$1.50
Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Olivia Siri Preparing For Nationals
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
One Nation Under God
Page 5 themail-journal.com
LAYING THE WREATH — Marjorie Emerick, adjutant for American Legion Post 223 and Post Auxiliary president, left, and Carolyn Gunder, post commander, lay a wreath during Memorial Day services in Syracuse Cemetery. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
AUDITION FOR NATIONAL GUARD BAND — Faith Bradley, Fort Wayne, recently won an audition to play trumpet with the Indianapolis Army National Guard Band. Bradley auditioned live in front of the commander and was offered the job on the spot. Playing trumpet in a military band has always been a goal for Bradley. Recently, Bradley used her trumpet talent
to perform as part of Taps Across the Water on Sunday, May 26. The Taps event was quite special this year for Bradley because three of her cousins recently served or are serving the country. This is her third time participating in the event. Bradley’s performance was on Pier 795 at the home of John and Margaret Feighner. Photo provided by Larry Baumgardt.
Milford Food Bank kicks off capital campaign for new building Leaders from the Milford Food Bank officially unveiled their plans on Wednesday, May 22, to raise $1 million to build a new warehouse and offices. The proposed 12,000 square-foot building will be located on East Emeline Street in Milford, just east of the railroad tracks. The new building will be directly across the street from the facility currently being used by the food bank. Additionally, the food bank stores much of its inventory in unused warehouse space at The Papers Inc., through the donation of Publisher Ron Baumgartner. The press conference began with Milford Food Bank’s board president, Joe Shetler. “We’re all so excited to kick off a fundraiser, celebration, whatever you want to call it, for a new distribution center for Milford Food Bank, and that’s going to happen right behind us. A lot of people are are really excited about this, including all the volunteers here, all the board members, the building and planning department down in Warsaw. I think our town council, Milford’s excited about it.” “We’re just here to celebrate what God has been doing,” add-
ed Regg Beer. “Our verse here, it’s on our sign, this is a verse that our founder, Bill Troup, really established the mission on. It said, ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matthew 25:35)’ This verse really speaks to the purpose of the food bank.” Also speaking was Milford Town Council President Doug Ruch, who was introduced by Shetler as “a great supporter of what we’re doing here.” “It’s a pretty dedicated group here,” said Ruch. “I just want to lend a hand of support to any and all of those who have helped make this a dream come true. The fact that they can take food that otherwise would be (thrown away) and help people, revitalize people, that’s what it’s all about.” Tony Ciriello, member of the Kosciusko County Council, spoke on behalf of State Sen. Ryan Mishler, who could not attend the event. “I know Ryan is very supportive of Milford and what they do,” said Ciriello. “On behalf of him, I want to say congratulations, Joe, and the board, on what you guys are doing. This is a tremendous effort to provide food to the people who need it in this community and the surrounding communities, and I can guarantee you help in any way, shape or form we can.” Finally, Bill Doege, director of operations for Milford Food Bank, addressed the audience. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who came out today,” Doege said. “I just appreciate you supporting us through this whole growth process. The people who we touch every day are remarkable. We couldn’t do it with out him in the forefront. I tell people, I’m just the hands and feet. I’m just out there collecting the stuff and answering the phone calls. Just doing the work that he called me to do years ago.” Doege went on to say that Milford Food Bank is support-
5IF .BJM +PVSOBM
READY TO BUILD — Milford Food Bank Board President Joe Shetler, left, holds an artist’s rendering of the proposed new building that will be erected on Emeline Street in Milford. Also pictured is Milford Town Council President Doug Ruch.
By LAUREN ZEUGNER and KEITH KNEPP Staff Writers Milford, Syracuse and North Webster all sponsored Memorial Day parades followed by memorial services in their municipal cemeteries Monday, May 27. Milford A light mist and cool tempera-
Milford Lions Festival brings fun for everyone The summer festival season kicked off in 2024 with the annual Memorial Day weekend gathering in Milford, this one taking place Saturday, May 25. Renamed the Milford Lions Festival, this year’s event had something for everyone.
THE UNVEILING — Milford Food Bank Director of Operations Bill Doege pulls the tarp off the sign that will represent the progress of the organization’s capital campaign to construct a new warehouse. ing 183 food partners, including pantries, men’s and women’s recovery homes and food kitchens. “We’re touching many lives through all kinds of different points of their lives with our food that goes through this building every day,” he said. “Every month, we’re giving out right over 400,000 pounds of food through this tiny, little building and our gracious warehouse building that Ron lets us use over here at The Papers Incorporated. Ron is a huge asset to us. I want to make sure that I give him kudos. What he
does makes this all work. Without that building over there, we couldn’t store the 7,000 square foot of food that’s sitting over there right now. “It’s just amazing to see how this has all started from five pantries… Where we’ve taken it from that point to now, it opens my eyes everyday when I see people over here excavating, tearing the house down, doing all this work here, and they do it free. Right now, we really haven’t spent a dime over here. The community has supported Continued on page 2
End of Year School Awards See Pages 6-8 See Public Notices On Page 5-B
tures did not keep Milford residents away from a parade. Folks turned out early to find the best spot to watch the annual Memorial Day parade as it went by earlier Monday, May 27. The parade, lead by a color guard from American Legion Post 226, stopped at Milford Town Hall for a brief ceremony, which inContinued on page 2
FRESH AND HOT — Milford Volunteer Fireman, Corey Veach, was busy grilling ribeyes for the fire department’s annual steak sandwich fundraiser. Behind him, Adam Melton waits for the meat to take to the hungry crowd. Photo by Keith Knepp.
By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer
Inside
Text and Photos By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer
Local towns celebrate and commemorate Memorial Day
The day began with an allyou-can-eat pancakes and sausage breakfast, sponsored by the town’s other service club, Milford Kiwanis. Despite the big crowd that came to get their morning meal, the Kiwanians had plenty of food to go around. Shortly after one meal ended, another began, this time at the Continued on page 2
Indiana’s Largest Marina
Over 95 Years of Exceptional Service and Products
NAUTIQUE | JC PONTOON | FOUR WINNS SUPREME | YAMAHA WAVERUNNER | HOBIE CAT
6521 E. Cornelius Road, Syracuse, IN 46567 Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm • Closed Sunday
574.457.4404
wawaseeboat.com