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Nutcrackers Nappanee take over
By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor
Nutcrackers have taken over Nappanee - literally.
“My goal was 20 nutcrackers,” said Jeff Stillson, the man behind the mission. “We ended up with 56 of them.”
It all started a year ago when Stillson put out a call for sponsorships for the project.
Stillson, who runs the Nappanee Arts Center and serves as its president, said the idea took off in a big way.
“It was amazing, the responses,” he said.
The town-wide display features more than 100 uniquely painted, life-sized nutcracker sculptures created with the help of local artists and business owners.
Each nutcracker is one of a kind. Stillson said he chose nutcrackers because people could be more creative with them.
Individuals or businesses could sponsor a nutcracker, which covered the cost. They could then paint it themselves, hire someone, or ask an artist to complete it.
“We also created a nutcracker committee,” said Stillson.
Through Dec. 31, people may walk the streets of Nappanee looking at the hand-painted, 5-foot tall nutcrackers that greet visitors during the holiday season.
These original pieces of art are unique to each artist and are double-sided, creating 112 different characters to see.
“It was a yearlong project,” said Stillson.
Several groups participated in the Nutcrackers in Nappanee project. Students from Woodview and Wakarusa elementary schools created nutcrackers and five groups from ADEC traveled to Nappanee to participate in the community art effort.
In total, 35 artists contributed, ranging from amateurs to professionals.
The nutcrackers were stored in the old fire station until they were placed around
NAPPANEE NUTCRACKER — This is just one of many nutcrackers placed all over Nappanee.
the city Nov. 1.
Each nutcracker was clear-coated with an automotive coating, to help them last for years.
Donors have been asked to pick them up Dec. 31 and store them for another year.
The Nappanee Nutcrackers have also made the city a destination for holiday activities, Stillson noted. In conjunction with Miracles at Main and Market Streets, set for Dec. 6, Nappanee will host events and activities throughout the day, not just at night.
In addition S. Claus and Co., located in downtown Nappanee, sells Christmas-related items.
“There’s 15 or so vendors selling items and food,” said Stillson.
“Art adds vibrancy to a community,” Stillson said. “It puts a smile on someone’s face.”
For more information or to view more photos, visit the Facebook page, Nutcrackers in Nappanee.
Stillson said he hopes to continue the project next year - even bigger and betterand hopes it helps keep the arts alive in Nappanee.
ALL READY These nutcrackers were housed in the old fire station before being placed around the city. There are over 100
uniquely painted, life-sized nutcracker sculptures placed around Nappanee. Photo provided by Jeff Stillson.
DIFFERENT DESIGNS Each nutcracker is two-sided with a different design on each side.
NAPPANEE ARTIST Artist Jeff Stillson stands outside The Nappanee Arts Center with one of over 100 nutcrackers placed around Nappanee. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
Martin’s Supermarket • Menards Ollie’s • Runnings
Fritcher-White finds his niche in the tattoo world
Text and Photos
By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
Across the rushing stream of traffic on Warsaw’s busy Detroit Street, the neon lights of Take Action Tattoo and Gaming blink like a beacon. The inside of the shop is its own world, a place where tattoo apprentice Orion Fritcher-White has found camaraderie and a calling.
As a teenager, Fritcher-White realized traditional schooling was not for him. He got his
high school equivalency from Warsaw Adult Education, “and I’ve been pursuing my dreams and working for the man since then.” What he’s truly passionate about is fine art.
“I’d really like to become a full-time painter, probably more realistically in my latter years,” he said. “Tattooing seems to be the most lucrative form of art I could pursue. ... I just really like the atmosphere and the people that come and go through the tattoo industry. There’s never a shortage of
conversation here and I think it’s a lot of fun.”
He credits his mother with encouraging him in his tattooing journey. With that support behind him, he began an apprenticeship at Take Action a few months ago.
“I feel like this place just had that perfect puzzle piece, and I fell right into it,” he remarked. He loves to talk to new people at the shop and “realize how small the world is.”
Day to day, Fritcher-White works on his tattooing assignments, practicing on paper and eventually silicon “fake skin” before he can move on to clients. Consistent linework is a vital skill to master.
“My heavens, is it a journey,” he said.
Owner John Brown has his apprentices practice with brush pens, which require a very delicate hand and consistent pressure, adding an extra challenge.
“Put just a microscopic
amount of extra pressure on there and you can just absolutely destroy the taper you had going, or create a very inconsistent splotch on that line,” he explained.
Rather than representing reality, Fritcher-White favors more abstract styles like cubism and the graffiti-like “wild style.” He describes it as “very weird, very disproportionate, incredibly silly and almost childlike, in essence.”
During his apprenticeship, he’s also learned something about the dense history and culture of tattoo artistry.
“Historically, may of the people who would do the tattooing procedure were shamanic, or the tattoos themselves were a rite of passage,” he said. In some ways, he believes, a tattoo artist still serves a similar role to the wise ones of ages past.
“It’s a lot like being treated like a therapist,” he reflected. “These people will not only come to you with a biological
canvas, but they also come to you with things they might be having trouble processing ... or things that are going on in their life, and I think there’s something very meaningful about that.”
Between apprenticing and working on commission pieces, Fritcher-White stays busy, but he has ambitions of starting his own artist’s collective one day.
“Maybe a society of sorts, with secret handshakes,” he joked. On a more serious note, he has an interest in geopolitics, and wants to create a space where artists can freely converse and form consensus about them.
“I feel like the principle of art is to be able to address controversies and issues in our world,” he said.
Fritcher-White also enjoys playing games with friends, particularly chess.
Zimmer Biomet named to Forbes’ Best Companies
Zimmer Biomet has been named to the 2026 Forbes America’s Best Companies list and ranked No. 3 on Forbes’ America’s Best-in-State list for Indiana and the only company in Kosciusko County.
Forbes’ America’s Best Companies list recognizes top employers for innovation, employee experience, customer trust and workplace culture, according to information provided by Zimmer Biomet.
“Zimmer Biomet is proud to call Warsaw home for nearly 100 years,” Savannah Strup of Zimmer Biomet corporate communications wrote in an email. “This recognition (reflects) our deep commitment to bold innovation, our team members and purpose-driven growth - all rooted in northern Indiana.”
DESIGN WORK — A closeup on Fritcher-White’s chessboard reflects his taste for cubism and “wild style,” a style he describes as silly, disproportionate and almost childlike.
GAME TIME — Orion Fritcher-White, left, plays a game of chess on his custom chessboard with tattoo artist Jack Moeller at Take Action Tattoo and Gaming, Warsaw. A fresh tattoo apprentice, Fritcher-White works on pieces like these when not practicing his skills.
Miracles at Main and Market Streets Dec. 6
The Miracles at Main and Market Street Parade Committee presents the annual Christmas celebration and tradition in downtown Nappanee. This cherished event always takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving, bringing holiday magic to the heart of the community.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Parade line-up begins at 6:30 p.m. at Nappanee Elementary School, 755 E. Van Buren St.
At 7 p.m. a parade procession begins and at 7:30 p.m. the parade concludes at the downtown pavilion.
At 7:40 p.m. festivities at the downtown pavilion include carol singing, the reading of the “Christmas Story” by Mayor Phil Jenkins and free cookies and hot chocolate.
The grand finale is the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. In the spirit of giving, the City of Nappanee, Newmar Corporation, and Lippert are partnering to support the Toys for Tots campaign. Parade attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to help bring holiday joy to children in need
throughout the community.
For more information or parade route, visit nappanee.in.gov or call (574) 773-2112.
FESTIVE PARADE Members of Encounter Church of Nappanee created a nativity scene on its float for the Miracles at Main and Market Street Parade last year. This year’s event is Dec. 6. Photo by Nathan Pace.
ALL LIT UP This firetruck was all lit up during last year’s parade in Nappanee. Photo provided by city of Nappanee.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS Festivities at the downtown pavilion, include carol singing, the reading of the “Christmas Story” by Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins and free cookies and hot chocolate.
Photo provided by city of Nappanee.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE Nappanee’s Christmas tree will be lit up after the parade. Photo provided by city of Nappanee.
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Maple Leaf Farms duck featured on national CBS show
Maple Leaf Farms duck was recently featured on an episode of “The Takeout with Major Garrett” that aired Thursday, Nov. 20.
Maple Leaf Farms national accounts manager Alli Tucker joined host Major Garrett to discuss serving duck for the holidays and demonstrate how to fix the company’s fully cooked roast half duck.
“Maple Leaf Farms duck has been growing in popularity in recent years,” said Tucker. “We are thrilled to have had an opportunity to join a respected journalist like Major Garrett to highlight how our duck is a simple and delicious dish to enjoy during the holidays.”
“The Takeout with Major Garrett” is a weeknight broadcast that streams on all CBS platforms. It also airs as a podcast on a variety of platforms. The show has a global reach, with upward of 100,000 views per segment on its YouTube channel alone.
“Although Thanksgiving turkey is a tradition for some families, more and more consumers are searching for other options with more flavor and faster prep time,” said Tucker. “Maple Leaf Farms duck is a great alternative to turkey. With its rich flavor and versatility, duck can be the star of any festive menu or
everyday meal.” Visit mapleleaffarms.com to access a product locator and find a store that carries Maple Leaf Farms duck products or order online.
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor, We would like to thank the local businesses and individuals who donated money and items to our Treasures for Kidz
We welcome readers’ letters.
event, which was held on Nov. 9 this year. This is our 37th year working with Combined Community Services to provide for the children and families of Kosciusko County.
ABATE of Kosciusko County (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education)
Our requirements are as follows: Letters must be written to the editor, not the public. They must be signed with full name in ink. Signatures 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. Letters may be emailed to dpatterson@the-papers.com. Again, letters must include an address and phone number. 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 PAPER,’114 W. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED — Maple Leaf Farms products were the highlight of a recent segment of CBS’s “The Takeout with Major Garrett.” Photo provided by Maple Leaf Farms.
‘Share Nite’ raises more than $500 for WCHS Club
Culver’s on Jalynn Street, Warsaw, just off SR 15, recently held a “Share Nite” for Health Occupations Students of America.
HOSA is a student-led club oriented for future health care professionals, which is part of Warsaw Community High School.
The “Share Nite” event, from which a portion of sales proceeds are donated to a nonprofit group, raised more than $500 for
the club.
To find out more about HOSA, contact Tabitha McDonald at tmcdonald@warsawschools.org.
If you are a nonprofit and want to schedule a “Share Nite,” contact James Woodcox at Culver’s at (574) 306-2107.
Southeast Missouri State University welcomes students
Southeast Missouri State University is proud to celebrate its newest students beginning their first year at SEMO. A local student is Augusta Garr of Pierceton.
Students are stepping fearlessly into a community built on big dreams, bold support and real-world experience. At SEMO, every student is backed by mentors who believe in their potential, challenged through hands-on learning from day one and inspired to turn their passions into purpose-driven careers.
With more than 175 pro-
grams; Missouri’s only campus dedicated to art, dance, music and theatre; championship-winning Division 1 athletics; and a community that stands shoulder to shoulder with its students, SEMO is where ambition finds its home - and where fearless futures begin.
club. Photo provided by James Woodcox.
Huntington banker attends national meeting for community bank leaders
Community bankers around the country gathered in Washington last week to discuss the latest challenges currently facing community banks across the country, according to Michael Zahn, president and chief executive officer of First Federal Savings Bank. Zahn, who attended the American Bankers Association Community Bankers Council
meeting Nov. 17-19, said the bankers talked at length about public policy, operations and business issues that might impact the nation’s home town banks and their communities.
“Community banks are such a vital part of our financial industry’s infrastructure,” said Zahn. “The strength and success of these banks have a great impact on the vitality of the communities they serve.”
Bankers had lengthy discussions on public policy, business and operations priorities. Legislative priorities discussions focused on deposit insurance modernization, market struc-
CLOSER TO PIONEERING TECHNIQUES, SAME-DAY DISCHARGES, THE LIFE YOU DESERVE.
ture and debanking legislation, agricultural issues and credit union oversight. Discussions on regulatory priorities included rule making for Sections 1033 and 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, indexing of key asset thresholds, and supervision and appeals, as well as Bank Secrecy Act reporting reform and digital asset regulation. Council members also had a chance to exchange ideas on ways to generate deposits, manage liquidity and interest rate risk, prevent fraud, leverage technology and artificial intelligence, develop the next generation of bankers, and many other business and
operations best practices.
The ABA Community Bankers Council, which meets twice a year, is made up of approximately 100 bankers across the country from institutions with generally less than $5 billion in assets. Members are appointed by the ABA chair.
Zahn is the third generation to hold the title of president and CEO at First Federal Savings Bank and has been with the bank for more than 28 years. He is a past chair of the Indiana Bankers Association, the local Optimist Club, Junior Achievement, Huntington YMCA, the Bowen Center, the
Huntington County Chamber of Commerce and Lime City Economic Development and was a past campaign chairman for the Huntington United Way. Zahn currently serves on the boards of the Huntington County United Way and the Huntington University Foundation. He also serves on several committees for the Indiana Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. First Federal Savings Bank has been in business since 1912 and has nine branches that serve all of the Huntington, Fort Wayne, Warsaw and Roanoke communities.
MICHAEL ZAHN
SHARE NITE Pictured from left are Ivette Brooke, Culver’s; Tabitha McDonald, Health Occupations Students of America Club at Warsaw Community High School; and James Woodcox, Culver’s. Culver’s, located north of Warsaw, off SR 15, recently held a Share Nite and raised more than $500 for the
Kosciusko REMC opens youth program applications
Kosciusko REMC has opened applications for its 2026 youth programs, which include three different programs for different age groups.
Programs include the student art contest, the Washington, D.C.; youth tour and page day. Thee programs are made possible through Kosciusko REMC’s partnership with Indiana Electric Cooperatives.
The student art contest is open to all kindergarten through
12th-grade students who want to showcase their artistic talents. A first-place artist will be selected for each grade level, and each winner will receive a $200 prize. Honorable mentions will also be selected and awarded $50 each. Winning artwork may be featured in Indiana Connection, displayed at the IEC annual meeting in Indianapolis and exhibited throughout the IEC statewide office. Artwork must be submitted by Feb. 27, 2026.
Crack open a book during the NPL winter reading challenge
This December, the Nappanee Public Library invites the community to Crack Open a Book during the Winter Reading Challenge, inspired by the citywide Nutcrackers in Nappanee project.
Participants can visit the Library to sign up and receive a punch card. Earn a punch by reading 250 minutes or attending a library program. Complete all three punches to finish the challenge and receive a free book and a sweet treat. Every-
one who registers will earn one grand prize ticket, plus one ticket for each punch on their card. Grand prizes include gift cards, local goodies like frozen meats and homemade breads, toys, small appliances and more. No library card is required to join and all reading counts!
The Library will host fun events and activities for all ages throughout the month, including a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Washington, D.C., youth tour will take place June 14-21, 2026. IEC sponsors a group of students going into their senior year of high school to go on an educational adventure to Washington, D.C. Highlights of the seven-day trip include visits to historical monuments and museums and meetings on Capitol Hill with Indiana’s congressional delegation. The 2026 Youth Tour trip’s expenses are paid for students selected to participate. Application deadline is Feb. 13, 2026.
Page day is Jan. 27, 2026, and during the day, students explore the Statehouse, step into the role of a lawmaker through a mock bill activity, hear from government leaders and connect face to face with their state legislators. Students also get an inside look at how laws are made and the role citizens play in the democratic process. The program is open to high school students who can provide their own transportation to and from the Statehouse. Application deadline is Jan. 9, 2026.
“We believe the future of our community rests with our youth, and we are committed to investing in them by providing these opportunities to learn about electrical safety, energy, the electric cooperative model, history, government and leadership,” said Tim Landrigan, president and chief executive officer of Kosciusko REMC.
To learn more and apply for these opportunities, visit the KREMC website at kremc. com, or contact Laura Seney at lseney@kremc.com or (574) 2690354.
Learn more
about stress and health
Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life? Stress can build gradually until it feels unmanageable.
A program is designed to provide practical strategies and techniques which people can use during high-stress situations. Participants will learn effective coping skills to manage stress, improve resilience, and regain a sense of balance in daily life.
Join Purdue Extension for this free educational program presented by Emily Christ, Purdue University Extension Educator
in Health and Human Sciences in Elkhart County. This program is offered at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office, located on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, Goshen. The program will be about one hour long. To register, call Jenn at (574) 533-0554 or email fink24@purdue.edu.
If you are in need of accommodations, an intrepreter or translator to attend this program, contact Christ prior to the meeting at (574) 533-0554 or ewitters@ purdue.edu by Nov. 26.
Purdue Extension Elkhart County program on heart healthy nutrition
Heart-healthy eating is an important way to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. With heart disease being the top cause of deaths in Americans, it is im-
portant to choose heart-healthy foods. In this program, we will go over a list of heart-healthy foods and share recipes that are beneficial for one’s heart-health.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
Join this free educational program presented by Emily Christ, Purdue University Extension Educator in Health & Human Sciences in Elkhart County. This program is being offered at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Elkhart Public Library – Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave., Elkhart. To register, call Jenn at (574) 533-0554 or email fink24@purdue.edu. The program will last about 1 hour.
If you are in need of accommodations or an interpreter or translator to attend a program, contact Christ at the number above or ewitters@purdue.edu.
Walls Ceilings
Walls Ceilings
Walls
Window And Door Trim
Window And Door Trim
Ceilings
Stairways
Stairways
Window And Door Trim
Woodwork Staining
Stairways
Woodwork Staining
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Small Patch Repair
Woodwork Staining
Small Patch Repair
Drywall Repair
Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls
Drywall Repair
Small Patch Repair
Drywall Repair
Great Service – Reasonable Rates References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075
Great Service – Reasonable Rates
References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075
Great Service – Reasonable Rates
References Available Upon Request.
574-304-5075
MEMORABLE TRIP McKale Hagg is shown during the 2023 Washington, D.C. Youth Tour sponsored by Kosciusko REMC. Photo provided by Kosciusko REMC.
Twas the Right Before Christmas
Maximize the impact of charitable giving
(StatePoint) Charitable giving and helping communities provide many of us with a sense of purpose and joy. However, giving back looks different for everyone. No matter your charitable giving goals, thoughtful planning can help tailor your strategy to best help your chosen charity and your own finances.
To help you make the most of your charitable giving, the professionals at Edward Jones are sharing some tips and advice: Choose Wisely Selecting a deserving organi-
zation is a personal decision and depends on what’s meaningful to you. Would you prefer your donation stay in the community, or would you like it to have national or global impact? Whatever you choose, make sure the charity is trustworthy.
To ensure the organization is a qualified charity, look for it on the IRS’ Tax-Exempt Organization Search, the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or the non-profit Charitynavigator.org that rates charities based on financial health, accountability and transparency.
Perfect holiday gifts are now available from Indiana DNR
Cross those hard-to-buy-for people off your shopping list in a snap by giving them a 2026 holiday gift pack, or giving a gift card for a hunting, trapping, or fishing license from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The gift card for hunting, trapping, or fishing is a great way to help someone plan their next outdoor adventure. A gift card can be purchased in any denomination at GoOutdoorsIN.com by logging into your account or selecting guest checkout.
The holiday gift packs, with only a limited quantity available, can be used the whole year, whether the recipient enjoys camping under the stars or sleeping in the comfort of an Indiana State Park Inn after enjoying the outdoors. The gift pack saves you as much as $27 compared with buying the items individually.
A gift pack includes a 2026 annual entrance pass, a one-year subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, and one of two $65 gift card options. One gift card option can be used at the campgrounds.
Another gift card option is a State Park Inns gift card. You also have the option of upgrading either gift card to $100 by paying $35 more. Indiana has 36 state park properties throughout the state. The annual entrance pass admits your vehicle and all inside it for all of 2026 to all state park properties beginning Jan. 1.
The inns gift card can be used at any State Park Inn, as well as at the award-winning Pete Dye-designed golf course at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The card can also be used for lodging, meals in the Inns dining rooms, or gift purchases.
The camping gift card may also be used to purchase daily entrance, lake permits, horse tags, and any other items sold at gatehouses and park-operated stores and gift shops. The camping gift card cannot be used at any privately operated concessions, camp stores, marinas, or saddle barns.
The offer is available through Dec. 31, or when sold out. Gift packs can be purchased only at shopINStateParks.com.
Check Tax Deductibility
Qualified nonprofits include religious, charitable, educational, scientific and literary charities, as well as those dedicated to helping children and animals. Political organizations and candidates are not eligible.
To claim a charitable tax deduction, you must donate to qualified organizations in good standing with the IRS. Go to IRS.gov to find out if contributions to the organization you select are tax deductible. A financial advisor can work with your tax professional to determine the most tax-efficient way to give to a cause.
Support Comes In Many Forms
If you aren’t able to contribute financially, consider donating time, clothes or household items that are in good shape but no longer used. Many organizations have lists of needed things on their websites.
might benefit from exploring advanced charitable giving strategies. Trusts, annuities, donor advised funds, and foundations are all things to consider with the benefit of input from professionals, such as your financial advisor and tax preparer.
Keep Records
To learn more about how to maximize the impact of your charitable giving, visit EdwardJones.com.
Whether you have been philanthropic for decades or are just starting to donate, there’s likely a giving solution that fits your goals.
If you plan to itemize charitable deductions, the IRS requires that you substantiate them. For amounts less than $250, records such as a canceled check, bank statement or credit card receipt can suffice. For donations of $250 or more, you must obtain a receipt or other written acknowledgement of the donation from the charity.
Consider Control And Flexibility
If you desire control and flexibility - or if you have unique needs - you
the Right ChristmasBefore
(StatePoint) The holiday season is a joyous time of year, but it can also throw your wellness routines out of alignment. Doctors advise prioritizing healthy choices during this period, so you can start 2025 on the right foot.
“Everyone’s holiday wish is to be happy, health and safe, but the season is often a time for overindulgence in food and drink, increased stress and exposure to respiratory illness,” says Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the American Medical Association.
The AMA recommends taking these steps during the holidays:
1. Vaccines are a safe and remarkably effective defense from a number of serious respiratory viruses that circulate in the fall and winter. To protect yourself and your family, get up to date on your vaccines, including the annual flu shot, as well as the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older.
Vaccines are also available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Tools to protect infants during RSV season include maternal vaccination as well as the monoclonal antibody immunization. If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.
2. Watch what you eat. Pay particular attention to labels and avoid processed foods as much as you can, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Consider having a healthy snack before the big meal or offer to bring a healthier dish for the holiday spread. Drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, and eat nutritious, whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables alongside richer holiday fare
stand your risk and take charge of your health.
5. Prioritize your mental health. Factors like holiday spending and navigating time with extended family can bring on extra seasonal stress. You can help manage stress by getting sufficient sleep, exercising and seeking help from a mental health professional when you need it.
6. Make smart choices and plan ahead if you’re driving. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 Americans died in alcohol impaired-driving crashes. Do not drive under any circumstances if you intend to drink. And if you are the designated driver, make a 100% commitment to sobriety.
7. Be prepared when traveling. Whether you’re flying or taking a road trip, you might be tempted to grab convenient, unhealthy food for the journey. Consider packing your own snacks, such as fresh fruits and vegetables or small portions of dried fruits and nuts.
3. Stick to your exercise schedule and prioritize physical activity during this busy time of year. A good rule of thumb for adults is at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Brisk walks, bike rides, hikes and even family-friendly sports like basketball and touch football are good for heart health.
4. Use time with relatives to find out whether your family has a history of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and whether other family members have been told they have prediabetes. With this information, you can better under-
8. Get New Year’s resolutions started early. Speak with your doctor or health care professional about quitting tobacco and nicotine use, and declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
“The holiday season is a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends – it’s also a chance to reconnect with your physical and mental health,” says Dr. Scott.
Twas the Right Before Christmas
(StatePoint) Holiday season travelers are a key target for scammers, and criminals are looking to cash in on you being distracted. Visa has observed an uptick in 2025 of sophisticated, travel-related scams where well-known travel providers are convincingly impersonated, and, according to a McAfee Travel Report, one in five Americans has fallen victim to a travel scam.
Artificial intelligence has made it easier to be duped by fake websites, calls, email and texts. Even just ordering car service can open you up to being scammed by impersonators that may contact you directly through an otherwise trusted app.
Here are scams to watch for while traveling:
• Fake QR codes. Scammers will replace real QR codes with
fake ones to redirect your phone to a malicious website.
• Juice jacking. If you plug a phone or laptop into a public charging station, hackers can potentially compromise the outlet to transfer malware to or steal data from a connected device.
• Hacked luggage. Smart luggage with built-in USB chargers, GPS tracking and digital locks can be hacked. Scammers can locate your bags and unlock them remotely.
Maintaining vigilance is the best way to avoid trouble while traveling, but here are some additional preventative measures you can take:
• Apply scrutiny. Be suspicious of anyone emailing, calling, messaging or approaching you in person, possibly in a company uniform, claiming to need your
personal information.
• Take control. Keep your personal information, payment cards and devices with you under your control.
• Verify contact. Before responding to an email, call, text or voice message, disconnect and research contact information to verify legitimacy.
• Look for tampering. Be leery of QR codes that appear to be affixed by a sticker. Also watch for skimming devices on gas pumps by jiggling them. If there is any movement, don’t insert your card.
• Check websites. If you scan a QR code, a web link will appear. Review it carefully for anomalies and type in a legitimate website address rather than clicking the link.
• Charge cautiously. Use your own charging adapter and cable instead of public USB ports.
• Secure devices. Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned off on all devices - even smart luggagewhen not in use. When using the internet, opt to connect through data roaming rather than public Wi-Fi and use a VPN whenever possible.
• Wait to post. Don’t post your travel photos showing you are away from home until you return.
For more information on best practices to help prevent fraud, visit PNC’s Security and Priva-
cy Center.
By taking the necessary precautions, you can help protect yourself and make the festive season a time of good cheer rather than crisis.
DON’T BE A SCAM TARGET Holiday travelers are key targets for scammers. Take necessary precautions to protect yourself. Photo from (c) g-stockstudio / iStock via Getty Images Plus.
North Webster offers Chamber Cash
By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor
It’s the holidays and North Webster offers several places to use Chamber Cash.
The North Webster-Tippecanoe Chamber of Commerce offers Chamber Cash, which can be used at 26 businesses in town.
Emily Shipley, chamber director, said there’s a wide range of
businesses to choose from.
“There’s also JB’s Furniture in Warsaw,” she said.
Businesses in North Webster include anything from massages, pest control, computers, jewelry, lawn care, floral, firearms, haircuts, and a coffee shop to carpet cleaning, apparel and gifts and cabin rentals.
“There’s a wide variety of options,” Shipley noted.
People are sure to find something for everyone on their Christmas list and the money stays local.
“They also make great stocking stuffers,” said Shipley of Chamber Cash.
Chamber Cash benefits the North Webster community.
“it brings people into the local shops to support our local businesses,” said Shipley. “These are
PEDALS AND PADDLES — Pedals and Paddles in North Webster is a locally-owned, family business. It is a one-stop destination for all things watersports, bicycling, and general sporting goods. It carries kayaks, canoes, e-bikes, paddlesports, apparel, life jackets, and accessories as well as disc golf and pickleball equipment.
Located at 105 E. Esterbrook Drive, North Webster, it will be expanding in the near
by
800 square feet to the store, said owner Steve Huffman. Call (574) 244-2279 or visit pedals-paddles.com for more information.
small business owners.” To purchase Chamber Cash, email nwttchamber@gmail. com and certificates will be mailed to you or visit northwebster.com.
Present the Chamber Cash to any participating chamber business member listed on the back of the certificate. There’s no cash value. No change will be given, and the certificate must be spent in its entirety or forfeited, and must be spent at one member.
Chamber Cash expires after a year, so they even be used in 2026.
Participating businesses are: Pedals and Paddles, Dock of the Bay Cabin Rentals, JB’s Furniture, Sue’s Creations, Maverick Promotions, Vintage Antique Marketplace, Guy’s Lawn Care,
Artistry in Gold, Mastermind Computers, Shortt’s Pest Control, Ace Hardware in North Webster, Tangibles Resale and Consignment, A.K. Hare Co., Surveyor Michael Kissinger, Kinetic Firearms, Caliber Designs, Absolute Apparel and Gifts, Amazing Carpet Care, Scrub-A-Dub Laundry, Clayton’s Garden Center Pilcher’s Shoes, Pine Outdoor Apparel, Tippy Creek Winery, The River (all locations), and North Webster Community Center Massage Therapy.
and Lillian Kelsey.
Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
CHAMBER CASH
CHAMBER CASH The North Webster-Tippecanoe Chamber of Commerce offers Chamber Cash, which can be spent at participating North Webster businesses. Pictured are Emily Shipley, left, chamber director,
Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
ShopNorth
By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor
Ye
store in North Webster. Its store is stocked with the best bait, rods and reels, line and terminal tackle, as well as live bait. Whether you’re looking for something specific or need help finding exactly what you’re after, its helpful, friendly staff will be happy to assist you in anyway they can.
The shop serves North Webster and the surrounding areas. It first opened in 1951 and moved to its current location in 1958. Owner Joe Denton bought it in 2019.
Ye Olde Tackle Box carries a variety of fishing rods, from the cheapest to high-end kind, said Denton. It carries fishing gear for open-water fishing and ice fishing. Currently, Denton said he is gearing up for ice fishing season. His store carries a variety of gear for ice fishermen, including Norfin ice fishing boots and floating suits, clothing, augers, ice shelters and heaters. Brands include Razr, Eskimo, Clam and Frabill.
It sells Shappell jet sleds, which are ideal for ice fishing.
In addition, it sells brands like Strike King, Berkley, X-Zone, Savage Gear, X-Man, Seaguar, Lew’s, Daiwa and Abu Garcia.
For muskie fishermen, the store has a dedicated section of fishing gear. Each part of the store has a section for different fishing gear, said Denton, such as muskie. As for Savage Gear, Denton noted, “We are their largest muskie retailer.”
It also carries St. Croix, Dobyns, Ugly Sticks and G. Loomis fishing rods.
If it is bait you’re after, look no further than Ye Olde Tackle Box. It has baits and lures for panfish, bass and muskie.
It also has an online store; however, there is no ice fishing gear on its website. Visit yeoldetacklebox. net, yeoldetackleboxnorthwebsterin.com or its Facebook page for details.
“We don’t sell fishing rods online either,” said Denton.
Winter hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours may vary; call for details.
For more information, call (574) 834-2011 or visit 708 S. Main St., North Webster.
NWCC hosting Breakfast with Santa
The North Webster Community Center is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Enjoy a free breakfast, meet Santa, snap photos, do free crafts, and soak in the Christmas cheer. There will be fun for children and families of all ages.
Breakfast will be prepared
by the Lakeland Kiwanis Club, North Webster. It will be serving pancakes, sausages and eggs and beverages for everyone to enjoy. NWCC is located at 301 N. Main St., North Webster.
ICE FISHING GEAR — Ye Olde Tacklebox carries a variety of ice fishing gear such as these tents. Owner Joe Denton, pictured, said his
store also carries other ice fishing equipment, clothing, sleds and gear. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
WARSAW GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT EASTERN TIME
Nov. 4 at Fort Wayne Snider 4A W 51-47
Nov. 8 Norwell 4A W 69-55
Nov. 11 at Fort Wayne Northrop 4A W 67-44
Nov. 15 at Valparaiso 4A W 60-49
Nov. 18 South Bend Riley 4A W 67-10
Nov. 22 N Jennings County 3A 6:00 pm Brownsburg
Nov. 25 Penn 4A 7:30 pm
Dec. 2 NorthWood 3A © 7:45 pm
Dec. 6 at Wawasee 3A © 7:30 pm
Dec. 10 at Carroll (Fort Wayne) 4A 7:30 pm
Dec. 12 at Plymouth 3A © 7:30 pm
Dec. 16 Columbia City 3A 7:45 pm
Dec. 22 N Evansville Central 3A 11:00 am tournament
DATE OPPONENT EASTERN TIME
Dec. 30 N Fairfield 3A 8:00 pm Hoosier Gym
Jan. 2 Warsaw Tournament TBA thru Jan. 3
Jan. 10 Northridge 4A © 7:45 pm
Jan. 14 Mishawaka 4A © 7:45 pm
Jan. 17 at Goshen 4A © 7:30 pm
Jan. 20 Homestead 4A 7:30 pm
Jan. 22 at Tippecanoe Valley 3A 7:30 pm
Jan. 24 Concord 4A © 3:30 pm
Jan. 28 at Bellmont 3A 7:30 pm
© NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE GAME
Coach: Lenny Krebs, 143-55 in 9th year at school, 273-229 in 23rd year overall
ASSISTANT COACHES: David Wayne, Ryan Bricker, Kevin Bragg, Josh Fitzgerald, Jarred Lovette
STUDENT ASST: Eva Demopoulos, Sadie Brown, Amber Whitaker JV HEAD COACH: Sarah Etchison
HATTON-SADLER FUNERAL CHAPELS
“Our families serving your family with professionalism, compassion and care.” Pierceton and Warsaw | 574-267-7123
Elkhart Goshen Middlebury Nappanee Wakarusa Warsaw Plymouth Silver Lake Ashkum, IL Kankakee, IL
DATE OPPONENT EASTERN TIME
Nov. 29 at Columbia City 3A 7:30 pm
Dec. 5 Homestead 4A 7:45 pm
Dec. 6 Huntington North 4A 2:30 pm
Dec. 13 Fort Wayne Blackhawk 3A 3:45 pm Grace College
Dec. 19 Wawasee 3A © 7:45 pm
Dec. 20 at Carroll (Fort Wayne) 4A 7:30 pm
Dec. 23 Merrillville 4A 7:45 pm
Dec. 26 N Indianapolis Lutheran 1:30 pm tournament
Dec. 30 N Providence 2A 5:30 pm Hoosier Gym
Jan. 9 at Northridge 4A © 7:45 pm
Jan. 16 Goshen 4A © 7:45 pm
Jan. 23 at Concord 4A © 7:45 pm Jan. 24 Garrett 3A 2:30 pm Jan. 30 at NorthWood 3A © 7:45 pm Jan. 31 Elkhart 4A 7:30 pm Feb. 5 at Mishawaka 4A © 7:45 pm Feb. 7 Fort Wayne North 4A 2:30 pm Feb. 10 Marion 3A 7:45 pm Feb. 13 Plymouth 3A © 7:45 pm
Feb. 20 at Harrison (West Lafayette) 4A 7:45 pm Feb. 24 at Tippecanoe Valley 3A 7:30 pm © NORTHERN LAKES CONFERENCE GAME Coach: Matt Moore, 89-37 in 6th year at school, 178-95 in 12th year overall
Grace College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Center for Movement and Well-Being Monday, Nov. 17, at the center’s new space located off the lobby of the Gordon Health and Wellness Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake. The center, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Charting the Future and College and Community Collaboration initiatives, is dedicated to helping Kosciusko County residents take ownership of their health and wellness through assessment, education, research and collaboration.
“Our mission is simple but powerful, and this new space is designed to ignite that mission,
engaging both our Kosciusko County community and our students in exploring the science of movement and well-being,” said Christina Walters, director of the center. “What excites me most isn’t the equipment, it’s the people and programs already filling this space. This center represents what’s possible when education, innovation and community come together.”
The center’s new space includes state-of-the-art technology, including an InBody Scan, VO₂max testing and a HumanTrak motion system that analyzes movement using just a camera and a computer. The center also has an anti-gravity treadmill to
enhance the training abilities of injured runners or those trying to get back to running.
Grace College students, faculty and staff were able to test the equipment at the ribbon cutting, as well as community partners from K21, YMCA, Parkview, Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw Community Schools and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
Through these partnerships, the center has already impacted the physical, social and emotional well-being of Kosciusko County residents through a broad range of programs, from the Youth Fall Lift program in partnership with the YMCA, to a postpartum exercise class for women and individual
assessments for those seeking to move better and live well.
“Our purpose at K21 is to help everyone in Kosciusko County live their healthiest life,” said Rich Haddad, President and CEO of K21 Health Foundation. “The Center for Movement and Well-being advances that mission by opening its doors to the public, providing essential programming and assessments and training the next generation of health professionals who will serve our community. As a partner, we’re truly excited about the impact the center and this facility will have on the health and well-being of Kosciusko County.”
The project is part of Grace College’s Catalyst Corridor, a series of
initiatives in Warsaw and Winona Lake that fall into four themes: innovation initiatives, well-being amenities, connection ways and enhanced placemaking.
“The Center for Movement and Well-being is one of the first projects to launch within the Catalyst Corridor,” said Grace College President Dr. Drew Flamm. “We look forward to many more dedications in the next three to four years as we work together on initiatives that embody Grace’s core values of pursuing excellence, valuing mentorship, and engaging deeply with our community.”
To learn more, visit grace.edu/ about/the-center-for-movementand-wellbeing.
Kosciusko REMC awards EnviroWatts grants to local nonprofits
Kosciusko REMC has awarded EnviroWatts grants to seven local nonprofit organizations totaling $11,645.
The EnviroWatts grant program is designed to benefit nonprofits focused on improving the environment locally in Kosciusko County and the surrounding area.
The 2025-2026 EnviroWatts grant recipients and their projects include:
• Baker Youth Club: Working to empower youth environmental education through science, technology, engineering and math.
• Claypool Elementary School: Creating compost area for outdoor garden and agricultural learning.
• The Watershed Foundation: Native landscaping for three-plus-acre properties.
• Lily Center for Lakes and
Streams: Native tree planting project.
• Acres Land Trust: Treating Japanese stillgrass at Wildwood Nature Preserve.
• Whitko Career Academy: Water quality improvement of Whitko Career Academy Pond.
• Magical Meadows: Installing motion sensor light switches in new arenas to save on energy.
“We are honored to be able to fund these creative and practical local projects that will improve the environment here in Kosciusko County for generations to come. With projects ranging from educating students about the environment, to planting trees, to saving energy, we are excited to see these projects come to life in our community,” said Tim Landrigan, president and chief executive officer of Kosciusko REMC.
The program is made possible through a partnership with Wabash Valley Power Alliance and by KREMC members, who choose to participate and donate 1 cent for each kilowatt-hour they use, up to
a max of $5 per month. The kilowatt-hours purchased with the money are guaranteed to be generated from a renewable, environmentally-friendly source, as well as going into the grant fund to
give back to the local community for environmental projects. Members can choose to participate in the program by calling KREMC’s office at (574) 267-6331 or visiting kremc.com/envirowatts.
North Webster UM Church receives $8,000 Dekko grant
The Dekko Foundation recently awarded $8,000 to the North Webster United Methodist Church in North Webster.
Dekko, a private family foundation located in Kendallville, awarded more than $487,000 in grants and pledges to nine youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grant making.
The grant to the North Webster church will support healthy early learning environments for young children.
Approaching its 45th year of service, the Dekko Foundation invests in youth-serving programs and organizations that align with its mission of “fostering economic freedom through education.”
Other organizations receiving grants and pledges included:
for student-led community performances.
• Central Noble Community School Corp., Albion: $15,000 to support after-school tutoring programs for students.
• Indiana Alliance of YMCAs Inc., Indianapolis: $130,000 to bring the Youth & Government program to YMCAs in northeast Indiana.
• Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Fort Wayne: $80,000 to allow students to develop financial literacy skills through JA programs in northeast Indiana.
• Stroh Church of Christ, Stroh:
$35,000 to support the training and development of new leadership at the early learning center.
• City of Murray, Murray, Iowa: $200,000 to improve playgrounds, community amenities and infrastructure at Mallory Park.
• Limestone County Schools, Athens, Ala.: $7,500 to engage elementary children in robotics programs that build problem-solving skills and creativity.
To learn more about the Dekko Foundation and its work, contact a program officer at (260) 347-1278 or visit the foundation’s website at dekkofoundation.org.
First Federal Savings Bank announces new hire
First Federal Savings Bank has announced a new hire.
• Ada-Borup-West Community School District, Ada, Minn.: $4,390 to purchase a ceramic pugmill for a high school art class, creating efficiencies and expanding students’ learning opportunities.
• Angola Performing Arts Academy Inc., Angola: $8,000 to purchase music and sound equipment
Karrie Kitch has joined the First Federal Savings Bank team as vice president of commercial lending at the southwest Fort Wayne location. Kitch brings 19-plus years of finan-
cial services ex perience to the team with experience in both commercial and private banking. She also has experience in financing and banking needs related to real estate, health care, commercial and industrial, and the needs of high net worth individuals.
KItch is also a board member and past board president for Erin’s House for the past 16 years. She resides in Fort Wayne with her husband and four children.
KARRIE KITCH
Magical Meadows marks progress on expansion project
The Magical Meadows therapeutic horseback riding facility near Warsaw is celebrating progress on its “Growing with Heart” capital campaign and expansion project.
Site work on the long-awaited expansion is now fully underway. Excavation crews are preparing the land, the horses have moved into their new fenced-in pastures, and the Jim and Jean Northenor Hay Barn is being moved to make room for the future facilities. In two weeks, concrete foundations will begin going into the ground.
The physical progress mirrors the campaign’s fundraising success. The Magical Meadows is able to announce a recent $250,000 pledge from Cameron and Shannon Silveus, whose generosity brings the project significantly closer to its goal. In addition, the Zimmer Biomet Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to support work at the facility.
These commitments, alongside
support from donors throughout the region, have helped drive advancement toward the $2 million campaign goal. As the year draws to a close, The Magical Meadows is also working toward raising an additional $140,000 by Dec. 31, which will unlock $200,000 in funding from the K21 Health Foundation to accelerate construction.
“In this season of Thanksgiving, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the individuals, families and organizations who are investing in the future of The Magical Meadows,” said Michael Kuhn, Magical Meadows executive director. “Every gift is helping us expand our capacity to serve more riders, provide more programs and transform this community to better serve people with disabilities, at-risk youth, veterans and first responders.”
Construction is expected to continue throughout the winter months, with the goal of having at least one of the new buildings com-
pleted by the start of the riding season in April.
Project details
Phase 1 of the expansion proj-
Breakfast with Santa Dec. 6 in Syracuse
Breakfast with Santa in Syracuse will be from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Syracuse Com-
munity Center. Santa will be there and a pancake and sausage breakfast will
be served. After breakfast, kids can make a craft, and enjoy cookies while listening to the Wawasee High School Christmas Band.
Admission for adults is $6 and kids 12 and under eat free.
This event is hosted by Wawasee Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus Council 6323, Boy Scout Troop 728 Syracuse, Syracuse Parks and Recreation, Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, Neighborhood Fresh and Syracuse Public Library.
ect will include the construction of two new indoor horseback riding arenas. The east arena will have 14,000 square feet and will be dedicated to serving veterans and first responders through The Magical Meadows’ Warriors Mount Up program. The 70-foot-by-200-foot facility will consist of a dirt floor riding arena, a climate-controlled lounge, accessible restrooms, stalls for horses, a tack room and storage for veterinary supplies and materials.
The west arena will have the same dimensions as the east facility, but its focus will be on serving individuals with disabilities and expanding the capacities of the nonprofit’s legacy therapeutic horseback riding programs. The west arena will also include an observation room for families and
caregivers of the riders, accessible restrooms, a tack room and storage space.
The Magical Meadows expects to see significant increases in participant numbers thanks to the expansion. The new facilities will also be fully equipped to accommodate year-round programming.
Phase 2 of the project will begin after the completion of the two new arenas. That project will cost an additional $1.5 million to $2 million and will involve a complete remodel of the existing indoor arena and office building that was built in 2011.
To learn more about The Magical Meadows and the Growing with Heart capital campaign, visit themagicalmeadows.org/growingwithheart or contact Kuhn at michael@ themagicalmeadows.org.
tail banking officer of the Pierceton branch.
E.
In this position, Miller leads sales and service efforts in the branch, manages the daily operations of the office and supports office staff in their efforts to provide quality service and build customer relationships. She has 20 years of experience in financial services, including eight years of previous experience with Lake City Bank.
Miller is a Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce ambassador and volunteers with Junior Achievement.
CHRISTINE
MILLER
WORK IN FULL SWING — Shown is a bird’s-eye view of site work taking place at The Magical Meadows therapeutic horseback riding facility near Warsaw as the facility begins an expansion. Photo provided by The Magical Meadows.
COMMUNITY HELPERS Some employees from Stafford’s Solid Waste stopped by Madison Elementary School in Warsaw as part of the kindergarten students’ study of careers and community helpers.The children were able to ask questions and explore the truck.
Pictured in front from left are Lilliana Cervantes, Charlotte Bailey, Santiago Aguilar and Charlie Shaw. Shown in back are Brett Dolgos, Christopher Dausman and Jaymin Siple. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.
Jerry Knepper
Jerry Knepper, 93, Warsaw, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, at Miller’s Merry Manor. Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Jeffry Motter
Jeffry Motter, 76, Claypool, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in his home.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Warsaw.
Births
Serenity Raine Miller
Matthew and LeEtta Miller, Bourbon, are the parents of a daughter, Serenity Raine, born at 3:23 p.m. Nov. 25, 2025, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Aerielle Jade Yoder
Caleb and LaVonda (Mast) Yoder, Bremen, are the parents of a daughter, Aerielle Jade, born at 1:44 a.m. Nov. 26, 2025, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces,
Donna Stewart
Donna Stewart, 97, Deland, Fla., and formerly of Syracuse, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in her residence.
Arrangements are currently pending at Titus Funeral Home of Syracuse.
Food bank sets mobile food distributions
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has set mobile food distributions for December.
Assorted food items are offered free of charge to those in need of food assistance. All items are preboxed and pre-bagged. Distribution is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. There is a limit of one box or bag of food per household.
and was 19 inches long.
Jack Ellis Yoder
Lamar and Eliza (Hochstetler) Yoder, Bremen, are the parents of a son, Jack Ellis, born at 11:01 a.m. Nov. 26, 2025, at Blessed Beginnings Care Center, Nappanee. He weighed 7 pounds, 6.6 ounces, and was 20 1/4 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Eddie and Diana Burkholder, Bremen, Paternal grandparents are Arlin and MaryAnn Yoder, Millersburg. Jack joins a sibling, Sally Elsbeth.
Distributions are drive-thru events. Recipients should remain in their vehicles and open their trunks to receive items. An area will be available for self-loading if your trunk does not open.
Elkhart County
1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Clayton Homes, 66700 SR 19, Wakarusa. This distribution is sponsored by Clayton Homes and will serve 200 households.
Kosciusko County
10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Mentone United Methodist
Warsaw basketball alumnus named to Basketball Hall Of Fame
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 64th Men’s Induction Class Tuesday, Nov. 25, and a Warsaw alumnus made the list. Rick Fox, a 1987 Indiana All-Star, is the newest Kosciusko County hoop star to be inducted.
At Warsaw, Fox totaled 824 points and 498 rebounds in 50 career games, averaging 12.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a sophomore for a 23-3 regional champion squad. His junior year he averaged 21.1 points and 11.8
rebounds while earning honorable mention All-State accolades for a 21-4 sectional championship team. The Indiana High School Athletic Association did not allow him to play as a senior, but he practiced with the team all season and was selected to the 1987 Indiana All-Stars and to the 1987 Capital Classic in Washington, D.C.
Fox went on to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina and played for
the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association. He won three NBA titles with the Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
After retiring from basketball, Fox found a second career in movies and television shows. He also worked as a basketball analyst for TNT and NBATV.
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is located in New Castle. Fox is one 18 members of the new Hall of Fame class.
Church, 116 E. Main St., Mentone. This distribution is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will serve 150 households. Organizations helping to sponsor food distributions include: Citizens Concerned for the Homeless,
Clayton Homes, Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund through Starke County Community Foundation and Starke County Health Department, St. Joseph Health System, United Way of Northwest Indiana and USDA.
Bremen teenager needs life-saving transplant
With the cost of a life-saving transplant often exceeding $800,000, most transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a national 501(c)3 charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses. In Bremen, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local teenager, Joselyn Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Consuelo and Jose Gonzalez. Born in 2006, Joselyn Gonzalez was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. The transplant team at Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, recommends a life-saving kidney transplant. Bremen volunteers are raising $45,000 for COTA to assist with transplant-related expenses.
Volunteers are needed for this COTA community campaign. Individuals and groups interested in more information should contact Campaign Coordinator Jennifer Meza at jengonzalez0320@yahoo. com or (574) 209-1313.
COTA helps transplant families avoid financial devastation. Trans-
plant procedure costs range from $100,000 to more than $800,000.
Once the transplant is complete, families face significant transplant-related expenses, including medication; transportation to and from the transplant center; lodging; and expenses while parents are out of work and often living with the hospitalized child far from home.
These out-of-pocket expenses add up to tens of thousands of dollars annually for transplant families with lifetime totals often exceeding $1,000,000. In cases where a shortfall exists, COTA helps bridge the financial gap.
Her family has asked for assistance from COTA and 100% of all funds raised for COTA in honor of patients assist with transplant-related expenses.
Contributions may be sent to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 W. COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN, 47403. Checks should be made payable to COTA, with “In Honor of Joselyn’s Journey” written on the memo line. Secure credit card gifts are accepted online at COTA.org/COTAforJoselynsJourney.
Submissions open for Tri Kappa spring scholarships
The state organization of Tri Kappa will award a variety of scholarships to college students throughout Indiana in the spring.
Scholarship Chair Nicole Smith, of the Warsaw Alpha Lambda Chapter, is currently seeking applicants for the following state scholarships:
• $1,000 academic scholar-
Tri Kappa has provided scholarships since 1914, recognizing students on the local, province and state levels. Chapters, provinces and the state organization combined gave more than $1.5 million in 2025 to honor academic achievement.
ships: To apply, students must be currently at least a sophomore or be in the second year of a community or junior college and transferring to a four-year program at the time of application and plan to be enrolled full time during the subsequent school year in a baccalaureate or graduate program.
Sophomore status refers to hours completed; applicants must have completed at least 30 semester hours (36 quarter hours) prior to application. Criteria used by the Tri Kappa selection committee are academic achievement, strong goals and extracurricular and work experiences.
• $1,000 Key and vocational scholarships: Key scholarships are directed to those students who have no previous degree beyond high school and have had a lapse in their education for at least five years. Those students enrolled in an accredited school offering an associate or baccalaureate degree who have completed one semester may apply. Vocational applicants should be students who will be enrolled in a post-high school accredited vocational, technical or trade certification program. Criteria used by the Tri Kappa selection committee for these two scholarships are academic achievement, strong goals and community and work experiences.
• $1,000 fine arts scholarships: Students majoring in art, art therapy, dance, drama, music or music therapy are eligible. To
apply, students must be currently enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate or graduate degree program, having completed at least one academic year following high school graduation.
• The Twanette Nutter Fleming Music Award: Amount varies; currently $1,000. Applicants for this award must be enrolled in a fully-accredited course of study leading to a degree to teach music in a private, public or parochial school. They must have completed at least one academic year following high school graduation.
Students wishing to apply for any of these scholarships are encouraged to contact the scholarship chair, Nicole Smith, at nicimsmith@yahoo.com for an application. Application deadline to the Warsaw Alpha Lambda chapter is Feb. 6, 2026, to be considered for submission to the state Tri Kappa organization. In addition to the state scholarships, the Warsaw Alpha Lambda Chapter of Tri Kappa also provides local scholarships. Contact your high school guidance counselor or the Warsaw Alpha Lambda scholarship chair for further details.
C ounty R epo R t
Court News
Small Claims
The following small claims have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding:
Money Matters Professional Collections LLC v. Robert C. Bentley, $297.42; v. Gina J. Hile, $1,478.74; v. Erika Hofacker, $695.59; v. Jason T. Holmes, $399.13; v. Daniel Huerta, $509.74; v. Kyla Kesler, $584.91; v. Kristina M. Krider-Nelson, $2,607.24; v. Sandra E. Marroquin, $789.60; v. Priscilla Phillips, $837.28; v. Vanessa E. Ramos, $458.02; v. Calvin Reece, $401; v. Alyssa L. Repine, $430.99; v. Oscar A. Sanchez, $462.49 Warsaw Health System LLC, d/b/a Kosciusko Community Hospital v. Travis Bradley, $1,360.20; v. Jeremy Brock, $872.45; v. Austin Cook, $1,349.24; v. Katie DeFries, $4,981.94; v. Jessica Dowell Redington, Ean Redington, $2,418.25; v. Jeffrey Farmer, $2,015.91; v. Larry Hicks, $1,316.65; v. Virginia Lackey, $1,307.19; v. Rachel Neer, $4,060.38; v. Shae Sausaman, $1,307.63; v. Jeffery Smith, $1,569.45; v. Angela Vickery, $1,550.05; v. Brandy Warner, $2,834.45
CommunityWide Federal Credit Union v. Susan L. Harr, $8,925.18 Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center v. Patricia Keim, Terry Miller, $581.14 Vanderpool Law Firm PC v. Darryl Means, $800 Miller’s Health Systems Inc. v. Pamela Varney, $4,100.58 Civil Collections
The following civil collections have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court IV, Judge Christopher D. Kehler presiding:
Prestige Financial Services Inc. v. Quinn L. Arriola, $24,813.78; v. Marissa D. Derrington, $13,992.86 Glenbrook Credit Acceptance Corp. v. Derrick J. Carlson, $12,443.08
Jefferson Capital Systems LLC v. Tana Clem, $2,021.02; v. Carlos Garcia, $13,537.16; v. William Kreicker, $5,547.43; v. Natasha Marshall, $4,585.69
Credit Acceptance Corp. v. Michael Eash, Nicole Eash, $6,174.28; v. Joey Hall, $6,348.20
Synchrony Bank v. Erynn Hatfield, $2,981.54; v. Jami Stoll, $9,465.47
Midland Credit Management Inc. v. Michel Hetler, $1,199.35
Unifund CCR LLC v. Kaelynn M. Himes, $2,838.91
Citibank NA v. Andrew Miller, $2,495.56
Capital One NA, successor by merger to Discover Bank v. Korissa Miller, $8,155; v. Norma G. Monk, $4,309.15; v. Sarah K. Nielsen, $4,724.87; v. Matthew R. Patton, $12,175.18; v. Charles E. Whisman, $7,176.07
Cavalry SPV I LLC v. Martin Montoya, $3,101.66
SAC Finance Inc. v. Allissa M. Nicolai, $14,065.72
Heights Finance Corp. v. John Rasmussen, October Rasmussen, $1,694.85
OneMain Financial Group LLC v. Marlene R. Shively, $8,775.70
Portfolio Recovery Associates LLD v. David Tran, $4,872.40 Mortgage Foreclosures
The following mortgage foreclosure has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding:
Servbank NA, f/k/a Servbank SB v. Lemuel W. Rosendaul, $88,418.56 Evictions
The following evictions have been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Canterbury House Apartments v. Kaylin Craft, Dennis Staner, $5,632.26
Webster Estates LLC v. Joyce Moist, $5,757.30 Plenaries
The following plenaries have been
awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court I, Judge Karin McGrath presiding: West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Executive Moving Services LLC, $5,000 Camp and Fish LLC v. Kristyn Stow, $11,359 Superior Court III
The following fines and costs for infractions have been assessed in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Chad Miner presiding: Speeding - Luis M. Davila, Warsaw, $164.50; Dustin J. McCarty, Argos, $164.50; Alyssa M. Ocran, Warsaw, $164.50; v. Caleb L. Schwartz, Warsaw, $164.50; v. Janet Burch, Warsaw, $164.50; Jadin D. Richardson, Warsaw, $164.50; Logan M. Hartman, Pierceton, $164.50; Trenton J. Conley, Leesburg, $164.50; Carey S. Slone, Mentone, $164.50; Caleb T. Tiller, Warsaw, $164.50; Mary J. Hartle, Warsaw, $164.50; David B. Annis, Milford, $164.50
Litter/filth/putrid or unwholesome substance dumped from watercraft - Traci L. Callahan, North Webster, $239
Failure of occupant to use a safety belt - Cordell W. Sherow, Etna Green, $25; Stacy R. Sherow, Etna Green, $25; Michael K. Cannon, Cromwell, $25; Tonia S. Bull, Bourbon, $25; Darrell W. Vetor, Claypool, $25; Ethan B. Sroufe, Warsaw, $25; Toby K. Callaway, Silver Lake, $25; Tristan S. Anderson, Leesburg, $25
Unlawful possession of tobacco product, failure of occupant to use a safety belt - Drake A. Meadows, Warsaw, $189
Owner allows dog to stray beyond owner’s premises - Rae E. Stutzman, Claypool, $25; Douglas W. Lewallen, Milford, $25
Improper display of license plate; not placed in proper spot
- Kenyon C. Cotton, Leesburg, $164
Child restraint system violation - Amika J. Bolen, Warsaw, $25
Registration and display of registration violation - Raul A. Carbajal, Warsaw, $164
Passing a stopped school bus when stop arm is out and activated - Braulio Vega-Jimenez, Warsaw, $189.50; Crystal N. Hoover Hill, Warsaw, $189.50
Operating a motor vehicle in violation of restricted license, disregarding stop sign - Cassandra E. Guzman, Ligonier, $189.50
Disregarding stop sign - Michael J. Loughran, Winona Lake, $164.50; Deborah D. Downing, Milford, $164.50
Disregarding lighted signalDarla K. Eberly, Warsaw, $164.50
Operating a motorcycle without a proper permit or endorsement - Willie C. Feliciano, Warsaw, $164.50
Failure to register, disregarding lighted signal, no valid driver’s license - Kaysen R. Dilley, Warsaw, $214.50
Marriage Licenses
The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Melissa Boggs: Anthonysamy-Daley
Eliana Eliza Paula Anthonysamy, 24, Claypool, and Collin David Daley, 23, Claypool Stutzman-Booher
Kathryn Christine Stutzman, 41, Syracuse, and Adam Wayne Booher, 42, Syracuse Devoe-Lehman
Carter Philip Devoe, 21, Indiananpolis, and Madison Marie Lehman, 22, Winona Lake Adams-Claar
Allie Lynn Adams, 19, Warsaw, and Ian Claar, 22, Cromwell Ousley-Senina
Michael Ousley, 59, Warsaw, and Rejie Rivera Senina, 36, Warsaw
Herrera-Sanchez-Rivera Flores
Jose G. Herrera Sanchez, 22, Warsaw, and Magali M. Rivera Flores, 32, Warsaw Norton-Byrns
Anthony Neal Norton, 63, Leesburg, and Laura Kathryn Byrns, 62, Warsaw Alvarez Alonso-Figueredo Gonzalez
Anabel Alvarez Alonso, 20, Leesburg, and Yasniel Figueredo Gonzalez, 28, Leesburg
Marriage Dissolutions
The following couples have filed for
a marriage dissolution or legal separation in Kosciusko Superior Courts I or IV:
Smith - Rebecca Smith, Claypool, and Christopher Smith, Claypool. They were married Feb. 1, 2019; separated Nov. 16, 2025. Two minor children.
Villa-Villa-Sarinana - Molly Villa, Claypool, and Narciso Villa Sarinana, Claypool. They were married July 1, 2008; separated March 29, 2025. Three minor child(ren).
Smith - Sarah Smith, Mentone, and Joshua Smith, Pendleton. Minor child(ren). No other information available.
Gagnon - Mark A. Gagnon, Silver Lake, and Laura E. Gagnon, Avilla. They were married Oct. 30, 2021; separated Nov. 7, 2025. One minor child.
McNees-Johnson - Dakota Mc-
Nees, North Webster, and Britanie Johnson, Warsaw. They were married June 25, 2022; separated Oct. 21, 2023. No minor child(ren).
Huffer - Joann A. Huffer, Kokomo, and Nathan D. Huffer, Warsaw. They were married May 29, 2011; no separation date given. No minor child(ren).
Hedges - Karen Hedges, Warsaw, and Solomon Hedges Jr., Plymouth. They were married Dec. 28, 2012; separated Aug. 29, 2025. No minor child(ren).
Shepherd - Frank Shepherd, Warsaw, and Wendy Shepherd, Rochester. No minor child(ren). No other information available.
Bloom - Robert Bloom, Warsaw, and Marie Bloom, Milford. They were married Sept. 4, 2022; separated May 28, 2025. No minor child(ren).
Setting healthy boundaries
By EMILY CHRIST Extension Educator Elkhart County Purdue Extension
Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining emotional and mental well-being, fostering healthy relationships, and achieving personal growth. Boundaries define the limits of acceptable behavior and interactions, helping individuals establish a sense of self-respect and self-care.
According to psychological research, setting boundaries allows individuals to protect their physical and emotional space, ensuring they are not overextended or taken advantage of.
Healthy boundaries enable individuals to prioritize their needs and values, empowering them to make decisions that align with
their goals and beliefs. This clarity enhances self-esteem and reduces feelings of guilt or resentment, which can arise from over-committing or tolerating inappropriate behavior. By communicating boundaries effectively, individuals establish mutual respect and encourage others to recognize and honor their limits. Furthermore, setting boundaries is essential for cultivating meaningful, balanced relationships. When individuals clearly communicate their boundaries, they create a foundation of trust and understanding with others. Healthy boundaries promote honest communication and constructive conflict resolution, minimizing misunderstandings and fostering healthier connections.
In professional settings, setting
boundaries can enhance productivity and job satisfaction by promoting work-life balance and reducing stress. Research indicates individuals who maintain clear boundaries experience less burnout and are better able to manage their responsibilities effectively. Ultimately, setting healthy boundaries is an act of self-care. It contributes to overall well-being and personal growth. It allows individuals to assert their needs, maintain healthy relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. By practicing boundary-setting skills and honoring their own limits, individuals can create environments supporting their emotional and psychological health, leading to greater fulfillment and success in all aspects of life.
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Attend
‘A
Country Christmas’ Dec. 13
A festive and family-friendly Christmas shopping experience will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw, running in conjunction with Susie McEntire’s “Pamper Me” and the evening concert, “A Country Christmas.”
This free-admission shopping event will feature a wide variety of vendors offering unique holiday gifts, handmade items, seasonal décor, apparel, the debut of Freedom Fest merchandise, sweet treats, and more, making it the perfect place to check off your
Christmas list before a fun evening of holiday entertainment.
Guests attending “Pamper Me” or “A Country Christmas” are encouraged to come early, browse the vendor market, and enjoy a warm, festive atmosphere created by local artisans and small businesses with maybe a few other surprises.
“We wanted to create a fullday Christmas experience,” said event organizers. “With free admission and great vendors, it’s a wonderful opportunity for families to shop local and enjoy the holiday spirit.”
P ublic A uctions
Online Mobile Home Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Open house
5:30-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. Two-bed, one-bath mobile home. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Online Personal Property Auction
Bidding open until 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Pickup in North Manchester. Vehicle, appliances, furniture, heaters, dishes, home health care items, local history books. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Earnhart Land Auction
6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8. Located at American Legion, 104 N. First St., Pierceton. Property located 1/2 mile north of US 30 in Pierceton, on west side of SR 13. 49.6 acres in three parcels. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnreal-
tyandauction.com.
Online Real Estate Auction
Bidding open until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. Property located on S. Beaver Dam Road, between Mentone and Claypool.19.57 acres cropland and recreational woods, two parcels. Metzger Property Services, metzgerauction.com.
Hawk Estate Auction
1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. Located at Hahn Auction Facility, 401 S. Oakland Ave., Nappanee. Oriental art, paperweights, lamps, quilts, appliances, jewelry, toys, furniture. Hahn Auctioneers, hahnrealtyandauction.com.
Jodi Dallas Auction
6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Located at Nappanee Christian School, 29522 CR 52, Nappanee.
Haupert Farms Auction
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Located at Manchester Garden
Event Center, 11758 SR 13, North Manchester. Phone Bid
Real Estate Auction Bidding open until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Inspections 3-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1. Property located 2 miles north of Millersburg on SR 13 to CR 38, west 3 miles to CR 33, north ¼ mile to 64716 CR 33, Goshen. For bidding and bidding updates, call (260) 499-0216 or (260) 499-0093. Shipshewana Phone Bid Real Estate Auction Bidding open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Inspections 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays. Property located 3½ miles north of Shipshewana on SR 5 to SR 120, east 3¼ miles to 4765 W. SR 120, Shipshewana. For bidding and bidding updates, call (260) 499-0216 or (260) 499-0093.
Kosciusko Cares launches new podcast
Kosciusko Cares recently announced the launch of its new podcast, “Pushing Out Prevention, A Labor of Love.”
This addition to the organization’s outreach efforts provides an accessible platform for community members to engage with important conversations around prevention, parenting, and youth development. Episodes of the podcast are available on the organization’s Facebook page, Kosciusko Cares, their website: inspire-IN.org, and on YouTube @ KosciuskoDrugFree.
Each episode explores timely and impactful topics including: Prevention of youth substance use.
Addressing bullying and building resilience.
Parenting tips and strategies for families.
Community programming and resources.
The evolving needs of the Kosciusko County community.
Melanie Wilhite, executive director, said, “Pushing Out Prevention, A Labor of Love” reflects a commitment to empowering families and strengthening community resilience through education and dialogue.
“We believe prevention is most effective when it is rooted in collaboration, compassion, and
LABOR OF LOVE Kosciusko Cares recently announced the launch of its new podcast, “Pushing Out Prevention, A Labor of Love.” Logo provided by Kosciusko Cares.
shared responsibility. Kosciusko Cares invites parents, youth, educators, youth advocates, and community members to tune in, share, and join the conversation. By amplifying prevention strategies and highlighting local resources, the podcast aims to inspire collective action and foster a healthier, more connected community,” Wilhite said.
For more information, visit the Kosciusko Cares Facebook page, website, or subscribe to the
YouTube channel @KosciuskoDrugFree to stay updated on new episodes.
Kosciusko Cares is dedicated to building a stronger, healthier community through prevention initiatives, youth programs, and parenting education. By fostering collaboration and providing resources, the organization works to reduce risk factors and promote positive outcomes for families and youth across Kosciusko County.
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS “A Country Christmas” concert will be held at Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw Dec. 13. Photo
PAMPER ME — The third annual “Pamper Me” event will be before the Christmas concert at Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw. Photo provided.
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NORTHWOOD VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL — Front Row: Payton Everingham, Leah Foor, Ella Balasa, Mirakle Lindsey, Palyn Andrews.
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Back Row: Jack Birch, Jacob Raasch, Kyle Sears, Colin Edwards, Ben Yoder, Davis Everingham, Collin Deatsman, Caleb Vincent, Ethan Sears, Chaz Yoder, Drew Minnich.
Elkhart Goshen Middlebury Nappanee Wakarusa Warsaw Plymouth Silver Lake Ashkum, IL Kankakee, IL
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
SWCD STAFF & PARTNERS:
Tashina Lahr-Manifold — Soil Health Specialist
Brandon Olson — Education & Outreach Coordinator
Josiah Hartman — Conservation Program Technician
Dawn Armey — Executive Director
NATURAL RESOURCE
CONSERVATION SERVICE:
Chad Schotter — District Conservationist
What is a soil health principle?
By TASHINA LAHR-MANIFOLD SWCD Soil Health Specialist
The foundation of a quality soil health system can be traced back to four main principles: Maximizing Soil Cover, Maximizing Continuous Living Root, Maximizing Diversity and Minimizing Physical and Chemical Disturbances. This article will discuss the second principle: Maximizing Continuous Living Root.
In this second of four articles on soil health, Tashina explains the concept of “Maximizing a Continuous Living Root” and the role cover crops play in building a functioning soil health system. Cover crops can be cereals, brassicas, legumes and other broadleaf species. They can also be annual or perennial plants. Because of their wide spectrum, cover crops can be adapted to fit almost any production system.
Thriving Microbial Life and Nutrient Cycling: It comes as a surprise to many to learn that over 95% of life on land resides in soil (Jones, C. 2018. Five principles for soil health) and that most of the energy for this microscopic world beneath our feet comes from plant carbon. Fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms are continuously fed by root exudates and decomposing residues. Most well-known examples are rhizobia that fix atmospheric nitrogen in legume roots and mycorrhizal fungi that form bushy structures inside root cells connected to hyphae that extend the reach of the root into surrounding soil.
These microbial communities drive efficient nutrient/matter cycling, making nutrients available to plants. Microbial activity also drives the process of aggregation, enhancing soil structural stability, aeration, infiltration and water-holding capacity. Without a cover crop actively growing across fall, winter and early spring, this microbial community is starving and unable to cycle nutrients that are critical for cash crops.
Decreased Nutrient Loss: The more nutrients are being sequestered and cycled within our soil profile, the less soluble nutrients we have susceptible to leaching and runoff. This is why cover crops are vital for keeping our water bodies balanced. In a local study conducted by Dr. Jennifer Tank with University of Notre Dame, soil nitrate and soil test phosphorus were lower in cover cropped fields than those without. Soil nitrate-N was 48% lower and soil test phosphorus was 32% lower. Likewise, the tile water leaving the cover cropped fields had
2023.
39% lower nitrate-N and tile soluble reactive phosphorus was 56% lower.
Increased Soil Organic Matter and Carbon Sequestration: Higher soil organic matter levels improve soil fertility, water holding capacity and nutrient retention. An analysis of 10 stable isotope experiments found the stabilization of root-derived carbon has an average of 46%, while the stabilization of carbon derived from above-ground biomass averaged 8.3% . Overall, the stabilization of root-derived carbon was five times higher than that from above-ground biomass (Jones, C. 2008. Liquid carbon pathway). All of this to say, roots are what builds your organic matter.
Reduced Erosion: Cover crops can successfully decrease, or almost completely eliminate, soil loss from various production systems. On average, cover crops reduced sediment losses from erosion by 20.8 tons (the weight of 1 ½ school buses) per acre on conventional-till fields, 6.5 tons (the weight of a
twin engine airplane) per acre on reduced-till fields, and 1.2 tons (the weight of a four-door sedan) per acre on no-till fields (Magdoff, F. & van Es, H. 2021.)
Building soils for better crops: Ecological management for healthy soils. Of course, some cover crop types are better at preventing erosion than others. Studies have shown decreases in soil loss from fields planted into grass cover crops, including rye, ryegrass, triticale, barley and wheat, reduced soil loss by 31-100% as compared to fields in which no cover crops were grown. Legume cover crops, including red clover, crimson clover, lentil and pea, reduced soil loss by 38-69% as compared to no cover crops (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, 2007. Managing cover crops profitably.)
If you would like more information on any of the soil health principles or something specific to Maximizing a Continuous Living Root, please contact Tashina at the SWCD office.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources –State nurseries and tree seedling sales
Kosciusko County SWCD will be picking up tree orders from the State Nursery in the spring of 2026. If you are interested in purchasing trees through the DNR State Nursery, please visit this link www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/tree-seedling-nurseries/instructions/. There will be a third-party delivery fee
of $10 per bundle of 100. This fee is in addition to the $10 handling fee charged by the DNR at the time of purchase. The third-party delivery fee is due to Kosciusko SWCD at the time of pick-up in May.
If you have any questions, please contact us at (574) 267-7445, ext. 3.
SWCD Supervisors:
David Ransbottom — Chairman
Ryan Martin — Vice Chairman
Luke Mullet — Treasurer
Ben Schlipf — Supervisor
Roger Miller — Supervisor
Annabelle McCarthy
Hi, my name is Annabelle McCarthy. As a resilient Indiana technician working for the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, I will rotate between the SWCD offices of Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, Marshall and St. Joseph counties to provide additional technical support in the North Central region of the state. I am very excited to work in Kosciusko County and to join the wonderful team working on natural resource conservation in this county.
I recently defended my master’s degree in ecology at Michigan State University, where I researched the quality of butterfly habitat provided by native prairie that is restored within row-crop fields. This on-farm prairie restoration practice has the potential to create pockets of high-quality pollinator habitat throughout the Midwest while providing an array of benefits to landowners.
I am excited to begin my career in conservation in Indiana. I am very passionate about leveraging working lands to protect natural resources and biodiversity, while simultaneously benefiting the well-being and profitability of producers. Outside of work, I love getting outside and exploring nature. I enjoy hiking and camping. When I am inside, you will often find me trying out a new recipe for dinner or knitting. I look forward to learning from and working with the SWCD, our partners and community members. Please stop by to say hello if you find me at the SWCD office.
ANNABELLE MCCARTHY
COVER CROP STAND Planting into a cover crop stand, Kosciusko County, spring of
Hands-on learning at Potawatomi Park
Roughly 120 Akron and Mentone fifth-graders recently spent the day transforming into junior scientists during an
outdoor learning adventure at Potawatomi Park. Surrounded by creeks, prairies and forests, students explored the connections
between healthy ecosystems and clean water through a series of hands-on science activities.
At the first station, students pulled on waders and stepped into the creek to search for macroinvertebrates, tiny aquatic creatures like mayflies, caddisflies and beetle larvae that serve as important indicators of water quality. With nets in hand, they collected samples, examined the diversity of species they found and learned how the presence (or absence) of certain organisms reveals the health of the ecosystem.
The second station focused on water chemistry. Using simple field kits, students tested the creek’s pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels to assess stream health. They discussed how these factors influence aquatic life and compared their data to what scientists use in real environmental monitoring.
The final station took students on a
guided nature hike through Potawatomi Park’s prairie and forest habitats. Along the way, they learned about how park staff and volunteers maintain these natural areas through invasive species removal and prescribed burns - tools that help native plants and animals thrive.
By the end of the day, students had a deeper understanding of how connected water, land and living things are in their local environment. The field trip was not just a fun day outdoors; it was an opportunity to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.
A special thank you goes out to Lacey Pfeiffer, the Potawatomi Park property manager, for generously welcoming the group and making this educational experience possible. Additional thanks to Kevin, Darci and Bill, whose time and expertise as volunteers helped make the day both engaging and memorable for the students.
Have you ever wondered why green plants sprout in a farm field after it has already been harvested? Most likely, the answer is cover crops. Numerous local gar-
deners benefited once again this year from the annual cover crop giveaway. SWCD staff distributed 71 half-pound bags of oat and radish cover crop seed, free of charge, for growers to disperse across their gardens.
Each bag of seed covers approximately 300 square feet, equating to roughly 21,300 square feet of local gardens that will benefit. Oats and radishes will winterkill, requiring no additional steps to terminate before spring planting because they naturally die off in cold winter temperatures. This seed blend is a great introduction to cover cropping for those interested in improving soil health but unsure where to start.
The benefits of using cover crops are long-lasting compared with leaving gardens bare throughout the offseason. Cover crops allow living roots to remain active in the soil year-round, helping prevent soil compaction. A continuous diversity of plants in a garden also attracts many beneficial microbes and insects that work with the plants to make nutrients more available. These roots nourish microbes by providing a food source or releasing nutritious compounds into the soil.
It is estimated that plants release 10 to 40 percent of the carbon fixed by photosynthesis through their roots. This carbon increases soil organic matter. Cover crops also create a protective shield that guards the soil against wind, runoff, and other forms of erosion that can deplete topsoil. Less time and effort will be required before the growing season to replace soil if it is already held in place. When these environmentally friendly methods are used, soil biology and structure are reinforced, preparing it to deliver a more bountiful crop in the years to come.
To learn more about cover crops in the garden or to be notified when next year’s giveaway begins, please visit our website or contact the SWCD Conservation Program Field Technician, Josiah Hartman, at jhartman@kosciusko.in.gov.
Wild at Wildwood
Our fourth-graders from Jefferson Elementary recently traded desks for dirt and whiteboards for woodpeckers during an unforgettable field trip to Wildwood Park. Guided by both nature and the incredible teachers who brought the experience to life, students spent the day exploring, discovering and getting their boots a little muddy along the way.
The adventure began under cloudy skies and a light, steady rain, but a little weather didn’t slow us down. With raincoats on and spirits high, our students embraced the elements like true explorers. Turns out, a little mud only adds to the fun - and the learning.
We kicked things off with an exploration of seed dispersal, where students learned how plants have clever ways of spreading their seeds: some float, some fly and some hitch a ride on your pants leg when you’re not looking. Who knew plants were such sneaky travelers?
Next, we dove into dendrochronology, a fancy word that basically means reading tree rings like pages in a history book. Students were amazed to learn that trees can tell stories - from rainy years to dry spells, and even
the occasional squirrel scandal (okay, maybe not that last one). Let’s just say, by the end, everyone was looking at tree stumps like ancient scrolls.
Then came the highlight: a nature hike with binoculars in hand and eyes wide open. Despite the drizzle, our budding bird watchers were sharp and determined, and their patience paid off. We spotted a red-headed woodpecker (imagine a bird with a built-in crash helmet), a majestic green heron and a few wood ducks who looked like they were ready for a fancy dinner party.
Overall, this trip was the perfect blend of science, fresh air and wide-eyed wonder. The students learned, laughed and showed that a little rain is no match for big curiosity. We’re pretty sure a few future botanists, ornithologists or tree-ring detectives were born that day. Stay tuned for their upcoming TED Talks (umbrellas optional).
Special thanks to our amazing volunteers - Darci, Rachel, Jill and Grace - whose time, energy and enthusiasm helped make this adventure such a success. We couldn’t have done it without you.
LEAF STRUCTURE Students are learning about leaf structure.
LOOKING FOR BIRDS Students are looking through binoculars to find different species of birds present at Wildwood.
Native trees and shrubs making a comeback
“Native,” “non-native” and “invasive” are terms often used when discussing plants and animals, but they can quickly become confusing or misunderstood. While these terms have broader uses, this article will address them only in relation to plants and animals.
• Native generally refers to plant or animal species that originated and have been established in a specific environment.
• Non-native refers to any plant or animal species introduced to a specific environment that does not cause negative effects on native species or the environment itself.
• Invasive refers to any plant or animal species that causes harm to other species or to a specific environment and is not originally from the affected area.
The Indiana Tree Species Selection Guide, published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community
and Urban Forestry Program, provides additional details on each of these terms.
Visitors to Kosciusko County’s parks, waterways and other natural areas may notice a positive change: an increase in native grasses, wildflowers and other plants. Many communities are working to restore habitats, stabilize streambanks, and plant native species to support local ecosystems. These efforts reinforce local biodiversity and ensure a healthy mix of plants and animals in the area.
Having multiple species of native trees and shrubs can greatly benefit local biodiversity through their symbiotic relationships with animal life, while also slowing or preventing the spread of disease and pests. Native trees and shrubs support numerous insect populations that have adapted to specific native plants for food. In turn, birds and other mammals benefit from these insects and from the natural habitat
provided for nests and burrows. Multiple tree and shrub species can also help deter diseases and pests that spread easily in monocultures. For example, the Indiana DNR Forestry Division notes that American elm and ash trees have succumbed to Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer, respectively, due to widespread populations across the state and nation.
To further support the community and emphasize the importance of planting native trees and shrubs in Kosciusko County,
the Soil and Water Conservation District is preparing to launch its annual tree and shrub sale, focusing on providing native species. This marks an exciting change from previous sales, as all but one species offered will be historically native. Multiple new variety packs of trees and shrubs will be available, along with other items and bulk-ordering options.
Be on the lookout for the tree sale, and contact Josiah Hartman, conservation field technician, at jhartman@kosciusko.in.gov.
I’m dreaming of a green Christmas!
Did you know Christmas trees take years to break down in landfills? The layers of waste in landfills reduce access to oxygen, causing organic matter to decompose slower and release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas. This holiday season, when it is time to “undeck” the halls, consider keeping your Christmas tree out of the landfill with these tree recycling ideas:
Bird habitat: Remove all decorations and place your tree in your yard to create habitat for birds to nest and feed. You can even add bird-safe decor, such as orange slices, nuts and suet.
Fish habitat: Sink the tree into a private pond on your property to provide a refuge and feeding area for fish. Replace every five to seven years.
Lake and river shoreline stabilization: If you have a lake or stream shoreline erosion problem on your property, bale your tree with eco-friendly twine and anchor it in place with wooden stakes to stabilize the shoreline and manage sediment.
DIY mulch or compost: Send your
tree through a wood chipper to use as mulch. Alternatively, cut the tree into smaller pieces and add it to your compost pile.
Curbside yard pick-up: If you have curbside yard waste pick-up, check their guidelines to determine how to dispose of your tree. Most programs require long limbs and sticks to be cut and separated into bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing less than 40 pounds, and placed in 30-gallon paper bags.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Tree Disposal Do:
• Remove all decor before recycling your tree.
• Avoid flocking. Synthetic flocking materials are generally unsuitable for most eco-friendly disposal methods, unless the flocking material is labeled as biodegradable.
Don’t:
• Burn your tree. Fir, pine and spruce trees contain highly flammable creosote, which produces soot and can lead to chimney fires.
For more information, contact Dawn at 574-267-7445 ext 3
