Wednesday, December 3, 2025
www.thepapersonline.com
Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . 2➤ Nappanee Miracles at Main & Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ‘Twas the Right Before Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Shop North Webster 10-11 Vol. 55, No. 23
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Nutcrackers Nappanee take over
ALL READY — These nutcrackers were housed in the old fire station before being placed around the city. There are over 100
uniquely painted, life-sized nutcracker sculptures placed around Nappanee. Photo provided by Jeff Stillson.
NAPPANEE ARTIST — Artist Jeff Stillson stands outside The Nappanee Arts Center with one of over 100 nutcrackers placed around Nappanee. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor Nutcrackers have taken over Nappanee - literally. “My goal was 20 nutcrackers,” said Jeff Stillson, the man behind the mission. “We ended up with 56 of them.” It all started a year ago when Stillson put out a call for sponsorships for the project. Stillson, who runs the Nappanee Arts Center and serves as its president, said the idea took off in a big way. “It was amazing, the responses,” he said. The town-wide display features more than 100 uniquely painted, life-sized nutcracker sculptures created with the help of local artists and business owners. Each nutcracker is one of a kind. Stillson said he chose nutcrackers because people could be more creative with them. Individuals or businesses could sponsor a nutcracker, which covered the cost. They could then paint it themselves, hire someone, or ask an artist to complete it. “We also created a nutcracker committee,” said Stillson. Through Dec. 31, people may walk the streets of Nappanee looking at the hand-painted, 5-foot tall nutcrackers that greet visitors during the holiday season. These original pieces of art are unique to each artist and are double-sided, creating 112 different characters to see. “It was a yearlong project,” said Stillson. Several groups participated in the Nutcrackers in Nappanee project. Students from Woodview and Wakarusa elementary schools created nutcrackers and five groups from ADEC traveled to Nappanee to participate in the community art effort. In total, 35 artists contributed, ranging from amateurs to professionals. The nutcrackers were stored in the old fire station until they were placed around
NAPPANEE NUTCRACKER This is just on — e of many nutc rackers placed all over Nappanee.
the city Nov. 1. Each nutcracker was clear-coated with an automotive coating, to help them last for years. Donors have been asked to pick them up Dec. 31 and store them for another year. The Nappanee Nutcrackers have also made the city a destination for holiday activities, Stillson noted. In conjunction with Miracles at Main and Market Streets, set for Dec. 6, Nappanee will host events and activities throughout the day, not just at night. In addition S. Claus and Co., located in downtown Nappanee, sells Christmas-related items. “There’s 15 or so vendors selling items and food,” said Stillson. Stillson said he hopes to continue the project next year - even bigger and better -
DIFFERENT DESIGNS — Each nutcracker is two-sided with a different design on each side. and hopes it helps keep the arts alive in Nappanee. “Art adds vibrancy to a community,” Stillson said. “It puts a smile on someone’s face.” For more information or to view more photos, visit the Facebook page, Nutcrackers in Nappanee.
Find these circulars in today’s The Paper (In Selected Areas)
Martin’s Supermarket • Menards Ollie’s • Runnings