan his new ministry at achelor reek on ay 21. ogdell is a gifted leader and teacher who has a deep lo e for Jesus and others. He and his wife, Tara, ha e een married for 1 years and ha e three children, ale , lle , and Jude 5 .

He recei ed a .A. in i le and Youth inistry reaching from Johnson ni ersity in 200 . He is

currently working on a .A. in New Testament with a concentration in Spiritual ormation and eadership. rior to oining , ogdell was the onnect roups inister at rossroads hristian hurch in rand rairie, Te as, where he ser ed for 1 years.

He has een descri ed y many as a hum le leader who stri es for unity, teamwork and a o e all, pointing others to Jesus. Joel and Tara were drawn to ecause of its multi-generational dynamic as well as the congregation s heart for a ash and eyond. oth the ogdells and the Staff lders at are e cited for what the future holds.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 25

News & Notes Northfield graduate receives veterinary degree Jonathan Richardson graduated from Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine with Distinction on May 15.

Throughout his time at Purdue, Dr. Richardson served as Swine Chair for the F ood Animal Club, Treasurer for the Veterinary Business Management Association, was a mentor for Boiler Vet Camp, and conducted hospital tours.

His greatest accomplishments consist of being awarded one of seven national scholarships through the American Association of Bovine

26 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

Practitioners in 2020. He will also receive one of four Nandi scholarships in the nation through the Society for Theriogenology in Omaha, Neb., this July.

Dr. Richardson is a 2014 graduate of Northfield High School and is the son of Mike and Susan Richardson of Andrews. He recently joined Pipe Creek Animal Clinic in Sweetser, where he will be working as a mixed animal practitioner with a primary interest in large animal medicine.

News & Notes Ford Meter Box helps Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has received a $1,000 grant from the Ford Meter Box Foundation to support its “`Meat’ the Need” initiative.

According to Feeding America, approximately 4,000 Wabash County residents regularly struggle with food insecurity – 1,200 of which are children.

Deb Treesh, Executive Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, said that the funds received will be used to pay processing fees on donated livestock and deer, with the meat being given to agencies serving food-insecure residents within Indiana.

“More than ever, families are struggling to buy groceries. Food banks, pantries and soup kitchens work to protect the most vulnerable and under-served in our communities and these agencies continue to face increased demand.” said Amber Zecca, Fund Development Director of Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry. “To donate, farmers and hunters just need to take their livestock or deer to a local participating meat processor (call ahead to schedule livestock).

After processing, local food banks and pantries are

called to pick up the donation. There is absolutely no charge to donors.”

“Ford Meter Box Foundation’s contribution will allow us to continue and expand on our mission of hunger relief by providing 3,000 more meals through local hunger relief agencies. We are so grateful for the continued support of our efforts in responding to the needs of those in the community facing hunger.”

Treesh said.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 27

News & Notes Honeywell, First Farmers enter partnership Honeywell Arts & Entertainment and F irst F armers Bank & Trust unveil the newly named connection space, “F irst F armers Connection,” in the Porter L obby of the Honeywell Center on Thursday, July 1. The F irst F armers Connection offers a social seating area and e erage station for guests to enjoy prior to and during F ord Theater shows. The unveiling celebrates a new partnership and coincides with the return of live theater events in July. Showing off the sign are from left Ty Renbarger; Tade Powell, F irst F armers Bank & Trust ( F F BT) Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Relations/ Honeywell Arts & Entertainment ( HAE) Board of Directors; Mark ( Doc) Holt, F F BT President/ CEO; Doug Wilcox, F F BT Senior Vice President, Commercial & Ag L ender; Brian Renbarger, Chairman of F F BT Board of Directors; L indsey Clemons,

T Assistant ice resident ortgage oan cer athy atchel, HA hief e elopment cer and Tod Minnich, HAE President/ CEO.

Gaylor Electric, Denton Cartage join White’s program G aylor Electric and Denton Cartage have, led by President and CEO Chuck G oodrich, recently became an Impact Partner of Josiah White’s Headq uartered in Noblesville, G aylor Electric is one of the largest merit-shop electrical firms in the country. As a national award-winning electrical designbuild contractor, G aylor Electric employs more than 1,500 dedicated and highly skilled men and women, operating 11 o ces in fi e states across the country .

“At its core, White’s Residential & F amily Services provides hope. Supporting organizations that challenge teens to live lives of character and service is something I’ve always been passionate about.” said Chuck G oodrich, G aylor Electric president and CEO. Denton Cartage is a full service intermodal trucking company that serves the continental U nited States

28 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

and Canada.

“White’s RF S couldn’t be more pleased with the support of Denton Cartage! ” said Dana Brady, Director of Donor Relations. “It all started with White’s in 2015, when we acq uired hristian Ha en H in heatfield, ndiana. Years efore the ac uisition, one of enton artage s staff members had shared with the owners about CH’s ministry serving at-risk students. Denton Cartage’s owners, L owell Denton and Kathy Richel, contacted CH and began supporting their ministry. We met with L owell and Kathy after the acq uisition and have enjoyed a great relationship with them since.”

News & Notes Gebhart Holdings purchases Market Street Grill operational care and possession of the business.

“We’re honored to have purchased Market Street G rill and to carry on the tradition that it has held as a place to gather over a meal and drinks with friends in downtown Wabash. At this point, we don’t foresee making significant changes, ut do hope to make some improvements where needed,” owner Benjamin G ebhart said. “We’re excited to appoint Isaias Tactuk as the G eneral Manager of Market Street, he has o er fifteen years of e perience in the restaurant industry and will bring fresh eyes and expertise to the restaurant.”

G ebhart Holdings has acq uired Market Street G rill.

The company has o cially taken possession as the new owners of the long-standing staple in downtown a ash. The firm purchased the restaurant in May but only recently is in full

Market Street G rill is known for its prime rib and drunken chicken as well as its signature L ong Island Iced Tea. The restaurant has been in downtown Wabash for more than 25 years serving up American cuisine in a casual and welcoming atmosphere with nearly one hundred percent of its food made from scratch.

Solid Waste District wins award The Wabash River Defenders has named the Wabash County Solid Waste Management District as the 2021 recipient of its Tall Sycamore of the Wabash award.

Michael Beauchamp, a volunteer leader with the River Defenders, said, “Our volunteers could have never accomplished all the river improvements we’ve made without the help of the solid waste district. Over the past 11 years, hundreds of volunteers have removed more than 5,000 tires and 150 tons of debris from the 19.2 miles of river in Wabash County, and most of the haul is recycled.

“Our partnership with the district is essential to our success,” he added, “so the award is apt.”

“Early in the development of Wabash River Defenders and ‘Clean Out the Banks,’ we recognized that we could not tackle such a Herculean task

without developing relationships with other organizations who would share our vision for a clean Wabash River,” according to another volunteer, Steve Johnson.

“The amazing part is that 8 2 percent of the debris has been recycled, not landfilled, with the help of the district,” he added, “and, contrary to popular belief that the district gets paid for all recycled materials, the district has actually funded in excess of $ 20,000 to get the river debris recycled.”

Through the leadership of Jen Rankin, executive director of the Wabash County Solid Waste Management District, waste management, recycling and environmental concerns have been forefront objectives. Watershedrelated environmental education has been introduced to students throughout the county.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 29

Barker Education Trust awards record amount of grant funds i ture a o e nthia ohnson a e ts a he for he earn ore enter fro hu uff an while earn ore instru tor u as s h an Bill ee ler loo on i ture elow uff an resents a he for the eartlan areer enter to ar o s while eith Gillenwater an ee ler loo on uff an an ee ler re resent irst er hants Ban

By J o sep h S l acian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com The Pauline J. Barker Education Trust has awarded $ 105,000 in grants to Wabash County Organizations. The total is the largest in the trust’s 20 year history.

“We’re really pleased this year because we’re able to do more than in the past on an annual, thanks to some good markets and good in estment returns,” said huck Huffman, Senior Trust Advisor with F irst Merchants Bank.

F irst Merchants administers the trust fund. enefitting from the trust were $ 40,000 for the capital campaign for the new Heartland Career Center facility. The building, originally planned for a 3 7,000 sq uare foot building, will create an adult education center offering ad anced manufacturing and health credentials. This will be added to a gift made last year in the amount of $ 10,000 bringing the Barker Trust’s assistance for the project to $ 50,000. $ 10,000 will also be added to a newly created Donor Advised F und with the Community F oundation of Wabash County which can be used for additional community planning related to training projects. $ 40,000 to the L earn More Center for general operational support.

hu uff an left an Bill ee ler re resentati es of irst er hants Ban resent the o unit oun ation of a ash ount s he s to att Grant

30 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

$ 15,000 additional funds for The L earn More Center as a dollar for dollar matching grant to help the organization raise additional funds.

The grant matches unrestricted contributions of up to $ 1,000 per donor and will help the organi ation with planning efforts related to building organizational capacity for their own

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future operational support. The grant will be administered by the Community Foundation of Wabash County and will be available until Dec. 31, 2021.

“Having been a part of The Learn More Center since its inception, and having been on the board, we appreciate the sustained support and continued support,” said Patty Grant, director of the Community Foundation of Wabash County. “The Learn More Center works with some of the neediest folks in our county, and we are really blessed to have them. But, without your support, we would not have advanced this way.”

Keith Gillenwater, President and CEO of Grow Wabash County, added, “We appreciate the foresight Miss Barker had in setting up this trust and what it’s been able to give back to the community over the last 20 years, supporting adults and workforce education is something that’s really come to the forefront over the last 10 years. I think that’s a heck of a legacy to have.”

Cynthia Johnson, Learn More Center Director of Education, said “I easily would say that Pauline Barker is responsible for over 100 graduates. Our average cost to get someone to graduation has been a couple thousand, which is significantly lower than the cost at other places

doing the same thing.”

“This is one of the larger gifts we’ve received,” Heartland Director Mark Hobbs said. “While we don’t think we’re going to be able to build a 37,000 square foot building, that was the goal in the beginning, we’re shooting somewhere between 14,000 and 18,000 square foot building that will have a major impact on the region to help train students of all ages for healthcare related fields and ad anced manufacturing fields. e re looking forward to what the next year brings.”

Pauline Barker established the trust to provide support for Wabash County residents for basic literacy education, adult education, vocational training and retraining of youth and adults. t also grants scholarships to ualified applicants for education beyond high school.

A native of Wabash County, Barker was born on a farm etween a ash and r ana. She egan working at an early age to help support her mother, an obligation she deemed more important than her desire to finish high school in Urbana.

For 45 years she was the manager of the Rock City Café.

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Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 31

DOWNTOWN WABASH WAS DESIGNATED AN INDIANA CULTURAL DISTRICT BY THE INDIANA ARTS COMMISSION (IAC) The designation, announced June 25, is a prestigious milestone in the Creative Community Pathway Program. According to the IAC, “an Indiana Cultural District is a well-recognized, labeled, mixed-use area with a uniq ue, authentic art and cultural identity.” The IAC provides project funding for designated Indiana Cultural Districts, facilitates statewide collaboration through the Indiana Cultural District Consortium, and provides other capacity-building opportunities for cultural district leadership.

“The City of Wabash and its community partners collaborate to make Wabash the best city to raise a family and work,” City of Wabash Mayor Scott ong said. “This designation e emplifies the collaboration between organizations within Wabash to make our community a destination.

I’m proud to lead a community that strives to be better every day.”

Downtown Wabash is honored to be recognized as one of the newest Indiana Cultural Districts. The Wabash Cultural District spans from river to rails between Paradise Spring Park and the Honeywell Center. Downtown Wabash is the hub of arts and culture with assets such as Eagles Theatre, Wabash County Museum, Honeywell Center, Wabash River, Make It Your Own Pottery Studio, public art, F irst F riday events, Wabash Woolen Works, and so much 32 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

more. To date, only 12 Cultural Districts have been designated across the state by the IAC. “Receiving this statewide designation from the Indiana Arts Commission is a tremendous honor. Wabash joins a distinguished list of Indiana communities that uplift arts and cultural assets,” Honeywell Arts & Entertainment CEO Tod Minnich said. “Wabash is a remarkable city and the Cultural District represents how extraordinary our community is.”

In the application process beginning in 2020, Wabash was selected as a Spotlight Community within the Creative Community Pathway and was invited to apply for the Cultural District Consortium. Wabash’s application nominated the Wabash Cultural District with an 8 5-page dissertation. The application also focused on the vaudeville roots of the community that began in the early 1900s and can be seen today at the recently renovated Eagles Theatre.

The Wabash Cultural District will continue to market the modern-day “Vaudeville Vibe” of arts and culture activities. Next steps for the Wabash Cultural District will be determined by the local committee, led by Wabash Marketplace.

Additional community partners include the City of Wabash, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, G row Wabash County, Visit Wabash County, Wabash County Museum and a panel of artists.

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Newly renovated 950 Speakeasy Bistro opens The 950 Speakeasy Bistro, renovated, owned and operated by family duo Justin and Darcie G illespie opened in early July. The two-story bar and eatery saw a complete renovation spanning more than a year after being halted during the pandemic.

“A lot of labor, love and attention to detail was invested into this place in L agro,” Justin G illespie said. “We’ve been anxious to open the doors to the public for a while now and it s finally come to fruition after countless hours of work. We hope that this community enjoys every bit that the 50 Speakeasy istro has to offer.”

L ocated along the banks of the Wabash River and a trailhead to the Wabash River Trail, the 950 Speakeasy istro offers a ariety of cocktails and dishes paying homage to the historic town of L agro.

The 950 Speakeasy, located on the lower level of the eatery, boasts its handcrafted cocktails, “L agro Water,”

34 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021

“River Island Sunrise,” “Blue Star Highway,” and many others. Every signature 950 Speakeasy cocktail was carefully selected to be true to the prohibition era’s most popular liq uors including gin and whiskey. The Bistro will offer specially selected menus for reakfast, lunch and dinner hours. The e terior perimeter offers open patio and deck seating with ample room for lawn games and outdoor activities Neighboring the 950 Speakeasy Bistro is the recently restored Riparian House, an authentic Airbnb, which is also managed by G illespie and his business partner Beverly VanHaafton. Both the 950 Speakeasy Bistro and Riparian House feature upcycled materials including refinished arn siding, outdoor fencing, thrifted intage items and handmade furniture. Both locations contribute to the preser ation and eautification of the community of L agro.

The bar area at the 9 5 0 Speak easy Bistro in L agro.

Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021 35

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38 Wabash Journal | WINTER 2021