The Mail-Journal - October 5, 2022

Ciriello and Lewis vie to represent County Council District 3

Two candidates are vying to represent County Council District 3 in the upcoming election. Republican Anthony “Tony” Ciriello is going up against Libertarian candidate David Lewis.

Ciriello currently serves as the elected coroner of Kosciusko County. In addition to his coroner duties, Ciriello is the business manager for Mishler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Milford, as well as the business manager for Heritage Monument

Company. He holds an Indiana insurance license in life insurance and assists families with funeral pre-planning.

Prior to joining Mishler’s, Ciriello retired from a 34-year career in law enforcement, most recently serving as chief of police for the Syracuse Police Department. He started his law enforcement career as an arson investigator for the State of Indiana before joining the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, where he Continued on page 2

Enjoy the trails at WACF FallTastic

Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will host its annual FallTastic trail walk from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9.

The WACF Educational Center is located on SR 13, 1 mile south of Syracuse.

The trails provide an opportunity to get away from the noise and hustle and bustle of everyday life. While walking the trails at your own pace, listen to the tranquility of the area and the sounds of nature while taking in the signs of fall. Who knows what woodland creatures you may encounter along the trails or what spectacular sites nature will provide.

Make sure to dress appropriately for the walk.

Every year since 2015 WACF

Two men are seeking Kosciusko County Sheriff seat

Two men are vying for the top spot at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office — James Marshall and Jim Smith. Marshall is running as an independent and Smith as a Republican.

Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes lost his re-election bid in the primary to Smith, the Republican party challenger.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Jim Smith Smith is a lifelong resident of Kosciusko County. He graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2000 and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 12 years, including a nine-month tour in Kuwait/ Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

From 2005 to 2007, Smith worked as a Syracuse Police Reserve Officer and became a full-time officer in 2007. He attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and graduated in 2008. He worked full time for the Syracuse Police Department from 2007-2011 before coming to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, where he currently works.

His career accomplishments include a promotion to corporal in 2017, becoming a member of the rescue and recovery dive ream, becoming a certified hostage negotiator, being certified as an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy instructor for strategies and tactics patrol and emergency vehicle operations, and becoming a certified field training officer. He is a former Continued on page 2

has hosted the trail walk on three trails, with 2 miles of the trails decorated for fall/Halloween. Each year more decorations are added. Along with the decorations, interesting facts about water quality and how animals prepare for winter can be found along the walks.

This is a family-oriented event and kids are welcome to come in costumes. Even the family dog is welcome to come and walk the trails with owners, as long as the furry pet is on a leash.

Free refreshments will be offered at the Ruddell Pavilion for both humans and dogs.

Guests are asked to register at the pavilion (because numbers count), and enjoy the beauty of the fall season and the refreshments.

See you at WACF.

Proposed North Webster trail moving forward

south side of town.

Trails are becoming a vital part of many cities and towns across the country.

Regardless of the size of the region being served, government and public leaders are seeing the benefit of connecting areas deemed important to the vitality of the community, or communities being served via paths conducive for walking, running and biking.

In North Webster, a committee of three community leaders has begun the lengthy and expensive process of building such a trail to connect the town with Wawasee Middle School, located a few miles to the north. The plan involves two stages: the first from Epworth Forest Road on the north end of town to the school, and the second from Epworth Forest Road to the bridge on the

Dan Thystrup, Garet Becker and Steve Huffman have been meeting weekly since August to further the process of the ambitious plan. A feasibility study has been completed to help compel the project forward. The study was conducted by USI Consultants, the same Indianapolis firm that completed the feasibility for Syracuse-Wawasee Trail.

The overall two-stage project is a serious investment for the proposed trail’s supporters and the community as a whole. It involves rights-of-way, utilities and land acquisitions, not to mention the actual physical construction of the trail.

The cost for the first stage between the town and the middle school is estimated to be just more than $1 million. It will include a paved sidewalk all the way to WMS. USI estimated the

Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival will be Oct. 8

The 14th annual Syracuse Fall Harvest Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lakeside Park.

This family-friendly event is hosted alongside the final date of the Artisans and Farmers Market. The fall festival will feature several fall-themed activities, including hay rides, pumpkin decorating, bounce house, obstacle course, inflatable games, live music and food vendors.

There will be more than 40

craft and food vendors.

Hayrides will take place from Long Drive to Northshore Drive. There will be face painting, too, for children.

The public can take part in pumpkin decorating and people can also make s’mores.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be live music by Ivory West.

“From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. clowns will be entertaining the crowd,” said Darin Lursen, program director for the Syracuse Parks Department.

total project cost, including both phases, to total $2.115 million.

“The initial goal of the Webster Trail Committee is to build the trail connecting North Webster and Syracuse,” said Thystrup, “and then work on other trails that make North Webster a base for other bike trails and such.”

Thystrup, who also serves as the president of the North Webster Town Council, said he initially brought the proposal to the council in early 2021 and received permission to pursue applying for grant money to support the project. Since then, the project has been granted $50,000 from the Shoop Foundation and $200,000 from the K21 Foundation.

Thystrup said he is hopeful to soon receive word about a grant proposal submitted to the Dekko Foundation. If that grant request

is approved, the project will have enough seed money to begin applying for larger federal and state grants to help fund the first stage of the project,

Thysrup said the original thought was to create the path from south of North Webster to the stoplight as the first stage of the project. However, the committee was advised by the Michiana Area Council of Governments, that the path to the middle school would be the easier stage to initially complete as right-of-way has already been established following the path of SR 13.

“For practical reasons, it will be a faster, smoother process to do the north section first,” Thystrup said. “Depending on the grants, we hope to begin work by 2024.”

Additionally, the committee

Continued on page 2

Two men are seeking

Kosciusko County Reserve coordinator.

He was elected president of the Tippecanoe Township Board in 2018 and remains in that capacity today. He previously served as the president of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce and the former president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 149. He was president of the Leesburg Lions Club from 2020 to 2021 and is currently a member. He’s a former board member of the Warsaw Morning Breakfast Optimist Club and currently serves as its president. He’s a member of North Webster American Legion Post No. 253, Kosciusko County 4-H Swine Committee, Warsaw Community Church, and Clunette Methodist Church. Smith and his wife have two children, Zachary and Isabelle.

James Marshall Marshall was born in Kosciusko County. He started working for Milford Police Department in 2002. He has served 15-plus years in the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

As a member of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, he’s been the senior firearms instructor and conducted active shooter trainings. He is also a team leader for the Kosciusko County SWAT Team, before quickly being promoted to assistant commander. He’s also a member of the hiring board, which conducts interviews with all candidates seeking employment as sheriff deputies.

He was in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Army’s Combat Infantry Badge. Marshall spent 13 years in the United States Army Reserves and Indiana Army National Guard (1/293 Infantry Battalion) Reconnaissance Platoon. He was deployed as part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. As a sergeant, he led soldiers on combat missions as a team leader and assistant team leader and received a Combat Infantry Badge. He then served as part of an Indiana counter terrorism quick response task force.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he was activated and sent to assist with stabilization and relief efforts and was honorably discharged in 2007.

Marshall and his wife of 13 years, Julie, live in Warsaw. He has three children: daughters, Cylie and Emma, and a son Collin.

Question 1. What would you do to make improvements to the county jail’s conditions and keep it safe for inmates?

Smith: During the primary, I brought out concerns about jail

damages and drugs and the need for strong leadership as these issues fall on the shoulders of the sheriff. I was chastised by supporters of the current sheriff, including my opponent, for slinging mud, but the information I brought forth was substantiated in county meeting minutes, information gained through a Freedom of Information Act request, and news reports.

I put out a detailed plan that can be found on my website, www.jimsmithforsheriff.com, for taking care of and making the county jail a safer place for staff and inmates, including that I will initially “roll up my sleeves and work side by side with staff.”

My plan includes visibility of leadership, regular walkthroughs and jail inspections.

It includes clear procedures/expectations for staff and updated training on use of the body scanner, the newer plumbing technology, use of body cameras by jail officers, and physical cell-block checks. My plan includes implementing a drug detection K-9 for the jail. My plan includes clear enforcement of jail rules for inmates with disciplinary action to include loss of privileges, an increase in housing block security, loss of credited time served, or criminal charges.

Marshall: I visit the jail almost every day and talk with the jail officers and staff. I’ve been doing that for years. Building relationships and camaraderie with the jail officers has made my time at the sheriff’s office easier and more enjoyable. Over the last few months I have spoken with jail officers, other support staff, and even inmates on things that could improve in the jail. A very common theme that I began to pick out immediately was the vast differences between how each of the four shifts of jail officers conducts business in the jail.

While I think it’s good to extend each jail sergeant some flexibility in running their shift the way they see fit, this can become problematic. Not having consistency can lead to confusion, which leads to frustration, that eventually leads to anger. Anger over something that may have started out as something trivial now has the potential for violence, or property damage. Standardization and uniformity across the shifts is important in establishing the consistency required to run a firm but fair jail. This is but one step in the complex journey of making our jail safer and more secure for everyone. For more information about this subject, visit www. electjamesmarshallforsheriff. com.

Annual ‘Heart Of The Community’ fundraiser draws hundreds to NWCC

Based on the lack of parking spaces at the North Webster Community Center on Saturday evening, Oct. 1, it was hard to believe that any cars were still in their driveways and garages at homes throughout the town. Similarly, after stepping inside the NWCC, it was hard to believe anyone was eating dinner anywhere else.

The dinner was part of the NWCC’s annual fundraiser, “The Heart of the Community,” which also included a two silent auctions featuring dozens of options, including gift baskets, sports tickets, gift cards and a variety of other amazing donated items. Guests who purchased reserved seats inside the gymnasium also had the opportunity to participate in a live paddle auction, at which more than 50 additional items were sold off to the highest bidder.

Guests also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win one of 10 prizes, including cash awards ranging in value from $500 to the grand prize

of $5,000. Two lucky winners went home with groceries for a year and gas for a year. Additionally, an option to participate in the 50/50 cash drawing was available for guests.

During the event, Tom Jones was named as the NWCC volunteer of the year. “He’s somebody who gives above and beyond for the center every week,” noted Executive Director Emily Worrell.

“This is the first time we’ve all been able to come together as a community since 2019,” Worrell added. “We weren’t really sure

Ciriello and Lewis

Continued from page 1

businesses for various sized industries for well over 15 years.

in 2019 what our future held. In the last couple of years, especially during the past year, we’ve really seen the support from the community for the Center. We’re at a place now that we’re thriving. This was a really good night for us to come together, and it felt really good to have this old building filled with people.”

Worrell noted her appreciation for all the donors who “truly donated free products to the silent auction and the live auction.

“None of what happened on Saturday night would have occurred

without the giving from the community,” she said. “The community spirit was truly amazing to see.”

She said there were around 650 people who attended the event. While they are still working on the gross and net profits, she estimated the net would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $90,000.

“It’s probably getting close to one of our larger auctions,” she said. “It just felt good. You could tell people were excited to get back together in our building. It was a good night. It felt like coming home.”

Proposed North

Continued from page 1

has been in communication with Erlene Yentes, executive director of Syracuse-Wawasee Trail.

The hope is to eventually link the North Webster trail to one being considered from Syracuse to Wawasee Middle School. If both projects are completed, it would create a seamless and safe way to travel between the two towns that doesn’t necessitate getting into a car.

Thystrup and his fellow committee members are aware of all the challenges that lie ahead

of the North Webster trail plan.

However, the project is gaining steam — and resources — to make the dream a reality that will service students and residents who would utilize a trail between the two locales.

“It’s good that word gets out about this project,” Thystrup said.

“The more people who know, the more chance there will be people who want to help.”

For further information, or if you would like to assist in the efforts, contact Thystrup at dan@ advboat.com or (574) 834-2554.

served in numerous capacities during his tenure, including patrol officer, supervisor, detective, narcotics officer, D.A.R.E. officer and field training officer. Ciriello holds a certification as a medicolegal death investigator and is also a Center for Disease Control certified infant death investigator/instructor. For the last 23 years he has served as director of training and education for the Indiana State Coroners Training Board and for 24 years served as a deputy coroner.

Lewis and his family have lived in the Warsaw area for about 10 years. His youngest son was born in Kosciusko County and he and his wife, who is a local real estate agent, enjoys serving on the PTO, the local Optimist club and coaching youth sports.

Lewis served in the military for four years, with tours of duty in Afghanistan, where he served as an artillery officer.

After moving to Warsaw, Lewis entered the orthopedic industry. He is a Certified Lean Practitioner and has run successful

Lewis sees politics as not something to take an interest in, but something that is a part of everyone’s duty to the community. He believes people don’t really have the right to complain about the political circumstances if they are not willing to participate in the process. He decided to run for county council because there is a revolving door of the same faces serving in local government, but very little seems to be improving over the years.

Both candidates were asked “What is the biggest challenge currently facing Kosciusko County?”

Ciriello: “The biggest challenge we face today is economic uncertainty and rising inflation. With rising inflation both consumers and country government suffer.

Material cost increases make it impossible to accurately budget for capital improvements, infrastructure projects, the purchase of needed vehicles, heavy equipment, road repairs and resurfacing.

“Additionally, the rise of inflation has brought the cost of housing to an all-time high, which in turn hurts the consumer as it has caused a rise in assessed value of homes, which increases the burden of property taxes paid by the taxpayer.

“The Federal Reserve’s attempts to quell inflation has resulted in a significant raise in interest rates. While the prices in the housing market are dropping slightly, the sharp rise in interest rates are causing homes to be more expensive than ever and properties to be on the market longer.

“Economic indicators point to another recession which could lead to a downturn in property tax collection. This has a direct impact on county budgets and its ability to provide the services to which citizens are accustomed.

“All county departments should be expected to live within the means of their respective budgets. This is something your county council is charged with monitoring to ensure you as a taxpayer are not overburdened.

We all feel the pain of inflation

and we all must adjust to cope with rising costs. County government must be no different.”

Lewis : “To me, the largest challenge we face in the county is slow growth tied with aging infrastructure. We are not seeing the growth we should for a county with the industrial base we have. Our year-over-year growth rate barely keeps up with the loss rate in a 10-year data period. We need to attract more industry by creating an economic development zone over the whole of Kosciusko County.

“This involves lowering taxes across the board, investing in infrastructure businesses need now and in the future (hi-speed internet, uncongested road systems, improved electric and water grids, etc.) and options to invest in Opportunity Funds; these defer capital gains and other taxes depending on the level of investment. This solution sees us invest in the very things businesses need, all while attracting further industry to our county.

Residents win with increased wages, increased retail options and increased property values.”

Obituaries

Gloria E. McVey Frew

Pastor’s Wife Of St. Andrews

Gloria E. McVey Frew, 87, Syracuse, died at 1:10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at Mitchell House in Spruce Pine, N.C.

Born Dec. 28, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., her parents were John and Dorothy (Thompson) McVey.

She married Phillip Frew, on June 22, 1957. She moved to Syracuse in 1976, returning in 1996.

She was a former pastor’s wife of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Syracuse and various churches around Indiana.

She attended St. Andrews United Methodist Church, and was coordinator of the church prayer chain, a member of the church choir, Friends of the library, and also volunteered many years in the St. Andrews Thrift Shop.

She was a 1957 graduate of DePauw University.

Survivors include her sons, David (Chelsea) Frew of Barnardsville, N.C. and Donald (Christine) Frew of Fort Wayne; daughter, Dianne (Pete) Collins of LaPorte; six grandchildren, Kelsey (Brian) Wylie, Laura and Isaac Frew, Cosmo McGill and Joel (Sarah) and Andy (Elizabeth) Collins; five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, John, and husband, Rev. Phillip Frew. Memorial Service is 11 am, Saturday, Oct. 8, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Syracuse. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. before the service.

Arrangements by Titus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1000 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Memorials may be made to Compass Thrift Store.

Donald ‘Don’ A. McCune

Milford Deputy Marshal

Retired Sgt. Donald “Don” A. McCune passed away at 2:44 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, at the age of 53. He suffered an offduty medical episode on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

He was born on Sept. 30, 1968, in Wabash, to Linda Sue (Ihnen) and Theodore “Buck” Fred McCune. Don was a 1987 graduate of Manchester High School in North Manchester. He studied aviation at Vincennes University and criminal justice at Indiana University in Fort Wayne.

On June 17, 2006, he married the love of his life, Dawna McKay, and they were blessed with 16 years of marriage together. Sadie, his daughter, was born while he was attending the 119th session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1994.

Don was a retired sergeant with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office and was most recently a Deputy Marshal for the Milford Police Department, where he started in July 2021. He served more than 30 years in law enforcement, serving Kosciusko County, and had worked at the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department.

In his time in law enforcement, he performed multiple roles, including SWAT operations, detective investigations, and dive team operations, where he was an instructor and master diver for Kosciusko County. Don was involved in drug task force investigations, and many more duties during his extensive law enforcement career. He also worked at Parkview Hospital Police for two years.

Don loved scuba instructing, was a master diver, and also loved spending time with his friends and family and going on their adventures whenever possible. He always had fun with a good game of Texas Hold’em and he enjoyed his annual Canadian fishing trip with his dad and brother. Don will forever be remembered as a loving husband, son, brother and being a proud and devoted father and grandfather.

He leaves behind his wife, Dawna McCune; daughter, Sadie (Joe) Waikel; and stepdaughter, Kelsey Sheller, all of Warsaw. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Hallie, Abigail, Brooklin and Kora; brother, Joe (Julie) McCune, North Manchester; parents, Linda S. and Theodore “Buck” F. McCune, North Manchester; and Sheldon, Don’s beloved rescued dog.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leola RossSullivan and Robert and Margorie Ihnen.

Don’s life was celebrated with a memorial service Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Warsaw Community Church, 1855 S. County Farm Road, Warsaw, officiated by Pastor Mike Beezley. Visitation was held prior to the service. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 1048 S. 325W, Pierceton, IN 46562; Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hyland Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306; or Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc., 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580 with the memo line to be designated to “Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund.”

Don’s squad car has been parked in front of the Milford Town Hall, 121 S. Main St., Milford, in his honor. The public is invited to place flowers and memorials on the vehicle.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

Larry Yoder

U.S. Army Veteran

Larry Yoder, 86, Syracuse, passed away Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at his home.

He was born March 14, 1936, in Wakarusa, to Ray and Mary (Freed) Yoder. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He retired after a career in sales. He was a member of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, Syracuse Eagles and Plymouth Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his significant other, Janie Leach, Syracuse, and her children, Jessica (Mike) Barger and Joe (Kate) Leach, and the grandchildren; two daughters, Heather (Doug) Fiandt, Warsaw, and Kacy (John) Hopper, Logansport; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

Larry loved Fort Myers Beach and enjoyed staying at his home in Bonita Springs during the winter months. If you went to visit, a spring training baseball game was sure to be on the schedule. He was a huge Chicago Cubs fan, IU Basketball fan and a loyal Notre Dame football fan, holding season tickets for many years.

His greatest love was Lake Wawasee. He taught his children and grandchildren how to ski behind his beloved boat, “Old Yeller.” Every Sunday you could be sure to see him at boat-in worship handing out programs and holding “Sunday School” back at “Yodes” after the service. He enjoyed the comings and goings of many friends and family through the years, as so many gathered at pier 770 to enjoy the lake. “Yodes” sitting at his famous picnic table and giving you a quick wave as you went by in your boat. Larry lived life to the fullest. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

There will be a luncheon from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the North Webster American Legion, followed by a brief memorial service and military honors at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeland Youth Center Sports. Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse, is handling arrangements.

Mary Mock Homemaker/Farmer

Mary Mock, 96, Syracuse, died at Goshen Hospital Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

She was born Feb. 21, 1925, to John Edward and Hazel Kitchen in Rome City. She attended Rome City High School. On Aug. 8, 1942, she married Thurlow Mock. He preceded her in death Sept. 16, 1906. They had two children, Patricia (Larry) Martindale, Syracuse, and Steve (Georgie) Mock, Logansport. Steve is deceased.

She had five grandchildren, Christine Hodge, Fort Wayne, Cherie (Steve) Sweatland, Syracuse, Craig Martindale, Syracuse, Matthew (Tuesday) Mock, Fort Wayne, and Joshua Mock, Logansport. She had seven great-grandchildren.

She had two sisters, Helen (Herbert) Kern, Lagrange, and Phyllis Miller, Fort Wayne; and one brother, Robert (Ione) Kitchen, Rome City, who all preceded her in death.

Her passions were gardening, fishing and baking. She was a homemaker, farmer and food server at Oakwood for five years. She belonged to the Hi Neighbor Club and Good Will Extension. She was a member of the North Webster Church of the Brethren.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. There was one hour of calling prior to the service. Burial followed at the Syracuse Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at eastlundfuneralhome.com

Contributions may be sent to North Webster Church of the Brethren.

Your blush may be more than embarrassment

“Rudolph, the Rosacea-Nosed Reindeer.” Doesn’t quite scan, does it?

Could that have been the affliction this fantasy critter was teased about by the other reindeer before being made into a Christmas Eve icon by the late singing cowboy/ movie actor/baseball team owner Gene Autry?

Rudolph’s rosy nose was akin to that of legendary Hollywood comedian W.C. Fields and financial tycoon J.P. Morgan who went through life with a condition known as rosacea.

Rosacea usually emerges any time after age 30 and affects the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead.

The primary features, any of which may appear independently, include a flushing or transient erythema (redness), persistent erythema, papules (bumps), pustules (pimples), and telangiectases (visible blood vessels such as those often seen on bulbous noses).

Secondary symptoms include burning or stinging, plaque (raised

red patches on your skin); a dry appearance; edema (swelling); phymatous changes, in which the skin thickens; and eye problems that include a watery or bloodshot appearance, burning or itching, light sensitivity, or the sensation of a foreign body in your eye.

Four subtypes of rosacea have been identified.

Subtype one is characterized by redness of the central portion of the face. This may be accompanied by visible blood vessels, swelling, stinging or burning, and skin scaling.

The second subtype features the persistent redness along with bumps and pimples.

Subtype three includes thickening of the skin and enlargement of such facial features as the nose, chin, forehead, cheeks and ears.

The final category includes ocular problems such as watery or bloodshot eyes, light sensitivity and other afflictions. Sties are a common sign of rosacea related ocular disease. Vision loss is a serious risk of this subtype of rosacea.

An early fall trip to the Antique Boat Museum

temporary boating exhibits. The Small Craft Building features canoes and skiffs ranging in length from 15 to 23 feet.

Over the past several years, my husband has owned boats made by Chris Craft, Century, Higgins, Sid-Craft, Lyman, Marchetti, Stippich, Penn Yan, DeSilva, Wolverine and Famous Craft. His love of boats came from his father, Charles Hursh.

Because of his love of boats, we decided to visit the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, N.Y. The area is also famous for its 1,000 islands.

We left Syracuse on a Tuesday morning, traveled the width of Ohio on the Ohio Turnpike ($16.50), and reached our quaint, 100-year-old hotel in the heart of the picturesque Chautauqua Institution on Chautauqua Lake about 4:30 p.m. Dinner in town at Andriaccio’s was fabulous. After morning coffee and muffins, we headed up to the New York Thruway for the leg of our journey across the state of New York.

Toll booths are not located every several miles. Instead, cameras take a picture of your license plate when you pass under the gantries and a toll bill is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The trip across New York was delightful because of the rolling hills and the many wineries close to the road.

We reached Clayton, a village surrounded by the St. Lawrence River minutes from the Canadian border, just before dinner. Shops and galleries and restaurants abound. We enjoyed pasta at DiPrinzio’s Kitchen on the patio with a view across the river to Calumet Island, then another wonderful dinner at the Seaway Grille at the 1,000 Islands Hotel.

The Antique Boat Museum in the heart of Clayton is on a 4-acre campus spanning 1,500 feet of shoreline. More than 100 boats are on display every day. The museum offers speedboat rides on a triplecockpit Hacker-Craft runabout, boat-building classes and sailing lessons during the summer.

The buildings on this large campus are quite beautiful. The Haxall Building introduces visitors to the St. Lawrence River and showcases

The Stone Building houses the museum’s workshop where boats are built, maintained and restored. Visitors can view samples of various boat-building woods and see where they are found on trees. The McNally Yacht House is an openair pavilion allowing visitors to see eight museum boats — including Wild Goose, Zipper, Gadfly and Teal — in the water and read about their histories. A two-story houseboat built in 1903 is a fan favorite.

The Dodge Building highlights runabouts, launches and outboard motors spanning several years. The Morgan Building, the one that was of the most interest to my husband, houses the Quest for Speed exhibit showing the evolution of motorboat racing and safety equipment and the evolution of speedboat designs. His favorite boat was the 1957 SidCraft Outboard Runabout called Comet V.

Our ticket entitled us to view several boats housed in the nearby Doebler Collections storage facility, including powered and non-powered boats, inboard and outboard engines and other artifacts. My husband was quite impressed when he saw a 1956 Deluxe Lyman with a walk-through center deck still in the original shipping crate.

We left Clayton after a patio breakfast at our hotel, drove back

to Chautauqua for the evening and left the next morning for home. The 14-hour trip from Syracuse to Clayton was an easy drive. For those

wishing to visit wineries in the Finger Lakes region, a simple dip south off the New York Thruway is an easy detour.

“Our families serving your family with professionalism, compassion and care.”

Pierceton and Warsaw Michael and Tracy Wilson

Accidents/Incidents

Kosciusko County

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

Accidents

5:18 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in a private parking area at 10901 N. Eagle Place, Syracuse.

Driver: Lindsay Denton, Eagle Place, Syracuse. Fender bender in a parking area. Unoccupied vehicle registered to Joseph Denton. Damages up to $1,000.

2:48 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, North CR 100E, south of South County Line Road, Milford. Driver: Jared M. Gordon, 29, North Huntington Street, Syracuse. Gordon’s vehicle hit a deer. Damage up to $5,000.

5:07 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, East Harper Road, north of South Old SR 15, Leesburg.

Driver: Michael L. Stover, 41, South East Street, South Whitley. Stover was traveling south on East Harper Road when his vehicle left the roadway, traveling along a cornfield until hitting a metal fence post. Lutheran EMS said Stover had very low blood sugar and was taken to a local hospital. Damage up to $10,000.

4:01 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, South CR 250E, north of East Wooster Road, Warsaw.

Drivers: Brandon T. Holden, 32, West Crystal Flash Road 36, North Webster; and Robert J. Straughan, 44, William Drive, Winona Lake. Holden was traveling south on CR 250E when

he rear-ended Straughan’s vehicle. No injuries were reported in the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

3:26 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, Seventh Street and College Avenue, Winona Lake. Drivers: Maureen K. Mauzy, 75, East Center Street, Warsaw; and Diane L. Kern, 62, East Forest Glen Avenue, Leesburg. Mauzy began to turn her vehicle and collided with Kern’s. She said she never saw Kern’s vehicle. Damage up to $10,000. Incidents

11:06 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 4000 block North SR 13 and East CR 500N, Leesburg. Representatives for NIPSCO reported criminal mischief.

1:27 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 700 block of West Portland Street, Syracuse. A dog was reportedly bit by an unrestrained dog.

4:16 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 100 block of East South Street, Milford. A firearm was found. Value of $200.

3:52 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 11300 block of North CR 1000E, Cromwell. Numerous tools were stolen from a construction trailer. Damage up to $4,570.

12:08 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 9400 block North Koher Road East, Syracuse. Representatives for Stuckman’s Towing reported fraud.

11:42 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 8600 block East Backwater Road, North Webster. Representatives for Utiliquest LLC re-

ported the theft of radio detection equipment. Value of $2,500.

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following accident: Accident

4:51 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, SR 13, south of Backwater Road, North Webster. Drivers: Joshua L. Davis, 31, Bear Creek Pass, Auburn; and Kelsy L. Finkenbiner, 35, EMS W30 Lane, North Webster. Davis’ vehicle hit the back of Finkenbiner’s. Damage up to $10,000.

Syracuse

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

Accidents

10:58 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, intersection of North Huntington Street and East Pearl Street, Syracuse.

Drivers: Juvenile; Pauline B. Chevalier, 83, 64887 Orchard Drive, Goshen. The unlicensed juvenile was turning off of Pearl Street to go south on Huntington Street, colliding with Chevalier’s already southbound car on Huntington Street. No injuries were reported and Chevalier’s car was towed. Damage up to $10,000.

12:31 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, intersection of South Harkless Drive and East Pickwick Drive, Syracuse.

Drivers: Nancy A. Harter, 87, 567 East Lakeview Road, Syracuse; Archie C. Wills, 20, 9829 Chambray Drive, Indi-

Letters to the editor

McConnell is a qualified attorney

Dear Editor,

After buying a house in Syracuse four years ago, I have been following Kosciusko County politics. In this year’s election I was pleased to see that an extremely qualified attorney, Travis McConnell, is running for county prosecutor.

As an attorney in Florida, I have practiced criminal law for over 40 years (and still going). It was refreshing to see that, as a candidate for county prosecu-

tor, Travis McConnell believes in emphasizing the prosecution of sex crimes and other serious offenses instead of wasting the time of hardworking prosecutors and taxpayer dollars prosecuting minor marijuana offenses.

Travis McConnell realizes that surrounding states, such as Michigan (legal marijuana) and Illinois (legal marijuana) make money off the marijuana industry, while in Kosciusko County the taxpayers are having their

hard-earned tax dollars spent on prosecuting minor marijuana offenses. Travis McConnell would exercise prosecutorial discretion to stop this wasteful use of tax dollars.

Please, vote for Travis McConnell for county prosecutor. By doing so, you can make Kosciusko County a safe and great place to live.

Robert A. Norgard Syracuse

Endorses McConnell

Dear Editor, My name is Jessi Kline, and I am one of the victims who came forward with their story regarding New Life, John Lowe II and Jeremiah Lowe. Though I live in California, I continue to care deeply for my community of Kosciusko County. I am aware of the upcoming election for the prosecutor’s office and want to urge my community to consider the following:

If you are disgusted by the heinous acts of New Life and the Lowes ...

If you find yourself angered by the endless stories of sexual abuse and violence in your community ...

If you want to help in a meaningful way but aren’t sure how ...

If you have asked for justice ...

If you’ve questioned where the authorities are in the process of bringing New Life to justice and have received no response ...

If you are alarmed by the number of children and their parents who reported abuse to authorities in Kosciusko County

only for nothing to be done ...

Vote for Travis McConnell for Kosciusko County prosecutor. Get yard signs. Share his posts.

My case should have been prosecuted. The former prosecutor called for it and yet it never happened. Travis has committed to seeking justice for my case and those like mine.

Justice is political. Politics are personal.

Travis has my endorsement!

Will Travis have your vote?

Jessi Kline

Response to Rokita

Dear Editor, Todd Rokita weighed in regarding our campaign for prosecuting attorney. Rokita’s opinion is that personal injury attorneys don’t make very good prosecutors.

I am the personal injury lawyer he was talking about. I’m running because I believe we can do better.

I am running against the office that didn’t stand up for the victims of Pierceton Woods Academy.

I am the personal injury lawyer

We welcome readers’ letters.

who sued Pierceton Woods Academy for sexual misconduct.

I am running against the office that didn’t stand up for the victims of John and Jeremiah Lowe.

I am the personal injury lawyer who is endorsed by victims of the Lowes.

I am running against the office that didn’t stand up for the victims of Hephzibah House.

I am the personal injury lawyer supported by law enforcement officers who are fed up with doing

Our requirements are as follows: Letters must be written to the editor, not the public. They must be signed with full name in ink. Signature will be printed on all letters. Letters must include an address and phone number, which will be used for verification, but will not be published. Emailed letters will be accepted but the above information must be included.

We ask that letters be limited to 400 words. Letters longer than 400 words may be edited for brevity.

Writers may be limited to one published letter per month. Readers with lengthy comments should contact an editor about possible guest columns.

Send letters to: The Mail-Journal, P. O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 or dpatterson@the-papers.com.

the work only to find out their cases don’t get filed or get dismissed.

I am the personal injury lawyer who is endorsed by Boots from Bikers Against Predators who is working to catch predators.

Sexual assault is so common that we all know a victim.

You can choose a personal injury lawyer who will prosecute or stick with the one who didn’t.

Cast your vote Nov. 8.

Travis McConnell

anapolis. Both vehicles stopped at the intersection stop signs but Harter continued on immediately after, hitting the back driver’s side of Wills’ vehicle as he was going through the intersection. No injuries were reported. Damage under $750. Incidents

11:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 900 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Darrick Stephen Brown, 46, Three Rivers, Mich., was arrested and booked for possession of stolen property. Brown was in possession of a popup camper belonging to Kevin Miller of Kalamazoo, Mich.

8:03 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 300 block South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Theft of energy drinks, candy, cat litter and Backwoods cigars, totaling $31.12, from McClure Oil Gas Station.

Jail Bookings

Elkhart County

The following people were booked in Elkhart County Jail:

Oct. 2 — Ronualdo Hernandez, 21, 464 E. Beer Road, Milford, booked for operating while intoxicated-endangerment and operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more. No bond listed.

Oct. 2 — Cody R. Stuckman, 28, 5430 N. CR 900E, North Webster, booked for two counts of dealing marijuana/hashish/ salvia and four counts of possession of marijuana/hash oil/ hashish. Bond: $6,000.

Oct. 1 — Mark A. Mayhew, 55, 14698 CR 52, Syracuse, booked for two counts of operating while intoxicated-endangerment. Bond: $1,500.

Oct. 1 — Coby Nathaniel Rosbrugh, 20, 9450 E. Backwater

Road, North Webster, booked for theft. Bond: $1,500.

Sept. 29 — Judd R. Weirick, 46, 72833 CR 29 Lot 19, Syracuse, booked for residential entry, criminal mischief, possession of marijuana/hash oil/ hashish and possession of marijuana/hash oil/hashish/salvia with prior conviction. No bond listed.

Noble County

The following person was booked in Noble County Jail:

Sept. 26 — Brian K. Kidd, 49, 3540 N. 1025W, Cromwell, booked for intimidation and two warrants. No bond listed.

Whitley County

The following person was booked in Whitley County Jail: Sept. 30 — Andrew Nicholas Custer, 34, Syracuse, booked for habitual traffic violations. Released Sept. 30 on $3,000 bond.

Court News

Superior Court III

The following infractions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Speeding — Lucas James Rangel, Milford, $160.50; Thomas Daniel Levernier, Milford, $160.50

Marriage Licenses

The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Anne Torpy: Argerbright-Balser Benjamin J. Argerbright, 30, Syracuse, and Jennifer R. Balser, 38, Syracuse

De Metz-Hurt

Evan J. De Metz, 20, Milford, and Mackinzie S. Hurt, 19, Milford Wroblewski-Gunkel

Chase K. Wroblewski, 23, North Webster, and Danielle J. Gunkel, 24, North Webster Morrison-Hairrell

Jeremy M. Morrison, 45, Leesburg, and Margaret A. Hairrell, 46, Leesburg Rigsby-Nichols

Denver E. Rigsby, 26, Leesburg, and Ally L. Nichols, 23, Leesburg Booth-Sarna

Abendigo I. Booth, 42, Syracuse, and Susan M. Sarna, 44, Syracuse

Hahaj-Croy

Joseph Hahaj, 34, Cromwell, and Ariana Croy, 25, Cromwell Prescott-Mansfield

Zachary J. Prescott, 29, Milford, and Gabrielle L. Mansfield, 26, Milford

Marriage Dissolutions

The following couple have filed a marriage dissolution in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Chambers — Abigail Chambers, Leesburg, and Zachary Chambers, North Webster. Married: July 26, 2018. Separated: Aug. 1, 2018. There are no minor children.

Kindy shares his peacemaking passion as part Chautauqua convention

Cliff Kindy shared stories of his nonviolent peacemaking as part of the Community Peacemaking Team to an audience of about 50 people Wednesday night, Sept. 28, at a Chautauqua Wawasee event held at the Oakwood Event Center.

Kindy and other CPT members were in a Baghdad hotel at the start of the Second Gulf War. They hoped American pilots might refuse to bomb Iraq if they knew American grandparents were on the ground. They received a disturbing phone call: the bombings would begin in three hours. He asked the audience what they would do during those three hours and then paused to let them reflect. His CPT members shared emotions, prayed and sang songs.

Kindy shared other stories of his involvement in Iraq. One time, the CPT members were held at gunpoint. They also stayed at a water treatment plant to deter its bombing. In the First Gulf War, U.S. bombers targeted water treatment plants, which later resulted in the death of 800,000 children from drinking bad water.

The CPT team was required to leave Iraq and drove through dangerous territory where they had a car accident. Several of the team members were hurt and Kindy himself sustained a life-threatening head injury. The injured were taken to an Iranian clinic that was bereft of medical supplies due to U.S. sanctions.

The doctor overlooked the fact that, technically, these Americans were his enemy. He chose to see them as human beings in need, treated everyone’s injuries and saved Kindy’s life.

Kindy also shared stories from other global troubled spots. He helped rebuild Palestinian homes destroyed by the Israeli military.

He staged sit-ins at the U.S. Navy bombing test grounds in Vieques, Puerto Rico, resulting in several arrests. He also helped refugees return to their subsistence farms in Chiapas, Mexico, and helped refugees in Goma, Congo.

Churches and other groups in

these trouble spots invited CPT to help. Kindy felt privileged to personally grow as he experienced the courage and nonviolent power of these local partners — what he calls “resurrection power.”

In each of these cases, Kindy and his CPT colleagues had to consider what tools they possessed to deter violence. Kindy asked the audience what tools they currently possess. Responses included conservation, recycling, public transportation, restricting meat, not responding to fear, listening and starting conversations with strangers. Kindy considered all of these tools as forms of resurrection power.

Kindy further explained that resurrection power stems from simple actions that tend to introduce hope into otherwise hopeless situations, oftentimes resulting in power shifts away from armed empires into the hands of

ordinary people who are merely trying to survive.

Kindy and his wife, Arlene, live near North Manchester on a 7-acre organic farm. Their sole income comes from selling produce at farmers markets, intentionally keeping their income below federal tax levels to protest American’s $800 billion military budget. Solar panels supply their electricity, and rainwater provides their water needs. Over the years, both Kindy and Arlene have participated in hundreds of disaster mission trips through the Brethren disaster relief ministries.

Arlene is planning to spend two months in Tennessee helping rebuild communities devastated by flooding earlier this year. Kindy is seriously considering a request for CPT to fly to Ukraine and stay at a nuclear power plant in an effort to deter further Russian bombings.

Syracuse Public Library hosting Family Fun Night

Syracuse Public Library is hosting several activities the week of Oct. 10.

Autumn Fun With A Splash Of Apple Cider

Love fall? Don’t miss out on the Syracuse Public Library’s Family Fun Night at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Families will create four fun seasonal crafts during the evening, including decorative bags, apple print garlands, autumn-themed painted rocks and fall luminaries. Some crafts have limited supplies, so families should arrive on time so they don’t miss out on the craft they really wanted to do.

The library will serve light snacks and hot apple cider.

While visiting the library, don’t forget to complete the fall-themed scavenger hunts or pick up a takeand-make craft. During October, there will be a new guessing jar. Guess how many candy pieces are in it. The person who comes closest will get the jar and its contents.

RPG Dice And Drama Night

Players aged 16-25 are invited to attend the first session of RPG Dice and Drama Night — SPL’s new tabletop role-playing game group from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. Once gathered, group members will select the role-playing game. Some choices include “Heart: The City Beneath,” “Wanderhome,” Blades in the Dark,” “Fiasco,” “Kingdom 2e” and others. Once the setting is decided, players can dive into character creation before launching their adventure.

Young Adults Book Club

The young adult book club will read “These Deadly Games” by Diana Urban in October. In the book, Crystal Donavan completes tasks that are all a part of her sister’s kidnapper’s game. They start simple — bake brownies, steal a test, etc. — but gradually turn darker, threatening to hurt her friends. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Pick up your copy of the book at the library to uncover what decisions Donavan makes. Digital e-books and audiobooks are available on Libby.

Discussions occur from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Rosalyn Jones Room.

The clay class will see its projects to fruition with the pit firing Wednesday, Oct. 12. Clay class participants can pick between two firings: at noon and 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to watch the pit firing process.

The Decluttering Support Group will share decluttering success stories and offer tips and tricks along the way at noon Thursday, Oct. 13. This group offers nonjudgmental support for those looking to simplify their lives by removing cluttering.

Finally, don’t forget to pick up October’s adult book club pick, “The Other Typist,” by Suzanne Rindell. This suspenseful historical fiction novel transports the reader to New York City in the 1920s. A typist for the New York City Police Department, Rose Baker sits in judgment like a high priestess. Criminals come before her to admit their transgressions, and, with a few strokes of the keys before her, she seals their fate. But while she may hear about shootings, knifings, and crimes of passion, as soon as she leaves the room, she reverts to a dignified and proper lady. Until Odalie joins the typing pool.

Discussions will occur at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, via Zoom and 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the downstairs meeting room. Book copies are available at SPL. Libby

Garden’s bounty continues to produce summer treats

Our property is small, but we maximize the land by planting garden almost everywhere. At this time of the year, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes are prolific. To make the most out of this bounty, we’ve come-up with two dishes that are top-shelf.

Zucchini

I only grow striped zucchini because you can’t get it elsewhere and it has a thin skin. It’s great grilled with a little balsamic added to olive oil and brushed over. But, when you get one the size of a baseball bat, zucchini soup comes to mind.

Serve hot or cold but always with crusty bread on the side.

Serves four:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 large zucchini or 2-pounds of small zucchini, peeled if thick-skinned

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground pepper

4 cups chicken stock

3 bay leaves 2 cups spinach

Lots of chopped fresh dill to taste

1/2 cup half and half

Garnish: Chopped ham, shredded parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and/or croutons.

Add oil and butter to a soup pot. When butter melts, add next five ingredients and cook until vegetables are softened — stirring occasionally — about six minutes.

Add stock, bring to boil, cover, reduce to simmer and cook until vegetables are very tender and easy to blend.

Stir in spinach and dill. When wilted, move off heat, remove bay leaves, and blend with an immersion blender until smooth.

Return to heat and stir in half and half until blended and soup is hot. Serve with desired condiments and enjoy a summer treat

on a rainy night.

Cucumbers

For pickling, I like the Asian cuke, suyo long and Norma Yoder from Pasture Haven Farm also uses these to pickle and sell at their farm shop on CR 48.

The recipe is my book, “Farmers in Lake Country.”

There’s also another way to use cukes. Marinate pickle chunks with sweet onion pieces and chunks of heirloom tomatoes. The marinate is much like pickling syrup but with some oil added. This recipe depends on the amount of vegetables to be marinated.

1 cup water 1 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Fresh dill, snipped, if you like Whisk to combine, then pour over the veggies and refrigerate for at least two hours. Overnight is better.

Once you use all the veggies, I recycle the brine and add another batch of veggies. It gets better with age and is a truly refreshing summer treat. Enjoy the garden’s bounty as summer comes to an end.

learning adventures in October.

Warriors run into buzz saw on homecoming night

punting on 4th and 2 in their own territory. The Tigers took a ground-and-pound approach all night long and relentlessly ran the football.

The Warrior varsity football team ran into a buzz saw and lost 36-0 to the Warsaw Tigers on homecoming night, Friday, Sept. 30, at Warrior Field.

Wawasee started the game with a gutsy onside kick and it paid off with the Warriors recovering the football. Senior quarterback Mason Shoemaker completed a wellthrown ball on 4th and long to junior wide receiver Hunter Tinkey for a first down. After a few Warsaw stops, the Warriors were still in scoring position, but just couldn’t quite convert as senior kicker Tim Bolt missed his field goal attempt.

Warsaw drove down the field and senior fullback German Flores-Ortega ran in from three yards out for the first score of the game. After a successful twopoint conversion run by sophomore quarterback Drew Sullivan, the Tigers went up 8-0 near the end of the first quarter.

The Warriors took over to start the second quarter but ended up

Flores-Ortega capped off the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run and Sullivan converted on another two-point conversion run to make it 16-0 Tigers early in the second quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Warrior senior wide receiver Chase Dennis returned the ball to the Warrior 31-yard line. Dennis had a couple lengthy kickoff returns throughout the night. The Warriors were driving again, but the Tiger defense stiffened up and put the Warriors in a 3rd and 15 situation. The Warriors fumbled the football and Warsaw recovered.

Sullivan quickly completed a 19-yard pass to senior halfback Haydin Rodriguez to put the Tigers in scoring position. FloresOrtega then scored on a 10-yard touchdown run and Sullivan ran the ball in for a successful twopoint conversion to make it 24-0 Tigers with just under a minute left in the second quarter.

Wawasee had one last possession before halftime and once again fumbled the football. The Tigers recovered and Sullivan connected with senior split end Jack Murrell on a 28-yard touchdown strike to make it 30-0 at halftime.

The Warriors received the ball to start the second half, but couldn’t get anything going and punted on 4th and 18. Warsaw fumbled with 7:35 left in the 3rd quarter and the Warriors recovered the ball at the 50-yard line. Once again, the Tigers stopped Wawasee and forced them to punt on 4th and 8.

The Warriors defense stopped Warsaw on the ensuing drive and forced them to turn the ball over on downs. Shoemaker was then intercepted by Warsaw junior linebacker Eric Pohl. The Tigers capped off the scoring with a 26yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Grady Nolin with 8:23 left in the 4th quarter.

Shoemaker had 89 yards passing. Senior running back Cameron Zimmerman, who was crowned homecoming king at halftime, ran for 28 yards. Tinkey had 32 yards receiving.

Senior linebacker David Anderson led the way with seven tackles. Senior defensive back Derek Bontrager had six tackles. Senior defensive lineman Nico Ramirez added five tackles.

Next game: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at NorthWood.

Lady Warriors soccer season comes to an end

The second season for the Warrior girls soccer team ended in much the same way the regular season ended: a shutout loss to NLC neighbor NorthWood.

Wawasee entered the postseason saddled with an 11game losing streak. During that ignominious streak, the team managed only two goals, both coming in a loss to Elkhart Christian Academy on Sept. 15.

While last Thursday’s loss to the Panthers occurred on Warrior Field in Syracuse, Tuesday’s Sectional 20 opening round nightcap game was contested at Wellfield Park in Nappanee.

The result, however, was the same, as NorthWood blanked the team in green 5-0. Similar to last week’s matchup, Wawasee managed to initially keep the Panthers off the scoreboard by utilizing a defense-heavy formation, packing the defensive

third with nine defenders in an effort to extend the game as a scoreless draw as long as possible. Eventually, however, the Panthers were able to find the net with a long-range shot from outside the penalty area with around 32 minutes left on the first-half clock.

NorthWood would add one more goal, also sent from distance, before the referee blew his whistle, sending the teams to intermission. With the game plan of extending the match into overtime and penalty kicks fading into the brisk October night, it was obvious that Wawasee would have to come out playing much more aggressively on the offensive end to have any hope of continuing its season.

Unfortunately for Wawasee, the change in tack resulted in better passing lanes for the Panthers, who dominated possession and saw much better looks at the Warriors’ senior goalkeeper, Josalyn Kolberg.

NorthWood’s relentless attack resulted in a bevy of corner kicks and defensive fouls on Wawasee. The Panthers were able to tickle the twine three more times in the second stanza, putting an official end to the Warrior season.

Wawasee concluded its campaign with a 1-13-3 mark, its lone win coming against Bethany Christian on Aug. 25. Two of the team’s three regular season ties came against schools also participating in Sectional 20 — West Noble and Lakeland — with the third against Tippecanoe Valley.

Along with Kolberg, Wawasee bid farewell to seniors Nadia Whalen, Madison Brenneman, Nondus Davidson and Molly McDonald.

NorthWood improved to 123-2 on the season and advanced to a Thursday night match with East Noble, who bested county rival West Noble 1-0 in Tuesday night’s opener.

Soccer Varsity Boys Sept. 29 lost to Plymouth 10-1. Oct. 3 lost West Noble 4-0 at Angola Sectionals. Next game: Season completed.

Junior Varsity Boys — Sept. 29 lost to Plymouth 3-0. Next game: Season completed.

Varsity Girls — Sept. 29 lost to NorthWood 2-0. Oct. 4 lost to NorthWood 5-0 at NorthWood Sectionals. Next game: Season completed.

Boys Tennis Varsity — Sept. 29 lost to Columbia City 4-1 in Warsaw Sectionals. No. 1 singles sophomore Joey Harper lost to Columbia City junior Alexander Rongos 6-4, 6-2; No. 2 singles junior Will Long lost to Columbia City senior Tobey Krider 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 singles sophomore Kane Dukes defeated Columbia City junior Sam Bechtold 6-3, 6-1; No. 1 doubles senior Jay Duncan and junior Ty Brooks lost to Columbia City seniors Rhet Whilson and Nathan Hodges 6-1, 7-5; No. 2 doubles junior Caden Pratt and sophomore Evan Byler lost to Columbia City senior Andrew Hedrick and junior Sam Eberly 6-3, 6-1. Next match: Season completed.

Girls Volleyball

Varsity — Sept. 29 lost to Mishawaka 16-25, 16-25, 25-20, 17-25. Oct. 1 Dunes Invitational defeated Michigan City 25-15, 14-25, 15-9; lost to Mishawaka 25-21, 13-25, 8-15; defeated Triton 25-7, 25-13; defeated Buchanan 25-21, 25-21. Congrats to Amanda Allen for breaking the Wawasee High School career assists record of 2,031 previously held by Candice Brown. Allen now has 2,040 career assists. Oct. 4 defeated West Noble 2518, 25-16, 25-15. Next game: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at NorthWood.

Roundup

Junior Varsity — Sept. 29 lost to Mishawaka 19-25, 25-23, 8-15. Oct. 4 defeated West Noble 25-21, 19-25, 15-6. Next game: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at NorthWood.

Freshman — Sept. 29 defeated Mishawaka 25-14, 24-25, 15-12. Next game: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at NorthWood.

Coed Unified Flag Football Sept. 28 defeated NorthWood 48-38. Oct. 1 lost to DeKalb 59-22 in the sectional round. The team finished the season 7-3. Next game: Season completed.

Football Varsity — Sept. 30 lost to Warsaw 36-0. Next game: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at NorthWood.

Junior Varsity — Oct. 1 lost to Warsaw 36-8. Next game: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at home vs. NorthWood.

Freshman — Sept. 29 lost to Northridge 35-19. Next game: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at home vs. Warsaw.

Cross-Country

Boys — Oct. 1 NLC Championship at Oxbow Park: winner, Northridge; 7th, Wawasee; 34th, Cade Beer, 18:00; 37th, Hunter Allen, 18:04; 42nd, Josiah Boyer, 18:34; 46th, Dominic Speybroek, 18:51; 47th, Brady McDonald, 18:58. Next meet: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, sectional at Oxbow Park.

Girls — Oct. 1 NLC Championship at Oxbow Park: 9th, Mia Hodgson, 19:49, fourth fastest time in school history and fastest time ever recorded by a Wawasee freshman; Trinity LaJoice, 24:14; Abby Speicher, 24:21; Francie McDonald, 25:02; America Benitez, 25:18; Heatherlyn Holder, 26:51. Next meet: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, sectional at Oxbow Park.

Betsy Luce ready to enjoy retirement

you grew up with, the people who were your mentors who watched out for you.”

By her own admission, Betsy Luce is not a political person. She also says she’s a very private person.

For the last 19 years, however, she’s served in a very public role as the clerk-treasurer for the town of North Webster, a role she’s set to relinquish at the end of this calendar year.

During that time, she’s both seen and affected many changes in her hometown, leaving behind a legacy that will have improved her community for the better for years to come.

“It’s very strange that I even ran for office,” she said. “In 2003, several Republicans filed for town council and clerk, but I couldn’t vote because I was a Democrat. My sister (Jane Shepherd) and I were upset about that, and she said, ‘Well, we should file as Democrats and then they have to have an election and then we can vote.’ We filed the last day you were eligible to file.

“She said, ‘With our luck we’ll win,’ and we did. She ran for council and I ran for clerk. We worked really hard to get elected. We did voter registration, we went door to door, we had pamphlets. We grew up in this community so we knew a lot of people.”

During that first year, it was a learning experience for everyone in the town’s government as only one incumbent returned to office, and that person moved to Florida a few months after the election.

“It was a learning experience for all of us,” she recalled, “but I think we were very fortunate because we all loved this community. We all wanted to take care of the people in North Webster. The main thing about this job is it isn’t a job, it’s a gift. This is service. There’s something about North Webster that gets into your heart and it’s in your soul.

“It’s always been a real pleasure for me and it’s been rewarding to be giving service to someone else. What a difference it makes when it’s for the people

Mobile

Luce noted when she took office she received no training. She had a background in bookkeeping and controlling. “When I walked into the office it was, ‘Here’s the computer, here’s the work, you figure out how it all works.’ It was very challenging, but that’s a good thing for me. I’m very stubborn and I won’t give up!”

She said she’s had the opportunity to reconnect with people and to listen to them.

“I’m sort of the liaison between a lot of different things and the council,” she said. “Until the pandemic I was up there every day and very accessible. We’re better than we were in 2003. I see another group (of leaders) rising and that’s what’s important.

“North Webster is very unique to me. You have to move with the times and progress, but you have to retain that small-town feeling. The new clerk will be very fortunate because we have a couple of great people working in the clerk’s office, including Jama Roose, my deputy clerk, and Kim Jones, my secretary and receptionist at the front desk. They both will be a big help to the new clerk.”

Luce is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, Ralph, during her coming retirement.

“The pandemic made me see things differently,” she said. “I’m at an age now, I’m 71, and I realize that I only have so many heartbeats left, and I’d really like spend those with my husband. We’ll have been married 50 years in December and I’m looking forward to spending time with him, to wake up in the morning and even if we don’t have anything to say we also don’t have anything we have to do.

“This is a job I did from the heart, because I live and breathe North Webster. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. It’s been a good 19 years.”

drivers

Let’s honor veterans

Veterans Day honors military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Some communities will host parades, others will host programs or offer free meals for veterans.

‘the PAPER’ wants to honor the veterans in our county in our Nov. 9 publication. We will be dedicating space to publish photos of these veterans and asking our readers to help by sending photos and information.

We are asking readers to send us a photo, past or present, of a veteran in the family. Include the veteran’s name, military branch and the years served.

Photos and information can be emailed to dpatterson@thepapers.com, mailed to ‘the PAPER,’ P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 or bring a photo and information to either our Warsaw

Market St., or the

Bridge Results

North Webster Bridge Group

The North Webster Bridge Group

on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and Thursday, Sept. 29,

Senior Primelife Enrichment

The Hanger opens at Wawasee High School

dents at Wawasee High School.

“It used to be a narrow closet.

Women of Today, a local nonprofit dedicated to raising funds to support local youth in the community, helped open The Hanger, a closet dedicated to helping stu-

We took everything out. A friend donated the racks. We tried to mark things and make it as easy as possible for the students to find what they need,” said Women of Today member Julee Rauch.

“We decided to make it like a

Wawasee Community school board candidate forum

The Wawasee Community Educators Association and Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees will be hosting a school board candidate forum from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the Wawasee Middle School Lecture Room.

The event is open to the public

and will give community members an opportunity to hear the candidates address important issues pertaining to the role of a school board member.

Candidates will be asked questions by a moderator and will be given a two-minute time limit to respond. The event is not a debate.

store with regular hours every Friday morning. Everything is free,” she said. The closet has a wide variety of clothing and even includes a small dressing room area.

According to Rauch, Julie Baird, the high school’s receptionist, “did a good job creating the logo/sign.”

Sarah LeCount, Wawasee High School’s student success advocate, was also present at the opening. “My job is to support families in need. I connect them with community resources. We have a strong partnership with the Bowen Center, which offers students and their guardians counseling. We have a student assistance program and a guardian assistance program where both students and their guardians are offered two free counseling sessions,” said LeCount.

“The teachers have been so supportive. One teacher even cried,” said Rauch.

Many teachers, administrators and coaches were present and were very supportive. The closet is very finely decorated and has a welcoming feel.

Organizations and people who benefit from Women of Today donations include local youth in need; Milford, North Webster and Syracuse public libraries summer reading programs; Rock Solid; Wawasee School Corporation initiative that empowers students; two yearly scholarships for Wawasee seniors; Boomerang Backpack; Lakeland Youth Center; and school-supplied filled backpacks for students in need as well as Christmas gifts.

For more information on Women of Today, please call (574) 457-3775, visit facebook. com/womenoftoday2015 or email womenoftodaysyracuse@gmail. com.

KYLA holds first meeting of the year

The 28th class of the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy recently kicked off another year with their first meeting and a student mixer, both held at the Baker Youth Club.

This year’s class is made up of 35 students in their junior year from seven area high schools: Lakeland Christian Academy; Northwood, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw, Wawasee and Whitko high schools; and Triton Junior-Senior High School.

During the introductory meeting and mixer, students met one another, and members of the KYLA Board were given information about what to expect for the upcoming school year and participated in various icebreaker games.

The students will participate in monthly meetings at various locations in Kosciusko County where they will learn about various parts of the community such as government, agriculture, manufacturing, health care and service agencies.

Throughout the year these students will also work toward completing a community service project of their choice. They will present on their experience at the end of the year. These projects and sessions are aimed at strengthening the leadership skills of the

Wawasee High School homecoming parade marches on

Students and alumni of Wawasee High School, along with family, friends and community members from across the Lakeland area, came together late Friday afternoon, Sept. 30, for a pregame celebration prior to the Warriors’ homecoming football game against Warsaw.

The evening’s fun started with a parade, led by fire trucks and emergency vehicles from Turkey

Creek Fire Territory and Milford Volunteer Fire Department. The bright reds of the trucks were followed up Chicago Street into the high school parking lot by the forest green worn by members of the Wawasee Marching Warrior Pride, playing its rousing rendition of the school fight song, “Across The Field.”

The parade continued with a steady stream of vehicles carrying the homecoming king and queen candidates and the underclass court. A variety of floats, local dance groups and other en-

thusiastic participants followed, many tossing candy and treats to the eager youngsters lining the route.

Following the 20-minute procession, a backyard barbecue was set up in the parking lot to the north of the football field. The WHS Football Gridiron Club held its fundraiser, offering hamburgers, brats and steak tips to hungry football fans before they entered Warrior Field. The food was provided by Chubbie’s Pub & Grub, with cookies from Harvest Coffee & Market in Milford.

8th annual Run for Autism set for Nov. 5

The Lakes Area Autism Network and Wawasee High School will be hosting the 8th annual Run for Autism Saturday, Nov. 5, at Wawasee High School.

All pre-registered participants for both the 5k and 1-mile races will be guaranteed a T-shirt if registered by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Participants aged 7 and under are free.

The 5K race will take place on the Wawasee High School cross country course. The race will start at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and will end at 8:45 a.m. Race day price is $25.

This event is chip-timed by Watt’s My Time. There will be awards for the overall male and female winner, the overall masters male and female winner and top two finishers in each male and female age group.

The 1-mile event, which is untimed, will take place on the high school track at 9:30 a.m. Registration will be open from 8-9:15 a.m. The race day registration

cost is $20.

This annual event has raised funds that have allowed the following contributions: Grant funds. The grants allow families and professionals to purchase needed supplies, supports and equipment, attend training events and access other resources as they strive to improve the life of an individual with autism.

Sensory-friendly movies LAAN and the North Pointe Cinema host free sensory-friendly movies for families.

Sensory-inclusive community. Free sensory bags for the autism community. The goal is to work with a variety of businesses in the area to continue to make local communities more sensory inclusive.

Visual communication boards. Funds have provided visual communication boards to playgrounds, parks and schools in the community.

Unified sports sponsorships. Funds have provided area

school’s unified sports teams the means to purchase needed equipment and uniforms.

Checks can be made to Lakes Area Autism Network Inc. and mailed to Lakes Area Autism Inc., P.O. Box 758, North Webster, IN 46555. Online donations available at givesignup.org/donationwebsite/lakesareaautismnetwork.

Sponsorship Levels:

Gold Level Sponsor — $500 or greater. Sponsor will be a headline sponsor on the race day Tshirts. Email your company logo to laan2011@yahoo.com by Monday, Oct. 24.

Silver Level Sponsor — $100-$499. Sponsor will be printed on the back of the race day Tshirts if received by Oct. 24.

Bronze Level Sponsor — Donations of any amount will be accepted and appreciated. Receipts will be provided for tax purposes.

For more information, call (574) 527-6036 or email laan2011@yahoo.com.

It happened in Milford ... 20 years ago New officers appointed for Milford Kiwanis

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 3, 2012

5-year-old Cody and 7-year-old Wyatt Reed, Milford School students, are just starting their first season as members of the Indiana Junior Rodeo Association. The boys, sons of John Reed and Heather King, participate in mutton busting, bale roping — steer head and chute dogging.

Susan Russel of Milford took home one of three $700 purchase awards at the Midwest Museum of American Art’s 34th Annual Juried Regional for her work, “Take Me Back,” an oil on canvas creation.

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 2, 2002

New officers for Milford Kiwanis

include Susie Wert, treasurer; Doris Wolferman, secretary; Pat Farm, vice president; Dan Brown, president; and Wayne Lawson, president-elect.

World famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus passed along Milford’s tracks, heading north last week. Several passenger cars as well as vehicles aboard the train were seen.

The Milford Kiwanis Club recognized International Kids Day by paying tribute to a number of people who work with children in the Milford community: Linn Landis; Pam Lamer; Mary Coy; Cindy Kaiser; Becky Flannery;

It happened in Syracuse ... 10 years ago

New athletic complex sees its first game

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 3, 2012

The new and improved Harold Schrock Athletic Complex was still in the midst of construction, but a peewee football scrimmage on the new field was set for Oct. 13. Chad Jonsson, parks superintendent, was excited that the field would be put to use; Jonsson stated, “this gives them a place to have as their own.”

Syracuse Public Library celebrated Banned Books Week by putting up a display of banned books so the community could exercise their right to intellectual freedom.

Syracuse Community Youth Initiative was one step closer to achieving its dream of a youth center, thanks to a donation from a local church. Youth Initiative Director Mark Eastway said, “the youth have a lot of structured activities, they need a place to go to unwind.”

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 2, 2002

Knights of Columbus, Father Francis Pitka of Syracuse, made a contribution to the Syracuse Boy Scout Troop of $500.

Gary and Tonya Jenkins of Syracuse welcomed their daughter, Danielle Renee, into the world at Kosciusko Community Hospital on Sept. 9.

Clay and Rebecca Rassi of Syracuse welcomed their son, Evan William, into the world at Kosciusko Community Hospital on Sept. 24. 30 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 30, 1992

Dan and Deb Armbruster of Syracuse welcomed their son, Matthew James, into the world at Goshen General Hospital on Sept. 25.

Douglas and Patsy Doty of Syracuse welcomed their son, Christopher Ryan, into the world at Elkhart General Hospital on Sept. 25.

Republican Carl Baxmeyer’s bid for the Third District seat in the House of Representatives made a stop in Syracuse where he spoke to approximately 15 people on issues from foreign aid to health care.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 6, 1982

Mr. and Mrs. Dunithan of Syracuse welcomed a daughter into the world at Goshen General Hospital on Sept. 28.

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Glaser of Syracuse welcomed their son, William Lee, into the world at Goshen Hospital on Sept. 28.

Indiana State Police Trooper Tom Perzanowski recovered and returned a stolen 1974 Rickman motorcycle to its rightful owner, James Egolf of Syracuse.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 4, 1972

Conservation officer Earl Money, Syracuse chief of police Orville VanderReyden and Kosciusko county deputy sheriff Ron Robinson all contributed to the efforts to local drug trafficking.

Mr and Mrs. Max Simon, Robert Simon, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Gilbert and Miss Sharon Gilbert, all of Syracuse, were among the guests at Mr. and Mrs. Allan Reeve’s family dinner.

Bryan Smith filled in for an injured Keith Cripe, leading the Syracuse Yellow Jacket junior high football team to its third victory.

Stephanie Gardner; Gary and Deb Kyle; Lisa Rinker; Maureen Haab; Delana Walker; Pat Hurd; Candy Townsend; and Rachina Nichols.

30 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 30, 1992

Bob and Marguerite Hoerr, Philip and Millie Beer, Lewis and Mim Speich and Pete and Becky Doll, all of Milford, spent a lot of time at Walloon Lake.

Mrs. Oliver (Emma) Haab observed her 88th birthday Sept. 29 at the Lakeland Loving Care Center in Milford.

The children of Milford residents Theo and Naoma Beer and their spouses gathered in Petoskey, Mich. this past weekend for a time of visiting, going on walks, boating and enjoying lots of good food.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 6, 1982

Ron Schwartz signed up to be a driver for Milford EMS service when they were in need of help. Two years later, Schwartz is still driving and enjoys it.

Attendees of the community agribusiness day got to hear from Con-

gressman John Hiler, Congressman Dan Coates, and area grain farmer and hog producer Ted Blank.

The 17th annual Stieglitz, Rapp, Zimmerman reunion was held at the Hastings Island Chapel United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Kolberg hosted the occasion with 56 persons present for the carry-in dinner.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 4, 1972

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Bowser of Milford are the parents of their first child, a son, Brian Robert, born on Sept. 29.

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Pinkerton of Milford had a new addition to their family. The new member of the Pinkerton family is a seven and a half week old toy fox terrier puppy named “Squeak” at birth because he squealed most of the time.

Town board members have received compliments on the new street signs that were installed by street and water commissioner John Martin and other Milford residents.

Sen. Todd Young attends New Paris ribbon cutting

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) paid a visit to Smoker Craft Inc.

Monday afternoon, Oct. 3, to help celebrate the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the New Paris boat manufacturer’s new multipurpose building.

The ceremony had originally been scheduled to take place Aug. 5, but was postponed nearly two months in deference to the death of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, who was killed in an auto accident on Aug. 3. Walorski had been scheduled to attend the originally scheduled event.

“Whenever I think of this building from now on, Jackie will come to my mind,” said Doug Smoker, president and CEO of Smoker Craft. “Jackie was a champion for the boat business in Washington. We grew to know her over the years. She was a wonderful person. She was someone who lit up a room and was just an amazing help to us throughout the years.”

Young also addressed the assembled crowd of Smoker Craft employees and other local dignitaries.

“We live in the most manufacturing intensive part of the most manufacturing intensive state in the nation,” said Young. “I’m proud of that. … Simply put, we know how to make things right here in this part of the state of Indiana. The ability to make things has provided good jobs to not just you and your families, but to so many thousands of others across northern Indiana. … We’re here to celebrate one of the commercial successes that will enable more people to make more great products for Americans and for others to enjoy.”

Also speaking to the assemblage were Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick and Steven Clark, general manager for R. Yoder Construction, the Nappanee-based company that built the new facility.

According to a fact sheet provided by Smoker Craft, the building will be used for warehousing, light manufacturing, rigging and staging for transportation and some of the business’s corporate offices. The length of the building is 1,000 feet with a height of more than 30 feet.. It utilized 680 tons of steel and 511,565 square feet of concrete in its construction.

Collins honored for saving life after near drowning

10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 3, 2012

On Sept. 22, the Webster Lake Conservation Association had a work day at the Lake Webster Dam. Twelve people helped clear debris and rubble from the former raceway of the Boydston Grist Mill. This work was in preparation for the rehabilitation of the Webster Lake outlet structure better known as the dam, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday. During the rehabilitation, the Tippecanoe River flow will be routed through the raceway. Those who helped were: Jan Osborn, Alyson Troutman, J.B. Routh, Beth Smith, Kevin Smith, Terry Frederick, Dawn Meyer, Brad Troutman, and Tom Plew, John Osborn, and Jennifer Myers.

By all reports it was a great turnout, great weather, and tons of fun at the North Webster Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival at the Mermaid Grounds Saturday. Abi Smith won first place with her hamburger pumpkin. The other two winners in the pumpkin competition were second place, Grady Maloney, and third place, Anthony Hughes.

20 YEARS AGO, OCT. 2, 2002

Tim Collins of North Webster was honored by the Lakeland Kiwanis Club as a hero Thursday night. Collins, his wife, Mary Ann, and Paul and Nancy Joseph of Anderson, saved the life of Paul Joseph earlier this summer when the man fell in Webster Lake. Collins was presented with an etched glass plaque noting his heroism and received a standing ovation from the roughly 100 people in attendance.

There were 26 people present for the Sept. 17 meeting of Barbee Lakes Conservation Club held in the conservation building. President Mark Lawson presided. A carry-in supper was served under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Goodyear. Harold Henry gave the invocation.

The first meeting of the fall season for Backwater Friends Club was held Sept. 19 in the

home of Mildred Gray. Edith Hoffert, assistant hostess, gave the meditation. Pledges to the American and Christian flags were repeated in unison. New officers were installed by Sarah Rhodes. They are Laura Coverstone, president; Lois Hammer, secretary; and Christy Rhodes, treasurer.

30 YEARS AGO, SEPT. 30, 1992

Hi Neighbors Club semi-annual neighborhood carry-in birthday dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2, at Mock’s School. Mary Mock and Avelda Roberts are co-chairmen are in charge of the event.

Saturday is clean-up day at Barbee Conservation Club building. Volunteers are needed. Work begins at 8 a.m. Anyone wanting to help should bring buckets, ladders and cleaning supplies.

North Webster Lionesses will be distributing free coats to children infant to adult sizes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17, at the North Webster Community Building. All of the coats (some brand names) are in clean, wearable condition. They will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis to any local child needing a winter coat.

40 YEARS AGO, OCT. 6, 1982

The first meeting of the fall season for Chapter DA of PEO Sisterhood was held Sept. 27, at the home of Jean Dungan, Lake Tippecanoe, with Florence Van Meter as hostess. A salad luncheon was held at noon. Guests present were Neoma Colpritts, Oakwood Park, and Carol Robbins, Lake Wawasee. Verna Lindemood gave devotions. She read from Galatians 6:1-10.

Ruth Mickely was hostess for the Sept. 28 meeting of Tippcanoe Township Hobby Club. Guests present were Jane Ann Weaver and Pearl Weaver, Marion. Items and projects were worked on for the upcoming extension homemakers’ Christmas bazaar. Projects included: macrame, tatting, latch hook rug making embroidery, quilting and crocheting. A sack lunch was enjoyed at noon. Mrs. Mickley served cookies for dessert.

50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 4, 1972

Mrs. Robert Rhodes entertained the Backwater Friends Home Extension Club in her home with Mrs. Ray Rupprecht assisting. Following introduction of guests, the meeting was opened with the pledge to the flag and the club creed, led by Mr. Douglas Bowser. Mrs. Orva Miller gave the history of the song of the month and all joined in singing “Carolina In the Morning.”

co-hostess chose “Little Things” for meditation. Garden remarks by Mrs. Don Mort concerned the winter preparation and care of gladioli. The citizenship lesson given by Mrs. Harold Leach was on adoption. Mrs. Arden Rider won the door prize.

The

Ray Vanator attended the threeday farm progress show held at Galesburg, Ill., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Ray and Donnie Smith of Pierceton made the trip

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

Town of Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Syracuse, Indiana NPDES Permit No. IN0021172

Public Notification of Pollutant Minimization Program Plan (PMPP) Permit Renewal

The Town of Syracuse owns and operates a major municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located at #1 Conrad Street, Syracuse, Indiana, Kosciusko County. The WWTP discharges treated effluent to Turkey Creek under the authority on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. IN0021172. The Town’s WWTP is designed to treat an average of 1.05 Million Gallons Day (MGD). As required under 327 IAC 5-3. 5-9, Syracuse has prepared a Pollutant Minimization Program Plan (PMPP Renewal Permit for Mercury. The PMPP is Required to be submitted as part of the Streamlined Mercury Variance (SMV) renewal application to IDEM. The SMV renewal application is available to any facility with an effective NPDES permit that contains a Water Quality Based Effluent Limitation (WQBEL) for mercury that cannot be consistently achieved. The PMPP within the SMV application renewal provides the foundation for the development and implementation of a Pollutant Minimization Program (PMP), which includes: 1) identifying known mercury containing processes and equipment and 2) identifying potential sources of mercury loadings in the influent. The PMPP contains planned activities to eliminate or minimize the potential release of mercury to waters of the state and to eliminate or reduce loadings in the WWTP influent. For each planned activity there is a goal, a way to measure attainment of the goal and schedule to implement the goal. The purpose of this notice is to provide3 the general public the opportunity to review and comment on the draft PMPP before it is finalized and submitted to IDEM. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the draft PMPP by contacting Mark W. Aurich, Director of Public Works, #1 Conrad Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 or by phone (574) 451-3229. Comments must be postmarked by November 7th, 2022, addressed and sent to the contact and mailing address shown above. hspaxlp

NOTICE TO VOTERS

Notice is hereby given that the County Election Board of Kosciusko County, Indiana, has designated the following places for hold the General Election and Special Election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Atwood Atwood Community Center, 213 Hovey St., Atwood, IN 46502 Burket/Mentone Mentone Fire Station, 201 W. Main St., Mentone, IN 46539 Claypool Claypool Lion’s Building, 205 W. Calhoun St., Claypool, IN 46510 Etna Green Heritage Park Building 301 S. Walnut St., Etna Green, IN 46524 Nappanee Mt. Tabor Hall, 8424 N. 800 W., Etna Green, IN 46580 Leesburg Leesburg Lion’s Community Building, 114 W. School St., Leesburg, IN Milford Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2035 E. 1300 N., Milford, IN 46542 North Webster North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St., North Webster, IN Pierceton Pierceton Community Building, 105 W. Walnut St., Pierceton, IN 46562

Silver Lake Town Hall Meeting Room, 604 N. Jefferson St., Silver Lake, IN 46982

Sidney Amazing Grace Community Church, 202 W. Arthur St., Sidney, IN 46562 Syracuse Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Dr., Syracuse, IN 46567

Warsaw

Community Life Center, 825 N. Harrison St., Warsaw, IN 46580 First Christian Church, 115 Park Ridge Dr., Warsaw, IN 46580 Ivy Tech-Community College, 2545 Silveus Crossing, Warsaw, IN 46582 Moose Lodge, 1815 W. Lake St., Warsaw, IN 46580

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 225 Gilliam Dr., Warsaw, IN 46580

Shrine Building, County Fairgrounds, 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw, IN 46580 Valley Spring Fellowship, 345 N. 175 E., Warsaw, IN 46582 Winona Lake Christ’s Covenant Church, 2090 E. Pierceton Rd., Winona Lake, IN 46580

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Clerk of Circuit and Superior Courts of Kosciusko County, Indiana 9th day of September, 2022

Ann Torpy

Secretary, Kosciusko County Election Board hspaxlp

STATE OF INDIANA ) COUNTY OF KOSCIUSKO ) SS: NATTI CROW LAKEHOUSE LLC, ABBEY N. GUSTAFSON, STEVEN R. SCHLOSS AND CHARLES N. SCHLOSS, Plaintiffs

v. RICHARD P. GIBSON, MELISSA L. GIBSON, RENATE RUNYON AND ANY OTHER PERSONS CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED HEREIN, Defendants.

NOTICE OF COMPLAINT TO QUIET TITLE TO AND ADVERSE POSSESSION OF REAL ESTATE

To the within named Defendants and any persons claiming an interest in the real estate described herein:

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Plaintiffs have filed an action to quiet title to and for adverse possession of real estate in this matter. The real estate which is the subject of this action is described as follows:

A tract of land in the Quarter of Section 4, Township 34 North, Range 7 East, Turkey Creek Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana, more particularly described as follows:

Commencing at the intersection of the North line of the South half of the Northwest Fractional Quarter of said

the

cated portion of

ings established by

South

by motor car and camper. Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz and Vice President Spiro Agnew were the featured speakers at the event, and Nashville personalities Grandpa Jones, Bill Anderson and Captain Stubby and Buccaneers provided entertainment.

PUBLIC NOTICE Aluminum Insights, LLC, is submitting an NOI letter for our facility (located at 15305 Innovation Boulevard, Syracuse, Indiana 46567) to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of our intent to comply with the requirements under 327 IAC 15-6 to discharge storm water exposed to industrial activities. Run-off from the facility will discharge into an unnamed tributary to Turkey Creek. Questions or comments should be directed to Jim Lincoln at the above-mentioned Aluminum Insights, LLC corporate address. hspaxlp

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL BID SPECIFICATIONS

TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Kosciusko County, Indiana, will from this date until November 7, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., (local time), receive sealed bids for the following: County Highway supplies for the 2023 year. Specifications are on file at the Kosciusko County Highway Garage, 2936 E. Old Road 30, Warsaw, Indiana 46582.

All bids must be submitted on Form #95 and be accompanied by an affidavit of non-collusion.

The bids should then be submitted to the Kosciusko County Auditor’s Office, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580. The bids will be opened at 9:15 a.m. during the Commissioner’s Meeting on November 7, 2022. The meeting will be located on the third floor of the Courthouse, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580.

In comparing bids, consideration will not be confined to price only. The successful bid will be the one that is judged to best serve the interests of the Kosciusko County Highway Department when price, product, safety, quality and delivery are considered. The Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or any part thereof, and to waive any minor technicalities.

Bids will be accepted for consideration on any type or variety that is equal or superior to the one specified. Decisions of equivalency will be at the sole interpretation of the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners. A blanket statement that bid will meet all requirements will not be sufficient to establish equivalence.

The Kosciusko County Highway Department reserves the right to ask for clarification for any bid submitted. The specification herein states the minimum requirements of the Kosciusko County Highway Department. It shall be the Bidder’s responsibility to carefully examine each item of the specification. Any bid not in substantial compliance with these specifications will be rejected. It will be the responsibility of the Bidder to conform to the requirements unless deviations have been specifically cited by the Bidder and acceptance made on the basis of the exception.

When the bid deviates from the specified item, documentation shall be submitted that fully explains and justifies the deviation.

Dated this 29th day of September, 2022.

Michelle Puckett Kosciusko County Auditor hspaxlp O. 5-12

LEGAL NOTICE OF GENERAL (OR SPECIAL) ELECTION

The voters of KOSCIUSKO County are notified by the county election board in accordance with Indiana Code 3-10-2-2 that a general (or special) election will be held in the county on November 8, 2022, with the polls open for voting from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., prevailing local time.

In accordance with the list of candidates and the public questions certified to me by the State of Indiana or this county’s election board, and the certificates of candidate selection filed in the office of the circuit court clerk of this county (or the Lake or Porter County election director), the following offices and public questions or judicial retention questions, if applicable, will be on the general (or special) election ballot: OFFICES TO BE FILLED BY VOTERS

US SENATOR SECRETARY OF STATE, INDIANA AUDITOR OF STATE, INDIANA TREASURER OF STATE, INDIANA

US REPRESENTATIVE, 2 US REPRESENTATIVE, 3 US REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT CD2 SPECIAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 018 STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 022

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY AUDITOR, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY RECORDER, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY SHERIFF, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY ASSESSOR, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY COMMISSIONER, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1 COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 2 COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3 COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 4 TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, CLAY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, ETNA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, HARRISON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, JACKSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, LAKE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, MONROE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, SCOTT TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, SEWARD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, TIPPECANOE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, TURKEY CREEK TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE, WAYNE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, CLAY TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, ETNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, HARRISON TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, JACKSON TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, LAKE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, MONROE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, PLAIN TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, SCOTT TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, SEWARD TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, TIPPECANOE

TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, TURKEY CREEK TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, WASHINGTON

TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBER, WAYNE

lane;

South

line of a

of

said East line, 102.36 feet to a 1/2” leaning pipe at the Northwest corner of a tract of land conveyed to the Walls Family Irrevocable Personal Residence Trust in Document No. 2010100482 recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Kosciusko County, Indiana; thence South 13˚30’07” West, along said East line, 49.28 feet to a Walker cap pin at the Northwest corner of the property conveyed to the Natti Crow Lakehouse, LLC in Document No. 2020120877 recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Kosciusko County, Indiana; thence South 13˚51’04” West, along said East line, 50.00 feet to a Broken Walker cap pin at the Point of Beginning also being the Southwest corner of said Lakehouse property; thence North 88˚37’00” East, along the South line of said Lakehouse property, 148.98 feet to a Walker cap pin; thence South 12˚17’19” West, 6.86 feet to a Walker cap pin at the Northwest corner of the property conveyed to Renate Runyon in Document No.

feet to a 5/8” rebar at the Northwest corner of said Pipp property; thence North 69˚09’00” West, 4.27 feet to the Point of Beginning, containing 2581 square feet more or less.

If you claim any interest in the real estate described herein, you or your representative must file a response to Plaintiffs’ Complaint within thirty (30)days of the last date of publication of this notice. If you fail to so respond, the Court may grant the relief sought by Plaintiffs. Dated: Sept. 15, 2022.

Ann Torpy, Clerk Kosciusko County Courts 121 N. Lake Street Warsaw, Indiana 46580

Stephen R. Snyder, #413-43 Snyder Morgan Federoff & Kuchmay LLP 200 West Main Street Syracuse, IN 46567 Telephone: (574) 457-3300 srs@smfklaw.com

Attorneys for Plaintiffs hspaxlp

TOWN CLERK-TREASURER, MILFORD

TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER, MILFORD

TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER, SYRACUSE

TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER, WINONA LAKE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, TIPPECANOE VALLEY

SCHOOL BOARD

Animal Welfare League announces leadership team

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County has announced its 2022 board of directors and officers. AWL is a nonprofit organization that serves all of Kosciusko County.

This year’s AWL officers include John Lantz, president; Kris Underwood, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, vice president; Dan Woods, W.R. Hall Insurance Group, treasurer; and Kierstan Yates, Silveus Crop In-

Church

surance, secretary.

The AWL directors for 2022 include Dr. Carla Carlton, DVM, Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center; John Hall; Liz Harkness; Lauren Klusman, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce; and Tom Tearney, 1st Source Bank.

The Animal Welfare League executive director is Tonya Blanchard.

“Along with our amazing staff,

executive director and board of directors, we are committed to working for — and engaging with — our Kosciusko community through educational programming, reuniting pets with their owners, a robust kitty fosters program and innovative adoption promotions,” said Lantz.

“These are all key pieces of our lifesaving strategy for abandoned and unwanted pets from our county.”

Holding on and holding each other

was no longer twine, but people, loosening their support for the other, now only concerned about holding on for themselves.

Around The Lakes

From a vantage point far above; I saw the earth as a huge baseball, tattered and bruised from its game of life, beaten and scuffed from the blows it had taken.

Its leather covering was stained and scarred from its contact with the infield gravel and outfield grass. Then, most apparent, its tattered seams broken and beginning to dislodge from their moorings.

Looking further, I saw its hills and valleys, its fields and plains, no longer having the majesty that once was theirs, now disfigured and destroyed from its centuries of existence, yet still intact.

Its seams came more into focus.

I no longer saw strings holding the cover together, each inter-

twined with the other in a bond that had endured, but was now separating, each holding on to its own and no longer supporting each other.

Tightening the focus, the string

I watched as the earth began to come apart at the seams. The bond that had been laced through the seams now broken, fraying, coming apart, the cover flapping loose as it continued its travel.

But it soon would be no more.

What is happening? What would have caused such a thing?

When the strings of the ball are broken, it separates, divides and is destroyed. When men loose their love for one another, they too will separate and divide and be destroyed.

This is what man is doing to himself in these days: separate, divide, conquer and destroy.

But it’s not just one, it will be all. All, except those who put their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ..Believe it? Receive it or not. It’s happening right before our own eyes.

What can we do?

“Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: “And he said, ‘I will love thee, O LORD, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised.’” Psalm 18:1-3, King James Version.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:10, 12, 17-18, King James Version.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33, King James Version.

Our choice:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9, King James Version.

MILFORD FOOD Bank wanted to express its appreciation to Scott Herring of T-Zone for his work in lettering their truck. It looks great and certainly highlights the food bank’s efforts in the region.

done!

THE MISSION of Hope Meal packing event at North Webster Church of God is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9. NWCOG set a goal of packing 90,000 meals at the end of its “Be Rich Campaign.” The meals will go to Mission of Hope and be distributed to children in schools and orphanages throughout Haiti.

There will be representatives from Mission of Hope and Kids Against Hunger to lead this event. The church needs 120 people per shift (360 total) to help pack 90,000 meals. To volunteer to pack meals, visit nwcog.org.

LAST THURSDAY, the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce gathered a group of volunteers to clean up trash along SR 13. The crew started at the railroad tracks and went down both sides of the road, ending at Pizza Hut. “Thank you to all our volunteers for taking time out of your evening to help us,” said new Chamber Director Staci York. “You guys are rock stars!”

The volunteer cleanup group included Sierra Clark-Kern, S-W Chamber; Jason Metz and his daughter, Whitney Metz, Burnworth-Zollars Ford; Ryan Austin, Bankers Life Advisory Services; Scott Reinke, Tippecanoe Lake Country Club; Jason Matthews, Matthews’ Painting Company; community member Diana Woolley; and York, who is pictured above.

“WARM HEARTS deserve warm bellies,” say organizers of Milford Kiwanis’s Soup Supper Cook-off. The annual event will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, inside the Milford Community Building, 111 S. Main St.

Come support the new Milford Kiwanis project, Teachers’ Tool Box. The cost for the allyou-can-eat event is a freewill donation. You’ll also have a chance to vote for your favorite soup. There will be a grand prize winner awarded from those votes. Afterward, step outside and enjoy the fall activities during Meet Milford’s Food Truck Friday monthly event.

NORTH WEBSTER Community Center will host “Fallin’ into Fun” Oct. 17-21. There will be free lunch, free learning and free fun. For more details, visit nwcommunitycenter.org.

DONATIONS ARE being sought to help stock “The Hangar” at Wawasee High School. They are seeking new and gently used men’s and women’s clothing, toiletry items, feminine hygiene products, backpacks and other items that are offered free of charge to any WHS student in need.

For further information on what is being accepted and where you can drop off the items, contact Sierra Clark-Kern at (574) 529-1299. She asks that you not call the school, as the kinks of the new venture are still being worked out and she doesn’t want the staff inundated with questions.

THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE Historical Museum will be participating in various community events during the next few months. Museum staff and volunteers will be at staffing a pumpkin painting station during the Harvest Fest, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lakeside Park.

The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Indoor Garage Sale, which will be held during the same hours in the Syracuse Community Center. And museum staff will be handing out craft kits during Trick or Treat in the Park, set for 1-3 p.m. at Lakeside Park.

THE NORTH Webster Community Center has announced it will be hosting “Haunted Halls” from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Bring your kids

to NWCC for Halloween, where you’ll find many local businesses and families who are excited to have a great time together.

The Center is welcoming all businesses that don’t usually have trick-or-treaters to set up an area in the center to host a safe trick-or-treat for the community’s children. If you are interested in setting up a booth or a table to decorate for Haunted Halls, visit facebook.com/nwcommunitycenter, where you’ll find a link to a form. You also can call (574)834-1600 for further information or to sign up.

IN CASE you missed the previous announcement, a community public meeting has been set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Milford School gymnasium to discuss the future of Milford Middle School. At the meeting, the public will be presented with data and thoughts. There will be a time for input. School Superintendent Steve Troyer said he will gather all the information presented and make an official recommendation either at the November or December school board meeting.

WEBSTER LAKE has launched its new lake zone project with zone representatives now serving in more than half of the zones. Webster Lake Conservation Association is looking for additional volunteers, who are willing to serve as the communications link between their neighbors and WLCA. The duties of a zone representative do not require a lot of time to fulfill and may easily be done by summer or weekend residents. One may obtain information about the program by requesting information from WLCA through lakewebster.net or sending an email to websterlakeassociation@gmail.com.

BE ON the lookout while traveling through the downtown area of Syracuse. Members of Wawasee Kiwanis will be on all four corners at the intersection of Main and Huntington streets Saturday, Oct. 8, collecting money for Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Kiwanis members will also be offering hayrides during the annual Harvest Fest, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in Lakeside Park. Kiwanis members will also be on hand collecting funds for Riley Children’s Hospital. For those who aren’t aware, supporting Riley’s Children’s Hospital is a project all Kiwanis Clubs in the state participate in.

THE LEADERSHIP of the Lakeland Kiwanis changed hands Thursday, Sept. 29, at Quaker Haven Dining Hall, Syracuse. Pictured are the outgoing president, Janet Anthony, with the new incoming president, Dennis Judy. The Lakeland Kiwanis of North Webster meets weekly at the North Webster Community Center and everyone is welcome. The entertainment for the evening was Joe Eichman of Bear Lake. He played many songs on the bagpipe along with explaining how it functions. It didn’t look easy, but it sure sounded great. Eichman is a member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Pipes and Drums.

THE SYRACUSE Public Library is hosting an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, for poets and writers. Bring a piece of your own writing or one you love from another author to share. Each speaker will have five minutes to share.

Clay class participants have decorated their pottery and will now get to pit fire their projects. There will be two firings, at noon and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. Everyone is welcome to watch the process, which will occur in the library’s Community Roots lot.

Dave’s Electric, Heating & Cooling, Inc.

Lakeland area has attractions for every one

Each community featured in the 2022 edition of The Mail-Journal Progress is charming in its own way. Read on and you will see us take a closer look at the small northern Kosciusko County towns of Milford, North Webster and Syracuse.

More details will be brought out in the articles about each of the towns. Together it all adds up to making the area a more attractive place to live, work and play. We don’t claim perfection, but we believe there is much to enjoy about what is called the Lakeland area.

There are many industrial, commercial, retail and service-minded businesses to help meet the needs of the population. Many of the businesses are still locally owned and we strongly support these types of businesses. Some are off the beaten path, but still provide needed services. Others meet more specialized needs.

The Lakeland area, of course, is also known for its lakes and tourism. Many are familiar with the larger lakes of Wawasee, Syracuse, Tippecanoe, Dewart and Webster, but Waubee and the Barbee chain are attractive, too, though smaller.

In this edition of Progress you will find information about service clubs, government entities and businesses. If you don’t already know, you will soon discover the attractions of the area.

Local residents enjoy boating, waterskiing, personal watercrafts of various types, swimming and other lake-related activities. The lakes have a mixture of summer, weekend and year-round residents.

There is a developing trails system around Syracuse and Wawasee lakes, also encompassing parts of the town of Syracuse. A generation ago, few trails even existed anywhere and they were

not high on the priority list. But they have proved to be a major attraction for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. What a wonderful way to get people outside and exercising.

A variety of businesses, several of which are featured in this publication, serve the area. These include restaurants, marinas, inns, lodges, bed and breakfast facilities, home furnishing stores, landscaping and about everything in between. We strongly encourage readers to shop locally and keep money circulating locally without have to rely on chain or big box stores.

The Wawasee Community School Corporation has an outstanding academic reputation and each year many students graduate from Wawasee High School with honors and/or distinction. The school corporation also offers career and technical options.

Lakeland area residents are known for their kind hearts and generous spirits. When there is a need, they ask how they can help. We have many service clubs reaching out and meeting different local needs. Food pantries, generously supported, exist in Milford, North Webster and Syracuse.

Though the local area does not have some of the attractions found in larger cities and towns, some people still enjoy the friendliness and charm of small towns. When you walk into a local business, it is not uncommon to meet the owner.

We feel the information provided in this edition of The Mail-Journal Progress will be helpful and we hope you enjoy reading it.

Find a comfortable spot, relax and read on. Discover why tourists continue to be attracted to our area and how we are adapting to the changing world around us.

Churches offer variety of services for believers and seekers

Area churches continue to offer a variety of options for those who wish to join corporate worship or get involved in a local body of believers.

Many of the churches are members of the Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association, which meets monthly and collaborates in planning communitywide services and outreaches. For more information, visit wawaseecompass.org.

All times mentioned are Sunday except as otherwise indicated.

Syracuse

All Saints Episcopal, 7812 E. Vawter Park Road. Holy Eucharist 8:45 a.m.; prayer services 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. Friday. (574) 457-2178.

Calvary United Methodist,801 S. Huntington St. Worship 10 a.m. (574) 457-3778.

Dewart Lake Community Friends, 91 EMS D16C Lane. Regular service 10 a.m. (574) 529-0687, dewartlakefriends.org.

Church of God Ministries International, 304 W. Main St. 1 p.m. Saturday, with potluck the second and fourth Saturday of each month. (574) 584-2001, thecogmi.org.

Grace Lutheran, 203 E. Main St. Worship 10:30 a.m. (574) 457-3845, gracelcsyracuse. org.

St. Andrew’s United Methodist, 1413 N. Long Drive. Traditional service 8:30 a.m., contemporary blended service 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (574) 457-4111, standrewssyracuse.org.

St. Martin de Porres, 6941 E. Waco Drive. Mass 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday. (574) 457-8176, stmartinchurchsyracuse.org.

Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran, 7449 E.

1000N. Worship 9:30 a.m. (574) 528-6137, sbtllcms.com.

Syracuse Baptist, 10013 N. Syracuse-Webster Road. Worship 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. (574) 457-5846, syracusebaptistchurch.com.

Syracuse Church of God, 104 E. Washington St. Worship 9:30 a.m. (547) 457-2796, syracusechurchofgod.com.

The Church in the Heights (fka Wawasee Heights Baptist Church), 504 Syracuse-Webster Road. Worship 10:30 a.m. (574) 457-4107, facebook.com/whbcsyracuse.

The Sanctuary, 10121 N. SR 13. Worship 10 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Wednesday. (574) 457-2638, syracusesanctuary.org.

Vineyard Community Church, 7566 E. 1000N. Services 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., with children’s program during 10:30 a.m. service. (574) 457-4880, vineyardsyracuse.org.

Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, 10419 N. Turkey Creek Road. Worship 10 a.m. (574) 457-4446.

North Webster

Country Bible Church, 4782 N. 850E. Worship 10:05 a.m. and 6 p.m. (574) 834-4939.

North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main St. Services 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.; children’s ministry (birth through fifth grade) during 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. (574) 834-4281, nwcog. org, facebook.com/northwebstercog.

North Webster Church of the Brethren, 7281 W. 600N. Worship 9:30 a.m. (574) 834-7000.

North Webster United Methodist, 7822 E. Epworth Forest Road. Regular services 9 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. (574) 834-2871, northwebsterumc.org, facebook.com/northwebsterumc.

Index

Milford Christian Church of Milford, 201 N. Henry St. Worship 10 a.m. (574) 658-9151, christianchurchofmilford.com.

First Brethren, 110 W. Catherine St. Worship 10 a.m. (574) 658-3141, milfordfirstbrethren.org.

Milford Chapel, 321 E. Beer Road. Worship 10:30 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday. (574) 658-9618, facebook.com/milfordchapel.

Milford United Methodist, 208 W. Catherine

St. Worship 10:30 a.m. (574) 831-2445.

New Salem Church of the Brethren, 10937 N. 200E. Worship 10:30 a.m. (574) 658-4965.

Wawasee Community Bible Church, 2035 E. 1300N. Services 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (574) 6589161, wawaseebible.com.

Word of Truth Ministries 210 E. Catherine St. Services 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Wednesday; Sunday School 11 a.m. (574) 3607050, Word of Truth Ministries or Mike Kelley Facebook pages.

WPOA: preserving Lake Wawasee

Wawasee Property Owners Association consists of “neighbors dedicated to the preservation and orderly development of Indiana’s largest natural lake.”

The board believes being a neighbor has more to do with attitude than it does location. We are neighbors because we share the common bond of Lake Wawasee; each one of us treats the lake with the same respect we wish for ourselves.

The organization is a large part of the lakes community and supporter of numerous programs and organizations.

It supports the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, including the newest trail in Conklin Bay; is a supporter in the formation of the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy; and was one of the spearheading organizations to get repairs done at the Syracuse Water Control Device –– better known as the Syracuse Dam. The organization provides 100% financial support for the volunteer officers and boats with the sheriff’s lake patrol to promote safety on the lakes.

WPOA is also the organization behind the annual Fourth of July fireworks on Lake Wawasee. The fireworks display is made possible through donations from WPOA members and others in the community.

Normally several events are hosted by the WPOA for its membership –– a family breakfast and an annual dinner meeting. Even its monthly meetings were open to members.

It is the WPOA that seeks to keep lake activities safe as well as fun. Board members work closely with the Department of Natural Resources

and sheriff’s office officials to encourage boating safety and work closely with Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, the Watershed Task Force and Lilly Lakes and Streams to keep the water safe and healthy.

The WPOA has participated in numerous projects for the betterment of the lake. It was instrumental in acquiring the severe weather warning systems, tested the first Saturday of each month, and installation and maintenance of dry fire hydrants around the lake to support the local fire territory in its endeavors to protect the property and lives of residents. Additionally, directors work hand-in-hand with other organizations whose efforts involve the lake.

Each year, WPOA publishes “Neighbors,” a guide to Lake Wawasee. Delivered to all WPOA paying members, the directory includes a wealth of information on the community and organizations, including pier number listings.

WPOA is also involved in the community. The WPOA helps the high school bring kids to the lake in the fall to experience sailing and other activities, hosts fundraisers to support local initiatives like the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail, and shares essential calendar events and information via mailings, a quarterly newsletter and the website.

Kay Young, WPOA president, has overseen the board of directors for a number of years, keeps in touch with board members who are involved in legislative issues, orderly development, water quality, lake patrol communications and more

To find out more about WPOA and the activities it supports, visit wawaseepoa.org.

On the cover

In the top left photo is Chris Yost, HVAC service technician with Daves Electric, preparing to head out for the day. Photo by Lauren Zeugner

In the top right photo is Abby Signorelli, left, taking a breakfast order from Larry and Shirley Gaerte. Photo by Lauren Zeugner

In the bottom left photo is Michael Szymanowski of Millersburg. He joined CTB as a part-time employee this spring and is a welder at CTB’s PigTek business unit in Milford. He became a

full-time employee after graduation in June. Michael is a 2022 graduate of Fairfield High School and from the advanced manufacturing program at the Wawasee Pathways Area Career and Technical Cooperative. Photo provided by CTB

Shown on the bottom right is a father and son participating in the “Fishing with the DNR” event held at Between-the-Lakes in July 2021. Photo provided by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, taken by Larry Baumgardt.

Tippecanoe Boat

Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. has been family owned and operated since 1925 in northern Indiana.

Located on Lake Tippecanoe, this fullservice marina and boat dealership offers new and used boat sales, accompanied by a service department headed up by factorytrained technicians.

Bruce Pierce’s grandfather, Bruce, started the business in 1925. Next, his father, Lynn, took over the business beforethe younger Bruce Pierce joined. His daughter, Hallie Pierce, also helps run the family business. “Boating is a lot of fun,” said President Bruce Pierce. The family’s passion for boating extends to their customers.

Bruce Pierce attributes pier sites and great service to the longevity of success the business has experienced for the past 95 years.

Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. has new inventory in its showroom and online. “We carry Godfrey pontoons, Sanpan, Aqua Patio, Sweetwater, Monaco and Lund fishing boats, as well as engines by Mercury, Honda and Yamaha,” said Bruce Pierce. “We have great, well-known brands to represent.” They have paddleboats by Paddle King for sale as well.

Not only does Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. offer reputable boats for purchase, but speedboats and pontoons are also available for rent. “We do have a boat rental business,” Bruce Pierce said. “It’s been a very busy summer.” They offer a delivery service to many local lakes to make sure your experience with them is smooth sailing.

Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. offers a boat service for minor or major repairs. It offers a 20-hour check and oil change. In addition, it offers summerization, electrical repair and installation. Insurance and warranty repair and interior repair or retrofit are also services that it provides to customers. Need out-drive service and repair and pontoon restoration? Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. does that, too.

Want a new boat? They offer the oppor-

tunity to turn in an old boat for a new one.

“We do trade-ins if boats are in good condition,” said Bruce Pierce.

Tippecanoe Boat Company, Inc. is located at 301 EMS T46 Lane, Leesburg. Call (574) 834-2271. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit tippecanoeboatcompany.com.

a full-service marina

Syracuse is a dynamic community

Syracuse is a small dynamic community, but unlike many such towns, it is not dying. Its Main Street is not the hollowed-out, boarded-up Main Street of 21st Century lore.

Along a couple blocks, there are several law offices, a stock brokerage, newspaper office, library, hardware store, several antique and resale shops, an insurance brokerage, several restaurants, an audiologist and a chiropractor among other businesses.

Syracuse is a place where there is great respect for the individual creativity entrepreneurs contribute. There is an appreciation for the unique and artisan, not the mass produced and uniform.

Syracuse provides an environment where business can flourish with an outstanding quality of life. An abundance of natural resources, unique real estate properties and an affordable and dependable workforce fosters the best in business development for visitors where there are several breathtaking lakes, including Indiana’s largest natural lake.

Syracuse, in cooperation with county government and local economic authorities, is one of those communities in Indiana that has shown rural America can attract new businesses.

Syracuse has been able to attract new business operations and expansions. Favorable tax rates and incentives, zoning cooperation and community support are contributing factors that are used in bringing new and expanding business to town.

One way the town is able to attract new business is through the development of a technology park with several new businesses that have bought lots and are building factories on them.

It’s a community where leaders have the foresight to make the right decisions essential to successful economic development. Local decision makers, town government and business leaders understand the benefits of ensuring facilitation and coordination with

economic development activities require short- and long-term investment, either directly or through creative partnering.

Syracuse supports efforts by Wawasee Community Schools and local businesses in providing skills training in targeted industry sectors, supports adoption of new technologies and business practices to enhance productivity and supports workforce training programs with local businesses.

Syracuse continues to make strategic, highly leveraged investments in basic infrastructure projects that support specific community economic development goals. The town is always looking for ways to support downtown revitalization efforts tied to business retention and attraction objectives and create community facilities to support the retention and attraction of new businesses and residents.

During the last several years, Syracuse has used a variety of resources to enhance the overall visual quality of the community with the elimination of visual blight and addition of streetscape improvements, along with the continuous development of the Riverfront District and other commercial areas. These activities include decorative lights, flags, banners, landscaping and benches, garbage receptacles, crosswalk improvements, entrance sign improvements and marketing materials.

The town’s future lies in community action. Syracuse is one of those small towns thriving today because it had a vision, a vision of what citizens in the community want it to be.

As a lake community, Syracuse is challenged with seasonal influences that affect the population, town services and business community. Throughout the years, Syracuse has worked hard to balance the season and year-round environments. Syracuse is continuously searching for additional ways to improve and expand town services, programs, facilities and businesses for all resi-

dents and visitors of the community.

Overall the town of Syracuse is commit-

ted to providing a high quality of life for all residents.

TWF addresses pollution sources

We are all responsible for caring for the lakes and rivers in our watershed to ensure they stay healthy for years to come. The Watershed Foundation takes action for the waters by implementing on-the-ground projects that fix pollution sources before they reach the water.

The Tippecanoe Watershed provides recreation such as boating, fishing and swimming on more than 60 lakes. These natural water resources make this community a great place to live and visit, along with adding value to our lives and supporting the local economy.

Every person is a vital member of this watershed — the headwaters of the Tippecanoe River. The watershed “goes with the flow” of geographical elements like peaks, plains and valleys to fill lakes and rivers with runoff water from the entire 236-mile area spanning parts of Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties, eventually flowing down the Tippecanoe River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Lake and river quality pollution problems and their solutions begin on land and this is where TWF focuses its efforts. TWF was found-

ed in 1997 and has completed more than 200 water quality improvement projects that benefit the local lakes and rivers. A new interactive website lets you see and learn about many of these projects at healthysoilscleanwater.org.

One large new water quality improvement is easy to visit. TFW completed a large healthy shoreline project in 2019 at Winona Lake Limitless Park. A new glacial stone seawall and native plant buffer were installed on 500 feet of lakefront, as well as 1,000 feet of Cherry Creek.

TWF’s mission is to protect and improve water quality in this watershed. TWF takes action by reducing water runoff and its associated pollutants from the land. Without these efforts, pollution continues to flow into the lakes, bombarding them with sediment, excess nutrients and bacteria. TWF proactively takes a large-scale approach to address these threats to the lakes.

Learn more about TWF at watershedfoundation.org, where donations can also be made to keep the lakes healthy.

WACF improves local watershed

Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, founded in 1991, is dedicated to protecting water quality and preserving the health of the Wawasee area watershed. They are a nonprofit organization run with the help of many volunteers.

They pride themselves on community involvement, outreach and the educational opportunities they are able to provide.

Executive Director Heather Harwood noted they have a lot of involvement with surrounding schools in particular, and a robust education program, thanks to WACF’s Education Committee.

In addition to education, another focal point is monitoring water quality by testing nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment to ensure the future integrity of our water, shorelines and wetlands.

The WACF is also involved in the removal of invasive species and forest health, as their mission is not exclusive to the local bodies of water. They work toward creating and maintaining the health of entire ecosystems. The watershed ecosystem consists of the agricultural area, forests, wetlands, prairies and urban developed areas as well.

They have many ongoing projects to benefit the watershed and shorelines and actively work toward land preservation. The idea behind their work is to find solutions that offer long-term threat prevention for all areas of the watershed.

One of their current projects, the Wawasee Inlets Nutrient Study, consists of intensive sampling from all inlets into the lake. WINS is a comprehensive study that is helping them pinpoint and address the biggest contributors of sediment and nutrients.

Harwood addressed how much progress the foundation has made, “I have been here for 24 years; in that time I have seen a

lot of forward motion and momentum.” The WACF’s progress can be seen externally and internally over the years.

There have been significant, visible environmental changes that resulted from the WACF’s work; and WACF will strive to continue their work as a result of their dedication to efficiency, accuracy and optimal internal operations.

Beth Morris, who sits on the WACF board of directors, was a pivotal addition to their team as she helped solidify the baseline information the foundation uses as a reference point. Recognizing the importance of accurate data, Morris stated, “if you’re not keeping score, you’re just practicing.”

The more widespread and accurate data the WACF has, the better understanding of environmental variability and potential solutions they will have.

In the WACF’s beginning stages, before more time and resources were allocated to ensuring data accuracy and currency, improvements were visible but they lacked precision. The WACF is now able to refine their research and accurately address concerns within the watershed.

The more support they have received, the more WACF has been able to dedicate its resources to in-depth research. The donations and grants they have received have played a large role in advancing their operations, allowing them to work with a broader range of land and invest in more equipment.

They have received many grants as a result of their past accomplishments and capacity for future advancements. The WACF plans to continue working toward a healthier, sustainable watershed for many years to come.

For more information or to make a donation, visit wacf.com.

Clayton Garden Center provides top-notch quality and service

No one wants to get mediocre results after all the time spent turning soil, planting flowers, fruits and vegetables and pulling weeds.

To get the most of your efforts, with topquality products, expert advice and excellent service, Clayton Garden Center in North Webster is always ready to help.

Customers can expect expert advice from people who have produced results time and time again at Clayton Garden Center. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways of doing things, but we also have a good idea of what’s going to work, what will produce the flowers people want.

“Whether people are looking to make their outdoor spaces more appealing to the eye or create the garden of their dreams, we have the materials and experience to help them get the results they want,” said Ed Clayton, who along with his wife, Judy, owns the garden center.

At Clayton Garden Center, you will find unique garden products and varieties of plants not found in the box stores. You’ll find up-to-date, new and unique items in the garden industry the Claytons have discovered by attending trade shows and summer plant tours.

“We try to find products and brands sold strictly to independent garden retailers,” said Clayton.

“Most people really were getting into the garden industry because of COVID. They were home and they started taking to gardening more because they were staying home so much. We’ve enhanced everything we’ve done before. We’re right where we were before, except we’re selling a lot more,” he said.

COVID did change the way Clayton orders his products. “We buy early and take it early, so we have it on hand. It’s really rethinking how you order. Before you had to think six months out. Now you have to think about it from a year out,” he said.

Clayton Garden Center grows many of

its plants in its 10,000-square-foot greenhouse. “We work hard to ensure our customers have higher quality plants to start their gardens off on the right foot,” said Clayton.

“We always try to have something new; there are always new colors or new varieties to try. We always have an excellent selection of perennials to choose from, so people can complement the colors of their homes or other outdoor spaces.”

Looking ahead to fall, Clayton Garden Center has grown hundreds of healthy mum plants for its customers and fall decor items are arriving daily.

Vegetable gardeners can buy individual starter plants or seeds to start their garden each spring with a great selection available.

The expert advice people get here really makes a difference in gardens all across the area. Among the specialties at Clayton Garden Center are the hanging baskets. Literally hundreds of baskets are grown each spring, meaning every customer can find the right plant.

Everything needed to landscape your home or office can be found at Clayton Garden Center as well. The center has plenty of stock trees and shrubs ready to plant. Bulk grass seeds, bagged mulches and soils are also on hand.

Revitalize an existing lawn or start a new lawn with a complete line of lawn and garden solutions found at Clayton Garden Center. You can find Bonide products as well as a line of Jack’s Water Soluble fertilizer.

For those looking to add a special touch to an outdoor area, Clayton Garden Center has an exciting line of birdbaths, birdhouses, ceramic pottery and other garden decor items. “The decorative items are gaining in popularity as people add to their gardens and backyards,” said Clayton. “Bird feeders attract all kinds of attention and we carry a high-quality bird seed, which will keep them coming back for more.”

Don’t forget Clayton Garden Center in the winter months. Staff members enjoy

helping people pick out just the right fresh Christmas tree. The center has been a local favorite for many years with Fraser firs, fresh homemade evergreen wreaths, roping and garland, poinsettias, fruit baskets and decor.

The outdoor garden center now boasts a new greenhouse. The outdoor garden area is now more open and has a whole new look.

With high-quality products and a knowledgeable staff ready to give excellent advice, it’s no wonder Clayton Garden Center customers come not only from the

Northern Lakes area, but well beyond. “We get a lot of new customers who said a friend referred them to us and that makes us feel good,” he said. “I think people still appreciate great service and you just can’t get that everywhere.”

Clayton Garden Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Extended hours are offered in the spring.

The garden center is located at 7185 N. SR 13, on the north side of North Webster. For more information, call (574) 834-2249.

Lakeland fire and police departments serve their citizens

The towns of Milford, North Webster and Syracuse are each served by fire and police departments. They are each uniquely tailored to their individual communities, while also providing support for each other in times of need.

Milford

For decades, Milford has been proudly served by a fire department composed entirely of volunteers. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without the community,” stated Chief Virgil Sharp. “We’re very blessed.”

Currently, Milford boasts 30 volunteers who answer calls ranging from fires and car accidents to lift assists, CPR, landing helicopters and more.

The department purchased a new pumper truck in 2022, bringing the total to five vehicles: two engine pumpers, one grass truck, one tanker and an equipment van. The new engine pumper also serves as a rescue vehicle, housing extrication equipment on one side and firefighting apparatus on the other.

Milford Town Marshal Derek Kreider leads a police department composed of five fulltime and three part-time officers and includes four reserve officers. Kreider also serves as a school resource officer.

“We’re lucky we’re an older department with a lot of experience,” said Kreider. This includes two former detectives. “It’s better for the community for investigative purposes.”

Kreider also serves as a school resource officer. “I’m there to be a presence and mentor the kids.”

The station is located in Milford Town Hall, 121 S. Main St. To contact MPD, call (574) 658-4941.

North Webster

In January 2022 North Webster Fire Department became the third department in Kosciusko County to transition into a fire territory and is now Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory, a move intended to provide residents with increased fire protection and emergency medical services capabilities.

North Webster’s patch carries the theme of “Pride of the Lakes.” Chief Jeremy Likens

stated this was adopted due to the 24 lakes and ponds in Tippecanoe Township, the area the department serves. This is the largest number of any department in the county and includes the Barbee and Tippecanoe chains.

The department has 13 trucks and other apparatus. Because the town of North Webster has no city fire hydrants, the department relies on lake water to help fight fires.

Currently there are 25 volunteers who help the department maintain a seven-minute response time average. The full-time staff consists of Likens, five firefighter/paramedics and two firefighter/EMTs. Additionally, there are 11 part-time personnel.

North Webster Police Department is led by Chief Greg Church and is composed of four full-time officers. The primary function of the Police Department is deterring crime, stopping crimes in progress, investigating crimes and serving as first responders for emergencies and situations that threaten public safety.

Contact NWPD at (547) 834-2700 with questions about North Webster criminal records, accident reports, emergencies (dial 911), public safety, filing complaints and fingerprinting.

The station is located at 144 S. Main St.

Syracuse

On Feb. 25, 2008, Syracuse Fire Department became Turkey Creek Fire Territory, the first fire territory in the county.

The two fire stations are fully equipped with trucks, equipment and manpower. The department has two engines, two tankers, an equipment truck, aerial, grass rig, battalion chief’s and chief’s vehicles. They also have three ambulances. “Most of the equipment is up to date,” Fire Chief Mickey Scott stated. “The oldest truck we have now is a 2001 aerial.”

The department has several unique pieces of equipment, including an airboat and a vacuum tanker. The vacuum tanker was purchased in 2010. “No one else has them,” said Scott. “We

have two of them, one in each station. That has a lot to do with the lake hydrants. It pulls water more efficiently.”

The Syracuse Police Department dates back to 1876. The department is currently led by Chief Jim Layne, who serves with nine full-time officers and four reserve officers. Fulltime officers are provided take-home vehicles.

“There are so many wonderful family oriented things to do in our community, from Little League to parks to the lake. With all there is to do, it is our hope it is done safely,” said Layne.

“Our department is actively involved in the community and with its citizens. We are an active partner with Ivy Tech College of Warsaw Criminal Justice Program. We are involved every year with United Way Day of Caring, as well as our schools, festivals and events.”

The station is located at 310 N. Huntington St. To contact SPD, call (574) 457-5333 or email policeinfo@syracusein.org

CTB works to improve global food supply

Even with more than 3,000 employees, approximately $1 billion in annual sales and facilities located around the globe, CTB Inc. retains a small business feel.

Its global challenge is to use innovation, new technology and acquisitions to meet the future demands of poultry, livestock and grain production as well as “help agricultural producers and processors become much more efficient to maintain a safe, sustainable, affordable and abundant global food supply,” said Mike Kissane, executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

Based in Milford, CTB is the parent of a number of companies, including Chore-Time, Brock and PigTek, all also located in Milford. The company has proven to be a market leader in grain, protein, processing and nonagricultural industrial equipment.

Founded as Chore Time Equipment in 1952, CTB became a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway in 2002. CTB continues to acquire companies to help grow and develop their business and invest in their future.

For grain production, CTB’s Brock Grain Systems offers “solutions with larger storage capacities, higher production, increased efficiency and more accurate performance for managing harvested grain,” said Kissane.

These products include: storage bins, grain dryers, bin sweeps, bucket elevators, catwalks, towers and conveyors.

Chore-Time poultry products include systems for feeding, watering and environmental care, electronic controls and software. Kissane noted these products can be used for “growing broilers and turkeys for meat as well as raising breeder birds to produce broilers” to keep up with the increasing demand for poultry.

According to Kissane, egg production is also a priority. As a company, it strives to optimize the health and productivity of poultry through systems that allow finite resources, such as feed, water and energy, to be used more efficiently.” It does this through products such as poultry care systems, egg collectors, environmental control systems and manure handling systems.

CTB’s PigTek division is helping to meet the growing demand for pork. It continually finds ways to improve show and pig care systems, environmental control systems, electronic feeding, animal identification and sorting systems, air quality systems and integrated management software.

Though not located in the Milford area, one of CTB’s investments is in the food processing and packaging industry. Over the years, CTB companies have expanded to “offer solutions for processing and packaging a variety of foods, such as poultry, seafood, fruit, vegetables and convenience foods,” said Kissane.

CTB also supplements its primary focus on agriculture to offer products in the industrial equipment category. These are oil containment systems, precision-molded plastic components and industrial storage and buildings. Additionally, the company manufactures air cleaning and scrubbing systems for agricultural use as well as high-end stalls, feeders, architectural doors and windows for the equine market.

“One of the hidden gems is our people. Our employees are the strength behind the business,” Kissane emphasized.

CTB recruits top talent, works to empower its employees by creating opportunities to help them be successful and promotes from within whenever possible.

Kissane noted many of CTB’s employees share the same characteristics of its customers. Both possess integrity, humility, a strong work ethic, a sense of service and a belief in doing the right thing.

Supporting local small business as well as the nearby communities remains a goal of CTB. It also believes in reaching out to those in need. CTB recently put that belief into action when CTB made a significant financial support pledge toward the future home of Cardinal Services in Warsaw.

Cardinal serves more than 4,300 people each year, providing a full array of services to adults with intellectual disabilities and families who have small children with needs.

Brungardt’s Lakeland Animal Clinic,

‘Where love is the best medicine’

The essence of Dr. Richard Brungardt, DVM’s, heart is expressed on his business sign at Lakeland Animal Clinic: “Where love is the best medicine.”

It is a motto near and dear to Brungardt and his staff, who are passionate about providing their patients with the best care possible.

Brungardt deals with each patient on an individual basis. “I want them to know we care,” he said of the concern the staff has for the patients and their owners.

Every day he is faced with new challenges, new medicine and new opportunities to help animals. While Lakeland Animal Clinic takes care of sick animals all the time, he encourages preventative medicine — taking regular care of a pet’s health to prevent drastic and expensive procedures in the future.

One innovative technology Brungardt, or “Doc,” as most in the community know him, uses to aid pets with pain management, healing and inflammation is cold laser therapy. In particular, Brungardt said he uses this form of therapy on arthritic patients.

“I have several clients who use it on their arthritic patients,” Brungardt said. “It does help out a lot.”

Brungardt said it takes knowing how to read an animal to know what is best for it. During the healing process, he urges owners to interact with their pets. One time he encouraged a patient’s owner to visit their animal, knowing it would help the healing process. The visit put the pet in good spirits and it was soon heading home.

Lakeland Animal Clinic has the capacity to perform routine surgeries, such as spays and neuters, and more complicated surgeries, including fracture repairs, IM pinning, abdominal exploratory and eye surgeries.

Vaccinations, routine preventative care, geriatric exams, dentistry, X-rays and blood work can also be done by the clinic staff. Brungardt

pays special attention to preventative medicine such as immunization. He also recommends a pet vitamin supplement, which features pet forms of vitamins C and D3, along with an ESSIAC supplement caplet, available in health food stores.

Available vaccines include those against illnesses such as rabies, canine parvovirus infection, coronavirus, Lyme disease, feline panleukopenia and feline chlamydia.

In addition, the clinic performs microchipping and grooming and offers boarding services for cats, dogs and small animals. Room for sick animals is available, as well.

As a veterinarian, Brungardt is constantly learning. Communication is one such skill he gained through his membership with Toastmasters, in which members learn to be better speakers and communicators. This has helped Brungardt better communicate with his patients and their owners.

With the advances in medicine, there is a never-ending need to stay up to date with veterinary science. “We are always trying to keep up with education,” he said.

Each year he spends 40 hours on continuing education. He also stays involved in vet medicine associations and attends conventions with the nearby states’ VMAs.

Another area Brungardt continues to learn more about is dental service. He is able to perform dental surgeries; however, his primary dental procedures are cleanings. He noted regular dental care will help with the animal’s overall health.

Brungardt has a love not only for the animals he treats, but also for his own animals. Horses, dogs and cats all are part of his household.

Doc grew up in Kansas and bonded with farm animals. He enlisted in 1966 in the U.S. Air Force and, during his time of service, met a gentleman who had a friend who was a veterinarian.

That planted the seed for his future.

He went to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., before transferring to Kansas State College of Veterinarian Medicine. He observed with Dr. Weldy and Associates in Wakarusa and the Goshen Animal Clinic. He worked in WaKeeney, Kan. and in Utah before opening the Lakeland Animal Center in Syracuse.

Brungardt opened the first clinic in September 1979, north of Syracuse. He purchased his current location in December 1980 and moved in to it in February 1981.

Involvement in the community is important to Brungardt. He is a Syracuse-Wawasee Rotarian and helps with the Rotary Club’s REAL 4 Kids reading program and lemon shake-up stand. Rotary Club has helped with the Syracuse Boy Scout facility and internationally on the mission

to eradicate polio.

Brungardt is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, in addition to being active in his church, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. He is a past board member of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County and continues working with AWL.

On May 18, 2016, a fire broke out and destroyed the Lakeland Animal Clinic barn on Brungardt’s property. Nobody was injured and the clinic was not affected, continuing to do its business.

Lakeland Animal Clinic is located at 11639 SR 13, south of Syracuse. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information, call (574) 457-5574.

Dockside Promotions & Apparel –– quality embroidery service

Dockside Apparel specializes in screen printing and embroidery. They are a family owned and operated company offering customized promotional items that are sure to exceed your expectations.

Dockside Apparel was started in 2020 by Pat Tranter to continue his career in the industry and fulfill the area’s need for an embroidery shop. Tranter has been involved in this industry since 1988 and has been around the printing business his entire life. He started working for his dad, learning how to create signs and immersing himself in the business operations.

He attributes a lot of Dockside Apparel’s capabilities to his knowledge base. “Being in the industry for over 30 years, I have the creativity and necessary resources available to me.” The amount of experience he has and the connections he has made along the way have been a influential part of Dockside Apparel’s success.

They pride themselves on their outsidethe-box thinking and ability to take on complex projects. Tranter believes their vast

product line is an element of Dockside Apparel that puts them over the top; not only can they customize items in many different ways, but they can also customize a variety of items.

He references the company’s range, stating, “we do anything from key chains to T-shirts, signs, hats or custom engravings. Anything that can be personalized, we can do it for any individual or any company.”

Tranter chose to open shop in Syracuse because he noted that not only were there no other local embroidery shops, but his business offered something unique that suited the area. The positive reaction Dockside Apparel has received from the community proves him right. “We get a lot of positive feedback. At least two or three times a week we hear ‘we needed a place like this’ or ‘this is great.’”

Dockside Apparel, located just a short drive from local lakes, has many lake life apparel and decorations. It was one of Tranter’s goals to target the lakegoers, which is another element of the shop that set

them apart.

Tranter has made an effort to ensure they are a financially reasonable business to work with. They do not charge for design work, whereas many other companies do. They are so confident in their ability to meet your expectations and standards, additional

fees are not necessary.

Dockside Apparel has a very laid-back atmosphere for its employees and customers.

For more information, visit dk-promotions.com, call (574) 457-0217 or stop into the store at 1100 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.

Bringing top quality water into your home or business

Until the early 1990s, Mike Chesnut worked with Warsaw municipal water, and thus understood the condition of the water better than most.

After resigning from his position, Chesnut decided to start his own water treatment company, One Call Water, for the purpose of serving residential, commercial and industrial areas. When he opened the business in January, 1991, he brought with him 15 years of experience in the industry.

This year, One Call Water is celebrating its 32nd year of business, helping meet the needs of clients throughout northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

Water is one of our most basic needs as humans. Our bodies are made up of 60% water, and we spend a surprising amount of time interacting with it on a daily basis. We bathe in it, drink it, cook with it and even find great entertainment playing in it on hot afternoons.

In recent years, many health organizations have stressed the importance of having cleaner water than municipal water options. Although there are multiple reasons why municipal water is considered substandard, two in particular are fairly popular: the existence of old, run-down water pipes and the addition of harmful chemicals, like fluoride, for the supposed benefit of those who use it.

High-quality, pure water does more than make a difference between good tasting water and the kind that makes you wish you had a soda instead. It means that your water isn’t overloaded with limescale-creating minerals like calcium and magnesium.

The quality of your water also affects your body. Some benefits of drinking pure water can include healthier skin, sleep improvements, better food digestion and absorption, higher mental acuity and good nutrient transportation.

“I started One Call Water because of the quality of the water in this area — hard, rusty water,” he said. “We want to provide

the best quality water for all our customers.”

At the outset, Chesnut and his wife, Margaret, ran the business out of their home. It quickly outgrew that location, leading the Chesnuts to move the business to a shop in Syracuse. Eventually they purchased a building a few miles south of that location, near Conklin Bay. It proved to be a good location for their services, which includes water softener salt and bottled water delivery.

“It has grown from a startup business to selling and renting softeners and drinking water systems, reverse osmosis equipment and iron and sulfur filters,” Chesnut said. “Currently, we have a service area that includes a 100-mile radius around Syracuse, encompassing Fort Wayne, Wabash, southwestern Michigan and everywhere in between.”

Chesnut’s desire — and highest satisfaction — comes from making his customers happy. Whether they get a call from a longtime customer or a potential customer looking to improve the flavor of their water, One Call Water’s ultimate goal is to provide the best possible service.

“My favorite part of the business is our customers,” he said. “We have made a lot of friends over the years. We provide a quick response to each and every customer’s need in a timely manner and a competitive price.”

One Call Water always strives to give not only the best service, but also the best products.

“We partnered with Hague Quality Water in Columbus, Ohio, for their patented water treatment systems,” explained Chesnut. “While most other companies are assemblers of water softeners, Hague is a manufacturer from the ground up, and it is all American made. They have a unique system that is not sold by any other supplier.”

Regardless of the issue, their products are made to solve any water issue. Their WaterMax treatment systems can be custom-

ized for city or well water.

They also have systems that address specific problems, such as too much iron, extreme hardness or dirt and sediment in the water. They also can neutralize acid and sulfur odors. Depending on the customer’s specific needs and desires, they can apply filters to a single faucet or to the entire house.

One Call Water is located at 11875 N. SR 13, Syracuse. Visit them from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

You can find further information on their products by visiting onecallwater.com. To schedule a free quote, call (574) 457-5006.

Serving the community for 52 years

At Ruch Service in Milford, quality is not the exception but the rule.

When owner Doug Ruch says his business provides full service to vehicles, he means it. Ruch Service has been a family-owned and family-operated business for the last 52 years.

The service center specializes in electrical work, air conditioning, brake repair, suspensions and transmission work. In addition to offering fuel systems maintenance and fuel injection cleaning, Ruch Service is fully equipped to complete front-end alignment work.

Ruch Service has Hunter computerized four-wheel alignment equipment and can even provide complete computer diagnostics on engines, including fuel-injection systems. Additionally, they have a Mitchell on-demand

information center for today’s technical updates and repair information.

In recent years, on-board computers have begun to be used to control many different aspects of a vehicle’s functions. Recognizing that switch in trends, Ruch Service technicians are fully versed in the electronics of today’s on-board computers. They regularly attend seminars to keep up to date with the latest automotive advancements.

Ruch Service has come a long way since 1970, when the business was begun by Robert “Hap” Ruch, Doug’s father. Doug’s family helps him run the business, and they are all dedicated to continuing the exemplary family tradition maintained for more than five decades.

Doug is assisted by his wife, Doreen.

Their son, Grant, has become the third generation to work in the family business. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio, Grant has a degree in auto technology and business. His goal is to someday become the owner of the shop.

The building where Ruch Service is located, at the corner of SR 15 and CR 1250N on Milford’s north side, has a rich history in the small town. It started 75 years ago as a full-service gas station, Baumgartner Service. Materials from the old Milford Hotel were used in its construction back in the late 1930s.

When the Ruch family bought the gas station, it became incorporated. Doug began to learn the finer points of the trade. Sensing a shift in Milford and the lakes area, Ruch

Service closed the gasoline pumps in 1989 and began to concentrate on only providing the community with complete, full-service repair and care.

The public has responded to the change in a positive way, appreciating the services the Ruch family has offered throughout the past 52 years.

“I like to think we take care of people first and cars second,” Ruch explained. “We appreciate the Milford community and the surrounding area’s past and future patronage.”

Service appointments can be scheduled by calling (574) 658-4313. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also can follow them on Facebook by searching for Ruch Service Inc.

Five things you should know about Chautauqua-Wawasee

The Mail-Journal recently sat down with Mark Knecht, president of Chautauqua-Wawasee, to talk about the organization and future plans.

Mail-Journal: What do you want readers to know about Chautauqua?

Knecht: Well, a lot of people don’t know who we are and what we do, so that would be a good place to start.

M-J: OK, let’s start with that.

Knecht: Our primary goal is to help make Syracuse and the region a great place to visit, work, live and raise a family. We try to do this by offering unique programs consistent with the four Chautauqua pillars: Arts, Education, Faith and Recreation.

M-J: That’s a very broad scope. How do you decide on programming with the pillars?

Knecht: Yes, it is very broad. So we try to pick specific voids no one else is providing. For example, we have a Patriotic Speaker series around July 4. We brought an Abe Lincoln re-enactor one year, Thomas Jefferson this year and next year it will be Abagail Adams and Martha Washington. We’re excited.

M-J: Does Chautauqua-Wawasee do this all on its own?

Knecht: No. Our goal is always to partner with another organization or two and sometimes more. As an example, for our Old Fashioned Christmas program, we team with the Town of Syracuse, The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, Syracuse Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Oakwood Resort and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. It’s a huge effort led by Kip Schumm. Nearly 1,000 people attended in 2021. It’s always best to work as a team.

M-J: That makes sense. Looking back on 2022, what are you particularly proud of?

Knecht: Oh, that’s a tough one. The Fine Arts Festival is very successful. But I’d say I heard more comments about “Taps Across the Water at Dusk” program than any other program. We still have some areas where people have come

out to listen, and didn’t hear it. … We’ve got to work on that again next year. … The wind is a big factor affecting how far sound travels.

M-J: What kind of programs do you have in the Faith Pillar?

Knecht: This year Cliff Kindy is conducting a workshop around the question, “What if Christians were as passionate about peace as war fighters are about war?” Cliff is an amazing person who lives his faith. He’s traveled to dangerous trouble spots around the world with Christian Peacekeeper teams and will share some of his stories and experiences on Sept. 28 as part of the National Chautauqua Conference meetings.

M-J: What’s that all about?

Knecht: We will be hosting the National Conference of North American Chautauqua organizations at the end of September. Chautauqua-Wawasee is one of 19 independent Chautauqua organizations. We all get together once a year to share ideas and learn from each other. This is the first time the national conference is being held here in Syracuse.

M-J: How does Chautauqua-Wawasee function, since most of its programs are free to attend?

Knecht: 95% of the work is done by volunteers … Chautauqua’s and the partners we team with. We want as many people as possible to have access to our programs, so making them free to attend works best. Our funding comes from the Howard and Myra Brembeck Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Harkless Foundation, Lilly Foundation and from donations received during our annual fundraising campaign.

M-J: How do people learn about programs and events you offer?

Knecht: We publish an e-newsletter called “Five Things You Should Know” … five times a year. It’s a quick read. Our website, chautauquawawasee.org is always up to date, and we regularly post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

JEFFERSON

Beyond Landscaping — not your typical landscaping company

Beyond Landscaping, located in Milford, is a multi-service company that offers design, construction and maintenance of residential, commercial and lake properties.

Beyond Landscaping was started by Rusty Rumfelt and a friend in 2001, becoming a fullfledged, legally operating company in 2002.

Rusty became the sole owner of Beyond Landscaping in 2006 and operated as such until 2010 when his wife, Kristy Rumfelt, became a part of the company.

Since then, Kristy has handled the billing and office work while Rusty oversees operations and customer specifications.

Rusty maintains a good relationship with his initial business partner, as he only left the company to pursue another opportunity. When asked why he didn’t let the company go at that point, Rusty explained, “I just fell in love with it. Failing was never an option.”

Rusty, who obtained an associate degree in landscape management from Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, said his college education opened his eyes to the size of the industry and just how many specializations the company could take on. Learning about different plant life and structure only made him more passionate about the business.

If you are looking to work with a company that cares just as much about your home advancements as you do, Beyond Landscaping is the company for you. They have a long list of glowing reviews and many repeat customers who rely on them to do multiple projects in different areas, as they were so blown away by the quality of work.

When Beyond Landscaping was still in its beginning stages, Rusty’s dad kept asking him what the company name would be. Rusty stated, “He was just hound dogging me, so I started thinking about what services we would offer. We had big ideas and we wanted to do bigger, better projects. That thought just evolved into, ‘Beyond Landscaping.’”

The company still capitalizes on the initial idea of doing bigger and better projects than most, and they do a lot of large-scale projects in the lakes areas. Rusty estimated 95% of the projects they do are around the local lakes. As a result of their quality and multitude of services, the com-

pany gained traction quickly in the area.

Beyond Landscaping offers a wide variety of design and installation services. Their work is sure to go above and beyond your expectations; hence their name and slogan, “Go Beyond.”

Beyond Landscaping offers computer-aided landscape design so your project is handled efficiently and can be presented to you quickly. They value customer relationships just as much as they value creating flawless outdoor spaces.

As design and building contractors, they also know the key to a beautiful landscape is a well thought out plan. Joe Horacek, designer, and Rusty work together to create the design and cost estimates to present prior to the initiation of project construction.

They pride themselves in their ability to create well-designed plans and implement them in a way that utilizes plants and materials to form a full aesthetic composition. They are able to work with small spaces or create large, full-scale landscapes.

Some of the additional services they offer are: native boulder sea walls, steps, water features and lights, annual planting, plant installation, arboriculture, hardscape, seeding, downspout drainage, final grade, sodding, masonry, sprinkler systems, maintenance, landscape lighting, winter holiday lights and more.

Rusty prides himself in the broad range of services the company specializes in and ensures his team is properly educated and invested in these projects.

Beyond Landscaping has professionals and other resources available to help you make the best decision for your property. Beyond Landscaping describes their team as having exceptional work ethic, enthusiasm and passion. Their knowledge, paired with their outgoing nature, makes them a company sure to exceed your expectations.

Beyond Landscaping is located at 2983 E. Bowser Road, Milford.

To learn more about the services they offer and see some of their work, visit beyondlandscaping.com or call (574) 527-7973. They are also on social media platforms at facebook.com/beyond. landscaping and @beyond_landscaping on Instagram.

Milford’s meeting places: Waubee Lake Park, Community Building

Waubee Lake Park and the Milford Community Building provide spaces for residents to gather for family events, community activities, service organization meetings and, in the Community Building parking lot, Meet Milford’s Food Truck Fridays.

Located 2 miles southeast of Milford at 325 E. Camp Mack Road, Waubee Lake Park is known primarily for its beach and boat landing, both of which provide access to the enjoyment of Waubee Lake. However, the park also offers basketball courts and two pavilions, which are available for rent. Also, the park playground underwent a $67,000 renovation in 2019.

Waubee Pavilion rental is $60 for the day and includes a key to the bathrooms and use of electricity if needed.

Milford Community Building, 111 S. Main St., offers a spacious meeting room, which already serves regular meetings of

Milford Town Council and local service organizations such as Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. A full-service kitchen, restrooms and ample parking are also available.

The building may be rented seven days a week between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The rate for the general public is $30 per hour, with a minimum time of two hours and a maximum charge of $180 per day. A $50 deposit is required. The rate for local nonprofit organizations is $20 per hour with a two-hour minimum and maximum charge of $120 per day. No deposit is required.

All renters are allowed one hour before to set up and one hour after to clean up.

For a complete overview of the Milford Community Building or Waubee Lake Park pavilion rental policy, or for more information, email Town Clerk Tricia Gall at town. clerk@milford-indiana.org, call or text (574) 658-4519 or call (574) 658-4519.

Many valuable resources in the community

After the past 2 1/2 years of COVID, the North Webster Community Center is making some big changes.

The center is located at 301 N. Main St. Emily Worrell was hired as the new executive director in February 2022. They are focusing on acquiring additional tenants for the building and should have up to 10 tenants by December.

Chubbies Pub and Grub has a catering service that operates out of the kitchen. Goshen Health is moving into the building this fall and will employ a doctor to serve the community.

One of the goals of the community center is to bring good health to the community. Since the community center is not a taxpayer-funded organization, donations and tenant leases help free up more funds to put toward community engagement, events and programming for all ages.

“We want an innovative future that is sustainable and can continue for the Town of North Webster for many years to come,” said Worrell, who mentioned both Homer Shoop and Jon Sroufe as two past influential figures in North Webster. Shoop developed the International Palace of Sports and Sroufe was one of the founders of the community center.

“We really want to make the community center the hub and heart of our community,” she said. “This is not a normal community center. We don’t have tax dollars. Donations help sustain the community center. It’s a true testament to the community,” said Worrell.

The community center will also feature the Culver Family Wellness and Education

Center and the Gladys Education Room. There will be about 6,000 square feet dedicated to cardio programming, yoga and other health initiatives.

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the community center. The community center will host its 14th annual fundraising auction, “The Heart of the Community,” Saturday, Oct. 1. For more information, visit nwcommunitycenter.org.

The Dixie Landing is once again fully operational and operated daily public cruises on the Dixie tour paddle boat for $7 per person from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The landing is located at 401 S. Dixie Drive.

The North Webster Town Park is owned by the town of North Webster and overseen by its own board of directors with approval of the North Webster Council. The park has many attractive features, including a playground, a public “swim at your own risk” beach on Webster Lake, a pavilion that can be rented for special occasions through the town clerk’s office, municipal piers and a large fishing pier adjacent to Lakeside Pizza King and Restaurant.

The park also hosts free public concerts by local and regional entertainers at 7 p.m. every Friday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The park is located at 403 S. Dixie Drive.

The North Webster Community Public Library, 110 E. North St., which opened in a brand-new facility in 2020, continues to serve Tippecanoe Township and provide programming open beyond these borders.

Picket Fences Hair Salon helps you look your best

For the past 27 years, Picket Fences Hair Salon has been offering haircuts and color, manicures and pedicures. Picket Fences has six hairstylists and a nail technician.

Sande Wappes started the business in 1994 and Elmer Stutzman took over in 2014.

“We offer several services, including haircuts, colors, perms, facial waxing, manicures, pedicures and acrylic nails,” Stutzman said.

“We also have a wide variety of hair trends, including highlights,” said Holly Urbin, one of the hairstylists.

Picket Fences has seven employees; Urbin, Kathy Cole, Wappes, Analisa Perry, Jill Knafel, Donna Hare and Kristie Essig.

Urbin does hair and nails. Cole does nails only. The hairstylists are Wappes, Perry, Knafel, Hare and Essig.

“We keep up on the latest hairstyles,” Urbin said.

Also, while clients get their toenails done, they can relax in one of two massage chairs.

The salon is located at 611 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and until noon Saturday.

For more information, visit Facebook or call (574) 457-4771 for appointments. Walkins are welcome, if tech time is available.

PICKET FENCES HAIR SALON

Pictured front row, L to R: Kristie Essig and Jill Knafel Back row, L to R: Donna Hare, Kathy Cole, Analisa Perry and Holly Urbin Not pictured, Sande Wappes

Four locations in Kosciusko to serve your family’s needs

Since opening its doors in Syracuse in 2005, Owen Family Funeral Home has been a family-oriented business.

Earlier this year the funeral home’s three locations in Syracuse, North Webster, and Leesburg were purchased by Cory Benz, who also owns Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw.

That doesn’t mean that Richard Owen is stepping away, only stepping back, in his own words. Benz will now oversee the day-to-day operations of the business, but Owen will remain involved as one of its five licensed funeral directors serving the four locations, which also includes Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw.

All five directors are local residents familiar with the Kosciusko County community and are prepared to deliver honest, personalized service for all of your family’s needs.

“It’s important to say that Richard is sticking around,” Benz emphasized. “He’s not retiring, just slowing down a bit. He and his wife, Kym, have built a very trustworthy business and we will not let the community down in the level of service offered to the grieving.”

Additionally, Benz now solely owns and operates Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, the only crematory within the county. For several years, Benz and Owen worked together in the crematory’s operation, which ensures that your loved one does not have to leave the county following their death, nor do they ever leave the care of the Owen business.

Both Owen Family Funeral Home and Titus Funeral Home are award winning, having received the Award of Excellence from the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and from the National Funeral Directors Association, respectively. The award recognizes those funeral homes that have adopted, maintained and documented the

highest professional standards in the areas of legal compliance, professional development and family service.

“We want to serve each family who comes to us in the same way we would want our own family to be served,” said Owen, who has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for 34 years and has worked in the industry for 37 years.

Owen now pairs his lifetime of experience with that of Benz, who has been part of the industry since 2014. Originally a paramedic in the community, Benz took on a part-time role with a local funeral home. He quickly found a calling in serving the grieving, more specifically serving the living family. Benz purchased Titus Funeral Home in 2017 and has grown the business, added staff and renovated the facilities there.

“We work with the families, serving them where they’re at in the grief process,” Benz said. “Death is an emergency. As a funeral director we’re working with them for a week or two. And, working with the same families over generations, I get to be a part of their family and really get to know them.

It is that personal involvement from local people who truly care that makes our business a ministry.”

Pre-arrangement of one’s funeral is something more people are doing, and a service offered by all of the Titus locations. By doing so, the family generally incurs less expense at the time of the funeral. The staff is available to assist with the pre-arrangements and with cemetery headstones, too.

Something not readily understood by most people is that pre-arranged funerals can be transferred to Titus or Owen, either ahead of time or at the time of death. All the family needs to do is call the funeral home to take care of the transfer, which is a simple process.

“We have four locations to serve the people in the community,” said Benz. “We are

wholly and solely locally owned, which can’t always be said when a funeral home is sold, especially in a market of large corporations taking over the mom-and-pop. The business has an excellent reputation already and we plan to continue that same high level of service in serving people.”

“I’m excited about the younger generation and all their creative ideas, moving us to the next level in the way we celebrate lives,” said Owen. “This has been very well received in all the communities.”

“We offer many personalized options,” added Benz. “We are the area’s only Life Celebration home, which means we have the ability to customize anything printed or displayed with pictures beyond just the standard slide show or picture board. We offer a wide range of personalized services to suit your families wishes and requirements,” he said. “We carefully guide you through the decision process that must be made during

a challenging time while being considerate of financial concerns and special requests.”

Owen Family Funeral Home provides a peaceful and soothing environment where people can gather to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one. The buildings have been designed to comfortably accommodate families and their guests. Each facility has an entry and reception room, allowing for smooth entrance and exit. A sound system, an electric piano/organ, a large screen television for video viewing and a family lounge are among the features of the facilities.

Kindness, compassion and excellent attention to detail are some of the important qualities found in the staff at Titus Funeral Home and Owen Family Funeral Home. They are community-minded residents who are available to serve bereaved families.

For more information, visit titusfuneralhome.com or call (574) 457-4002.

Milford Animal Clinic puts pets first

Perhaps the greatest spokespersons for a business are its satisfied clients, and Milford Animal Clinic certainly has an abundance of those.

Leah M., for example, lavished the following praise on the clinic’s website:

“If you are looking for a solid team who will always have the best interest of your pet in mind, this is the place. The level of empathy these staff have is remarkable. The environment there is awesome, no matter what circumstance you find yourself needing vet attention for. The exams are thorough, and you don’t feel like they are just trying to rush through another appointment. I couldn’t imagine taking my dogs anywhere else.”

Nathan M. succinctly echoed the kudos. “Awesome staff. It’s clear they love animals. Price is fair and they give appropriate advice. Reminders sent for needed pet medical care.”

Milford Animal Clinic is staffed by more than 20 employees, including three caring, licensed veterinarians who have their own menagerie of pets they tend to outside business hours.

Dr. Tom Smith, DVM Smith grew up on a farm in Cassopolis, Mich., and is going on 20 years of work in Milford since graduating from Michigan State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. He lives on a small farm in Milford where his family raises Katahdin hair sheep and commercial wool sheep. His specialties include small animal dentistry and small ruminant medicine and surgery.

Dr. Mark Yoder, DVM Yoder graduated from Purdue University in May 2013 with a DVM degree and began his veterinarian career in Milford that same month. His areas of interest are large animal reproduction and small animal surgery. He enjoys the rural life and has two dogs, four barn cats, a small herd of goats and a horse.

Dr. Kaytie Voirol, DVM

Voirol is a Milford native and graduated from Wawasee High School in 2010. She cleaned kennels at Milford Animal Clinic as a high school sophomore. She attended Michigan State University and graduated from its school of veterinary medicine in 2020. Her special interests are equine sports medicine and reproduction. She currently has two dogs.

The clinic offers a wide variety of veterinary services:

• Small animal medicine and wellness, including immunizations, radiology, isolation hospitalization, pain management, microchipping and issuing health certificates.

• Small animal dentistry, including routine exams and dental cleaning and polishing.

• Small animal surgery in a room equipped with heated surgery tables, inhalation anesthetic and oxygen machine, IV fluid pumps, vital statistic monitors and an autoclave for sterilizing instruments.

• Small animal 24-hour emergency services are offered for current clients.

• In-house lab services allowing testing results within 15 minutes of sampling.

• Large animal medicine for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas and whitetail deer. Specialties include herd health, immunizations, breeding soundness examinations, routine fecal examinations, lameness examinations, equine dentistry, diagnostic imaging and issuing health certificates.

• Large animal surgery, much of which is performed on the farm. Surgeries include castration, dehorning, hernia and laceration repair, caesarean section and enucleation.

• Large animal 24-hour emergency services are offered for current clients.

• Euthanasia, at the clinic or at the pet’s home, while ensuring the pet’s comfort and dignity.

Milford Animal Clinic is located at 913

N. Higbee St. (SR 15 North). The clinic’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to

For more information, call (574) 6584126, email milfordanimalclinic@gmail.com or visit milfordanimalclinic.com.

Dan Buchman: over 50 years of State Farm insurance experience

Dan Buchman of State Farm in Syracuse has been immersed in the insurance business since 1966. He brings a lifetime of experience to the State Farm mission: to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.

Buchman first became associated with State Farm at the age of 17 in his hometown of Newark, Ohio. Since then he has devoted much of his educational experience to his chosen career. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1970 with a degree in administrative sciences, majoring in risk management

and insurance.

“Continuing my education has been an important part of my career,” Buchman noted. He holds additional degrees and professional designations, including a master’s degree in financial services from the American college in Malvern, Pa. He is a chartered property and casualty underwriter, chartered financial consultant and

chartered advisor for senior living.

State Farm offers a broad range of products covering nearly every insurance need, including auto, life, home and property, health, disability and liability.

“Fourteen years ago I was selected to replace longtime State Farm Agent David Ridings (retired), at which time I moved from Elkhart to Syracuse.” Since then, Buchman, who has two children and five grandchildren, has been an active member in the community he serves. He is a chamber of commerce ambassador, Kiwanis Club member and

a trumpet player in the Lake Area Community Band.

State Farm offers a broad range of products covering nearly every insurance need, including auto, life, home and property, health, disability and liability. State Farm can also provide coverage for small businesses, identity restoration and medical for pets.

Dan Buchman’s State Farm Insurance office is located at 1101 S. Huntington St., Suite 2, Syracuse. His website is dan4insurance.com and he can be found on Facebook as well. For more information, call (574) 457-4807.

Syracuse Public Library moves to the beat of the community

black-and-white copies being 10 cents.

The Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library, 115 E. Main St., connects Turkey Creek Township residents with more than 29,000 materials, including books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs.

This figure doesn’t even factor in the digital offerings of books, audiobooks, magazines, TV shows, movies and documentaries available through the Libby and Hoopla apps — all free with a library card. The library’s almost 1,500 resident patrons and 90 nonresident patrons also have access to books in Spanish for adults and children; VOX Books, which read to children; and an ever-changing puzzle exchange.

The modern library is more than a brickand-mortar building designed for the storage of books; it is a facilitator of lifelong learning and community. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the library pivoted to curbside pickup, staying open and ensuring residents received the materials they needed.

SPL continues to offer curbside pickups and has added anytime locker pickup. For this new service, patrons request materials, which a staff member will check out for them and place in a designated locker; the patron then picks up their items at their convenience, even after library hours. For patrons working odd hours, this service has been a boon.

Another beneficial service is homebound delivery, which serves community members physically unable to visit the library.

The Syracuse Public Library embraces technology and strives to improve the community’s access to it, reducing often-present financial barriers or knowledge gaps, since staff members are always available to help with technology related questions. SPL offers several public computers that any member of the public can use with either their library card or a guest pass.

Anyone can use the printer and copier, with color copies being only 25 cents and

Need to scan a file and send it directly to your email? The library’s printer allows you to do this for free. Additionally, the Syracuse Public Library continues to offer faxes.

Have a document that needs notarized?

SPL has a notary public on staff.

One of the library’s most popular offerings is its mobile hot spots. These handy devices connect patrons to the internet wherever they may roam, giving them the edge to complete schoolwork or job applications or other basic online tasks.

Each month brings new materials and programming for all ages. Recently, the library developed a new young adult services department to better serve the needs of teens, young adults and new adults — refreshing available materials and providing new programming opportunities.

Meanwhile, the annual summer reading program reached 241 children and 33 teens, keeping them engaged in reading and learning, thus preventing the summer slide. SPL’s adult services department continually offers programming from book clubs and board game samplers to explorations of the natural

world and art.

Library staff are mindful of the needs of the community and tailor SPL’s materials, programming and services to those needs and expressed desires. The community need

only ask.

For more information, call (574) 4573022, visit www.syracuse.lib.in.us or visit bit. ly/3rHS49y to sign up for the library’s monthly or weekly e-newsletters.

Syracuse Lake Association — making Syracuse Lake a ‘go to’ spot

The serenity and cleanliness of Syracuse Lake has met the needs of area residents and impressed many visitors throughout the years.

The waters of Syracuse Lake remain calm and quiet for those wanting a soothing atmosphere. Many know how fun the lake is in the summer, but recreation and relaxation are year-round at Syracuse Lake.

Helping keep the lake as a “go to” spot is the Syracuse Lake Association, headed by Cindy Kaiser, president. The board members work diligently on various projects to ensure that the lake is maintained for the community to enjoy.

One of the biggest projects has been diligent work in seeing repairs done at the Syracuse Water Control Device and support of the creation of the Wawasee Area Conser-

vancy Foundation. Several board members and property owners worked with neighbors on Lake Wawasee to form a committee to secure funding for the repairs and acquire signatures for the conservancy formation.

Additionally, the association works closely with Lilly Center and the students at Grace College with continual water testing of the lake. The lake is regularly tested and treated to maintain its healthy state. The quality and care of the lake is overseen by SLA, which encourages improvement so it remains a pleasant place for everyone to enjoy.

It is the SLA members who place buoys around the lake to protect unsuspecting boaters from hitting hidden tree stumps, rocks and maybe a barge or two. It is also responsible for spearheading the annual Syracuse Lake fireworks and support of the lake patrol.

Each year the board members put together and deliver a directory to its membership. The directory provides a wealth of local information, a map of the lake and alphabetical listing of property owners around the lake.

Kaiser noted that the SLA not only handles the upkeep of the lake, but they also have a lot of involvement in the community. They have an annual photo contest; community members take photos of, on or at the lake to submit to the committee. The best photo goes on the cover of the SLA directory, with the six next best photos going on the back.

The SLA plans to continue advancing in terms of lake maintenance and community relations. In the next year, they plan to create a website and an online payment option to make working with the SLA smooth sailing.

Wawasee Golf Club — Family-friendly course welcomes all golfers

Wawasee Golf Club is a family-friendly course that welcomes all golfers.

“We had issues with seven of our greens a year ago. We had an accident on our greens that killed seven out of nine greens. We tried to reseed last year with no luck. We hired a new superintendent, Jon Haak, and he’s replaced the bad soil with good soil and reseeded seven of the greens. That was May 1, and then the week after the 4th of July we were playing on all of the greens, which was huge for our customers,” said general manager Jeff Turner.

“We probably have about 70 percent of our customer base back. We’re looking at 2023 being a lot better with the greens being complete and much better than they were. We are offering membership discounts for 2023 up until Dec. 31 of this year. If bought now, the membership includes the rest of this year and all of next year for both cart and golf memberships. We’re looking forward to bigger things in 2023,” said Turner.

“I can’t say enough about Jon Haak, though. Jon has been a godsend. He’s helped us out tremendously on getting the greens turned around. He moved here almost a year ago now and he’s helped us out immensely. We have three grounds employees and three pro shop attendees,” he said.

“Monday there is a two-person league at 4 p.m. Tuesday is an open day. Wednesday is one of our busier days. We have a 9 a.m. ladies league and a 2 p.m. scramble. Thursday is an open day. Friday we have a 1 p.m. scramble. We also host practices and/or matches for Wa-

wasee schools, West Noble schools and Fairfield schools,” said Turner.

“This is the kind of course where we like beginners to show up. This golf course is for everybody from your beginner to your average weekend hacker to someone who is really good and wants to hone in on their golf game to families who want to enjoy an outing. One of the things I love about this golf course is that it’s for everybody,” he said.

“This is not a really long course. It’s not a course with 500-yard holes, which can benefit some of the beginners who are trying to learn how to golf. We are always open to golf outings, church outings, birthday outings,” he said.

“We were getting so busy before we had our problems with the greens, we were thinking we might have to switch to tee times. I think myself and some of my pro shop employees don’t want to go that route. It’s so nice for someone to walk in from the street and ask if they can get onto the course, rather than asking if they have a tee time and making them wait until 4 o’clock this afternoon. Yes, you can,” he said.

Turner has been the general manager at Wawasee Golf Club since the summer of 2020. The 9-hole course features 2,994 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35. Wawasee Golf Club is located at 12388 N. Bishop Road, Syracuse. The golf club is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call (574) 457-0224 or visit wawaseegolfclub. com.

This golf course is for ever ybody from your beginner to your average weekend hacker to someone who is really good and wants to hone in on their golf game to families who want to enjoy an outing.

Chubbie’s Pub-N-Grub and Joe’s Ice Cream offer tasty treats

Whether it is for lunch or dinner, a celebration after a special event or a sweet treat at the end of the day, Chubbie’s Pub-N-Grub and Joe’s Ice Cream — both located within the Wawasee Bowl complex — have you covered.

Both provide customers with favorites seven days a week.

Chubbie’s Pub-N-Grub

Featuring quality food and portions at reasonable prices, Chubbie’s Pub-N-Grub is a destination for the whole family. Special emphasis is placed on freshness, with pizza dough being hand-tossed, hamburgers handpattied and the tenderloins made from fresh pork loin, pounded out and shaped.

Though there have been some changes, Chubbie’s continues to offer the same, great lunch specials customers have grown used to: Monday, half-price pizza; Tenderloin Tuesday with fried or grilled tenderloin; Thursday is Build-A-Burger Day; Friday is all-you-can-eat fish and shrimp.

On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy 69-cent wings during the day and prime rib Saturday night. Some specials are dine-in only, so call for availability.

Chubbie’s is open at 11 a.m. seven days a week. The kitchen closes daily at 9 p.m. Wawasee Bowl

Wawasee Bowl has recently updated and expanded its game room arcade with the purchase of several new game pieces and the introduction of a redemption ticket arcade. It will continue to expand the arcade over the next few years.

Joe’s Ice Cream

Joe’s Ice Cream has been a community staple for more than 16 years, starting with one ice cream cooler and a small area for outdoor eating. The coolers have expanded to three, while the patio area has continued to grow. Joe’s waffle cones have become particularly popular over the years.

It’s a popular spot for families, with many popping by for a cool, creamy snack after work, attending baseball or softball games, spending time on the lake or completing yardwork. A stop at Joe’s has become a treat or reward

enjoyed by people of all ages. Youngsters are especially delighted when staff members add a few sprinkles to their cones or create a face.

There are 50 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream to chose from at Joe’s, along with milkshakes, a variety of sundaes and vanilla and chocolate soft serve, which can receive an additional flavor burst of injected syrup.

Among its variety of flavors are key lime, Marion blackberry, orange pineapple, cookies and cream, chocolate-covered cherry, carrot cake, rainbow sherbet, turtle PB cup, salted caramel, candy play dough, raspberry chip, cheesecake, birthday cake, cake batter, Milky Way, red velvet, Superman, cappuccino, grasshopper, cotton candy, s’more, chocolate and vanilla.

Favorites through the years have remained consistent, however: chocolate chip cookie dough, lemon custard, cake batter and pecan.

There are 11 specialty sundaes available: banana bonanza; chocolate-covered strawberry; salty caramel; chocolate volcano; Oreo butter; Reese’s hot fudge; peanut butter and jelly; red, white and blue; firecracker; dusty road; and s’more.

If in season, visitors can find strawberry shortcake, too. The strawberries are always fresh and shortbread is made in house.

Joe’s Ice Cream normally opens around spring break each year and will close when the weather turns colder, usually in October.

Joe’s Ice Cream also owns a portable cart, which is available to rent for graduations, weddings or parties — just pick out three flavors and Joe’s will man it.

For more information, contact Wawasee Bowl at (574) 457-3855.

Wawasee Community School Corporation kicks off the new 2022-23 school year

The Wawasee Community School Corporation recently kicked off the 2022-23 school year. Both the faculty and students are looking forward to an exciting, productive and memorable year.

Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer and principals within the school corporation reflected on what it means to start the new school year.

“We’ve had a great start to the year — I told our staff recently that it feels like the best start we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Troyer.

“Our staff is united in our continued development as a Professional Learning Community that focuses on our mission of meeting the needs of all students. We are really excited to continue providing excellent classroom instruction while at the same time wrapping around great experiences to enhance our students’ development as well-rounded citizens.

“One shining star for Wawasee is the continued growth and development of the Wawasee Early Learning Center program. We now have seven early learning (pre-K) sites throughout the district serving over 100 students aged infant to 5 years old. These programs are helping meet an incredible need in our community by providing high quality pre-K programming that helps promote the academic, social and emotional development of our young children,” said Troyer.

“There are many ways in which Wawasee High School is a special place,” said Wawasee High School Principal Geoff Walmer. “One of those is the kindness and authenticity of our students. As they entered yesterday, they were quick to say ‘Good morning’ first and often followed that up by asking ‘How are you?’ or ‘How was your summer?’

“This doesn’t happen in many high schools. That is a major compliment to our elementary and middle school teachers. They

have done a great job raising our youth to be great young adults. Our high school teachers are able to share back that kindness and authenticity with the students that helps generate the excitement and family feeling we have here at Wawasee High.

“We look forward to continuing our growth in college readiness for those pursuing college as well as preparing students for the workforce through our Pathways programs. It takes a village as we all know and we couldn’t do it without our community support,” said Walmer.

Wawasee Middle School Principal Brent Berkeypile said, “We are really excited about some of our new initiatives for this school year. We are starting a PRIDE expectations program for students and we plan on celebrating students who are following these expectations.

“P stands for Prepared. R stands for Respectful and Responsible. I stands for Integrity. D stands for Determination. E stands for Enthusiasm for Learning. Students who can show these qualities throughout the year will be rewarded and recognized at different points of the school year.”

“Syracuse Elementary teachers and staff are excited to have students back to school,” said Eric Speicher, the school’s principal. “We look forward to serving our students and our community. We appreciate the support we receive from the Syracuse/Wawasee community.

“If there are any community members looking to get involved with Syracuse Elementary, please call the school. We have many opportunities for anyone who wants to volunteer their time.”

North Webster Elementary School Principal Lee Snider said, “We are off to a great start, and it has been a joy to see students and staff so excited to start the year. This year we will have a theme at the school: Showing Up Matters.

“The theme has two parts. Showing Up Matters: Being at school is essential to learning and it is important to be at school. ‘U Matter’: You matter to us, and your classroom and school are not the same without you.”

“We rolled out the Warrior Pledge as a staff. We are taking ownership as a staff, school and community,” said Milford School Principal Michael Casey.

“The W stands for Work. I will work hard

today and do my best. The A stands for Achieve.

I will achieve in reading, math and all the rest.

The R stands for Respect. I will respect myself and others. The second R stands for Responsible. I will be responsible for my actions. The

I stands for Important. I am important. The O stands for Ownership. I will take ownership for my learning. The third R stands for Right thing. I will do the right thing and treat people right,” he said.

Customers are family at Crop Fertility Specialists

Successful farming in the 21st century requires keeping up with the latest breakthroughs in science and technology and modern farm practices and maintaining a profitable business.

For more than 50 years, Crop Fertility Specialists has been a valuable resource for northern Indiana farmers. With a total focus on the crop input retail business, CFS provides leading corn and soybean technologies — products and services helping farmers maximize returns — while also offering a full lineup of lawn care and gardening products.

The company has eight retail outlets stretching from Illinois and Indiana to Ohio. CFS services the surrounding counties of Kosciusko, Whitley, Noble, Marshall and Elkhart with the rural Milford plant being the one farthest north.

CFS is located at the intersection of CR 900N and Old SR 15, south of Milford. Proudly independent and family-owned for over 75 years, CFS emphasizes solid relationships with its farmers’ prosperity as well as customer care.

“Our mission is to treat every acre as if it were our own,” said Max Grady, general manager. “We care for the land, and we have a genuine care for the people we deal with.”

The one-on-one personal relationships with each customer have earned Grady and CFS the respect of producers and the community it serves.

Grady has a vast background in agriculture spanning his whole life. He has worked with CFS for 26 years and managed CFS for the past 16 years. A certified crop advisor, he has been dealing with crops and their protection for more than 45 years.

The knowledge and access to practical information Grady and CFS provide customers sets the business apart from its competitors. It is a yearlong process; company representatives stay with their customers from the time of planting to harvest.

“The service comes with the sales,” he

said. “If there’s a problem, the same guy who stood in your driveway and recommended or sold it to you is going to be the same guy who answers the phone to solve it.”

Customers are not just an order number to CFS; they are family. Each employee is highly trained and certified to assist every customer’s individual wants and needs. CFS maintains this by consistently sending employees to training seminars and conferences to keep them up to date on the latest technology and best practices in the industry.

Grady also emphasized CFS is “not just for large commercial farmers.” Anyone can tap into the expertise of the CFS staff and purchase grass seed at a faction of the cost of one of the big box stores.

“A yard is just a small cornfield,” said Grady.

Beyond providing excellent products and exceptional service, CFS is dedicated to community involvement. In September 2020, CFS and parent company, KOVA Ag Products Inc., donated $3,000 to Wawasee High School FFA.

“We want to keep kids interested in agriculture,” said Grady.

The next generation is also ensuring the future of the KOVA Ag team, with eight children of team members joining the company. For another 50 years to come,” said Grady, “we will be 100% committed to agriculture and agriculture only.”

CFS believes additional value is offered to customers through the KOVA ag team. The CFS staff is linked to additional services, such as finance, crop insurance and risk management. From the field to the front lawn, with the many resources available, there is no need or problem CFS cannot fulfill or fix.

Business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the Milford location, call (574) 658-4158 or visit ekova.com.

Sue’s Creations celebrates 40 years in business

What started as a hobby turned into a fulltime business 40 years ago for Sue Ward of Sue’s Creations.

When she was 13 years old, she worked in a floral shop in Huntington. She worked there after school, weekends and in the summer. Later, she went to nursing school in Indianapolis, where she spent two years. She earned her associate degree in nursing and met her husband, Steve, and later married and had two daughters.

One day, Steve dangled keys in front of her and said, “We are going to open a floral shop.” That was beginning of Sue’s Creations.

Serving Kosciusko and Noble counties since 1982, Sue’s offers beautiful fresh flower arrangements for weddings, events and everyday special occasions.

Owners Sue and Steve Ward pride themselves on offering floral arrangements for special occasions.

Sue’s Creations, located in North Webster, is the area’s premier florist shop. The smalltown shop provides personal service in every order completed. Sue’s offers sympathy floral arrangements.

Sue encourages people to shop local, not online, especially for funerals. Upon purchasing flowers for a funeral, tell the funeral home you want a local florist, such as Sue’s Creations, she said.

“We service seven funeral homes,” she said. “We offer full packages for funeral flowers and families can still come in and meet with us and go over their flowers and look through books and pick out what they want.”

Sue’s Creations has bereavement gifts, such as chimes, lanterns and throws, just to name a few.

“It (shopping online) really doesn’t save money,” said Sue, but rather, shopping local “helps us and it helps the customers. It’s really important to shop local,” said Sue.

Sue’s also offers wedding flowers.

“We can provide a full-floral package for your special day. From centerpieces, bridal bouquets and even fresh-cut flowers for the wedding cake; we do it all,” said Sue. “We also have live succulents.”

Engaged brides-to-be can set up a consultation by appointment for wedding flowers.

Whether it be a small wedding or a large one, Sue’s can create special, one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.

Sue’s Creations also sells fresh and highend silk flowers, balloons, nautical gifts, home decor, signs, stuffed animals, dish gardens, house plants and seasonally outdoor plants.

“We are more than just a floral shop,” said Sue.

Whether you are planning a celebration or just want to make someone feel special, Sue’s Creations will help you find the perfect gift.

Christmas is another big holiday for Sue’s. By Nov. 1, “We are ready,” said Sue, who goes to floral and gift shows to get inventory ideas for her store.

Valentine’s Day is another big event for Sue’s Creations. “It’s the rose holiday,” said Sue. “It takes weeks to prepare. We try to customize every order.”

Between Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, Sue said she runs five to six specials. Valentines Day and Mother’s Day are her two biggest holidays.

Sue’s Creations is a family-operated business. Daughter, Nicole Nabinger, also helps the Wards. She said her parents taught her to have a strong work ethic, while sometimes working seven days a week. Nabinger said she learned to serve people in the community. Both of the Wards’ daughters have worked at the floral shop.

“We have had many compliments,” Sue said.

The Wards credit the community for being very giving and supportive of her in the past four decades.

“That’s what has kept us going,” Sue said.

Throughout the years, Sue said she has made many friends. “I had a customer come in and tell me, ‘Thanks for being here. You take care of us,”’she noted.

Throughout the years, Sue said she has developed meaningful friendships.

While Sue said she loved being a nurse, she still feels like she’s taking care of people

as a florist.

Steve added, “We like to deal with American-made, family-owned businesses. We have good relations with all of our suppliers.”

Sue’s Creations also offers local delivery service to the home or venue of one’s choice.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to

5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Sue’s Creations is located at 102 S. Main St., North Webster.

For more information, visit suescreationsfloral.com, call (574) 834-4323; visit facebook. com/suescreationsflorist for daily and weekly specials.

Eastlund Funeral Home is focused on families

For over 45 years, Eastlund Funeral Home has served area families with a tradition of respect, dignity and commitment. The tradition continues with current owners Dave Colquitt and his wife, Sheryl Eastlund Colquitt, who assumed ownership in 2009.

Licensed for over 27 years in Indiana, Dave Colquitt may be the most experienced funeral director in Kosciusko County. For the last 13 years he has overseen Eastlund’s operations, bringing a philosophy of cooperation to the business, which extends not only to clients, but also to other local businesses, including funeral homes. His plan is simple. “I want to make sure I do things the right way and continue taking care of families.”

One example of the “right way” is providing Eastlund’s spacious accommodations to all groups, large or small, at fair prices. Despite recent inflation, Eastlund has maintained the same prices since 2019. “That is almost unheard of in our business,” Colquitt observed. “We feel we have the most competitive pricing in our area.”

Colquitt is also a licensed prearrangement counselor. Preplanning allows families to lock in the prices of today for future services. Furthermore, Eastlund will honor prearrangements from other funeral homes.

“We will be happy to come to your home, or visit with you at our facility,” he added.

At the time you make your funeral plans and arrangements, Eastlund can let you know the costs involved at today’s prices. Once you make your decision, they will be kept as part of your permanent record on file. This ensures the products and services you have selected will

be provided.

Such service is how Colquitt hopes to continue growing the business he and Sheryl were “blessed with the opportunity to purchase in 2009.” While he oversees Eastlund’s many services, Sheryl, who also works full time in the mortgage industry, is the bookkeeper.

Dave started as an intern at McHat-

an 8,000-square-foot facility situated on more than 4 acres, conveniently located at the lighted crossing at CR 1000N and SR 13 north of Syracuse. The location allows Eastlund to easily serve North Webster, Syracuse, Leesburg and many more area communities.

The facility includes a family lounge, which offers a beautiful, large stoneencased fireplace with plenty of seating area for families to eat, have coffee or just relax. There are also two large-screen TVs for families to view memorial DVDs of their loved ones. Eastlund is completely handicapped-accessible.

Recent improvements included all new windows and extensive landscaping. Further facility upgrades will start in spring 2023.

mony held at the cemetery of your choice. This service may be limited to the immediate family or open to all.

ton-Sadler Funeral Chapels in Warsaw, and later he and Sheryl purchased Eastlund, which had merged with Mishler Funeral Homes. He maintains relationships with both organizations. “I still work with them. We’re still friends and colleagues. … We’ve always given a helping hand and vice versa.”

The Colquitts also make a point of patronizing local businesses for Eastlund Funeral Home’s needs as well as their own, from floral shops to car repair and renovations.

“We do everything local. Our community is pretty tight-knit, and to keep it that way it’s essential to keep it local. Locally-owned businesses, said Dave, are “nicer, more friendly and know you by your name.”

The Colquitts also support veterans through the local American Legions, while also working with area fraternal organizations.

Eastlund Funeral Home consists of

“We are able to handle memorials or celebrations of life on- or off-site,” Dave added.

Eastlund Funeral Home provides personalized services to meet the personal desires of each family. Personal preferences or cost concerns make each funeral as unique as the person being honored.

Traditional Service includes services of the funeral director and staff, embalming, casket and vault, funeral service at the funeral home or local church of your choice, calling hours for the family to receive condolences from family and friends, necessary automotive equipment, the register book, memorial cards and floral arrangement.

Families are encouraged to bring other items of memorabilia to further personalize the service. Eastlund is also available to provide a DVD video slide show, using pictures the family provides of your loved one.

Graveside Service is a funeral cere-

Memorial Service is a ceremony that helps family and friends contend with their loss. This particular option is usually unique to the individual and can be held in Eastlund’s Funeral Home Chapel or a location of your choice. Loved ones are encouraged to help personalize the service with memorabilia, photographs and other personal items. A DVD video slide show may be made using several pictures provided to Eastlund by the family.

Cremation Services: Eastlund Funeral Home offers a variety of cremation options to fit your needs, ranging from basic direct cremation (without visitation or services) to customized cremation services with visitation and a funeral or memorial service.

Veterans Honors: Eastlund believes every person who has served our country deserves to be recognized. They will help you understand any benefits that may be available to the family, and can show you the many personal and touching ways to honor a military veteran or service hero.

Eastlund Funeral Home is located at 7458 E. 1000N, Syracuse. For more information call (574) 457-3144 visit eastlundfuneralhome.com.

Quality, consistent and dependable service

Dave’s Heating and Cooling has been in business since 1995. The company truly focuses on being consistent, dependable and going above and beyond in their service to customers.

Dave and Leslie Oakes are co-owners of the company they started together over 27 years ago.

“Fujitsu is a ductless mini-split. We’re the only elite Fujitsu dealer in Kosciusko County, which means we can offer you a 12year 100% parts warranty and no one else in the county can do that. So that’s one special we have that puts us above everyone else,” said Dave Oakes.

“The main thing when it comes to service is flat-rate pricing. Flat-rate pricing is good for me as a business owner, but terrible for you as a homeowner. Many businesses do flat-rate pricing. We’ve come to find out that people call us questioning people with a flat rate.

”We’re one of the few heating and cooling businesses in Kosciusko County who still do time and material — that’s the only fair rate,” he said.

“The big cities do flat-rate pricing. It’s just not fair to the customer. If you think about it, every time I give a bid, that’s flatrate pricing, but I come out and I look at the job and know what I need to do and come back and figure it and then go with the price. It really comes down to material, tax and labor. Is it old-fashioned? Yes, it’s old-school, but it’s better for the customer.

“An example would be someone who needs an igniter changed and company x wants $350. We would say, well we don’t know what igniter it is for sure. Igniters range from $15-$30 on average and $120 to come out to your house. You do the math. It would be under $200.

“We could give you an estimate about what it costs, but I can’t say exactly. We don’t quote a price unless we know for sure what we’re quoting. We don’t want to have to go

back to the customer later and charge them more than what we said we would.

“The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. Never be afraid to ask a question. We get phone calls all the time saying company x just quoted me for this gas valve — it’s $150-$160, but they want $700 to change it. It’s good for the business. It’s not good for the consumer.

“We may be a little bit more to come to your house. We’re $120, not $89, but we include the trip charge, the first hour of labor and we don’t use flat-rate pricing. So that’s one of the big things. The last I knew we had over 380 fall tune-ups to do and they’re still coming in,” he said.

“Our service agreements are good for the customers. It gives them a discount on parts. It gives them 24-hour service at a regular service rate. It gives them priority service. If they’re a service contract customer we’re not going to say we can’t get to you until tomorrow. We’ll be there at 10 o’clock tonight if that’s what it takes to get there.

“Our employees have been here forever. We have very low employee turnover. There are many heating and cooling companies in this area and there is enough work for all of us. We treat our people like we want to be treated. We have a good customer base,” he said. “Many of our employees have been here 10-plus years. They do a great job. We all get along well. Dave’s Heating and Cooling is all about serving the customer.

“We do install Rheem heating and cooling equipment and Heil heating/cooling, which is comparable with the Bryant and Carrier brands.”

“We don’t do a lot of new construction. We’re a little more expensive than the guys who are all geared up to do new construction, but we do things a little different and feel good about how we do things. We do have a lot of homeowners who come to us and say company x is building our house for us but they say we have to use their guy. My

question to them is always, ‘Who is paying the bill?’ You have a right to say who you are working with on your house.

“We have many customers who hire us direct, not through their contractor, and we work directly with the customer ourselves. Some of our competitors are not always taking new customers. We’ll take anyone who walks in the door because they need help. People call us because they have a problem. That’s our gig, to go fix it for them. We don’t have a bunch of bells and whistles and giveaways. We do heating and cooling and we do it good.”

Dave told a story about a general service call he had many years ago on Tippy Lake on a Sunday afternoon and it was snowing like crazy. “His furnace quit working. He called me when I was halfway there

and asked if I could do him a favor and buy him some milk and bread. I bought some for him and double bagged it. I walked through knee-deep snow and gave him his groceries and fixed his furnace. He’s still a customer today. We still laugh about it. They just couldn’t get out that day and really needed some groceries.”

“Sometimes we just have to go a little above and beyond. That’s customer service,” he said.

Dave’s Heating and Cooling has been operating out of their current location at 307 E. Washington St., North Webster, since 2000. Dave’s Heating and Cooling is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday. To reach the office, or to make an appointment, call (574) 834-3100.

Maverick Promotions Inc. for quality custom products

Maverick Promotions Inc. has been a locally owned and operated full service custom embroidery provider in North Webster since 2002. Founder and owner Chris Trowbridge has been in this production industry for 40 years.

Trowbridge has spent the past 20 years building and maintaining a business that could provide high-quality screen prints, graphic art, signs and custom embroidered items for corporate businesses and schools. Maverick Promotions primarily sells custom shirts, hats and promotional products. They are also able to print logos on items such as pens, coffee cups and footballs.

Maverick Promotions is a small operation with just four employees, making this local business as close-knit as the town. Trowbridge himself handles the overview of operations, research for orders and customer relations.

Trowbridge attributes the success of Maverick Promotions to their reliability;

they are diligent about the quality and presentation of the items they sell. They have a reputation for not only meeting expectations, but exceeding them in terms of customer care and the visual appeal of their products.

They pride themselves on their time management, as they are known to adhere to and work well within time constraints, even in the face of adversity.“Especially during the pandemic, there have been instances where we were challenged to meet deadlines and we have done really well keeping up with that,” Trowbridge stated.

Maverick Promotions is a business that is not deterred by prospective challenges; they will overcome them and go above and beyond to ensure customers are satisfied with their products.

For more information, visit maverickpromos.com, stop by the shop at 611 S. Main St., North Webster, or call (574) 834-4733 or (877) 267-1700.

Wysong Insurance — Small town family insurance agency with big city capabilities

When it comes to choosing an insurance company for your home, auto and life insurance needs, the relationship you have with your insurance agent is most important.

Stu and Shawnee Wysong, owners of Wysong Insurance Shoppe, 101 E. Van Buren St., Leesburg, understand the importance of the customer/agent relationship by creating an advisory service atmosphere for their potential and current clients.

Wysong Insurance Shoppe is an independent insurance agency that has been in operation for 35 years. It is an established and popular company with an excellent history of customer satisfaction.

“We want to be part of our community and be impactful by providing our clients with an outstanding insurance experience,” Stu and Shawnee said.

Stu, Shawnee and Nicole all take pride in being able to offer a personalized service to their customers. All three like to sit down with clients to discuss their needs, so they can recommend the best policies available.

This attention to personal service and detail has paid off, as Stu has had clients who have been with him for 35 years, leading up to him representing multiple generations of the same family.

One benefit a family-owned agency offers is clients are able to discuss issues with the same person who knows the area, who has a direct relationship with the companies they represent and are able to advocate on behalf of the client.

benefit a family-owned agency offers is clients are able to discuss issues with the same person who knows the area, who has a direct relationship with the companies they represent and are able to advocate on behalf of the client.

Stu Wysong, the principal agent, has been licensed for over 35 years and has held a certified insurance counselor designation for over 25 years. Stu is actually a tenured CIC, a recognition achieved by less than 9 % of CICs nationally.

Shawnee Wysong (wife) and Nicole Jones (daughter), both licensed agents, have 10 years of experience at Wysong Insurance Shoppe. Both provide outstanding service, which creates a valuable connection between the customers and the insurance companies. They are always happy to help.

Wysong Insurance Shoppe is located on the main square in Leesburg in an old bank building the couple renovated during the pandemic. Wysong Insurance Shoppe is a small-town family agency. Their motto is “You can’t go wrong with Wysong.”

Wysong Insurance Shoppe has been newly appointed to represent Erie Insurance. Erie Insurance offers products for your auto, home, business, and life needs. They also represent Safeco and are a Progressive Platinum agency, meaning they can bundle your home and auto insurance.

As an established local insurance agency, the Wysong family strives each day to act with integrity, listen, educate and learn, provide solutions and generate positive energy for each of our new and current insureds. Our goal is always to help individuals, families and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, auto and property.

“We also believe in providing clients superior products at competitive prices,” said Stu. “Our goal is always to help individuals, families and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, well-being and property.”

118 years of making memories at

Patona Bay Marina and Resort

In 1904, a teenager from Indianapolis named George H. Paton joined his friend’s family on a summer camping trip to Kalorama Park on Lake Tippecanoe.

What he experienced that summer would shape not only his own life, but the lives of future generations of the Paton family, who 118 years later continue to own and operate Patona Bay Marina and Resort.

“He fell in love with the lake and its possibilities,” said his grandson, George M. Paton. “It was a different way of life from Indy.” George H. realized the lake is more than just a place: it is a lifestyle. The Patons call it “lake life,” but it can mean different things for the thousands of families who have ventured to Patona Bay’s shoreline.

The lake is a place of adventure and excitement for children, unaware they are creating memories that will stay with them for a lifetime: the thrill of the first fish on the line; skidding over the waves on skis or an inner tube behind grandpa’s boat; or the smoky sweetness of s’mores from the fire.

All too soon, they are bringing their own children to the lake and feeling work and stress melt away, leaving in the wake a different set of priorities.

“Family time and togetherness,” said Paton. “There is a magic about it. People with families get to play together.”

George H., who as a paint salesman had much of his summers off, set himself to the task of bringing this magic to more people by making it more affordable. He started by renting boats. In 1909 he saw an ad for the first Evinrude outboard motors — “Throw away your oars” — and that summer he began selling them at $65 each.

Around the same time, he also developed a relationship with the Schrock family, who started Starcraft and had a house on Lake

Tippecanoe. George H. sold their fishing boats into the 1930s. Over 100 years later, the Patons are still a Starcraft dealer, with much of its sales coming from pontoon boats.

In 1928, Patona Bay resort opened, offering camping spaces to those unable to afford their own lakefront cottage. Rental cabins would be added later, in the 1950s.

In 1935 the addition of a passenger boat afforded guests sightseeing rides around the expansive, pristine lake. Stops at the time included Rowlette Grocery on the north shore and Stoney Ridge Hotel and the Arcadian Ballroom on the south shore.

Lake Tippecanoe is the deepest natural lake in Indiana and one of the cleanest. There is actually a higher volume of water in Tippecanoe than nearby Lake Wawasee, which means it is the last lake to freeze over in the winter.

When George H. first visited, there were no roads around Tippecanoe. Mail and deliveries were made via boat on the lake. Without an outboard motor, fishermen would often hitch from one side of the lake to the other by tying on to a steamboat, which left tow ropes hanging behind as it made its daily rounds around the lake’s approximately 1,200 acres.

Just as the automobile made the countryside more accessible, speedboats added a new dimension to lake life with their arrival in the 1930s. Patona Bay offered sightseeing tours and had its own excursion boat, catering to campers and local businesses.

But it was not until after World War II that more regular folks were able to afford their own speedboat, and water skiing also enjoyed a spike in popularity. Patona Bay, George M. explained, was instrumental in promoting this exciting pastime.

As the lakes’s popularity expanded, so did Patona Bay’s services. “We had the ability to help more people accomplish their dreams,”

said Paton. More people wanted to know how they could rent or buy a boat. “We could help with that.”

In 1946, the first marina was built. To this day, marina operations include rentals, sales, service and storage. “We do everything the customer may not want to do themselves,” said Paton. “We put the boat in and out of the water, wash the bottom and clean them out.”

Patona Bay technicians specialize in motor repair on all makes and models, working year-round. They are trained at the factories to handle warranty issues on Mercury, Honda and Evinrude.

In 1945, there was a single building serving the marina and campground. Now there are more than 120 campsites as well as eight cottages for rent. The marina has expanded to six buildings to handle sales service and storage needs. Altogether, Patona Bay

Marina and Resort encompasses 35 acres and includes a gradual, sandy beach.

This expansion has served a single purpose: to match the equipment to the needs of the visitors, so they may realize their own vision of lake life.

Five successive generations have all added to that dream. As sales manager Lynn Hornyak said, “They’ve been around for 118 years. One family with one dream of promoting the lake life.”

“People come back and recite stories and instances from 50 or 60 years ago that made a difference in their life,” marveled Paton. “They have such a crystal clear memory, like it happened yesterday.”

Patona Bay Marina and Resort is located at 162 EMS T33 Lane in Leesburg.

To contact the marina, call (574) 4533970. To contact the resort, call (574) 453-3671. For more information, visit patonabay.com.

Kosciusko Connect’s fiber internet is changing the community’s standards for online connections

Kosciusko Connect, a subsidiary of Kosciusko REMC, began with the recognition of a need for high-speed internet in its rural community.

KREMC noticed the gap between the current internet provided and the internet quality members of Kosciusko County needed. Grandparents wanted their grandchildren to be able to come over after school to do their homework online. Family members longed to connect with faraway loved ones over video calls, but didn’t have strong enough internet to carry on clear conversations. With the rise of remote work, many struggled to transition into working from home due to slow internet speeds. When the electric cooperative began its market study of the area’s needs, the response was strongly in favor of a fiber-optic network.

Kosciusko Connect was born from this desire to provide homes with necessary access to technology and communication. A fiber-optic network was the best way to do this because of the durability and long-lasting nature of fiber. These strands of glass would create a more reliable high-speed connection for the homes KREMC already powers. In December 2021, Kosciusko Connect turned on a new internet connection for its first member. From there, they grew steadily throughout 2022.

“Our Kosciusko Connect team, alongside KREMC, has made an impact on our community,” said Kurt Carver, president and CEO of Kosciusko REMC, “The services we are providing for our members will impact the quality of their lives for years to come.”

Recently, Kosciusko Connect celebrated an installment milestone. As of Aug. 25, they surpassed 3,000 KREMC members connected to their fiber-optic internet network. The achievement spurred a celebration among the company’s employees, including balloons, social media announcements and ice cream.

“Kosciusko Connect has connected over 3,000 members, an accomplishment we never imagined when we installed fiber for our first member in December 2021. Now, we’re on track to connect over 4,000 members by the end of 2022,” said Carver.

By 2023, KREMC’s entire service area is expected to be open for fiber installations. Currently, about 100 homes are connected to fiber every week, which is regularly celebrated at the KREMC facility. Eventually, Kosciusko Connect hopes to expand to homes in the Kosciusko County area that are not members of KREMC’s electric services.

“Bringing fiber internet to our community is a long-term process that requires dedication and consistency from our company,” said Curt Barkey, vice president of technology and broadband at Kosciusko Connect. “We continue to stay rooted to our original motive: to provide fast, reliable internet connections to the rural Kosciusko area,” he added.

One of the key features of Kosciusko Connect’s internet experience is Guardian, a tool that provides advanced network security and

parental controls. With Guardian, customers can prioritize devices on their network, view the security threats that are blocked daily, and protect younger internet users from explicit or dangerous content online. Guardian is designed to give customers full control of their network security, customization and parental guidance. Guardian is an add-on to the Kosciusko Connect app, which can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play.

In addition to providing fiber internet, Kosciusko Connect is looking to offer new services to its customers. Starting this fall, members of Kosciusko REMC will also be able to sign up for Kosciusko Connect’s telephone service, which uses Voice over Internet Protocol to deliver a clear connection through the fiber network. The residential telephone plan will be offered at a discounted price to those already using Kosciusko Connect’s residential fiber internet.

Soon, Kosciusko Connect will introduce a new solution for affordable TV through their fiber internet. This tool will determine the customer’s preferences and favorite channels,

then provide the streaming package that fits their needs. It will offer the TV channels and content that customers watch regularly, without the expensive costs or hidden fees that are often part of a TV package.

As Kosciusko Connect gains awareness and support in their community, their internet services receive positive feedback from connected members.

“It energizes our team at Kosciusko Connect when we hear how the services we provide are changing lives,” said Tara Haack, manager of marketing and communications, “Fast, reliable internet is no longer a luxury. It makes essential services like health care and education more accessible. It provides professionals with the ability to work from anywhere. It allows families and friends who are separated by distance to stay connected.”

To learn more about what Kosciusko Connect is doing, visit kosciuskoconnect.com and visit its social media pages. If you would like more information about Kosciusko Connect contact Kyrsten Newlon at knewlon@ kremc.com.

Service clubs provide valuable assistance to community

The Lakeland area’s service clubs, including Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary, each have their own unique way in serving their communities, including year-round projects, scholarships and other civic programs.

Here’s a list of the area clubs and some of the many contributions they make to their respective communities, as well as a list of their meeting times and locations: Kiwanis

All three Lakeland communities — Milford, North Webster and Syracuse — have individual Kiwanis clubs. Each elects its own officers, has its own programming and supports events and fundraisers in their respective towns.

Civic contributions include sponsoring the K-Kids program for elementary school students and the Builders Club and Key Club for high school students; supporting Ronald McDonald houses in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis; supporting the North Webster emergency management department; holding a fundraising golf outing; organizing and operating the Syracuse Youth League; and supporting Habitat for Humanity and other local organizations.

Additional contributions include donating money to offset teachers’ out-of-pocket expenses at Syracuse Elementary School; sponsoring the Wawasee Triathlon, soup supper and winter snowmobile races; sponsoring a senior citizens’ Christmas dinner; donating toys and presents to needy children; funding and placing flags along SR 13 in North Webster; holding Peanut Day, with all proceeds going to Riley Children’s Hospital; sponsoring elementary and middle school kids’ clubs; distributing food baskets during the holidays; holding the Festival of Trees at North Webster Community Center; and more.

Milford — Milford Kiwanis meets 6:307:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month inside the Milford Community Building, 111 S. Main St. All meetings are free and open to the public. For additional information, facebook.com/milfordindianaki-

wanis or email kidsneedkiwanis@gmail.com.

North Webster — North Webster Lakeland Area Kiwanis meets at 6:30 a.m. every Monday and noon every Wednesday at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St. Anyone interested in Kiwanis is invited to attend. For more information, visit facebook.com/northwebsterkiwanis.

Syracuse — Chartered in 1977, the Wawasee Kiwanis Club is a group of volunteers dedicated to improving the SyracuseWawasee Community. They meet at 7 a.m. every Saturday at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive. For more information, visit facebook.com/northwebsterkiwanis.

Lions Club

The Lions Club also maintains a presence in all three Lakeland communities. Civic contributions include hosting the Mermaid Festival in North Webster; placing American flags at homes and businesses; providing eye screenings for all first-, third- and fifth-grade students in the Wawasee school district; raising funds for local projects; donating books to the elementary schools; sponsoring local Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops; participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program; taking part in Memorial Day parades; donating eye exams and glasses to local students in need; hosting a banquet for the Wawasee High School Academic Super Bowl team and its coaches; holding an annual fish fry and silent auction; conducting an annual Christmas tree sale; sponsoring fish and tenderloin fries; and hosting various signature pancake and sausage breakfasts.

Milford — The Milford Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday each month inside the Milford Community Building, 111 S. Main St. All are invited to attend. For further information, visit facebook.com/lionsclubofmilford.

North Webster — Members of the North Webster Lions Club meet at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Tippecanoe Township Community

Feel right at home at Bobi’s Shear Success

A warm welcome and atmosphere plus a bright and sunny salon greet customers at Bobi’s Shear Success in Milford.

Bobi’s Shear Success is a place where one can be treated as a longtime friend, even if it is your first visit.

Connecting with customers is a priority that has kept Bobi Doll in business on Main Street since opening her salon Dec. 23, 1992.

The business was first housed next door to its present location. But after Dr. Floyd Rheinheimer’s office became available six years later, she decided to move into bigger accommodations. Her salon is beside the town’s big parking lot and community building.

Doll’s husband, Dave, was instrumental in much of the demolition and remodeling of both of the salons. “He can do anything,” she boasted.

The beauty industry has grown and changed so much with such a variety of places to go, so she is grateful for the loyalty of her clients. She says there is a nice percentage of dear friends who have been with her for over 40 years.

Doll received her best training while working in North Webster at Jerri and Jill’s Salon. “The sisters modeled hard work, integrity, skill and artistry that taught me so much,” Doll said.

It’s easy to see why people enjoy spending time with Doll. A smile for every customer and her friendliness adds to the ability to pray with those who are hurting plus share in the joy of good things happening.

“I want to thank my Lord and Savior for placing me in a wonderful setting,” she said. “It’s great to watch our community come together to have fun or be serious in a time of need.”

Prayer is one of Doll’s greatest tools

and Milford is a very caring town, she said.

Doll knows her clients, not only how they prefer their hair but also about them as individuals. She makes every customer feel as if she has known them for a lifetime through friendly conversation.

Bobi’s Shear Success is a family place for women, children and men.

“It’s great to have kids come back after they’ve grown up to still get their haircuts and then their kids in the next generation,” said Doll. “Many people watched my own kids growing up in the salon, just a blink ago.”

Sadly, many wonderful long-term friends have passed away to their heavenly home that added so much to her friend list.

Doll enjoys her shop immensely and each person brings different circumstances to make it a very interesting occupation. She said loyalty is key to keeping small business doors open, “so thanks to all who patronize.”

The couple are active members of Wawasee Community Bible Church. The Dolls have a daughter, a son and their families.

Among the fine haircare products available at Bobi’s Shear Success are Paul Mitchell, Sexy Hair Concepts, Redken and Matrix.

Services include haircuts, highlights and color, perms and special occasion styles. She also has two tanning beds.

The salon is closed Sunday and Monday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Generally appointments are necessary but walk-ins are possible.

Doll looks forward to making the acquaintance of new and existing customers where newcomers soon become friends.

For an appointment, call (574) 6589834.

Building, 102 S. Morton St., North Webster. For more information, visit northwebsterlionsclub.com.

Syracuse — Syracuse Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive. For more information, visit facebook.com/syracuseindianalionsclub.

Rotary Club

Syracuse is the only Lakeland community to have a Rotary Club. Civic contributions include sponsoring a literacy program

for students; distributing books to elementary school children; conducting fundraisers to purchase more books; sponsoring a local Boy Scout troop; participating in various public benefit projects; and more. It also maintains and rents out the Rotary Scout Lodge at 10433 E CR 500N.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club meets at noon each Tuesday at Maxwelton Golf Club, 5721 E. County Line Road, Syracuse. For more information, visit syracuserotary.com or facebook.com/syracusewawaseerotary.

From a hangout for friends to a community hot spot

In 2007, three friends — Robert Vandal, Jack Birch and Greg Griner — turned a renovated pole building into a guy’s retreat.

Then one of them received a beer making kit as a Christmas present.

The rest, they say, is history.

Four years ago,Man Cave Brewing Company opened at 10201 N. SR 13[, Syracuse.

“We’re a little different than most breweries,” said co-owner Tami Vandal. “We have table service, a full bar and wine. We offer other things along with beer.”

When the three friends purchased the building, they gutted it. The front is Man Cave’s family room, but it is also Mug Shots, another business. The two share the frontend space, but Mug Shots has its own kitchen and is under completely different ownership. The back portion of the building is the bar area, open to those 21 and up.

Since moving into the new space, Man Cave has been able to expand into more brewing tanks. The bar has 19 of Man Cave’s beers on tap, with the most popular being the Sandbar Blonde. Tami described it as a cream ale that isn’t real hoppy. “It’s an easy beer for everyone to drink,” she said.

Matt Fry is the chef in charge of the kitchen. He comes to Man Cave with many years of experience.

Man Cave’s menu is sure to have something for the most picky eater. There is truly something for everyone, from fried pickles, loaded chips and spicy cheese curds for starters to a variety of poutines. Robert is Canadian and wanted its famous dish represented on the menu.

Poutine is French fries topped with fresh cheese curds and brown gravy. Fry “turns up the volume,” as a famous TV cook would say, offering the classic version, as well as pulled pork and southwest version.

Some of the starters include shrimpstuffed ciabatta, featuring grilled ciabatta bread, topped with shrimp, scampi sauce

and mozzarella cheese.

For those who want a lighter fare, there is a nice selection of salads, such as an Asian shrimp salad, pickled beet salad and a buffalo chicken salad; and quesadillas, with main ingredients such as barbecue pork, with all of them stuffed with black beans, corn, onions and peppers, along with the diner’s choice of protein.

Entrees also offer a nice variety, ranging from Parmesan-baked shrimp; Jagerschnitzel, a pan-fried breaded pork tenderloin topped with mushroom gravy; chicken carbonara penne; fried chicken and waffles, and char-grilled filet of beef.

There is also a nice selection of sandwiches and burgers to choose from. The Elvis Burger features a USDA choice beef burger topped with peanut butter, bacon and banana jam. The second addition is called the Art Vandaley, a USDA choice burger topped with balsamic onion marmalade, Vermont cheddar, roasted garlic aioli and onion rings.

“The most popular is the pub burger,” said Tami. Others include Cajun grouper sandwich, Wagyu pastrami Reuben, boursin burger, muffuletta burger and a Tijuana burger.

The regular menu is updated every six to eight months, offering customers something new and fresh to try. A new dish is bangers and mash.

The brewery and restaurant is open from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed Sunday. Tami said it was important to give all the restaurant staff a weekend day off to be with family.

Man Cave also bottles its products and offers six-packs of its popular Sandbar Blonde and Brewberry, a blueberry cream ale. The brewery also offers 64-ounce growlers of any of its beers.

The business also offers patio dining that is much bigger, and is for those 21 years

of age and older only.

Man Cave also looks forward to being able to give back to the community.

To order takeout, call (574) 337-1308.

Growlers are available as carry-out as well.

For more information, visit mancavebrewing.com or facebook.com/mancavebrewingcompany.

Why choose Goshen Home Medical

Goshen Home Medical provides a wide variety of products that can enrich the quality of life for people who have different medical needs.

Goshen Home Medical doesn’t just distribute products, but has knowledgeable professionals on hand to help determine what the best fit would be for each person.

“Searching for the right home medical equipment can be frustrating, and even worse, choosing the wrong home medical equipment can be unsafe,” said Marlies Selent-West of Goshen Home Medical. “Often times, we see people who have purchased medical equipment either online or at a local retailer, just to find out the product doesn’t meet their needs.

“Our customer service specialists can help eliminate much of the stress by helping their customers find the equipment that is best for their situation and can also help determine what is covered and not covered by insurance. Plus, we offer free limited delivery within a 50-mile radius of Goshen with knowledgeable delivery technicians who can deliver the item(s) and offer proper instructions on use and care.”

Goshen Home Medical also stays up to date with the latest equipment while maintaining the highest level of quality. West said, “Many patients and their caregivers don’t realize there are many types of items that can truly help their medical needs and improve their quality of life at home.”

The showroom displays a large variety of products ranging from maternity to mobility and everything in between.

Goshen Home Medical has the newest technology for diabetics called Dexcom. The Dexcom G6 CGM System is a small, wearable sensor and transmitter that sends a person’s glucose numbers to a smart device or receiver every five minutes without finger sticks.

Goshen Home Medical’s team can assist customers in finding the perfect power

scooter or power chair as well as fitting them properly for the customer.

Goshen Home Medical also has certified fitters for orthopedic shoes and mastectomy prosthesis. Fitters work with each client by appointment and will occasionally do house calls.

Showroom hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Goshen Home Medical colleagues are diligent in ensuring the patient understands the products and are proud to be hands-on and make sure patients are receiving the best care, understanding and maximum benefit from the product. Several customers have commented they are impressed by the knowledgeable staff, as well as the highquality equipment they or their loved ones have used.

Items can easily be reordered when needed by phone, fax, website or now on Goshen Home Medical’s new phone app. Items can be picked up in-store, delivered or dropshipped.

“We’re trying to keep people in their homes for as long as possible,” West said.

“We have ways to make their lives and their caregivers’ lives easier.”

Goshen Home Medical is part of Goshen Health System and has been serving the community for 48 years.

To learn more about Goshen Home Medical, visit the showroom or goshenhomemedical.com or call (574) 533-0626.

Oswego Mini-mart and Cafe serves the lakes’ communities

Oswego Mini-mart is nestled in the heart of the lakes community.

Located on Armstrong Road, it is located between Leesburg and North Webster. Close to the area’s lakes, Oswego Mini-mart has a convenience store and a cafe.

The convenience store has food, snacks and hot and cold drinks or basically anything to go. It also has hamburger meat, steaks and hot dogs, as well as beer and wine. The meat is locally grown.

“We have grab and go sandwiches, doughnuts and coffee to go,” said Raven Donovan, the store manager.

The cafe serves breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu consists of eggs Benedict, French toast and pancakes. It also serves avocado toast, biscuits, waffles, biscuits and gravy and hash browns. The patty cake consists of two griddle cakes, two sausage patties with the option of blueberries and Nutella. It also serves corned beef hash with two eggs and toast or biscuit. Other specialities include the country benny, Big John’s bacon samich, the Ellsworth and the early riser.

“We have a lot of regulars,” said Donovan. “A lot of people don’t know we have a cafe here.”

The lunch menu includes daily specials. It offers three kinds of salad, including a chef’s salad. The quaint cafe also offers sandwiches and baskets. Breaded tenderloin, BLT club sandwich and chicken sandwich are on the menu. The baskets consist of corkscrew shrimp basket and chicken tender basket. The entrees include coleslaw, cottage cheese or fries. Seasoned fries are also offered.

Specialty burgers are also served in the cafe. The burgers include a copycat mac (like a Big Mac), Frisco melt, classic cheeseburger, patty melt, brunch burger and a breaded cheeseburger.

“We have fresh, hand-smashed burgers,” said Donovan.

Sides and extras include garlic cheese curds, onion rings, battered fries, cottage

cheese and coleslaw.

On Friday, the cafe serves fresh fish with chips and coleslaw. Dinner service is available Wednesday to Saturday.

The cafe offers dine-in and outdoor seating. It also offers carry-out. The cafe also does catering for parties of 50 or fewer.

“We do a lot of carry-outs,” said Donovan.

The cafe’s bar came from Holiday Lodge and was fully restored. The owner wanted it because it was part of history, said Donovan.

The owner is Steve Kesler and Roger Rapsavage is the general manager.

Kesler opened the business with the idea of having somewhere for locals to go, said Rapsavage.

“It’s a friendly environment,” he said.

“I’ve never had such good customers, an amazing group of people,” added Donovan. “We are the heartbeat of Tippy.”

Cafe Hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The kitchen closes at 2 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and is open until 7:30 p.m. on the other days. There is plenty of parking in the front and back of the building.

A marina is located at Tippy Lake and it sells gas, has pontoon rentals, food and a snack shack with ice cream and snow cones, “right on the lake,” said Donovan.