INSIDE THIS ISSUE Classifieds..............................................................................A6 Community Calendar ...................................................A16-18 Entertainment ............................................................A6, 7, 12 Stay Fit & Healthy................................................................A7
'UHDP LW 'R LW HOME&GARDENSHOW
The Fort Wayne
February 26 - March 1, 2015 Presented by
Serving New Haven & East Allen County
INfortwayne.com
February 20, 2015
State competition to cap winter guards’ long year By Garth Snow gsnow@kpcmedia.com
PHOTOS BY GARTH SNOW
A sign welcomes visitors to Saint Louis Academy, which is celebrating its 100th year by that name. Beyond the school stands Saint Louis Besancon Church. The parish was founded in 1846 in the French settlement east of New Haven.
Saint Louis Besancon Parish Academy celebrates 100 years
2015 marks a special year for the students and staff at Saint Louis Academy in rural New Haven, for it was 100 years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, 1915, at 9:30 a.m. that the dedication of their new school was held after a fire destroyed the former wooden structure called Saint Joseph School on the French settlement at Besancon. According to records of the Besancon Historical Society, the original school was opened in the fall of 1900 with the Sisters of Saint Agnes in charge. The school was built along with a nunnery for approximately $4,000 after the Rev. F.X. Labonte purchased six acres of additional land on Sept. 1, 1897. Newspapers dating back to the fire in January 1915 describe the nuns and parish priest “forming a bucket brigade to fight the fire for over two hours bravely entering the burning structure to the heart of the fire and climbing to upper parts pouring water on it before finally being driven back
when a draft would give the fire new life.” Men and volunteer firefighters retrieved a base burner stove from the fire that may have contributed to its cause. Although the temperature was zero and the ground was snow covered, the stove kept fire for several hours outside the burning structure. Classes did not cease after the fire, but the students were moved to the rectory while the pastor moved to the summer kitchen of a neighbor across the highway. Tables, boxes and sewing machines were used as desks. A new school and convent were immediately erected under the “untiring efforts and efficient work” of the Rev. Michael P. Louen. Historical accounts of the dedication event detail a “grand time” with Bishop Herman Joseph Alerding, countless clergy and hundreds of visitors from near and far attending as they traveled via the interurban. After a solemn high Mass at the church,
PHOTO BY JANE SNOW
Devany Reinking twirls a flag in the first solo of the Heritage winter guard’s performance at Carroll High School.
tage High School guard dressed in pink to present “Her Story,” following the life stages of girls from toddler to bride. Widmer
told that audience that the squad includes five sixth-graders. Some were See GUARD, Page A13
Dr. Kenneth Chaffee New Phone: 260-432-4400 New Office: 1061 Smaltz Way Dr. Chaffee is now part of Women’s Health Advantage providing obstetrical and gynecological services to area patients. During the remodeling of his old office at DeKalb Health, he will be seeing patients at the Auburn office of Women’s Health Advantage. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chaffee, call his new office at 260-432-4400 or visit heradvantage.com
See ACADEMY, Page A5
Auburn Office 1061 Smaltz Way Next to NCG Cinemas
Times Community Publications
By Michelle Castleman
Saint Louis Academy was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1915. It replaced Saint Joseph School, a wooden structure that opened in 1900 and which was destroyed by fire.
3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Michelle and Mike Castleman are members of Saint Louis Besancon Parish and have generations of ties to Saint Louis Academy. Michelle’s father and grandfather, Michael Lomont and Allen Lomont, addended the school. Michael’s grandmother, Eileen (Oberley) Castleman, attended Saint Louis Academy. Mike and Michelle’s six children have attended the school; their youngest is in the seventh grade. Michelle Castleman, a frequent contributor to Today’s Catholic, wrote this history of the academy, and shared it with readers of The East Allen County Times.
Young people in colorful costumes twirl flags, toss rifles and share insights through dance and music as the 2015 winter guard season continues. Heritage High School was host to 42 squads on Jan. 31, Week 3 of the season. Shows were judged in Cadet Class, Regional A Class and Class AA. Heritage received a Gold Award and first place in Regional A. New Haven received a Bronze Award in Regional A. Woodlan received a Bronze award in Class AA. The Heritage squad first performed on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Carroll High School preview night. Heritage guard director Erica Widmer also is a co-director of the Carroll guard. The 11-member Heri-