Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor. . . . . 2➤ Nappanee Area News . . . . . 6-7 Look Ahead To Christmas . . 8-11
Vol. 53, No. 22
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
s k n a h T Give
Who is/was one of the most influential people in your life? By LAUREN ZEUGNER Editor
ANDY HELTZEL, AKRON
ROZLYN BISHOP, WARSAW
While this time of year is known for its hustle and bustle as people prepare for the upcoming holiday season, it’s also a time for reflection. It’s a time when many take an opportunity to look back at where they are in their lives and make plans for the future. In looking back over our lives, there are those who have had an influence in who we are and where we are in life’s journey. They may be a parent or a best friend. We all have them, they come into our lives offering support, advice and sometimes a well-timed and well-placed kick in the rear as we go through our lives. ‘the PAPER’ hit the streets to ask who is/was one of the most influential people in people’s lives. For some, the answer came quickly and easily. For others, they asked for some time to reflect on their answer. Andy Heltzel, Akron, is the assistant planner for Kosciusko County. He said one of his most influential people was author Kurt Vonnegut. “He’s my favorite author. He just finds a way to help me look at life... and find a way to laugh through the tough moments. Plus he’s a Hoosier author,” he said. Rozlyn Bishop, Warsaw, 4-H program assistant and STEM assistant at Purdue Extension, said, “I just recently graduated in 2022 from Butler University. I have a BA in theater with distinction and a minor in business administration. One of my all-time favorite leading ladies is Julie Andrews. I hope to bring as much joy to kids as she has and with my business degree, I hope to one day open my own theater and teach kids (theater arts).
HENRY, AUDREY AND CHARLOTTE GAUNT, WARSAW
Erica Bennington, Warsaw, reference librarian at the Warsaw Community Public Library, said her father was one of her most influential people. “He’s always been there. He taught me how to read, how to change a flat tire, how to do the oil on a car,” she said. Bennington is pursuing her Ph.D. in Biblical Theology and Interpretation of the Old Testament. “He’s helped me a lot with my schooling. He reads all my papers,” she said. Charlotte Gaunt, age 6, Warsaw, said without hesitation, “God. Because he makes our bodies. It was his powers. God makes our feet and hands and sometimes our ankles.” Henry Gaunt, age 7, also of Warsaw and Charlotte’s big brother, said the most important people to him are “Babies, because they’re cute.” Audrey Gaunt, age 4, Warsaw, said her big brother, Henry, was one of the most important people in her life. When asked why she shrugged and said, “I don’t know.” Henry pipped up and said he plays Elsa and other video games with her. “He helps me get some books (at the library),” Audrey said. He also helps both of his sisters open their closet doors, which have difficult door knobs. Geoff Walmer, Warsaw, principal of Wawasee High School, said one of his most influential people was Doug Ogle, a longtime basketball coach at Warsaw High School. When Walmer was a sophomore in college, Ogle asked him to be a volunteer coach and after working with Ogle that season, Walmer learned he liked working with teenagers and changed his major to education. He also did his student teaching with Ogle and to this day still uses techniques Ogle taught him when dealing with students. Bo O’Dell, Goshen, science teacher at Wawasee High School, said he went to a very small high school where students had the same science teacher from eighth grade through 12th grade, named Bill Stevens. “That’s why I went into being a science teacher for 30 years,” he said.
ERICA BENNINGTON, WARSAW
GEOFF WALMER, WARSAW
BO O’DELL, GOSHEN
Circulars (In Selected Areas)
Martin’s Supermarket • Menards Neighborhood Fresh • Rural King Tractor Supply Co.