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FREEDOM RING 2016

A special supplement to The News Sun, The Herald Republican and The Star on July 1, 2016.

Let Freedom Ring

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July 1, 2016

Tracey Robideau trobideau@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Graphic Designer

Mike Marturello

Happy 4th of July

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Dave Kurtz 102 N. Main Street, Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-0400

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On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting forth the move toward freedom from British rule in America. As always, we as a nation will observe the holiday with a variety of celebrations, from parades to fireworks shows and from cookouts to flotillas on some of our lakes. To help you celebrate, we have collected lists of activities going on throughout the four-county area this holiday. Throughout the pages you will find a fairly comprehensive list of the celebrations planned for next week. Also, we take a look at Music Americana in Angola, which is Sunday. Music Americana was started in 1976 as part of Angola’s celebration of the United States’ bicentennial celebration. The local patriotic concert has been held every year since and this year is an

official Indiana bicentennial event. In just about every corner of the four-county area there’s lots of fun scheduled for the holiday, from community celebrations strictly geared toward the 4th to town-wide events like Garrett’s Heritage Days. Whether you want to watch a parade in Angola, buggy races in Topeka, a community concert in Auburn or fireworks over Bixler Lake in Kendallville, there’s something for every one. We hope you enjoy this special section that celebrates what makes Freedom Ring in northeast Indiana. This section may also be accessed at kpcnews.com. On the cover: Fireworks are shot off during a celebration in LaGrange County in this file photo. There will be many fireworks displays throughout the four-county area in the coming days. Photo by Patrick Redmond.

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July 1, 2016

Let Freedom Ring

July 4th area events KPC NEWS SERVICE

ball shootout, 1 p.m. Money scramble, 2 p.m. Bucket brigade and water ball, 2:30 p.m. Baking contest winners, 3 p.m., with check in 12:30-1:30 p.m. Miss and Masters winners announced, 4 p.m. Miss Little and Teen Garrett pageant, 6-9:30 p.m. Fireworks at 10 p.m.

When it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, northeast Indiana pulls out the stops for a patriotic good time. Here is an alphabetical listing by community:

DEKALB COUNTY Auburn

LAGRANGE COUNTY Topeka

July 5: Independence Day Fireworks, Auburn Auction Park, sponsored by Auctions America. Gates open at 4 p.m, for live music, eating contests, games and prizes, ending with fireworks at 10 p.m.

July 4: Day-long celebration includes a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., kiddie games in the fire station in the town’s East Park starting at 10 a.m., pony pull contest at 10 a.m., garden tractor pull at 10 a.m. horse pull at 1 p.m., watermelon eating contest at 3 p.m., parade at 5:30 p.m. through Topeka — theme is No Place Like Home — free concert at 8 p.m. with the Bulldogs, fireworks at 10 p.m.

Garrett July 3: Heritage Days kicks off with Knights of Columbus chicken barbecue, 4-7 p.m. Festival parade and pet parade, 6 p.m. Music by Choice, 8-10 p.m. July 4: Rotary pancake breakfast 7-10 a.m. Five-k run and 2-mile walk, 9 a.m. Car show, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Garrett swim meet and money scramble, 10 a.m. Chalk walk, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entertainment, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Kiddie tractor pull, noon. Talent show, 1 p.m. Basket-

Wolcottville July 3: Breakfast at the fire station at 7 a.m., Little League baseball at 8 a.m., duck race through town at 1 p.m., kids

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Logan Borns creates a patriotic cat during last year’s Heritage Days Chalk Walk sponsored by the Garrett Musuem of Art.

Let Freedom Ring

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July 1, 2016

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Patriotic Pops at Pokagon State Park has for years provided a lakeside concert for people on Lake James and the Potawatomi Inn lawn. Around 1,500 people gathered for last year’s show. This year’s show was last week.

AREA EVENTS From page 3

games in Taylor Park at 3 p.m., parade at 3 p.m., tug of war in Wolcott Park at 4 p.m., free concert at 8 p.m. July 4: Fireworks at 10 p.m.

NOBLE COUNTY Albion July 3: Annual fireworks show starts at dusk at Central Noble baseball field. Rain date is July 9.

Kendallville July 4: Inaugural Family Patriotic

Evening of Events at Bixler Lake Park include Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops concert, 7:30-9:30 p.m., followed by patriotic music by Miss Limberlost and Ball State University singer Lindsey Kelmer-Kraner. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Food will be available on the grounds. NOTE: Swimming at the park beach will close at 5 p.m. No personal fireworks or pets allowed. Concert will be held in the East Noble High School auxiliary gym in the event of inclement weather.

Sylvan Lake, Rome City July 2: Delta Theta Tau Sorority “Over the Dam” Duck Race, 3 p.m. and to purchase a duck for a chance to win

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Ponies Topps and Bell, owned by Jim Hinkley of western Kentucky, pull 1,800 pounds in the early rounds of the pony pull at Topeka’s July 4 celebration last year.

prizes, call Cathy Eshelman, 302-7909. Fireworks at dusk.

Clear Lake

STEUBEN COUNTY Angola

Crooked Lake

July 3: 40th anniversary presentation of Music Americana, patriotic concert featuring local talent at the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, 500 W. Maumee St., 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. July 4: Independence Day celebration, starting with annual parade in downtown Angola at 11 a.m., followed by games, free concerts, amusements and food at Commons Park, culminating with fireworks at dusk.

July 3: Fireworks at dusk.

July 2: Chicken barbecue, Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes, Orland Road and C.R. 300W, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., outside chicken sales, 3-7 p.m., full meal, sit down or carry out. July 4: Fireworks at 10 p.m. on the lake.

Hamilton July 2: Fourth of July parade — Liberty Day is the theme — at noon. See AREA EVENTS page 5

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July 1, 2016

Let Freedom Ring

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Olivia Collins, 3 at the time, shows delight in finding coins during last year’s annual Heritage Days penny scramble sponsored by the Garrett Eagles.

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Blue Lake was crowded last July 4 night as people gathered in boats on the lake and along the shores to watch the annual Independence Day fireworks.

KPC NEWS PHOTO

Angola’s annual Fourth of July Parade last year was welcomed by blue skies and a large crowd downtown. An Uncle Sam lookalike boosts Old Glory into the Angola skyline during the city’s Fourth of July Parade as it rounded the Public Square.

AREA EVENTS From page 4

Festivities include a 5-k race and fun run, 7:30 a.m., and a tot king and queen pageant after the tot parade, which follows the regular parade. Fireworks at dusk at Hog Hill.

Lake Gage July 4: Fourth annual Little John’s Lemonade Stand, 6350 W. Orland Road, Lake Gage, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30

p.m. Grace Johnson and Emily McCrea host the stand along with their family in memory of John Stukey, who lost his battle with cancer as a little boy. This summer, Olivia Stoy will be honored and this year’s proceeds will help youth cancer patients at Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Lake James July 2: Flotilla, 3 p.m., theme is “Famous Movies.” Fireworks at dusk on the first basin. View from the lake or from the front lawn at Potawatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park.

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

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Madison Penick, 8, of Topeka, gets a firework face painting applied by Lori Wilson during the town’s July 4 celebration last year.

Thank You!

To all Veterans and those who serve to protect our freedom!

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Let Freedom Ring

July 1, 2016

Angola’s Music Americana in 40th year BY JENNIFER DECKER jdecker@kpcmedia.com

ANGOLA — What started as a vision of patriotism and community 40 years ago by a local educator keeps growing bigger and more popular. Art Ryan had the idea years ago to hold Music Americana as a prelude to Independence Day and Angola’s annual parade. Ryan died in 2012. He was a longtime educator with the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County and an elementary school is named for him. The first Music Americana was started in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. This year’s 40th Music Americana will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at Trine University’s T. Furth Center For Performing Arts, 500 W. Maumee St. Karen Shelton, the event’s organizer, said the location is new this year to accommodate more people. The event is free and features performances by local talent. Shelton said 101 Lakes Kiwanis of Angola has run Music Americana since 2010 and added it’s a major part of the

community. “I started going to it through my neighbor, Lois Maughmeran,” Shelton said. “It’s word of mouth. Since I’ve been involved it’s been much more family-oriented. “I enjoy doing this more than anything else I do. People enjoy coming to and being a part of this,” Shelton said. Shelton said the Steuben County Democratic and Republican parties are joining together to share the cost of flags for the event. In addition, Cameron Woods will have a pie giveaway. The event’s history is deep. Ryan was then an Angola Lions Club member and headed up the Fourth of July entertainment committee that also included the parade. Since his passing, Music Americana has been dedicated to veterans and Ryan read his poetry. In a 1990 interview, Ryan said, “To me, probably two of the greatest rewards are to walk down the street of Angola during the parade and see See MUSIC AMERICANA page 7

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

ASCSeniorCare.com

Sherrie Grant sang “Fifty States in Rhyme” and led the Music Americana audience in “God Bless America” last year. This year’s show is in its 40th year and will be held on Sunday, July 3, at 7 p.m. at the T. Furth Center for the Performing Arts, 500 W. Maumee St. Grant will again sing both songs.

July 1, 2016

Let Freedom Ring

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED2

Art and Joan Ryan pose for a photo in the elementary school that honors Art, Ryan Park Elementary, Angola. Ryan started Music Americana, a musical celebration that began as a U.S. bicentennial event. This anniversary year Music Americana is an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The Singing Church Chimes, Fremont, sang at last year’s Music Americana. This year’s show is the 40th annual event.

MUSIC AMERICANA From page 6

the numbers of people lined up truly enjoying the July 4th parade and in the evening of July 4th seeing the numbers of people who appear for the fireworks. Deep down, I’m enthralled with what July 4th means to the majority of our population.” He added, “These celebrations restore patriotism and remind us what we owe to the past. Although we can’t live in it, we certainly should build a respect for it. I thing we need to be reminded sometimes that we had so many honorable young who gave their lives for what we have today.” For some 10 years, Colleen Saylor played piano in Music Americana and said Ryan was an absolute “joy” to work with. “It was much smaller (then),” Saylor said. “People chose their own numbers. It became a tradition. I certainly enjoyed it each year and it meant a lot to me.”

Another local singer and music teacher, Lynn Syler, said she was in Music Americana for 10 or 12 years as a singer and part of some ensembles. She said the production fosters camaraderie. “We probably chose the song, but not everyone was patriotic,” Syler said. “It’s always nice to use your talents.” New this year is a video celebrating veterans. The video will be shown before and after the show, Shelton said. Local storyteller Lou Ann Homan will give a historical presentation on Columbia, who towers over the Steuben County’s Soldiers’ Monument on Public Square. “Doors open at 6 p.m.,” Shelton said. “We’ll have the veterans’ tribute running before and afterwards. “We always end with ‘Back Home Again in Indiana.’ There’s a lot of tradition.” Music Americana is co-sponsored by 101 Lakes Kiwanis of Angola and Angola Parks & Recreation. The event has been designated an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project.

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Let Freedom Ring

July 1, 2016

4th of July is a big day for patriotic parties To Americans, Independence Day is a meaningful holiday and often the centerpiece of summertime festivities. Commonly referred to as the 4th of July, the holiday celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, in which the colonies officially declared their independence from Great Britain. Among the more patriotic days on the American calendar, the 4th of July is also among the most festive. Fireworks displays occur across the country, and backyard barbecues commonly begin in the afternoon and last well into the night. Party hosts who want to ensure their 4th of July parties go off without a hitch can consider the following tips. • Coordinate the party with the local fireworks display. Nearly every community has some type of fireworks display. As a result, neighboring towns often agree to spread the events out so not all the displays occur on the same night. Communities might host their displays on the 2nd or 3rd or 4th of July, and hosts should determine which night their community will be offering their

show. Because fireworks shows are such a big part of the holiday, individuals might want to host their party the night of their town’s festivities. This enables guests to enjoy the display from the backyard or walk to a nearby open field to enjoy the display. For hosts who are tailoring their party around the local fireworks show, be sure the guests arrive early enough so everyone can enjoy some barbecue before the show begins because hosts won’t want to be hovering over the grill when the show starts. • Have something for everyone. Independence Day festivities are for people of all ages, so hosts should have something for everyone. Adults may appreciate a cold beer to accompany their hamburgers and fireworks, but be sure to have plenty of other cold beverages on hand as well. Stock up on soda, ice water and other popular non-alcoholic beverages like lemonade and iced tea. Temperatures on the 4th of July are usually pretty warm, so hosts should buy more than they think they might need, as

guests will be looking to stay cool and hydrated throughout the party. When inviting guests, ask if anyone has any particular food allergies or dietary restrictions. Plenty of delicious vegetable dishes can be cooked right on the grill for vegetarian guests, and foods like fish might be more suitable for guests with preexisting health conditions who should not eat red meat. • Decorate. Just because the party is liable to take place outdoors doesn’t mean hosts can’t decorate. The 4th of July is all about the red, white and blue, so be sure to display the American flag and decorate in the colors of the U.S.A. Purchase Independence Day cups and plates, and encourage guests to wear red, white and blue to the party. Visit the local party store and purchase some red, white and blue balloons. Even the food can be decorated. Instead of making regular cookies, make American flag cookies complete with red, white and blue coloring, and do the same with the cupcakes. Bartenders can even use food coloring to make the

drinks red, white or blue. • Host a fireworks display. Fireworks are illegal in many states, so hosts should consult the authorities as to the local fireworks laws before hosting their own party. If fireworks are legal, enlist the help of friends and host your own small show. Keep the neighbors in mind when hosting a private fireworks show, and always keep children away from the fireworks. If fireworks are illegal in your state, it’s still possible to host a fireworks show. Rent a big screen television for the occasion and take it out to the backyard. Once the sun sets, turn on a televised fireworks event (the Macy’s-sponsored New York City fireworks show is very popular among viewers, as is the display that takes place in Boston) and encourage guests to sit down on the ground and enjoy the show just as they would if they were in attendance. The show can be just as entertaining, and guests will likely appreciate that they don’t have to sit in endless traffic once the display has ended.