The Mail-Journal - July 10, 2024

Lake Wawasee was

Text and Photos

By Deb Patterson

Editor-In-Chief

Another Wawasee Flotilla is in the books with entries all around topping previous years

Saturday afternoon, July 6.

There were 16 Flotilla entries and 12 onshore participants this year, with each entry having their “game on.” Games such as Candy Land,

Clue, Mario Kart, Lakeopoly, Euchre, pong night and others were highlights of this year’s entries. Four neighbors on Kale Island joined forces for a candyland of fun with the Peppermint Forest, Cupcake Commons, Candy Lane and Lollipop Woods.

Dr. Rex Parent, commodore, choose the entry of Matt and Amy Wright of Lakeopoly with such playing cards as Johnson

Bay, Wawasee Boat Company, Channel Marker, The Frog, Oakwood and CSX.

Matt Wright stated winning the award “was pretty good, it was something my wife (Amy) always wanted to do.” He said she always wanted to be in the Flotilla and they thought this year would be pretty cool with the theme “Game Night.”

This was the family’s first year of participating in

the Flotilla.

“We all worked on it together, and so we turned our kitchen into a little factory for these little boards, game pieces and all that.”

“We just wanted to do the family tradition of things with the Flotilla and Wawasee,” said Amy Wright. “The lake is special to our family so do something to celebrate.”

AMAZING DONATION — Board members from both the North Webster Community Center and the Shoop Youth and Sports Foundation came together Monday night to officially announce the donation of $242,500 to fully fund NWCC’s “The Mat” project, which will bring outdoor basketball and pickleball courts to North Webster.

Pictured in the front row, holding the ceremonial check, are Shoop Foundation Board of Directors President Sandy Kissane; and NWCC Board of Directors President Dennis Wagoner. Next to them, are Emily Shipley, NWCC executive director; Sue Ann Mitchell, NWCC board mem-

ber; and Ed Clayton, NWCC.

In the second row, from left, are Lloyd Shroyer, NWCC; Ron Schenkel, NWCC; Lori Mark, NWCC and Shoop Foundation board member; Gene Reed, NWCC; Sue Fiedeke, NWCC; Jenny Laucht, Shoop; Amanda Meerzo, NWCC; and Sherman Goldenberg, NWCC. Third row: Dee Cooper, NWCC; Marilyn Cassell, Shoop; Pia Thystrup, Shoop; Tom Reiff, Shoop; Tisha Holsten, Shoop; Steve Hanford, Shoop; Richard Long, Shoop; Dana Krull, Shoop; and Bob Merchant, Shoop.

by Keith Knepp.

Shoop Foundation to fund outdoor athletic courts at NWCC

By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer

The J. Homer Shoop Youth and Sports Foundation has been supporting different organizations, individuals and programs in North Webster for many years.

On Monday evening, however, the Foundation presented one of its largest donations ever, when it announced a $242,500 contribution to the North Webster Community Center. The money will fully fund the NWCC’s “The Mat” which will feature outdoor basketball and pickleball courts.

“The Shoop Foundation believed in the Center and committed to it in the very beginning,” said NWCC Board President Dennis Wagoner. “It was a major supporter and believer in its needs. It has come through again to honor John Sroufe, who was president of the Center’s board for many years, and a member of the Shoop Foundation and other boards in our county, as well. We are grateful to John, the Shoop Foundation and our community for standing behind you believing in us and allowing us to go forward.”

“We’re making all the calls to get the project coordinated, said NWCC Executive Director Emily Shipley, noting Phend and Brown has already put down the base and the blacktop. She added that a timetable for construction has not yet been determined.

“Mike Kissinger, a dedicated volunteer of NWCC and a longtime basketball and pickleball player, used his surveying expertise to design a court that will be larger than the previous ‘Mat,’ Shipley added. “He was able to draw a full basketball court, three permanent pickle-

ball courts, two basketball practice shooting areas and two temporary pickleball courts. The project will also encompass new parking, picnic tables and new LED lighting and fencing.”

“We’ve been wanting to do something to honor the memory of John Sroufe for many years,” said Shoop Foundation Board of Directors President Sandy Kissane. “If it wasn’t for him, this place wouldn’t be here. He’d be very proud to know that five years after he was gone that this place has gotten even bigger and better. He loved ‘The Mat’ project.”

WCSC to crack down on literacy and chronic absenteeism

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

During its regular monthly board meeting, held Tuesday, July 9, Dr. Shelly Wilfong alerted the Wawasee school board to a couple new state laws that will impact K-12 education in Indiana in the upcoming academic year.

The first law Wilfong presented was the IREAD retention policy and exemptions. The new policy

requires third-grade students to be retained if they do not pass IREAD.

The Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination, or IREAD, is a grade three reading assessment that is designed to measure foundational reading skills based on Indiana Aca-

demic Standards.

New statutory criteria for exemptions to the IREAD retention policy include: special education, students whose IEP case conference committee has determined that promotion to the next grade level is appropriate; English

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Daita arrested for crash that killed Milford resident Joseph Criswell and injured two others

Anish Daita, 31, Warsaw, has been arrested by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office in the death of Joseph Criswell, 44, Milford, and seriously injuring two of the six passengers in Criswell’s vehicle.

Daita was the driver of a vehicle that struck Criswell’s SUV at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29, on CR 150W, south of CR 400N, northwest of Warsaw. Criswell, five of his children and a friend of one of his children were en route to a family church picnic in Warsaw.

With the help of the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s office, Daita was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at approximately 9 p.m. Monday, June 8.

Daita was booked on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a level 4 felony, and two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, level 5 felonies.

A level 4 felony could carry a sentence of between two to 12 years, with an advisory sentence of six years.

A level 5 felony could carry a sentence of one to six years.

Daita was the driver of a northbound 2024 Black Tesla Model Y, which according to evidence at the scene, traveled left of center hitting Criswell’s southbound 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. Criswell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two juvenile passengers in

5, and Jesus Criswell, 14, suffered minor injuries. Five of the juveniles are children of Criswell and all occupants are from Milford. Daita sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to a Fort Wayne Hospital. Kosciusko County officials continue investigating the crash. The Kosciusko County Fatal Team was assisted at the scene by members of the Lutheran EMS, North Webster EMS, Lutheran Air Ambulance, Leesburg Fire Department, Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

Milford Town Council opens bids on water meter replacement

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Milford Town Council received two bids for the replacement of the town’s water meters at the Monday, July 8, meeting.

The first bid was from Everett J. Prescott of Fort Wayne for $388,205.83. The second bid from Neptune Equipment Company, or NECO, of Cincinnati for $407,157. The bids were taken under advisement and were given to Ryan Lareau of Commonwealth Engineers, who will provide his letter of recommendation before the next meeting. The Michiana Council of Governments is the grant administrator for both the water meter replacement and the town’s economic recovery plan. The coun-

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COMMODORE TROPHY The Wright family won the 2024 Commodore Trophy with their entry of “Lakeopoly.” Shown are Mason Wright, Jacob Wright, Alli Steffey, Amy Wright and Matt Wright.

Lake Wawasee

Continued from page 1

How did they come up with the idea? They wanted to use pieces of places around the lake and tried to find a game they could incorporate landmarks around the lake, thus Lakeopoly.

The first place onshore award went to the Kale Island neighbors of Arnold/Pletcher/West/Jarrett, with each pier uniquely decorated from an area on the Candy Land board.

“Each year the floats and onshore participants step their game up,” said Holly Tuttle, chairman of the Flotilla. “The committee appreciates it and looks forward for new entries and family participants.”

Diane Dykstra, whose entry won the Midwest Classic Award – also known in some years as the Lake Wawasee History Award, sent a comment to Tuttle stating “We had so much fun. It was the best feeling ever to watch all those hundreds of people on their piers, decks, trampolines, yards and floats. Everyone was happy. I’ve never seen so many happy people in my life.”

During the awards presentation on Sunday, comments from winners ranged from “We’re doing this every year,” “Oh my gosh,” to “We got a trophy.” Flotilla award winners are:

Commodore — Mark and Amy Wright’s “Game Night”

Midwest Classic — Diane Dykstra’s “Jacks or Better” DNR — Nick and Amy Pate’s “Candy Cruiser”

It’s All Good — David Kirch family’s “Family Pong Night”

WPOA — Ashley Tenney’s “Clue”

First place youth — Tom and Jackie Schnellenberger’s “Candy Land”

Second place youth — Devon Miller’s “Candy Land”

Most Original Youth — Elliott Gilham’s “Mario Brothers”

Most Spirited Youth — Michelle Hatfield’s “What Time Is It? Game Time”

First Place Business/Commercial — Shane Mosiman’s “Momo’s Pizzeria”

First Place nonprofit — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and Emily Maggart’s “Conserving Family Game Night”

Most Enthusiastic — Oakwood Resort and Alyssa Trout

Most Original — The Violi Family “Monopoly on the “High Seas” Neighborhood — Brewer/ Eberhardt’s “Channel Ratz” Antique Boat winner — John Feighner’s 1955 CC Capri

Milford Town Council

cil approved a resolution authorizing MACOG to submit their grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The OCRA grant is for $33,000, with the town committing to match $10,000 of that in local ARPA funds.

As part of the economic recovery plan, a consulting firm for a downtown revitalization study has been chosen. The downtown revitalization committee received six statements of qualification. After deliberation, the committee chose USI Consultants. Town council approved their decision. The next step will be contract negotiation for the downtown master plan study with UI Consultants.

Departmental reports started off with a request for support from Assistant Fire Chief Brian Haines in light of new potential legislation. OSHA is updating the fire brigade section of their standards. According to Haines, the new requirements would place a great financial burden on the department, as well as many volunteer and smaller career departments around the nation.

“The cost to be able to stay up with this would mean our budget would have to be 1 1/2 to two times the amount it is currently. ... Some of the simple things are physicals for the firefighters would go from a $3,900 per year cost to just shy of $50,000 per year. But we can get away with that if we’re not around contaminants or carcinogens more than 15 times a year, and that includes walking by the exhaust in the truck when the truck’s running,” he explained. Haines also cited new training requirements as a problem.

“A new firefighter will have up to 300 hours worth of training before he can even step foot on a fire scene. We’re a volunteer service, we’re not getting paid to begin with, you’re not gonna get people to do it. ... Some of the training they’re asking for is not even offered in the state of Indiana,” he said. He added, “it’s not just us, volunteer fire service makes up 72% of the fire service (nationwide).”

The Kosciusko County Firemen’s Association has already drafted a letter to OSHA detailing the financial situation and their concerns.

Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall agreed to draft a letter from the council on behalf of the department. Vice President Ken Long also encouraged Haines to approach the local press with the issue in order to get comments from the public.

A summary of the new regulations is available at nvfc.org/ wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ What-OSHA-StandardsMeans-to-Fire-Departments. pdf.

The deadline for comments is Monday, July 22. Comments can be submitted to regulations. gov/commenton/OSHA-20070073-0118.

Police Marshal Derek Kreider gave the council the department’s stats for the first six months of 2024, as compared to the full year of 2023. At the end of 2023, the department made 33 arrests, of which 24 were misdemeanors and nine were felonies. There were 124 reports made to the department and 250 citations given. As of June 2024, the department has so far made 66 arrests, consisting of 50 misdemeanors and 16 felonies. There have been 112 reports made and 247 citations given.

“We stepped up our patrol and stepped up trying ... our best to be more proactive,” said Kreider.

He also reported on two directed patrols made by special request at 1250N and Heide Lane, which is a 30 MPH zone.

The hour-long patrols, run June 28 and July 6, revealed a 36-38 MPH average speed. One ticket was issued on July 6 for 46 MPH in a 30 MPH zone.

Wastewater Superintendent Mark Brubaker gave an update on transitioning the Turkey Creek lift station to a gravity system. A homeowner has signed off on the easement and work on the gravity system is contracted with Siteworks for $25,424.50. Brubaker also asked for approval to contract R&R Excavating for storm sewer cleaning and camera in-

TENTATIVE START UP With Contract A being considered “substantially complete,” the district is looking ahead and tentatively scheduling sewer start ups.

TCLRSD accepts tentative start-up schedule

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

The Tippecanoe Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District held its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 8, and the room was buzzing with excitement from community members. With the sewer project nearly wrapping completion, with Selge’s Contract A, Chapman Lakes Wastewater Collection System, being stamped as “substantially complete, the district and its’ board members are looking ahead and planning tentative start-up schedules.

Classic Boat winner — Steve Mikolajczak’s Nautique

Wooden Boat winner — Randall Tobias, Falcon II 33’ Launch.

Onshore award winners were:

First place — KandyKale Island, Arnold/Pletcher/West/Jarrett, Piers 727, 728, 729, 720

Second place — Mario Kart, The Zipfel Family, Pier 319

Most Original — The Game of Redneck Life, The Hudsons, Pier 143-B001

Most Patriotic — Jacinda Metz, Pier 91

Most Spirited — Candyland, Pier 601

Furry Friend — Proud Americans, Diane Nichols, Pier 193

Best Local — Game Night, The Larsons, Pier 341-E

Best Family Fun — Family plays together stays together, Donn Baird, Pier 651

Mystery Award — Game Night – Clue, Barbara Danquist, Pier 394A

King Candy Award — Candyland Kids, Andrea Abel, Pier

231

Castle of Sweets — Lake Candyland, Ennis, Mate, Garofalo, Gitlin, Pier 342

Wawasee Wordle — Scrabble, Lana and Bill McKay, Spink Condo.

“With Selge considering Contract A substantially complete, we have gone ahead and tentatively mapped out a start-up schedule,” Steve Henschen, lead engineer on the project told the board. “Again, the keyword here is ‘tentative.’ So far, we have kept on schedule and have hit each deadline for Contract A.”

Tentatively, Friday, July 12, the USDA can accept the district and Selge’s substantial completion and concurs to allow customer connections for Contract A, Chapman Lake. Additionally, Astbury will complete Indiana 811 requirements and begin locating responsibilities. Selge will have completed all punch list items by Friday, July 19, so the district can send out notice to connect to Chapman Lake customers. Gemini will send out new coupon books to Chapman Lake customers starting Friday, July 26, with first full payment due Tuesday, Aug. 20, for August 2024 service.

Niblock’s Contract B, West Tippecanoe Wastewater Collection System, has 93.6% total pipe installed and 85.8% total grinders installed. Tentatively, Thursday, Aug. 1, NIPSCO and KREMC will energize all electrical risers so by the end of the month, Saturday,

OPENING BIDS Milford Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall opens one of

two bids for replacing the town’s water meters at the town council meeting Monday, July 8. The council also approved grant administration from MACOG and heard a request for support from the fire department this month.

spection for $295 an hour, at a minimum of eight hours work, and 1,115 feet of camera line at $1.20 per foot. The council approved, with the stipulation that the job was not to exceed a cost of $6,000. The cost will depend on the hours taken by R&R to do the job. In water department news, Superintendent Steven Marquart asked for approval on a four-day cleaning for Well No. 3 to restore lost capacity, followed by an inspection. The council approved service from Peerless Midwest for $17,800. Marquart also reported seeking quotes for power washing the water tower, which helps preserve the paint job.

Hydrant flushing will take place Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25. Any abnormalities in water flow will subside after flushing is complete. For the street department, Marquart asked that $2,000 be moved the local roads and streets fund to the street department fund. This is to cover any potential overages after

Aug. 31, Niblock can complete testing and start up all grinder stations. Niblock will request substantial competition. At the regular September sewer district board meeting, Monday, Sept. 9, the board can choose to accept Niblock’s substantial completion of Contract B and enter into agreement for insurance coverage. The USDA should accept the substantial completion and concur to allow customer connections on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Additionally, Astbury will complete Indiana 811 requirements and begin locating responsibilities. Niblock will complete all punch list items by Saturday, Sept. 24, so the district can send out notice to connect letters to West Tippecanoe customers. Gemini will send out new coupon books to West Tippecanoe customers starting Monday, Sept. 26, with first full payment due Sunday, Oct. 20, for October 2024 service.

Selge’s Contract C, East Tippecanoe Wastewater Collection System, has made “tremendous progress.”

“Selge is working hard on Contract C. There is 81% of the total pip installed and 22.3% of total grinders,” Henschen explained. “At last month’s meeting, Contract C had 64.5% pipes and 14.6% grinders.”

Tentatively, NIPSCO and

KREMC will energize all electrical risers on Sunday, Sept. 1. Selge will complete testing, start up grinder stations and request substantial completion on Thursday, Oct. 31. At the regular November sewer district board meeting, Monday, Nov. 11, the board can choose to accept the substantial completion of Contract C and enter into agreement for insurance coverage. The USDA should accept the substantial completion and concur to allow customer connections on Thursday, Nov. 14. Additionally, Astbury will complete Indiana 811 requirements and begin locating responsibilities. Selge will complete all punch list items by Sunday, Dec. 1 so the district can send out notice to connect letters to East Tippecanoe customers on Monday, Dec. 16. Gemini will send out new coupon books to West Tippecanoe customers starting Monday, Dec. 16, with first full payment due Monday, Jan. 20, for January 2024 service. The next regular Tippecanoe and Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St. For more information about the Tippecanoe and Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District, visit tippychapmanrsd. com/.

WCSC to crack

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learner, a student who is an identified English learner who has received services for fewer than two years and has an ILP committee that determines promotion to the next grade level is appropriate; math exceptionality, a student who passes the ILEARN Mathematics assessment; retained twice, a student who was retained twice in K-2 and has already received intensive intervention for at least two years and previously retained, a student who was retained once previously in third grade.

“This will impact our corporation minimally because of the pass rate we have for IREAD-3,” Wilfong explained to the board. “I am not saying we will not have any one retained but we’re not talking about needing to add a whole other teacher because of this.”

Indiana also strengthened attendance guidelines within the recently passed legislation. According to the new Indiana attendance guidelines, the superintendent or attendance officer is required to report a student who is habitually absent from school to an intake officer of the juvenile court or the Indiana Department of Child Services. Within the guidelines includes the responsibility for superintendent or attendance officer to report a student’s habitual truancy to the prosecuting attorney. Prosecuting attorneys must notify parents if an affidavit of habitual truancy is filled with the office.

approved by a building administrator. Any day beyond the fourth, will be marked as “unexcused.”

The attendance guidelines state that students should have zero unexcused absences.

An unexcused absence is any absence not covered under an excused absence beyond four parent/guardian verified per semester or a non-verified absence. A non-verified absence is a failure to notify the school of an absence within 24 hours. If a student is absent without being excused for five days within a 10-week period, a truancy prevention plan will be implemented as required by the law. However, this does not include excused absence days. All absences will be monitored and disciplinary action may be taken. Wawasee Community School Corporation will refer truant students to the Kosciusko Prosecutor’s Office or the Department of Child Services upon reaching ten unexcused absences from school or when the student has been absent for any reason for 18 days during the school year, as required by the law. However, there is an exception for chronically ill students who under the care of a medical professional.

“The state defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% of the school year, which is 18 days,” Wilfong explained.

“Have we had, in the past, to turn anyone into the prosecutor’s office?” Mike Wilson, board member, asked.

Community Crossings Grant funding is received. The council approved the money to be spent if need be.

The council also approved:

• Street closures starting at 2 p.m. Friday, July 19, for Food Truck Friday, as well as the same street closures for all upcoming Food Truck Friday events this year.

• The Milford Redevelopment Commission’s infrastructure purchase agreement with Miller Brothers.

• Setting fall cleanup dates for Sept. 26-28.

• Transferring $46,760 of reserve money for yearly bond payment.

• Setting this year’s budget meeting dates for Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30.

• Payment of the fire department’s insurance for $10,141.

A utility credit for a minimum water payment, $47.91, was denied. Two other credits were approved.

The next Milford Town Council meeting will be Monday, Aug. 12.

“Pre-COVID, attendance was becoming a big issue and COVID just added fuel to the fire,” Wilfong explained to the board. “The state has recognized that student attendance is really faltering and if you aren’t in school, you can’t get the instruction and you can’t learn.”

The Indiana Attendance Expectation is 94%, which would equate to 10 or less missed days per academic year. Under the attendance guidelines, three absences are defined.

An excused absence is an illness verified with a physician’s statement dated at the time of the visit or illness and the note must be turned in within one week or the absence will be considered “unexcused;” death in the family; the school sends child home sick and if due to fever, the following day will also be marked as “excused;” maternity; military and religious instruction up to two hours per week.

A parent/guardian-verified absence is defined as a parent or guardian’s choice to keep the student home for the student’s best interest. Under the attendance guidelines, four days per semester are allowed or as

“Yes.” Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer responded. The first student day of the 2024 school year is Wednesday, Aug. 14. The 2024-25 waiver days are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23; Monday, Feb. 10 and Friday, March 21. The board approved Jessica Murray’s, director of food services, request for the 2024-25 school meal prices to remain the same as the 2023-24 meal prices: $1.50, elementary breakfast; $2.85, elementary lunch; $1.75 middle and high school breakfast; $2.90, middle school lunch; $2.95, high school lunch; $2.60, adult breakfast; and $4.80, adult lunch.

Farm Credit donated $250 to the Wawasee High School FFA program. For it’s last order of business for the evening, the board approved changing the date for the regular August board meeting to accommodate for Back to School Night. The board approved to move the meeting up by one day. The next regular Wawasee School board meeting will be 5:30 Monday, Aug. 12, in the Professional Learning Center, 801 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.

Obituaries

Eldon Ray Chupp

Commercial Truck Driver

Eldon Ray Chupp, 76, Milford, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Goshen Hospital.

He was born on April 15, 1948, the son of Andrew J. & Clara (Slabaugh) Chupp. On Nov. 8, 1975, he married Janet Sue Haab. She preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 1986.

ELDON RAY CHUPP

He is survived by his daughter, Andrea (Charles) Byrket of Ligonier; four grandchildren, Caydence Chupp, Alyvia Chupp, Allison Byrket and Kyle Byrket; seven sisters, Carol (Tom) Westerman, Fannie (Mervin) Miller, Ina (Vernon) Bontrager, Wilma (Lynn) Hively, Erma (Bob) Stevens, Katherine (Steve) Miller and Treva Chupp; a brother, Joseph (Sue) Chupp; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet Sue Chupp; and a brother, Alvin Chupp.

Eldon was a commercial truck driver for many years and traveled the United States delivering RV’s. He loved four-wheeling, riding his Harley, watching trains and coffee with the guys. Most importantly, he loved his family and he loved spending time with his family.

A funeral service was held in Eldon’s honor at 11 a.m. Monday, July 8, at Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 461 W. 900N, Milford. Burial followed at Milford Cemetery. Family and friends were received from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family c/o Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at mishlerfhcc.com.

Cheryl L. Walker

Milford School Bookkeeper

Cheryl L. Walker, 59, Milford, died Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Goshen Hospital after a sixmonth battle with cancer

She will be remembered by those who knew her in the various roles she played in their lives — a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

CHERYL L. WALKER

She was born in Muncie in June 1965 and had lived in Kosciusko County for 50 years. She was a 1983 graduate of Wawasee High School and a 1987 graduate of Ball State University.

She married Kevin Walker on Aug. 22, 1987. He survives, along with their two daughters, Megan (Matt) Granger of Syracuse and Amy Walker of Bradenton, Fla.

Other survivors include Cheryl’s four grandchildren, Hadley, Lincoln, Aubrey and Rhys Granger; along with her mother, Nancy Arnold of Goshen; her twin sister, Carol (Matt) Tuggle of Lafayette; her brother, Douglas (Jennifer) Walker of Middletown; six nieces; a nephew; five great-nieces; and a great-nephew.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Don Arnold.

Cheryl was the bookkeeper for Milford schools for 22 years, and for a time was a volleyball, basketball and gymnastics coach at Milford Middle School. She also worked part-time at the front desk of Oakwood Resort in Syracuse.

Cheryl took pride in her daughters’ accomplishments and enjoyed spending time with family members, especially her grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse, with a celebration of life beginning at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do and the Milford Volunteer Fire Department.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. — Mahatma Gandhi

PICTURED IS JOSEPH ‘JOEY’ CRISWELL WITH SOME OF HIS FAMILY. PHOTO FROM THE CRISWELL FAMILY GOFUNDME PAGE.

GoFundMe established for Criswell family

By LIZ ADKINS Staff Writer

A GoFundMe has been established for the family of a Milford man who passed away in a June 29 vehicle accident near Warsaw.

At 5:35 p.m. Saturday, June 29, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputies and emergency personnel responded to an accident on CR 150W, south of CR 400N.

Joseph “Joey” L. Criswell, 44, Milford, was traveling south on CR 150W in a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe when his vehicle was hit head-on by a 2024 Tesla. Criswell was pronounced dead at the scene. Six children in Criswell’s vehicle were also injured in the accident, two of whom were flown from the scene.

The GoFundMe will assist Kim Criswell, Joey’s wife, with funeral arrangements and any

incurred medical expenses.

“He was a father to 11 children with his wife … a brother, and a friend to many,” states the GoFundMe. “He will be greatly missed. Any help will be appreciated.”

As of July 10, the GoFundMe has raised $5,755 and has a $20,000 goal.

The link for the fund is: gofundme.com and type in “assist joeys family through their loss.”

“Our

Jack R. Hartman Jr

Jail officer, home builder, drywaller

Jack R. Hartman Jr., 54, Elkhart, passed away at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, June 23, in his home.

Jack was born Sept. 22, 1969 in Goshen. He joined his sister Lisa. Jack graduated from Elkhart Baptist Christian School. Right after graduation, Jack went to work for the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department as a jail officer for several years. He also worked helping a friend build houses for several years. He also did drywall work as a side job.

Jack was the precious son of Jack R. Hartman Sr and Sandra Gaff Hartman. On Oct. 24, 1998, he married Diane Robbins. Surviving Jack is his wife Diane, a son Zachary, and a daughter, Mandee. Also surviving Jack are his mother Sandra Graff Hartman and his dear sister, Lisa Anne Hartman.

Preceding Jack in death was his dear dad Jack R. Hartman Sr. Jack was also preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Herbert V. Hartman and Rachel Mae Hartman and maternal grandparents W. Julian Gaff and Julie Anne Geiger Gaff.

Finally Jack also leaves behind his very dearest and best friend Eugene Stankovich.

After an unexpected death, the cost of a funeral can be quite a shock to the family - and life insurance often isn’t enough to cover the expenses. Why not start planning and saving while you still have the chance? Not only will this give you time to shop around and consider your options; you’ll take comfort knowing your family won’t face financial strain down the road.

live performances from animal shows, bubble shows, a puppet show and more. The live events will also start at 10:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays the library will headline a know your neighbor event. Each week will have a special guest who will share interesting things about their hobbies or jobs.

For more information regarding the plethora of different summer reading programs, events and activities, please visit nwcpl.org/summer-reading or call the library at (574) 834-7122.

Friday Fun Days, also at 10:30 a.m., will sport a variety of activities. Check out the calendar of events for specific details as the events range from Legos, zumba, and Pokemon Club. Save the date for the community-wide celebration Wednesday, July 17. The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is for all ages.

Accidents/Incidents

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

Accidents

5:50 p.m. Saturday, July 6, East Cinderella Drive and East Wawasee Drive, Syracuse. Drivers: Dewey A. Reimer, 43, North Washington Street, Pierceton; and Ryan N. West, 44, West Boston Street, Syracuse. Reimer was backing his vehicle because he believed an oncoming vehicle did not have enough room to make a turn. While backing, Reimer’s vehicle hit West’s. Damage up to $10,000.

4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6, North SR 13, and East Vawter Park Road, Syracuse. Drivers: Claire E. Standley, 19, Serpent Circle, Indianapolis; Ray Skelton, 27, East George Street, North Webster; and Jefferey L. Miller, 61, Homestead Drive, Decatur. Standley was traveling west from the stop sign on East Vawter Park Road to cross North SR 13 in order to enter a private drive when she hit Skelton’s vehicle. During the collision, Miller’s vehicle also hit Standley’s. The collision caused Standley’s vehicle to leave the roadway and hit a stop sign. Standley sustained minor head injuries. A passenger in Standley’s vehicle, Ruby M. Rusk, 20, Indianapolis, sustained an abrasion to her elbow and lower arm area. Standley and Rusk were seen by medics at the scene. Several passengers in Skelton’s vehicle were injured.

Aliscia L. Templeton, 29, Warsaw, complained of abdominal and pelvic pain. Xavier Bartman, 11, Warsaw, complained of neck pain. Crew Bartman, 4, Warsaw, complained of abdominal and pelvic pain. Maleak Bartman, 8, Warsaw, complained of knee and foot pain. Templeton and the Bartmans were all taken to a hospital for further treatment. Miller complained of knee and foot pain. A passenger in Miller’s vehicle, Kelly J. Miller, 59, Decatur, complained of chest pain. The Millers were seen by medics at the scene. Damage up to $50,000.

3:17 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 4739 SR 13, Leesburg. Drivers: Alan R. Goodoien, 41, EMS T9 Lane, Leesburg; and Michael W. Stoddard, 71, North Wawasee Circle West, Cromwell. Goodoien was attempting to turn off of North SR 13 to enter a parking lot when he turned in front of Stoddard’s vehicle. Stoddard complained of chest pain and was transported by EMS. Damage up to $5,000.

9:43 a.m. Saturday, July 6, East CR 550N and North CR 100E, Leesburg. Drivers: Gaige B. Tittle, 18, Dove Lane, Milford; and Brooke E. Deboest, 28, East Van Buren Street, Leesburg. Tittle was attempting to pass a vehicle when he hit Deboest’s vehicle. The collision caused Deboest’s vehicle to go into a cornfield. Deboest complained of back and arm pain. A passenger in Deboest’s vehicle, Cormac J. Deboest, 4, Leesburg, complained of chest and neck pain. The Deboests were checked by medics at the scene. Damage up to $25,000.

11:30 a.m. Friday, July 5, East CR 400N and EMS B2 Lane, Leesburg. Driver: Monty Sechrist, 49, East Brown Road, Leesburg. Sechrist’s vehicle hit a deer. Damage under $1,000.

Eight people sustained minor injuries in a three-vehicle crash south of Syracuse, Saturday, July 6. The crash occurred at 4:30 p.m. on SR 13 at East Vawter Park Road. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Claire E. Standley, 19, Serpent Circle, Indianapolis, was traveling west in a 2012 Toyota Prius C on Vawter Park Road from the stop sign across SR 13 to go into a private drive. When Standley’s vehicle entered the roadway, it was struck by a northbound 2017 Nissan Rogue, driven by Ray Skelton, 27, East George St., North Webster.

Standley’s vehicle was then struck by a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Jefferey L. Miller, 61, Homestead, Decatur.

Standley’s vehicle went off the roadway colliding with a stop sign on the west side of SR 13 at the private drive. Police list failure to yield the right of way by Standley as the cause of the crash.

Standley suffered minor bleeding to the head and was seen by emergency personnel at the scene, but refused further treatment. A passenger in her vehicle, Ruby M. Rusk, 20, Swiftsail, Indianapolis,

4:12 p.m. Thursday, June 27, SR 15, north of West Levi Lee Road, Warsaw. Drivers: Rachael E. Shoue, 37, North CR 350W, Warsaw; Jordan M. Gaines, 29, Heron Boulevard, Warsaw; and Nevaeh A. Vanfleeren, 17, North Perry Drive, Milford. Gaines was turning right off SR 15 when his vehicle hit Vanfleeren’s, which was braking for traffic. After hitting Vanfleeren’s vehicle, Gaines’ vehicle was hit by Shoue’s. Shoue sustained minor abrasions to her arms and hands, and said she would seek medical attention on her own. Gaines sustained a laceration above his left eye and minor abrasions. He also said he would seek medical attention on his own. Damage up to $25,000.

12:15 p.m. Thursday, June 27, East Hatchery Road, at Mile Marker 100, Syracuse. Driver: Kurtis M. Gunkel, 49, EMS C29A Lane, Warsaw. Gunkel’s vehicle left the roadway, hitting a street sign. Damage up to $5,000. Incidents

8:29 a.m. Monday, July 8, 5100 block North CR 925E, North Webster. Officers assisted another agency.

6:38 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 700 block South Main Street, North Webster. A wallet was turned in to police.

3:44 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 100 block EMS D12 Lane, Syracuse. Jonathan N. Shenk reported the theft of fishing equipment. Value: $409.96.

12:39 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 11600 block North Treasure Island Road, Syracuse. Brian T. Reed reported the theft of a vehicle.

6:13 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 9200 block East Hiawatha Road, Cromwell. Justine A. Davis reported the theft of a vehicle. Value: $20,000.

1:57 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 100 block EMS W30B Lane, North Webster. Officers investigated a report of a vehicle accident resulting in property damage.

10:52 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 10,000 block North Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse. Eric J. Baize reported the theft of fuel. Value: $25.

Milford

Officers with the Milford Police Department investigated the following incidents and made the following arrest: Incidents

1:54 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 400 block East CR 1250N at Heide Lane, Milford. Efren Hinojo, 39, was issued an information and summons for the operator never licensed and a warning citation for speeding during a traffic stop.

7:05 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 600 block North Higbee Street, Milford. While conducting a traffic stop due to disregarding a traffic control device, officers smelled marijuana. Ian Evans, 24 and Kennedy Templeton, 20, were issued a warning for the offense.

7:07 p.m. Friday, July 5, 9000 block North SR 15 at West CR 1000N, Milford. While conducting a traffic stop, officers smelled marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

Arrest

7:07 p.m. Friday, July 5, 9000 block North SR 15 at West CR 1000N, Milford. Juan Hernandez, 21, Green Hill Drive, Warsaw, was transported to the Kosciusko County Jail after officers found marijuana in his vehicle

suffered an abrasion to her elbow. She also refused further treatment at the scene.

Skelton refused treatment at the scene for unknown injuries. Passengers in his vehicle, Aliscia L. Templeton, 29, East Sheridan St., Warsaw, complained of pain to the abdomen/pelvis area; Xavier Bartman, 11, Warsaw, complained of neck pain; Crew Bartman, 4, Warsaw, complained of pain to the abdomen/pelvis area; and Maleak Bartman, 8, Warsaw, complained of pain to the lower leg. The passengers were taken to Lutheran Kosciusko for further treatment. Miller complained of pain to the lower leg and a passenger in his vehicle, Kelly J. Miller, 59, Homestead, Decatur, complained of pain to the chest. Both were seen by emergency medical personnel and reused further treatment.

All drivers and occupants were wearing seat belts or in a child restraint seat.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory, Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory responded to the scene.

The accident was investigated by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. Damage was estimated up to $50,000.

and he failed field tests

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following incidents: Incidents

10:22 a.m. Sunday, July 7, 200 block East Washington Street, North Webster. Officers investigated a report of battery.

8:01 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 5500 block North CR 825E, North Webster. Officers investigated a report of a fight.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incident: Incident

3:50 p.m. Monday, July 8, 500 block Harbour Landing Drive, Syracuse. Kearston R. Wallace reported a lost firearm.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident: Accident

12:55 p.m. Monday, July 8, East Center Street and North Hickory Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Elizabeth Hall, 69, South CR 600W, Mentone; and Evan Olinger, 18, Rowland Avenue, Leesburg. Hall’s vehicle rear-ended Olinger’s. Hall complained of neck pain but declined medical attention. Damage up to $2,500.

Jail Bookings

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

July 7 — Haley Dawn Fountain, 31, 308 E. Catherine St., Milford, booked for failure to appear. No bond listed.

July 4 — Joshua Nathaniel DeGood, 41, 10261 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, booked for operating a motorboat while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a chemical test and operating a motorboat with excessive speed/disregarding safety. Bond: $700 cash.

July 3 — Courtney Christine Bowling, 34, 8932 E. 500N, North Webster, booked for obstruction of justice and possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug. Bond: $5,250 surety and cash.

July 2 — Brittany Frances Huff, 35, 427 E. 1150N, Milford, booked for driving while suspended prior. Bond: $450 cash.

Elkhart County

The following people were booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility:

July 7 — Carlton Joseph Harwood, 54, 9631 E. Pixie Parkway, Cromwell, booked on a probation violation, possession of methamphetamine, manufacturing/dealing methamphetamine, residential entry, and domestic battery. No bond listed.

July 7 — Michael Paul Baker, 38, 1034 S. Circle Drive West, Cromwell, booked on warrant for violation of community supervision program. No bond listed.

July 5 — Luis E. Gutierrez Najera, 21, 102 E. Second St., Cromwell, booked on warrant for resisting law enforcement, driving while suspended, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving. No bond listed.

July 2 — Jamie Ray Hurley, 47, Syracuse, booked for possession of meth, violation of community supervision program and body attachment. No bond listed.

Noble County

The following person was booked in the Noble County Jail:

July 5 — Tammy M. Starzyk, 41, 617 W. Crystal Flash Road, North Webster, booked on warrant. Bond: $1,500.

Fire departments serve various emergency needs

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

Fire departments in the area are first on the scene when disaster strikes. Some are paid and some are not. A majority of Kosciusko County departments depend on volunteers for some, if not all, of their boots on the ground.

Milford

Milford Fire Department was founded in the 1900s. Fire Chief Virgil Sharp said the department has 33 volunteer firefighters. The current building was built by such volunteers firefighters, said Sharp. He noted that in the U.S. most fire departments are volunteer departments.

Milford Fire, which has enjoyed a tightly-knit relationship with the community for generations, is partially funded by a combination of entities: Milford Town Council and Van Buren and Jefferson townships.

Milford has fundraisers to help fund the departments gear and other equipment.

The biggest fundraiser is its chicken barbecue in October.

“Our profit from our chicken barbecue fundraiser is around $5,000,” he said. “It pays for two or three sets of gear.”

Every 10 years, the department must get new gear.

“We rotate it out,” said Sharp. “The town just bought us a new engine, and it is here, and we are using it.”

The department meets twice a month. Training is conducted the third Thursday of each month and a business meeting is the first Thursday of every month.

North Webster

The North Webster Fire Department was originally formed April 4, 1935, by the town of North Webster. Among the charter members were Bill Metcalf, George Burns, and Howard Bockman. The only fire equipment was buckets and ladders kept on a rack next to the filing station.

Fire Chief Jeremy Likens became the first full-time fire chief in 2012. The department is now known as the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory, which was created in 2022.

“We are very similar to the way Syracuse (fire) operates,” said Battalion Chief Adam Doyle.

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory has 16 full-time staff members and 12 volunteers.

“We do full-time training every day for different scenarios. We do two volunteer trainings a month,” Doyle noted.

The department was all volunteers until 2013 when it went to full-time staff.

“We do fire and EMS calls but not anything law enforcement related,” Doyle added.

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory is funded by taxpayer dollars. It serves Tippecanoe Township, North Webster and parts of Noble County.

“We send staff to technical classes, such as rope classes, to expand our capabilities,” Doyle noted.

Rope classes deal with repelling and pulling people up steep embankments, for instance.

Staff also take part in water rescue classes.

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory has two ambulances but is getting a new ambulance this year, Doyle said.

“We have five people on shift at all times,” Doyle said.

Syracuse

The first record of a fire department in Syracuse was in November of 1875. The charter members of the Syracuse Fire Department were established in 1948.

The department was reorganized into the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Jan. 1, 2009. There are currently 29 members of the department. It is in the process of adding three ad-

ditional members.

“So, we will have 32 members soon. We will have 26 of our members, who are cross trained,” said Mickey Scott, fire chief of Turkey Creek Fire Territory.

“We are a combination department with full-time, parttime and volunteer firefighter/ EMTS. We operate out of two fire stations and some of our firefighters are cross trained from EMT basic up to EMT paramedic,” said Scott. Syracuse is one of only two fire departments (Turkey Creek Fire Territory and Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory) in Kosciusko County, which have cross- trained staff and operate its own paramedic ambulances, said Scott.

Training is conducted daily by full-time members and at least two times per month by volunteer members. Training consists of all the various aspects of firefighting, resource and EMS services.

“We train for structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, water-related and ice related emergencies, terrorist threats, train derailments, hazardous material emergencies, EMS emergencies, and any other emergency or rescue situation we could possibly encounter,” Scott said.

These can be medical emergencies, structure fires, vehicle fires, grass and brush fires, watercraft fires, water rescues, ice rescues, fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, natural gas leaks, utility lines down, and mutual aid requests for fire and/or EMS assistance to neighboring response agencies.

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APC gives favorable recommendation for 12-lot subdivision near James Lake

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

The Kosciusko County Area

Plan Commission gave a favorable recommendation for a 12lot residential subdivision near James Lake at its Wednesday, July 3, meeting.

Wacky 2 Premier’s petition is for preliminary plat approval for a residential development on a tract of ground.

The property is located on the west side of EMS T52 Lane, north of EMS T52C Lane in Tippecanoe Township. it was once the home of a Baptist camp.

The plans were met with some skepticism from the board, mainly flood issues, curbs and gutters in the new development, a group pier, DNR inspections and common areas.

The county’s technical committee said a number of issues needed to be addressed first.

Attorney Steve Snyder represented the developer. Most of these issues, said Snyder, “we can take care of.” He said he is fairly certain the DNR will approve the pier plans and inspections have been done and are completed.

“This is complicated,” he said, but doable. The plans, he said are “well done.”

The proposed subdivision has

significant lake frontage and meets the subdivision control ordinance. It also will have a channel with access to the lake.

There is a proposed grassy area for water run off and a place to put snow when it is plowed.

One of the issues was the curbs and gutters, which most of the board was not in favor of.

“It is a flood hazard area; we know that,” said Snyder. He said the flooding issues can be dealt with correctly during the development phase.

Citing another subdivision in the county, which has had water run-off issues, Snyder stressed this new subdivision would be different.

Snyder said “a properly constructed subdivision won’t be like that.”

Curbs and gutters, noted Snyder, will do nothing for the water run-off issue, noting the water will go into James Lake. Plus, he said, curbs and gutters would an additional expense.

“We propose to re-pave (the road) without curbs and gutters,” said Snyder. Most board members said they were not in favor, however, of having curbs and gutters but instead recommended side ditches.

A recommendation will need to come from the county highway superintendent, Steve Moriarty, as a condition of

the case moving onto the next phase. He is in favor of curbs and gutters, APC Director Matt Sandy said.

The decision by APC, to favorably recommend the petition with stipulations, will now go before county commissioners at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, for its final decision.

Robert and Loretta Stutzman’s petition to rezone 11.17 acres from an agricultural district to an agricultural II district was approved.

The property is located on the north side of CR 1100 North and 2200 feet west of SR 19 in Scott Township, south of Nappanee.

The Stutzman’s case will go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. July 16.

Darrell Carr’s petition for preliminary plat approval for the replat of a residential development on a tract of ground was denied.

The property is located on the north side of Acorn Drive, west of Levi Lee Road in Plain Township at 510 Acorn Drive.

One final plat was approved for Tippecanoe Heights, located near Stanton Lake, a residential subdivision on one lot. This is phase one of the property, which is located in Leesburg.

The next meeting is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Kemper arrested for stealing $60K from elderly woman

Justin Tyler Kemper, 38, 10300 N. Channel Drive, Syracuse, was recently arrested for allegedly stealing $60,000 from a woman after stating he would complete a renovation to her residence.

Kemper is charged with theft where the value of the property is over $50,000, a level 5 felony.

On Aug. 4, 2023, an elderly woman contacted the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office about a home improvement fraud. The woman said she entered a contract with Kemper to complete a home renovation and addition on her residence.

According to court documents, the woman said she paid an installment of $60,000 to Kemper, the owner/operator of Lake City Builders LLC. The project was supposed to commence in August 2022, with the $60,000 payment being the first installment. The total cost of the contract was $145,000.

After giving Kemper $60,000, the woman said she had no further contact with Kemper until she called him in December 2022. No work had been performed on the woman’s residence.

Milford Redevelopment accepts Eastfield infrastructure agreement

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

At last month’s meeting, the Milford Redevelopment Commission decided not to go forward with a new infrastructure purchase agreement for the Eastfield subdivision without feedback from developer Miller Brothers. At their meeting Monday, July 8, the commission approved the agreement after Miller Brothers accepted the modifications they had made. Under this new agreement, the town of Milford will purchase the infrastructure — such as the sewer utility and road right-of-way — for

$500,000. This will be paid with tax increments from the TIF district when they come in. Miller Brothers will cover closing costs, including the cost of a second land survey if one is deemed necessary.

Milford’s water and wastewater departments have inspected Eastfield and made a list of problems that Miller Brothers needs to address before closing, such as seeding and repairing erosion.

Milford committed to pay up to $1 million on Eastfield. Phase 1 of construction costs about half of that.

“Until the second phase is started, we don’t go beyond that,” said commission presi-

dent Dan Brown. “Everything we’ve done with this agreement has been to try to assist the developers without encumbering the town.” The closing date is still undecided. This agreement will go into effect pending approval by the Milford Town Council. Before adjournment, Doug Ruch informed the commission that there are some properties within in TIF District 1 that do not have sewer, and that Eastfield needs a new backup generator. Quotes are being sought for both these projects. The next Milford Redevelopment Commission meeting will be Monday, Aug. 12.

On Jan. 19, 2023, Kemper told the woman work would begin on Jan. 23, 2023. No one showed up to the woman’s home on that date to begin work. In April 2023, the woman sent Kemper a message requesting a refund, but he allegedly failed to respond to her message or return her money. Phone records show the woman called Lake City Builders 15 times between December 2022 and April 2023. On Aug. 30, 2023, a KCSO detective spoke with Kemper about the incident. Kemper said he had been unable to complete the work due to other jobs. In an interview, Kemper claimed he had several jobs which took weeks and weeks to complete. He said an employee took the woman’s calls and told the woman they did not know when the project would start. Kemper also said he spoke

with the woman in April 2023 and told her they were still moving forward with the project. He told the detective changes to subcontractors for excavation work had also caused delays. Kemper said to his knowledge, a refund had never been brought up. During the interview, the detective mentioned permits obtained for the renovation project. The permits were obtained on Feb. 13, 2023; and March 20, 2023. Each permit indicated the project must be commenced within six months of the issue date, and completed within two years.

In September 2023, the woman’s attorney said he sent a letter to Kemper under the Senior Consumer Protection Act. In the letter, the attorney requested the return of the woman’s money. Kemper said he was not going to refund the money.

As of July 2, 2024, no work has commenced on the woman’s property since the deposit was made, and the funds have not been returned.

Kemper was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on July 4, 2024, with a $50,000 cash bond.

Church arrested for OWI while on moped

Shaun Michael Church, 47, 1033 N. Mullen St., Syracuse, was recently arrested for allegedly driving under the influence while on a moped with a prior OWI conviction.

Church is charged with operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to 0.15 or more, a class A misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more with a prior conviction, a level 6 felony.

On May 12, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of a vehicle accident near Lake Wawasee in Syracuse.

Bounds

Upon arrival, the deputy saw a moped on its side. Its driver, later identified as Church, was initially unresponsive at the scene.

According to court documents, deputies could smell alcohol on Church’s person while they were providing medical aid. Church re-

fused to take a certified chemical test and was taken to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

A man riding on a separate moped at the time of the accident said Church consumed alcohol before the accident.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for Church’s blood and Church tested 0.27% BAC on a certified chemical test.

Church was previously convicted of OWI in Kosciusko County in November 2017.

Church was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on June 26.

arrested for battery, OWI after falling asleep in drive-thru

Devan Lamont Bounds, 31, Marion, was arrested for allegedly kicking a law enforcement officer and driving while under the influence in Syracuse.

Syracuse Park Board receives updates on area park projects

By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer

The Syracuse Park Board continued its practice of holding its regular meetings in town parks Monday night, July 8. The board met in Laudeman Park, 300 W. Wildwood St., Syracuse.

The board received an update on work being done at Henry Ward Park on Medusa Street. The playground installation is complete and has been getting a lot of use in the last few weeks.

Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, noted a new plaque for the park as well as a new rule sign still need to be installed. David Johnston, former park board member, was in town for the Fourth of July holiday. He reached out to Jonsson to say he was happy with the progress in the park.

Jonsson noted Laudeman Park has trails that are mowed every week. The park boasts wildflower gardens which are currently in full bloom. There are three butterfly gardens that are being developed. Jonsson told the board future plans include installing a pavilion in one corner by the pond.

Board member Jeff Nicodemus noted some areas of the wildflower gardens seem spotty. Jonsson

explained the park department used different seed mixes. Paul Newcomer, board president, noted flowers bloom at different times during the season.

Advisor Carol Koble asked if anyone uses the park, which is a bit off the beaten path. Jonsson said several people come down to walk the trails on their lunch hour.

Nicodemus asked about groups or organizations making butterfly boxes. Jonsson noted the projects are out there and he’s reached out to area scouts and the welding class at Wawasee High School, but no one has jumped on the idea yet.

Newcomer noted with the wide open space, installing blue bird boxes would also be a good idea.

Jonsson brought up a request from the Syracuse Town Council regarding parking fees for nonresidents. He did do some research on some apps that were available, but wondered how to regulate it

Newcomer stopped Jonsson saying “It’s opening a can of worms,” he said. Koble pointed out she doesn’t live within the town limits. “When those people come into our community they spend money here,” she said.

Newcomer said the idea has been discussed before and put

aside several times over the years. “They don’t charge to park on the town’s streets,” Nicodemus pointed out. Darin Lursen, program director, reported 234 people participated in this year’s Mudtastic. Yoga is being held Monday through Friday with double digits attending Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The class will be held inside the community center for the remainder of the summer.

Already 300 people have registered for the Tour des Lakes which takes place July 20. Over 400 are expected to participate. A beginners pickleball class is being offered from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the community center. So far three people have attended, but Lursen said there’s been more interest.

The townwide garage sales will be Aug. 1-3. Already 10 people have registered, with more expected as the regsitration deadline approaches.

Registrations are still being taken for the Family Campout in Lakeside Park Sept. 6 into Sept. 7. Cost is $5 per peson. Koble complimented the flowers at Syracuse Town Hall saying “They’re the best they’ve been in years.”

Wawasee gears up for school year

10 and Friday, March 21.

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

Wawasee Community School Corporation is preparing to open its doors for another school year. Online registration opens for returning students on Wednesday, July 24.

Bounds is charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, a level 5 felony; resisting law enforcement causing bodily injury, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least 0.08 but less than 0.15, a class C misdemeanor. On June 9, a Syracuse Police officer responded to a report of Bounds being asleep in the McDonald’s drive-thru while his vehicle was in gear. When the officer checked on Bounds, he immediately smelled alcohol. According to court documents, Bounds said he had been at the Frog Tavern and drank a few beers. Bounds was exhibiting physical signs of intoxication and refused to participate in field sobriety tests because

food, pulled up to the pick-up window and fell asleep. The person knocked on Bounds’ vehicle’s window several times, but received no response. While being taken into custody, Bounds allegedly stuck his foot out of the police vehicle when officers attempted to close the vehicle’s door. Bounds also kicked a responding Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy in the right arm. While being booked at the Kosciusko County Jail, staff found a smoking device containing marijuana on Bounds’ person. Bounds tested 0.13% BAC on a certified chemical test. Bounds has already been arrested and released on bond.

In-person registration will be open at each Wawasee school from 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. Parents need to bring proof of residency in order to register their student. Families who are new Wawasee school district can register at the central office, 801 S. Sycamore St. Syracuse, beginning Wednesday, July 24.

The first day of school for the 2024-25 academic year is Wednesday, Aug. 14. The 202425 waiver days are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23; Monday, Feb.

In addition to beginning registration, the Wawasee Community School Corporation is about to begin phase one bidding for the Milford Elementary School project Friday, July 26. The Milford Elementary School project is one of the two projects the school corporation is currently undergoing.

“The new Milford Elementary School project is making great progress, with construction set to begin soon. This collaborative effort will provide our students with an excellent and safe learning environment to help us foster academic and personal growth aligned to Wawasee values. We are continually grateful to our community for their time and efforts in investing in our Warriors,” Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer said.

The other project, building

a performing arts center at Wawasee High School, broke ground the day after graduation. Construction is on schedule to have the school open for the first week of school.

““The high school expansion project broke ground just after graduation and continues to be on schedule for the start of the school year. It is an exciting time at Wawasee to see our community working together to create educational spaces that will serve our students both academically and creatively for generations to come,” Troyer remarked. Between the brilliance and dedications of the students, the talent and hard work of the teachers and staff and the passionate and unwavering support from the community, the Wawasee Community School Corporation is surely in for another great academic year.

The lunches and breakfasts are back from 11-11:30 a.m. weekdays at Milford Public Library. All children in the Milford community ages preschool through 18 years old are invited to come to the library and get a lunch and breakfast Monday through Friday each week. You do not have to participate in the library’s Summer Reading Program to get the lunches. Please take advantage of this great program. It will save on your grocery bill and your children can meet some friends and get a nutritious meal.

Guest Storyteller

Katy Stoller is the guest storyteller on July 12. Her book is “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling. This is a story that many people are familiar with due to the Disney films, one animated and one live-action. Mowgli is lost in the jungle as a baby and raised by a pack of wolves. He makes friends with Baloo, a wise, kind bear, and Bagheera, a gentle-hearted panther. A tiger, Shere Khan, believes Mowgli is a threat and wants to finish what he started when he attacked Mowgli’s parents years ago. The story is about Mowgli growing up in the jungle and learning the ways of all the animals. He becomes torn between nature and humankind. What life does Mowgli choose? The craft of the week is making a Kaa, the python, from a recycled man’s tie.

Cupcake Adventure

Come to the Cupcake Adventure at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in the library’s meeting room. Children will be divided in to three groups by ages — preschool to second grade; third grade to fifth grade; and sixth grade up to graduating seniors. Each group will be shown a cupcake that they are supposed to re-create as closely as they can. The Friends of the Library are providing the cupcakes. The cupcake decorating becomes

North Webster Community Public Library would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the community volunteers who contributed their time and energy to make the summer reading program a tremendous success. Your dedication and support have made a significant impact on the lives of patrons, especially the children who participated in this enriching program.

Volunteers at NWCPL are the backbone of their operations, and their contributions are invaluable to the continued success of the library. Through the year, volunteers undertake various tasks that ensure the smooth running of the library. These tasks include prepping crafts for children’s events, facilitating programs, passing out treats at events, dusting and cleaning library shelves, undertaking large organizational projects, and ensuring that books are correctly shelved.

The success of the library and its programs is deeply intertwined with the commitment of volunteers. If you are interested

in volunteering at NWCPL in any capacity, they would love to hear from you. Contact Cathy or Amanda at (574) 834-7122 for more information.

Dixie Day Book Sale Coming Soon

The Friends of the Library will be hosting a special one-day book sale on Saturday, July 27, during the Dixie Days festivities. Book sale hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Webster Library. Stop by to get some great deals on books, CDs, movies and more. All proceeds will go to the Friends of the Library who utilize these funds to support and encourage library programs and services. Community support is greatly appreciated.

Weekly Library Events

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

Teen Events Teen Cafe will be happening at 3:30 p.m. Monday, July 15.

Come hang out with friends and enjoy games and snacks. They will also be doing some crafting learning new drawing techniques to create their own cryptid monsters. This program is open to students in grades 6-12. No registration required. Children’s Events Summer Reading may be over, but the fun hasn’t ended yet. Readers of all ages are invited to the Reader Celebration Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. Drop in any time to

North Webster Community Center —

The ‘heart of the community’

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

The North Webster Community Center is a small town’s gathering hub for residents and visitors alike. Opportunities for all ages to engage in programs and activities occur throughout the entire year. Located in the historic North Webster School building on Main Street, all 55,000 square feet are utilized to truly make the center “the heart of the community.”

Many activities and community events take place at NWCC. Pickleball is a favorite sport played both indoors and outdoors at the center.

Cardio drumming and yoga are classes offered several times a week. A walking path and open gym times, outdoor basketball courts, a playground and sand volleyball courts are free when the center is open. Batting cages are available for rent. The center hosts a community-wide garage sale, the area’s largest Kids Business Fair, and Breakfast with Santa. Summer at the center is always a big hit, which includes a variety of community events, including free outdoor movies, painting classes, boaters education classes, special glow drumming classes, and a series of community service programs. This summer, the community

READY TO MAKE HISTORY Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum director Jamie Clemons sets up a sign for Youth History Club, which meets every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and covers anything from Olympic games to atlatl and spear construction. The museum has variety of other educational programs available this summer. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum reopens for an educational summer

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, located in the Syracuse Community Center at 1013 N. Long Drive, reopened May 24 after a remodeling process.

“It’s looking good, I’m just looking forward to getting more stuff up on the walls,” said Director Jamie Clemons.

The museum has a diverse collection of local artifacts, ranging from Native American arrowheads to metal detected treasures from the shores of Lake Wawasee. Clemons named a mastodon tooth found near Waubee Lake as her favorite piece in the collection.

In addition, the museum offers access to the Syracuse-Wawasee digital archives. Available online at syracusemuseum.org, the archives are a fully searchable database of Syracuse-area history and genealogy.

There is also a variety of upcoming in-person programs for those eager to know more about local history.

For any kids looking to fend off summer boredom, the Youth History Club meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in the Celebration Hall at the community center.

YHC features a different topic each week and a hands-on activity, with many having a takehome component. No preregistration is required, except for “Shoes Through History,” to ensure supply availability.

• July 11 — The Olympics Part 1: What It Takes To Make It

• July 18 — The Olympics Part 2: Games (played outside, weather permitting)

• July 25 — Shoes Through History (preregister to ensure

supply availability)

• August 1 — Atlatl and Spear History and Construction

• August 8 — Atlatl Training At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, part one of the Centennial Homes program will be held in the community center gym. In this presentation, Syracuse native Ann Vanderford Garceau will give the audience a look into the homes, communities and people that have been part of the town of Syracuse since its establishment in 1837. In part one, visitors will learn about the Rollert family, who owned 26 acres along the lakefront; the pioneer Jarrett family of Buttermilk Point fame, who sold to Charles Johnson in 1914, developing an amusement park; Johnson’s Hotel with its five buildings; and Elmwood Heights. Part two of the program will be held at the same time on Saturday, Aug. 10. This presentation will feature Klingaman’s Grocery and Rooms and some Centennial Homes on Cottingham Beach, including one built around a very early log cabin.

Anyone with a lake-area home over 100 years old who would like to participate should contact the museum for more information.

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, the museum will premier “Blind Logic” at the historic Pickwick Theater, 108 W. Main St., Syracuse. “Blind Logic” is a documentary chronicling the modern cruise control inventor, president of Perfect Circle Piston Ring Company and former Lake Wawasee resident Ralph Teetor. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit syracusemuseum.org or call (574) 457-3599.

center hosted free lunches and a craft time, both for children.

NWCC houses 12 local businesses and nonprofits and is the meeting point for several local organizations and is a polling location for elections.

NWCC also has a senior center for older adults — the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center. Meals are served at SPEC five days a week for those who wish to eat lunch and socialize.

The center has several rooms available to rent for meetings, baby and bridal showers, birthday parties or other special events.

Zero tax dollars go into operating the center; only the generous support of individuals, organizations, and business.

The center hosts several fundraising events throughout the year to help with the costs of operating the center. These include the annual Heart of the Community Charity Auction,

Oct. 5, with the Hubie Ashcraft Band headlining the event. Tickers will go on sale Saturday, July 27; there will be a booth at Dixie Day to purchase tickets.

The Ladies Night Out Designer Purse Bingo will be Saturday, July 13. Tickets may be purchased online.

NWCC is located at 301 N. Main St., North Webster. For more information, visit nwcommunitycenter.org or its Facebook page or call (574) 8341600.

County BZA hears from supporters not remonstrators

By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer

The Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals heard only from supporters of petitioners during its regular meeting Tuesday morning, July 9. There were no remonstrators in the audience.

There was a slight delay at the start of the meeting as Matt Sandy, area plan director, quickly took roll call of those with hearings. Around 8:30 a.m. the Justice Building was evacuated due to a fire alarm going off. Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory gave the all-clear at approximately 8:50 a.m. letting people back in the building.

The board heard an appeal in a case heard by the hearing officer two months ago. Attorney Steven Snyder representing Gregory Adams requested a variance in Tippecanoe Township to leave a 10 foot by 20 feet shed 16.4 feet from the right-of-way of the road.

Snyder explained Adams measured 28 feet from the road, not realizing the road right-of-way is different. He pointed out the lot is non-conforming to today’s stan-

dards and the shed is set in such a way a car can still be driven into the home’s two car garage.

Several neighbors spoke in favor of leaving the shed where it’s at. Adams’ next door neighbor told the board Adams and his wife had done a lot to improve the property in the last decade. Another neighbor reported fiber optic work, sewer work and new home construction had been done on their street and Adams’ shed had not hindered traffic in anyway.

The board voted 3-1 to approve the variance. Board members Kevin McSherry, Lee Harman and Ron Robinson voted in favor, Randy Cox voted against it and John Beer was absent from the meeting.

Joanna McDowell came before the board asking for an exception to construct a 1,608 square foot residential accessory building were 1,200 square feet is the maximum size allowed. McDowell also asked to place the building 5 feet from an east access easement. The property is located in Tippecanoe Township.

McDowell explained she recently inherited the property from her

Syracuse Public Library —

grandmother. It has been in her family for a half-century. McDowell and her husband would like to build a permanent home, but would like to build the accessory building first to have a place to store things.

When asked for a timeline of when the home project would start, McDowell said it would depend since there is discussion of sewer coming to the area. She doesn’t want to install a septic system and then a year later have to tap onto sewer.

After some discussion her requests were approved with the stipulation she come back in 2 years to update the board if a building permit for the house had not been issued by then.

Nathan Brown requested a variance to construct a 12 foot by 27 foot open deck in line with the residence 0 feet from the side property line. The property is located in Tippecanoe Township.

Brown explained the house had been vacant for a number of years and he and his wife are working on fixing it up. The neighbors are OK with the proposed deck. The board approved the request pro-

vided the neighbor provide a letter of support.

Ida Wallen requested a variance allowing an existing covered porch to remain as placed 22.2 feet from the right-of-way and allow increased cubic content on a garage 20.25 feet from the rightof-way. The property is located in Turkey Creek Township. The board quickly approved the garage and porch to remain on the condition the semitrailer being used for storage be removed from the property within 90 days. Wallen does have the option of requesting an extension should she need it.

Chris Francis, Tippecanoe Township Trustee, came before the board seeking a variance to construct a new fire department building 42 feet from the west road right-of-way and 10 feet from the south alley. The property is located in North Webster. Francis explained a new five bay pole barn will be constructed to house fire equipment. Bids will be opened soon with construction expected to begin in early September. The request was approved as presented.

Celebrate the end of summer reading

Summer reading officially ends on Friday, July 19, at the Syracuse Public Library. Adults, teens and children will all need to turn in their digital tickets on the Beanstack app by that date, or they will disappear.

As of July 9, 248 active readers — across all age groups — have joined Syracuse Public Library for the summer reading challenge. Combined, these readers have spent 336,962 minutes reading and have earned 2,544 badges.

To celebrate the summer’s conContinued on page 9

FOAMZILLA Children play in foam during Syracuse Public Library’s Foamzilla party last year. Foamzilla will return to the library at 2 p.m. Friday, July 19; prior to the party starting, SnoCones will be served at 1:30 p.m. Photo by Sarah Wright.

Community Corner

Dina Coverstone rooted in community

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

If you are involved in pretty much anything that has to do with Wawasee, you are likely to have come across Dina Coverstone. Coverstone has been teaching and coaching in the school district for over twenty years.

“I was raised to leave roots in your community and be involved and be supportive,” she said.

Coverstone is a Wawasee alumna and has been a teacher in the area since 2002. The role she has had the longest and which she currently serves is as a fifth-grade teacher at Syracuse Elementary School. Coverstone said she knew teaching was her future vocation back in middle school.

“I knew when I was in the sixth grade,” Coverstone said. “Just really enjoyed being around kids and set my mind on being a teacher.”

Coverstone tries to build a rapport with her students and will try to attend their sporting events.

“My first class of fifth graders holds a spot in my heart and I actually keep in touch with a lot of them. Every group of kids has a uniqueness to them. I think it’s one of the things I like about teaching. No day is the same,” Coverstone said.

In addition to teaching, Coverstone has been a girls basketball coach and youth leader at local churches. She was an assistant to Matt Carpenter for the Wawasee girls basketball team for six seasons and has coached in some capacity in the area for 25 years. However, her new favorite way to stay connected to the community has been becoming a host parent for foreign exchange students.

“There has always been this little tug in my heart that this was something that I want to try,” Coverstone said. “When I retired from coaching I did my research and I went ‘Yep, I’m going to do this.’”

This past school year, Coverstone hosted a foreign exchange student from Italy in Sofia Caligara, and another from Spain in Claudia Campal. Both joined the Wawasee tennis team and Coverstone joined them for their senior day.

PROFILE

When she studied education at Manchester College, Coverstone was aiming to teach first, second and third graders, but that did not last for long.

“Fifth grade is my jam. They are right on the cusp of turning into little teenagers but they are still little kids where they have that excitement and that wonder about lots of things, but they can joke around with you. They are really coming into their own. I also really like the curriculum I get to teach, too,” Coverstone said.

“I tell people the power of prayer made this perfect little match. The girls got along so well. It was just a great experience,” Coverstone said. “I think I found my new niche. I am going to take a year off to save up to go see them next summer. I will be hosting again.” She had previously attempted to host an exchange student in 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled those efforts.

Another way Coverstone stays connected to the area is through playing the bass guitar for the worship team at the Vineyard Community Church in Syracuse.

While her heart is in the Wawasee community, Coverstone says traveling is a big hobby and it helped her when it came to hosting foreign exchange students.

“I like to learn about the world,” Coverstone said. “I like to travel. When you invite people from other cultures to come live with you you’re going to learn a lot. It was just neat.”

Mobile Meals drivers

Don’t rain on Northshore Children’s Parade

Text and Photos By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Muggy weather and rain showers didn’t stop the residents of Syracuse’s East Eli Lilly Road from participating in a neighborhood tradition Thursday, July 4.

The Northshore Children’s Parade features kids of all ages in patriotic garb marching through backyards along the Wawasee lakefront. They wave flags and bang on pots and pans while led by organizers Rick Winter and Jeff Feighner.

Before they chowed down on cookies and juice at the end of the parade, Winter quizzed the kids on the history of Independence Day and early America. Teenager Anna Winter was the one to correctly name George Washington’s wife, Martha Washington.

This year’s event also saw a new addition, a kickball game played after everyone had partaken of the refreshments.

“There’s so many kids now, it’s good for them to get to know each other by playing together,” said Bob Fanning, who refereed the game. Fanning has lived in the neighborhood for 22 years and also helps out with the parade.

To the kids who march every year, the Children’s Parade is a fact of life. Charlotte O’Brien,11, mentioned she had been doing it for as long as she could remember.

Many of the parents who accompanied their kids to the parade were part of it themselves in their youth. Among them was longtime lakeside resident Betsy Miller, whose grandfather Jeff Feighner started the parade back in the 60s with fellow veteran Bill Beemer. Miller’s daughter, Molly, has been participating in the parade since she was a baby.

As for what keeps everybody coming back, Miller first laughed and stated, “the cookies.”

Upon further thought, she said, “it’s got to be the camaraderie.”

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum is offering an advance preview of “Blind Logic,” a new documentary about Ralph Teetor, a part-time resident of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee. The free showing will be at the historic Pickwick Theater at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23. Doors open at 6 p.m. The museum will accept freewill donations.

Teetor and his family resided in Hagerstown, but first came to Syracuse in 1915. Seeking a more convenient place to keep their speedboat, it wasn’t long before his parents bought a cottage on Lake Wawasee, beginning more than a century of the family summering on the lake. His great-grandchildren still enjoy the property today.

Although blind from an early age, he preferred not to discuss his disability. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1912, and later a master’s degree in 1930. Teetor’s highly developed sense of touch proved helpful in providing a technique for balancing steam turbine rotors used in Navy torpedo-boat destroyers during World War I. Between college graduation in 1912 and his marriage in 1922,

Teetor pursued a hobby of building motorboats. In 1914, Teetor tested his first boat on Lake Wawasee — a 22-foot speedboat with a four-cylinder Teetor-Hartley engine.

Several years later, he bought a 22-foot racing boat named “Miss Detroit II” whose hull was built by Chris and Jan Smith, founders of Chris Craft Boat Company, for

Garfield “Gar” Wood. Teetor and the Smiths became good friends, engineering boat engines for speed and smooth performance.

On Lake Wawasee “Miss Detroit II” achieved speeds exceeding 70 miles an hour. The next year, Teetor built a 30 foot boat named “Siren” powered by two 6-cylinder engines.

Summer vegetables are ripening in Lake Country

Green beans are finally here and with the cooler evenings, tomatoes are ripening. I planted beans around the first week of May when the soil temperature exceeded 55 degrees. I started picking them at the end of June after the 90-degree weather. Beans burst when temperatures are between 65 degrees and 85 degrees F. Like zucchini, tomatoes are really fruits, but nutritionists and grocery stores put them in the vegetable section.

North Webster Trail project continues to move forward

By KEITH KNEPP Staff Writer

SR 13, is steadily progressing, Although construction has not yet begun, work is being done behind the scenes on the project, which is planned in two phases. One phase will connect the south side of North Webster to the north side with the other from the north side to the middle school.

“We are right now working on

selecting the company to do the work,” said Town Council President Dan Thystrup, who is leading the project. “I am hoping to be able to submit this to INDOT late this week.

“If all goes without any delays we hope to be able to get started late in the fall. But, we’re not sure that we can get all the paperwork done in time.”

If you would like to make a donation to the North Webster Trail project or would like further information, Thystrup can be contacted by email at dan@advboat. com.

During this time, the Teetor family had been staying at the Sargent Hotel on Lake Wawasee. Teetor convinced his father they needed better facilities for keeping boats on the lake, so his parents bought a cottage in the early 1920s.

Teetor took a springtime trip to Florida with his good friend and fellow inventor Clessie Cummins, who was developing the diesel engine. Early automobiles were tested on the hard sands of Daytona Beach, and Ralph usually knew exactly what the mechanical difficulty was by listening to the engine. Teetor loved to be a part of what was new, faster and possibly better in automobiles and mechanics.

Fred Duesenberg, known for his race cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, visited Lake Wawasee enjoying a ride in Ralph’s first Chris-Craft, “Siren II.” In 1931, Duesenberg brought his new supercharged Model SJ Duesenberg automobile, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 mph in 17 seconds, to Teetor for approval and admiration.

At Teetor became well known for his unique skill in engineering and improving automobiles, he developed close relationships with officers and engineers of nearly all the automotive companies of the time: Chrysler, Studebaker, Chevrolet, Packard, Caterpillar and most notably, Charles Kettering and Ed Cole of General Motors Corporation. Teetor was elected

national president of the Society of Automotive Engineers in 1936.

In 1937, Teetor served as chief steward of the Indianapolis 500.

Over the course of the summer of 1962, Teetor; Landrum Bolling, president of Earlham College; and Eli Lilly crossed Lake Wawasee by boat many times as the Lilly and Teetor homes were used to work out a plan for Earlham to take possession of the William Conner estate near Noblesville, known today as Conner Prairie living history museum.

The documentary follows the extraordinary journey of Teetor from childhood blindness through his life of fierce determination and distinctive mental vision to become an inventive, insightful leader and philanthropist. Teetor was a prolific inventor whose invention of cruise control is standard feature in every automobile sold today. His life and relationships spanned the entire period of the development of the American automobile industry.

Celebrate the

Continued from page 7

clusion, teens will enjoy a beach party from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Lakeside Park, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse. SPL will provide hotdogs and hamburgers, and teens can play various yard games. Teens should let young adult services librarian Hanna Kunkel know they plan to attend either at the library or by registering digitally at tinyurl.com/SPLTeenBeachParty. Then at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, all ages are invited to the giant Foamzilla party. Starting at 1:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus Council 6323 will serve SnoCones. The foam will begin to flow at 2 p.m. Attendees should wear comfortable shoes that can get wet. The library asks that attendees not wear flip-flops, which will slip in the foam. Sunscreen would also be recommended.

Adult Program

Adults can embark on lifelong

learning during the week of July 15. At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, learn to do the Bruges stitch during knit and crochet club in the upstairs sitting area. Fiber artists can also bring their current projects to work on. Writers in the Syracuse Public Library’s adult writing group, The Workshop, will share travel-themed flash fiction that engages all five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing. Any writer is invited to join the group.

In the Garden — a group interested in the natural world — will embark on a field trip to the Gardens of Central Park and the Warsaw Biblical Gardens at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Both are located in Central Park, 225 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw. Attendees will meet in the parking lot near the Gardens of Central Park. Watch the library’s social media pages for any weather-related event changes.

He became president of Perfect Circle Piston Ring Corportation in Hagerstown, which was later sold to the Dana Corporation. The documentary will touch on his relationship with the leaders of industry during the early period of the auto industry including Henry Ford, Duesenburg, Eddie Rickenbacker and others. He was a regular feature at the famed Indianapolis 500 where his skills were used by many, helping them produce the most powerful racing machines possible.

In addition to featuring the Teetor family enjoying Lake Wawasee, the film credits include three of Dan Teetor’s grandsons who often visited the lake: Composer Jim Andron, former music director for the New Christy Minstrels; Photo Editor Daniel Teetor; and Writer, Director and Producer Jack Teetor. A preview/trailer of the film may be viewed at: https://vimeo. com/manage/videos/929881992.

Children Programs Younger children can attend storytime at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, in the downstairs meeting room. Rebekah Sceniak will read picture books and share facts about Australia, and the children will make koala puppets. The last Tween Time will be a special registration event where participants will head “Down Under” to taste test popular Australian snacks at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18, in the downstairs meeting room. Register at bit.ly/3JUHiWX or ask an SPL librarian to sign you up. Teen Programs Teens in grades 6-12 can learn to make lucky star origami from 2-3 p.m. Monday, July 15, in the Rosalyn Jones Room. Then, they can return to the library from 11 a.m. until noon Tuesday, July 16, for a scavenger hunt around the library. Meet in the Rosalyn Jones Room to get started.

LIFE IS BETTER — This map outlines the present state of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. The portion in green represents the next addition to the trails, the Wawasee South Campaign, which will include 2.2 miles of trails from Grandview Drive to Wawasee Middle School. Map provided by Syracuse-Wawasee Trails.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails to begin next phase

By AMANDA PLANK Executive Director Syracuse-Wawasee Trails

There’s nothing like summertime around the lakes. The Syracuse-Wawasee Trails provides opportunities for walking, running and biking on its diverse trailways throughout our community. The Trails recently announced a rebrand and that updated signage along the current 12 miles of trailways throughout the Syracuse-Wawasee community will

be installed later this year to improve the experience of all trail users. You will see maps, distance markers, and educational materials about our wetlands, birding and more along the routes. Keep an eye out for their new look!

The Trails’ Committee recently announced the Wawasee South Campaign, adding another 2.2 miles of trails in and around Syracuse. In this next phase of expansion from Grandview Drive, they will push south to Wawasee Middle School. This will allow our

community’s first school-to-school connection, providing safe trailways along SR 13 and the vital link to the east and north sides of the lake. Projects like these take a village. Please consider joining the movement by making a donation today! Visit us at SyracuseWawaseeTrails.com for more information.

Upcoming summer events include the annual Tour des Lakes on July 20 and the Trails annual fundraiser on Aug. 22. Life is Better on the Trails!

Around The Lakes

OY Scout BSA Troops 726B and 726G attended Residence Camp last week at Camp Chief Little Tur tle, located near Angola.

Pictured above, from left, in the first row are Sarissa Sturgill, Allisson Smith, Nile Morrison, Jaxon Kimes, Vada Leitch, J.J. Roberson, Holly Marken and Jana Leitch. Back row: Jake Roberson, Nichole Rober son, Rayven Napier, Ethan Napier, Hailee Smith, Raily Klinefelter, Icelle Leitch, Sila Leitch and Brandon Klinefelter.

Finding who I am

By PASTOR JESSE VORE Dewart Lake Community Friends Church

Introductions usually begin with a name and then a modifier categorizing a person, “This is Jim, he’s from the south. He works at the hardware store.”

People are most often defined by their work, their ethnicity, their place in the family or even their gender. Sometimes we even know people simply by their accomplishments. Finding who we are can be a complex and uncertain process. We are so much more than our careers, backgrounds, and awards.

There is nothing wrong with being identified by the things we do or the things we are good at, but there is a more befitting reality that describes a person. Something that outlasts a career or accolades. The Apostle Paul describes those who are saved as, “… God’s masterpiece … created anew in Christ Jesus … to do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) In the Gospel of John it reads, “… to all who believed him and

PASTOR JESSE VORE

accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12 NLT) It’s not that we who believe are no longer doctors, or sisters, or golfers, or Hoosiers; it’s simply that we are something else first!

A Christian should be identified above all by his or her relationship to God. What a wonderful blessing to begin by understanding you are God’s workmanship. The world may identify us by our roles, vocations or appearance, but God defines

us by His love.

Paul writes in Galatians, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:26-28 NLT)

Instead of our identities dividing us, Scripture paints a beautiful picture of how our identity can unite us. There are so many things in life that drive a wedge between people.

We get dragged into culture wars, wage disparities, gender gaps and the like. Sometimes it feels like a never-ending list of things that separate us. God’s design is to unite us. His plan is to bring us together through Christ Jesus.

For those who are seeking something more meaningful than the labels affixed by society, perhaps it is time to assume a more promising identity. You may be known as a person of hope, a person of peace, a person of love … a person defined by your creator.

Churches offer area boat-in services

From Memorial Day until Labor Day, worship is offered on water on three lakes in Kosciusko County: Dewart Lake, Tippecanoe Lake and Lake Wawasee.

Dewart Lake

Dewart Lake Community Friends Church conducts services at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, at Quaker Haven Camp’s Lakeside. Boaters are invited to listen to talented musicians and the good news of Jesus via boat, kayak or on the shore of Dewart Lake at Quaker Haven. If attending on shoreline, it is recommended to bring a blanket or chair. Guest musicians will join Pastor Jesse every Sunday to help lead worship. In inclement weather, the boat-in service will be held in the church, also known as Quaker Haven Chapel.

For more information, call (574) 529-0687 or visit dewartlakefriendschurch.org/boat-in. org or facebook.com/Dewartlakecommunityfriendschurch/. Tippecanoe Lake Leesburg United Methodist

Church hosts a Sunday boatin service at Patona Bay at 8:30 a.m. Guests may worship by land or water. If you come by boat then you may anchor in front of the shore or bring a chair and listen from the shore. Each week, a talented guest musician and Pastor Rob Seewald will share a message.

For more information, call (574) 453-4703 or visit myleesburgmethodist.com/summer-worship or facebook.com/ LeesburgUMC4152014/. Lake Wawasee

The Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association sponsors a boat-in service on Lake Wawasee that begins at 8:30 a.m. Climb aboard The SS Lilly Pad behind The Frog Tavern by 7:30 a.m., pull up a chair in front of Oakwood Resort to attend by shore, or anchor alongside with your own boat.

This one-of-a-kind, half-hour service praises God with special music and a devotion designed to kick your week off on the right foot. For more information, visit wawaseecompass.org/#boat-in.

JUST A reminder the summer reading pro gram at the Syracuse Public Library will conclude with a Foamzilla and SnoCone party starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. Foam will flow at 2 p.m. The party will take place in the staff parking lot, participants are to wear comfortable shoes, no flip flops since they come off easily in the foam. Sun screen is also advised.

B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The Adult Book Club will read “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. The story is about a young man from a well-to-do family who hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mount McKinley. Four months later his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter.

tion for those in grades 4-12, both from 10-11 a.m. July 23. Visit nwcommunitycenter.org to purchase tickets and register.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 15, NWCC will be hosting the Bright Point mobile office. In Kosciusko County, it offers programs, such as child care assistance, rental assistance and veterans assistance. it will only offer assistance, collection of documents and provide pamphlets to the community about the organization. Visit mybrightpoint.org for more information.

The NWCC is hosting a blood drive through the American Red Cross from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23. To sign up, go to redcrossblood.org and enter your zip code to find this and other nearby donation opportunities.

Discussions will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in the downstairs meeting room. A Zoom discussion will follow at 6 p.m. later that day. For more information email Emilia at elayne@syracuse.lib.in.us.

RECENTLY, AROUND the Lakes came into possession of this business card-sized “Seasons Greetings” card that was sent to customers of Cecil Foods Inc, “Packers of Fine Quality Tomatoes.” The company had tomato farms in Milford in the mid-20th century, perhaps hiring migrant workers to harvest the fruit.

In researching The Mail-Journal archives, we came across this information from the issue on July 30, 1969: “Cecil Foods,’ Inc., tomato canners at Milford, have installed two new mechanical tomato peelers. They are linked with a new type high-pressure washing conveyor. ‘But don’t get the idea we won’t need any women to operate our coring and packing lines,’ Jim Cecil added. “In fact, we’ll need more women.” The tomato packing season will begin about August 15.”

Further research indicated that Cecil Farms was sent into receivership to Lake City Bank in 1971. On June 9 of that year, a public auction was held to liquidated the physical assets and equipment formerly owned by the company.

—o—

THERE IS still time to place a bid on the charcuterie boards created by local artists to benefit the Friends of the Syracuse Public Library and its mission to support the library. The boards currently are on display at the library, with bidding closing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.

THE TORNADO siren, currently located in front of the North Webster Elementary School, will be out of service for the next several weeks. This siren is being re-located to SR 13 (Main Street) in North Webster, near the CVS store.

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory performs tornado siren tests at 10 a.m. every first Saturday of each month. So don’t be “alarmed” by the sirens.

—o—

JOIN THE Milford Lions Club for its 80th anniversary open house from 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 19, inside the Milford Community Building, 111 S. Main St. There will be snacks as well as displays of the Milford Lions Club’s history.

Everyone is invited to attend. The open house will be taking place during the July edition of Meet Milford’s “Food Truck Friday” event in downtown Milford.

NORTH WEBSTER Community Center is hosting “Everything is Fossil-ble” from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, (for third and fourth graders), and owl pellet dissection (for grades 4-12) at the same time and date.

The remaining science labs are Busy Bees for those in pre-K and first grade, and frog dissec-

DURING THE Turkey Creek Fire Territory board meeting on Monday, July 8, Greg Scott was promoted to the rank of captain. Additionally, Quinn Hunter was promoted to the rank of deputy chief of operations. Hunter is pictured above, taking the oath of office surrounded by his family. Congratulations to both men.

GOLFERS, DON’T forget about Milford Food Bank’s annual golf outing Thursday, July 18, at Maxwelton Golf Club. For sponsor information or to register a team, visit milfordfoodbank.org/golfouting or email info@milfordfoodbank.org.

WE MAY be in the middle of Summer, but it’s never too early to start thinking about fall sports. Registration for fall soccer for boys and girls ages 3-fifth grade, and NFL Fall Flag Football are currently open. The deadline to register is Aug. 25.

Fees for fall soccer are for pee wee, $40; for kindergarten - middle school, $60 (with a $10 discount for additional siblings). Fees for NFL Flag Football are $60 for the first child, $50 for each additional sibling. For more information visit lakelandyouthin.myrec.com/info. —o—

THE AMERICAN Legion Auxiliary in North Webster is having a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16. Check it Facebook page for more events at the Legion.

THE SYRACUSE Town Wide Garage Sale will be held Aug. 1-3. So now is the time to start going through closets, garages and storage sheds. Remember one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Call the Syracuse Community Center at (574) 457-3440 by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, to register. The sale list will be in the July 31 editions of The Mail-Journal and ‘the PAPER.’ The sale list will be available at the community center beginning Aug. 1. Garage sale permits do not have to be obtained during this weekend.

THIS IN from Scott Fox: “The North Webster Lions Club would like to thank everyone who came out for the 78th Mermaid Festival. We would like to especially thank our sponsors which are listed on our website and the Shoop Youth and Sports Foundation for their sponsorship and all the scholarship money they provided for the Cutie Parade, Cutie King and Queen Pageant, Queen of Lakes Pageant and the Tournament of Champions. Planning has already begun on the 79th Mermaid Festival in 2025 with the theme “Circus Under the Big Top.” —o—

THE DAY before the Independence Day holiday, the Pickwick Theatre had a full house of kids and adults for a free showing of the “Paw Patrol Movie.”

“Syracuse Café packs their restaurant daily, but today they helped pack our theatre,” said Pickwick co-owner Angie Goralczyk. We had a record 283 people today and gave away another record 170 free kids combos! ... Every kid who wanted a free combo got one today thanks, to the generosity of Elise and her customers. Just another reason to support the businesses in our community!”

Goralczyk emphasized that not only did donations come directly from Syracuse Café owner Elise Gans, but also from her customers who made extra contributions to the fund to ensure everyone could have a great, free morning at the Pickwick.

FAMILY GAMES AT WAWASEE FLOTILLA

Large turnout turns laps Flotilla Road Race

By NATHAN PACE

The Flotilla Road Race made its 47th edition through Syracuse Thursday, July 4, with close to 500 people participating. Brian Shepherd serves as race director for the race and said 2024’s running is up near the most ever despite humid conditions.

“This was by far the second most that we’ve had. It was hot but people came out,” Shepherd said. Shepherd said the record number for the race is closer to 600 in a year where weather canceled other road races the surrounding area

Over 400 runners participated in the 3.3-mile race and roughly 80 took on the the longer 8-mile course. Proceeds from the road race benefit the Milford Food Bank. Despite the crowd, Shepherd felt runners were considerate on the course.

“Everybody was really kind. It’s a lot of people in a small area,” Shepherd said. “I appreciate the people working together and being calm when there is a lot people to get through.”

Whitney Anderson, a student from Valparaiso High School, won the women’s division in the 3.3mile race. She has family in Syracuse, making it an event she was

looking forward to. Thursday was her first time running the Flotilla Road Race.

“I really like how it was around the lake and it was fun looking at all the houses while I was running,” Anderson said. “It’s pretty exciting, It’s a very nice place to visit. Definitely come out, it’s a fun experience.”

The road race began at Lakeside Park just after 8 a.m. with the 8-mile runners completing the course around 9 a.m. Awards were handed out to age group winners thanks in part to the 22 sponsors of the race.

Jacquelyn Roberts was trying out the 3.3-mile race for the first time. She has had family run

Local triathlon enters year 16

The Wawasee Kiwanis Sprint Triathlon is reaching 16 years this month with the 2024 edition getting underway at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 27. The race begins at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, The sprint triathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event with the first stage being a quarter-mile swim in Syracuse Lake. A 13.49mile bike ride follows on mostly flat terrain before the final stage, a 3.1 mile run along Northshore Drive and its rolling hills.

The Wawasee Kiwanis Sprint Triathlon also serves as the second leg of the 2024 Sprint Triathlon Series. The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club Triathlon on Saturday, June 22, was the first leg and the third leg is Goshen’s Rock the Quarry on Saturday, Aug. 10. To participant in the triathlon, entrants must be at least 15 years old. The cost is $60 per individual triathlete plus a $5.35 sign up fee. For a two or three person team, the cost is $110 plus the $5.35 sign up fee. Runners can register at runsignup. com/race/IN/syracuse/wawaseekiwanistriathlon. Registration ends at 11:509 p.m. Thursday, July 25. Packet pickup can be made the day prior to the event on Friday, July 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Packets can also be picked up at the Syracuse Community Center from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 27. The beach will close at 7:40 a.m. on race day and the race director

before and wanted to see if she could pull it off herself.

“Just get out and compete against my husband if I can.

We’ve got two little kids so show them how to stay active and things like that,” Roberts said.

“Just being around everybody and watch everybody run. It’s

nice to see the different faces and the competition. The people who are doing it for fun and the people who are trying hard.”

Francie McDonald was returning to the Flotilla Road Race and plans to run again in the event in the future. McDonald moved out of state after starting school

in Wawasee but she still has other family in Syracuse.

“It’s just fun because it’s lighthearted,” McDonald said. “It’s not embarrassing to be slow. It also makes you feel really accomplished running on the Fourth of July at eight in the morning.”

Warrior Open hits

30-year milestone

Arguably the most important fundraiser of the year for Wawasee athletics is completing three decades. The Warrior Open at the Maxwelton Golf Club will be hitting 30 years Thursday, July 11.

The annual golf outing raises money for the Wawasee High School athletic department. Money raised assists in covering the cost of uniforms, equipment and other expenses associated with each athletic team.

Groups can play in teams of four with the cost for each foursome set at $400. The Warrior Open typically has over 30 teams competing with over 120 golfers.

The first flight will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an afternoon flight to follow at 1 p.m. The first and second place teams from each flight will be recognized. Other contests during the day include a closest to the pin and longest putt.

Another aspect of the Warrior Open is fundraising through sponsorships. Supporters and businesses can sponsor a hole with each sponsor getting their logo on a sign located at the tee. Other levels of sponsorships al-

Wawasee Yacht Club 2024 season going strong

The summer racing schedule officially began back on May 25, but the season has close to three more months left before it culminates with Hoosier Regatta on Saturday,

Conrad Golf Classic returns in August

The Conrad Golf Classic returns for its eighth year and will take place on Friday, Aug. 2, at the Maxwelton Golf Club, 5721 S. County Line Road, Syracuse. Tee times are at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the event will offer a scramble with a shotgun start.

The Conrad Golf Classic honors Kim and Stephen Conrad. The event was created in 2017 after the death of the Conrads in a Christmas Day car accident in 2016. The Conrads were regulars at the Maxwelton Golf Club. The golf outing raises funds for memorial scholarships for Wawasee graduates. A total of 27 scholarships have been awarded since 2018 to former Wawasee athletes who are looking to continue their education. One specific scholarship, the Kimberly and Stephen

Conrad II Memorial Scholarship, is available to Wawasee High School seniors who plan to pursue a college degree in education and could also be for those who have played for the Warriors in basketball, golf, cheerleading and gymnastics. The Conrads were involved in all four of those sports in their time at the high school.

This year’s classic will feature an after party at Huntington Street Bar and Grill.

Golfers can register as a team of four for the cost of $500. Slots for the 1 p.m. start are sold out but availability remains for the 8 a.m. You can also become a hole sponsor $100. Donations are also accepted.

To register, sponsor a hole, or donate, visit conradgolfclassic. com.

Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29. Club races run each Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 1. Races on Saturdays commence at 10 a.m. and for Sundays the races are at 10:30 a.m. There are then additional regattas for the Sunfish and I-20 classes in later September. All races are free to the public to watch, although club officials appreciate spectators keeping some distance if possible. The club held its annual E-Scow Regatta back on Saturday, June 8. The club is continuing its tradition with the Junior Sail Program, which caters to the future of sailing. Geared to kids 8-16, the program is taught by longtime sailing veteran Jeff Schmahl. The five week course began on Monday, June 24. Classes are already full but a waitlist has been created for potential additions. Contact Schmahl by email at jrsailing@ wawaseeyachtclub.com for more details. For further information on sailing schedules, the Junior Sail Program or benefits of becoming a member of the Wawasee Yacht Club, visit wawaseeyachtclub.com or contact Commodore Mike Blackwell at commodore@ wawaseeyachtclub.com

“I

“I think the idea was to get

more activity, more involvement around the lake,” Leismer said of the flotilla’s origins. “It seems like it’s drawing people out who have lived here a long time, seeing more activity around the lake.” The theme this year was “Fa-

The

vorite Summer Pastime.” Flotilla participants decorated their boats with activities like fishing, pickleball and golf in mind. As judge, Bill Doege considered several options and almost declared a tie, but ultimately settled on one winner.

This year’s winners, Dave and Elsa Bontrager, took home a Harvest Coffee gift card. Their float was dubbed “Fun In The Sun” and puttered by the judge trailing bubbles, a rowboat with a fisherman dummy inside and an inflatable duck.

“This one hits on something for all ages,” Doege declared. The Bontragers said their participation was a spur of the moment decision, but they were glad they had done it. “It’s just been a really great time,” Elsa said of their win.

The hometown developer time forgot

By PAUL HERMAN Digital Media Archivist

West Pasco Historical Society

Editor’s note: This article was used with permission from Suncoast News. Flowers. They were his passion. And the essential oils they produced made him a fortune.

Of course, contrary to what is implied by the title of this article, history did not really forget Warren Burns. Historians never forget anything. But considering the impact he had on the development of New Port Richey, Warren E. Burns is often overlooked.

Warren Elmo Burns was born

in Milford Junction, Ind., on July 10, 1876. He grew up in that small suburb of Goshen, Ind., then moved to New York City where he met his wife, Lola Dean Lohnes. Not much is known about the relationship between Warren and Lola. They never had children, but Lola seemed to be involved with Warren’s business matters.

Her name appears on many legal documents, land records and business contracts. There is little doubt, however, that he admired her very much, naming his personal yacht that he maintained in New Port Richey the “Lola Dean.” Warren started a business named Morana Inc., which became one of

the leading perfume manufacturers in the United States. He traveled extensively in Europe — particularly France — arranging deals and mergers to strengthen his fragrance business. He worked extensively with the USDA to import flower varieties to the United States to determine if the essential oils they produced could be used in fragrances and perfumes.

Morana eventually merged with International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., which is still a major player today — supplying fragrances for famous name brand perfumes, scented soaps and detergents.

About 1917, Warren Burns purchased property consisting of 32

Families get their feet wet at WACF bug catch

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

It was standing room only at Ruddell Pavilion as families gathered for the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s annual bug catch Saturday, July 6. The crowds came out to enjoy some snacks, learn about the local ecosystem and, most importantly, net some bugs. Before the catching could commence, WACF Education Officer Pam Schumm gave the group a presentation on what they would be looking for that morning — benthic macro-invertebrates.

“That’s a huge long name,” said Schumm, “and it just means you can see them with the naked eye. They’re not microscopic, they’re macroscopic. They live at the bottom of the lake, that’s the benthic part. And ‘invertebrates’ means they don’t have backbone. We’re looking at little critters that don’t have backbones that live on the bottom of the lake.” The presence of certain species, she went on, can indicate the water quality of the lake.

Both children and adults got involved in looking for the little critters. Snails and scuds were caught and compared to the charts posted around the shore for kids to identify what they’d found. Several crayfish, ranging from paperclip-sized babies to a full-grown adult, fascinated the kids gathered around the observation bins. According to Schumm, between 80 and 100 people attend the bug catch every year. This year, there was a total of 178 attendees, eager for the opportunity to get up close and personal with the ecosystem.

acres overlooking the Cotee River that he named “Burns Point.” His brother Clyde F. Burns and his now disabled father, Jerome J. Burns, moved there to oversee the estate while Warren was taking care of his perfume business in New York City.

One of Burns’ responsibilities during his foreign travels was to procure seeds, flowers and other plants that could be used in the production of perfumes. He experimented with many different types of flowers, including roses, geraniums, lavender, hibiscus, bougainvillea and oleander, but one of his favorites was jasmine. In 1920, he imported jasmine plants from Grasse, France, for his experiments. Grasse Commune in France is widely considered as the “perfume capital of the world.”

By the spring of 1920, Warren Burns, who was now wintering in New Port Richey, had expanded his holdings at Burns Point and had purchased additional property upstream on the river that he planned to develop into the “Old Grove” subdivision. Located east of Madison Street with a mile of frontage along the south bank of the Pithlachascotee River, it was sold as an elite subdivision of elegant houses. Located just a quarter mile east of the newly built Gulf High School in 1922, Burns was responsible for extending Gulf Drive from the high school on Grand Boulevard to his Old Grove subdivision.

By the mid-1920s, Burns was now retired from his perfume business in New York City, and had become something of a real estate broker in New Port Richey. In the early 1920s, he was the largest property owner in New Port Richey — other than George Sims’ Port Richey Land Co. Burns’ signature project was Jasmine Point. Located along the west bank of the Pithlachascotee River just north of the downtown area, it included his property at Burns Point and a large swath of land to the south of there between the river and what is now U.S. Highway 19. To help with the development of the Jasmine Point subdivision, Burns formed a partnership in late 1925 with James Becker — a business associate he knew in New York. Becker was more than just a partner to Burns. They were also friends and neighbors. James had also committed to making New Port Richey his winter home, and built his own house along the river on Jasmine Point property. Both

Burns’ and Becker’s houses were designed by famous Sarasota architect Thomas R. Martin.

A large tract of the Jasmine Point land was devoted to an 18-hole championship golf course. Burns negotiated a deal with golfer Gene Sarazen — the best, and most famous, golfer in the world at that time — to design and manage the course. Residential lots in the subdivision were sold to many rich and famous people including Sarazen and silent film actor Thomas Meighan.

Burns was instrumental in the development of New Port Richey in other ways, too. In 1920 he had plans to start an electric utility in the city. He asked the Woman’s Civic Club for help in building support for his plan, which started with the installation of eight street lamps in various locations around the downtown area.

The new electric company, named the Gulf Utilities Company, expanded to generate electricity for the entire town. It also operated an ice plant and generated steam for local businesses.

Burns and his partner Becker were also the prime movers in a project to build a new community hotel in 1926. They formed a corporation known as Community Hotel Inc. to raise money for the hotel and plan its construction. Directors of

the corporation consisted of many influential people in the city of New Port Richey. Martin, who designed Burns’ and Becker’s houses, was hired to create the design. In July of that year, ground was broken for the hotel. And in November the board of directors voted to name the new hotel “The Hacienda.”

Warren Burns died on Feb. 7, 1941. Lola continued to live quite a few years after Warren passed away. She made her home in New Port Richey and was active in the community. She died in 1966 and was buried next to her husband at Pine Hill Cemetery in New Port Richey. The Burns’ riverfront mansion, being in a state of disrepair, was demolished in 2002.

July 4 Activities in Syracuse

An annual tradition: Dixie Day Festival set for July 27

The 16th annual Dixie Day Festival will be Saturday, July 27. Join in for a fun-filled day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in North Webster.

Shop artisan and craft booths, eat some delicious food, check out the car and truck show, new boats and explore what unique, local merchants have to offer.

Be sure to take a ride on The Dixie boat, Indiana’s oldest sternwheeler.

Artisans and crafters will be set-up along Main Street on the lawn of Pilcher’s Shoes. Find unique and artistic gifts, as well as household staples.

New this year is a “kids as vendors” lineup of young entrepreneurs ready to impress with their products and services.

People won’t find a better selection of festival food than on Washington Street. Various food trucks and vendors will be ready to serve people all the festival food favorites

The judged annual car and truck show has been growing over the years. This year, attendees can anticipate more to enjoy. This judged show has a variety of entries with their owners ready to talk shop. You don’t have to know anything about cars or trucks to be impressed. To register for this event, email nwdixieday@gmail.com on or before the day of the show.

A boat show will be on the Mermaid Festival Grounds. Take a look at the newest models of boats for 2024. Local boat dealers will be set up Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday for a chance to check out the newest styles and amenities of 2024 boats. Local merchants join in on the fun with specials and sales you don’t want to miss out on. Look for other fun events happening throughout town like the

scavenger hunt. The top prize of the scavenger hunt is chamber cash to be used at participating chamber members’ locations. Visit the Dixie Day booth on Pilcher’s lawn for more information.

The Dixie Boat will be running and you don’t want to miss this boat ride. A guided tour of Webster Lake is fun for the whole family, or just enjoy the scenery as you listen to the paddle as it churns water. Extra cruises will be at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Visit ridethedixie.com for more information or buy tickets at the booth on the lawn of Pilcher’s.

DJ Jeremy Van Lue will play music at SR 13 and Washington Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The chamber is looking forward to seeing everyone at Dixie Day. Visit Facebook/nwttchamber for updates as more exciting happenings may occur or northwebster. com.

KEEPING IT STOCKED Herb Reiter stocks the shelves at the Van Buren Food Pantry in Milford. The food pantry is open Tuesdays and Fridays and residents may come in once a month for food.

Food pantries help feed the need

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you need a little assistance. If you need food, all three communities are there to help feed the need.

Milford

The Van Buren Township Food Pantry, housed in Milford First Brethren Church at 110 W. Catherine St., is open from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Manager Vickie Scarpellini said the need is great in Milford and Van Buren Township.

Anyone who lives in the township can qualify to receive assistance, which ranges from food staples and dry goods to hygiene products and certain items of clothing.

Prestocked boxes includes meat, cereal, canned goods and cleaning supplies. As they are available, food staples, such as eggs, bread, milk and butter, are included, as well as paper products while supplies last.

“It’s all here. We try to keep a good variety,” said Scarpellini.

The pantry is funded largely on donations of money and products.

Monetary donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 6, Milford, IN 46542 or dropped off at the church during pantry hours or by appointment only. Donations of food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and other approved items may be dropped off at the food pantry by arrangement by calling (574) 5180529. The pantry is always looking for volunteers. Currently, it has five volunteers.

Milford Food Bank Milford Food Bank is located at 111 S. James St. The food bank op-

erates differently from a food pantry. Bill Doege, the operations manager, said the food bank is not open to the public; however, food is available in front of the building at certain times. That information is posted on its Facebook site.

“We partner with about 186 organizations, including food pantries, shelters, and kitchens,” he said.

“That way they can go back and bless their communities. They need us to help fill that void.”

Partners include Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House, among others, with most in Elkhart County. He said about 400,000 pounds of food is what goes out the door each month.

Doege said no government subsidies are used to run the food bank. It will soon be building a large warehouse across the street from its current location. It will be breaking ground in the spring of 2025.

The current proposal will allow for an additional 11,000 square feet of additional warehouse and processing space. Being across the road makes inventory management and distribution simpler and more efficient, Doege said.

A golf outing fundraiser is July 18 at Maxwelton Golf Course, Syracuse. “Night of Faith” will be Aug. 16, at Camp Mack in Milford. It’s hosting this special dinner and auction to raise funds for the new building campaign. Visit milfordfoodbank.org to donate or for more information. North Webster The North Webster Food Pantry is located at 102 S. Morton St., North Webster. Call (574) 244-2142 or email nw-

foodpantry@gmail.com. Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and 1-3 p.m. Thursday.

People must be North Webster or Tippecanoe Township residents. They must show proof of address.

They may come in once a month and receive bags of food and it’s a drive thru so volunteers come out to the car with food and products, like laundry soap, etc.

“We have been steady,” said Lori Mark, volunteer and president of the board. “We get 150 individuals a month on average and about 4050 families.”

Donations are accepted when open or mail a check to P.O. 392, North Webster, IN 46555.

Syracuse

Syracuse Food Pantry is reemphasizing its “Support a Family” program. It serves up to 100 families from Turkey Creek Township per month. Families get about a one-week supply of food, hygiene supplies, and dry goods per visit and are only allowed to visit once per month. The food pantry stocks primarily non-perishable food, but also has five residential freezers and two refrigerators for perishable food. It also collects clothing and household products.

The food pantry is located in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church on Main Street, next to the library.

Hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Contact Arlene Glover at syracusefoodpantry@gmail.com or (574) 457-5450 with any questions.

People must bring a photo ID, proof of residence and proof of financials, such as a recent paycheck.

hosting summer events

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

Wawasee Property Owners Association hosts several fun events for its members every summer.

WPOA focuses on safety and conservation, community service and representation.

The sheriff lake patrol on Lake Wawasee is 100% funded by WPOA membership dues. These volunteers educate the public on lake safety and support the public in case of an emergency.

“We wouldn’t have a lake patrol without them,” said Katie Wingard, WPOA’s administrative officer.

Invasive weed control on the lake is also high on WPOA’s list of important items.

WPOA works hard to maintain relationships with several key community and governmental agencies, including state government, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, the town of Syracuse, DNR, zoning boards and local associations.

This year’s flotilla cruise will be from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, on the SS LillyPad.

WPOA will hold its annual end-of-the-year dinner on the S.S. Lillypad Saturday, Aug. 17.

Plan on arriving around 6-6:15 p.m. to check in, and grab a drink from inside and chat with friends if you come early. The boat will leave at 6:30 p.m. for a 2 and 1/2 hour ride around Lake Wawasee.

There will be a raffle drawing for some WPOA items and the 2024 Chief Award winner will be announced. Dinner will be served, and there will be a cash

AWARD Pam Schumm received the WPOA Chief Award last year. WPOA will hold its annual end-of-the-year dinner on the S.S. Lillypad Saturday, Aug. 17, when this year’s Chief Award will be given out. Photo by Deb Patterson.

bar on the boat. It will arrive back at The Frog at 9 p.m. The WPOA’s annual breakfast is always at the beginning of the summer and is a way of welcoming back people to the area, seeing neighbors and meeting new members.

Always on the closest Saturday to July 4, the WPOA sponsors a spectacular fireworks show. The WPOA’s annual Independence Day fireworks show is 100% paid for by donations.

WPOA also pays for select street lights along the lake.

WPOA has developed a severe warning system and assists in installing and maintaining dry fire hydrants.

Every WPOA member who has

paid their annual dues, receives a comprehensive neighbors’ directory.

WPOA also regularly supports certain organizations including The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Wawasee Flotilla, Syracuse Wawasee Trails, Wawasee Yacht Club and Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, among others.

WPOA also supports Chautauqua-Wawasee, which is dedicated to the exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life through a program of events focused on art, education, faith and recreation. Its goal is to provide unique programs, which enrich the individual, families and the community.

WPOA funds local education projects, college scholarships and fire and safety initiatives. It also has a quarterly newsletter sent to to its members.

The WPOA board meetings will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, Aug. 10 and one in September. For more information or to join, visit wawaseeassociation.org or its Facebook page or call (574) 457-7172.

Historical markers provide a glimpse of the past

By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer

Dan Federspiel reached out earlier this summer, noting the number of historical markers in the area. “By the time I realize what I am seeing, however, the marker is already in my rearview,” he said in an email.

Federspiel, an avid reader of The Mail-Journal, suggested we look further into those markers that dot the landscape.

The official website of the State of Indiana, In.gov, actually has several pages dedicated to historical markers. In Kosciusko County, there are 10 markers with four located between Syracuse and North Webster, dating from 1962 to 2007.

The markers are: Papakeechie’s Reserve, Indian Hill, Cedar Point and Continental Divide. Papakeechie’s Reserve, 7277 E. Eli Lilly Road, Syracuse, actually came under review in 2010. At the time the marker read “Papakeechie’s Reserve: You are now leaving Papakeechie’s Reservation, 36 square miles. This Miami Chief, also known as Flat Belly, held this land from 1828-1834 when it was returned to the National Government. It was later owned by the Wabash & Erie Canal.”

The review recommended “The current maker should be removed. There is no denying that the “Treaty with the Miamis, 1826” that officially gave this allotment of land to Papakeechie occurred in 1826, not 1828. Furthermore, the statement that he ‘held this land from 18281834,’ despite the incorrect date, implies that this was the amount of time he was on that land.

“However, he probably lived in the area for much longer, possibly his whole life. In 1826 he was only confined to a smaller portion of the area in which the Miami had roamed for hundreds of years. Furthermore, the statement that the land was ‘returned’ to the gov-

ernment in 1834 perpetuates the idea that the U.S. was destined to settle the land or was in any way the rightful owner. The statement about the Wabash and Eerie Canal later owning the land is likely correct, but needs more research.

“While the current marker is incorrect and misleading, a new marker in the same area would still be appropriate. A new marker could focus on the fact that the whole area was home to the Miami for hundreds of years. During the treaty years, the area was divided into reservations and individual plots, separating the people from their land and livelihood. Flat Belly could still be mentioned as living on this reserve with his followers.

The new marker would provide an opportunity to talk about broken treaties and Indian removal. Perhaps, the marker could mention that some Miami returned to the area, and their descendants are still fighting for tribal recognition today.” There is nothing in the record to show a new marker was installed.

Indian Hill is located at 877 N. Shore Drive, Syracuse. According to the IHB record the marker, which was placed in 1962, no longer meets with current IHB guidelines and procedures which require the IHB, marker applicants and representatives of indigenous communities to work together on marker text.

The text reads: “Indians formerly wrapped their dead and secured them in the trees here. At the time of white settlement, the wrappings were disintegrating and the bones were falling on the ground.

Cedar Point, located at 11261 Cedar Point Low Road, Syracuse, also notes it was placed in 1962 and does not meet current IHB guidelines and procedures. It reads “This site was occupied by Indians of the Glacial Kame Culture about the time of the birth of Christ.”

The marker for the Continental Divide is located on the east side

of SR 13 along the frontage of the Northern Indiana Weater Forecast Office facility. It was erected in 1968.

The Indiana State Historical Marker Program, which began in 1946, is a public-driven program and its success rests on the partnership between the applicants and the Indiana Historical Bureau.

IHB accepts applications for new marker topics each year. Those topics must demonstrate statewide and/or national significance and be supported with primary source documentation.

Often, structures important in telling the history of marginalized communities are no longer preserved and markers play a significant role in returning these stories to the historical landscapes in which they belong.

In order to be considered for a marker, the topic must demonstrate statewide significance and be substantiated with primary source documentation. Applications for 2024-25 are due July 18 to be discussed when the Indiana Library and Historical Board meets in September.

For more information about the application process visit in.gov/ history/state-historical-markers/ apply-for-a-marker.

Topic priorities for 2024-25 are notable anniversaries such as semi-centennials, 75 year anniversaries, centennials, sesquicentennials etc.; notable Hoosiers who died in 2005 or earlier. IHB guidelines stipulate no individual may be a topic of a marker until 20 years after his or her death.

Another topic is marginalized communities including the historically underrepresented racial, ethnic or immigrant groups and women’s history in Indiana.

An Indiana State Historical Marker for 2024-25 application cycle costs $3,300. the applicant must raise the full cost of the marker.

Learn about the hotel and more during the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s 9th annual Centennial Program. Part one will be held at 10:30 Saturday, July 13. Photo provided by Ann Garceau.

BUTTERMILK POINT WITH MINNEHAHA STEAMBOAT AT PIER Buttermilk Point became famous for its chilled sweet milk, buttermilk and cream.

Photo provided by Ann Garceau

Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to host annual Summer Centennial programs

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will host its 9th annual Centennial program Saturday, July 13. Part one will cover the southeastern shore of Lake Wawasee at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13. Part 2 will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 2. Both programs will be held at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive.

This year the Summer Centennial programs will feature the lakeshore from where Turkey Creek enters Wawasee on the southeast end of the lake to Buttermilk Point and on to Cottingham Beach.

Syracuse resident and native Ann Vanderford Garceau brings an insightful look into the homes, communities and people who have been a part of the town of Syracuse before and since its establishment in 1837.

Part 1 of the program will tell the story of the Rollert family who owned 26 acres along the lakeshore, and the Jarrett family of buttermilk fame who sold to

Chautauqua-Wawasee still has a lot to offer this summer

By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer

Summer may seem to be half way over, but Chautauqua-Wawasee still has plenty of programming to offer.

The next program ChautauquaWawasee will host is Famous Hoosiers from 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Oakwood Resort, 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse. It is remarkable how little many Hoosiers know about the history of the state and the amazing people who were born in the state. Some of the greatest athletes, composers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders, musicians, philanthropists politicians, preachers, public servants, scientists, teachers and writers were born in Indiana.

Chautauqua-Wawasee has embarked on an annual series to highlight Hoosiers who have impacted American. Coach John Wooden will lead off this series with a presentation by Dr. Richard Gunderman, author of the book “Hoosier Beacons.”

Participants will be amazed at the nature and accomplishments of the man discussed. Then, join Chautauqua-Wawasee for a “Syracuse/ Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane,” from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Oakwood Resort.

This project seeks to locate and preserve the video history of this area. “Back in the day, we called

these ‘home movies,’” said Mark Knecht, one of the project organizers. “But today we simply call them videos.”

Phase one of this multi-year project began in April 2023, and culminated in a showing of three historic videos. “Since last year, a number of new vintage material have surfaced. In anticipation of this year’s program on July 20, we are seeking additional video materials,” said Ann Garceau, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s project organizer. The project is seeking ‘home movies” from the period prior to 1975, in either black and white or color. These will be loaned to the museum to convert to digital format and then returned to the owner, at no cost to them. After the showings, attendees are invited to share their memories of Syracuse via an open microphone session.

These will be recorded with the attendee’s permission to be included in an oral history project.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum also invites attendees to share their own historical home movies with the museum in preparation for another historical film festival next year.

Back by popular demand is Stories of the Myaamiaki People which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept.7, at the Ruddell Pavilion at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s property, 11586 N. SR 13.

Attendance at last year’s Myaamiaki Stories program was standing room only. Members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma shared stories about culture and food of Native Americans.

“We knew there was significant interest in local history and Native Americans,” cited John Beams, one of the Chautauqua organizers of the event. “But attendance exceeded our expectations by far, so we decided to offer the program again this year.” Plan to attend to hear more stories at this free program.

Chautauqua-Wawasee and Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are collaborating to offer the fourth annual series of programs that explore the local history of northeastern Indiana. The series offers three programs Sept. 1214. The Sept. 12 and 13 programs are being hosted at the Syracuse Community Center while the Sept. 14 program will be outdoors at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion. Each program features presenters with expert knowledge and provides an interactive environment for discussion and hands-on examination of artifacts. All are free to attend.

Trevor Tipton returns Sept. 12 to discuss and display his Indian artifact collection from Noble County and weave the local history of the Native Americans into his presentation. His personal collection accumulated over the past 40+ years will be on display.

His presentation in 2021 was very popular. Then, on Sept. 13, Dr. Mark Schurr, professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, will speak about what archaeologists know about northern Indiana from the very first humans to settle here more than 10,000 years ago through the historic occupations of the Potawatomi and Miami.

Join Chautauqua-Wawasee for an evening filled with everything from wooly mammoths to sprawling mound centers, and uncover Indiana’s unique and rich archaeological past.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, eight individual activities and experts share information on what life was like back in the 1800s. These include demonstrations of the Atlati tool, flint knapping, Myaamiaki games and presentations by a 1754 French Marine, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Archaeological Division, metal detecting and others.

This Saturday program has been well attended and popular with children and families.

To round out the summer Chautauqua-Wawasee’s ever popular “Then and Now” Historical Cruise will be held from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 26. Narrated by Ann Garceau, this historical cruise around Lake Wawasee is very popular. Tickets for this cruise have been on sale since the May cruise sold out. Do not delay in purchasing tickets at chautauquawawasee.org.

Charles Johnson in 1914. Johnson developed an amusement park and then Johnson’s Hotel with its five buildings. Also discussed will be Elmwood Heights.

Several mineral springs, prized for their medicinal value flowed from a wooded bluff on Chief Papakeechie’s reservation, located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wawasee at the mouth of Turkey Creek.

Anton Julius Rollert, a wealthy Chicago factory owner, spent several weeks each summer at Buttermilk Point around 1897. He eventually purchased the Mineral Springs Park and converted the buildings into an attractive country home where he summered. Today, this property is the wooded common area behind Runaway Bay Condos. Eventually the Rollert family owned 26 acres of lakefront property from Mineral Springs Park to Elmwood Heights, now

Governor’s Hill Condos. The other family of note was the Jarrett family. In the 1840s Bentley Jarrett traveled from Virginia to settle on the best hunting and fishing land he could find at the southeastern tip of Turkey Lake, as Wawasee was known at the time. Jarrett’s son, Lewis, acquired the land known today as Buttermilk Point.

Lewis Jarrett built a log milkhouse and by 1893 landing docks for boats were built and the milkhouse, which offered milk, buttermilk and cream, quickly became famous. Jarrett’s Landing soon became known as Buttermilk Point. Descendants of both families are still in the area. To hear more about what life was like before the area became known as a resort area, be sure to attend the presentation on Saturday, July 13.

COFFEE AND CONTEMPLATION Tom Snowbarger, Debbie Snyder and Judi Snowbarger chat over coffee at last year’s Syracuse Lake Association Breakfast. This year, members will get together for breakfast and learn about aquatic weed control. Photo by Deb Patterson.

Syracuse Lake Association Breakfast set for Aug. 17

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Each year, the Syracuse Lake Association holds a breakfast for members to gather, chat and learn something about the SLA’s efforts to preserve their lake. This year’s breakfast will take place 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Syracuse Community Center. Breakfast is free for members, $10 for non-members. This year’s guest speakers are SLA membership chairman Vince Beasley and lake patrol officer Matt Goodnight. The two will discuss the issue of aquatic weed control in Syracuse Lake. There will also be a section on boat safety and, in their words, “a spice of history,” said board president Cindy Kaiser. The SLA is also running its fourth annual photo contest. Members’ best photos of Syracuse Lake

should be submitted to syracuselakeassociation@gmail.com before the end of Labor Day weekend, Tuesday, Sept. 3. Winners will have their pictures published in next year’s directory and their dues paid for one year. The Syracuse Lake Association is an organization of property owners on Syracuse Lake, adjacent to Lake Wawasee. Its mission is to foster and encourage the improvement, development, maintenance, and beautification of the lake. The organization is operated by board members Cindy Kaiser, president; Tim Keim, vice president; Dave Thwaits, treasurer; Katie Conrad, secretary; Vince Beasley, membership; Nate Shoemaker, fireworks; Todd Mikel, fireworks; Corrine King, directory; Mindy Beyeler, breakfast and aquatic weed control; and Tom Hodgson, aquatic weed control.

One of those is community projects such as these potted plants which were placed around North Webster this year. Photo provided by the chamber.

North Webster chamber assists residents, visitors

By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer

The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce assists visitors, residents and its members in a variety of ways.

Emily Shipley, president of the chamber, said there are 130 members in the chamber.

“We are focusing on our mission of building a stronger community by promoting our members’ businesses,” she said.

The chamber publishes a free community guide every year. It can be picked up at the North Webster Community Center, and some of the area’s businesses.

In addition, it honors its members with the Member of the Month designation.

“We highlight businesses for their ongoing support of the community,” she said.

The chamber also assists the community in other ways. One of its biggest projects this year was placing potted plants and flowers around the town.

The chamber’s Visitor Center is located inside the North Webster Community Center. Visitors can get maps, information about local businesses and the Indiana Festival Guide at the center.

“We try to connect all of our visitors to our social media platforms by re-sharing posts to help get information out about the community,” said Shipley.

The chamber host several events during the year. Every year,

the chamber hosts a tree-lighting ceremony in downtown. This year it will be Nov. 23.

“It brings a ton of people from outside communities,” Shipley said of the Christmas tree lighting.

The chamber also organizes Dixie Day, which is Saturday, July 27.

It also does a Main Street cleanup project each year.

“We are giving a donation to the WLCA to support their Webster Lake Dam Project,” Shipley noted. This is a matching-campaign fund, said Shipley.

“We also donate to the fireworks fund,” she said. This year’s fireworks is Saturday, July 6.

The chamber also supports the Kids Business Fair every March and participates in the Mermaid Festival parade.

Every year, the chamber hosts an awards banquet. This year’s banquet was March 11 and the theme was “Community is Everything.” Four awards were given out this year: Volunteer of the Year, Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Large Business of the Year.

The chamber invites all members to attend meetings at noon the second Monday of each month, at the North Webster Community Center in the Sroufe Room. For more information or to become a member, call (574) 834-1600, ext. 232, email nwttchamber@gmail.com or visit northwebster.com or its Facebook page.

Love for the lakes: local aquatic research and education

By LILLY CENTER FOR LAKES & STREAMS

The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams is a research and education center in Winona Lake that makes Kosciusko County’s lakes and streams clean, healthy, safe and beautiful. Over 45 Grace College interns across six teams and 10 full-time staff fulfill this mission through research, education and collaboration. The field research team collects data and samples 14 streams every week in the summer, biweekly during the school year and 16 lakes weekly during the summer. The education team develops K-12 programs, teaches in classrooms during the school year, and plans for various events and field trips. The aquarium team maintains over 80 aquariums in local classrooms, businesses throughout the county and our facility. The algae and toxin lab teams analyze and test the water samples for potentially dangerous toxins produced by blue-green algae. The communications team informs and updates the public on research and ways they can care for the lakes through educational columns, blog posts, social media and press releases. The Papakeechie Lake outlet, Dillon Creek, Launer Ditch, Turkey Creek, Syracuse Lake, Lake Wawasee and most recently, Waubee Lake, are among the lakes and streams the research team samples weekly. Last year’s Decade Lake Study showed that levels of microcystin, a toxin found in bluegreen algae, were above the pet safety threshold in Waubee Lake, so we added it to the yearly schedule. Residents can now sign up for toxin notifications the Lilly Center sends out every week during the

WACF events continue from summer to fall

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Through the rest of this summer and into the fall, the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is holding events designed to both educate and entertain. Many offer a chance to get hands-on experience with the local ecosystem.

Canoe trips are from 7 a.m. to noon Friday, July 12, 19 and 26, and Aug. 2 and 9. See the watershed up close and personal on one of these trips. Canoes are provided, but participants are free to bring own canoe or kayak. Everyone will be meeting at the DNR parking lot on Hatchery Road, then launching from the Knapp Lake public launch ramp. The cost is $5 per person.

A wetland adventure will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at the WACF, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse. Wetland adventures feature interactive activities and crafts geared toward preschool and elementary-aged kids. This is a free event, no registration required, but kids must be accompanied by an adult. Those wishing to participate in the canoe scavenger hunt should bring a life jacket if possible. The Anderson Farm Tour will take place from 9:30-11 a.m.

GETTING EDUCATIONAL WACF education officer Pam

Bug Catch event. The next Lake Talk & Eats will take place on a Lillypad Cruise, where guests will learn more about the watershed. Several other WACF upcoming events offer an opportunity to learn hands-on. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

Wednesday, July 31, at 2868 N. 1200W, Cromwell. Russel Anderson will explain how responsible farming practices are of vital importance to the water quality in the Wawasee watershed. There will also be a tractor and wagon tour of Dillon Creek, which flows through the fields of Anderson

Farms. RSVP by e-mailing pamschumm@gmail.com or fill out the form at wacf.com/event/farmtour/. And finally, join the WACF for their annual Lake Talk & Eats Lillypad Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 3. Boarding begins at 9:45 a.m. at The Frog, 1116 S. Hark-

Learn about local waters and become a citizen scientist

Clean, abundant water is a valuable resource. Hoosier Riverwatch, an Indiana Department of Environmental Management education program, hosts workshops around the state to train people to monitor local streams, rivers and lakes.

The next volunteer river monitoring workshop is at the North Webster Community Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. The training is presented by the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District and The Watershed Foundation. A reservation is required to attend and the event is completely free of charge.

“By learning the basics of stream monitoring, participants can launch a lifelong passion that not only benefits the environment, but also can be personally fulfilling,” said Lyn Crighton, TWF Executive Director. “If we’re to protect this crucial natural resource into the future, we need to foster an understanding and appreciation for conservation that will sustain us for generations

to come.”

Volunteers take a look at microinvertibrae and other creatures found in a stream during a past monitoring of a local stream to help determine the water-quality.

The workshop will provide general education in water-quality issues and hands-on training in monitoring the health of rivers and streams through physical, chemical and biological testing.

After the training, volunteers can perform stream testing for a wide variety of possible pollutants. They then submit their data to a statewide volunteer monitoring database that makes the information available to anyone.

“The training is for anyone interested in learning about water quality and gaining hands-on experience in monitoring rivers and streams,” said Amanda Heltzel, Kosciusko SWCD Education Coordinator. “People interested in the environment, especially educators, are invited to attend.”

Hoosier Riverwatch, sponsored

CHECKING THE HEALTH OF A STREAM RIvewatch volunteers

check a local stream for the health of the stream through physical, chemical and biological testing.

by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, is an education program that focuses on local river and stream stewardship.

More than 6,000 people have participated statewide. Check out HoosierRiverwatch. com to find water-quality data collected by these citizen scientists

and to discover where monitoring has taken place. For reservations, specific location and directions, contact Paige Hubner at The Watershed Foundation at admin@watershedfoundation or (574) 834-3242. To learn more about Riverwatch, visit in.gov/ idem/riverwatch/

summer to stay up to date and keep their family and pets safe.

In summer 2022, in collaboration with the department of engineering students at Grace College, we developed a research buoy to be deployed on Lake Wawasee to collect data all the time, not only when the team is out sampling. The monitoring equipment is similar to the probes the field research team uses for regular lake sampling. The buoy collects data like pH, temperature, and oxygen levels every hour, and measures amounts of pigments that are signs of toxic blue-green algae.

The field research and lab teams study many organisms besides algae, including invasive species such as zebra mussels, to find possible solutions to stop them from harming native habitats and species.

The Lilly Center partners with Milford, Syracuse, North Webster and Wawasee schools through the Classroom Lake Experience and Lake in the Library programs. During the school year, one of our 40-gallon aquariums is installed in a classroom or library. Education staff provide learning materials and visits to teach students about water literacy.

The students at these schools also participate in the Lilly Center’s annual art contest. K-12 students from across the county submit their artwork pertaining to the Lilly Center theme for the year, and the winners receive prizes. Programs like these provide hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages to get involved in caring for and understanding the importance of our local aquatic systems.

To learn more about research on lakes and programs in your area, visit the Lilly Center’s website at lakes.grace.edu.

Please take the time to make sure your classified

It happened in North Webster ... 20 years ago

Patrick and Bethanie Kelley welcome daughter

10 YEARS AGO, JULY 9, 2014

A big weekend is being planned by North Webster American Legion Post 253 to raise funds for Kosciusko Cancer Care Fund in the memory of Kay Kyler. She was a long-time, active member of the North Webster American Legion Auxiliary Unit 253 and was the wife of former Legion Commander Harry Kyler. All proceeds from the three-day event will be going to KCCF. Lyn Crighton, director of the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, shared, “I had the pleasure of celebrating the 102nd birthday with Mary Price, a Lake Tippecanoe resident and TWF supporter. When asked why she is a financial supporter of TWF, Mary said, “I first came to the lake in 1918 with my parents, and I’ve been coming back ever since.”

Several members of the North Webster United Methodist Church UPWARD youth sports league carried a banner in this year’s Mermaid Festival parade. They were Shelby Adams, Belle Stephens, Anna Shock, Cammi Kryder and Ashley Strombeck.

20 YEARS AGO, JULY 7, 2004

Patrick and Bethanie Kelley of North Webster are the parents of a daughter, Sarah Beth, born at 5:29 a.m. Friday, July 2. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Joan White entertained members of Hi Neighbors Club in her home June 24. Mildred Gilbert gave the meditation. She read a short story titled “God’s Smile.” Janelle Rensberger presided. Secretary Margaret Darr called roll with members responding to “tell a parade experience.” The group’s recent trip to Wakarusa was discussed. Gilbert was presented with a gift. White and Connie Mock, assistant hostess, served refreshments.

30 YEARS AGO, JULY 6, 1994

Hi Neighbors Club members and guests met June 25 at North Webster Park for an anniversary and birthday picnic. Colleen Bryant, Mary Ellen Haney and Harriet White were hostesses for the event.

On June 23, members of the Tippecanoe Township Club went for a ride around Webster Lake and had lunch on the Dixie Boat. Rita Beeson was chairman for the outing.

40 YEARS AGO, JULY 11, 1984

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Young of North Webster will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Friday, July 27. An open house will be held in Fort Wayne July 29. Young and the former Mary Eckert were married July 27, 1934, in Huntington. They have two sons and three grandsons.

As pledges for the North Web-

ster public beach and park project begin to add up, the North Webster branch of Lake City Bank has made one of the first cash donations to the project. The bank donated $1,000. Dixie Pryor, park board president, accepted the check from Jean Thomas, president of the North Webster branch

*15 Word Maximum

of Lake City Bank.

50 YEARS AGO, JULY 10, 1974

ONE COLUMN BOXED ADS

$7.60 per column inch for one to three insertions.

Anna Bowers chapter of WCTU met July 2 at the North Webster Church of the Brethren. Officers for the coming year were elected. They are as follows: president, Mrs. Lawrence Wilcoxon; vice president, Mrs. Zelam Kyle; secretary, Mrs.

Eva Locke; treasurer, Mrs. Betty Barrett. Mrs. Elizabeth Baker gave the meditation and devotions. Jenny Kuhn gave the closing prayer.

Floyd H. Baker, North Webster, secretary of the Lakeland school board for the past seven years, filed Tuesday afternoon for a third term on the board. Baker, a former high

It happened in Milford ... 30 years ago

$6.30 per column inch for four or more insertions of the same copy.

Kris Owen is top seller of Girl Scout cookies

ANNOUNCEMENTS ....................A005-A100

10 YEARS AGO, JULY 9, 2014

the roadsides a few times each year.

business administration.

50 YEARS AGO, JULY 10, 1974

BUYERBEWAREThePapersIncorporatedcannotscreenalladvertisements toeliminatepossibilitiesoffraudor misleadinginformation.Ifitsoundstoo goodtobetrue,itusuallyis.Persons respondingtoadsareadvisedtocontact theBetterBusinessBureauinyourareaor theIndianaSecretaryofState’sFraud Hotlinebeforesendinganymoney. 1-800-223-8791

Auction Sales A010

Last Tuesday morning when the area was under a tornado warning, Main Street heard on the scanner a new Milford resident was asking where to go since they lived in a mobile home. As it turns out, they were told to drive from Milford to Wawasee High School, 7 miles away. After some further checking we found out Milford no longer has a storm shelter. There used to be one in the basement of the old town hall, which was believed to have served as the town jail. Officers at the Milford fire station pointed out their building is open anytime there is severe weather. Local residents can come to the station where there is a generator, restroom facilities and other temporary amenities necessary.

Kevin R. and Wanda (Chupp) Miller, Milford, are the parents of a daughter, Audrea Lynn, born at 2:18 a.m. Monday, July 5, in Goshen General Hospital. She weighed 9 pounds, 3.9 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

30 YEARS AGO, JULY 6, 1994

family was officially welcomed to Milford with a reception at the Milford Community Building on Sunday, July 8. He is working in Dr. Floyd Rheinheimer’s office on Main Street.

Kathryn Dian and Carl Alan Bice, daughter and son of Donald and Monica Bice, Milford, recently received bachelor degrees this spring. Kathryn Dian graduated May 19 from St. Mary’s College with a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and Carl Alan graduated May 20 from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor degree in

Stan Price recently purchased the farm house on what was formerly the Phend and Brown farm and he and his family are moving there at this time. The Virgil Zimmermans, who vacated the farm home, bought a house on Waubee Lake near Dr. Warner’s. Mrs. Roscoe Coy will be moving into the vacated Price home on South Main street around the first of August and Mr. and Mrs. George Auer will be moving into the Coy residence at Emeline and Henry streets.

It happened in Syracuse ... 10 years ago

WANTED TO BUY CALL ME 574-457-6754

20 YEARS AGO, JULY 7, 2004

COMPLETE HOUSEHOLDS OF Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles, Coins, Old Toys GUNS Musical Instruments, Anything Of Value

Employees from Milford-based Maple Leaf Farms have adopted more than four miles of roadside along county roads 900N and 200E near Milford. To keep these roads free of litter and hazardous items, the group has pledged to clean up

Rex A. Heil, REALTOR®/BROKER KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

“Your Contact for Buying or Selling” Cell: 574-528-0537 / Lake Office rexaheil@kw.com Each office independently owned & operated.

Kris Owen, Milford, sold 1,274 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to qualify her as this year’s councilwide top seller. Kris is a member of Troop 326. Prizes Kris won include four weeks at Camp Singing Hills, a $450 scholarship and $50 credit to use in the Girl Scout catalog. In addition, she was awarded with an endangered species animal — black bear; a flashlight; an AM/FM radio; a locker organizer; a patch; a bear ornament; a see-through telephone; an alarm clock; and a water bottle. Her expenses were paid on a bus trip to the Indianapolis Zoo and Children’s Museum June 4-5, and she will get a free trip to Indiana Beach.

Flotilla entries definitely had their game on

10 YEARS AGO, JULY 9, 2014

40 YEARS AGO, JULY 11, 1984

The Dr. S. Douglas Stryker

We are looking for an accomplished Sales and Marketing Director with a solid background in the publishing industry and extensive sales experience. The ideal candidate will be marketing-savvy, well-versed in both print and digital marketing strategies, and possess a comprehensive understanding of advertising, print media, email campaigns, website analytics, digital marketing, SEO, and current digital marketing trends. This role manages over 40 marketing professionals, including a local sales team and a remote team that covers three states.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute effective sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth for both print and digital platforms.

• Lead and manage a team of over 40 marketing professionals, including a local sales team and a remote team across three states, to achieve and exceed sales targets.

• Analyze market trends and competitor activities to identify new opportunities and improve existing strategies.

• Oversee digital marketing efforts, including the development of digital platforms, email campaigning, SEO marketing, and website analytics to optimize online presence.

• Collaborate with editorial and production teams to ensure alignment of sales and marketing initiatives with content strategies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders.

• Monitor and report on team sales and profit performance.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in the publishing industry, with a strong track record in sales and marketing.

• Extensive sales experience with a demonstrated ability to achieve and exceed targets.

• In-depth knowledge of print and digital marketing, including email campaigns, website analytics, and SEO.

• Strong understanding of current advertising and digital marketing trends, and best practices.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience managing a large team.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work on-site at our Milford, Indiana corporate office.

Why Join Us:

• Be part of a family-owned company with a rich history and a strong presence in the publishing industry.

• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

• Lead a talented team and make a significant impact on our growth and success.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Send email and send resume to: rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

During the regular monthly meeting of the Wawasee Community School Corp. Board of Trustees, the board heard a report about a generous and quite unexpected, financial gift that will allow for employment of an instructional coach to assist Syracuse Elementary School teachers in learning and instructional techniques. The Laudeman family is donating $120,000 to be paid in two $60,000 installments, this year and in 2015. The weather couldn’t have been better and the entries were just as great as the weather on Lake Wawasee Saturday afternoon for the 2014 Wawasee Flotilla. Winning first in the youth division was the Ben and Maggie Brunner family, North East Wawasee Drive, Syracuse, with Candy Land Kids, followed by Emma Johnson from the Spink with her

“I Spy” entry. Third place went to the Beemsterboer family’s entry of Pacman from East Hatchery Road, Syracuse.

20 YEARS AGO, JULY 7, 2004 Dick and Cindy Trammel of Syracuse were pleasantly surprised when they arrived at the Nutrition Center at the Syracuse Community Center Wednesday, June 30. Several seniors, who come to the community center and eat lunch at the nutrition site, threw a couple an early 50th anniversary party.

30 YEARS AGO, JULY 6, 1994 If you haven’t been to Syracuse Cafe for a while, you won’t believe your eyes. Vince Leo, owner, is having some interior remodeling done. Not only has there been a new ceiling installed but, new paneling as well. Leo states that new carpet will also be installed in the restaurant, once the new panel-

STATE OF INDIANA COUNTY OF KOSCIUSKO )SS: 43C01-2406-PL-000061

D. PHILLIP FORD, S. JILL STARR, NANCY J. ROBBINSON, ROBERT C. FORD, PATRICK MAIER AND JENNIFER MAIER, Plaintiffs

v. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES AND LEGATEES OF MARY JANE BIGLER, Defendants NOTICE OF COMPLAINT FOR ADVERSE POSSESSION

TO: The unknown heirs, devisees and legatees of Mary Jane Bigler and any other persons claiming an interest in the

Scheeren, Bucher cut ribbon on Farmhouse Events and Catering

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

Shanda and Chris Scheeren

and Peggy and Don Bucher cut ribbon on their latest venue venture, Farmhouse Events and Catering, 9522 North CR 300E, Syracuse, just down the road from the family’s other venue, Blue Barn Berry Farm and Event Venue.

Blue Barn Berry Farm boasts a

premier wedding venue that can host up 215 and a modern, rustic, intimate event room, among other amenities. Farmhouse Events and Catering will focus on providing expert event catering as well as being the perfect venue for graduation parties, bridal showers, celebrations of life and corporate meetings. The Farmhouse can accommodate up to 70 people. The Farmhouse also has porch seating and a spacious

Flotilla entries

Continued from page 8-B

ing is finished.

40 YEARS AGO, JULY 11, 1984

back lawn.

“Our head chef, Jim Bryan, has been doing this for over 20 years,” Chris Scheeren, part owner, said. “To say he knows his stuff is an understatement. He can serve anything from a relaxed pulled pork dinner to a fancy, plated steak dinner.”

Farmhouse Events and Catering and Blue Barn Berry Farm are currently booking. For more information about the venues,

like Blue Barn Berry Farm and The Farmhouse on Facebook, visit farmhousecelebrations.com or call (574) 742-2247.

The venue veterans have recently ventured into North Webster with their new adventure, Hidden Oak Manor, scheduled to be opening in September. Follow the venues on social media to keep up to date with Hidden Oak Manor and other venue activities and updates.

1.

2.

4.

6.

not

States

My

that

am a United States citizen is birth certificate. I will bring this document to my change of name hearing for verification.

7. That the following judgements of criminal conviction of a felony under the law of any state or the United States have been entered against me, or I have stated immediately below that I have no felony convictions: I do not have any felony convictions.

8. That I am not seeking to defraud creditors by changing my name.

9. That I have published notice of my request for change of name in a local publication as required by law, and will bring proof of publication to the hearing. 10.

11.

50 YEARS AGO, JULY 10, 1974

Miss Becky Eyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Eyer, of r 4 Syracuse, attended the 65th annual meeting of the American Home Economics association at

Sharon Meek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Meek, Syracuse, has been named to the dean’s list for the 1984 spring semester at Fort Wayne Bible College. Miss Meek is studying for the bachelor of arts degree at the Bible college. She is a graduate of Wawasee High School.

STATE OF INDIANA

COUNTY OF KOSCIUSKO ) SS: IN THE KOSCIUSKO CIRCUIT COURT CAUSE NO.: 43C01-1908-PL-000072

PROPERTY OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY

Plaintiff,

v. BRANDON L. TAYLOR AND ANGELA M. THORN, Defendant NOTICE TO DEFENDANT

Plaintiff, by attorney, Michael P. Irk, files complaint together with an affidavit of competent person showing that Angela M. Thorn cannot be found and has concealed its whereabouts or is not residing in the State of Indiana.

Said defendants must answer the complaint in writing, in person, or by attorney within 30 days commencing with the publication of the last notice or a judgment may be entered against the defendant as demanded in the complaint filed in the courthouse in Kosciusko County, Indiana, or said action will be heard and determined in the absence of the defendant.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court this 13th day of June, 2024. Michael P. Irk, #22054-45 IRK LAW OFFICE, P.C.

Attorney for Plaintiff 1500 West Oak Street, Suite 200 Zionsville, IN 46077

765-485-0131

765-485-0175 fax hspaxlp

Ju.26-Jy.10

Los Angeles, Calif. There were nearly 7,000 home economists registered for the meeting.

Miss Eyer is a home economics teacher at the Liberty junior high school in North Judson.

STATE OF INDIANA COUNTY OF KOSCIUSKO CAUSE NO. 43C01-2406-MI-69 IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: Javier Estrada Medina Petitioner

VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Petitioner, Javier Estrada Medina, pro se, respectfully petitions the court to change name. In support of this Petition, Petitioner states as follows:

1. That my current name is Javier Estrada Medina.

2. That my date of birth is 11/12/1966.

4. That my mailing address is: 624 E. Acorn Dr., Warsaw, IN 46582.

6. That I do hold a valid United States passport. My proof that I am a United States citizen is proof of citizenship. I will bring this document to my change of name hearing for verification.

7. I do not have any felony convictions.

8. That I am not seeking to defraud creditors by changing my name.

9. That I have published notice of my request for change of name in a local publication as required by law, and will bring proof of publication to the hearing.

10. That I am not a sex or violent offender who is required to register under Indiana Code 11-8-8.

11. That I wish to change my name to: Javier Estrada.

12. That I request that the name on my birth certificate not be changed.

WHEREFORE, I respectfully request that this Court grant my Petition for Name Change, and for all other just and proper relief. I affirm under penalties for perjury that the foregoing representations are true. Shannon L. Dick Notary, Kosciusko County hspaxlp Ju.26-Jy.10

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS TOWN OF SYRACUSE SYRACUSE, INDIANA 2024 SYRACUSE RESURFACING

General Notice

Town of Syracuse (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: 2024 Syracuse Resurfacing Project #H24089

Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the Syracuse Town Hall located at 310 N. Huntington Street, Syracuse, IN 46567, until Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local time. At that time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.

The Project includes the following Work:

The project includes but is not limited to milling and resurfacing of town streets including portions of E. Chicago Street, Lakeside Drive, Iris Lane, Rose Lane, Henry Ward Park, and various alleys. Additionally, concrete sidewalk and alley entrance are included, and all other work required for the completion of the project.

Bids will be received for a single prime Contract. Bids shall be as shown in the Bid Form.

Obtaining the Bidding Documents

The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Commonwealth Engineers, Inc., 100 E. Wayne Street, Suite 315, South Bend, IN 46601. Prospective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office on Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office as described below. Prospective Bidders may also examine the drawings via the Web-based service of Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. at www.commonwealthengineers.com.

The Contract Documents, Specifications and Drawings will be provided via the web-based service of Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. at www.commonwealthengineers.com. The plan holder will receive an email link to the PDF downloadable documents upon payment of a non-refundable fee of One Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($150.00) plus 7% sales tax, per project division desired.

One set of printed Contract Documents, Specifications and Drawings may be obtained upon payment of an additional non-refundable fee of Two Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($250.00) plus 7% sales tax, per project division desired, via the web-based service of Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. at www.commonwealthengineers.com. Requests for Contract Documents and Specifications and Drawings must also include a return street address; post office box numbers are not acceptable.

Contract Documents will not be sold separate from the web-based service (i.e.

All plan holders will be required to purchase through the web-based service). Partial sets of Contract Documents, Specifications and Drawings are not available. Questions pertaining to this project shall be submitted directly to Jeff Lashlee, P.E. at Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. via https://login.procore.com. Additional questions concerning access to the website may be directed to Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. at (317) 888-1177. All addenda, which may be issued for this Project, will be issued to each plan

set of Plans and a Project Manual. Bid documents for the Project will be available beginning July 10, 2024 and may be examined and obtained digitally by contacting Magdalena Aravena with Troyer Group at maravena@troyergroup.com.

The work to be performed and the bid to be submitted shall include sufficient and proper sums for all general construction, mechanical installation, labor, materials, permits, licenses, insurance, and so forth incidental to and required for the construction of the facilities.

Each bid must be enclosed in a sealed envelope bearing the title of the Project and the name and address of Bidder. All bids must be submitted on the bid forms as identified in the Contract Documents and Specifications. Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified check or acceptable bidder’s bond made payable to the Owner, in a sum of not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the highest aggregate bid, which check or bond will be held by the Owner as evidence that the bidder will, if awarded the contract, enter into the same with the Owner upon notification from him to do so within ten (10) days of said notification. Approved performance and payment bonds guaranteeing faithful and proper performance of the work and materials, to be executed by an acceptable surety company, will be required of the Contractor at the time of contract execution. The bonds will be in the amount of 100% of the Contract Price and must be in full force and effect throughout the term of the Construction Contract plus

and

may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of bids or authorized postponement thereof. Any bid received after the time and date specified shall not be considered. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for at least ninety (90) days.

A conditional or qualified Bid will not be accepted.

Award will be made to the low, responsive, responsible bidder. The low, responsive, responsible bidder must not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise be excluded from or ineligible for participation in federally assisted programs under Executive Order 12549.

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

Bids shall be properly and completely executed on bid forms included in the Specifications. Bids shall include all information requested by Indiana Form 96 (Revised 2013) included

to perform the work and the Bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such Bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such Bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and to complete the work contemplated therein. Each Bidder is responsible for inspecting the

Executive Order No. 11246, as

The Bidders shall also comply with the requirements of 41

-

firmative Action Requirements. A copy of 41 CFR

Construction Contractors -

- 4

be

in the Supplemental General Conditions of the

Documents and Specifications. The Bidders attention is also called to the “Minority/Women Business Participation” requirements contained in the Project Specifications. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has adopted a State goal of 10% participation for minority and women owned businesses for construction related or purchase related contracts for the work. In addition, as required by the Indiana State Revolving Fund, the successful Bidder shall comply with the provisions of H.R. 3547, “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014” commonly known as “Buy American” provisions as contained herein requiring that all the iron and steel products used in the Project be produced in the United States.

The Contractor must meet guidelines and practices established by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. These appropriate federal regulations include: 1) Executive Order 11246, 2) Section 3 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1968, as amended, 3) Certification of Non-Segregated Facilities, 4) OMB Circular A-102, 5) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 6) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 7) Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 8) Executive Order 12138, 9) Conflict of Interest Clause, 10) Retention and Custodial Requirements for Records Clause, 11) Contractors and Subcontractors Certifications, and others that may be appropriate or necessary. Contract procurement is subject to the federal regulations contained in the OMB Circular A-102, Sections B and O and the State of Indiana requirements contained in IC-36-1-9 and IC-36-1-12. Pursuant to Chapter 5, 5-4 of the Labor Standards Administration and Basic Enforcement Handbook 1344.1 Rev 2;

BE A FRIEND TO THE CONSERVANCY

Any individual or organization may become a friend to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF) with a donation of money, land, buildings, conservation easements, and tangible or intangible assets. You may contact us by writing or emailing: Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Inc.

Education Center: 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse, IN

Mailing Address: PO Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567

Ph: (574) 457-4549 • Email: info@wacf.com • Web: www.wacf.com

Annual Celebration Brunch

Saturday, July 27thst 2024, 9am

WACF Between-the-Lakes Buletty Pavilion Breakfast provided by the Channel Marker!

A

acres known as the Turkey Creek Inlet Preserve-the final filter of Turkey Creek to Lake Wawasee (2018)

• 41 wetland and upland acres on Johnson Bay at the old Dillon Creek outflow (2018)

• Donation of Island in Griffith’s Bay, Lake Wawasee

of native habitat and demonstration areas of native plantings and shoreline treatment. Promote water quality through enhancement of shorelines with glacial rock and water quality studies

• 2-year comprehensive follow up with focused water testing using results of the WINS analysis in feeder streams (2022-2023)

(2019-2020-2021).

$7,500 from the KCCF for WINS Study (2020)

• $150,000 matching 50-50 grant from the Natural Resources Foundation for WINS Study (2020-2021)

• $15,000 from the USFWS for WINS Study (2020)

• $10,000

seawall demonstration project along the north shore of Lake Wawasee totaling 1,700 lineal feet of shoreline (2000) Partner with NRCS, LARE, US Fish and Wildlife Service for invasive plant control and restoration of natural habitat • $8,000 from IDNR LARE for an

This year we celebrate our 33rd Anniversary!

We Thank You For Your Support As WACF Continues To Focus On Its Mission To Anticipate, Search Out And Solve Threats To The Wawasee Area Watershed Some of WACF’s work includes erosion control projects, land protection through acquisition or deed restriction and educational community events. WACF focuses efforts on protecting supply streams that provide a constant renewal of fresh water to our lakes.

Leader

Mike and Jane Messmer

Mark and Betsy Phillips Katherine Probst Swint

Jane Wilson-Jerry and Jane Wilson Memorial Fund

Wawasee Property Owners Association

Tom and Nancy Yoder

Chuck and Nancy Zimmerman

$5,000 - $9,999

Donn and Linda Baird Ron and Tami Baumgartner

Bill and Babs

The Dan & Molly Michael Charitable Fund Doug and Beth Morris

and Pam Palmer Kosciusko County Community Foundation John and Kristine Schlagenhauf

Randy and Deborah Tobias Martha Todd Wilson Nancy Walker Zimmerman

$1,000 - $4,999

Anonymous Bart and Cinda Culver, Culver Family Foundation Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy Russell and Mary Anderson Patrick Appenzeller Becky Arnold Chris Bornman Deborah and Doris Brandenberger

David and Susie Brandes Keith and Bonnie Brauer Byron Braun Andy and Lydia Church Terry and Phyllis Clapacs Fred and Beth Clauser David Clevenger

Irwin F. Deister

Tom and Mary Dormin

Charles H. Dowding III Dianne Dykstra

David and Judy Eckrich

Keith Edwards

Jacob and Ashley Eitel

Don Eltzroth Judith Erlen

Bob and Nancy Fanning

John and Margaret Feighner

Scott Fetters

Steve and Shelly Fidler

SPECIAL THANKS

It’s time once again for your youth yearbook publication, in which we salute the Wawasee Summer League tee ball, baseball and softball teams. We hope you had another great year participating in America’s pastime and learned somethings along the way.

Special thanks for this tab goes out to Mike Fowler, Wawasee Community Summer League Commissioner, without whose help we couldn’t have put this together.

Fowler stated “With another year wrapping up, Wawasee Community Summer League had another great season. We held our registration numbers at around 500 children in the Wawasee Community. We were able to field four minors softball teams, four majors softball teams, four minors base-

ball teams, six majors baseball teams, two 14U baseball teams, eight machine pitch teams and 14 tee ball teams.

“We wanted to thank all of our sponsors, coaches and board members, with out your donations and time none of this would have been possible. Our goal is to teach the kids of today’s youth the fundamentals of the game and to give them a great atmosphere and experience. I feel that we have achieved that goal this year. It was a lot of fun to work with these great kids.

“We also wanted to thank K21 Foundation and the Shoop Foundation for the donation to build our beautiful new batting cages and put LED lights on the field in North Webster. All of the kids and

community really enjoys the new batting cages.”

Another special thanks goes to Julie DuBois and Sunrise Photography for their team portraits. Please note the photo captions represent official team rosters provided by the league and the names given are not the order in which players and coaches are printed.

We’d also like to thank all the WSL’s many sponsors for their generosity in helping make the league possible, as well as all the coaches, officials and parents for giving of their time and other resources to provide young players the opportunity to get out and participate in a great sport.

Cheers and here’s to hoping for many more fun and successful seasons to come.

SYRACUSE TEE BALL

BASEBALL MAJOR LEAGUE

MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS

St. Syracuse, IN 46567

106 E. Main St. Syracuse, IN 46567

SOFTBALL MAJOR LEAGUE

TURTLES Shown is the Fitzsimmons Farms Turtles major league softball team, The team roster is Lilly Weisser, Sara Bontrager, Evelyn Bowser, Grace Flenar, Kalyssa Jensen, Leah Thornburg, Ellie Eltzroth, Avery Eltzroth, Audrey Fitzsimmons, Julie McFarland, Lilly Piper, Kylee Smith, Kinley Weaver, Kyle Bowser, head coach, and Daniel Bontrager and Gabe Fitzsimmons assistant

Brian Koesters, DVM

Jamie Stover, DVM

Bill Chastain, DVM

Bethany Coture, DVM

Dr. Theresa Schenkel

Dr. Meagan Grybow

Dr. Megan Woenker

BEER DAIRY INC. NEW YORK YANKEES Shown is the Beer Dairy Inc. New York Yankees Milford machine pitch team. The team roster is Jeremy Crouse Jr., Mariella Anacleto, Amelia Griepentrog, Liberty Lehman, Miciah Bontrager, Chevy Peace, Jacob Brunkhart, Sydney Beer, Jaxton Mckinzie, Xander Garcia, Tanner Myers and Jeremy Crouse, coach.

ANIMAL CLINIC ATLANTA BRAVES Shown is the Milford Animal Clinic Atlanta Braves Milford machine pitch team. The team roster is Emma Johnson, Hallie Costa, Noriah Kufeyani, Brielle Plummer, Maverick Shepherd, Leo Bice, Zane Wilson, Daleysa Hernandez, Micah Garlinger, Rylee Graber and Tyler Johnson, coach.

14U BASEBALL

Photos not available

No photos were available for the Wawasee 14U Green and Gold baseball teams.

The team roster for the 14U Green team is: Xander Miller, RJ Mathew, Mason Bright, Elijah Albright, Dalton Moore, Charlie Krichbaum, Mason Mckibben, Jackson Hensel, Baldemar Robles, Legend Baldridge, Mike Fowler, coach and Marcus Miller, assistant coach.

The team roster for the 14U Gold team is Jake Farber, Aidan Beer, Carter Ringle, Jaxson Simpson, Jamisen Dixon, Jace Boyd, Bryson Spoor, Rhett Bucher, Alpoe Walker, Brady Zartman, Jason Boyd, coach and Gage Boyd, Sylvia Dixon and Shane Bucher, assistant coaches.