The Mail-Journal - February 22, 2023

Construction to begin on CR 1300N extension

Phend & Brown, Milford., has been awarded the contract for extending CR 1300N, known as the Milford-Syracuse Road, to SR 15. The project includes a bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad and North Main St.

Signage appeared Monday, Feb. 20, on CR 1300N and Milford Main Street, indicating the road will be closed on or after March 6. The detour route around the project will be Syracuse Street/ CR 1250N and CR 100E. Depending upon the weather construction, will start sometime after March 6. Utility relocations

by NIPSCO, Century Link and other utility companies, will be a part of the early construction work.

According to Kosciusko County Highway Assistant Superintendent Troy Kintzel, the project will be done in two phases, with opening of the extension and overpass slated for Sept. 29.

The estimated $10 million project is 80% funded by a grant from the Local TRAX Rail Overpass Program. As part of that program, the two rail crossings in Milford Junction and Fourth Street will eventually be closed. The First Street crossing in Milford, will receive an upgrade of crossing signals and cross arms.

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Council takes no action on Pearl Street encroachment

Gordon and Laurie Lord approached the Syracuse Town Council during its regular meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 22, regarding a retaining wall encroaching into the town’s right of way.

The Lords are renovating a property on Lake Street, including repairing a retaining wall that encroaches into the town’s right of way. Gordon Lord explained the wall has been encroaching into the right of way since it was built in the 1960s.

After some discussion the council told the Lords it would take no action against them as they repair and reenforce the wall.

Jeremy Hardy of Commonwealth Engineers Inc., the town’s engineering firm, brought a recommendation of hiring F.A. Wilhelm for the Lakeside water main loop and Oakwood lift station projects.

Hardy explained the agreement with F.A. Wilhelm would be nonbinding until a contract is signed. The company would also allow and encourage street and water department crews to perform some of the work in-house, saving the town money in the end. The council accepted the recommendation.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon was asked to give an update regard-

ing the legality of the town donating land to the library board for a new library. Rigdon reported the town may donate land; he just needed a legal description. If he can get the legal description soon he can have the deed approved by the council at its March meeting.

Dave Wilkinson, town manager, has contacted an engineering firm about updating and enhancing two municipal parking lots. A public meeting allowing for community input will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the council chambers of Syracuse Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse. The council approved, 3-1, spending $85,000 to build a climate controlled building to store permanent records for the clerktreasurer’s office and the Syracuse Police Department. Currently those records are stored in the mezzanine of a public works building. Because the building is not climate controlled, the records are starting to deteriorate.

Councilman Nathan Scherer voted against the proposed building after asking about digital storage of the records. Both Virginia Cazier, clerk-treasurer, and Mark Aurich, public works superintendent, told the council that during state audits, auditors want to review the physical documents, not computer records.

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Milford farm to start construction of digesters in spring

The Beer Dairy Farm, 9194 N. Orn Road, southwest of Milford, is working with Ohio companies Dairy BC and IGDB in a $4.5 million project.

The project was approved by the county Thursday, Feb. 9, for the first steps of receiving a 5-year tax abatement and to schedule a confirmatory resolution hearing for March 9.

tured and used as a fuel source. Digesters can have a positive impact on the environment and can be financially lucrative. Reg Beer works in the family business at the farm.

“Typically you’re going to have to have more, almost in the 5,000cow range, in order to sustain it,” said Beer.

This is where IGDB comes in.

Bentley

Pontoons

starts to manufacture boats in Milford

A new boat manufacturer has entered the Kosciusko County scene.

Bentley Pontoons, a company based in Lexington, S.C., recently added a manufacturing plant on the south side of Milford at the

site formerly utilized by Bison Trailers on SR 15.

Recently owned by Encore Boat Builders, the brand has been sold to a newly formed company, Bentley Acquisition LLC. According to the company’s website, Bentley manufactures four different series of pontoon boats with base prices ranging from $23,000

to $52,000.

According to Anjanette Davis, sales coordinator at the Milford plant, Bentley Pontoons was looking to expand their business footprint and saw an opportunity in Kosciusko County to get into the Indiana market.

Davis noted that the company has started with approximately

20 employees in Milford but hopes to expand to a larger workforce as the company garners a greater share of the marketplace. She added that while the company will continue to build a majority of their boats in South Carolina, they plan to construct all models of their inventory in Milford as well.

Tippecanoe Township to sell its North Webster building

The Tippecanoe Township Advisory Board met in regular session Tuesday night, Feb. 21, at North Webster Community Center.

In a scheduling first, it followed both the regular meeting of North Webster Town Council and Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory.

The major order of business was the unanimous passing of Resolution 23-1, the sale of the Tippecanoe Township Building on South Morton Street to North Webster Church of God for $190,000. The

township trustee’s office reached an agreement to move to the NWCC at a cost of $10,000 per year, which is broken down to $6,982.50 rent plus $3,017.50 for utilities, including internet and telephone.

Township Trustee Chris Francis noted he has been busy going through file boxes at the soon-to-be former township building and is planning to hire a mobile shredding service to destroy unneeded paperwork relating to the office.

The church has informed the North Webster Food Pantry that it will be allowed to stay in the building following the sale. The same

offer was made to the North Webster Lions Club. Both entities have utilized the township building for numerous years.

Francis announced the township will be making donations to three North Webster nonprofit organizations. The food pantry will receive $4,000, while the Wawasee Summer League and Senior Primelife Enrichment Center each will get $2,000.

In other business, Deb Minear was confirmed as the township’s appointment to the North Webster Community Public Library. It was

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The goal of the project is to install two digesters and a scrubber that will utilize the fertilizer of the 1,025 cows on the Beer’s farm.

Digesters are often used to process organic waste from sources such as livestock manure, food waste and sewage.

These wastes are fed into the digester, which creates an environment ideal for the microorganisms responsible for the anaerobic digestion process. As the microorganisms break down the organic matter, they release methane gas, which can be cap-

They are working with seven or eight smaller farms in Indiana and the methane produced will be collected by each individual farm.

Normally these digesters would need to be constructed on a farm in close proximity of existing or dedicated pipes of a gas line, but IGDB is planning to transport the methane in either the form of compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas via truck tankers to the town of Redkey, according to Beer.

Beer expects the company to begin construction sometime in the spring, adding they are very exited about it.

Council takes no

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Wilkinson reported the utility fund lost revenue in 2021 and 2022 and is set to lose more money by the end of 2023. He requested a rate study be done. Council approved the study.

Scherer, who is replacing Larry Martindale representing District 4, was appointed to the Syracuse Metro Police Commissioners and the Turkey Creek Fire Territory boards.

Police Chief Jim Layne reported he is going through internal hiring for an officer who recently left the department. The newly purchased in-car cameras have been installed.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported the indoor/ outdoor garage sale will be held

Saturday, March 4. Rotary’s poker tournament will be held Saturday, March 11.

During Aurich’s report, the council approved purchasing a new John Deere tractor with a manure spreader for $81,233.32.

Aurich is looking to hire a replacement for Jim Glaze, who recently retired. He hopes to hire a licensed operator for the water department.

The council approved spending $879,000 with half, $439,560, paid up front for a new firetruck. Delivery of the new truck will be taken in 3 1/2 years. The new truck will replace one that is approximately 20 years old.

In the clerk-treasurer’s report, Cazier requested a special meeting be scheduled to discuss

employee insurance. After consulting with the state board of accounts, human resources and Rigdon, she requested a special meeting to discuss aspects of the town’s health insurance, which appear to be extremely vague.

The meeting will be scheduled at a later date.

In new business, Councilman Bill Musser, reported a committee will be formed to select new Christmas decorations.

Prior to the town council meeting, the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission met for its regular meeting. Dave Rosenberry was sworn in as a member of the commission. Officers were elected for 2023, with Larry Siegel as president, Jeff Goralczyk as vice president and Cory Mast as secretary.

County parks master plan open houses set for March

Details on the public engagement activities for the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Department and Board’s five-year master plan were mostly worked out during Thursday’s meeting.

Michiana Area Council of Governments Senior Community Development Planner Donny Ritsema told the board he wanted to kind of finalize what the public engagement activities will look like. They will be held in March, with the board to meet April 13 to approve the final master plan. The plan has to be received by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by April 15.

“The purpose for our public engagement is just to provide another meaningful opportunity to give residents, visitors a chance to review the draft plan; be engaged in the process; participants

Syracuse Board Of Zoning denies new home variance, board now fully staffed

dont want

obstructions. You can move the air conditioner in front; some are putting it on the roof.”

Abbs agreed with Cox.

It took four Kosciusko Leadership Academy white paper projects over 26 years before an ice skating rink in Kosciusko County was realized.

A new, big project was presented Thursday to the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board.

a permit from the county for $125.

will have the opportunity to review and submit their input on the draft park plan, know the major outcomes and what strategies were proposed; and then just to be able to interact with you all, the board members, as well as the steering committee,” Ritsema said.

The public comment period is being kept open through the month of March. Ritsema said any events they have will be promoted through social media, flyers at public locations and press releases through local media.

He also said there will be a couple ways that residents and visitors will be able to access the draft plan and submit their comments. It eventually will be on the board’s webpage under kcgov. com, and there will be printed copies at city halls, town halls and public libraries. Along with the printed copies, there will be a comment form and drop box.

There will be an online version of the comment form with a link to the draft plan, which will automatically get submitted back to MACOG.

The board and Ritsema then discussed how many public events to have and where. The open houses, it was decided, will be at the North Webster Community Center or Library; the Warsaw Community Public Library; and the Bell Memorial Public Library in Mentone. The dates and times will depend on space availability, but board Vice President Troy Turley and President Rob Bishop will work with Ritsema on those and then information will be disseminated out to the public.

“I think the plan is shaping up very nicely. So I commend you and MACOG and everyone else here for the work that’s been done on it,” board member Mike Cusick told Ritsema.

nient locations for all of Kosciusko County.”

Even as a college administrator, McGregor said, facilities are “lacking. I’m sure we feel it within our communities, too, as it says, from that late fall to the early spring months of where can we go, what can we do and how can we continually be active and healthy without those resources within our county.”

For the first time in about four years, the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals is fully staffed. Two new members, Brandon Wolferman and Scott Abbs, joined the board Thursday, Feb. 16, at its monthly meeting.

The board now consists of five members: Wolferman, Abbs, Matt Goodnight, Randy Cox and Cory Mast. Mast was not present at the recent meeting.

The board reviewed three variance requests and one exception request. Only the variance request by Marvin Schwartz was denied. This is the second permit issued for the Hawaiian Village development. There are five undeveloped lots in that area.

Schwartz filed a petition for variance to construct a residence and place an air conditioning unit 7 feet from the side property line. The property is located on the east side of Koko Drive and 360 feet south of Pickwick Drive, in an area where new lots are being developed. Schwartz did not provide drawings of the residence on the lot.

Setbacks apply to the structure, generators or AC units. The minimum setback requirements for this lot were 25 feet from the right of way, 35 feet from the water and 10 feet from both side lines.

Schwartz was requesting a variance to place the AC unit within 7 feet of the side property line. However, several board members suggested Schwartz consider other options for placing the air conditioner, such as making an indentation in the garage or house or placing it on the roof.

“You know the (lot) size. The house is to fit the lot, not the lot to the house,” stated Cox. “If we grant it for you, there are four others who can come in and want the same thing.” Cox stated the fire department requests 10 feet around the homes to maneuver equipment if there is a fire. “We

“That’s a good amount of land. I mean, do you worry about your AC being 3 feet closer? I mean, designwise, that’s a good chunk of land,” said Wolferman.

“That gives you 55 feet,” added Cox.

Given the circumstances, the board uanimously denied Schwartz’s request, until he could meet the setback requirements.

Approvals for variances were given to John Oglesbee and Brock Manning, despite decks having already been constructed without permits being issued.

Oglesbee’s variance request was to allow a newly constructed deck to remain zero feet to the southwest property line and zero feet from the right of way of Carroll Street. The property is located at 601 N. Harrison St., at the corner of Carroll Street.

Matt Sandy, plan commission director, stated town officials contacted the planning office, reporting the deck’s construction without a permit.

“We did talk to the town to let them know that if it was a platform, they do not need a permit. Under the definition in the ordinance, a platform is decking that is no more than 12 inches above finished grade at any given point,” said Sandy.

“We built that deck with a town permit,” said Oglesbee.

Confusion arose when Oglesbee consulted with his contractor about getting a permit. One from the town was acquired, but both parties were unaware they needed to receive a permit from both the town and the county.

“I’d say there’s definitely been miscommunication somewhere in the mix,” said Sandy. He spoke directly with the contractor, saying, “I guess the best advice I can give you is it’s in your best interest to make sure a permit is acquired

Manning, whose property is at 1502 S. Huntington St., also built a deck without proper permits. He had previously been denied a permit due to setbacks and flood development requirements. His request was for a variance to leave the deck as is but 11 feet closer than the minimum setback of 35 feet.

Manning stated he didn’t realize he needed a permit for the deck as it was replacing a deteriorating deck. Sandy reiterated several times because the property is in a flood zone anything done to the property has to have a permit. “It is more complicated.”

Ken Manning spoke along with Brock Manning, stating they believed constructing the new deck and repairing it was the same thing. It was noted on the previous request the front deck was only included to show how it would tie in with the new deck.

While the board approved the variance, there were stipulations made that he never enclose the deck, and proper permits br obtained, including a flood permit.

Jeffery Toumey was granted his exception to construct an oversized residential accessory structure at 1101 N. Long Drive.

“Anytime you get over 1,200 square feet in a residential district, it takes an exception for that size building,” said Sandy.

“So right now we have a 24by-40 -foot pole building. That’s pretty much what it is. We’re looking at expanding it to 55-by40, keeping two of the walls of the existing structure. My intention would be to obviously stay within the 10 feet. I got three kids and I got one starting to drive so we have another car to put in the garage,” said Toumey.

Toumey additionally noted it will be finished to match the home and garage on the property and a shed currently on the property will be removed.

Seeing no issue with Toumey’s request, the board unanimously approved the motion.

Grace College Assistant Athletic Director and Sport Management Program Director Carol McGregor presented the “Fieldhouse of Dreams,” a community fieldhouse that is the topic of the white paper project her KLA team is working on. Her team members for the fieldhouse are Chad Hummel, Silveus Insurance; Denny Harlan, city of Warsaw; and Angie Summers, K21 Health Foundation.

McGregor read to the board a description given at a KLA meeting about the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program and the call for community centers for wellness programming.

“It says the smaller communities lack indoor exercise options from late fall to early spring months. This initiative was to support the planning, implementation, building or renovation of indoor facilities in our local towns,” she said.

The indoor facilities may be part of a renovation or construction of new facilities that “would allow local communities access to exercise options that provide a safe space for both activity and social engagement around exercise. These structures would be used as convenient socialization opportunities centered around movement while providing a variety of health programming for the smaller communities. This would provide year-round access to health center programming and affordable options in conve-

An organization called AGAITAS provides free soccer, baseball and basketball camps for kids. McGregor asked, “What could they do and what kind of impact could they have amongst the community members if they had access to a facility all year?”

McGregor works in Kosciusko County but lives in Fort Wayne and she has access there to turf facilities and gyms that are “outstanding.” However, she said, her KLA team members live in Kosciusko and don’t have the same access without driving 45 minutes away to give their children the opportunity to play indoor soccer during the winter months.

“We wanted to just look at how can we build something or bridge the gap that we’re lacking here,” she said.

The first of three questions she had when she previously met with Parks Board member Matt Metzger was: What does the community want? That’s a question she understood the board also was investigating.

“So that’s one of the areas we want to come along side you,” she said, and maybe propose an idea.

She said they know fitness and activity is huge in the connectivity within the county. “Ideally, this facility would end up being located in the Warsaw/ Winona Lake area. We do have other communities reaching out, doing some KEDCO, getting the HELP grants.” The community fieldhouse would serve as a home

Tippecanoe Township to

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also noted that Francis will soon be seeking bids for the paving of paths inside the township-managed cemeteries.

The next meeting of the advisory board will take place Tuesday, March 14, at NWCC following the town council and fire territory meetings. The meeting is open to the public.

base for students from all over the county, McGregor continued.

The second question she presented was on the cost of the fieldhouse.

She presented a quote from The Farley Group for a 100,000-square-foot dome for about $3.6 million in construction costs. There would be an additional cost for turf or whatever flooring was desired. She said it was a “much cheaper” option in regards to upfront costs, but ongoing costs were more than a brick-and-mortar building.

The final question she presented was, who would the partners be on the facility? McGregor said not only would Grace College be interested in it because of its students, but also hospital systems, the parks and foundations.

“So, in summary, the biggest question that we still kind of have, that we have to look upon, is the location. Where would we want it? Where would we have the best access? Where could people capitalize on it? Where are they willing to get their fitness on?” McGregor said.

Metzger said the county park board has to think about being countywide, so when it comes to location of the fieldhouse he wondered where would it sit. He said he knows there’s potentially a place on the east side of Grace’s campus. McGregor said that location would provide connectivity to the trails.

Parks Board member Mike Cusick asked if the county parks department and board would be a partner in the development and funding of the fieldhouse. McGregor said yes to all of the above.

Metzger said the project is in its infancy stage, but it’s one that makes sense for the county parks board to come along side as such projects are what the community said they wanted to see in recent surveys.

KLA Cadet presents ‘Fieldhouse Of Dreams’ to county parks board

Obituaries

Barry Wade Miller

Owner Of Miller Gun Sales

Barry Wade Miller, Syracuse, passed away at his home with his loving wife and children by his side on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at the age 78.

Born on Aug. 14, 1944, in Warsaw, he was the son of Ernest “Wade” Miller and Opal I. “Babe” (Kuhn) Miller. Barry graduated from North Webster High School in North Webster in 1963 and was married on Oct. 14, 1966, in Fort Carson, Colo., to Judith “Judy” Brannon, who survives.

Throughout his professional career, Barry previously worked at White Front Grocery Store in North Webster and honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1965-1969. He was the former owner and operator of Miller Heating & Air and owned Miller Gun Sales in Syracuse since 1989.

An active member of the Wawasee community, Barry lent his HVAC skills to the Wawasee Building Trade Program and previously served as the Pack 24 Cub Scout Master, where he received the Pine Burr Award. He was also a member of the Syracuse Men’s Bowling League and the American Legion Post 223 in Syracuse.

More personally, Barry loved animals and was a passionate fan of NASCAR, faithfully supporting Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. through the years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, though it took him 27 years to shoot his first deer. Most of all, Barry was a quiet and shy person who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family dearly.

Along with his wife of 56 years, Judy, Barry is survived by three sons, Robert Miller of Ashville, N.C., Gary Wade (Cheryl) Miller of Louisville, Ky., and Andrew Carl (Marcie) Miller of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Marianne (Michael Foreman) Wong of Goshen; five grandsons, Gregg, Brandon, Andrew II, Michael and Ethan; two granddaughters, Ellen and Ashe; four great-granddaughters, Hayden, Ryker, Kayden and Layla; and sister, Melody (Stan) Rensberger of Syracuse.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse is entrusted with the care of Barry and the Miller family. Family and friends gathered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. A graveside service followed at 1:30 p.m. in the Syracuse Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to New Hope Pet Rescue, 72555 CR 29, Syracuse, IN 46567 or the Fido Fund of Michiana, 4005 Timberstone Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514.

Written condolences may be left at www.titusfuneralhome.com.

Daniel C. Levernier

Decorated Veteran

Daniel C. Levernier, 99, Milford, passed away at 8:44 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Paddock Springs in Warsaw.

He was born March 24, 1923, the son of Martin W. and Era (Chambers) Levernier in Evanston, Ill. On Feb. 12, 1944, he married Mary Helene “Chippy” Thomas at Lake Wawasee. Together they shared over 70 years of marriage until her passing on May 18, 2014.

He graduated from Juliet High School and went on to serve his country honorably in the Army Air Forces during WWII. Sgt. Daniel Levernier served as a tail gunner on a B24 Liberator and also as a radio operator translating Morse code. From Aug. 1, 1944, to Jan. 6, 1945, he completed over 35 bombing missions. He was a decorated veteran and in 2018, he received the National Order of the Legion of Honor from the French government to honor his service during the war that led to the liberation of France.

He was a member of the American Legion and The Eagles. He enjoyed camping, traveling the U.S., Mexico and Europe for many years with Mary. He always enjoyed entertaining and in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Mary and Dan helped start the Milford Saturday Night Sock Hops. He was an avid golfer in his younger years. In his latter years, he enjoyed reading, staying very active and the occasional trip to The Boat.

He is survived by four children, Dana (Doug) Miller of Bremen and their family, Tracy (Julie) Miller and Cathy (Todd) Huffman of Bremen; Debra Mann of Warsaw and her family, Tyrone (Mary Ellen) Mann of Colorado and Monica Prudy of Parrish, Fla.; Thomas (Nancy) Levernier of Milford and their family, Michele (Brian) Mitchell, Jaime (Mitch) Hollar and Sara (Jason) Fuller of Milford; Timothy (Trisha) Levernier of Milford and their family, Jeff Levernier of Fort Wayne, Brandy (Jim) Coons of Florida, Heather Hamstra of Lafayette, Destiny Turner of Bremen and Brady Spencer of Milford. Also surviving are 26 great-grandchildren and 15 greatgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two grandsons, Casey Miller and Darren Mann; and a son-in-law, David Mann.

A funeral service will be held in Mr. Levernier’s honor at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 461 W. 900N, Milford. Family and friends will be received from 3-6 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place at Milford Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given in his honor to Milford Public Library or Live a Dream at Paddock Springs.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.mishlerfhcc.com.

Julia Villarreal

Julia Villarreal, Milford, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at her home.

Arrangements are currently pending at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Jack Darr

Jack Darr, 89, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Goshen Hospital.

Arrangements are currently pending at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Susan Rossell

Susan Rossell, 69, Syracuse died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne.

Arrangements are currently pending at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Births

Kaspar Elijah Dietz Lucas and Dorinda (Brito) Dietz, Goshen, are the parents of a son, Kaspar Elijah, born at 9:52 p.m. Feb. 15, 2023, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

Rita M. Kolb

Lifetime Area Resident

Rita M. Kolb, lifelong resident of Syracuse passed away in her home with her family by her side on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at the age of 65.

Born in Goshen on June 30, 1957, Rita was one of 10 children of George and Mary (Graves) Thornburg.

In her younger years, Rita enjoyed sewing and weaving lawn chairs. More recently, she found pleasure in spending time outside with her flowers and kayaking on the lake. Rita will be remembered as a quiet and independent woman who greatly loved her family and grand pups.

Rita is survived by her son, Lance (Whitney) Kolb; and siblings, Ronald (Judy) Thornburg, Stony (Sherill) Thornburg, Jerry (Gale) Thornburg, Jim Thornburg, JoAnne (Greg) Drake and John Thornburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Faye Thornburg; and brothers, Joe Thornburg and Ed (Susie) Thornburg.

Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services is entrusted with Rita’s care. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

Larry Weaver

2019 County Firefighter Of The Year

Larry Weaver, 85, Syracuse, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at Paddock Springs in Warsaw.

He was born July 8, 1937, in Mishawaka, to Carlyle and Glada (Hartman) Weaver. He was voted into the Syracuse Fire Department on June 2, 1960, and he was still actively present within the department. He served as fire chief in 1974, 1975 and 1977. He was named Firefighter Association Life Member 2010. He served on the Civil Defense, having been one of the original members. He operated his tree service from 1955 until 2022. He worked for Syracuse Rubber for 43 years.

He was a longtime Mason, having earned Entered Apprentice on Oct. 26, 1964, his Fellow-craft on Nov. 23, 1964, and Master Mason on Jan. 25, 1965. He was also a cattle farmer since 1981. He earned the honors of Syracuse Firefighter of the Year in 2018 and County Firefighter of the Year in 2019. He was a charter member of the Sons of the American Legion in Syracuse.

Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Weaver; children, Larry D. (Tracey) Weaver Jr., Janet R. (John, deceased) Christian, William K. (Shonda) Weaver and Allen J. (Shelly) Weaver; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Kay Cory and Jo Ann Harris.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard A. “Dick” Weaver.

Visitation was held from 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. A Masonic service was held at 7 p.m. Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at the funeral home. Burial followed at Syracuse Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory or to Kosciusko Lodge 418 F&AM.

TTFT receives fire station repair update

During the Tuesday, Feb. 21, evening Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory board meeting, members received an update from Township Trustee Chris Francis on the renovation status of the fire department building and the two adjacent properties recently purchased, including the old theater.

He noted he held a second formal meeting with the architectural group responsible for the design of the spaces. Schematics have been developed, which will be presented to the board in the near future.

“They have started to lay things out pretty close to the way we had envisioned it,” said Francis. “They are conducting a little deeper engineering and structural study of the building to try to determine how bad the sinking is with the current structure and what we need to do to the station itself. I know it’s getting worse.”

In other business, Fire Chief Jeremy Likens provided an up-

date on the moving of the town’s tornado sirens to locations that would better benefit the community. He also informed the board that repair estimates are being gathered for one of the department’s ambulances damaged during a service call last month. He said the vehicle was still usable and structurally sound, but repairs would need to be made in the future. Likens also noted that the Dodge Durango owned by the fire territory has been in the repair shop for the past month, but was picked up this week with repairs completed.

Likens noted that in January, TTFT responded to 56 EMS calls, nine fire calls and made three runs into Noble County per its agreement with townships in that county. Year to date, the department has responded to 107 calls, which is around 10 behind the same period in 2022.

The next TTFT meeting will be Tuesday, March 14, following the North Webster Town Council meeting in the North Webster Community Center. The public is welcome to attend.

North Webster Town Council approves sewer rate hike

A quorum of North Webster Town Council members gathered Tuesday night, Feb. 21, for the governing board’s regular monthly meeting.

Council President Dan Thystrup was out of town and not present, leaving Council Member Lisa Strombeck to lead the session.

The council passed an ordinance that will raise the town’s sewer rates by $4 per month. Strombeck informed the council the town has not had a rate increase since 2014. New coupon books will be distributed to residents soon.

In department reports, Mike Noe reported the utilities/street department has been busy working on the new streetlights in town. He hopes to have the lights fully converted to new LED fixtures in the near future. Noe also received approval from the council to spend $2,858 for maintenance on the town’s various generators at its lift stations and other locations.

Town Marshal Greg Church

informed the council the patrol vehicle damaged in a December accident has been declared a total loss by the insurance company. A new unit had previously been ordered and will be delivered later this year. A second new vehicle will now need to be ordered in the fall once they are available for ordering.

During the open floor discussion, town resident Michael Wyrick, representing the Webster Lake Conservation Association, made a request to the council regarding detritus runoff from the town’s streets into Webster Lake. He said he had addressed the council in previous years concerning this matter. He is hopeful the town will invest in filters on street drains, as well as better utilize its street sweepers to keep the roadways better clear of debris that otherwise ends up in the drains and eventually the lake.

Additionally, Rick Pharis of Triad Associates presented the council with an update of the planned street repairs as part of the 2022 Community Crossings Project.

The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday,

March 14, in the North Webster Community Center. The public is invited to attend.

Accidents/Incidents

All charges made by law enforcement are allegations and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kosciusko County

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following accidents and incident:

Accidents

10:09 a.m. Wednesday, Feb.

15, South SR 25, west of South Bruner Road, Warsaw. Driver: Flora I. Cristen, 24, South West Street, Milford. Cristen steered to the right quickly and overcorrected her vehicle. It left the roadway and hit a mailbox and internet box and overturned. Cristen complained of head and arm pain and was transported to the hospital. Damage up to $10,000.

8:57 a.m. Wednesday, Feb.

15, North SR 15, north of West CR 900N, Milford. Drivers: Natasha R. Menzie, 20, Millers Court, Nappanee; and Alaina R. Krauter, 36, North Southwinds Trail, Warsaw. Menzie didn’t see Krauter’s vehicle until it was too late. Her vehicle hit Krauter’s. Damage up to $25,000.

Incident

8:49 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 800 block of East CR 550N, Leesburg. Kaleb Dausman had a firearm and electronics stolen. Value of $1,300.

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following accident and incident:

Accident

1:13 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.

15, East Backwater Road, west of North CR 850E, North Webster. Driver: Kevin J. Hinton, 68, South Circle Drive East, Cromwell. Hinton said his service dog came into his front seat while driving and caught his arm. Hinton swerved and his vehicle hit a pole. Damage up to $25,000.

Incident

4:38 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 600 block of South Dixie Drive, North Webster. Phillip R. Long reported five pairs of shoes stolen. Total loss of $660.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following accidents, incidents and made the following arrest:

Accidents

4:55 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 , North Huntington Street, north of East Pearl Street, Syracuse. Driver: Diana K. Stuckman, 76, CR 48, Nappanee. Stuckman was backing her car to exit a parking space when she struck a town-owned light post. Damage up to $5,000.

Noon, Thursday, Feb. 16, West Conrad Street, east of North Mill Street, Syracuse.

Drier: Austin J. O’Connell, 26, Hasty Street, Huntington. The semitractor/trailer driven by

Niles receives 20-year sentence

dealing meth, habitual offenses

chael Reed presiding.

O’Connell struck a low hanging branch, which pulled down a power line that landed on top of the semitrailer. Damage p to $2,500.

Incidents

11:36 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 1200 block of South Channel 3 Lane, Syracuse. Lisa I. Hines, reported fraudulent charges on her credit card for amounts to-

talling

$451.88.

12:28 a.m. Wednesday, Feb.

15, 700 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Police were called to Casey’s General Store regarding battery to an employee and theft.

Arrest

12:28 a.m. Wednesday, Feb.

15. Adam Stanley, 27, 9810 E. Chicadee Drive, Cromwell, was arrested for battery and theft. Stanley allegedly pushed an employee at a business in Syracuse and left without paying for $9.39 in food and beverages.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident:

Accident

3:20 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2211 E. Center St., Warsaw.

Drivers: Unknown; and Sara L. Hollar, 38, West CR 600N, Leesburg. An unknown vehicle hit Hollar’s vehicle while it was parked at Kroger. Damage up to $5,000.

Jail Bookings

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in Kosciusko County Jail:

Feb. 20 — Justin R. Cripps, 50, 7130 N. 650E, North Webster, booked for driving while suspended prior. Bond: $450 cash.

Feb. 20 — Jacob James Bridges, 30, 403 W. Tanya Ave., North Webster, booked for invasion of privacy. Bond: $1,500 cash.

Feb. 20 — Devin Stuart Gerding, 26, 10080 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, booked for battery and criminal mischief.

Bond: $15,750 surety and cash.

Feb. 18 — Lindsay Clare Krieg, 26, 428 W. Tanya Avenue, North Webster, booked for possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear-misdemeanor. Bond: $5,250 and no bond.

Feb. 17 — John Michael Arthur, 35, 6704 N. Kalorama Road, Leesburg, booked for domestic battery-simple assault. Bond: $1,000 cash.

Feb. 17 — Rodney James Crittendon, 53, 7235 N. SR 13, North Webster, booked for warrant service. No bond.

Feb. 16 — Hayle Nicole Doty, 34, 44 EMS D24B Lane, Syracuse, booked for criminal trespass. Bond: $500 cash.

Feb. 15 — David Allen Huffenberger, 52, 103 E. Pearl St., Syracuse, booked for burglary and a probation violation – felony.

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather Awareness

Week is March 13-19.

A test tornado warning will occur between 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14.

Kosciusko County Emergency Management, working with the National Weather Service and local response agencies, will be

for

one of his previous cases spoke to his readiness for change.

Bond: $30,500 surety and cash.

Feb. 15 — Matthew Duke Coonce, 46, 514 Turkey Creek Drive, Milford, booked for court. No bond.

Feb. 14 — Adam Ray Stanley, 27, 9810 E. Chickadee Drive, Cromwell, booked for battery and theft. Bond: $600 cash.

Elkhart County

The following person was booked in Elkhart County Jail:

Feb. 16 — Stacy Joanne Flores, 41, 3757 N. 900W, Cromwell, booked for theft. Bond: $150.

A Syracuse man was sentenced to 20 years in the Indiana Department of Correction following the controlled purchase of methamphetamine by the Kosciusko County Narcotics Enforcement Team. Brad Lee Niles Jr., 36, 1010 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, was charged with one count of dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony, and as a habitual offender. Additional charges were dropped as a result of a plea agreement. Niles was sentenced in Kosciusko County Circuit Court Monday, Feb. 20, with Judge Mi-

Prior to sentencing, Niles stated, “I know what I did was wrong. I got complacent, stopped going to meetings and I relapsed. I lost my mind. I’m sorry.”

Attorney Paul Stanko, representing Niles, claimed his “acceptance of responsibility” and willingness to make statements to exonerate an innocent party in

Reed sentenced Niles to 20 consecutive years in IDOC, the maximum sentence that could be given within the terms of the plea agreement. Sometime during August 2021, NET 43 conducted a controlled purchase of more than 28 grams of meth from Niles. Also sometime during August 2021, a NET 43 informant purchased more than one gram of a narcotic drug (fentanyl) from Niles while he was in possession of a firearm. Niles had at least two prior felony convictions at the time of his arrest for these crimes.

Cruz receives 42-year sentence after violent altercation with police officers

Miguel

Enrique Delfin Cruz, 28, 109 S. Henry St., Milford, received a 42-year sentence in Kosciusko Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 21, after a violent altercation with police officers during an August 2020 incident at a Warsaw laundromat. Cruz was found guilty on Jan. 17, following a bench trial on charges of criminal confinement, a level 2 felony; criminal confinement, a level 3 felony; battery on a public safety official, intimidation with a deadly weapon, carrying a handgun without a license with a sentence enhancement and two counts of disarming a law enforcement officer, all level 5 felonies; and resisting law enforcement, intimidation and two counts of pointing a firearm, all level 6 felonies.

Prior to the trial, Cruz pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

At sentencing, officers from local law enforcement agencies filled the courtroom, attending in support of the two officers. Represented agencies included Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office and Winona Lake Police Department. Both officers who were injured in the altercation with Cruz presented victim impact statements. The first officer who spoke was employed with WPD at the time of the incident but now works for a different local law enforcement agency.

“That date will always be ingrained in my head,” said the officer. “I’ll never forget that day. Some days I’m able to cope, but sometimes I still wake up in the middle of the night, sweating, screaming and yelling. Yet by God’s grace we all made it out alive. I took a lot of negative criticism from my peers on how I reacted (during the incident) and that still follows me around. Words can’t describe my helplessness at the time ... to shoot or not to shoot while a gun was to my partner’s head.”

The female officer who was battered by Cruz then delivered her statement, recalling the details of Aug. 5, 2020.

“Miguel, you violently assaulted me as I fought to break your grip, the grip of a male at least 1 1/2 times my size who was trained in wrestling and high on methamphetamine,”

Schroll arrested after domestic battery

said the officer.

“Once restrained, you were escorted to a patrol car. You and I shared a moment I will never forget. You looked into my eyes and said, ‘I should’ve f****** killed you!’ Your words showed no remorse. They were your last attempt to destroy me. Instead, they only made me stronger. You chose to attack a warrior with the heart of a lion.”

She also recalled the physical, mental and emotional toll the altercation with Cruz took on her. The officer told Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed she attended occupational therapy and intense individual post-traumatic stress disorder therapy sessions after the August 2020 incident.

Continuing in her statement, the officer focused on Cruz’s behavior during the bench trial, saying Cruz “gave a disingenuous apology and refused to take responsibility for his actions, actions that have irrefutably upended my life, and chose to instead blame them on being high.

“I do not believe Miguel has come to a place of repentance, as shown by his own continued behavior,” said the officer. “He continued to fight while incarcerated. He did not comply with probation ... and he made finger guns under the table at trial, pointed the finger gun toward those on the stand and motioned pulling the trigger. Those seem to be signs of someone fantasizing about a chance to do it all again.

the crimes, Cruz’s lack of remorse, the need for rehabilitation, and continued acts of violence by Cruz as aggravators.

Hampton said Cruz admitted to engaging in several fights while incarcerated in KCJ and also said past rehabilitation programs such as probation have not worked.

Hampton requested a 40-year sentence, followed by extensive time on probation.

Defense Attorney Randall Hammond said two of Cruz’s relatives were in the courtroom in support of Cruz. He requested a sentence that recognized the harm caused to the two officers but also focused on rehabilitation for Cruz.

In total, including a 10-year sentence enhancement, Cruz received a 38-year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction and four years on probation. Cruz has been incarcerated at KCJ since the August 2020 incident.

Cruz must also pay $496 in restitution to the female officer and $2,657.55 in restitution to the Indiana Public Employers’ Plan, all for medical expenses the female officer incurred after the incident.

Hammond said Cruz intends to appeal the sentence with the assistance of a public defender.

conducting a test of their severe weather/tornado plans and procedures.

During this drill, they are strongly suggesting all agencies, businesses and schools conduct their own internal drills to test their preparedness for this type of event.

Court News

Small Claims

The following small claim has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Turkey Creek Fire Territory v. Dan Tinkey, $1,732.80

Superior Court III

The following infractions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding:

Speeding in school zone — Cory J. Moneyheffer, Leesburg, $160.50

Littering — Casey B. Reichel, Cromwell, $235 Hunting wild animals, fishing or trapping without a license — Luke A. Anderson, Leesburg, $160

Marriage Licenses

The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Ann Torpy: Rowe-Northrup Morgen J. Rowe, 38, Leesburg,

and Kacynda I. Northrup, 34, Leesburg Oglesbee-Strasser John E. Oglesbee, 59, Syracuse, and Susan E. Strasser, 68, Syracuse

Marriage Dissolutions

The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Houseman — Morgan Houseman, Syracuse, and David Houseman, Churubusco.

Married: Aug. 9, 2014. Separated: Aug. 16, 2019. There are two minor children.

Davis-Landry — Beth N. Davis, Warsaw, and Brandon D. Landry, Syracuse.

Married: July

2, 2019. Separated: Dec. 14, 2022. There is one minor child.

Upchurch — Shari Upchurch, North Webster, and Anthony Upchurch, North Webster. Married: Nov. 9, 2019. Separated: Jan. 22, 2023. There are no minor children.

Billy Taylor Schroll, 30, 8268 E. Wade Lane, North Webster, is charged with domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony; and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a domestic incident in which Schroll allegedly blackened a woman’s eye and put knots on her head. Upon arrival at the scene, the deputy saw a woman placing two children into a vehicle.

According to court documents, the woman had three bumps on the right side of her face and a red mark under her eye. The woman told the deputy she fell, but one of the children told her not to lie. Both children then pleaded with the woman to speak with the deputy about what happened. Schroll was taken into custody at the scene. When he asked why he was going to jail, the deputy said he did not feel comfortable leaving when both children said Schroll hit the woman.

Schroll told the deputy he wasn’t going to call the children liars and said, “I wished I had not done that in front of them.”

Schroll has been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.

“Miguel, I want to make it very clear to you. You don’t own me. I am not your victim. I am a warrior and forever a fighter. I am not the darkness I endured. I am the light that refused to surrender.”

After the impact statements, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton said there were no mitigators within the case and noted Cruz’s prior criminal history. He asked Reed to consider the seriousness of

On Aug. 5, 2020, officers responded to a report of a threat to life at Quick Clean Laundry in Warsaw. After confirming Cruz was illegally in possession of a handgun, two Warsaw Police officers attempted to take Cruz into custody. A physical altercation occurred, with Cruz pointing his firearm at one officer’s head and battering her. Both officers sustained scrapes, cuts and bruises to their arms.

The officer Cruz battered with a firearm was taken to a local hospital but was released soon after.

As Cruz was being taken to the Kosciusko County Jail, Cruz said he should have killed the female officer.

[U.S.P.S 325-840] ISSN 2834-3999 Vol. 62, No. 2

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

206 S. Main St. P.O. Box 188 Milford, IN 46542-0188 Phone (574) 658-4111 1-800-733-4111 FAX 800-886-3796

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The Papers Incorporated reserves the right to refuse for publication any advertising that is considered offensive, misleading or detrimental to the public, the newspaper or another advertiser and to edit advertising at its discretion.

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Joshua Smith arrested after allegedly battering woman, breaking cellphone

Joshua Terry Smith, 36, 8719

E. Hatchery Road, Syracuse, is charged with domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, a Warsaw Police officer met with a woman regarding a domestic battery, which occurred Wednesday, Feb.

1. During the incident, the woman said Smith took her cellphone

and told her he would return it if she got into his vehicle.

According to court documents, when the woman got into the vehicle, Smith became angry and allegedly smashed her face into the vehicle’s center console. He also grabbed the woman by her hair,

hit her twice in the nose and the side of the head, and bounced her head off the vehicle’s passenger side window two times.

When the woman begged Smith to return her phone, he smashed the cellphone and bent it in half. The responding officer noticed the woman had a fresh red mark and bruise in the center of her forehead, as well as a fresh mark and scratch on the right side of her neck. Smith was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail Saturday, Feb. 18, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.

North Webster Community Public Library —

Adult winter reading program coming to a close

The 2023 inaugural adult winter reading program is coming to a close. If you have been reading books and keeping track of your pages, make sure to come into the library this week to redeem your final tickets.

Craft kits and puzzle packets will still be available until March 3 if you would like to race through some crossword puzzles to earn even more tickets. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the first adult reading program a success. Drawing winners will be contacted by phone after the grand prize drawing has taken place.

Weekly Library Events

The following activities are set to take place at North Webster Community Public Library. Attendees do not need a library card to participate in any of these events.

Adult Events

Writers Corner, 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27. This month’s idea starter is: “Write your own presidential campaign speech” or write something else presidential in honor of Presidents’ Day. Write a story and come to share.

NWCPL will be hosting a Dr. Seuss-themed escape room at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 2. Solve puzzles, find clues and unlock the box before time runs out. This game is appropriate for all ages. Please register in advance for your preferred time slot.

Teen Events

Have the afterschool blues? Stop by between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, to hang out with friends, play board games and battle in Mario Kart on the Nintendo

Switch. Feel free to bring your own games to play. Snacks, coffee and pop will be provided. No registration is required.

Teen Bake and Take, 4-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 28. Come and make muffins in a variety of yummy flavors. Make sure to bring a container to take your goodies home.

Youth Events

Story times for all ages are back.

Baby and toddler time will be starting this week at both 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 28. Preschool story time will be happening at both 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 1. Bring your children for a fun time of age appropriate stories, games, crafts and play.

Paws to Read is still happening Thursdays through March 23.

Reading will start at 4:15 p.m. Sign up for a 15-minute appointment to read to a registered therapy dog

Lower Elkhart River Watershed project launched

Do you live, work, farm or play in the Lower Elkhart River Drainage?

A new project focused on assessing, protecting and improving water quality; engaging individuals interested in the Lower Elkhart River Drainage; and developing a stepwise plan for the Lower Elkhart River Drainage will host its first public drop-in meeting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Shrock Pavilion in Shanklin Park, 411 W. Plymouth, Goshen.

Drop in and share your perspectives on the Elkhart River, its lakes, streams and watershed and any suggestions you have on water quality or quantity, land use, stream and lake quality, recreation or other topics. While the Upper Elkhart River Watershed Project is a year into its work, additional planning efforts are just beginning in the lower portion of the watershed and your input is valuable. RSVP to Sara at speel@ arionconsultants.com or (765) 337-9100.

The project is funded through an Indiana Department of Environmental Management Section 205j Water Quality Planning Program Grant received by the City of Goshen, the Elkhart River Restoration Association and its partners. The $154,725 grant will lay the foundation for future, voluntary, on-the-ground conservation implementation efforts.

Sara Peel, project coordinator, said, “The Lower Elkhart River Project is structured to allow community input on what they want to see happen in terms of regional planning to improve water quality within the Lower Elkhart River Drainage.

“These efforts will include the initial project launch meeting as well as volunteer water quality monitoring, stream cleanup events, educational opportunities, local tours and more.”

Peel pointed out that more than 30 community agencies and organizations are supporting this effort. These groups include the City of Goshen Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4); Elkhart County Commissioners; City of Nappanee MS4; Elkhart County MS4; Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District; Elkhart County Surveyor’s Office; Elkhart River Restoration Association; Goshen College; Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District; Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Purdue Extension-Elkhart, Kosciusko and Noble counties; Indiana Department of Environmental Management; Lake Papakeechie; Noble County Building Inspector, Commissioners, EMA and Surveyor’s Office; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; Dewart Lake Improvement Association; St. Joseph River Basin Commission; cities of Elkhart, Goshen and Nappanee; Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation; and more.

The project is currently in its initial stages of gathering data and information, developing the project steering committee and coordinating the gathering of public opinion. If you are interested in participating in this exciting project, contact the project coordinator, Peel, at speel@arionconsultants.com or Jason Kaufman with the City of Goshen at jasonkauffman@goshencity.com.

in a fun and relaxed environment.

Registration is required in advance. Sign up in person, at (574) 8347122 or cervin@nweb.lib.in.us. For more information about any library events, call (574) 834-7122, visit nwcpl.org or click onto the library’s Facebook page.

Bonner explains need for performing arts center at Wawasee

“It’s always been my vision, but it’s not for me. It’s for the community,” explained Kristin Bonner, a language arts teacher at Wawasee High School.

That vision is to have a performing arts center for the Wawasee School Corporation. “The possibilities are endless,” she said.

At the school board meeting, held Tuesday, Feb. 14, Bonner gave a 20-minute presentation on why the school corporation needs a PAC. She also included a information packet which included approximately 12 letters from alumni and their parents supporting the need, a wish list for a PAC and potential rental revenue.

While Bonner has wanted a PAC for years, she believes now is the time to make that dream a reality. She credited Geoff Walmer, Wawasee High School principal, with doing “an amazing job finding employees who give their all to the arts.”

That includes Ben Essick, the “new guy in the tech department who has a degree in music technology” and the new art teachers

who would love a facility to do art shows.

Jeremy VanLue works closely with the fine and performing arts department, helping with sound and promotion. Students often do promos in the radio studio. Dan Wray has been teaching students how to build sets. And there are several other teachers involved.

“We literally have all the right people (to do this),” Bonner said.

“If we had a performing arts center we would have a place for the theater kids and tech kids and a place to teach people how to sew (costumes),” Bonner said. It would also provide a larger space for the band, which is also growing.

It starts with having a location and she believes there is space on the high school property where a facility with 1,000 seats and a balcony could be built.

The current auditorium is extremely limited. Both the boys’ and girls’ dressing rooms are the size of a large walk-in closet, able to accommodate about four students, although the mirrors are not outfitted to do theater makeup. There are over 50 involved in this year’s spring musical. There is no space to build sets

except on the stage. And even if sets could be built off-site and brought to the school, the doors leading to the stage area aren’t wide enough to accommodate them.

Due to the school’s flat roof, there are height restrictions when it comes to raising and lowering the curtain, meaning it is often damaged. Props and costumes are stored in closets throughout the school, not together where they are easily accessible.

There is also no orchestra pit, so musicians have to set up in the space between the stage and first row of seats to perform during shows.

The auditorium has 58 broken seats and not enough slope to allow everyone to see the performance. The tech booth is not enclosed, so those sitting near it

hear the kids working.

Bonner’s dream of a PAC would address those issues.

“In the summer, our town doubles in size. We could offer concerts,” Bonner said. The PAC would also offer opportunities for dance and theater classes. Bonner hopes the school board reviews her information and visits schools such as Warsaw and Concord High Schools that have PACs to see the benefits they bring to the community.

“It’s time to invest in academics,” Bonner said, noting classes would be held during the school day.

A PAC would also allow for potential partnerships within the community for a variety of events, from concerts and art shows to dinner theater and more.

Wawasee girls gymnastics finishes 3rd at Plymouth, 1st at home

The Wawasee girls gymnastics team finished 3rd in a meet with Plymouth, New Prairie and Westville, Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Plymouth High School.

Wawasee senior Trinity LaJoice placed 5th on vault with 8.5 points and tied for 5th on bars with a score of 7.1. Wawasee senior Olivia Ousley tied for 5th on beam with a 7.9 and 5th on floor with a 8.5. Ousley was 6th allaround with 30.65 points. Plymouth finished 1st, scoring 104.9 points. New Prairie came in 2nd, scoring 89.55. Wawasee was 3rd with 87.45. Westville was 4th with 84.6.

Wawasee finished 1st in a meet with Huntington North and Columbia City, Thursday, Feb. 16, at Wawasee High School.

Wawasee sophomore Morgan Reel placed 2nd all-around with a score of 31.18. Reel placed 2nd on vault with 8.7 points. She went on to finish 3rd on bars with a score of 6.85 and 2nd on beam with a score of 7.45. Reel didn’t disappoint on her floor exercise, scoring 8.18 points, good for 2nd place.

LaJoice finished 4th place allaround with a score of 29.08. She

Wawasee boys swimming sectional runners-up

500 free, clocking in at 5:16.29. Kompagne took home 10th, finishing in 5:30.15

Ousley performed magnificently on her floor exercise, taking home 1st place, scoring 8.38 points. She also placed 4th on beam with a score of 7.25. Ousley came in 5th all-around with 28.88 points.

Wawasee freshman Alyssa Kunish came in 7th place allaround, scoring 27.33 points.

“Wawasee accomplished a season-high team score, breaking 90 points. Morgan Reel had a personal record on beam with 7.45, placing third,” said coach Molly Liston.

Wawasee came in 1st with 90.3 points. Huntington North was 2nd with 88.575. Columbia City finished 3rd with 32.775.

Next meet: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Indiana High School Athletic Association Sectional at Wawasee High School.

The Wawasee boys swim team finished as sectional runners-up Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Concord High School Aquatics Center.

The 200 medley relay team of Nathan Harper, Keegan Hurst, Zack Kryder and Nate Kryder finished in 5th place, clocking in at 1:41.60.

Cade Garden finished 5th and Noah Mettham finished 8th in the 200 freestyle. Garden finished in 1:50.12 and Mettham in 1:54.66. Luke Kompagne finished 13th, clocking in at 2:00.05.

Hurst placed 9th, Coltin Bucher, 12th and Joe Hackleman 16th in the 200 individual medley. Hurst finished in 2:12.75 and Bucher in 2:15.09. Hackleman clocked in at 2:25.28.

Nate Kryder took home 4th in the 50 free, clocking in at 22.09. Dakota Nguyen placed 12th, finishing in 24.12. Issac Winters finished 5th in 1-meter diving with a score of 315.85. Will Long finished 9th with a score of 276.20.

Nate Kryder finished 3rd in the 100 butterfly, clocking in at 53.82.

Nate’s brother, Zack Kryder, finished 9th, with a time of 57.77.

Ivan Meier finished 11th, clocking in at 1:00.19.

Harper took home 3rd in the 100 free, finishing in 47.91. Garden was close behind, finishing in 49.60, good for 4th place. Nguyen finished 11th, clocking in at 52.31.

Mettham finished 8th in the

The 200 free relay team of Meier, Nguyen, Mettham and Garden finished 5th with a time of 1:34.32.

Harper was sectional runnerup in the 100 backstroke, finishing in 52.50. Zack Kryder took home 6th, clocking in at 57.08. Stone Shipley finished 8th in the 100 breaststroke, clocking in at 1:06.17. Bucher finished 12th and Hurst 13th. Bucher clocked in at 1:06.84 while Hurst finished in 1:07.03.

The 400 free relay team of Nate Kryder, Garden, Zack Kryder and Harper were sectional runners-up, finishing in 3:17. Concord took home the sectional championship with 447 points. Wawasee was runner-up with 319 points. Northridge finished in third place with 293.5 points.

“The guys had a great meet with lifetime and season bests. We came home with a second place team placement. I’m looking forward to next week at State in Indianapolis. Great season from the guys,” said coach Jason Scott.

Next meet: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, Swimming Preliminaries at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis.

9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Diving Preliminaries, Semifinals. 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Championship and Consolation Finals in all swimming events; Diving Finals.

Wawasee wrestling team finishes in 50th place, Miller finishes 6th

The Wawasee boys wrestling team concluded their season at the Indiana High School Athletic Association State Finals Friday, Feb. 17, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Wawasee had four wrestlers qualify for this year’s State Finals: Kaleb Salazar, 106; Cameron Senter, 113; Hunter Miller, 152; and Donovan Blair, 195. Salazar (36-6) squared off against Milan’s Matt Baylor (48-4) in round one of the State Finals. Baylor defeated Salazar by decision (11-7) in what was a very hard fought match. Senter (31-11) took on Kokomo’s

Jalen May (45-2) in the 1st round, losing a very close match by decision (5-3).

Miller (37-8) competed against Hamilton Southeastern’s Zach Lang (34-8) in his 1st round matchup, winning by decision (3-0). Miller faced Evansville Mater Dei’s Hunter May (39-2) in the quarterfinal round, losing by fall. Miller was victorious by decision (5-0) over Merrillville’s Adrian Pellot (38-7) in the 1st round of the consolation round and was defeated by decision (6-2) by Tell City’s Tyce DuPont (41-5) in the 5th place match. Blair (29-14) was defeated in the 1st round match by major decision (17-6) by

Milford Public Library —

Build a shamrock theme for March LEGO Challenge

The annual adult reading program is going strong at Milford Public Library. This year’s theme is “All Together Now.”

Sign up at the adult circulation desk and enter a weekly drawing for each book you read or audiobook you listen to. Anyone 18 or older can join the program. They have 61 adults participating so far.

The adult reading program ends March 31. Drawings are each Friday before the library closes. If you are already reading, why not join and maybe win a $25 gift card. Stop by the library for

more information. Preschool Winter Story Time

Register your child now for winter preschool story time. Winter story time is offered at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. It is for children ages 3-6. This is a great opportunity for your children to meet new friends, practice listening skills and explore the public library. Maria Pamer will be your storyteller. The themes are Feel Better Soon, Winter Waltz and Story Time Favorites. Enjoy some special time with your child, make a craft together and share a snack.

Visit the children’s department to register or call (574) 658-4312.

March LEGO Challenge

The monthly LEGO Challenge for March is to build a shamrock. The winner will take home a new LEGO kit. Be sure to enter the challenge by March 25.

Children ages preschool through eighth grade are invited to submit a photo of their creation to milford@milford.lib.in.us. The library staff will choose a winner from the submissions. They have a challenge each month during the school year.

LEGO Saturdays are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the first Saturday of each month MarchMay. The whole family is welcome to come and build things with the library’s collection of LEGOs.

Local students named to dean’s list

The following local students were recently named to the dean’s list of the following college/ university:

DePauw University

Cromwell — Elijah Gum-Hales Leesburg — Ava Knight, Grant Knight Syracuse — Taylor Cripe

Community Corner

Celebrating nature through clay: Local potter showcases her wildlife-inspired creations

Kim Marcadis is a prolific potter from North Webster who has been creating beautiful pieces of art for many years.

Her studio/gallery is located at 72 EMS W22 Lane, North Webster, where she grew up. The studio once belonged to her grandfather, who used it as a garage where he worked as a mechanic.

In 2018, Marcadis renovated the space and turned it into her own personal workshop, where she continues to create stunning pieces of pottery.

According to Marcadis, her interest in pottery began in elementary school. She had done pottery one year at North Webster Elementary and had always wanted to pursue it further. Years later, she met someone who did pottery at the Jewish Community Center, and pottery came back into her life. Some like-minded artists asked Marcadis if she wanted to go with them to North Carolina, where there was a prevalence of potters. She took the opportunity, and in 2004 made the move to Charlotte, where her clay journey really began.

Marcadis became involved with Clayworks, the fourth largest nonprofit studio in the area. They do a lot of outreach and have classes in the studio for studio artists. Marcadis became a studio artist and an assistant, loading and unloading kilns, fixing kilns and wheels and cleaning blades.

She and a few others were given space for free but had to work six hours a week. Marcadis remained at Clayworks from 2005-2016 before returning to North Webster.

During her time in North Carolina, Marcadis also became a member of Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Guild, with which she is still actively involved. The guild has two shows of 50-60 potters each year and is all about education, so there are several workshops every year for members.

Marcadis has since made pottery her full-time job, creating a wide variety of pieces from bird baths to dinnerware, many of which are embellished with nature-themed adornments of turtles, frogs, birds, lizards, and other wildlife.

“When I was in Charlotte, part of the classes were thinking, ‘Why you do what you do. You know? Your artist statement.’

“I grew up catching the fish and turtles. I played with little frogs and these tiny little toads and I would build these big wooden houses and play with them all day and then let them go. So, I’ve always been into little animals and flowers.” said Marcadis.

Marcadis’ Poppy Series, which consists of dinnerware like plates, coffee cups and bowls of various

sizes and styles, was inspired by her grandmother, who kept a poppy patch. When Marcadis wanted to grow her own poppies and didn’t have much luck, she thought, “Well, I’ll just paint some on here,” pointing to one of her unfinished works.

Ten percent of the sales from her Poppy Series is donated to the North Webster American Legion Auxiliary.

Marcadis is especially proud of the collection because in her time in Charlotte, N.C., she used a technique involving gas reduction firing, a different process than what she does now.

“I don’t have access to that. I was never interested in an electric kiln because it doesn’t do all the crazy chemical reactions. So it’s taken me like five years to come up with the color. And I like lots of color,” said Marcadis.

In addition to her own gallery pieces, Marcadis is one of the few potters who make pieces in Townsends, which are based out of Pierceton and sells historical reproductions of period pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Marcadis made 100 nutmeg jars for them and will be making soup bowls and pie plates sometime this year.

She not only does work for her own series but also takes requests from customers. Two years ago, a customer with whom she went to school was remodeling his house on Papakeechie Lake. He wanted the theme to be of nature and wildlife. Her tiles were installed last spring.

“It was my first time doing a tile project,” she said. “It feels pretty cool to have my work as a permanent part of someone’s house. The other cool thing is his mother was one of my high school art teachers.”

In an effort to showcase her beautiful pottery, Marcadis has several exhibits lined up. One of her upcoming shows will be held in the Lakeland Art Center and Gallery in Warsaw. The exhibit will run from March 1-26, and the reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 5.

The Lakeland Art Center and Gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Marcadis will also display her work 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Wawasee Fine Arts Festival in Oakwood Resort.

Additionally, she will showcase her pottery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, in the Kimmell House Inn Artisan Market, 1397 US 33, Kimmell.

For those unable to attend any of the exhibits, she will have more in the fall. Information can be found at marcadisarts.wixsite.com/home, where customers can find exhibit dates and learn more about her and her artwork.

Hilda Seyfert has a centennial celebration

Hilda Lenora Seyfert, born Feb. 22, 1923, is a woman of extraordinary life experience. She was born in Milford, in the downstairs bedroom of the Dippon farmhouse. Her father, Jesse Dippon, was a farmer who sold all his animals and farm equipment when she was five years old, and the family moved to Goshen.

Jesse kept the farmland and rented it out, and when Hilda was in fourth grade, her family lost everything during The Great Depression, moved back to the farm in Milford and started over. As a young girl, Hilda remembers how life changed between Goshen and the farm in Milford. In Goshen, they had indoor plumbing, but when they moved back to the farm, they used an outhouse.

Hilda attended Milford High School from fourth grade through her high school graduation. She would ride the bus to and from school 2.5 miles every day. Hilda loved school and was the president of her class every year.

She also performed the lead roles in her junior and senior plays, sang

in the choir and loved all her teachers. Her principal was Harold Young. Hilda has a special connection to her brother Bud Dippon, who was two years older than she was. His friend, Darrel Orn, taught her to drive a car on Sundays. Bud, who was always a character, would let her practice and drive his car to the corner and back, and in return, Hilda polished his car and all of his shoes.

Working on the farm, Hilda’s chores included climbing up the metal rungs to the top of the silo, using a pitchfork to loosen the snow — the silo didn’t have a cover — and pitching down the silage. She recalls a ring of farmers would rent a huge threshing machine together to fill all the silos.

However, Hilda remembers her least favorite job was when she had to gather the cows from one pasture to another.

“The older the bull, the meaner he was,” said Hilda, adding that some would even chase her.

Hilda and her friends loved going to dances every Saturday night throughout high school and listening to live bands at the Waco in Wawasee and the big dance hall in Tippecanoe. Sometimes they would go as far as

Bridge Results

The North Webster Bridge Group met Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center in the North Webster Community Center. Winners were Jean Cowan, first, and Jerry Hetrick, second.

Rochester.

After graduation, Hilda moved to Ft. Wayne and worked at her friend’s uncle’s restaurant, The Hobby House. She and her best friend and classmate, Helene Lantz, shared a room for $10 a week in a huge old home that had been made into a sixbedroom boarding house.

Hilda also worked for G.E. in Ft.

Wayne, saved money, and then went to Purdue in Lafayette for three semesters until she ran out of money. She went back to G.E., and they hired her immediately.

Hilda took a man’s job when he was drafted into World War II and was soon promoted to another man’s job when he was drafted. They were paid much lower than the men’s sal-

ary. But during the war, she could make $12 a week and $20 more in overtime.

They made small motors for the military, and Hilda clearly remembers Rosie the Riveter on posters created by Westinghouse.

Her sister at some point had a copy of the Saturday Evening Post with Rosie on the cover of the Memorial Day issue in 1943, when Hilda was 20.

“Getting the women out of the kitchen and into the workforce was the most successful advertising campaign in history,” said Hilda. Hilda left G.E. when her sister, Lila, was in a severe car crash. Lila lost her husband, Harold, in the car crash, and Hilda moved in to care for her.

During this time, her former principal, Mr. Young, called and told her they were looking for a third grade teacher, starting in a week. He had already told them Hilda would do it.

“You can do it, Hilda.” Mr. Young told her.

She was scared to death, but agreed and quit her new job at Penn Switch. Later she went back to Purdue Extension in Michigan City, where she taught for several years.

Hilda met her husband, Paul Seyfert, at a dance while at Purdue. He proposed to her in a letter while aboard a ship off the coast of Japan. They married when he came home on June 7, 1947, at the age of 24.

Paul spent his career at NIPSCO in Hammond as an electrical engineer. He worked in Michigan City and South Bend and retired as a division manager in Fort Wayne. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 88. Hilda still lives in Fort Wayne in her home in The Hamlets.

As Hilda celebrates her 100th birthday on Feb. 22, her family and friends are planning a special celebration to honor her life and legacy.

Hilda remains an inspiration to all who know her, a shining example of the power of hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

IN THE

By JOYCE ARLEEN CORSON, Guest Columnist and Master Gardener

The friendly sassafras

My father, introduced me to this more than friendly tree from his woods many years ago. The only tree to supersede was the linden.

To me sassafras albidum is an admirable tree any time of the year. Native to most of the eastern United States as well as far southern Ontario, sassafras is a medium-sized, typically 30-50 feet (9-19 meters) tall deciduous tree with an attractive, horizontal tiered branching habit. It may form dense, shrubby thickets as suckers arise from its shallow, wide-spreading, lateral root system, especially in sites like old farm fields where it has room to spread. Its spring burst of yellow flowers is just one of the ornamental attributes of sassafras.

Sassafras is primarily dioecious, bearing staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers on separate plants. Blooming in early to mid spring, the fragrant yellow flowers are borne in clusters that, en masse, put on quite a show despite the relatively small size (about one-third of an inch or 8 millimeters in diameter) of individual flowers.

Sassafras fruits are rather striking: ovoid, deep blue drupes cupped in fleshy, cherry red pedicels that often persist after the fruit has dropped or been eaten.

Sassafras albidum as unusual foliage — its leaves may display

three distinct morphologies, all of which may present on the same tree. The three leaf shapes are: An unlobed oval; a twolobed “mitten,” with one large lobe and a smaller “thumb” lobe; and a three-lobed, trident-like form.

Sassafras foliage is a pleasant enough light green in summer, but its autumn coloration in shades of yellow, orange and red is truly spectacular.

The foliage also has a culinary aspect. Filé powder, a flavoring and thickening agent used in Creole gumbo, is made of young sassafras leaves, dried and finely ground. Sassafras is also a food plant for caterpillars of spicebush swallowtail and tiger swallowtail butterflies.

Young sassafras twigs are olive green and, when scratched, emit a lemony, slightly medicinal odor. Mature bark on trunks is orangish brown and deeply furrowed. The yellowish wood is light and somewhat brittle; however, it is fairly rot resistant and so has been used to make barrels, fence posts and other items.

As early as 1584 English explorers were sent to the New World to locate and procure sassafras. Although its medicinal value proved disappointing, oils extracted from the spicy, pleasant-tasting root bark and twigs have been used to flavor tea, root beer and candy and for scenting perfume and soap. However, the oil contains safrole, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in rats and mice.

The Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the use of oil of safrole and sassafras bark in food, but permits use of edible spices, which contain very small amounts of safrole.

Filé powder is used in Louisiana Creole cuisine in the making of some types of gumbo, a thick Creole soup or stew often served over rice.

Workshop on soil health held for farmers, general public

Soil health, residue management, planting clinic, rainfall simulator and a local perspective of conservation topics were packed into a breakfast workshop for farmers and the general public Thursday, Feb. 16.

Abundant venison can be the alternate meat

Deer are everywhere, and some states are allowing nonresident hunters to harvest two deer with a permit.

Our grandson is quite the hunter and during this past season, he bagged three deer. He nailed a nice buck with a bow, and shot two does down south. So, venison is in the freezer.

Many folks just grind the whole deer and enjoy venison burgers, or venison meatloaf. Add some ground pork to venison, as it is very lean. I use one part ground pork to three parts ground venison. Others are more careful and butcher the deer to reserve the more select cuts of meat. Deer that feed on corn have proven to be the best eating. They are less gamy than those found further north.

Popular cuts include the rib meat (rib steaks are particularly nice grilled), the shoulder (for roasting) and the tenderloin aka backstrap.

For us the tenderloin is the choicest of anything the deer can provide, and doe meat seems to be better than buck meat. This cut makes a great dinner when prepared properly.

Marinating for several hours helps tenderize the meat. I use Asian ingredients with a strong beer. Grilled or broiled to a medium-rare is the best way to enjoy this wild delicacy. Here’s a recipe first enjoyed on an elk steak at Geronimo, a great restaurant in Santa Fe. The restaurant is in an old adobe once owned by the Geronimo family.

Marinade For Wild Game

This recipe is my take on the Geronimo recipe and has worked well with elk; kangaroo, which I first enjoyed at the now-closed Tag Restaurant in Denver; wild boar; rabbit; buffalo; and venison. Recipes for all of these are in my books.

This works for about 2 pounds of meat.

2 bottles dark beer (I use Killian’s Red)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 shallot, chopped

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

Not just English explorers were sent to the New World to locate and procure sassafras, the pleated woodpecker dryocopus pileatus, has found the tree as well and munches on carpenter ants buried deep inside. 2 sprigs rosemary, snipped

3/4 cup port

1 cup beef stock 2 teaspoons cornstarch Salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms, shallot and garlic. Sauté for about three minutes, then add port and stock. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, then mix cornstarch with water and whisk into the sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Wild game, especially venison, can be an inexpensive alternative to beef. Give it a try!

The event, which brought together approximately 70 people, was held at the Clunette Elevator.

Barry Fisher, Fisher Soil Health LLC, Greencastle; Chad Schotter, Natural Resource Conservation Services District Conservationist; and Russell Anderson, Anderson Farms, Syracuse, were speakers.

Fisher, the 2022 Certified Crop Advisor Conservationist of the Year Award recipient, is founder of Fisher Soil Health and former Central Region Leader for the NRCS National Soil Health Division. He has 40-plus years of crop advising experience.

His topic was unlocking the secrets in the soil, highlighting four soil health management principles; providing continuous living roots, minimizing disturbance, maximizing soil cover and maximizing biodiversity.

He talked about different strategies and goal planning and emphasized every seed needed to be at the same depth and in the same environment to avoid a 10% loss. “We should be able to get almost a perfect picket fence stand, no matter what we plant. That’s the beauty of today’s technology,” he stated, adding delaying planting could result in 8.9 bushels lost every day planting is delayed. “Later planting gets you less. You plant as early as you can, but missing by a week will not affect the yield.”

He challenged farmers, asking if every seed is planted in the exact same environment. He spoke of ground temperatures and planting in no-till fields versus conventional. Additionalyl, he noted the need for taking the time and capitalizing the capabilities with priority on equipment. He spoke of various no-till options, noting he preferred leaving stalks standing. “They act like a wick in the spring,” he noted, adding the different means of leaving crop residue on the field.

Residue management was highlighted during his presentation and he answered questions from those present. The group then moved to a visual display of planting equipment and the use of the various types of pieces available and which ones are the best.

Schotter set up a rainfall simulator he created, providing visual lessons on various types of crop cover as well as asphalt. The simulator showed the amount of runoff from each of the five examples, along with the amount of infiltration and back splatter. The results were simulated from a 2-inch rainfall.

The closing of the event was Anderson’s firsthand perspective of the conservation efforts on his farm fields in Noble, Kosciusko and Elkhart counties. Anderson shared his experiences in working with clay fields and the mistakes he made and learned from. He shared his experience using cover crops and feeding the soil with microbes. Anderson state, “There is no substitute in having this group in the soil. I think God made this a beautiful thing to be a part of it.”

He learned cover crops provid-

ed better crops, healthier soil and better water infiltration. Additionally he noted having to learn new things while “trying not to fall on my face,” adding “I’m taking it slow.”

Anderson stated he uses a 24 acre field for testing new ideas before increasing any practice onto other acreage. “I’m trying not to trip and fall. You can’t try it on every acre out of pure risk.”

He stated with the practices he has used, he has noticed more of a yield, although he admitted to not keeping track of how his practices have financially been beneficial. “My highest yield was last year with no till and (us-

ing as a cover crop) cereal rye. He also compared conventional farming to no-till management as being more intensive. “It’s like sliding over and letting mother nature get behind the wheel.”

Admitting he is not an overly trusting person, he is learning to trust the system.

The event was sponsored by Crossroads Bank and Ferguson Farms. Hosts for the morning included The Watershed Foundation, Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, Clunette Elevator and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

It happened in Milford … 40 years ago

Amy Beer and Debra Schafer serve as senatorial pages

10 YEARS AGO, FEB. 20, 2013

Hannah Haines of Milford maintained focus well enough to nail the needed free throws to win the 14-year-old girls division of the Knights of Columbus regional free throw contest Sunday in Fort Wayne. Haines will compete at the state championships March 2 in Noblesville.

Jamaica was the destination recently for Joe and Ellen Shetler, who spent eight days on the Caribbean island. Joe is pastor at the Milford Chapel Church. The Shetlers went to attend an Associate Board of Jamaica Relief Ministry meeting and then stayed to teach a four-day vacation Bible school program for about 70 children and around 150 adults up in the mountains.

20 YEARS AGO, FEB. 19, 2003

Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, is one of 20 different youth camps in Indiana that will be going to Hardigg Battery products in Columbus today (Wednesday) to receive gifts of kayaks. Camp Mack staff will pick up five kayaks that have been shipped from the Walden Sports facility in Ayer, Mass.

Stanley Price of Milford High

School’s Class of 1965 runs Price Auto Repair and Towing just south of Milford on SR 15 and has been working with cars since he was a junior in high school. He worked at a Ford dealership and Maple Leaf Farms before starting his business. This year is 20 years for him in the auto business.

30 YEARS AGO, FEB. 17, 1993

Still reminiscing about their exciting “Christmas holiday” in California are Roger and Sandy Baumgartner of North Main Street, Milford. Their middle son, Greg, and Miriam Chong were married on Dec. 26 in Solana Beach, Calif. A 1983 graduate of Wawasee High School, Greg graduated from Vincennes University in 1985. He entered the U.S. Navy the following year and has been stationed in San Diego prior to his recent transfer. The newlyweds are now residing in Naples, Italy, and will remain there for three years.

Milford residents John and Nancy Replogle returned home Sunday after spending 10 days in the “Sunny South.” Traveling down to Florida with the couple were Leatrice Rapp, Milford, and Herschel and Charlotte Wells,

Syracuse. While in Florida, the Replogles enjoyed “going all over,” spending a couple days at Disney World and also doing some fishing on Lake Okeechobee, the state’s largest lake.

40 YEARS AGO, FEB. 23, 1983

Amy Beer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Beer of Milford, and Debra Schafer, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Schafer of Milford, spent January 14 at the State House in Indianapolis where they served as senatorial pages for John Augsburger. Both girls are eighth grade students

at Milford Junior High School. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Martin, 201 East Fourth Street, Milford, will spend two weeks in Florida in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. Martin and the former Garlene Ogle were married March 1, 1958, in New Paris by Elias Sarber.

The Milford wrestling team defeated Concord last week in junior high wrestling action. Winning for Milford were Joe Henderson, Neil Schrock, Mitch Price, Eliseo Roa, Kendall Gallager, Albert Stricklin,

Joe Hernandez, Ben Beer and Todd Boggs. Stricklin pinned his Concord opponent in 9.5 seconds.

50 YEARS AGO, FEB. 21, 1973

Larry Nellans, CRB, president of Larry Nellans Company, realtors, has announced that Mike Niles has been promoted to sales manager of the company’s new office in Milford. Niles is a graduate of Indiana university with a BS in business. He holds a brokers license and is a member of the Warsaw Area Real Estate board and the Indi-

ana Real Estate Association. Diana Lazano, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lazano of Milford, was guest of honor at a birthday celebration on Sunday, Feb. 4. Diana was 13. Dinner guests were Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lazano and family of Milford. During the afternoon Lisa Bowler, Teresa Stump, Shelly Dahlstrom, Rachel and Esther Morris, Robin Auer and her sister Sandy joined Diana for a party which was held in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

It happened in North Webster... 20 years ago Lights beaming into the sky called into question

10 YEARS AGO, FEB. 20, 2013 North Webster Town Council approved the execution of the draft of the land lease for its farm and approved contracts with two firms for the second of five lift stations the town is building for the sewer system.

Everyone is happy to see North Webster Elementary School’s administrative assistant, Janet Fisher, back on the job. During Christmas break, she and hubby headed to the Dallas, Texas, area to see their new granddaughter and parents of course. Unfortunately, she got sick and ended up in the hospital.

The board of the North Webster Community Center have wised up and turned the shrimp stag night into a co-ed event. It is now called Vegas Night at the Center. There is still a shrimp and other food buffet catered by the Sleepy Owl.

20 YEARS AGO, FEB. 19, 2003

Lights beaming into the sky from Stimmelators Gentlemen’s

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Club were once again called into question at the meeting of North Webster Town Council, Wednesday, Feb. 12. For several months, a pair of searchlights coming from the nightclub have been seen in the sky over town every night.

The Feb. 3 meeting of North Webster Wee Workers 4-H Club was held in North Webster Church of the Brethren with Sandi Miller presiding. Heidi Shock led as pledges to the American and 4-H flags were repeated in unison. Roll was called by secretary Heath Shock. Pierceton Extension Homemaker Club members met Feb. 3 in Pierceton Senior Center. A luncheon was served at noon. Betty Burnworth read the meditation titled “Senior Sentiments.” Pledges to the American and Christian flags were led by President Edna Bryant. Roll call response was “Why I am Glad to be an American.”

30 YEARS AGO, FEB. 24, 1993 North Webster United Meth-

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

LAKE WAWASEE DIKE REHABILITATION PROJECT

The Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District, hereinafter referred to as the Owner, will receive sealed bids for the construction of Lake Wawasee Dike Rehabilitation Project in accordance with the Specifications and Contract Drawings. Bids will be received until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, March 14, 2023 at the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Office at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, 11586 State Road 13, Syracuse, Indiana 46567. Bids received after that time will be returned unopened. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Office at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Office at 11:00 a.m. on March 14, 2023. The project involves the installation of approximately 11,150 square feet of steel sheet piling wall, concrete cap on the wall, grading along the existing dike, and other miscellaneous work.

A Pre-Bid meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time at the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Office at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, 11586 State Road 13, Syracuse, Indiana 46567. All prime contractors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. A site visit will occur after the meeting for those wishing to participate.

Contract Documents and Plans are on file and may be examined at the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District Office at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, 11586 State Road 13, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at the offices of Lawson-Fisher Associates P.C., 525 West Washington Avenue, South Bend, Indiana 46601, Monday through Friday. Contract Documents and Plans may be obtained from Lawson-Fisher Associates P.C. for a non-refundable cost of $100.00 per set.

Proposals shall be properly and completely executed on proposal forms included in the Specifications. Each proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the title of the project and the name and address of the bidder. The work to be performed and the proposal to be submitted shall include sufficient and proper sums for all general construction, labor, materials, permits, licenses, insurance, and so forth incidental to and required for the project.

Each bid shall be accompanied by a cashier’s or certified check, drawn on an acceptable bank, or an acceptable bidder’s bond made payable to the Owner, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, which check or bond will be held by the Owner as evidence that the bidder will, if awarded the contract, enter into the same with the Owner upon notification from him to do so within ten (10) days of said notification.

Approved performance and payment bonds guaranteeing faithful and proper performance of the work and materials, to be executed by an acceptable surety company, will be required of the Contractor at the time he executes his contract. The bonds will be in the amount of 125% of the Contract Price and must be in full force and effect throughout the term of the Construction Contract plus a period of twelve (12) months from the date of substantial completion.

Approved three-year Maintenance Bond in the amount of 10% of the final contract price is required after the work is completed.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or to waive any and all informalities in bidding. Any proposal may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of proposals or authorized postponement thereof. Any proposal received after the time and date specified shall not be considered. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for at least sixty (60) days.

A conditional or qualified Proposal will not be accepted.

All applicable laws, ordinances, and the rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over construction of the project shall apply to the project throughout.

Proposals shall be properly and completely executed on proposal forms included in the Specifications. Proposals shall include all information requested by Indiana Form 96 (Revised 2013). The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Bidder to perform the work and the Bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such Bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such Bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and to complete the work contemplated therein.

Each Bidder is responsible for inspecting the Project site, especially concerning access to the proposed work, and for reading and being thoroughly familiar with the Contract Documents and Specifications. The failure or omission of any Bidder to do any of the foregoing shall in no way relieve any Bidder from any obligation with respect

its

odist Women who attended a UMW spiritual retreat Feb. 5-6 in Warsaw were: Carlyn Cox, Mary Ann Ziegler, Terri Pawlosky, Jeanette Keim, Sara Rhodes, Marian Steedman, Margaret Kiser, Mable Kistler, Alice Long, and Avis Miller.

Steve Roth of the Tri-County Game Preserve presented an interesting slide presentation showing the habitat for fish and wildlife in Kosciusko County at the Feb. 15 meeting of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club, North Webster.

40 YEARS AGO, FEB. 23, 1983

Officials at the International Palace of Sports have announced that Camelot Hall is now available for wedding parties, dances, proms, and like occasions. Charles Parker, executive director, and Marilyn Tharasher, secretary, have promised to do their best to make time spent in Camelot Hall a joyous and memorable occasion for people and guests.

North Webster firemen’s ladies auxiliary donated approximately $700 worth of equipment to the North Webster Fire Department. The auxiliary pur-

chased an exhaust fan, six nomex hoods and four blue lights.

Dean McFadden, librarian at Tippecanoe Township Library, North Webster, has received new books at the public library for adults and children. One of the new books is “Israel” by Joan Comay and Moshe Pearlman.

50 YEARS AGO, FEB. 21, 1973

Mrs. Harold Leach was hostess for the February meeting of the Backwater Friends Thursday night. Her co-hostess was Mrs. Ken Moser. The meeting was opened in the usual manner by Mrs. Doug Bowser. Mrs. Lester Kline was hostess for the February meeting of the Charm and Chatter Club. The meeting was opened in the usual manner by Mrs. Harold Anderson, vice president. She read an interesting poem about the pant-skirt.

Mrs. Paul Royer entertained in her home when the Lady Lions Club met last week to finalize plans for the annual Sweetheart Ball. The Rainbow Combo will provide music for dancing at the Yellow Banks Saturday night.

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of Kosciusko County, Indiana, that the County Council of said County will meet at the Kosciusko County Courthouse, 100 W. Center Street, 3rd Floor Courtroom, Warsaw, Indiana at 6:00 p.m. on March 9, 2023 to consider the following additional appropriations in excess of the budget for the current year:

HMEP 2023 Grant 8189-36065-000-0000 Planning/Training $19,900.00

Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have a right to be heard. The additional appropriation when finally approved will be referred to the Local Government Board of Finance. The Board will make a written determination as to the sufficiency of funds to support the appropriations made within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a certified copy of the action taken. Rhonda Helser, Auditor Kosciusko County hspaxlp

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A FIREWORKS DISPLAY ON PUBLIC WATERS Syracuse Lake Association, 2310 Toledo Road, Elkhart, IN 46516 has applied to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement, under IC 14-15-7-3 and 312 1AC 5-3-1, for a permit to conduct a fireworks display. This event is scheduled to be held on July 4, 2023 between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. EST on Syracuse Lake, in Kosciusko County.

Any person objecting to such an event may do either or both of the following:

a) File a petition with the central office of the division requesting an informal hearing. The petition must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old and who reside in the county where the event will occur. A hearing under this clause is governed by 312 1AC 2-3.

b) Request the division notify the petitioner in writing when an initial determination is made to issue or deny the license. Following the receipt of notice under this clause, a petitioner may request administrative review of the determination under 312 1AC 3-1.

The address for the Division of Law Enforcement is as follows: Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division, Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington St., Room W255D, Indianapolis, IN 46204. hspaxlp

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, that the Town of Silver Lake, Indiana, will from this date accept bids for:

(1) The removal of disposable Solid Waste within Town Limits for residential homes.

Sealed bids will be received by the Town of Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer, for the Town of Silver Lake, until 4:00 p.m. prevailing local time on the 8th day of March 2023. All bids will then be publicly opened and read aloud in the Silver Lake Town Hall during the Council Meeting scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Silver Lake Town Council will take bids under consideration, making sure all requirements within the bid is fulfilled. The Silver Lake Town Council will discuss their individual considerations, motion, and award the accepted bid at the April 12, 2023, Council meeting set to begin at 7:00pm.

Bids shall be clearly marked “Removal of Disposable Solid Waste” , mailed to the Town of Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer, PO Box 159, Silver Lake, Indiana 46982, or delivered to the Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer located at 604 N. Jefferson St., Silver Lake, Indiana 46982. The Town of Silver Lake does not accept responsibility for the timely arrival of sealed bids. The Silver Lake Town Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to delete any portion thereof or waive informalities in the bidding process. Bid specifications are available at the Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer’s office and bidders are strongly encouraged to obtain bidding particulars prior to bid submission.

Date: February 9, 2023 Tonya Conley, Clerk-Treasurer Town of Silver Lake 260-352-2120 hspaxlp F.15-22

Maple Leaf Farms’ subcontractor fined over child labor violations

One of the nation’s largest food safety sanitation service providers has paid $1.5 million in civil money penalties after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the company employed at least 102 children. The children are from 13 to 17 years of age working in hazardous occupations and working overnight shifts at 13 meat processing facilities in eight states.

Maple Leaf Farms is one of the plants where the violations were documented. According to an investigation, Packers Sanitation Services, Kieler, Wis., was employing two children at Maple Leaf Farms and was fined $30,276.

The employer’s payment of civil money penalties is the result of the division’s investigation of PSSI. The division found that children were working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning meat processing equipment, including back saws, brisket saws and head splitters. Investigators learned at least three minors suffered injuries while working for PSSI.

Under the Fair Labor Standards

Act, the department assessed PSSI $15,138 for each minor-aged employee who was employed in violation of the law. The amount is the maximum civil money penalty allowed by federal law.

The division began an investigation in August 2022. On Nov. 9, 2022, the solicitor’s office filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska based on evidence that the company, which provides cleaning services under contract to some of the nation’s largest meat and poultry producers, had employed at least 31 children, from 13 to 17 years of age, in hazardous occupations to clean dangerous powered equipment during overnight shifts at JBS USA plants in Grand Island, Neb., and Worthington, Minn., and Turkey Valley Farms in Marshall, Minn. U.S. District Court Judge John M. Gerrard responded by issuing a temporary restraining order Nov. 10, 2022, forbidding the company and its employees from committing child labor violations.

On Dec. 6, 2022, the U.S. Dis-

It happened in Syracuse... 20 years ago

trict Court of Nebraska entered a consent order and judgment, in which the employer agreed to comply with the FLSA’s child labor provisions in all of its operations nationwide, and to take significant steps to ensure future compliance with the law, including employing an outside compliance specialist.

On Feb. 16, PSSI paid $1.5 million in penalties.

“The child labor violations in this case were systemic and reached across eight states, and clearly indicate a corporatewide failure by PSSI at all levels,” explained Jessica Looman, principal deputy administrator of the wage and hour division.

“These children should never have been employed in meat packing plants. This can only happen when employers don’t take responsibility to prevent child labor violations from occurring in the first place.”

The Revolving Closet opens in downtown Syracuse

10 YEARS AGO, FEB. 20, 2013

As part of the “Lakes in the Classroom” program, operated by Grace College’s Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, the 20th aquarium has been placed in Kosciusko County. That’s more than other years. The aquariums are located in schools, including Wawasee, and the Syracuse Community Center.

Erick Leffler, originally hailing from Coal City, Ill., was attracted to the similarities Syracuse shares with his hometown, namely the lakes, when he decided to move to the area with an intent on having a positive effect. It’s now been more than a year since Leffler moved to Syracuse in late January or earlier February of 2012. He is a member of the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club.

20 YEARS AGO, FEB. 19, 2003

New to the downtown area is The Revolving Closet, owned by Kelly Wedehase. The business is planning to open Saturday, March

1. Wedehase plans to carry gently used children’s, men’s and women’s clothing, collectibles and household items in the consignment shop. New items will be jewelry and accessories.

Presently under construction are Macy Point Condominiums,

located on Harkless Drive. The project is on schedule with its 24 units. The condos are being built in lots of eight and all units are anticipated to be completed by April. Three condominiums are still available for purchase.

30 YEARS AGO, FEB. 24, 1993

Saturday, Feb. 20, will go down as a significant date in Wawasee High School sports history. It marks the day that the Warriors’ basketball team won its first outright Northern Lakes Conference championship in school history. Wawasee clinched the title with a 59-46 victory over the visiting NorthWood Panthers.

40 YEARS AGO, FEB. 23, 1983

The Kosciusko County Highway Department will have its afterthe-fact application to replace the bridge crossing at the channel leading to Willow Grove at Lake Wawasee considered by the Bureau of Water and Mineral Resources Advisory Council and the Natural Resources Commission at the February meetings.

Bids were opened for the Syracuse Town Hall project and the proposed condominium units along the shores of Lake Syracuse received its necessary zoning change during a special meeting

“Our investigation found PSSI’s systems flagged some young workers as minors, but the company ignored the flags. When the wage and hour division arrived with of the Syracuse Town Board last night.

50 YEARS AGO, FEB. 21, 1973

Discussions continued at the Tuesday night meeting of the Syracuse town board of trustees at town hall on federal funding applications and the aerial survey needed for running of sewer and water lines in the expansion program.

We are advised this week that part of the dog problem being suffered at Papakeechie Lake is the fact that a wild dog pack is running on the tri-county game area. Maybe the dogs running through the yards making a mess belong to this pack, and not to the neighbors.

warrants, the adults who had recruited, hired and supervised these children tried to derail our efforts to investigate their employment practices,” said Michael Lazzeri, wage and hour regional administrator of Chicago.

Maple Leaf Farms Response

Below is a statement sent from Maple Leaf Farms to The MailJournal:

“Maple Leaf Farms has been closely monitoring the Department of Labor investigation and PSSI’s response to ensure corrective action has been taken to address any potential gaps in their hiring practices and that they are adhering to their own zero-tolerance policy for underage employment.

“Maple Leaf Farms complies with all aspects of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other safety and labor regulations, and we expect all of our business partners to as well.

“To clarify, the fine was not levied against Maple Leaf Farms. The civil penalty was issued against PSSI, a company that provides contract sanitation services for food processors throughout the country.”

Church

The church in 2023

Milford First Brethren Church

Editor’s note: The Mail-Journal emailed a questionnaire to the leadership of local churches and Christian ministries requesting responses to the following questions:

• What do you think will be the most important issue for believers in 2023?

• What goals do you or your church or organization have for 2023?

• How is your church or ministry preparing to serve the Kingdom and community in 2023?

• What advice would you give to the readers on how to handle the challenges of 2023?

The Mail-Journal church page will publish the responses in a series of articles as they are received. This is the sixth article of the series.

The church is located at 110 W. Catherine St., Milford, and operates the Van Buren Township Food Pantry at the same address. Sunday school is held at 9 a.m. with a worship service following at 10 a.m. The church hosts a weekly Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The food pantry is available to qualified Van Buren Township residents and is open from 2-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

The church also hosts a free community meal from 5-6:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month in its gymnasium.

According to milfordfirstbrethren.org:

“If you are new to the Milford area or if you do not have a church home, we would love to invite you to visit one of our services and meet our friendly congregation.

“First and foremost, we seek to encourage people to love God and love others and grow in maturity as disciples of Jesus Christ. With the various programs, events, activities and services of our church, we are striving to keep this as the focus in all we do.

“We believe God created us to have a close, personal relationship with Him and to live in authentic community with one another. Our desire is to help you enjoy those relationships and become all God has created us to be.”

Lee Compson is the church’s pastor and supplied the following

Around The Lakes

answers to the questionnaire:

“Our church doesn’t have any explicit goals per se, but we are driven to continue to live into what we see as our mission: Meeting the essential spiritual and physical needs of our community.

“Nothing ‘new’ is set to launch, but we are looking to be more efficient and effective in some of our newer ministries, including our monthly community dinners and support of our local food pantry.

“We have a welcoming group of people who love God and others well, and we hope to continue to grow in those things.

“As your readers look ahead to 2023, my desire would be that they experience what it means to live in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

“The life of faith can often be twisted into lesser things like a dry ‘do’s and don’ts’ religion or a feel-good social club. At its core, Christianity is about people living in communion with their Creator who has revealed himself in Jesus, who is Immanuel, ‘God with us.’

“Through the Holy Spirit we can discern his will for us individually and corporately. Any vision planning for the future would be wise to make that the starting point. Challenges and trials of many kinds will undoubtedly occur. But cling to the words and presence of Jesus who said in John 16:33: ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’”

For more information, call (574) 658-3141 or visit the church’s

CHECK OUT this beautiful sunrise captured through the lens of Deb Patterson. The photo was taken Monday morning from the overpass on CR 100E just north of Milford. Hat tip to Bobbie Doll for giving us the heads up on this natural phenomenon!

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SYRACUSE AMERICAN Legion Riders will host a tenderloin dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the Syracuse American Legion Post, 1008 S. Huntington St. The dinner will consist of breaded or grilled tenderloin, french fries and coleslaw for $9. Everyone is invited, but must be 18 to dine in. Carry-outs are available. All proceeds will go to the Legion Riders’ scholarship fund and local needs.

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THE ANNUAL indoor garage sale at the North Webster Community Center is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22. It will have 100 spaces full of interesting finds. Spend the morning inside its historic gym looking through items. Each booth costs $30, with a maximum of two booths per person.

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WAWASEE EARLY Learning Center and Wawasee Community Schools will be hosting a weekly summer camp beginning June 5. There will be six sessions with the last one held July 17-21. There will not be a camp the week of July 3. The camps will include sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, picnics and more.

The camp is for pre-kindergarten and schoolaged kids and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at locations to be determined. The Syracuse location will open at 5:30 a.m. There is a $25 registration fee plus $100 per week for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and $125 for preschool kids 3-5.

Registration is available at forms.gle/ YijKj6QPNwg5vyr56. For further information, email Brittany Rosenberry at brosenberry@ wawasee.k12.in.us.

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A NEW “Little Free Library” is available in North Webster. It is located on the roadside at 8206 Asbury Lane on the north shore of Webster Lake. It was built by Kevin Williamson, who repurposed a cabinet provided by Ryan Smith. Anyone is welcome to add, exchange or take a book anytime.

“I use the Little Free Library in town a lot and thought one would be a nice addition to the Epworth Forest neighborhood,” said Smith. “I acquired some supplies, then was stumped on how to proceed, not being very handy. So my neighbor, Kevin Williamson, helped turn my idea into a finished project. Already in week one we have had some books exchanged and taken. I’m currently working on the second little library to be placed at a business in Syracuse, as I don’t think they have one around town yet. When I vacation I like to use little free libraries, so I think they will be popular with our summer crowds, too. It has been submitted to be registered at the little free library database website.”

You can check out that list of Little Free Libraries at littlefreelibrary.org. There are more than 150,000 libraries listed, which are spread across more than 110 countries. Be sure to check out the new one in Epworth Forest and, while you’re at it, leave a few books you’re ready to pass on!

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THE TOWN of Milford is trimming trees along streets throughout this week. Superintendent Steven Marquart is asking drivers to use caution while driving around town, for your safety and theirs.

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IT’S OFFICIAL: The 77th Annual North Webster Mermaid Festival will kick off June 21, when the Cutie Parade takes place. The main parade will be June 24. For more information, visit facebook. com/mermaidfestival or nwmermaidfestival.com.

THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its “Educator of the Year” award. “From teachers to child care professionals to coaches and beyond, our educators shape our communities’ future,” it was noted on social media. “We are encouraging you to nominate an educator who has gone above and beyond to shape the lives of individuals in our community.“

Nominations for this and other Chamber awards must be made by Wednesday, March 1, by visiting swchamber.com/annual-dinner-awardsnominations-1. Winners will be announced at the Chamber’s annual dinner Thursday, March 23. —o—

NORTH WEBSTER American Legion Post 253 is serving lasagna Saturday, Feb. 25. Order forms are at the legion’s canteen for dine in or carry out.

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MILFORD LIONS Club and Syracuse Eagles #3760 are teaming up to provide a raffle. The club is selling tickets that offer a chance to win one of 10 $25 Milford Bucks certificates, redeemable at any one of 15 Milford businesses. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Proceeds will equally benefit three Milford Lions Club programs: Milford Family Fun Fest, scholarships and general fund.

Everyone is welcome to attend the raffle drawing, which will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Syracuse Eagles #3760. A limited number of dinners will be available for purchase that evening. Tickets are available from any Milford Lions Club member.

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NORTH WEBSTER Community Center is hosting a kids business fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18. This is a great way for young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and sell their products and services. This event is for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. There will be cash prizes in three age groups. Registration must be completed by Friday, March 3. For more information or to register, visit nwcommunitycenter.org or call (574) 834-1600, ext. 222.

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DOVE AWARD-winning band Sidewalk Prophets will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at North Webster Church of God. Ticketing options include an early entry devotional with the band and the fan favorite VIP pre-show party, which gives people a unique up-close experience with the band. With hits like “You Love Me Anyway” and “Live Like That,” among others, Sidewalk Prophets remains a mainstay on Christian radio.

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SYRACUSE CALVARY United Methodist Church needs a Jesus look-a-like for Easter photo shoots. For further details, call the church at (574) 457-3778.

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SENIOR PRIMELIFE Enrichment Center Director Nancy Gray reported the winners from last Thursday’s monthly euchre tournament were Jean Cowen, first place; Mark Lathamer, second place; Susan Lathamer, most loaners; and Fred Clark, low man. If you haven’t played in a tournament before, you ought to try it. They are held at 12:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month.

SPEC will be starting its casino trips Monday, March 20, to the new Four Winds Casino in South Bend. The price is $50, which includes a $10 lunch coupon and $15 play money. To register, call Gray at (574) 834-1600, ext. 224. —o—

AND FI-

NALLY, take a look at this brave soul who was seen paddleboarding on Syracuse Lake last Saturday. Lots of fun in February, as long as you can keep your balance! Thanks to Mary Hursh for sending this photo.