2018 Who We Are Wells County INDIANA

A Special Publication of

The News-Banner

INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS Four-Star status at BHS ...... 3 Many great things are happening ... Developing our future ...... 4 All too often we are busy writing anybody else and make mistakes. Our mistakes, unlike Revitalization efforts gain traction ...... 6 stories about tragedy and loss. We most, are on display to be judged by the entire commu- Downtown Bluffton vibes ...... 7 cover meetings, we are keeping you nity. It’s the job we have chosen without regret. Pre-K ‘Paths to Quality’ ...... 8 informed about the things you have I bring those facts up to make a point. Who We Are to know. is a chance for us to tell many stories that we want to Ouabache’s new beach ...... 10 We are passionate about cover- tell. This isn’t an easy job either. Daily deadlines don’t And how do you say that? ...... 10 ing those stories on a daily basis. It give us a breather while we work on these uplifting Historical move in process ...... 11 isn’t an easy job and it isn’t always stories. News still happens daily. A lot of people’s worst popular with everyone. Often we are days have still happened while we worked on this. This writing about somebody’s all-time publication, however is a labor of love, the chance to 2018 worst day. We understand that fact Doug Brown highlight the people who are moving this community Who We Are and handle our responsibility with President forward in big ways and small. as much compassion as possible. There are months spent planning the work and work- Wells and Publisher County We make judgment calls on what ing the plan to bring this to life. We are excited to get INDIANA constitutes the most important news your feedback on how we did.

A Special Publication of items of each day. We like to think that we write a his- We hope you appreciate what comes in the following The News-Banner tory book every day. Some of what we write ends up in pages. There are so many great things happening in our a scrapbook. Some of what we write makes people sad. community and this is a small part of that greatness. Either way, news doesn’t stop. We like to think we get Positive stories for a positive community. that right on most days although we are as human as We hope you enjoy them.  12-45 • Who We Are ... and here are some highlights: A collection of profiles, stories and You have a remarkable piece of Mann and their relationship with the Bluffton American photos paint a Wells County collage. literature in your hands right now. Legion Post — and what it means that Craig is “PUFL.” In the world of writing, there are • Glen Werling gives us a benediction on the careers 47-49 • An Honor Roll few things more joyous than when of a couple of law enforcement officers, Sheriff Monte A glimpse at our area’s commerce good writers choose a topic they Fisher and longtime Bluffton police officer and Bluff- through the years. care about and then have a certain ton-Harrison school resource officer Bruce Holland. amount of time to produce those sto- • Mark Miller tells us the story of former Norwell ries. This is what our annual “Who football player and current University of St. Francis Library expands its offerings ...... 50 We Are” publication is. linebacker Piercen Harnish. More clubs at the schools ...... 51 What do we have here? Dave Schultz • Tanya Isch Caylor writes about Jean Harper, who Growing and adapting at CC ...... 52 • Barbara Barbieri gives an Editor commutes from Uniondale to her teaching job in Rich- appreciation of the Ouabache State mond. She’s also an author and gives away flowers. New in the Ossian skies ...... 54 Park, along with a discussion of • Me? I got to tell the story of my friend Jim Miller, Amphitheater plans progress ...... 54 how we should pronounce the name of the place. who had an exciting fall of 1962 when he was an eye- Pathways presents challenges ...... 57 • Devan Filchak writes about the first year for Cari witness to history. Joe Elkins and Harry Potter ...... 59 Whicker as the principal at Southern Wells Elementary Take an evening or a couple of evenings — or longer, What’s next for Wells grads ...... 60 School. if necessary — and read what we’ve got here for you. • Jessica Bricker tells us about Craig and Cheryl We think you’ll like it. WHO WE ARE BY THE NUMBERS A special publication of $ Population of 27,984 118,800 Incorporated Communities Population of Wells County Median Value, in Wells County: Owner-Occupied Homes Bluffton ...... 10,080 11,871 $ Housing Units 488 Ossian ...... 3,360 $ Median rent, monthly Markle ...... 1,084 56,054 (452 in Wells County) Median Household Income (ranking 91.2% Zanesville ...... 611 News-Banner Publications, Inc. 125 N. Johnson St., Bluffton IN 46714 20th among the state's 92 counties, Adults with H.S. education (10th) (480 in Wells County) putting Wells County well above the (260) 824-0224 • 1-800-579-7476 Uniondale ...... 310 Newsroom state average) 17.4% Poneto ...... 168 David R. Schultz, editor • [email protected] $ with B.A. degree or higher (38th) Advertising 39,264 Vera Cruz ...... 86 Jean Bordner, sales manager • [email protected] Per capita Income (ranking 42nd) 4,867 School enrollment www.News-Banner.com Source: Indiana University Business Research Center [email protected]

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2 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner DDevelopingeveloping oourur wworkforce.orkforce. DDevelopingeveloping oourur ffuture.uture.

U.S.Rep. Jim Banks, right, congratulates Bluffton High School stu- dents on their part in achieving the Four Star status from the Indi- ana Department of Education in April. (Photo by Devan Filchak) BHS maintains streak of Four Star status By Devan Filchak Once again, Bluffton High School received the Indiana Department of Education designation as a Four Star School. It isn’t an honor that Principal Steve Baker has taken for granted, but he is proud to say that this is the fourth year out of the last five that the school has received the honor. BHS is the only Wells County school on the list of 238 schools to be named Four Star Schools for the 2016-17 school year, and the only high school to receive that designation in all of northeast Indiana outside of Allen County. Baker said he was “absolutely thrilled” with the honor. He said he thought his school had a chance to regain Four Star status, but he was surprised to see it on the list. “There are very, very few high schools in the state of Indi- ana that do what we do and do it as well as we do,” Baker says. Then, it was time to celebrate. First, Baker held a breakfast program to celebrate the Four Star status in February. Mixed in with some comedy in the program, Baker shared (Photo by Mark Miller) the criteria that schools must have in order to receive the des- ignation: elding teacher Kevin Powell, left, and Wells County economic • A rate of 95 percent or higher of students who complete end-of-course assessments. Bluffton High School’s rate is Wdevelopment director Chad Kline are on the front lines of guiding 100 percent, Baker says. Wells County’s workforce into the future. Powell’s classes offer students • Receive an A letter grade from IDOE. • Be in the top 25 percent of the state for ISTEP combined an opportunity to leave high school job-ready and certified; Kline’s focus reading and math scores. includes working with the schools and local employers while maintaining • Be in the top 25 percent for ISTEP reading and math efforts to help existing employers grow, facilitate new business and attract scores separately. BHS has received an A grade from the state for nine of the and retain qualified workers for the variety of skills needed to help Wells last 11 years, according to Baker. The difference between that County grow and prosper. It is no small effort ... (Continued on Page 5)

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 3 Workforce development: Key to county’s future By Mark Miller Wells County are working together to The major focus today for the group is year’s camp was scheduled to be taking Things have changed. Of that there is attract, train, retain and re-train, and increasing internship opportunities. place as this edition is being distributed. agreement. develop a viable, growing, dependable “Studies show that the more often “Part of the robotics camp is a tour “When I was getting out of high workforce that will encourage existing you have students in internship roles, the of local plants that utilize robots,” Kline school, back in 1966,” says Joe Elkins local employers to grow and even attract more likely they are to come back to your says. “This is a critical area for the future. executive director of the AdamsWells new ones. organization,” Kline says. There is a significant need for skilled Manufacturing Alliance, “you had a lot — — — An internship fair was held this spring workers today.” At the end of each camp, of choices for good-paying jobs in man- Kline is involved to some degree in for high school students to meet local students run the robots they have built ufacturing.” Most of those jobs did not almost all of those efforts. As the eco- companies that were through a obstacle course. require specific skills. nomic development director, he works offering internship An annual health careers camp has “You could make more money than with state officials and state programs, opportunities. The Eco- been added, which includes tours of the most people, even some with four-year the Wells County Chamber of Com- nomic Development local hospital and nursing homes, expos- degrees,” he continues. “But things merce, regional economic development Council and chamber ing students to basic care skills. change. efforts, local schools and local employ- also hosted a series A guitar camp has been a part of the “There was a grow- ers. of internship classes, program as well, in which students build ing emphasis on going On the state level, Kline attends aimed at helping local their own guitar during the camp, learn- to college, so shop numerous conferences — Workforce companies set up a ing a number of skills needed to complete classes and other voca- Development Summits, they have come successful internship that task. program, including a The camps are aimed at students in tional classes disap- to be called — to keep up with the pro- Scott Mills peared. Manufacturers grams. mentor program within Grades 5 through 9. The committee and kind of just accepted “The most recent change,” he shared those internships. his board, Kline says, see these as impor- that this is the way it is. as an example, “is a good program: Next “There are a lot of misconceptions tant components in exposing young peo- They still had plenty of Level Jobs.” This is a state reimburse- about what manufacturing is today,” says ple to local careers. applicants.” ment for job training. It originally funded Northern Wells superintendent and edu- Working with local schools is there- But as the skills Chad Kline $2,500 per employee for training new cation committee member Scott Mills. fore, Kline says, an extremely important needed to work in man- employees, with a company maximum of “It’s not the dirty, dusty factory that their component of the entire program. Area ufacturing increased, $25,000 per year. Legislation passed this fathers might have worked in years ago.” 18 CTE director Kevin Keller serves on and while everything was focused on col- year doubled those amounts and added It’s one thing to take a plant tour, Mills the education committee. lege, the labor market tightened. “incumbent workers” — current employ- continues, “but an internship gives hands- “We want to ensure that the chamber “And now these manufacturers are ees who could benefit from new skills. on experience, helps dispel those miscon- is not going off on a tangent or reinvent- saying ‘Hey, we have some good jobs “The aim is to increase their skills, ceptions and then they often go back to ing the wheel,” says Prible. “If we have that pay well,” Elkins continues. “Adams increase their income, increase productiv- school and tell their friends.” programs in the schools that are address- and Wells counties are pretty darn good ity,” Kline explains. “Everyone benefits.” “That’s what we want make sure these ing a specific need, great, let’s utilize places to live. They’re making an effort State programs are also focused on (internships) are positive experiences,” that. Our purpose is to bring the business to keep these homegrown kids here.” areas such as industrial maintenance, Kline says. Thus, the seminars scheduled and education communities together. Wells County Economic Development welding and leadership development spe- for this summer will “provide the tools It’s all about widening the scope of the Director Chad Kline has seen the pendu- cific to industrial supervision, and CNC and resources for companies to develop opportunities we can offer our students.” lum make a definite swing. (Computer Numerical Control), which is quality programs and internships so that It is also important that since the “Back in 2008, ’09 and ’10, we were utilized heavily by Roembke Manufac- young people will want to come back.” state’s main focus is with training adult focused on creating jobs,” he says. But turing in Ossian for example. Another significant program under workers, attracting new high school that began to shift so that by 2015, a the EDC’s umbrella are the annual graduates and exposing students to local new approach had “really started to take EDC and the Chamber’s career camps. A robotics summer camp opportunities is more important than ever. hold.” Education Committee has proven to be very popular, attract- The term — Workforce Develop- About 10 years ago, the chamber ing a growing number of students from Area 18 CTE ment — encompasses a wide range of board created a new committee focused the county’s three school systems. This The Career and Technical Educa- efforts, one of which is “quality of place” on education. and attracting young workers and young “We determined that education is families. A few years ago, studies began important to economic development,” to show that people were deciding first said Erin Prible, who was serving on the Kevin Keller in his where to live, and then second, where board at the time representing the area’s Area 18 CTE office in they would work. Thus, the Northeast Junior Achievement program. She now Bluffton High School. Indiana Partnership, of which Wells serves as the chamber’s executive direc- Keller coordinates County is a member, is focused on “The tor. career-track classes Road to a Million,” seeking to reach a The early focus was on helping people in a nine-school population of one million people in the get their GED, which the state now calls cooperative that 11-county region. a High School Equivalency certificate. offers high school students opportuni- Kline is certain that even if there The chamber had been selecting a Busi- ties to graduate with were a downturn in the economy and the ness of the Year and Citizen of the Year a certification in a unemployment rate would go up, that for a long time. “We added ‘Educator of variety of skilled effort to attract people would continue. the Year’ in 2008,” Prible said. “We think trades. (Photo by “It’s a very key component to what we that sends an important message that we Mark Miller) need to do as a region,” he says. as a chamber values our schools and edu- Meanwhile, a number of entities in cation.”

4 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner tion program has been a Coordinating the class- part of local high schools The story by es and programs in the since 1982. Adams Cen- nine schools is “hugely tral, Bluffton-Harrison, the numbers: different” from his expe- South Adams and South- rience in a career center, ern Wells founded the 27,368 where the students are Fiber cooperative. Today, the Number of jobs in Adams bussed to a central loca- participating schools also and Wells counties tion. Powered By ... include Northern Wells, 7,662 “I don’t have as much North Adams, Jay, Black- Manufacturing jobs in the control of my product,” ford and Huntington two counties, representing he shares, as each school school systems. 28 percent of the total creates and manages their The program offers programs and hires their 14 specific career pro- $53,600 teachers, although he grams which are “shared” Average wage of those often has some input into — meaning students from manufacturing jobs. that process. any of the nine schools The program has can choose to attend the 7.5 numerous parts that play The percentage by which school which hosts those manufacturing jobs are key roles, like advisory programs — in addition to projected to increase over committees composed of other business and career the next 10 years. representatives from that classes each school offers trade. Each program also their students. 23.8 has a CTSO — a Career For the 2018-19 school The percentage of current Tech Student Organization year, 291 students are manufacturing (nationally) — that provides students slated to “travel,” while workers who are 55 years with further opportunities 923 will participate in the of age or older. to network with other stu- shared programs. 36.65 million dents in other schools. “Overall, we will have National workers retiring in “It’s a moving, dynam- about 2,500 students tak- the next 10 years. ic picture,” he shares, as ing one or more CTE teachers retire or move on. classes,” notes Keller. “It Source: Adams Wells Manufactur- “The very most important is a very diverse, wide ing Alliance piece of any of these pro- offering of courses.” grams is making sure you Keller, who complet- have the right teacher. ed his seventh year on the job this past “What really gets me going is when school year, operates out of his office you walk into the quality CTE programs at Bluffton High School. He began his and see the real master — that special career in education as a teacher at the teacher — getting the students enthused,” Tucker Area Career Center in Marion. he shares. Many of his programs, he con- He credits getting his masters degree in tinues, “are doing it all right. They have computer science and three years in the the connections and are getting their kids private workforce in helping him better placed into the workforce.” understand the needs of the private sec- Keller meets monthly with all of the tor, and what schools need to do to meet school superintendents in the program. those needs. (Continued on Page 56) BHS maintains (Continued from Page 3) but giving them the resources they need to and the Four Star designation is that while be successful.” the grade is based partially on growth and In April, Baker celebrated with the graduation rates, the Four Star title is only students. During the homeroom period, focused on performance. Baker held a brief program in the school’s Only 17 percent of schools in Indiana cafetorium. U.S. Rep. Jim Banks was receive the Four Star status. Out of those on hand to congratulate the students and schools, Baker said BHS has the fourth school on their achievement. highest free-and-reduced lunch rate. He Afterwards, students were treated to said poverty plays a big factor in student ice cream sandwiches. achievement, which makes the Four Star Baker said he thinks it is important to School designation even more impres- celebrate with the teachers, the students sive. and the community. The district even put 260-565-3131 “We had to adapt how we instruct stu- up a billboard of the school’s achievement dents who are a little bit more at risk,” he in Main Street in Bluffton. says. “We’ve done a lot of professional “When you have this success, I want development to reach the students where to celebrate and thank them,” he says, www.AdamsWells.com they are — not making excuses for them “because it really is about them.” 

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 5 Revitalization efforts gaining traction By Jessica Bricker downtown area. Michael Lautzenheiser Jr. says word of “It really is unlocking the door and mouth is the best marketing strategy. helping people get to see some reality and The recent interest in downtown Bluff- new investment in the downtown,” Laut- ton and people wanting to talk about zenheiser said. opportunities here is a very different Officials are hopeful they can take the feeling than the past, the president of the CRP to the next level. Funding is the top Bluffton NOW! revitalization group said. reason ideas don’t work out; they are try- There are more people walking through ing to find a creative way to bridge the the buildings for sale, and more people gap for people to make their dreams hap- are looking at what it would take to bring pen. Artist’s rendition of downtown plaza. (Courtesy Engineering Resources) the old structures up to code for modern Market Street plaza project Envisioning the timeline, Lautzen- and hitting the Y with the connection,” he use. The fundraising efforts for the down- heiser said they would like to see the said. “That wasn’t very common a town plaza project are well underway. It relocation in July or August so then they That plan would call for taking a half couple years ago,” he said. was announced this spring that can have the building’s demolition work mile off the northern route and instead The hardest hurdle to get $724,660 of the $1.1 million goal done by the Bluffton Free Street Fair in connecting the existing trail to the Cay- over for revitalization efforts, has been raised so far. Of that, September. This way they can show some lor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA on he said, was changing people’s $300,000 came from the Wells progress to the public. West Dustman Road; it’s still about a mile opinions. People are now see- County Foundation for naming Fraxion’s relocation will take signifi- of new trail but not as far north, Lautzen- ing old buildings as an oppor- rights of the plaza, $212,660 from cant time but they want to make sure it heiser said. tunity, not a disparity. the City of Bluffton, $125,000 goes smoothly because “she (Stinson) Updated plans would make the Dust- “It’s neat seeing people from Wells County government, plays a big part in a successful down- man Road piece a priority; that was a big care about the buildings,” and $87,000 from other private town,” Lautzenheiser said. push from the public, Lauztenheiser said, Lautzenheiser added. donors. While they still have pieces to pull and it makes sense — and is easily done Downtown used to be full Lautzenheiser said those fund- together with funding, there is enough to with the existing Interurban Trail. of businesses and it was busy; Michael ing sources got the project going move forward to keep the project going, The future people had to make laps to find Lautzenheiser Jr. and they are seeing success with he added. With the CRP funding and the plaza a parking spot because it was so individual requests, but those take Some people support the plaza idea project coinciding, people are seeing it’s busy, he’s been told. He would love to see the longest to get through. Offi- and bringing people in first, but others been busier downtown and work is pro- that happen again. cials hope to have fundraising wrapped up want to see businesses brought in first and gressing. Community Reinvestment Program by the summer. the amenities to come second. This renewed interest in the downtown From facade improvements to interior The current plan updates the existing “Everybody wants it to happen. People wouldn’t have happened without creat- renovations, the results of money infused courthouse plaza to rework the northside may disagree with how to get to the fin- ing the momentum and showing people into Bluffton’s downtown have been vis- stairs and entrance area by removing the ish line or what things need to go in what there’s a way to get things done, Laut- ible. center portion of steps, which has been order,” he said. “But it’s been pretty plain zenheiser said. It’s also a credit to the This year, Bluffton NOW! had 13 closed for some time due to a slab fall- and simple that a wide majority of the businesses that have stayed downtown projects approved for Community Rein- ing into the space below the staircase. The people believe that it needs to happen.” and stayed strong through changes. They vestment Program funding, equating to Civil War-era cannon to the north of the Interurban Trail expansion are the reason why new businesses have an investment of at least $375,000. City courthouse will also be relocated a few The Interurban Trail expansion is opened up — it shows they can weather of Bluffton government officials have blocks west to the Wells County Histori- Phase 2 of revitalization efforts. Lautzen- the storm, he said; they are the “back- offered their financial support; as much as cal Musuem. heiser said Bluffton NOW! hasn’t decided bone” of what can be done downtown. half of the renovation bills can be request- Meanwhile, the building immediately if they are going to jump into its fund- Once the plaza is done, Lautzenheiser ed for CRP funding (more than $187,500 to the west of the plaza — known as the raising or if they will finish plaza project would like to see food trucks parked was approved for the 13 projects). old JC Penney building — will be torn and wait to see if there are other options downtown for lunch. The big, planned From last year to this year, the CRP is down and the space included in the new or not. There are alternate possibilities for events like concerts and farmers’ markets taking off, Lautzenheiser said, and that plaza. trail funding that they will look at and see will happen on their own; it’s seeing peo- has led to changes with how they are The consignment shop Fraxion, oper- what kind of money they need to raise, he ple using the space daily that he looks for- going to do the program. Going forward, ated by Erin Stinson, is currently housed said. ward to — the simple things, like people projects are going to be prioritized and in the building’s first floor. Under the Right now, they are not sure the timing sitting out there enjoying a cup of coffee. ranked on a point system — instead of current plan, Lautzenheiser said Fraxion of bringing that piece on. He’s hopeful the “To me, that’s what is the most excit- the money being awarded on a first-come, would move west to the old Snug res- Wells County Trails organization, which ing, just to see that become part of the first-served basis. taurant location. An architect has been is starting to get up and running, will take normal downtown operation and start to People are now calling with interest in hired to renovate that space and the work on this task in the future. At its recent see the everyday bang for your buck with the downtown and with business ideas, is underway with that phase of the proj- public meeting, an idea came up during it,” he said. and Lautzenheiser said the CRP has been ect happening soon, Lautzenheiser said. public discussions that may take shape. There are many opportunities in Bluff- a big discussion point because people are This would happen quickly so that Frax- “We are heavily considering, based on ton, Lautzenheiser said; he’d love to see getting the results they want to see. The ion could be relocated before her busy fall public comment, possibly shortening the people grab on to them. goals of the CRP are to keep or entice and winter seasons — and so that the rest north route a little bit, at least temporar- For a lot of projects downtown, Laut- someone to take the risk and join the of the project can begin from there. ily, and then taking (the trail) and going zenheiser says: “It’s ‘go’ time.” 

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 By Jessica Bricker can put together gift bags and gift boxes If you ask Bijou Gift Boutique’s owner in various prize ranges. www.AmericanMortgage.com Joy Addington if the 18- or 20-hour work Her tagline is “A gift for everyone, days for 45 days were worth it to relo- including yourself.” cate to downtown Bluffton, she’d tell you The name of her shop is rooted in the business is going well at 127 W. Market French word bijou (pronounced bee- St. zhoo), which means “small exquisite Committed to Serving You Better! During a recent interview, Addington jewel” and “handwrought.” She knew it said she is seeing more foot traffic and would be difficult to say but it stuck with both returning customers from her former her when she discovered it. location was on North Main Street as well Addington has an interest in the down- We Now Offer General Service & Repair … as new customers. She is settled in now, town revitalization efforts and how the she said in May; she hasn’t changed a lot space downtown will be used; it affects Engines Transmissions & Drive Trains since the initial set up. everyone, she said. A green space, as dis- She’s heard positive responses about cussed with the Market Street plaza proj- Brakes Scheduled Maintenance her location and she’s glad to be a part of ect, will be nice and she understands why Steering & Suspension downtown. it’s needed. There’s character in the building, She wants to encourage people to shop Starting & Charging Addington said, which formerly housed local and shop small. Shop across Bluff- And More! Masterson’s, the men’s clothing shop and ton; not just downtown on Market Street, Heating & Air Conditioning longtime downtown staple. The natural she said. light pours in front to back and draws cus- Addington is pleased that she relocated Tune Ups tomers in. It feels like it’s more open. The downtown and said it was a good deci- large paneled window on the northside of sion. Computer Diagnostics the building was attractive when she first Meanwhile, a few doors to the west at saw it. 211 W. Market St., another boutique has The building’s former owner took out opened. the Masterson’s loft and dressing rooms Brooke Nicole Boutique started as an so the building was all open when they online clothing store by Brittany Gentis. bought it, she said. “Boutiques are very interesting to me To relocate from North Main Street to and I wanted something to offer people downtown, the business was closed from close to home,” Gentis said in a press Feb. 28 to April 12. They moved, painted release announcing her ribbon cutting in 2883 E State Road 124 | Bluff ton, IN 46714 and worked on merchandise displays. November 2017. (260) 824-4929 The inventory includes new home She is currently leasing the space on decor, purses, items from local artisans, Market Street. The name is a combination as well as vintage and antique items. She (Continued on Page 9) IN BLUFFTON SINCE 1979

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 7 Two Pre-K centers climb Paths to Quality By Devan Filchak est level, which includes being nationally Pamela Beckford knew Wells County accredited. had to do something when she was at an Through the process, Kari Higgins, a early education summit a couple years Paths to Quality coach from Bona Vista, ago and saw that the county was one of has helped the facilities to achieve the less than 10 in the state that did not have next level of the program. any Paths to Quality Level 3 preschools “I basically was just standing on the or day care centers. sidelines, being their cheerleader,” Hig- The United Way of Wells County gins said. “They worked for it because executive director had heard of the state- they wanted to do it all on their own.” approved, rigorous program, but she Achieving a Level 3 rating is not easy. didn’t previously know just how impor- BHES had to look at its curriculum, make tant it was. Aside from the label that changes, and track progress in order to shows how good the early learning edu- get the designation. Even for teachers cation center is, the lack of designation with full classrooms of young students, prevented schools from getting funding all the hard work was worth it. through On My Way Pre-K state grants. Sarah Yergler, a Pre-K teacher at the As Beckford sat at the summit and school, said now that the adjustments looked at Wells County being one of a have been made, the school year has been handful of states marked bright red on a breeze with Paths to Quality changes. the projector, she became a woman with “I think it’s exciting for our school. It’s a new mission. just another way that Bluffton has jumped “Seeing it like that really hit home,” on board, and Mrs. Meitzler has led us she said. down an awesome path,” she said. Since that meeting, Beckford was Amy Habegger, early learning center director at the Y, said they didn’t have The Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA Early Learning Center achieved a Level 3 rat- thrilled to see two local centers — Bluff- ing for Paths to Quality in March. Above, the staff poses with the sign that will now show ton-Harrison Elementary School’s Pre- to make any changes for a Level 3 des- visitors the center has the designation. Pictured are, front row, left to right: Ruth Bolyn, Bri- school and The Caylor-Nickel Founda- ignation because they have been striving anna Bard, Amy Foreman-Habegger, Jackie Iida and Brenna Scheumann. Back row, from tion Family YMCA Early Learning Cen- for the top rung of Paths to Quality since left: Chase Sark, Allison Delaney, Tabitha Schwyn, Carey Reynolds and Sandy Garcia. ter — officially get their Level 3 rating. opening. Paths to Quality is a state-wide quality “We hope that there will be more Aside from funding, The United Way rating and improvement system for early community awareness of what Paths to of Wells County is invested in schools care and education. Quality actually is and we are investigat- being honored by Paths to Quality, Wells County There are four levels of Paths to Qual- ing ways to encourage this awareness,” because it helps the organization meet ity. The Level 3 designation builds on Habegger said. “We are pleased that there Community Center its goal of having 90 percent of children NEWS-BANNER’S the previous two levels, which pertain to are two of us Level 3 providers in Wells ready for kindergarten by 2020. Beck- at the 4-H Park, Bluff ton, IN health and safety and learning environ- County and hope to see more as parents ford said a common problem for children ments. Level 3 adds a layer of planned are educated on the importance of high that age these days is that they can’t use a Serving You for 100 Years curriculum. quality care and demand that providers go crayon or a pencil, but they know how to The Level 4 designation is the high- the extra mile.” use a smart phones and tablets. “They can poke. They can swipe,” she said. “When they are coming into Kinder- garten Countdown in July, we are seeing that. They don’t know. They don’t have those skills.” Beckford said she thinks that with the From left, Stephanie Hiday, t3FDFQUJPO
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8 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Downtown Bluffton (Continued from Page 7) of her daughter’s first name and her own PEYTON’S NORTHERN middle name. Gentis was intrigued to open a down- town business when Hugh’s Coffeehouse opened. “I thought this was a great opportunity to get something going,” she said, “and help increase business downtown.” In addition to retail stores, offices are moving downtown as well. Sprunger & Sprunger law firm, based in Berne, opened a downtown Bluffton office on Main Street after extensively renovating the location through use of the Commu- nity Reinvestment Program funding. Also making the move to Market Street in the fall of 2019 is the Wells County Founda- tion, which has the naming rights to the Market Street plaza after a $300,000 dona- tion was made this spring. It was announ- ced in December 2017 that West Market Centre — Peyton’s Northern Distribution Center, located in Decker Industrial Park home to the Edris, Brown, Johnson, Brittany Gentis cel- at Bluff ton’s west end warehouses and distributes to 650 stores for 6 ebrated the official Brown-Stohler opening of Brooke law firm — had Nicole Boutique at the divisions of Kroger. been sold to the end of 2017. foundation. Until then, business will continue as The Peyton’s Northern facility in Bluff ton was opened in May of 1983, normal for the attorneys and the founda- tion is operating out of its current office at and their employees have never seen a layoff ! Peyton employees the Dutch Mill Plaza west of North Main Street just north of the Wabash River. currently produce customized store orders with general merchandise, In the announcement about the new ownership and eventual move, the loca- specialty food and pharmaceutical items. tion was described as a “seemingly perfect fit for the foundation’s needs” that “offers Peyton’s is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kroger Company. Peyton’s the opportunity for the foundation to be rooted in downtown Bluffton.”  continue to look for ways to meet tomorrow’s demands today.

THANKS to the Wells County Chamber of Jay County REMC Commerce and to the people at Peyton’s Northern, who make our progress possible. Rural Electric Membership Corporation


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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 9 What’s new at Ouabache?

The Kunkel Lake Beach opened just days before Memorial Day. A beach and some people, to start with ... (Photos by Devan Filchak) By Devan Filchak Part of the reason the beach was being created was Ouabache State Park is looking forward to a sum- not revealed until long after the beach construction had mer full of new features and a new staff to manage it began. In February, the state park announced that its What’s in a name? all. pool would not reopen, in part due to declining atten- However you pronounce One of the most anticipated features of the year dance. is actually an old feature being reopened — the fire “It’s part of being a responsible steward of taxpayer ‘Ouabache,’ it’s OK tower. dollars,” Winne said. By Barbara Barbieri The fire tower was closed to the public Winne started as park manager just before the pool in April of 2015. The Friends of Ouabache closure was announced. The state park that we claim as our own — Ouabache State Park group felt that the tower needed to He was thrilled to start in his new position State Park — has a long and interesting history. And no be reopened as an important part of history. at Ouabache. It was actually his third time matter how we pronounce its name — “Wabash” like Ouabache’s fire tower is one of about six left applying for the position over his career. the river near it or “Oua-ba-chee” as the French traders at state parks in Indiana. Winne marked it up to a lack of experi- would have — it is a treasure right in Wells County’s The group had a goal of raising $75,000, ence earlier in his career and bad timing. He backyard. and it expected that to take about five years. joked that he told his former supervisor at The official state park brochure notes that the pro- Part of the campaign was handing out Harmonie State Park near Evansville that he nunciation should match the river’s — “Wabash.” Park fundraising material that challenged the pub- was applying for the job in Bluffton rather officials and volunteers often use the other pronuncia- lic to remember the feeling of climbing the than asking for permission. tion, and share that either is perfectly acceptable. fire tower for the first time. They ramped up John Winne By the time the beach opened at the park, And some people still put a “Q” at the beginning. efforts after getting approved for a $25,000 Winne was feeling settled, in part because of There’s a reason for that. matching grant from the Wells County Foun- the hire of Tyrone Jessup, the assistant park A timeline for the park has been prepared for visitors dation. manager. He said the excellent staff helped by Shelly Reed, Interpretive Naturalist for the Upper Nine months after the initiative began, the quite a bit as well. Wabash Interpretive Services and a former guard house goal was met. “The staff here is excellent. The people greeter. As of June 1, a date for the fire tower who were already here have made my tran- From 1795 to 1864, the Miami Indians were relo- re-opening could not be confirmed by park sition here so easy,” Jessup said. “It’s been cated from the area by American authorities with the manager John Winne. However, it is expect- really nice because the full time staff that is first white settlers in Wells County to come in 1829 to ed to be this summer. here or was here was already very experi- the Murray area. Much of the work was done while Dustin enced. They knew what needed to be done.” From 1835 to 1837, white settlers signed land patents Clark and Alec Snelson were still at the state Tyrone Jessup This is Jessup’s first time serving as an for sections 12, 7 and 18 in Wells County. And from park, respectively as park manager and assis- assistant park manager, although he has 1835 to 1935 timber was removed from the area to tant park manager. Clark was at the park for four years, other experience at state parks. He enjoyed a tempo- make farmland. and Snelson for three. rary position at Pokagon State Park in the 1990s such From 1935 to 1941, the Conservation Construction “In our short tenure here, we got to bring a lot of that he ended up later going back to school for natural Corps constructed the Wells County State Forest and things online and a lot of things back, and that was resource management and science. Game Preserve and it became famous as the “Greatest pretty cool,” Clark said prior to leaving the park for a He worked in retail management for about 15 years Wildlife Laboratory in the United States.” different employment opportunity. “Not a lot managers before going back to school. And then it was in 1962 when the area became the get to do what we got to do in our short time.” “There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think Ouabache State Recreation area and the state sent out One thing was the fire tower, which was closed not of the state parks,” he said. a press release calling it the “Quabache” State Recre- long after Clark started at the park. The other was that Jessup said he enjoys the community in Bluffton, ation Area. It wasn’t long before the incorrect “Q” was Clark and Snelson got to help the Kunkel Lake beach and he is excited for his children, ages 4, 11 and 14, to returned to the intended “O” but many continued to say project get started. start school locally. “Qua-ba-chee.” The 12,400-square-foot beach was opened the week He’s impressed with the park as well. The first gate fee of 20 cents per person was col- before Memorial Day. It has 215 feet of waterline, with “It has a lot of potential,” he said. “Even without the (Continued on Next Page ) about 2,500 tons of sand used to create the beach. potential, it’s a great park.” 

10 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Historical society prepares to move items into new annex By Barbara Barbieri building has not been announced. Also new for this summer is the addi- Vintage clothing from The big news for the Wells County the Historical Society’s Historical Society is the completion of the tion of another afternoon for the museum collection will be moved storage building built by the students in to be open. In addition to the Sunday from a third floor of the the Southern Wells High School construc- afternoon hours of 1 to 4 p.m., Wednes- museum to the second tion trades classes. day afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. have been floor of the new stor- The two-story added. Hosts and age building, once it is building is located hostesses will be inventoried. Checking out at the rear of the historical society clothing worn by Wells museum at 410 W. members. County servicemen are This spring, the Susan Price, at left and Market St. in Bluff- Cindy Hedges. Hedges ton. Half of the museum was open has been volunteering upper level of the to fourth-grade her time to label all of museum’s annex students from the the clothing before it is will be used to store county’s elemen- moved. (Photos by Bar- the society’s vin- tary schools. After bara Barbieri) tage clothing col- a tour, the stu- lection. The other dents participated on Sunday, June 24. veterans. Board member Lynn Elliott is half will be used to in a scavenger On Sunday, July 29 at 1 p.m. and again preparing the script for the free event. store the collection hunt throughout at 3 p.m., the museum members will host Another tradition that will continue of Christmas trees the museum. The walking tours of the historic homes on will be the annual “Christmas in the that are decorated board’s secretary, Market Street, beginning at the museum. Mansion” open house weekends in each December for Marcia Hotopp, Historical society members will once December. Wells County individuals the “Christmas in was author of the again have a float in the opening night and businesses will decorate the man- the Mansion” weekends at the museum. hunt information. Street Fair parade. sion with more than 30 Christmas trees The lower level, which is accessible by The youngsters were also encouraged This year the popular Cemetery Walk for the public to view. an overhead garage door, will house other to bring their family members back for a will be conducted at the Oak Lawn Cem- Members of the Wells County Histori- artifacts including historic signs from for- tour. Many are reported to have done so. etery in Ossian on Sunday, Oct. 14. Hon- cal Society continue to offer area citizens mer Wells County businesses. A moving The annual ice cream social was com- ored will be the Elzey Funeral Home as many opportunities to learn about Wells day for the transfer of items to the new bined with a dedication for the new annex well as original citizens and World War I County’s history.  What’s in a name? (Continued from Page 10) BUSINESS OR PERSONAL lected in 1964 during Memorial Day weekend. From 1970 to 1973, the popular INVEST FOR THE FUTURE wildlife exhibit of animals was relocated | | | to other sites and in 1974 the bison (and 401 (k)s Asset Management Banking Services Bonds deer) were moved to a new enclosure, College Planning | Estate Planning | Financial Planning which is the current bison location. Insurance & Annuities | IRAs | Stocks | Personalized Goal Planning In the 1970s and 80s, camping became Controlled deer hunts began in 2002. Mutual Funds | Pension & Profi t Sharing Plans | Research And in 2012, the Friends of Ouabache popular at the park due to gas shortages. | | The Olympic-sized outdoor pool was State Park, a volunteer support group was Retirement Planning Tax Planning UITs opened in 1976. (It has now been closed organized. Among the group’s projects due to the age of the facility and lack of were the raising of the money to create actual use by campers.) the Iron Mike statue to honor the CCC In 1978, the first naturalist offered pro- workers, which was dedicated in 2014. grams that continues today. Not resting on their laurels the Friends In 1979, the modern campground got group took on the task of raising funds a gatehouse, bathhouses and a dump sta- to restore the iconic firetower in 2017. tion and the first fitness trail was opened To the surprise of the state park system in 1980. the fundraising goal was met by the fall Then in 1983, the park’s name was of 2017 and it is expected that work will changed again — this time to Ouabache start on the tower soon. A Fire Tower Fes- State Park, but there were no real opera- tival is planned for Aug. 11 this year. tional changes. Another project completed in 2017 Investment Advisory Services are off ered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. The second fitness trail, built behind was the construction of a beach area at the pool, was ready in 1986 and replaced Kunkel Lake. During the construction (260)824-8070 the first trail. In 1988 the new lighted ten- period the lake was drained and now has nis and basketball courts were added as filled up again. It was dedicated May 23. Kim Gentis was a slide at the pool. But no matter how you pronounce its [email protected] A new main entrance to the park was name, “Wabash,” “Oua-ba-chee,” or even opened in 1995, closing Ind. 316 through “Qua-ba-chee,” the park remains a popu- the park. lar destination. 

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 11 WWhoho WWee AArere

Jim Miller holds a photo of himself as a military police officer JJimim MMiller,iller, in the early 1960s. (Photo by eeyewitnessyewitness ttoo hhistoryistory Dave Schultz)

By Dave Schultz Civilization class and a professor first general” — was William C. declared that “no school will be name in the book — and more.” Whatever else has happened who delighted in failing his stu- Westmoreland, who would later integrated in Mississippi while I There was a gender differen- or will happen in his life, Jim dents proved to be his downfall. serve as the overall commander am your governor.” tiation as well. Miller had a remarkable fall of He decided to enlist in the of American troops in Vietnam Thus the lines were drawn. “The women were much 1962. Army. He had a family history from 1964 to 1968. After that, Five hundred U.S. marshals worse than the men,” he said. The term “eyewitness to his- with that branch of the service, Westmoreland was the Army’s were sent to Oxford, Miss., to “Absolutely. I’ve never heard tory” may be overused, but and off he went. chief of staff until 1972. enforce the federal demand that women do that. They had words Miller was a member of the He was first sent to Fort “He was a nice man,” Miller Meredith be admitted. The Mis- you had no idea where they had U.S. Army’s legendary 101st Leonard Wood in Missouri for says, recalling his “first general” sissippi National Guard was come from. They wanted to kill Airborne and had a role in two eight weeks of basic training. fondly. “He would talk to you.” mobilized. And military police- you, and you knew it. They left seminal events of the 20th cen- Then he went to Fort Gordon in It was in the second half of men from the 101st Airborne, no bones about it; they would tury — the admission of James Georgia for eight weeks of mili- 1962, however, after his mar- including Miller, were sent to the kill you.” Meredith, a black man, into the tary police school. After that, he riage to the former Lana Rice, scene. Miller served in an integrated all-white University of Missis- and a buddy met a recruiter for that he found himself in the thick “Our job was to back up the unit in the 101st, but none of the sippi and the resolution of the the Airborne Corps. ‘You know,” of the Meredith situation and the marshals,” Miller said. “They black soldiers made the trip to Cuban missile crisis. they said to each other, “that Cuban missile crisis. were taking fire. We took fire.” Mississippi — a move, he said, Miller has lived in Wells sounds like fun.” Meredith wanted to enroll in What he saw there, he said, that was made to be sure passions County since 1964, but he grew Eight more weeks of train- the University of Mississippi for was pure, unvarnished hate. That were not inflamed even more. up just across the county line in ing, this time at Fort Campbell the 1962-63 school year. Presi- word comes quickly to Miller as All of this may have been for- Huntington County. He gradu- in Kentucky, produced a mem- dent John F. Kennedy and his he discusses the situation. eign to Miller, but it was not to ated from what is colloqui- ber of the 101st Airborne. That’s brother, Attorney General Robert “There was a lot of animosity his black comrades who grew up ally called “West” Union High when the excitement began. F. Kennedy, agreed that keep- and you could see hate,” he said. in the South. School — Union Township of As an MP, he was assigned to ing Meredith out of the all-white “You could see hate. When you “They knew all about it, and Huntington County — in 1959 the guard unit for the base com- state institution was a violation stopped somebody at the traf- they said, ‘This is what we go and briefly attended Huntington mander. The first commander of Meredith’s civil rights. fic control point, you could see through all the time,’” Miller College. Very briefly. Western — Miller refers to him as “his Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett the hate. They called you every said. “We had a hard time regis-

12 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner tering that fact.” Miller and his fellow MPs pitched a tent on the Ole Miss football field. They served until Meredith was enrolled on FRESH OFF THE BLOCK Oct. 1, 1962, and eventually returned to Fort Campbell. He looks back on his experience in Mississippi and realizes that he is a differ- WEEKLY SPECIALS t CUSTOM CUTS ent man now than he was then. “I think I’ve mellowed a lot,” he said. SMOKED MEATS t PORK t BEEF t CHICKEN t BBQ t “I wouldn’t have had any trouble shoot- ing somebody when I was down there BRATWURST t DELI t CHEESES & MORE! because of all that was going on. Hate was rampant. It was just unbelievable. You could feel it, even before you arrived.” And when it came time to leave? “I was glad to get out of there,” he said. “I was glad that I was leaving. I had never wanted to do anything like that again.” Jim Miller on maneuvers at Fort Campbell, And he has never been back to Oxford, Ky., in 1962.(Photo provided) We off er a full line of Miss. were going to be the follow-up.” ——— The airborne units are somewhat of an ready-to-eat products: While he was actually on the ground afterthought in the drama of the missile 1VMMFE
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tion. You’re lined up and getting ready, We just all got together and said, ‘They’ve West on 224 to 300 W., turn right (heading north) 6 miles carrying about 100 pounds with you, and got to pick us up.’” you crawl onto a plane. It takes off and Miller believes there was a reason he you say, ‘We’re going, fellows. We’re survived, and gives all the credit to divine (260) 638-4123 going.’ intervention. “Everybody knew we were going to “I figure God saved my life a few www.lengerichmeats.com Cuba. The Bay of Pigs had failed. We times,” he said. 

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 13 Officer Holland’s opus Bruce Holland has made it his life’s work to keep children safe By Glen Werling though his focus has been schools within Some people launch what will be come the city limits of Bluffton for a number of their life-long careers right of high school years. or college. Holland’s work with DARE has gained Bruce Holland was 34 when he him national recognition. In 1990, he was launched his career as a law enforcement elected president of the Indiana DARE officer. It has been a perfect fit for the Officers Association. In 1993, he was 32-year veteran. named Indiana DARE Officer of the Year. Teaching was what Holland had origi- In 2007, he was named National DARE nally planned to do. He was planning to Officer of the Year. attend Milligan College in Elizabethton, Holland dismisses critics of the pro- Tenn., to earn a teaching degree. How- gram, asking how the success of preven- ever, he felt the call of ministry and knew tion programs can be measured. Sure, that he could use his skills in working he acknowledges there are still a lot of with youth to also work in the church. people who abuse drugs, but how many Holland earned a bachelor’s degree in more would there be without the DARE ministerial science from what was then program? Lincoln Christian College, where he met And DARE doesn’t just apply to drug his wife Diane. She earned a degree at usage, he observes. The program also tar- Lincoln in sacred music. gets alcohol abuse, smoking and bullying. He launched his ministerial career at His work with DARE internationally Herrin, in southern Illinois. He and Diane has taken him to Germany and Japan. worked at a church there for three and a DARE is also going to provide Holland half years. They then served as associate with the next step in his career as, in ministers and youth ministers at Markle retirement, as he will be employed with Church of Christ. That’s what brought DARE International as a trainer. them to Wells County and what would DARE was also a natural progression eventually change their lives. for Holland into the School Resource Holland had hoped to advance further Officer program at Bluffton. in his ministerial career and sent out 80 In the wake of the Columbine school biographies to churches for a preaching massacre in 1999, school resource officers position, but didn’t receive word back Officer Bruce Holland presents a diploma to Lancaster Elementary School DARE gradu- became an accepted way of trying to ward from a single one of them. ate Logan Cotton. Holland retired from the force after 32 years on June 1. He worked with off school violence. “It actually goes back DARE in the local schools for 30 years and, for the past 18 years, served as the resource to the 1950s, though,” said Holland. “I thought well, maybe this isn’t the officer for schools in Bluffton. (Photo by Glen Werling) direction the Lord wants me to go,” Hol- “In Michigan there were school liaison land said. officers,” Holland said. But Columbine While serving as a minister in Markle, by then Bluffton Police Chief Bob Frantz. police work. and the school shooting in Paducah, Ky., Holland also became a volunteer member “He asked me if I was interested in DARE — Drug Abuse Awareness on Dec. 1, 1997, changed the nature of of the Markle Fire Department. joining the police force,” Holland said. Education — has become Holland’s sig- the school resource officer. “It’s more of “I’ve always had a love for emergency Holland thought it would be a good fit. nature body of work in the schools. He a dedicated part of police work,” Holland services,” Holland said. He had served as He could use the training he had received pioneered the program in Wells County said. “So when the opportunity came, I a student athletic trainer in high school. from both the fire department and Wells and has served as the chief mentor for saw it as an opportunity to fit all of my The time period was the early 1980s County EMS and even his ministerial the program on a countywide basis, even background. I knew I would enjoy being when Wells County Emergency Medical training of working with youth. Services was becoming more active. “So I “Plus I remember I doubled my annual salary by joining the police Bluffton Police Chief Nathan got to thinking, let’s try emergency medi- Huss, left, and Bluffton High cine,” he said. force,” he said with a smile. Holland started on the Bluffton School Principal Steve Baker, Bruce and Diane continued their min- right, were on hand to welcome istry careers, filling in at different church- Police force Feb. 1, 1986. Bruce Holland at the high es in the area, but Bruce’s new full-time “Then in 1988, Bob called me school on his last day on the career was as an emergency medical tech- into his office and asked me if I was job, Friday, June 1. “Officer Hol- nician. interested in this new DARE pro- land is the epitome of what a He was one of the first four EMTs in gram,” Holland said. school resource officer should the 24 hours on duty, 48 hours off duty, He said he didn’t realize how it be,” Baker said. “He built rela- would work out at the time, but it tionships with students while at shift cycle. the same time supporting the While with the EMS, Holland stayed turned out to be such a blessing. school and its policies. Officer active in weekend ministry. “We’ve done “I’ve worked with kids. My last Holland has made our school that at different places all of our lives, 18 years have been full-time work- safer and has also helped our part-time,” he said. ing with kids. I guess full-time min- students be successful because Holland worked on Wells County EMS istry wasn’t to be, but there’s been of who he is and how he did his for 6 1/2 years before being approached opportunity for ministry, even in my job.” (Photo by Mark Miller)

14 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner an SRO,” Holland said. He didn’t really push for it but he was glad when the city and the school corpora- tion started talking about creating an SRO position. “I had been in the schools with DARE for a decade already, it wasn’t a difficult transition to the SRO. A lot of the teachers and principals knew me already, because I had been in their buildings. They had to learn more about the position, than the person,” Holland said. Like any position in law enforcement, the SRO job was varied for Holland. “There’s no such thing as a typical 1-866-470-6616 TDD: 7-1-1 day,” Holland said a month before retir- ing. But he’s loved it. Leaving it behind is going to be tough, but he acknowl- edges it’s time. He hopes that people will Cardinal Creek Crossing remember that he gave his best to keep 205 Autumn Court - Bluff ton * Call to arrange tour. the students safe and prevent them from Private Entrances 2 Bedrooms getting into situations that could hurt Deluxe Kitchens Walk-In Showers them. Attached Garage “Most of my efforts have been cen- tered around preventing bad things from happening to kids. The only reason I got into law enforcement to begin with was to use it as a tool to help others. I’m a firm Country Squire Villas believer that’s why God puts on earth,” 500 Countryside Drive - Ossian Holland said. “Whatever we can use of 1 BR & 2 BR Storage Sheds our time and talents to help others, that’s what makes life worthwhile,” Holland Patios Carports said.  Jeff erson Place Villas .BSJBDIJ
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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 15 A Mann for the history books By Jessica Bricker The national organization decided that veterans to help him along again — but He’s had some time to reflect on the each post should have an award equal to he said he had a great bunch of volunteers experience but he still beams with pride it, so they established the Honorary Life and officers to support him. when he talks about it. Member award. Pett said Post 111 takes Cheryl says she may be biased, but her “I was totally astonished and surprised the honor “very, very seriously.” Later, he husband deserves the award. There aren’t by the whole night,” Craig Mann said at said it’s the highest recognition any post too many jobs he hasn’t done. the American Legion Post 111 during a can bestow upon a member. “That’s the only way we’re going to recent interview. Since Post 111 received its charter in stay afloat,” Craig said of his willingness This spring, Mann was recognized 1921, it’s been conservatively estimated to chip in. with a Honorary Life Membership in the there have been 4,000 members to appear — — — Grover Sheets American Legion Post on the roll call. It’s only given the Hon- Craig’s time as commander was fol- 111. Then Saturday, March 10, was pro- orary Life Member award to seven mem- lowed up by his current office of first vice claimed as “Craig G. Mann Day” by bers. Five died prior to 2007, and Post 111 commander in charge of membership, at Mayor Ted Ellis. had no living recipients of the award until which Pett said he is successful. Mann said in May he had no clue he 2010 when two were honored with the After the award was announced, was going to be recognized. His wife award — Claude McMillan and Richard Jim Phillabaum of the Bluffton Com- Cheryl said she knew about a month prior Beck. mon Council read the proclamation from — “and I was sworn to secrecy.” A couple of months later, Craig would Mayor Ted Ellis. At first it wasn’t hard to keep the say he knew or knows the previous recipi- In reading a brief biography of Craig, secret, she said, but then it got closer to ents — most of them very well — and Phillabaum said Craig — a Wisconsin he’s honored to be in that company. native but a 1965 Bluffton High School the event and communications between Cheryl and Craig Mann pose outside of all the surprising parties increased. The award was presented to Craig by graduate — joined the Navy in 1967 and Post Commander Ron Marshall, Finance American Legion Post 111 on Washington So Cheryl eased Craig into the appear- was stationed in California, Vietnam and Street. Craig was honored in March for his ances of their blended family — the chil- Officer Rodger Popplewell and Adjutant Alaska before his honorable discharge in service to the post. They hold the certifi- dren would just happen to be visiting that Bob Buehl. When Pett announced Craig’s 1970. cates he received at the dinner, including a weekend, he was told — so when they name, the crowd erupted in applause and Craig is a 48-year member of Post 111 mayoral proclamation and his honorary life walked in at the post’s annual birthday cheers. and served five terms as post commander. membership. (Photos by Jessica Bricker) dinner that night, he didn’t think a thing. — — — The proclamation that Phillabaum read Craig was a first-time commander recognized Craig’s service in Vietnam, been able to make improvements at Post — — — 111. They keep it looking nice, for start- In introducing Craig and the award, in 1985, a time that Pett said has been his continuous membership at Post 111, referred to Post 111’s prime. Craig said his various Post 111 offices and now his ers, and it’s known across the district for Adjutant Emeritus Thomas Pett said he’s its homey feel. been a member of the post for 48 years later the World War II veterans “ran the Honorary Life Membership, as well as his post” at that time. work with veterans and how he “consis- Post 111 was actually scheduled to and this presentation was one of the more close just months after he took over as unique things he’s witnessed at Post 111. But Craig’s recent tenure as com- tently and unselfishly continues to support mander, from 2013 to 2017, is perhaps and aid them in any way he possibly can.” commander in 2013. The Legion organization at various But it takes cooperation from everyone levels has a number of awards they give most deserving of the award, Pett said in Phillabaum said the proclamation con- March, adding Craig did everything that cludes by recognizing Craig’s contribu- to make it work, and the three units — out, Pett said, but to recognize a “Legion- Post 111, its Auxiliary, and the Sons of naire down in the trenches” isn’t done too was expected of him and then “went far tion to his country and his post, as well beyond the required duties.” as his commitment to serving his fellow the American Legion chapter — all work often. together. The department has a Distinguished That work included activities both veterans. inside and out of the building — includ- As part of the March evening’s cel- Craig said he’s honored the post mem- Service Award. It’s rare; the award has bers felt that highly of him the past four been given less than 250 times since the ing fixing leaks on top of the roof during a ebration, Craig received a lapel pin with thunderstorm. the American Legion emblem on it and years that they’d award him in the way Indiana Department’s inception, which the did this year. He said he tries to make had on its roll call at one time about four Craig said he didn’t have the experi- the words “Paid Up For Life” around the ence a few years ago of the World War II edge — he’s now known as a “PUFL” — the right decision at the right time. million members. “You do what’s best for the post,” he a copper Paid Up For Life membership  card, a certificate and the mayoral procla- says. mation. — — — Where it’s After Pett announced the award, he asked Cheryl to join her husband at the more Craig Mann, second front of the room. When she did, the from left, smiles with Manns embraced. a group of American “Cheryl, you’ve been a big supporter fun Legion Post 111 offi- of your husband with the Legion,” Pett than staying at home! cers in March after said that night. “You’ve backed him. he was recognized You’ve guided him.” Bluff ton KOA as a Honorary Life Cheryl, who is president of the Post Member. Pictured 111 Auxiliary, said it’s been quite a ride Campgrounds with him are Rodger but it’s been fun. Popplewell, far left; 1625 West Lancaster Street | Bluff ton, IN 46714 Bob Buehl, third from “It’s been interesting,” she said. left; and Post 111 “We’ve made a lot of friends.” 260-824-0127 | 800-562-8515 Commander Ron While the post is losing more members www.KOA.com/campgrounds/bluff ton/ Marshall. than it is gaining, the Manns said they’ve 16 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Wells County Sheriff Monte Fisher will retire Calling it a career when his second term expires this December By Glen Werling He served in the United He served in the reserves for and cardiopulmonary resuscita- When Monte Fisher retired States Marine Corps from 1968 six months before becoming a tion, taught them how to deal from the Wells County Sheriff’s to 1971, hoping to get sent to full-time deputy Jan. 1, 1977. with domestic violence situa- Department in September of Vietnam. He wanted to be in the The position was brand new tions, and also taught them how 2008, he knew there was unfin- Navy and serve on a patrol boat to the force, having just been to avoid contamination from ished business. on the river. added by fiat of the Wells Coun- blood-borne pathogens He had always wanted to be Fisher’s weight might have ty Council in September the He served as an advanced sheriff someday. He served as worked against him. What was prior year. emergency medical technician chief deputy under Sheriff Barry an asset on the first football “That was my main goal, for 20 years — 18 part-time and Story but was hoping that one team at Norwell High School to become a deputy. I accom- two full-time. Those two years was a liability in the service. He plished it quicker than I thought were the years between his retir- day he’d be behind the desk at weighed 274 pounds at the time. I would,” he said. “I was actu- ing from the sheriff’s depart- the corner office. But the Naval recruiter sent ally the first officer who worked ment for the first time and being “It was one thing I was striv- him next door to the Marines. a full-time third shift for Wells elected. “I knew I wouldn’t have ing for. It was my ultimate He entered the service in County. Before Tim Meade time to serve,” he said. He took goal,” Fisher said. November of 1968 and by May worked 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., but his basic medical training in It looked like he was never of 1969 had lost more than 100 there was no one on between 4 1991 and got on the reserve in going to achieve that goal when pounds. Wells County Sheriff Monte Fisher a.m. and 8 a.m.,” Fisher said. 1992. Story lost in the 2006 election. But the closest he got to Viet- Most of the time he drove Through his long emergency So, two years later, Fisher decid- nam was a Navy airbase in the things — factory work, truck around the county, looking for services/law enforcement career, ed to retire. But then he was Aleutian Islands — Camp Adak. driving — but the police duty he drunk drivers. It was a lot of Fisher said he is most pleased encouraged to run on the Repub- He pushed to become a military performed in the military never patrolling. He would also fre- that he was able to restore life lican ticket in 2010, was elected policeman and that’s what he left his mind. He wanted to get quently help the city out on calls. to six people using CPR. It and has held the top spot for the spent most of his military career back into police work and got Fisher’s abilities grew with was one reason why he took the past eight years. doing. He finished as an MP at the opportunity in 1976 when he his service. He served as the emergency medical technician “I like helping people. I guess Camp Pendleton in California. joined the Wells County Sher- department’s training officer and training. One time, as a sheriff’s it’s just in my blood,” Fisher After his discharge from iff’s Reserves at the urging of was a certified scuba diver. He deputy he responded to an acci- said. the service, he did a variety of then-Deputy Tim Meade. trained officers in medical aid (Continued on Page 60) SERVING THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT, PARTS AND SERVICE

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 17 Two national titles, going for a third By Mark Miller After narrowing his choices to the Air Piercen Harnish knew he had made the Force Academy, St. Francis and the Uni- right choice. The confirmation came dur- versity of Indianapolis, St. Francis head ing a game at Marian University in India- coach Kevin Donley made a personal visit napolis during his freshman year at the to Norwell High School. University of St. Francis. “That moved them to the top of the “I’ll never forget it,” he says now. “We list,” he says. were 5-0 at the time, this was our big Harnish had a steady girlfriend, so rivalry. It’s like Norwell playing Bluff- staying close to home was important, but ton in basketball. We were down 15 or getting to know the coaches was huge. 20 points but we came back in the fourth “I wanted to go someplace where the quarter and won.” program was driven to succeed,” he says. He remembers that he had had “a ter- Although Donley had made no prom- rible game. But all these guys stepped up ises, Harnish earned the position of start- and made big plays.” ing middle linebacker for the first game of This was why he had chosen to attend his freshman year, and has started every St. Francis after finishing a stand-out ath- game since. Defense is definitely his pref- letic career at Norwell High School. erence. He’d rather hit people than be hit. “We had lost so many close games in Offense is boring. “You know where high school,” he recalls. “I wanted to go the play is going, but defense is all reac- to a college football program that had a tive,” he explains. “You study film to see what their tendencies and ‘tells’ are. Great winning tradition and attitude.” Piercen Harnish tackled Baker University’s quarterback for a loss during the 2016 NAIA title The Cougars would stuff.” game. (Photos courtesy of the University of St. Francis) go on to make the play- The linebackers also offs that year in the NAIA play on the special teams, “We became the target for every team,” he says. “I love that kind of stuff — to be (National Association of which means more practice he explains. “We were undefeated (the able to bring them footballs and cheer- Intercollegiate Athletics) and more film. Because of squad now stands at 23 consecutive wins) ing them up, that was the best part of the but lose to the same Mar- his high school quarterback so we have this big ‘X’ on our backs.” experience.” ian squad in the semi- experience, Harnish leads St. Francis beefed up their schedule, The team’s return visit in December finals of the 16-team field. the offensive punting spe- playing more ranked teams “for a rea- 2017 included a visit to an elementary Marian went on to win that cial team and has the go- son,” he adds. “You always want to play school instead, which he also enjoyed. championship. ahead to call audibles. He has the best in order to be the best.” — — — But St. Francis capped scored one touchdown on a The coming season — his last year Winning two consecutive champion- an undefeated season the fake punt; add a “pick-six” — will have the exact same schedule. It ships does not come easy. Off-season next year with the 2016 60-yard interception during includes St. Xavier in Chicago, “a very training consists of weight-room work NAIA national champi- his freshman year, and Har- good team” that they beat last year, notch- every Monday, Wednesday and Friday onship (defeating Marian nish has two college TDs to ing three safeties, two of which were from 5 to 7:30 a.m. Spring practice is in the process, he notes his credit. Contrast that to credited to his punt defense team. an intense two weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 with a grin) and then 25 rushing touchdowns his The championship games are played every morning, capped by a spring game. repeated that feat this past Piercen Harnish’s official senior year of high school. in Daytona, Fla. The team flies down on a This summer, he will continue the team photo. The Norwell “It is different not scor- December. Which puts grad will be completing private jet — the NAIA picks up all post- weight training three mornings a week the 2015 Norwell grad in his college career this fall ing,” he admits, “but I don’t season expenses. The week-long visit while working as an intern at Ash Broker- a rather unique fraternity: and hopes to cap it off with miss playing offense.” includes a tour of the Daytona raceway age in Fort Wayne. he’s been an integral part a third straight national — — — and a visit to a children’s hospital. Camp will begin Aug. 5. with practice of a team that has won championship. The first championship “That was an awesome experience,” sessions every day from 6 a.m. to about 11 two consecutive national “was amazing for Coach championships … “and going for No. 3,” Donley,” Harnish says. he adds quickly. “He had never won one for St. Fran- — — — cis,” he continues. “He came in and start- www.familyfordofbluff tonin.com The youngest son of Ron and LeeAnn ed the program from scratch, been there Harnish enjoyed his high school experi- something like 20 years and he’s won ences. “No doubt,” he quickly replies, more than 200 games. It was neat, the talking about the coaches and the friend- guys put him up on their shoulders and ships. A prominent athlete in three sports, everything.” More Th an a Customer he earned 12 varsity letters in football, Donley had built a successful program ...YOU’RE FAMILY basketball and track. But he loved foot- at Georgetown University, where he’d won an NAIA title in 1991. His only los- ball most — he played both offense and ing season at St. Francis was his first, in 2017 defense his senior year as quarterback and 1998. Ford middle linebacker — and fielded a host of “He’s everyone’s second dad,” Harnish Escape inquiries from colleges large and small, says. “He’s been awesome.” from Purdue to Tiffin College and the Air Earning that second title was more dif- 260-824-2300 Force Academy. ficult. 18 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner and then again from about 1 to 5 or 6 p.m. East theology. “We might get one or two days off,” “It’s allowed me to learn a lot about 20 Year Anniversary! during those two and a half weeks, he not just my faith, but the differences says. between Protestant and Catholic,” he Football season will require at least says. “The professors are great, and we Northwood 25 to 30 hours each week. With on-field get into great discussions. I get to share practice, defense and special team meet- my faith and my beliefs and learn about Computer ings, and the games. And then there is the others as well.” film study. Harnish grew up in the Pleasant Dale “It’s definitely something you learn,” Church of the Brethren and has attended Serving the community since 1998 he explains. “You don’t just watch Hope Missionary the past several years. with quality tech work and service. games.” He married that steady girlfriend — Specialize in the sales and Studying film — which he definitely Arissa Moser — in June 2017. She has enjoys — involves dissecting how teams graduated from IPFW with an associates service of all PC & Mac systems. line up, and what the lineman do; how degree from the Dental Laboratory Tech- Onsite service & repair, virus they might position themselves, what ten- nician program and works for Stoller spyware removal, networking dencies become evident, and which way Dental Lab in Fort Wayne. The couple and server their initial moves are. purchased a house in Fort Wayne and are “You want know who you need to expecting their first child in early August. installations. watch during the game,” he explains. — — — We stock Printers, “You don’t watch the ball, the ball can lie. A third championship “will be tough,” Ink & Toner Linemen don’t lie.” Harnish admits, but he is looking forward Throughout his three years at St. Fran- to the challenge. It is, after all, why he and a large St. Francis middle linebacker and Norwell selection of PC cis, he has maintained this football sched- grad Piercen Harnish and teammate Eric chose to go to St. Francis. There is only ule and has still focused on his studies. Dunten celebrate a “big hit,” as Harnish one other team that has won three straight accessories. “Academics are first at St. Francis,” he describes it, during the 2016 national cham- titles in the history of the NAIA. He wants ,APTOPSs$ESKTOPSs3ERVERS quickly notes. pionship game. to join that fraternity as well. He chose a finance major in the “But I cannot go without saying that 3016 E State Road 124 school’s Keith Busse School of Busi- career in financial planning and advising. God gave me these abilities, these talents, ness, another reason he chose to accept Helping people plan appeals to him. these opportunities,” he adds. Bluffton St. Francis’ full scholarship offer. His He has particularly enjoyed the theolo- “You can’t thank anyone else after 824.5652 internship this summer at Ash Brokerage gy classes at the Catholic school. The cur- the game. You were given these talents is exposing him to a variety of insurance riculum requires them, but there is a wide and you use them to the best of your 800.699.4762 and financial options. He hopes to find a choice including, for example, Middle ability.”  Don’t Just See the Diff erence Experience the Diff erence

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 19 Alpaca herd keeps rural Vera Cruz couple busy By Tanya Isch Caylor Though alpaca wool is a marketable Southern Wells freshman commodity, the Zooks’ primary interest Hunter Farmer leads an Sherry Zook got her first two alpacas alpaca named Char- for Christmas. since 2013 has been setting up and orga- lotte over a hurdle in an Her husband, Troy, brought them right nizing the Wells County 4-H Alpaca Club. obstacle course set up at into the house, through the back door, after Between Sherry’s love of exotic animals Troy and Sherry Zook’s everybody else had opened their presents. and Troy’s experience as a lifelong 4-H farm near Vera Cruz. The That was in 2006. Nearly a dozen member and supporter, it’s a natural fit. Zooks maintain a herd years later, the Zooks have added 33 more In addition to their horses, alpacas and of 35 alpacas, in part alpacas to the eclectic assortment of ani- dogs, the Zooks also own goats, chickens, because of their interest in peacocks and rabbits. maintaining a 4-H Alpaca mals on their small farm at the intersection Club. of Ind. 116 and Ind. 301 near Vera Cruz. “I think that’s all we have right now,” Depending on which one of them you says Sherry, ticking off the different ask, that first pair of alpacas was either the breeds on her fingers. “At one point, we best Christmas present ever, or the worst. had elk.” “Do you know how much hay you’ve “It’s like a petting zoo around here,” got to bale to keep them fed?” asks Troy said grandson Jyler Morphew, 14, who Zook. was working with an alpaca named Bandit Because the herd quickly gobbles up all during a recent 4-H meeting at the Zooks’ farm. Last year the duo placed fourth in the available grass, it takes seven bales a In addition to mentoring two of their “But they all have their own personal- day to feed their 35 alpacas and five hors- intermediate showmanship at the Indiana State Fair, competing primarily with lla- grandchildren – Jyler’s cousin, Caity Pat- ity,” she said. es, he says. When you add in the horses ton, also 14, was absent that day – there Charlotte, shown by incoming South- their daughter keeps at her place, that adds mas. During the meeting, the Zooks’ daugh- are 14 other members in the club this year. ern Wells freshman Hunter Farmer, is up to well over 3,000 bales a year. In an arrangement similar to that used by known for being the most loving member Though it’s a lot of work, Troy Zook ter, Stephanie Morphew, worked with members on showmanship skills in one some members of the Horse and Pony of the herd, bestowing kisses and even let- admits he’s mostly kidding when he gripes Club, the Zooks lease animals to those ting members put sunglasses on her. about all the time spent tending their herd. pen, while Sherry Zook supervised those who were leading their animals through an who don’t have an alpaca of their own. The alpacas draw interested onlookers “It’s better than sitting in the house Members learn to care for the animals at the farm as well as at the fair. Troy Zook watching TV all day,” he says. obstacle course in another pen. The veteran alpacas, familiar with as well as show them. Shearing, done in says guys he went to school with some- The Zooks got their first look at alpacas conjunction with another alpaca farm near times ask if they can bring their grandkids at the Wells County 4-H Fair the summer the routine after six years of club work, jumped over a small hurdle, stepped up Ossian, occurred in early May. out to see the animals. Sherry Zook has before that memorable Christmas present. The first two years the club existed, gotten to know a couple of older ladies Sherry fell in love with the baby-faced, onto a platform and helped open a mail- box. members took their animals up to the who stop along the road to watch the ani- woolly Peruvian pack animals, and Troy fair only on the days they had scheduled mals. They sometimes bring Cheerios arranged to buy a pair through local farm- Troy Zook functioned as the trouble- shooter, intervening when first-year mem- events, Troy Zook said. Now the club to feed the alpacas, having secured the er Doug Fiechter, who had brought his assembles temporary stalls in the cow barn Zooks’ permission beforehand. animals to the fair for a demonstration but ber Cal Grandlienard, 9, struggled to get his young alpaca up onto the platform. and the animals stay all week, just like the The Zooks enjoy raising alpacas, had since sold his herd. other livestock. He’s hoping the club can though they likely wouldn’t maintain such raise enough funds at some point to build a large herd if it weren’t for the club. an alpaca barn on the fairgrounds. “We like to have enough for the kids Though alpacas look cute and cuddly, to be able to choose” which animal they most don’t particularly like having people like best, Sherry Zook said. “As long as put their hands on them, Sherry Zook said. they’re interested, we’ll keep doing it.” 

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20 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Working for the people of her hometown By Jessica Bricker running with their beagles, fam- and that this is a job I could do tax increment finance district. She’s got about a year on the ily movie nights and playing forever.” “I know that before I began job, but Markle’s deputy clerk is games. She helps Clerk-Treasurer working in the clerk’s office, not new to the town. “We love the Town of Markle Carolyn Hamilton with payroll, I had absolutely no idea about “I have always loved Mar- and are planning on moving here billing, reporting and balancing what a clerk-treasurer and (her) kle,” Stephenie Hensley said. in the near future,” she said. “It the town’s accounts. Hensley staff did,” Hensley said. “I was “I grew up here and take a lot will be such a perfect place for also runs the town’s website, so surprised to find out just how of pride in this little town. I us to be.” which gives her a break from complicated this job can get.” think it’s a great place to live Hensley has been a town staring at numbers all the time. The job is “ever-changing” and work. I love seeing familiar employee for more than a year. “Carolyn has been really and never boring, she added. faces walk through the door and When she heard the town was great about letting me jump in “This job allows me to use equally enjoy getting to know looking for office help, she was and learn in a hands-on way,” my brain in every way,” she new people. I think that Markle in her seventh year at Heritage Hensley said. said. “I love that it constantly really has a great sense of com- Pointe Child Care in Warren. Her goal is to take over Ham- keeps me thinking. I also really munity. I think that the people “I loved my time there and it ilton’s job once she retires. Once enjoy getting to use my creativ- really care about each other and was so nice to be able to take my she moves to Markle, she can ity when it comes to keeping the the town, and I love that. I truly daughter to work with me every run for the clerk-treasurer office. website up to date.” am so excited to be working in day, but she was getting ready “I have loved learning the The Town Hall also serves as this community every day and to start school and I was ready job and am thankful that Caro- customer service for residents can’t wait to move my family to try something new,” Hensley lyn has taught me so much and who have questions on a vari- here soon.” recalled. is continuing to train me for the ety of topics. Just days before Hensley and her husband Making the transition to work future,” she said. “I’m lucky to her interview, Hensley said they Brandon, who works at General in Markle is a quieter setting, she have someone to show me the took a couple of calls regarding Motors, have lived in Warren quips. And she’s able to attend ropes before jumping into the the election. since they were married in 2010. schooling and classes on her job. position.” Hensley encourages those They have a 5-year-old daughter “I started out as adminis- There is much work to be who may not know her yet to Della, who will be a first grader trative assistant and about six done in the Markle Town Hall stop by the office and say hello. Stephenie Hensley poses outside at Lancaster Central Elementary months into the job, I became office. Not only is the town in “I’m very, very happy that of the Markle Town Hall during a School next year. deputy clerk. I realized early on two counties, which complicates this is where I ended up,” she recent interview. (Photo by Jes- Together they enjoy fishing, that I really enjoyed the work finances, but Markle also has a added.  sica Bricker) Welcome to Whicker Park 
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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 21 On the wings of a snow white ... pigeon By Glen Werling ones to train his bird dogs. Anyone traveling south on Ind. 1 from “Then they started reproducing and U.S. 224 has probably seen them. now I have a bunch of them,” he said with Snow white pigeons circle in the field a laugh. “We’ve counted 40-some, but it’s next to the property of Simon and Sue hard to keep track of them all.” Holloway. They fly in perfect formation Although the birds are free to come and then land in the field next to Hollo- and go as they please, they never stray far way’s house as they hunt for insects and and they always come home to roost. “I small pebbles to aid in their digestion. don’t know how far away they go to eat,” Holloway bought the pigeons several Holloway said. He surmises that a regular years ago to train his bird dogs — aids to food and water supply keeps them return- help in his hunting of pheasants, quail and ing. chukars. “We get a few different colored ones On a warm late spring day, Holloway now and then,” he said, but the majority demonstrated a training scenario using of the birds are either mostly white or all white. his dog, Hammer, in an area of grass he Holloway says people have stopped at intentionally keeps tall for dog training his house to ask about the birds. “There purposes behind his house. was a lady who stopped by one time. She Hammer eagerly roots around and said she worked someplace in Bluffton then finds where the pigeon is hidden. and she said, ‘We have seen these birds He stands statue still, pointing toward the and we didn’t know if they were doves or pigeon. pigeons or what and we’ve talked about Holloway uses a bird release trap at work and I saw you out and I thought which operates off a radio signal. “I place I would stop and ask you about them,’” the bird in here, I let the dog run around Holloway said Simon Holloway releases one of his snow white pigeons. (Photo by Glen Werling) and he’ll smell it and find it. I want him to Keeping pigeons is not a new hobby be about seven or eight feet away from it for Holloway. He grew up on a farm and point. He’ll stand solid, tail up in the south of Bluffton. “When I was 12 or 13 KKerry erry Gentis,Genttiis,, ManagerManager air and look right at that bird. I’ll then go I’d go out to the barn and catch a young TTom om GGentis,enttiis,, AAsst.sstt.. MManageranager up and kick around as if I were flushing a pigeon and train him to fly to the other wild bird,” Holloway said. farm and back. I’m 69 now, so I guess I Standing about 100 feet away, he haven’t outgrown it yet,” he said. releases the trap and the pigeon shoots He and his wife Sue enjoy just watch- straight up in the air about six feet and ing them fly around the house. “We’ve flies back toward the roost. got a couple seats out back and we’ll sit Holloway, in conjunction with his out there under the trees and watch them brother, purchased his first training fly in and out.” pigeons several years ago at Wolf’s Giant Although Holloway hunts game birds, Bird and Animal Swap Meet and Flea and he knows some people eat pigeons, A TTrustedrusted MMemberember oofff tthehe CCommunityommuniity forffor Market north of Kimmel in Noble Coun- he admits with a chuckle, “I think my ty. Holloway liked the white ones best wife would shoot me if I were to ever OOver Ovveerr 556566 YYears!Yeeaarrss!! and let his brother have the darker colored shoot one of them.”  •Alignment •Electrical 1127 NORTH MAIN STREET •Air •Emission 1045
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22 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Social networking, v1.0 By Patty Elwell Jump of Uniondale. items, members changed to a more seri- In today’s world of Facebook, You Following refreshments, the Pledge of ous note of how they serve the commu- Tube, and the internet, there are social Allegiance and the Homemaker’s Creed, nity. clubs who still gather together to serve the group learned a bit about the history For instance, members recently sold their community. of Mother’s Day, which by the way, was refreshments during a barrel tacing event On a pleasant May afternoon, the Jef- first celebrated in 1908. at the Wells County 4-H Park. The money ferson Homemakers gathered at the kitch- Roll call was taken where members they made at the event went to the 4-H en table in the Ossian home of Mary Ann had to answer the question, “What’s Park’s Restroom Fund. Ripperger. Their agenda was clear: To growing in your garden?” In April the group held a volunteer learn, to serve and to fellowship. “My garden has everything in there work day where they made fleece blan- The group has been meeting for more that the roadside stand has!” declared kets, neck pillows and adult bibs for nurs- than 50 years. “I was invited by my moth- ember Martha Harris. ing home residents. As Carol Baker said, er-in-law. I was 20 years old,” said Sharon Following the usual business meeting “There is something for everyone to do.” According to the club’s minutes, Ossian Healthcare would like more of the created items. It was announced at that meeting that Nila Fenstermaker will be the new club Jefferson Homemakers president Mary Ann Jefferson Homemakers president beginning June 1. She said the members discuss club Ripperger conducts the May meeting of the group will begin a pilot program called “I club at her home. (Photos by Patty Elwell) events. Left to right: Judy Can” that has been implemented by Allen Kaehr, Vivian Thompson, Lesley Tillman, Carol County Homemakers. received a crock pot. Lochtefeld, Cindy Jester, The program is designed to work with “People have joined because we do Margie Huss, Joey Septer, local churches to help mothers with low things that are relevant today,” said Judy Jean Reef, Judy Schindler incomes or mothers in need of a mentor. Kaehr of Ossian. and Liz Bledsoe. Women can learn five life skills involv- The group meets the second Wednes- ing food, children, first aid, finances and day of each month at 1 p.m. at a mem- minor repairs. Those who attended all five ber’s home. For more information call sessions of the program in Fort Wayne Carol Baker at 260-622-7422. 

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 23 Redemption. Community. Collaboration. Dave Bustos’ mission in Bluffton By Dave Schultz jocks; Bustos found out they were, as he cessful career,” he said, referring to his Redemptive power can be found in puts it, “a bunch of Christian guys.” time at 3M. “Here this chance evolved. the right group of people. David Bustos Bustos wanted something different; I kept trying to talk myself out of it, knows this firsthand. maybe this was it. He wavered. and God said, ‘You said …”, and that’s Bustos is the executive director of “I wanted to go in there, I wanted what he kept telling me. In the end, he the Caylor-Nickel Foundation Fam- to go in there, and finally, after a year, was right, because in the end I would be ily YMCA in Bluffton, a position he I went in there. Those guys welcomed the one looking in the mirror and saying came to in late November 2017. He’s no me with open arms,” he said. “I never that I did not keep my promise.” stranger to the area, having grown up in turned back from that day on. I trained He said yes. “I just stepped out on Warren and worked for many years in for some 30 years straight — and I faith and ran with it, and I’ve been Hartford City. found Christ. You know, spirit, mind, running with it ever since,” he said. When Bustos was a child, his father and body, like the ‘Y’.” “It’s been a great experience. I am so was killed in an auto accident; the other His relationship with those men gave blessed.” driver, as it turns out, was under the him a mission of his own — when he When the decision was made to influence of alcohol. During an inter- had a chance, he’d give back what he phase out the Blackford YMCA, Bus- view in his office at the YMCA’s cam- had been given. tos helped with that process. Then the pus on Dustman Road, he said the loss Bustos went to Indiana State Univer- Bluffton “Y” became a possibility. of his father had an unsettling effect on sity and majored in industrial technol- “It was the most thorough interview him. ogy. After college, he returned to north- I’d ever been in through my entire life,” “For a few good years there, particu- east Indiana, taking a job at 3M in Hart- he said. larly in high school, I had lost focus and ford City. In 2004, the Muncie YMCA He was introduced as the new execu- direction and I was running down the decided to open a branch in Blackford tive director of the Caylor-Nickel Foun- wrong path,” he said. County. Bustos, who had been active dation Family YMCA early in Decem- He graduated from Huntington North in the United Way in Hartford City, ber and has hit the ground running. If High School in 1980. A year later, a received an invitation — would he want you’re in Wells County, David Bustos gym — The Muscle Shop — opened in to join the staff at the new “Y”? would like to talk to you. downtown Warren. The men who went He would. “Collaboration is my strong suit,” he Photo by Dave Schultz through were not just musclebound “I was very blessed to have a suc- (Continued on Page 60) New Markle librarian knows her library is about more than just books BByy JessicaJessica BBrickerricker aaboutbout whatwhat sheshe expectedexpected — it’sit’s quieterquieter thanthan thethe mainmain location.location. TThehe nnewew MarkleMarkle librarylibrary branchbranch managermanager wantswants thethe librarylibrary toto ““II ffeeleel llikeike wwe’ree’re hhereere wwhenhen ppeopleeople nneedeed uuss aandnd wwee hhaveave a bbee a pplacelace tthathat ppatronsatrons ffindind ttoo bbee uusefulseful — wwhateverhatever ttheirheir nneeds.eeds. llotot ofof thingsthings toto offeroffer people,”people,” sheshe said.said. AAnnanna BrinegarBrinegar workedworked atat thethe HuntingtonHuntington City-TownshipCity-Township EEvenven tthoughhough tthehe llibraryibrary iiss ppartart ooff tthehe HHuntingtonuntington ssystem,ystem, PPublicublic LibraryLibrary forfor aboutabout threethree yyearsears asas thethe adultadult rreferenceeference rresidentsesidents fromfrom bothboth sidessides ofof thethe countycounty lineline cancan useuse thethe MarkleMarkle llibrarianibrarian wwhenhen thethe MarkleMarkle jobjob openedopened upup andand sheshe waswas wantingwanting bbranch;ranch; itit hashas a reciprocalreciprocal borrowingborrowing agreementagreement withwith thethe WellsWells a change.change. SheShe startedstarted inin MarkleMarkle atat thethe endend ofof JanuaryJanuary 20182018 andand CCountyounty PublicPublic Library.Library. sshe’she’s enjoyingenjoying iitt ssoo ffar.ar. ““II thinkthink that’sthat’s a greatgreat partnershippartnership withwith thethe wayway thatthat Markle’sMarkle’s ““II feelfeel iitt rreallyeally aallowsllows meme toto workwork withwith allall ageage groups,”groups,” Brin-Brin- ssetet up,”up,” sheshe said.said. eegargar ssaidaid dduringuring a rrecentecent iinterviewnterview bbeforeefore tthehe llibraryibrary oopenedpened KKarenaren CarpenterCarpenter ofof MarkleMarkle isis herher part-timepart-time assistantassistant andand sheshe fforor thethe dayday toto patrons.patrons. ooffersffers a locallocal perspectiveperspective andand connection.connection. SShehe earnedearned herher undergraduateundergraduate degreedegree ffromrom BrighamBrigham YoungYoung BBrinegarrinegar wantswants peoplepeople toto feelfeel welcomewelcome andand toto feelfeel likelike it’sit’s UUniversityniversity iinn 22011011 aandnd hherer mmaster’saster’s iinn llibraryibrary ssciencecience iinn 22014014 ttheirheir library.library. aatt IIndianandiana University.University. She’sShe’s fromfrom BloomingtonBloomington andand camecame upup toto ““II justjust wantwant peoplepeople toto knowknow thisthis placeplace isis openopen forfor themthem andand a nnortheastortheast IndianaIndiana toto workwork inin Huntington.Huntington. SheShe currentlycurrently liveslives inin pplacelace thatthat theythey cancan comecome inin andand enjoyenjoy andand useuse — becausebecause it’sit’s a FFortort WWayne.ayne. ttoolool asas wellwell asas a placeplace ofof entertainment,”entertainment,” sheshe said.said. TThehe librarylibrary patronspatrons — whichwhich sheshe saidsaid areare a goodgood mixmix ofof newnew TThey’vehey’ve recentlyrecently acquiredacquired a discdisc golfgolf kitkit thatthat cancan bebe checkedchecked aandnd oldold — havehave beenbeen welcomingwelcoming aandnd iit’st’s bbeeneen ggoodood ttoo ggetet ttoo ooutut withwith a librarylibrary card,card, nownow thatthat thethe towntown isis gettinggetting a discdisc golfgolf kknownow them,them, sshehe ssaid.aid. IIt’st’s a jjobob iinn wwhichhich sshehe ccanan mmakeake a ddirectirect ccourse.ourse. It’sIt’s anan exampleexample ofof howhow librarieslibraries cancan bebe usedused forfor moremore iimpactmpact aandnd cconnectiononnection withwith thethe patrons.patrons. tthanhan jjustust bbooks.ooks. ““TheyThey vvaluealue theirtheir librarylibrary andand itit shows,”shows,” sheshe said.said. ““LibrariesLibraries inin generalgeneral areare seeingseeing thatthat peoplepeople wantwant moremore thanthan TThehe llibraryibrary ccanan bbee a pplacelace wwherehere ppeopleeople ccanan wwalkalk aandnd wwherehere jjustust booksbooks andand wewe cancan bebe a resourceresource forfor lotslots ofof differentdifferent things,”things,” cchildrenhildren cancan hhangang out.out. BBrinegarrinegar said,said, “a“a resourceresource forfor studyingstudying oror a resourceresource forfor thingsthings TThehe branch,branch, whichwhich isis smallersmaller thanthan thethe HuntingtonHuntington branch,branch, isis tthathat cancan helphelp themthem inin theirtheir dailydaily life.”life.”  Photo by Jessica Bricker

24 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Married couple Ashley Harmon and Joe Lewis want to make Shared Ossian’s parks better By Glen Werling Former Ossian-Jefferson Township Park Board Presi- dent Steve Andrews had an idea about who could replace him when he decided to resign from the board in 2014. vision Andrews, a member of the Air National Guard Fort Wayne base, planned to ask fellow base member Ashley Harmon. “Steve would always talk to me and another girl about joining,” Harmon said. Harmon lived near Maplewood Park where she saw room for improvement. She saw the park board as an excellent way to enact change. “Ashley asked me, ‘Hey would you come to this first meeting with me?’ I was there originally to support her,” said Joe Lewis, Harmon’s husband. Then two spots opened up on the board. “We sat in on one meeting and they said to me, ‘Hey if you’re interested, we would love to have you both,’” Lewis said. He sent in a letter of interest and both were sworn into the open positions at the following meeting, becoming Ashley Harmon and Joe Lewis are making a difference to the future of Ossian with their efforts as members of the Ossian-Jeffer- the first couple to hold positions on either an elected or son Township Park Board. The two are shown atop the hill in Archbold-Wilson Memorial Park overlooking the area of the future appointed board in Ossian in recent memory. amphitheater-pavilion. The two have played key roles in pushing the dream project closer to reality. (Photo by Glen Werling) Becoming park board members was a natural move for both. “That was one of my biggest things about serving on ural because we do it at work and we do it at home. It’s “Jason Heckber was on the park board,” Lewis said. the park board,” Lewis said. “I told them if we can’t list part of the dynamic of our relationship,” Lewis said. “He and I grew up playing baseball together, and every things we want to do and actually make things happen, Both Lewis and Harmon are recruiters for the Indiana time we ran into each other in town he would mention I’m not as interested in serving, but it seems we have Air National Guard. That’s how they met. the park board.” Lewis, Heckber and Harmon also had been able to make things happen.” Continuing the development of Archbold-Wilson Park served together on the Ossian Minor League baseball “We’ve tried to do projects at every park and we’re is one of their top priorities as park board members. Har- board. not done yet,” he said. “Instead of sitting around talking mon credits being able to work with Ossian Revitaliza- The three were part of a group of parents who revived about what we don’t have the money to do, we’ve tried tion and Ossian Rolls to accomplish the goals with Arch- the Minor League, which had started to suffer from a to look at every year as an opportunity to pick out one bold-Wilson. lack of parental volunteers. or two small projects to revamp for all of the parks,” he “We both grew up in Ossian, but we never knew each When Heckber resigned from the board after moving added. other because she went to Bishop Luers and I went to out of town, Lewis became the park board president. Anyone attending a park board meeting can quickly Norwell. But we’ve always lived in Ossian and remem- The couple’s proactive stance has helped propel the see that Lewis and Harmon work well as a team. ber growing up in town and with the parks,” Lewis said. board forward on a number of projects that could have “A lot of our training and leadership courses we go “We want the same opportunity for our kids to have become stagnate. through teach us about the roles of a team. For us it’s nat- nice parks,” he added.  SCHWARTZ PLUMBING, HEATING, & A/C INC.  Air Conditioners  Furnaces  Geothermal  Boilers  Bath Safety Products BRYANT / GOODMAN / THERMO-PRIDE

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 25 ‘‘Let’sLet’s ccallall DDoug’oug’

Doug Sundling and his dog Gin- ger enjoy the vista at the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in north- ern Colorado, an example of the “wanderlust” that has taken him to some interesting places. Sundling took the photo himself in September 2015, calling it “an old-fashioned selfie using a palm-sized tripod.” (Photo pro- vided)

Doug Sundling: City consultant, author, architect, wanderer By Dave Schultz them. That statement, he said, paraphrases what Davis Faulkner. It turned out, he had nothing to worry about. It was 1980 and Doug Sundling, a 1973 graduate of used to say about him. “‘It’s good that we’ve got someone like you around,’” Bluffton High School, his architecture degree from Ball Sundling was heading back to Ball State in 1980 when Sundling says, quoting Faulkner. State University (Class of 1979) in hand, was looking for Davis contacted him about mapping the electric poles, When Ellis became mayor, Sundling’s life got busier. a job. There was a recession on; jobs in architecture are Nothing was shaking in connection with his architectural “Ted started using me more,” he said. “‘Do this, go find hard to come by when nobody’s building anything. major, so he was going to upgrade that English minor this for me, go find that for me. I’m going to this meet- “Ed Davis needed somebody to map out where the into a graduate degree and become a teacher. “When ing; make sure I know what I’m talking about.’” (electric) poles were at,” Sundling said, referring to the you’re poor and young and don’t have anything to do,” It’s a job that has expanded from mapping to becom- longtime Bluffton Utilities manager. Davis asked a sur- he said with a smile, “you go back to school.” ing a problem solver. I&M is putting electric lines veyor if he could do it, who told him no, but said he He did that for three years. His summers, however, through the southern part of the city and some of them knew somebody who could do drafting. That somebody belonged to the city of Bluffton. His work on the pole are going through city property; Sundling is working was Sundling, and that started a relationship with the city mapping, which was mandated by the state, impressed with Operations Manager Jon Oman and City Attorney that continues to this day. Davis. His next task was to map where the meters were. Tony Crowell to make sure the details are taken care Sundling has been described informally as the city’s Then it was the sectional maps for the water mains. Then, of. When the ownership of the property for Roush Park consultant for planning and infrastructure. He says that’s since he had done the electric service maps, he was asked was in some question earlier this year and the status of a a fair assessment. He offers an even more informal to number all of the poles. National Parks Service grant was hanging in the balance, description: “An over-educated, over-priced gopher.” “Ed kept feeding me more and more,” he said. “He he did the research and got it corrected. Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis, the latest in a string of liked the detail.” “We are fortunate to have had Doug Sundling in our city leaders he’s served, disagrees with that assessment. He first worked under Mayor John Flanagam, then for midst for the past few decades,” Ellis said. “Doug’s “That’s selling him way too short,” Ellis says. “I don’t Bill Fryback; he had gone to school with Fryback’s kids. meticulous record-keeping gives us essential informa- know what we’d do without him.” Fryback was succeeded by Tuck Faulkner. tion about our utility infrastructure that helps us make He’s not a city employee but is instead a paid consul- “At this point, basically, I’m working under Ed on informed decisions and avoid costly errors. tant, working at the pleasure of Ellis and his predecessors electric and water stuff,” he said. “Occasionally Bob Hite “His technical skills are only part of the story,” Ellis plus the city’s department heads. They have apparently would call from the Street Department, or (wastewater continued. “Doug is an ardent advocate for conservation been pleased; 38 years later, Sundling remains connected chief) Bob Moeller or (sewer system chief) Larry Hart- of our environment and spends much of his own time in to the city and has become its jack-of-all-trades. man would call and say, ‘I need a little help. I can’t figure helping others understand the value of our natural sur- It becomes apparent, talking to him, that there are this out.’” roundings. That is his legacy to our community.” things the city needs done and he has the skill set to do Sundling wondered what his status would be under All of this makes Sundling happy to serve.

26 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner “There’s been great satisfaction It’s not just the outdoor adventures that because I can see results from my work have intrigued him. Cities do too. and I’m contributing to the community,” Sundling is an author, writing an PRODUCTS he said. authoritative view of the 1970s rock SERVICE ——— group The Doors. When a friend told SUPERIOR There’s another aspect to Sundling: him that he and his wife were going to SOLUTIONS His “wanderlust,” a term he uses. The Paris for the 50th anniversary of Doors word means “a strong desire to travel,” lead singer Jim Morrison’s birth, he went and Sundling said his mother first used along. After he arrived, a friend from the R & it to describe him shortly after he started Netherlands showed up. SE SO working for the city. “We asked: Where do we want to go O N “I started traveling,” he said. He wasn’t this morning?” he said. “We have a des- married, and there was nothing to tie him tination. We walk. We get back and have M down. As he puts it, it became “a little lunch. Then what do we want to do? It’s Heating & Air travel here, a little travel there — I kinda not just check, check, check. That’s the like this.” way I’m oriented. I’m here to experience Conditioning It changed the course of his life: “Why the journey.” 824-0228 do I want to get on a career path when I ——— can travel?” How long will he continue? At 62, 219 E. Perry St. Bluff ton He’s not a tourist. He wants to experi- Sundling is aware of his own mortality. ence places “on their own terms.” High school friends are dying at the rate 260t824t
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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 27 After many jobs and places, professor feels at home in Uniondale By Tanya Isch Caylor and his wife, Ina May. The Dormires died once worked with. in yourself you didn’t know you had.” Jean Harper ought to feel like an out- several years ago and the house had sat “It’s so rewarding to reach someone, to sider in Wells County. empty for two years. really get through to them,” she says. Looking back She didn’t grow up around here and Or rather, Harper corrects herself, “it And if cuttings from her own life help Now that she feels firmly settled here, doesn’t work here either, commuting 80 had been uninhabited by humans for two enlighten her readers, then that is another Harper finds herself writing about New miles to her day job as an English profes- years. We found raccoon prints in the kind of reward – though it’s not one she England. Her next book, “Lost Daugh- sor at IU-East in Richmond. basement. There was a mouse who lived has much control over. ters,” will explore the connections Her books, though critically acclaimed in the oven. Things like that.” Not too long after “Rose City” came between five generations of women in her — “Still Life With Horses” was a 2018 The Dormires, Rock Creek alumni who out, a pair of tipsy revelers at a New family, going back to the wife of a whal- Midwest Book Award finalist — aren’t both earned masters degrees from New Year’s party told her, “Oh, we just loved ing ship captain who traveled the world widely known. And if any of her neighbors York City’s Columbia University, had left your book!” They then inquired about her with her husband in the 1870s. did happen to read her work, well, let’s their mark on the home and property even second husband, presented in that book as Harper says she’s exploring the unre- just say that some of the details revealed after it changed hands. There had been the love of Harper’s life, only to become alistic standards people held women to – in her style of deeply mined memoir aren’t ambitious tree plantings, and a complex visibly angry to learn she had recently and still do. exactly reputation enhancing. phonograph setup with speaker wires con- divorced. “People were pretty hard on their “When I think about it,” she says, “it’s necting to every room. Harper shrugs. Life goes on, oblivious daughters if they didn’t toe the line, more kind of amazing – considering that we “The first couple of years, we’d be like, to when one story starts and another ends. so than they were with their sons,” Harp- don’t go to church or have kids or play ‘Sorry Lex, sorry Ina, but we’re going to “A book is about something that’s hap- er says. “It’s a gender thing, but women organized sports – that we nonetheless feel make a few changes around here.” pened to me, but it’s not me.” She paus- did it to each other, too. You had women like we are part of the community.” Though Harper swears neither she nor es. A memoir, she says, is a core sample policing women.” That’s partly due to their habit of giv- her husband are superstitious, they both taken from the vast terrain of a human life. There were consequences: A 1904 sui- ing away flowers grown in a patch of occasionally “saw something” out of the There’s so much to be learned, if you dig cide. Harper’s estrangement from her own yard perpetually torn up by vehicles fail- corners of their eyes: a benevolent pres- deep and aren’t simply making excuses mother, who disapproved of her Rich- ing to navigate the curve on U.S. 224 near ence, watching what they were up to. for bad behavior. mond reboot. Uniondale. Living with animals – four “But we haven’t seen anything for a “Still Life With Horses” is a story about Harper lost her mother to Parkinson’s horses, five dogs, four cats – also ensures while now,” Harper says, “so I figure they a certain amount of interaction with veteri- must have been OK with what we did.” Author and English professor Jean Harper snuggles with Oliver, a 20-year-old retired race- narians, ferriers and the like. horse, on her farm near Uniondale. (Photos by Tanya Isch Caylor) But Harper firmly believes that Wells The Richmond reboot County is an exceptionally friendly place, Harper fled a cushy yet suffocating a horse, Buddy, who gave her life new disease a while ago. But she’s still got where the locals’ innate kindness helps marriage and career in her native New meaning during the darkest days of that Moore, who appears in the final pages of smooth out the differences that might exist England in the early 1990s for a life of marriage. Buddy’s tragic death still stops “Still Life With Horses.” otherwise. uncertainty in Richmond, where she’d her sometimes during public readings. They spend much of their time in the “We love living here,” she says. “The graduated from Earlham College a decade But it’s also a story about the bittersweet barn, where “‘the world just feels right,” people up here are genuine and friendly earlier. aspects of mentoring a troubled young no matter how hard the work. His license and neighborly.” Gambling on a romantic relationship person, as well as an outsider’s portrait of plate reads “gallop,” while hers says Here, she says, “you meet someone with a favorite professor, she struggled the Midwest. “horsies.” He rides Western; she rides at a garage sale and from then on you to find work of any kind in the economi- “I’ve gotten emails from readers who English. know them. You go to the grocery store cally depressed city. Finally she landed aren’t horse people, but who still got “We disagree about a lot of things when and stand there looking at the pasta,” and a job cutting roses at a nursery for $4 an something important out of the book: Get- it comes to riding,” Harper says. But in instead of glaring, people stop and make hour. Then, just before she started, she ting out of a bad marriage, finding strength terms of caring for their horses, “it works helpful suggestions. was offered an adjunct teaching position at Whereas out East, she says, dismissing Wright State University in Ohio. prior chapters of her life, “people are rude Harper turned it down, feeling com- The Promise of a Lifetime and impatient. They’re more concerned pelled to explore the gritty realism of blue- with the quality of their latte than the soul collar work. of their neighbor.” That experience, which she chronicled in a 2005 book called “Rose City,” gave Even the ghosts are friendly her a more grounded view of life than one Harper and her husband, Kurt Moore, typically finds in academia. She has no moved to Wells County in 2012 so that misgivings about the path she took, even she could remain – just barely – within though her second marriage didn’t work 2155 N. Main St., Bluff ton commuting distance of her job while he out any better than her first. took a vice president’s position with High- She feels better equipped to teach the (260)824-9643 mark TechSystems, a convention-display kind of first-generation college students company in Fort Wayne. she encounters at IU-East, the single Mon.-Fri. 9:30-6; Sat. 9:30-4 Their farmhouse once belonged to moms who work at Walmart and aren’t www.daniels-jewelers.net longtime Norwell principal Lex Dormire much better off than the rose-cutters she

28 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Actively Involved in the Community for More than a Century

Jean Harper and Kurt Moore spend most of their time at home in the horse barn on their OSSIAN | (260) 622-4141 farm near Uniondale, a home highly visible on U.S. 224 and long occupied by Wells County icons Lex and Ina May Dormire. BLUFFTON | (260) 824-6630 out. We do it my way.” couple of times a week. Anyway, it beats www.ossianstatebank.com Is her life here worth the commute? her old lengthy commute from Cambridge I’ve gotten used to it,” she says. There to Boston. are podcasts to listen to. When she can get “I would much rather drive on country away with it, she makes the trip only a roads,” she says. 

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 29 Trevor Foughty: From Ossian to Norwell to IU’s government relations director By Jessica Bricker “Because these events were There was a moment after happening as people my age U.S. Rep. Todd Young gave his were getting their first real first speech on the House floor taste of independence — and in Washington D.C. that Norwell because all of us knew col- High School alumnus Trevor lege classmates or high school Foughty thought of his former friends being deployed to English teacher Anna Parks. Afghanistan and Iraq — I Foughty had written that made the conscious decision to speech for Young, and after expand the newspaper’s cover- Young spoke Foughty emailed age of national political events Parks to thank her for making (instead of mostly on-campus that moment possible for him. news),” he said. Looking back, Foughty said As a philosophy major, he Parks fostered his love of writ- decided his areas of study were ing, which led him to serve as a good place to start for law editor of his college newspaper school. In order to make his law and helped him land several jobs school application look good, he since leaving Ossian. set out to intern on a local elec- Now Foughty, a member of tion campaign. the NHS Class of 2001, is direc- Within weeks, a Bethel fac- tor of government relations and ulty member decided to run communications for Indiana for county council and due to University. Foughty’s focus at the paper According to a press release on politics, he was asked to do Trevor Foughty, at left, is a Norwell High School graduate who is the director of government relations and issued by the university in Janu- communications work for the communications for Indiana University. Here he and his wife Whitney, with their daughter Abigail, are pictured candidate. The faculty member with President George W. Bush and now Sen. Todd Young. Abigail was born in July 2016 and was about two ary 2017, when the announce- months old for this “first official family photo,” Foughty said. (Photo provided) ment of his hire was made, won with almost 50 percent of Foughty’s job is a “primary lead- the vote after many believed the with his life to involvement in year in office I was promoted As a state university, IU ership role in regard to IU gov- candidate would finish last in a campaigns “that would define to deputy chief of staff where I receives appropriations from ernment initiatives” where he three-way primary, Foughty said. my career trajectory.” played a role in the legislative the Indiana General Assembly will “help further the university’s Meanwhile, Mitch Daniels By the November 2004 elec- efforts as well.” in order to provide an afford- relationships with legislators was running for governor and tions, he decided he no longer When Young decided to run able education to students. In and with state and federal policy asked to stop by Bethel. At the wanted to go to law school and for Sen. Dan Coats’ seat after government relations, Foughty organizations, and serve as lead time, there was no student group that he wanted to work on cam- Coats announced his retirement said his job is to make sure IU is communications liaison for the to host the visit so Foughty — paigns. in 2015, Foughty moved back to “responsive to the needs of the government relations staff.” due to his experience with cam- Before going to work at IU, Indiana to serve as Young’s U.S. state.” He highlights the success- — — — paigns — was asked to charter a Foughty worked heavily on Senate campaign manager. es of the university and answers college Republicans chapter. Foughty recalls his junior Todd Young’s campaign for But a few months before that questions about where successes year at Bethel College as impor- “The visit was a success,” Congress. may be lacking. Foughty said, “and I ended up election, Foughty’s daughter was tant for a couple of reasons. He “When he won, he asked born and he and his wife decided “It’s a great job to get a broad served as editor-in-chief of the doing volunteer work on that me to go to D.C. to serve as his view of the huge impact IU has campaign, ultimately being they didn’t want to head back newspaper that year and Opera- communications director, and I to D.C. They bought a house in on the state,” Foughty said. tion Iraqi Freedom began around made the county coordinator for jumped at the opportunity. I was After starting his job about LaPorte County by the fall.” Indianapolis and a few months the time he was named edi- also hired to be in charge of his later, Foughty started his post at 18 months ago, his first major tor; the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist Within about a month, re-election campaigns (which I assignment was the transition attacks happened within his first Foughty said he went from not managed in 2012 and oversaw in IU. from Indiana University-Purdue weeks of college. knowing what he wanted to do 2014), and by the end of his first — — — University Fort Wayne to what

A brief biography earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy/ native currently works at Cummins Inc. in Foughty said. “It’s the only place online English from Bethel College in 2005. In their government affairs department. She where you can find certified election results Trevor Foughty was born at Wells Com- 2012, he married his wife Whitney; the previously worked in the Daniels adminis- from Indiana going back to 1888, all the munity Hospital in 1983 and grew up in couple met in 2008 while he managed Tony tration and for members of Congress. Hoosiers who have ever served in state or Ossian where his parents, Curt and Karen Bennett’s campaign for state superintendent In July 2016, they welcomed Abigail federal office, and lots more. Foughty, owned the Amoco/BP gas station of public instruction and she was working Louise (Abby Lou) to their family. “The columns I write there are now also and Subway restaurant for many years. on Gov. Mitch Daniels’ campaign. “A passion project of mine has been an published in Brian Howey’s weekly politi- He’s the oldest of four children. Foughty says his wife is “far more Indiana political history database and blog I cal newsletter, where I try to offer a histori- The 2001 Norwell High School graduate impressive” than he is; the Evansville-area run at www.CapitolAndWashington.com,” cal perspective on current events.”

30 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner will become in July IU-Fort Wayne and When Foughty was thinking about a Purdue-Fort Wayne. move to the government affairs side, he A partial timeline of the road to IU “That involved a lot of meetings with said he had a revelation about the reach of legislators from the area to ensure they the impact that public universities have on 2006: Foughty worked for the cam- “became a very important mentor to understood what was (and wasn’t) actu- citizens with no affiliation to the institu- paign of U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola after me.” ally happening,” he said, “and working tion. interning for the campaign in 2004. At the same time he was managing with colleagues from Purdue and the Fort “My dad wasn’t an IU alumnus, but 2007: He worked as a press secretary Bennett’s campaign, Foughty said Jim Wayne campus to think through how gov- when he had cancer 10 years ago it was for the Indiana Senate. He left after one Banks was managing Greg Zoeller’s ernment relations activities might be dif- IU doctors who developed the cure and session after deciding the “pace was too campaign for Indiana attorney general. ferent for the campus in the future.” administered his treatment,” Foughty slow” for him at the time and went to “Jim and I shared an office throughout In addition to the time-consuming recalled. work on a congressional campaign that that election, and spent a lot of time on demands of the state appropriations pro- In the cities with IU’s satellite campus- lost in the May 2008 primary. the road together at campaign events,” cess, Foughty said he has been heavily es, the institution is a “tremendous” eco- 2008: Tony Bennett won the elec- Foughty said. “It’s been a lot of fun to involved on the public policy side of IU’s nomic driver for people who have never tion to become Indiana’s state superin- watch his career progress, especially Grand Challenge on Addictions. It’s a $50 stepped foot on the campus. tendent of public instruction. Foughty now that he represents my hometown million initiative IU launched last fall in “Those campuses contribute hugely to was asked to serve as campaign man- in Congress.” coordination with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s local tax bases through employment taxes, ager for Bennett by then-Gov. Mitch 2009: Holcomb asked Foughty to office, IU Health and others “to address they attract businesses through research Daniels’ campaign manager, now-Gov. become the Indiana Republican Party one of the biggest problems facing the and a pipeline of talent,” he added, “and Eric Holcomb. Foughty helped set up spokesperson and communications state from multiple angles.” offer incredible cultural amenities through the communications and legislative director. By 2010, Foughty said he had “IU President Michael McRobbie and the performing arts and athletics that lures affairs teams in the Indiana Department dual roles working for the state’s GOP VP of Research Fred Cate deserve a lot of a lot of younger people to an area.” of Education for Bennett’s team. Dur- and for Daniels’ political action com- credit for going to the governor’s office It’s explaining these benefits Foughty ing that time, Foughty said Holcomb mittee, Aiming Higher PAC. with their vision of this program, and said is likely his biggest challenge right our leadership team has already launched now. When meeting with IU students who go.” more than a dozen individual projects — — — are interested in political or governmental From this perspective, Foughty said he that are generating a lot of optimism,” Because so much of his early career work, his advice is the same. feels fortunate to have had the opportuni- Foughty said. “While my role is mostly to was dependent upon electoral results “You’ve got about 45 years of a career ties he’s had so far and the people in his facilitate meetings between our research- every other year — “and better oppor- ahead of you, and you aren’t going to be life who have helped make it possible. ers and state leaders, it’s probably the tunities than I could have ever imagined a campaign manager or a chief of staff “They’ve led to a great job utilizing most meaningful thing I’ll participate in always come along” — he learned that it’s for a long time,” he tells them. “The goal my skills at the state’s premier universi- at IU.” difficult to plan out his life for more than shouldn’t be to see how quickly you can ty,” he said, “and I’m content to enjoy the — — — a few years at a time. climb the ladder, but how high you can moment and see where it takes me.” 

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 31 MMementoesementoes ffromrom a m medicaledical a andnd mmilitaryilitary ccareerareer

Photo by Dave Schultz Dr. John Greenman, former flight surgeon, sets up shop at Main Street Clinic By Dave Schultz patients at age 84, with symbols of his life in the Army; he wavered between the returned to Indiana, working at a clinic in Dr. John Greenman’s office at the in the service all around him. Navy and the Air Force but as it turned Bedford. recently-renamed Main Street Clinic does ——— out the Air Force could take him immedi- “I didn’t get the Air Force out of my not feature anatomical charts. Instead, Greenman is a native of Long Island, ately. The Navy had no place for a pedia- blood,” he said. So he signed up with the it features pictures of planes and aircraft N.Y., but when it came time for college, trician. Air National Guard in Terre Haute. “They carriers, items that recall a career in spent he didn’t want to stay on the East Coast. So the Air Force it was. He was sent taught me to fly F100s.” in flight and medicine. A relative was on the faculty at IU; he vis- to the Mountain Home Air Force Base in He had a private plane in Bedford. He If you’ve got the time, he’s got the sto- ited the school and he liked it well enough Idaho. would fly to Terre Haute, change clothes, ries. Trained as a pediatrician at Indiana that he stayed even when the relative “I had never heard of Idaho before,” he attend a briefing and get back into the air. University, he went on to a military career didn’t. “I was impressed with the academ- says with a smile. “I’d never been there. He also decided, at that time, to as a flight surgeon. He served in the Air ics,” he said. He graduated from IU and It was completely different than any- become a flight surgeon, and began his Force and through an inter-service agree- then the IU medical school, becoming a thing I’d experienced before.” training shortly after that. There were ment, also was part of Navy carrier opera- pediatrician, but it was the 1960s and the He served the families on the base and 10 doctors who began the two-year pro- tions. He saw the world, Vietnam War was at its height and the some of the Indian reservations nearby. gram together. The first year was spent at Now, he’s in Bluffton, still seeing draft was in place. He didn’t want to serve His term in the Air Force ended and he a civilian school of aerospace medicine,

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32 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner and he went to Ohio State. The second said, he was paid by the Air Force. The year was in the Air Force’s school of aero- aircraft were similar: The Navy’s F14 space medicine at Brooks Air Force Base Tomcat was comparable to the Air Force’s NEW IN BLUFFTON! in San Antionio. He took survival courses F15 Eagle. and took courses at the Air War College. What he found out, during his time on “That qualified me to be a flight sur- the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Carl geon at a major base,” he said. He was Vinson, was that they were noisy places. given his choice of postings because, as “Planes were landing on my roof and he put it, “they needed me more than I they did it all night long,” he said. “It was needed them.” hard to hear a heart murmur.” He went to Bitburg, Germany, which is He also needed to avoid cabin fever. a tactical air command base. He qualified His goal, he said, was to see the sky at as a flight surgeon for F15s. least once a day. And he had to fly them. His responsi- And yes, he got to fly while at sea. bility was to the pilots, he said, “and I had “Flying off a carrier was fun,” he said. to know what the stresses were. “Everyone should do it.” “I met some NATO (doctors) who ——— didn’t fly and I thought they were missing In 1982 he went back to the Air Force, something,” he said. stationed at the Keesler Air Force Base in He also served on the Aircraft Accident Biloxi, Miss., again as chief of air medical Investigative Team. services. His final stop for the Air Force “I figure that the Air Force gave me was at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, two years to see all of Europe,” he said. Okla. “I was one day’s travel to Paris, Copen- His Air Force carer ended in 1988. He hagen, Geneva, northern Italy.” He was returned to civilian life and worked at an there from August of 1980 to July of immediate care center in Louisville. 1982. In 1991, what was then the Caylor- He was flying out of Bitburg and a Nickel Clinic in Bluffton was aggressive- thought hit him. “You know what would ly looking for personnel, and he answered be interesting?” he asked himself. “Flying the call. He was also angling to put his off of an aircraft carrier.” military background to use by connect- He was the chief of air medical ser- ing with the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort vices in Bitburg. The comparable thing in Wayne, but that dIdn’t happen because the Navy is chief of medical services on a he was too high ranking. He was a lieu- carrier. He asked about being assigned to tenant colonel at the time of his exit from the Navy, and as it turned out, the Navy the service. “If I had come on and retired, needed someone with his skill set. they would have been responsible for my “I said I’d like to do that, and they said retirement,” he said. it was a good idea,” he said. So he remained in Bluffton. After his What actually was a good idea was stint with the Caylor-Nickel Clinic ended, what he calls the “cross-pollination he cast his lot with Washington and Luisa issues.” There were some things the Sumabat at what was then Wells Medical Air Force did well and some things the Services. When the Sumabats retired at Navy did well. Greenman recalls being the end of March, Greenman became the intrigued by the method of communica- principal physician at what is now known tion. Air Force pilots received voice com- as the Main Street Clinic. munication; Navy pilots on an aircraft And inside the clinic, there continues carrier communicated only by light sig- to be a room full of pictures of planes and nals. aircraft carriers and a man who will tell All the time he was in the Navy, he you stories for as long as you’ll listen.  Cyndee Fiechter, Broker & Blake Fiechter, Broker 921 N. Main St Bluffton, IN A Tradition of Caring Since 1922 $ZOEFF
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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 33 Reading, writing,

Deb Johnson completed a relationships 35-year career in educa- tion June 1. Above, she is By Justin Peeper to education in 1988 when with her first-period English When Deb Johnson she began to teach Basil class in late May. reflects on her 35 years as a Rhodes Jr. (Photo by Mark Miller) teacher, the relationships she Basil was born with a rare formed with her students and bone disease called osteogen- her colleagues top her list of esis imperfecta that forced memories. him to lie on his back at all During her tenure as an times. Johnson started going educator, Johnson taught to the Rhodes’ home during more than 5,000 students. Basil’s freshman year of high Those interactions — in the school to teach him, and the classroom, on trips she has two of them connected. facilitated to Washington, “We hit it off right off the D.C., and during one-on- bat,” Johnson said. “It was one tutoring sessions — will wonderful to teach him. I sister still treat me as family,” It is there she learned about a her BHS students and colleagues, always stay with her. spent more time with Basil Johnson said. “I was very fortunate teacher conference called the Belf- as well as the exchange students “It’s just amazing to me one-on-one than I have with to have taught Basil.” er National Conference for Educa- she has hosted and who have been to think back on all of those any other person in my life. Johnson and Basil’s mother tors. She later attended and learned in her English classes, are what relationships,” she said. “Life We became very, very close.” Dorothy wrote a book about Basil about another opportunity to attend Johnson will miss most. really is about relationships.” Johnson spent four to five titled “Angel with Broken Wings” a different week-long fellowship “I will miss that interaction Johnson retired from hours a day with Basil for that was published in 1995. for educators about the Holocaust. with students,” Johnson said. “I Bluffton High School in June two years beginning in the In 1991, a full-time English- After applying in 2000 and 2001, will miss seeing students have that following a 30-year-career as fall of 1998. teaching position opened at Bluff- Johnson was awarded the grant to ‘aha’ moment when the light bulb an English teacher there, but Bluffton High School ton High School and school offi- attend in 2002. goes on. I will miss watching them she also taught at East Jay Principal Steve Baker was cials hired Johnson. She started Johnson made several connec- mature and grow and become Junior High in Portland for a math teacher at the time that August and spent the rest of tions while at the workshop and more respectful.” five years before coming to and became acquainted with her career working with BHS stu- was able to bring Holocaust survi- Johnson also said she is going Bluffton. Johnson when he would col- dents. vor Nesse Godin to Bluffton High to miss her colleagues and the She graduated from Bluff- laborate with her to teach One of the biggest changes School in 2002 to speak with stu- Bluffton-Harrison family. ton High School in 1971. She Basil math. Johnson has seen during her career dents and the community. “I’m going to miss that sense earned her bachelor’s degree “Watching her work with are testing mandates from the state “We never would have had the of feeling a part of something at Manchester College in Basil was absolutely amaz- and the challenges educators face opportunity to bring in a Holo- bigger than myself — the educa- 1975 and her master’s degree ing,” Baker said. “I really to meet those changes, but she has caust survivor without Deb,” tional growth of students and of in English education with a believe that is where I learned tried not to let the changes detract Baker said. “For a Holocaust sur- a school,” she said. “I am really reading endorsement from to develop compassion, from teaching. vivor to come to Bluffton, Ind., proud of our school with our lead- Saint Francis in 1978. understanding and love for Johnson spent several years of that is an experience our students ership and our staff. I think we During her freshman year students that I hope that I car- her career working with sopho- might never have again. Deb have wonderful leadership, and of college, Johnson thought ried over to my classroom mores, the class that is required to brought so many experiences to we’ve all worked so hard to foster she wanted to be a social and later when I became prin- take state tests every year. our school and has given our stu- relationships.” worker. Her college room- cipal.” “Deb has been that critical dents so much.” While Johnson won’t be grad- mate was planning to be a In the fall of 1990 during foundation at the 10th grade level Godin returned to Bluffton in ing essays and research papers, she teacher. By the end of their Basil’s junior year, however, that we so heavily depend on for 2007 and 2011 thanks to Johnson’s plans to stay busy. first year of college, however, his health worsened and he our students to do well on that efforts. She is going to serve on the Johnson changed her major wasn’t able to continue with test,” Baker said. “To watch her “I don’t know that everyone Wells County Public Library’s to education while her room- his classes. Basil died May work with our students has been understands all the work she had board, and she’s also planning to mate decided to become a 12, 1992, but Johnson was incredible.” to do to make that happen,” Baker be more involved with her church social worker — careers they able to help him earn an hon- Johnson’s work with students, said. and by volunteering at various remained in for the next four orary diploma Nov. 6, 1990, however, has extended beyond the Johnson also facilitated trips locations around the community. decades. when then-superintendent classroom. to Washington, D.C., so that her Most importantly, however, she From 1975 to 1980, John- Gary McMillen presented Johnson was in Washington, students could visit a myriad of is planning to spend more time son taught seventh-grade Basil his high school diplo- D.C., with her sister in the late historical sights. She and her col- with her family — her husband English in Jay County. She ma during a ceremony at the 1990s and decided to visit the league Tami Wuest have taken Dave, her children Adam and Lori left the classroom in 1980 to Rhodes’ home. United States Holocaust Memorial nine trips with students since 2005. and their families, including her raise her children but returned “His mom and dad and Museum. These types of experiences with five grandchildren. 

34 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Th oma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home Serving the Families of Wells County for 165 years!

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 35 Wells CAC, at 44, is looking ahead By Barbara Barbieri Wells Community Theatre is now and Dave Schultz able to offer four productions a year—up It will be four years this fall since Joel from two — with the recent production of Harmeyer became the director of the “Honk Jr.” being the latest featuring chil- Wells County Creative Arts Council — dren up to age 18. the longest serving director to date. The popular Jazz on the Patio pro- He is proud of what he and the board grams have added another evening of have been able to accomplish in that entertainment with now three events amount of time. The group’s budget has offered. These evenings are a bargain, grown to more that $200,000 a year and it Harmeyer explains, “for $10 those attend- now has two full-time employees. Janiece ing not only get music, they get food.” Lipsey is director of programming in Harmeyer is also proud of the col- addition to being a dance instructor. laboration with other groups in the com- Harmeyer’s focus and the board’s munity. Art, dance instruction, and theatre focus is now on what he experiences have been calls the three “pillars” of offered to the Boys and Girls Club and the “Tea- the CAC — the School of Joel Harmeyer is the executive director of the Creative Arts Council of Wells County. He’s Ballet, Wells Community cups & Tutus” program shown outside the east entrance to the Arts, Commerce, and Visitors Centre. (Photo by Theatre, and the arts gal- continues in cooperation Dave Schultz) lery. WCT’s efforts also with the Bluffton Parks includes some dance and Department. goes by in which somebody says, ‘I didn’t “Over time we add some things, there’s acting classes and the arts Harmeyer has done know this was here. I didn’t know we had a whole lot of vetting,” he said. Children’s gallery also includes visual some research on the com- ballet.’ Well, we’ve offered ballet in Wells tap is planned, under the WCT brand to arts classes. munity and notes that of County for almost as long as we’ve been keep it separate from ballet. “As I will tell any- the nearly 28,000 residents in business — since 1976, just two years Also, while programs of all three pil- one that will listen, I’m Community Sponsors of the county, a very small after our incorporation. lars are offered to children, the goal is to very proud of the fact AdamsWells Internet Telecom TV percentage of them have “So the challenge is, was, and will be soon be able to offer them to adults, too. that we’ve had classes for Roembke Mfg. & Design chosen to spend $35 to letting people know that we are here, at “There would be adult dance classes, children in all three disci- Bluffton Dental Clinic become members of the their service, and letting people under- particularly an adult tap class aimed spe- plines,” Harmeyer says. Bluffton Rotary Creative Arts Council. stand that we do the job we do because cifically at seniors,” he said. “We want Dale, Huffman & Babcock “If you believe in the we believe it makes the community to offer theatrical acting classes with an “Depending on the night Edward Jones (Doug Fear) of the week, and last year arts as something impor- better,” he continued. “We also believe emphasis on improv and how to audition, Craigville Appliance tant to Wells County you it was Thursday, if you Ossian State Bank that when we come together to share an and we already offer now and want to walked in here on a Thurs- Hott Dentistry should support them,” experience, whether it is theater, Jazz on continue offering adult ballet.” day from September to Meyer Building Harmeyer said, as the June the Patio, an art exhibit, we share our The CAC’s board of directors includes May you would see ballet Four Star Services membership drive is now culture and we recognize that we are not Ted Smith, president; Bill Hambrick, vice happening, you would see Sweetwater Sound underway. The board’s so different as we may think. That sense president; Roy Johnson, treasurer; Billy youth acting classes hap- Saf-T-Lite goal is to double the mem- of community is what fuels me. It’s one Kreigh, secretary; and members Theodore pening, and you would see Wells County Automotive (NAPA) bership roster from last of the most rewarding things about the E. Chemey III, Judy Harkless, Nancy youth art classes happen- Raymond James (Kim Gentis) year. job.” Hewitt, Nancy Wagner, Christine Zady- Honegger, Ringger & Co. Harmeyer understands Also noted by Harmeyer is that the arts lak, Jackie Chaney, Jim Bueter, Marlyn ing, all in this building.” First Merchants Bank Classes are offered Pretzels, Inc. the challenge of operating council has never received funds from the Koons and Linda Kelly. year-round for children, First Bank of Berne an arts organization in a city of Bluffton or Wells County. The arts Having explained where things stand with tap dance and improv Loren’s Body Shop rural county. council receives some support from the at present, Harmeyer and the arts council classes soon to be added. Barkley Builders “Performing, present- Indiana Arts Commission — $6,800 this board members feel they are ready to play Already in place are art Becky Goshorn ing, promoting the arts in past year. a bigger role for the city and the county. classes for elementary stu- NIPSCO a rural environment is the All programs sponsored by the arts The “dream” is to add a performing 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics toughest area in which to council must generate their own funds arts center to Bluffton that could seat 250 dents, music classes for PNC Bank toddlers, and acting class- have success, but I’m up and Harmeyer is proud that he has been or more persons and become an entertain- Precision Cleaning for the challenge,” Har- able to keep the organization in the black ment hub for not only theatre produc- es. Outdoor Concepts These offer youngsters Alexin meyer said. “Creative Arts and within budget since his arrival. Short- tions but for showing movies as well. who are not into sports a Bluffton Family Eye Care has been around since ly after he arrived, some things that did That facility could bring lots of people to different avenue of expres- Howard and Beverly Rich 1974 and this wonderful not fit in three pillars — programs such downtown Bluffton on a regular basis, he sion. Art, dance and the- National Oil & Gas building which sits promi- as co-sponsorship of the Kehoe Summer says. atre experiences offer Perma-Column nently on the Wabash Concert Series, travelogues, and cooking Harmeyer and the board are ready for them a sense of belonging, Wabash Electric River has been here for classes — were jettisoned to streamline that next step and are hoping that Bluffton Harmeyer says. Troxel Equipment. 14 years, but not a week the CAC’s programming. and Wells County are ready too. 

36 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Blossoming creativity Staci Huey growing a successful boutique in Berne, Ossian By Glen Werling Staci Huey believes in small towns. So much so, she’s banking on the suc- T-F 630-5 ◆ Sat 8- Sun & Mon Closed cess of two boutiques in communities of less than 5,000 people. Banking. Literally. Stacy Huey, 119 S. Main ◆ Blufft on Huey is the owner of Nora Gray, which left, owner of Nora Gray, and sells predominantly women’s clothing, Brooke Kirchhof- sizes small through 3XL. “We also have fer, Ossian store 260-353-1477 children’s giftables, like baby gifts and manager, hope toddler clothing, women’s accessories, the new business Lydia Yaste shoes and jewelry and some home decor,” spurs entrepre- OWNER Huey said. neurial growth in She opened her first Nora Gray Bou- Ossian. (Photo tique in Berne in April 2015. by Glen Werling) t
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-VODI satisfied. She wanted to own her own shop. community for their support,” Kirchhofer the two to make Nora Gray. “We thought @ Hugh’s Bakery Huey has a degree in interior design said. it was a catchy name,” she said. from Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. “I Huey has been a successful marketer, “I never would have thought when we & Coff eehouse wanted to find a creative outlet, but the selling items from her two stores all over started sewing five years ago, this is what things I like tend to go over better in big- the United States and even in other coun- it would have been now. We just take it Follow us on Instagram at ger cities,” she said. tries. and whatever happens we keep going with hughsbakery.coff eehouse She decided to see if it would work in Having online sales helps balance out it. We don’t slow down,” Huey said.  Berne. “I wanted to try and create a shop- the business but, she says, “Honestly, 90 ping destination in a smaller community,” percent of our sales are to local people. she said. They come from all over,” Huey said. When she started looking for loca- “We’re just excited to be here. We’re tions for the store, she went into Sprunger excited for the challenge and we’re hop- Shoes in Berne when it was getting ready ing to bring something to these small to close and pitched her idea of a bou- towns. Hopefully it creates a domino tique to the owner of the shop. He wasn’t effect that will bring more businesses in sure that she could make a go of it, but he and creates a nice area for the local com- eventually sold it to her. “And it’s taken munity,” Huey said. off like crazy,” she said. “We’ve grown She’s also trying to promote some so much we have to shift some things local businesses to work together, as she around.” has done with the Crimson House Café, Because the Berne boutique has done further north on Jefferson Street. so well, Huey started thinking about “We started that in Berne a couple opening another shop. years ago and that has really helped to 425 E. Harrison Rd. • Bluff ton, IN • bi-countyservices.com • 260-824-1253 “We felt like we needed a second loca- grow the downtown there. A lot of the tion and we had maxed out everything in vacant stores have filled up. I don’t think Berne. We had it kind of mastered and we we have one empty one down there now. PROGRAMS of TODAY were definitely thinking ‘Wells County,’” “That’s really created kind of a lit- said Huey. tle shopping community and has really Residential Group Homes • Medicaid Waiver Services • Supported Living She decided on Ossian because of pulled in tourists,” Huey said. “We’re its position between Bluffton and Fort hoping we can do that here in Ossian and Sheltered Workshops • Habilitation Services • Music Therapy Wayne. Some customers were driving revitalize the downtown and bring down- from Fort Wayne to Berne to shop and by towns back. We see a trend to shopping positioning it halfway between Bluffton small. That’s what keeps us going. With- BCS Industries and Fort Wayne, her Bluffton customers out that, we couldn’t do it,” she said. Sub-contract work could go to either store and it would be Although Nora Grey (different spell- PRODUCTION DESIGNED TO FIT YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS closer for her Fort Wayne customers. ing) is the protagonist of the popular teen “This location has worked out excel- fiction series “Hush, Hush” by Becca . . lent. It has done just as good as the Berne Small Part Assembly Sorting Crates Fitzpatrick, Huey’s two boutiques are not Wood Pallets . Training/Sales Binder Assembly store, if not better,” Huey said. Her named for that character. Ossian store manager, Brooke Kirchhofer Nora was a name she liked. A friend’s Call Us For A Quote . 260-824-1253 agreed. “We really are thankful to the son was named Grayson. She combined

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 37 Custom made in Wells County 20/20 CMP finds a second home in Bluffton: ‘We think it’s a great community’ By Mark Miller When the leaders of 20/20 Custom Mold Plastics first came over to Bluffton from their manufacturing facility in northwest Ohio, they thought they were just going to look at some machinery they might purchase. But the more they saw, the more they liked. Buckhorn Inc. had operated in Bluffton since the early 1990s, producing injection-mold shipping containers and other plastic products. In early 2017, Buckhorn managers decided to consolidate their operations in their Spring- field, Mo., plant and close the Bluffton facility. “We had had a relationship with Buckhorn for sev- eral years,” shares 20/20 partner Dave Rupp. “They had developed a different corporate philosophy and they asked if we’d be interested in some of the machinery here. We said ‘yes,’ and came over thinking we were just going to be buying equipment. “Then, once we realized exactly what they were doing, and knowing what we were going through (in Ohio) from an expansion standpoint, it just seemed logi- cal,” he continued. Rupp and his longtime partner, Ron Ernsberger, saw an opportunity to obtain a working plant with a knowl- edgeable and well-trained workforce. While Buckhorn took the machinery they needed, 20/20 purchased the remaining machines along with the building in the Deck- er Industrial Park on Bluffton’s west side. They also found an opportunity to purchase the assets of Fort Wayne Plastics. All of those machines were refur- bished, other new machines were also purchased, total- 20/20 CMP partners Dave Rupp, left and Ron Ernsberger, center, stand in front of one of the new machines which 20/20 ing about $15 million in investments since they complet- has invested in and moved into the Bluffton plant since they purchased it from Buckhorn Inc. in August 2017: a 500-ton structural foam plastic molding machine. COO Chad Adams, who is overseeing operations in the Bluffton plant, is at right. ed the purchase in August 2017. (Photos by Mark Miller) But Rupp and Ernsberger were not quite finished. The partners’ unique business plan was proving suc- throughout the country. These products include, for cessful. “Our customer base is growing and our cus- example, above-ground boxes that protect telecom- tomers are growing,” Rupp relates. More production munication equipment, culvert screens for drainage capacity and more space was needed. In early June, they systems, lawn carts, swimming pool ladders and announced plans to build a new “state-of-the-art” plant even a base for outhouses, in addition to custom- on about 17 acres just east of the present Bluffton facility, ized shipping containers. and will then use the exiting building for a warehouse. The Holiday City, Ohio, plant makes larger The changes will increase the employment in Bluffton parts, custom pieces for such purposes as the con- from the current 120 workers to about 190 by the end of struction industry and waste water management. 2019. Growth there is being largely driven by customer Rupp, 70, and Ernsberger, 71, founded 20/20 in 1999, requests for even larger parts. initially employing two others. “We recently placed an order with Cincinnati “We were kind of stuck at five people for a couple Milacron to make the largest high-pressure injec- years,” Ernsberger says. “We built our own facilities, tion molding machine they’ve ever made,” Erns- we installed the equipment, we set the machines. We did berger says. That machine will cost in the vicinity everything we could on as low a budget as we could and of $8 million. then in August 2011, we lit the candle — it’s been full In 2004, the company received the Entrepreneur speed ahead ever since.” of the Year award by the national accounting firm The Ohio plant now employs 240 people. of Ernst & Young. “That was very rewarding,” Ern- “We are unique in that everything we build is custom- sberger says. “We’d done a lot of hard work.” made for the customer,” Ernsberger says. “We have no Ernsberger was running a plastics plant in Lib- products (of our own) that we can show you.” erty Center, Ohio in the 1980s. The company Rupp The business plan is to solely “design, manufacture worked for did some work for them. and warehouse specific products for individual compa- “We got to be friends,” Rupp shares. “And then nies,” Rupp explains. when he decided he wanted to get into business Laurie Kistler and Pedro Lopez are inspecting telecommunications The Bluffton plant produces “low-pressure injec- for himself, we put our heads together and made it enclosure covers. They will trim excess plastic and then package tion molding” products that are made for customers work.” them for shipment.

38 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner This aerial view of the 20/20 CMP plant on Bluffton’s west side will look significantly differ- ent by the end of next year. Investments include a new 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the field behind the present plant, which will then become the company’s ware- house facility. New investments in the Bluffton plant and equipment will total more than $35 million. (Photo provided)

They created Vision Molded Plastics in says, “we’re very comfortable in Bluffton. Napoleon, Ohio, which they would sell a We think it’s a great community.” few years later. Ernsberger had a concept “One of the many good things about of doing only custom molds. operating and living in a smaller com- “When we started (20/20), I cannot munity is the ability of local resources to name a company that was doing only cus- work together,” Ernsberger explains. “Not tom molding,” he says. “I have friends in all communities have that.” the industry who said ‘Are you nuts?’” They also cite the good work ethic they From his years of experience, however, found in Bluffton, good transportation and Ernsberger was convinced that it would location, and “a good connection of busi- work, particularly with his partner’s abil- ness and government,” Rupp adds. ity of determining and managing costs. “We think we have a great working Rupp grew up in a small town in Ohio environment here,” Rupp says. “We think — “maybe 350 people,” he says — and we have some great opportunities for peo- Ernsberger grew up in Liberty Center, ple to grow with us. Our employees can Ohio — “maybe 900,” he shares. He grow in their technological capabilities. chuckles at the mention of a Liberty Cen- We want to make sure people understand ter in Wells County. we’re looking for good people and we “We’re small town people,” Rupp have a great place to work.”  HIDAY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 1743 N. Main St., Bluffton • 260-824-0900 | 1791 N. Main St., Bluffton • 260-824-1931

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 39 History’s not just stale facts for Sturgeon By Glen Werling of interesting things from the and state historic sites. For Jim Sturgeon, history state,” Sturgeon said. It is that familial tie that isn’t a laundry list of facts to He’s also working on nomi- brings us back to the photo and rattle off to visitors who step nating a local site in Wells Coun- the two-wheel cart. inside the Wells County Histori- ty for historical recognition. To try and better define Stur- cal Museum. “I also get requests from any- geon’s reason for interest in History for Sturgeon is family thing ranging from ‘How old history, he holds the cart in his roots sunk deep into Wells Coun- is my house’ to ‘Do I have any hand. ty. It’s the face of his long-dead relatives buried here?’” Sturgeon “This was something I found grandfather looking back at him said. in my uncle’s attic three years from a sepia tone print. It’s a toy Visitors to the museum also ago. It looked homemade. It’s wooden cart that he can hold in ask him questions and he gets made like a real wagon,” Stur- his hands — and briefly reached quite a few e-mails because his geon said. into his soul from a surprise find name and e-mail address as a He goes on to explain that in a photograph at the museum. contact for Wells County history it was made by his grandfather Sturgeon wears the mantle of is on the Indiana Historical Soci- when his grandfather attended Wells County Historian. It is an ety website. the Poor Farm School. The honor bestowed upon him by the “I get contacted by all sorts school was called that, but not Indiana Historical Society and of people who ask all kinds of because it was limited to children Indiana Historical Bureau. questions,” Sturgeon said. If it’s at the Wells County Farm. The He was nominated by mem- a question about Wells County school was a section school that bers of the Wells County Histori- architecture, a lot of times he was located on ground owned by cal Society Board of Directors checks out the architectural atlas the county near the Wells County and named last August by the composed by Craig Leonard, a Farm. That’s where that six- state society to fill out the unex- past Wells County historian. generation farm Sturgeon spoke pired term of Barbara Elliott and “Sometimes it’s just a lot of Wells County Historian Jim Sturgeon holds a two-wheel toy cart made about is located. then appointed officially to the detective work. I look up news- by his grandfather and a photo he found at the Wells County Historical While looking at some of the 3-year position at the outset of paper archives at the library or Museum that shows the wagon among a group of other school projects artifacts at the museum, Stur- this year. online. I never know what I’ll in the photo. (Photo by Glen Werling) geon came across a studio por- It’s not a paid position. It just find,” he said. trait of manual training — shop means if you have a question His service is provided for You might see Sturgeon if you things about my fellow board — projects made by children about Wells County history, Stur- free. like attending the local parades. members,” Sturgeon said. from the school. The portrait geon is your go-to guy. Occasionally he’s asked to Chances are he’ll be driving a Sturgeon really can’t put had been donated to the museum “I facilitate history requests speak to groups. He spoke at the vintage Case tractor. exactly into words why he about 40 years ago by the family and work with the Historical Rotary Club in April on World Sturgeon has been president became so interested in history. of the man who taught the class. Society,” he said one languid War I and its impact on Wells of the Wells County Historical “History was one of my favorite Sturgeon thought he might afternoon while surrounded by County. The county’s involve- Society since 2002. There was subjects in school,” he explains. find a table made by his grandfa- artifacts from the Caylor-Nickel ment in both world wars is one a brief stint where he dropped But he also believes his father ther in the class in the photo. It Medical Center at the museum. of his favorite topics. back to vice president, he said, played a major role. wasn’t there. He also is the go-to guy for Sturgeon’s paying job is with but added, “I’ve been president “Dad was pretty interested in But the two-wheel cart was. tying the local historical society Dunwiddie Plumbing & Heating. for the past 15 years or so. They history. I was the sibling most Little things like that fascinate with the state’s historical society. He also farms as the fifth genera- tell me I can’t be replaced until interested. I read a lot when I was Sturgeon and he’d like others to Since being named, he’s tion in the six-generation family they find my replacement. young. Read a lot of the biog- understand that’s the connection attended a regional meeting of farm. Two years ago, it was hon- “We do have a very proactive raphies in the school library,” history makes with us. historians and attended a state ored with a Hoosier Homestead board with a lot of good volun- Sturgeon said. Oftentimes fam- It’s not just our past, it’s our roundtable. “You can learn a lot award. teer help. Can’t say enough good ily vacation trips were to national roots.  Northeast Indiana’s Premiere Grasshopper Dealer

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Southern Wells Elementary School princi- BEAUTIFUL, PRIVATE, LONG TERM CARE SUITES pal Cari Whick- er participates in an activity with kindergar- ten students. Whicker recently com- pleted her first year as the school’s princi- DEDICATED pal. (Photo by Devan Filchak) to HOPE, HEALING and RECOVERY. Principal problem solver By Devan Filchak about their training and trying to make the Cari Whicker never really thought school the best it can be. about becoming principal until the posi- The job comes with a lot of stress. tion opened up at Southern Wells Elemen- Whicker had a student recently ask her what she does besides punish students who tary. &RPHVHHXV 1529 W. Lancaster | Bluffton, IN 46714 She had plenty of relevant experience, have done wrong things in her office. She including 20 years of experience teaching said some days, it’s hard to say because of for a tour! (260) ‡VKFRIEOXIIWRQFRP middle school in Huntington County and just how many things she needs to do in a serving as vice chair on the State Board of day. Education. Once she heard that John Pur- The simplest way she has found to cel was leaving the position, she kept talk- explain it is: “I solve problems.” Some- Quality Furniture, Mattresses & Window ing to her husband, Seth Whicker, about times, she said, “problem solver” seems how the next person to be in that position like the appropriate title for her position. would be so lucky because she saw it as Despite the added stress and responsi- Treatments for Over 70 Years! the perfect job. bility, Whicker is happy she’s in education “Finally, he said, ‘That could be you. every single day. $FMMVMBS

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 41 CCountingounting sstarstars Bluffton man leads Fort Wayne astronomy club By Tanya Isch Caylor When he isn’t ringing up customers’ purchases at Walmart, you can often find Bluffton resident Larry Clifford tending to his duties as president of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. Though Clifford owns 13 telescopes, he doesn’t actually do much viewing at his home near Almco Steel. “Too many trees,” he explains. “If I really want to see something, I go up to Bluffton resident Larry Clifford, president of the Fort Wayne Astonomical Society, shows off the club’s research-grade telescope at Star the observatory.” Quest Observatory east of New Haven. (Photos by Tanya Isch Caylor) Not only is the view less obstructed at the astronomy club’s Star Quest Observa- much power to see Saturn’s rings, for as an Air Force librarian – connected with asked Clifford if he would assume the tory east of New Haven, but he can also instance. the Fort Wayne astronomy club. role. peer through a research-grade telescope “When people see Saturn’s rings for He was working for Verizon at that “So I said, ‘Sure, why not?’” with a 16-inch lens. the first time, they think you’ve glued the point as a switching technician. That was The $250,000 observatory, which image on the lens,” Clifford says with a also around the time he met his wife, Judy An astronomer’s to-do list opened in May 2017, is an exciting new chuckle. Miller, and moved to her hometown of Now, in addition to helping coordi- chapter for the club that Clifford has led Bluffton. nate “all the little pieces in the puzzle” for the past five years or so. At the oberva- Seduced by a comet Clifford began attending meetings, that went into the fundraising, design and tory after his shift at Walmart one recent It was Halley’s Comet that got Clifford, accumulating telescopes and learning how building of the observatory, Clifford does Saturday afternoon, Clifford and another a lifelong science fiction fan, interested in to use them. everything from telescope maintenance to member, Phil Hudson, demonstrated astronomy back in the 1980s. Then, when the former president public education to negotiating with local how the building’s roof retracts from The comet, which is visible from Earth stepped down a few years ago, someone officials about the style of lighting planned both sides, opening up a clear view for only once every 75 years or so, was due the powerful telescopes to make an appearance in inside. 1986. Because it was day- “That just really drew light, they could only • Larry Clifford my interest because it was describe the kinds of encourages people a once-in-a-lifetime experi- things you can see with to check out the ence,” he said. “That was Bluffton resident the “16-incher.” club’s website at the only time I was going Larry Clifford, You can pick out indi- www.fortwayneasto- to be able to see it.” right, president of nomicalsociety.com the Fort Wayne vidual stars in globular On the Web Unfortunately, on that Astronomical clusters, for instance, visit the comet and the Society, looks which are typically Earth were on opposite over work being groups of older stars sides of the sun, creating done on a found in the outer regions of a galaxy. the least favorable viewing conditions in telescope that It’s also possible to spot all four of the past 2,000 years. FWAS members Jupiter’s moons, along with the giant plan- “It was a major disappointment,” Clif- built back in the et’s cloud bands, which Clifford describes ford said. “I couldn’t really find it. I 1950s. as “perpetual cyclones.” Jupiter’s red spot, expected it to be more noticeable.” the biggest and oldest cyclone on the plan- After the internet came along in the et, is also visible through the 16-inch lens. 1990s, Clifford – who was born in Mun- But there’s a lot you can see with an cie, grew up in Fort Wayne, and served in ordinary telescope as well. It doesn’t take several locations out west during his time

42 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner for a soon-to-be-built industrial park. “It costs a lot less to light the ground than to light the sky,” he says. When he explains it that way, local officials and businessmen usually come around to the club’s point of view. Technically, Clifford is retired – “about 15 times,” he jokes. He’s now working at Walmart – and during tax season, at H&R Block – because he keeps coming up with lists of gear he wants to buy. A ham radio buff, like several other astronomy club members, Clifford enjoys communicating with the International Space Station and participating in meteor- counting projects that involve bouncing radio signals off objects that enter Earth’s atmosphere. But what he enjoys most, Clifford says, is working with the public. The club opens its observatory to the public every clear Saturday evening, when Yarn bombed visitors can peer through the 16-inch tele- The Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department decorated trees in the Pick- scope, a 12-inch scope members con- ett’s Run Park in May with a special art form — all knitted and crocheted by structed in the 1950s or get help position- more than 20 volunteers. At left, Sandy Fiechter uses string to sew a tree ing and learning to use their own scopes. sweater around the trunk of one tree. Above, Brandy Fiechter, assistant A special viewing opportunity will superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, works to get a knit- occur toward the end of July, when Mars ted creation around another. This was the second year for the project, and the art will be up all summer long. will be at its closest point to Earth, an (Photos by Devan Filchak) orbital event that occurs every 3.5 years. The only downside is that Mars is a late riser, meaning peak viewing hours will start around midnight. 

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 43 Hometown missionaries Re-purposing an old bank vault for Bible study

By Patty Elwell ning. No one has been unkind,” said Reinhard. Foundations director John Reinhard. (Photos by Patty Elwell) They are forming relationships by word of mouth Volunteers, mostly from the Apostolic Church, are every week at Foundations located at 113 W. Market on hand to answer questions or simply to listen. “Vol- Street in downtown Bluffton. unteers also benefit from coming here,” noted Rein- Currently it is open to the public every Thursday hard. evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. where people can “We don’t try to replace what other agencies do,” meet or just walk in and sit down and enjoy snacks said Reinhard, referring to local organizations who and fellowship. A child not yet out of high school will provide food, clothing and furnishings. need to have a parent with them. Those who are 18 He continued, “On one typical evening, one of the years or older can come on their own. Grace Team met a young man heading to a bar. They “We are hometown missionaries. We stay at home talked for awhile on the street and the young man (Bluffton) and tell people the wonderful things Jesus chose to attend a Foundations meeting instead. He has done,” said John Reinhard, continued coming for several director of Foundations. weeks afterward, eventually “Downtown Bluffton has bringing his children with him. changed in the last 20 years. In time, he became a dedicated Instead of retailers there are Christian and got involved in a empty storefronts and approxi- local church. He is still active mately 70 to 80 upstairs apart- in church, has healed scars of ments,” said Reinhard. a broken family situation, and Reinhard said that Bluffton restored fractured relation- residents may not be aware of ships.” how other people live. The building, which was “We have provided train- long known as the Studabaker ing on a generational poverty Bank, was purchased from mind-set to help (volunteers) Andy Shively. In 2012, the be able to understand and organization moved into the relate to someone who might building. be living in that situation,” Since then a great deal of said Reinhard. remodeling has been done on Foundations is a registered the inside of the building. non-profit organization with As one walks in on the a board comprised of found- main floor there is a large sit- The top photo shows the remodeled lobby and meeting room with ers Mark and Angie Reinhard, ting room, a brand new kitch- the bank’s old vault at the back. In the lower photo, a men’s Bible vice president Adam Neuen- en, and different rooms for study meets in the renovated vault — starting at left: Robert Silva, schwander, and treasurer Nick Foundations makes use of the old Studabaker babies, young children (ages Russ Yoman, Elder Nuemann, Elder Young, Jeff Reeves, Mark Bank building on West Market Street in down- 5-8), children ages 9-12, teens Reinhard, Vern Ginger, Doug Whitacre, Brad Bertsch, David Eck- Fiechter. Their mission state- elbarger and Brian Meyer. ment is “to exemplify the love town Bluffton. and adults. of Jesus to the community The old safe has been trans- through the sharing of the time, talents and lives of formed into a meeting room. There is a loft on the God’s children.” Reinhard says the founders “have a third floor where teenagers can hang out. There’s even real heart for the hurting.” a basketball court. Other times during the week the building is used The organization is supported by volunteers who This room has been help in four areas: The Grace Team, The Teaching by small groups or for worship nights. designed for young Team, The Teens, and The Prayer Warriors. Foundations would like to expand in two areas: children. Volunteers Reinhard, who overseas the operations, puts it this more space and more nights open to the public. Jason and Ashley way: “We are about relationships and friendships.” He “When (those) become God’s purpose, then we Gerber supervise said on some Thursday nights there have been more will move forward,” said Reinhard. and do activities than 50 guests attend who live downtown or from the “We are sharing the message of Christ,” he added. with them while their surrounding neighborhoods. “Alot of storefronts have gone dark and we are trying parents are in a to shine a light.”  Bible study group on “We have had a healthy reception from the begin- Thursday nights.

44 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Connecting you to the Local News Get In On community where you Local Businesses live, work and play! Great Shopping Special Offers Everything Keeping you informed Festivals and connected are Special Events central to our mission. Dining & Bars LOCAL Community Theater Subscribe today! Volunteering The 125 N. Johnson St., Local Politics Bluffton, IN 46714 Local Jobs News-Banner 260-824-0224 Housing State & National News Bluffton, Indiana www.news-banner.com & So Much More

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 45 Mission: To encourage a strong local economy Supporting and to work towards advancing the commercial, Wells County industrial, civic and general interests of citizens and businesses located in Wells County, Indiana. Thanks to these member businesses that work together Since 1914 to maintain and improve a healthy business community and help to enhance the quality of life in Wells County. 
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Ms. Rose Ann Hinesley Sessions Services Excavating AAM Powertrain Community Development Corporation Heartland REMC Nadean’s Cakes Cookies Catering Shaw Real Estate & Auction A Harvest of Health Community Harvest Food Bank of NE Indiana Helping Hands CPC National Oil & Gas Shelton Financial Group A Perfect Blend Compass Supportive Palliative Care Heritage Pointe Neoti Signature Heatlhcare Bluff ton A T Ferrell Cooper Commerce Center Hiday Automotive Group News-Banner Publications Snider Fleet Solutions ABC Studio & Activity Center Corrective Chiropractic Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nicholson Family Dental Southern Wells Community Schools ABC Travel Covington Financial Services HomeCourt Home Care NIPSCO Spherion Staffi ng Above & Beyond Vehicle Reconditioning Craigville Appliance Store Honegger Animal Clinic Nora Gray, Inc. Sprunger & Sprunger, Attorneys at Law Achieva Salon Creative Arts Council Honegger, Ringger & Co. North American Title Co. 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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 49 More than books Wells County Public Library continues to expand its offerings By Barbara Barbieri spot on the shelves. A voting booth will be Wells County’s Public Library offers a set up so favorites can be voted for in the lot of “tried -and-true” programs as well national tabulation. In October a program as ones that are “uniquely different” for on PBS will announce the favorite reads a library — thanks to Library Director selected by the public. Sarah MacNeill and her innovative staff. Another program offered at the main One of the tired-and-true programs library, sponsored by The Literacy Alli- would be the popular summer reading ance, are classes to help people secure programs for readers of all ages. And one their high school diplomas. Classes are of the most recent programs would be the taught by Francie Liebhause. Students lending of musical instruments for a peri- come to classes on Tuesdays and Thurs- od of one week. days from 1 to 4 p.m. and continue until “Libraries Rock” is the theme for this they pass their test to become high school year’s summer read that began on May graduates. There are no fees or tuition 29 and will conclude on July 31. During charges for adults to attend the classes. the two-month period, a variety of spe- Currently there are 10 students involved cial events will be held for children, teens in the program. and adults. Those who complete the read- The Literacy Alliance is celebrating 30 ing challenges will be invited to a reading years of providing adult literacy services party to celebrate. by assisting adults in preparing to pass The current uniquely different service the GED/HSE (high school equivalency). of lending instruments was slated to begin The Literacy Alliance was contracted by If you have a hankering to try out a musical instrument to see if you would like to pursue during June. The selection included a dul- the state of Indiana to be the adult educa- instruction with it, one of the newest services at the Wells County Public Library may be for cimer, bongo drums and a guitar along tion provider for both Adams and Wells you. From left, Cindy Burchell, Emily Marshall and Lana Smith demonstrate three of the with a carrying cases and instructions. counties in January 2018. instruments available for check-out. (Photos by Barbara Barbieri) They will be shelved in the children’s In addition to offering adult basic edu- room along side science kits, nature packs cation classes, The Literacy Alliance has and other kits designed for check out for started offering a variety of integrated one week on an adult card. education and training opportunities with- Another “new” event at the library is in the adult classes where eligible adults can receive a short-term certification skill Francine Liebhause, at offering “The Great American Read,” left, is the instructor for the sponsored by the Public Broadcasting credential at no cost. Adults who would classes being offered at Service. A list of 100 fiction books that like to enroll or businesses seeking more the main library for adults Americans should read has been listed. information should call 260-426-7323 or wishing to prepare for and The selections were made through a visit www.fwliteracyalliance.org pass the GED/HSE, the “YouGov” polling service to gain a demo- A special event this fall will be the high school equivalency graphic and statistical representation of all Children’s Book Festival to be held on test, through the Literacy Americans. The final results were tallied Saturday, Oct. 6. Featured will be musi- Alliance program. Two of cian Jim Gill and author/illustrator Troy the students in the current by an advisory panel of 13 literary-indus- class of 10 are Briar Stine, try professionals. Cummings. Food trucks will be and car- left, and Mary Stine. Readers can secure the list at the nival games will be offered. Plans call for library. Books included will be marked costumed book characters to visit during with a special spine marker to be easy to the day. 

50 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Elementary schools offering more clubs By Devan Filchak have gained popularity and resources. Clubs may just seem like an extra Students having the ability to work on activity for students to have fun after robots and with computers hits the mark school, but for administrators, the vari- on STEM (Science, Technology, Engi- ous activities are a way for students to neering, and Mathematics education), succeed in something they like, as well as disciplines the schools are encouraged to gain self confidence. have today anyway. Ginger Butcher, principal of Lan- Robotics clubs are prevalent at the caster Elementary School, said the clubs middle and high schools as well, and stu- are particularly beneficial at an elemen- dents who get involved early can build on tary school level. Students are still trying the skill as they age. out interests and finding out what they Some of the clubs are educational are good at when they are in elementary while others are more physical. It’s com- school, compared to middle and high mon for children to be involved with schools. sports, but Southern Wells Elementary Butcher said the clubs are actually a School is in the process of incorporating way to keep learning going beyond the some unique additions. school day as well. This past spring, SWES started an “These clubs allow students the archery club after there was a lot of inter- opportunity to apply their learn- est shown for the activity in the physical ing beyond the classroom,” education classes. she said. “They also help students stay After being awarded a grant for the active and create new friendships.” activity, teacher Mike Carter is adding From Spanish club to cooking club, juggling to the PE curriculum for the Wells County elementary schools seem to 2018-19 school year. He hopes to start a be constantly looking at which clubs will juggling club by winter, said Cari Whick- be beneficial additions to their schools. er, SWES principal. Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School Aleeah Grover, third grader at the school, spreads ranch dressing onto a tortilla while pre- Robotics clubs at the schools, includ- paring a healthy wrap during cooking club at BHES. (Photo by Devan Filchak) ing Lancaster and Ossian Elementary, (Continued on Page 53)

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 51 Grow and adapt The rear view of Christian care’s new two-story addition, the fourth major project to the retirement community’s main building on its East Dustman Road campus. (News-Banner file photo) Christian Care continues ities give residents dignity and purpose. to meet changing needs While Christian Care staff tend to resi- By Jessica Bricker dents’ physical health, they also cater to their emotional and spiritual health, too. In some ways, Christian Care Retire- Kaehr was named assistant executive ment Community has changed a lot in its director in January 2016. Leon Gerber nearly 30 years of operation. was the executive director at the time; he But in other ways, it hasn’t. The daily was the leader who opened the facility goal remains the same: Provide the best almost three decades ago. In early 2018, care to residents as possible. the two switched titles as Gerber starts his In December 2017, the facility’s new transition into retirement. 35,000-square-foot, two-level skilled Kaehr said the faciity is promoting nursing and rehabilitation center opened. from within and Donna Emschwiller It was Christian Care’s fourth major con- is undergoing training to take over as A ribbon cutting was celebrated in late 2017 as Christian Care Retirement Community offi- struction project since 1989. administrator, a title he currently holds as cially opened its new addition. (Photo submitted) The $5 million project added a new well as executive director. therapy gym, a new dining room, 20 But in general, Christian Care is expe- of what he calls a “tripod of focus”: Prod- skilled nursing beds and 10 assisted living riencing growth in the number of people uct, people, process. apartments. Three seeking care and Christian Care continues to strive to Serving You of the duplexes are in the number provide quality services, making sure currently filled. of employees on people are in the right places by internal The one- and staff. Since 2015, promotions, and updating and improving two-bedroom inde- the facility has the way things are done. pendent living hired about 30 new Leaders are staying up-to-date with apartments “feature employees. Their ever-changing regulations, he said, and extra services to ratio is 165 employ- there is a larger emphasis on safety. help residents age- ees to 200 rooms/ They’ve been able to coordinate with in-place,” according spots for residents. local safety officials to improve protocols to a press release Meanwhile, there at the facility and they are modernizing issued shortly after are about 100 active things to make it easier for people — such the ribbon cutting. Preston Kaehr Leon Gerber volunteers. as the simple improvement of numbering The open floor But it has open- all the doors. plans include appli-  ings in medical positions, and this is true “It’s a changing world,” Kaehr said. ances, garden patios and other services in Your Future and entertainment opportunities. in direct care across the country and at all STEFFEN Employment “These new apartments offer vary- levels. Kaehr said Christian Care tries to SFG ing levels of care allowing residents to stay competitive with benefits and wages Financial Group but staffing is a big issue, Kaehr said, as receive necessary care all while maintain- Investments ing daily independence and choices,” the people can’t get the services they need and a lot of people are looking for care. Retirement Plans release said. Roth IRA’s It added: “New, private skilled-nurs- While addressing staffing concerns, Christian Care hopes to focus on improv- Medicare ing rooms offer residents more privacy Health & Life Ins. and personal space while still providing ing its marketing in the community and to 24-hour licensed nursing care plus daily showcase its growth. TIM STEFFEN, Financial Consultant meals, housekeeping and laundry servic- Its leaders are keeping up with improv- 260.824.8175 es, and assistance with dressing, bathing ing technology, such as implementing a and medication administration.” wireless call system that alerts staffers on ~ Trust that we will work for you ~ jobs.proresources.com Christian Care continues to be mindful their phones. Securities off ered through Thurston Springer of the amenities it offers, said Executive Kaehr is excited and confident that he Financial (Member FINRA & SIPC). Steff en Financial is Director Preston Kaehr, as different activ- has staff in the right positions. This is part independent of Thurston Springer. 260-356-6264

52 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Addison Kauffer, It’s a Classic a third grade stu- dent at Bluffton- Harrison Elemen- tary School, uses vegetables to assemble a face on the tortilla wrap WIN-WIN she is making in cooking club at Bluffton-Harrison Elementary CONSUMERS WIN! School. (Photo by Residents and businesses get a phone book that’s Devan Filchak) easier to read and easier to use. Bigger type, better organized and edited by LOCAL people for LOCAL people. It has the most accurate, most Elementary clubs During the past school year, she did up-to-date and most comprehensive listings of any (Continued from Page 51) rotations of third- and fourth-grade stu- book distributed in Wells and Adams counties. dents of six weeks to try to fit in everyone added four clubs during the 2017-18 Consumers also have quick access to the LOCAL she could. phonebook.adamswells.com school year: cooking, math, walking and But Borror hopes the skills help the online database at science clubs. students with being more independent and without searching through cluttered national websites. “We know we’ve got these kids who being able to make their own snacks after want these enriching opportunities, and I school, especially if their parents aren’t really feel like the school is a central part home. ADVERTISERS WIN! of the community,” said Julie Meitzler, Borror said she is trying to teach stu- It’s Wells County’s BEST READ Phone Book by far! An independent re- BHES principal. dents skills they can use at home whether search study found that more people use The LOCAL AdamsWells Phone The cooking club has become quite they are alone or with their families. Book than any other directory.* And economical advertising rates make it popular, and Jennifer Borror, assistant “My whole goal of it is to just teach more affordable to be in the book that more people use. director of BHMSD Food Services and something basic that they can try at home Nutrition, is leading the class and trying with their families,” she said. “Some kids, to make sure all students who want to be they don’t have a choice but to be home EVERYBODY WINS! part of the club can. alone, like if their parents are working.”  Your LOCAL AdamsWells Phone Book is locally owned. That means advertising dollars invested in Your LOCAL book stay right here in Wells County. No other phone book can say that! Your 2018-2019

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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 53 An eye in the sky Two new drones will aid the Ossian-Jefferson Township Fire Department By Glen Werling what we were looking for, explained the Ossian firefighters have two new tools purpose and the uses for it and how it will to assist in fighting a fire, neither of which benefit the community in aiding in search spray water, cut anything or spread any- and rescue and scene investigation,” thing apart. Kuntz said. They’re drones. Two months later, Walmart informed “We actually had a drone several years Kuntz the Ossian Fire Department had ago, but it was a cheaper one,” said Fire won the grant and sent the check for the Chief Ben Fenstermaker. “I used it a cou- full $2,500. ple different times for scene documenta- Fenstermaker was able to purchase tion. It worked really well.” two Mavic Pro drones with the grant after But that drone wasn’t very steady. finding a great Black Friday deal on Ama- When firefighter Chris Kuntz joined zon. the department, he asked Fenstermaker The Mavics allow the operators to use about possibly getting another drone — a their smart phones to control the drones. better one. These drones, like the last one, will be Firefighter Chris Kuntz, left, and Ossian-Jefferson Township Fire Chief Ben Fenstermaker “I told him if you can find a grant, you used mainly for scene documentation — teamed to get two drones for the department. (Photo by Glen Werling) can do it. And he did it,” Fenstermaker recording what the scene looks like for said. both investigatory and training purposes. entire scene,” Fenstermaker said. It aids placed relative to the fire scene and how Kuntz wrote a grant request to Walmart “Directly after a fire, we’re able to take with the writing of the fire reports, tells the fire hose lines were laid. through the Bluffton store. “I told them the drone up and get aerial shots of the Fenstermaker how well the trucks were “Having an aerial view is very ben- Ossian building for the future with proposed amphitheater By Glen Werling combination building could also “Imagine a space filled with host company parties, employee friends, neighbors and families picnics, company team build- seated on the lawn in front of a ing activities, meetings, serve pavilion, chatting and laughing as a training site for companies. in the early evening summer sun- It could also host parties, fam- light, minutes away from a live ily reunions, church picnics, band beginning its concert.” wedding receptions, weddings, Members of the Ossian Park Sunday church services, sum- Board, Ossian Revitalization, mer camps, Bible schools, youth Ossian Rolls and the Gamma group gatherings, craft shows Zeta chapter of Psi Iota Xi can. and art fairs, dances, yoga and That’s why they started their exercise classes, outdoor class- fundraising efforts for an amphi- music in the community,” said munity support for this,” Kumfer Wells County Revitalization, rooms, field trips for schools, theater-pavilion project with the Psi Ote President Joan Furey said. “I think a big project like but which will be granted to the staging areas for outings, 5K above sentence. on the reason why the soror- this will help this community Town of Ossian. The land is val- runs, disc golf tournaments and The push is on in Ossian to ity picked an amphitheater for a to continue to grow. The parks ued at $200,000. fishing tournaments at the park’s raise $250,000 toward the build- project. draw people to the community,” Ossian Park Board president pond. ing at the town’s 65-acre Arch- Through various fundrais- he added. Joe Lewis observed there’s a lot Construction of an Americans bold-Wilson Memorial Park. ers the past 12 years, the group The biggest financial com- of excitement building in the with Disabilities Act compliant There’s little doubt that the struc- has managed to collect $30,000 mitment for the project so far community for the project and the playground and chess/checkers ture up to this point will be the which it has applied toward the has come from the Ossian Town park board has brainstormed sev- outdoor game are also planned park’s signature feature. $250,000 goal. Council, which voted last month eral fundraising projects, one of if more funds are raised. Oth- Features for the park have That $30,000 has joined with to contribute $100,000 toward which was held June 16 when the erwise, they’ll be sidelined for been discussed and debated $50,000 from Ossian Revitaliza- the installation of water, sewers plans for the amphitheater-pavil- now. since the park’s inception in tion and $10,000 from Ossian and electricity at the park. ion were unveiled to the public. Designer of the project will be 1999. However since 2006, the Rolls, a subcommittee of Ossian Key to making the proj- The town has also started a Project Design and Management Ossian Psi Iota Xi sorority has Revitalization. ect happen will be landing a GoFundMe page for anyone to Inc. of Fort Wayne. The park been championing the idea of an Ossian Revitalization Presi- $200,000 matching grant from make donations toward the park. board agreed in April to contract amphitheater for the park. dent Kody Kumfer agrees that the Indiana Department of Natu- Any size of donation will be PDMi for $12,500. “We stand for music and art the amphitheater-pavilion project ral Resources Land and Water accepted. The goal is to have the funds and literature. We could just see is key to the development of the Conservation Fund. The match Lewis observed that the by January 2019 so that ground having art shows, music groups somewhat dormant park. the town intends to put up is amphitheater-pavilion project breaking for the building can and trying to promote more “We’ve had so much com- 28 acres of land still owned by will not be just for concerts. The begin about a year from now. 

54 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner eficial to us,” he said. “That way we can is the only fire department in the county to 2 Convenient improve next time.” have drones. Safe & Secure Locations A drone is also beneficial in a large The department has to follow certain Self Storage fire, Fenstermaker says. The fire depart- guidelines established by the Federal Avi- A 1 ment didn’t have the drones yet when ation Administration. “For search and res- Energy Control burned on Christmas Eve cue incidents, the department is exempt U-STOR CAPRI II of 2015. That fire was so large that Fen- from having to have a drone pilot’s Many sizes to choose from U-Lock, keep key stermaker was on one side of the fire, sep- license, however we’re getting them any- Locally owned & operated 12 hr. access CCheck heck usuus oout!out!! arated from firefighters on the other side. way,” Fenstermaker said. Security lighting Security video cameras The drone would have provided Fenster- Currently Fenstermaker and Kuntz are Easy access 9’ doors, easy access If you are 55 years of age or maker with live footage of the backside of trained to operate the drone. Cory Privett Outside storage for RV’s, trucks, cars, etc. available upon request older or A person with the fire, aiding in his decision making on and Rob Gresley were also to be trained Clean out your closets or garage, make more room for yourself! disabilities, how to attack the blaze. in using the drone. All four men will Office: )XZ


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The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 55 Workforce development (Continued from Page 5) However, one new dynamic he has been dealing with in recent years is open enroll- ment — the competition between school systems for students. “This has not done a lot of good for the cooperation that needs to be in place for this program,” he laments.

Job Certification Kline, Wells County’s director of eco- nomic development, has seen more demand for high school students to graduate with specific certifications. “There is a huge advantage,” he says, “for a student to be certified in welding (Photo by Mark Miller) technology, for example, as opposed to just Practical Arts Showcase completing the courses.” Keller agrees, and shares that all the The AdamsWells Manufacturing Alliance hosted a Practical Arts Showcase at the Arts, Commerce and Visitors Centre in February and pieces that must work together to provide a March. In above photo, the alliance’s executive director, Joe Elkins, program with certification — a credentialed stands next to Bellmont High School’s display of the career-oriented teacher and an active advisory committee — classed offered there. “Eleven programs from six schools participat- are critical. ed in this effort to make students, parents, manufacturers, teachers, “When you lay all the pieces out, and guidance counselors and citizens aware of these programs,” Elkins everyone understands where we’re going says. At left, Southern Wells senior Matt Geisel is shown with the with the program,” he continues, “that’s engine he helped build in his auto services technology class offered at South Adams with Gary McMillian as instructor. when we find success.” (Photo by Barbara Barbieri) Kevin Powell’s welding lab at Bluffton- High School is part of the Area 18 CTE. The courses offer dual credit through Ivy Tech How many of us walked out of high days later to ask what courses he would and can lead to the students earning a weld- school knowing exactly what we were need to take. ing certification. going to do?” “They had had the mindset that their Area 18 “My goal every year is to have all of my One of the main efforts of the Adams son would be going to college,” Gerber students earn certification,” Powell says. Wells Manufacturing Association is to continues. “In their minds, factory work programs Kline is working on offering adult-level get in front of every eighth-grade stu- was dirty, low paying and there were classes in the lab as well. dent in the two counties in order to make always layoffs.” them aware of local, well-paying careers That was one problem. When he told • Agriculture - Animal Science Career Pathways in manufacturing. both families that their sons should take • Agriculture - Horticulture A more complex issue is an attempt to “We’re not trying to tag a kid into a the machinist classes at South Adams, • Automotive Technology direct high school students into targeting a career in the eighth grade,” Joe Elkins he discovered that neither of the two stu- career. Everyone involved is careful about explains. “That’s not what it’s about. We dents had any awareness of the award- • Broadcasting how it is presented and what the Career just want give them an idea of what’s winning program or that they could take • Construction Trades Pathways goals are. out there as they enter high school.” advantage of them through the Area 18 • Criminal Justice “It does get confusing,” Keller says. Career Pathways is a component CTE program. “There is some encouragement to special- of Graduation Pathways, a new state “I guess that kind of got me fired up a • Culinary Arts ize, yet we want students to explore what’s requirement that is causing some con- bit,” he says. • Education & Early Childhood out there. At the same time, we don’t want cerns with educators. (See related story Gerber organized some meetings • Electronics/Manufacturing to guide them down a path where there are on 57.) with school officials and other manufac- no jobs out there.” turers, out of which came an organiza- • Health Care Occupations Educators are mandated by the state AWMA: A new(er) partnership tion dedicated to inform local students • Introduction to Manufacturing to “do so many things,” Keller explains. About five or six years ago, Keith what careers are available “right here at • IT Programming “We therefore touch the surface of a lot of Gerber, who owns and operates Hoosier home,” he says. things.” Pattern in Decatur, had hired Gerber has several friends in Wells • Manufacturing Engineering Yet, if a student has made a decision two Bellmont High School County involved in manufactur- • Metal Fabrication and wants to pursue a particular trade the students for a summer exteri- ing who were excited about what schools, through the Area 18 CTE, will or painting project. One rainy he was putting together. • Precision Machine guide them through that. day, he let them do some job “It made a lot of sense to • Welding Kline sees the private sector’s role in all shadowing inside the plant. expand this to the two coun- of this is to be a resource, or even a “tool” “They came into my office ties,” he explains. The group is for the schools. and said ‘Wow, that’s really governed by a steering commit- the investment was raised by hiring “It’s not a perfect system,” Kline says. neat stuff,’” Gerber shares. tee composed of several manu- Elkins to basically “spread the word,” “I’m sure that if you talk to the schools, They were both excited about facturers, several educators and Gerber says. they’re not particularly thrilled with the the prospect of exploring this both economic development The organization, he continues, “was program either. It takes away from the work as a career. Keith Gerber directors. being run by our shirt-tails. We are all experimentation and exploration within One of the boys’ parents Membership in the AWMA busy running our businesses. I really high school. Kids need to be able to explore. are good friends; they called him a few now stands at 13 companies. Last year, (Continued on Page 58)

56 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Schools struggling with Graduation Pathways By Devan Filchak A common discussion among school officials locally over the past year has been what Graduation Pathways is and how the districts will prepare for it. The new state graduation requirements under the name of Graduation Pathways will go into effect for the Class of 2023. While that may seem like an intiative that schools will have years to imple- ment, Graduation Pathways requirements include various pathways that students will need to start working on during their fresh- man year of high school. Up until the first graduating class under Graduation Pathways, which are students who will be in the eighth grade for the 2018-19 school year, students have to pass the ISTEP or another equivalency test in order to graduate. The requirements that students will have to fulfill in order to graduate are three-fold: • Earn the amount of academic credits to obtain a high school diploma. • Show employability skills that are demonstrated through a project-based learning experience, service-based learn- ing experience, or a work-based learning experience. • Complete at least one of the post- secondary competencies by earning an honors diploma, finishing apprenticeship or career-technical courses, or meeting college-ready standards for ACT, SAT, ASVAB tests. The State Board of Education’s reason- ing is that it will create more work-ready employees that have specialized training. Schools will create various technical and other work- based opportunities so stu- dents can choose from vari- ous pathways, if they don’t choose the high academic pathway. “Right now, it is pretty fluid at this state,” said Steve Darnell Steve Darnell, Southern Wells Community Schools superintendent. “It’s really coming up with

(Continued on Page 59)

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 57 Workforce development (Continued from Page 56) in both counties. felt that if we were really going to do any “Sharing our resources makes every- Gaining industrial good, we needed to up the ante. one stronger,” he says. “Joe has set up tours and job-shad- His visits to schools include an exercise maintenance skills owing opportunities, he’s has made pre- in helping students assess their interests An important program in sentations to eighth-graders, he’s done and a video about area careers available. local workforce development a great job of pulling this all together,” He is working on a video specifically spot- efforts is a joint effort of the Gerber says. “It’s going to take time. It’s lighting manufacturers in the two counties. Wells County Economic a marathon not a sprint.” The alliance has organized or partici- Development Council, Ivy Their efforts, he says, is meant to pated in a number of educational semi- Tech and the Adams County nars for their members, including a “field EDC. The Maintenance enhance what the two counties’ econom- Training course allows ic directors are doing as well as Keller’s trip” to Sweetwater Sound in May when manufacturers in the two efforts in the schools. that company’s human resources direc- counties to send current “Our group is more specifically expos- tor shared the things they do to hire and employees to the multiple- ing kids to what manufacturing careers retain younger workers. Elkins organized week course to learn a vari- are here — raising that awareness. We the group’s first practical Arts Showcase ety of industrial maintenance want them to see the technology that which displayed the various high school skills. The classes are cur- exists here now and that manufacturing vocational programs in the schools rently being hosted at 20/20 jobs are not what they were a generation “What kids need to hear is that going Custom Molding in Bluffton. to work in an industrial setting and col- At left, Johnny Everridge, ago.” kneeling, and Kelvin Har- One of those two students, inciden- lege are not mutually exclusive,” he says. ris work on a can crushing tally, entered Hoosier Pattern’s appren- “You can do both.” machine, which gives them ticeship program after he graduated from Elkins’ own career path is an example a learning experience in Bellmont, working there while earning a of that (see separate story page 59). He electrical, pneumatic and journeyman’s pattern-making degree at quickly lists several examples of compa- mechanical components. Ivy Tech. He is one course away from nies that have tuition assistance programs Everridge is employed at getting an associate’s degree in metal- and training. Elkhart Products in Geneva lurgy and is working as a journeyman “The constant thing I hear (from while Harris works at Reth- crief Packaging in Ossian. patternmaker at Hoosier Pattern earning employers),” Kline says, “is ‘if you get (Photo by Mark Miller) about $30 an hour. me the right person, we will train them. “And he has no student debt,” Gerber We’ll send them to school, we’ll help adds. them get certification.’ Area 18 CTE director Keller sees the “So we are trying to make more stu- value of AWMA. He knows that the advi- dents aware that it’s OK to take a ‘gap sory committees that assist his programs year’ — there are jobs now that’ll give are important. you an opportunity to earn decent money “The alliance is essentially an adviso- while discovering what you’re good at ry committee on steroids,” he says. and what you want to do.” The organization works with three “We” — and by that it is clear that entities, Elkins explains. Kline is referring to his office, the cham- “The manufacturers, of course,” he ber’s education committee, the schools says, “the educators, and the govern- and local businesses who are looking ment.” for quality workers — “are constantly Elkins has found teachers and prin- listening and reviewing and understand- cipals to be very open and cooperative ing community needs and adapting our when he visits the schools. He also works resources and services to meet those with the economic development offices needs.” 

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58 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner Graduation Pathways He’s employment-oriented (Continued from Page 57) which pathways will be offered and that is an By Mark Miller a retail business in Bluffton — ongoing conversation right now.” It’s always nice to be wanted, Whistle Stop Video — in 1985. Leaders of all three school districts have Joe Elkins will tell you. He moved into sales at Wayne shown concern about Graduation Pathways “And I’m having fun to boot,” Metals at the same time; they since it was passed by the State Board of he says. sold the video business in 1989 Education in December. After retiring in 2013 from a and he left Wayne Metals in 1990 Norwell High School Principal Mark career in manufacturing — with when he purchased Meyer Stamp- Misch said at a December school board meet- positions ranging from being a ing and Manufacturing in Fort ing that the school will have to track a lot punch press operator, supervisor, Wayne. At the time, the company more data with the new requirements, which manager, owner and consultant had 18 employees. When he sold requires more resources. — the 1966 graduate of Plym- it eight years later, there were 128 Bluffton High School Prin- outh High School was looking for employees. cipal Steve Baker said that will something again. He just didn’t Elkins then started another be the tricky part as schools know what. When the Adams metal stamping company — implement and adjust to Grad- Wells Manufacturing Alliance Impressive Stamping — and uation Pathways. For every advertised for a part-time execu- then sold that to Wayne Metals in volunteer project or job expe- tive director, he quickly applied. 2003. After a brief stint in sales for rience will have to be docu- Wayne Metals in that transition, mented and tracked to meet “It’s really been a good match,” Steve Baker says Keith Gerber, owner of Hoo- he did manufacturing consulting the graduation requirements. sier Pattern in Decatur who was work until accepting a position as “A diploma will no lon- the main catalyst in getting the general manager of Indiana Phoe- ger be enough to graduate,” Baker said at alliance established. “His back- nix Inc., in Avilla, a company that a December school board meeting. “It’s a ground is a perfect fit and he’s manufactures concrete trucks. He diploma plus you’re going to need something really a driven guy. Sometimes, retired from that position in 2013. else. Now, there’s going to be a few other it can get frustrating because we During the 1990s while leading options in pathways.” don’t see immediate results. It’s the efforts at his Fort Wayne busi- Baker has a unique view of the Graduation a matter of getting the awareness ness, he taught Junior Achieve- Pathways process as he has been appointed to out there but it’s going to take ment classes to Norwell Middle assemble a group of seven high school princi- time.” School eighth-graders; he also pals that is making suggestions to and meet- Elkin’s job basically consists served on the board of the Wells ing with the SBOE. of making high school students Community Hospital from 1984 He said the state board is expected to more aware of the well-paying career to 1996, and was chairman for the clearly define what exactly programs at the opportunities in local manufac- last eight years. school for trade experience and other work- turing. That is largely addressed All of those experiences have related experience will require and look like by speaking to the students in the been helpful in his new position, this summer. A 58-page guidance document classrooms, working with Area 18 he confirms. that will essentially function as the Gradua- director Kevin Keller and educa- “When I was in manufactur- tion Pathways “bible” is likely to be approved tors in all six school systems in the ing,” he shares, “one of the big by SBOE. two counties, arranging tours and Joe Elkins, right, uses a Harry Potter-themed version goals was always quality certifi- Even with Baker’s closer view of Gradu- job shadowing. The goals mutu- of the Myers-Briggs personality tests, which helps stu- cation and working on both inter- ation Pathways, there are still a lot of unan- dents get an idea of what their careers interests might swered questions, he said. ally established when he came on be. It’s a fun way, Elkins explains, to expose students to nal and external quality controls. board in August 2017 included Today, that translates into how “I don’t think it is practical,” he said. “Stu- the variety of career opportunities with manufacturers in dents struggle enough just to earn a diploma.” gaining new members in the alli- Wells and Adams counties. Alec Neuenschwander, an you hire and retain people.” ance, but he has also expanded his eighth-grade student in Lindsey Chandler’s South Adams In late May, the AWMA mem- He said he doesn’t agree with all of the focus to include more possibilities Middle School class, was the “winner” and got to don the bers assembled at Sweetwater requirements, and schools will ultimately end wizard’s hat during Elkin’s presentation there in March. Sound in Fort Wayne, where up with a lot of “unfunded, mandated work.” for local employers as well. (Photo by Mark Miller) He has ideas about how the that company’s human resources Trade classes, internships and programs manufacturers might work togeth- school year — he can point to his career director shared what they are in which students can work part of the day at er to provide lower-cost child care; there as an example. doing to hire and retain millennials. their jobs will be helpful to create pathways may be opportunities to address health After attending Purdue University “It was an opportunity for our mem- at the school, he said. care issues as well. He is encouraging for two years majoring in pharmacy, he bers to cherry-pick some ideas,” Elkins Darnell said he thinks Southern Wells will employers to offer more tuition assis- switched gears and earned an associate says. be well prepared to meet the various work- tance and, working with the counties’ degree in business at International Busi- He sees his job as not just helping based learning opportunities, but he still has two economic development directors, ness College in Fort Wayne. His first local manufacturing companies recruit, some concerns. One of those concerns is how helps them take advantage of training job, which brought him to Wells County, but also helping the manufacturers learn students will now take the SAT or ACT as the grants offered by the state. was at Wayne Metals running a punch what they can or might do to attract standard test high school students are required “What kids need to hear is that going press as part of the company’s manage- these younger workers. to take, which is currently the ISTEP test. to work in an industrial setting and col- ment training program. He worked as a “It’s been great,” Elkins concludes. “I “I think as long as all children, all students lege are not mutually exclusive,” he supervisor there, was promoted to vice- get a chance to be creative, I’ve met real- have opportunity to graduate ... My concern says. “You can do both.” president in 1981 and also earned a ly good people in the schools and in the is for students, such as special education stu- When Elkins talks with local students bachelors degree in business at St. Fran- businesses. And I’m doing something for dents, students that on the lower academic the community, especially for the young level, I think are going to struggle with this,” — he spoke with eighth-grade students cis University in 1985.  in all of the six school systems this past He and his wife Debbie purchased people. That’s very important.”  he said.

The News-Banner • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • 59 Where are they going?

Listed below is a breakdown of what 2018 graduates of Wells County’s three public high 80% of Wells graduates schools plan to do now that they have graduated. 4-year college Tech training* Military Work force** Norwell: 124 students 35 students 7 students 18 students getting more education (184 students) 67 percent 19 percent 4 percent 10 percent Bluffton: 49 students 14 students 2 students 34 students By Justin Peeper The News-Banner spoke with guidance (99 students) 50 percent 14 percent 2 percent 34 percent Eighty percent of students who graduated department officials at each public high school So. Wells 38 students 10 students 2 students 5 students from Wells County’s three public high schools in this spring and received information on 338 stu- (55 students) 69 percent 18 percent 4 percent 9 percent 2018 — four out of every five students — plan to dents from the Class of 2018. * Includes 2- or 3-year colleges and technical, trade, associate, vocational education pro- attend college this fall. School officials cautioned, however, the num- grams or apprenticeships. bers could change because students sometimes ** Includes some graduates who will fill their time doing something else or who were unde- Sixty-two percent of the graduates indicated cided. they would attend a four-year college, while 18 change their plans. Source: Wells County public high schools / The News-Banner percent plan to study at a two-year college or According to the data, 62 percent of this enter a technical, trade or vocational education year’s seniors plan to attend four-year schools school while 62 percent say they have plans to join the military this program. while 18 percent say they will begin their degrees will this year. year. In 2017, 4 percent of gradu- The graduates’ plans are almost identical to at two-year colleges or enter a technical, trade, Eighteen percent of this year’s ates also said they would join the what their peers from the Classes of 2013-2017 associate, vocational or apprenticeship program graduates — 59 students — plan military. said they would do after graduating from high — meaning that 80 percent of Wells graduates to attend a two-year school. Last Approximately 57 graduates, school. are planning to pursue an advanced degree this year, 57 students — 16 percent or 17 percent, plan to enter the In both 2013 and 2014, 77 percent of gradu- year. — had plans to attend a two-year work force or fill their time with ates planned to attend college while 78 percent Last year 347 students graduated from Wells college or enter a technical, trade, something else — almost the of 2015 and 2016 graduates indicated they would County’s three public high schools while 338 associate, vocational or appren- same as last year when 56 gradu- attend. In 2017, 79 percent of graduates said they graduated this year. Sixty-three percent of last ticeship program. ates (16 percent) said they would were college bound. year’s graduates planned to study at a four-year Eleven graduates, 3 percent, do the same. 

officers. Besides farming, he’s going to like to think that I have. In this job you they’ve done until they’ve showed me Monte Fisher try and work some courthouse security can’t please everybody. If you’re doing that they didn’t deserve my respect. If (Continued from Page 17) one or two days a week. your job right, you’ve got some people you treat people with respect, most of the  dent. “It’s time to retire. A lot of people told who are happy with you and some peo- time everything will turn out alright.” “I wasn’t sure what to do to help,” he me that I would know when it’s time to ple who are not happy with you,” he said. “I decided if I was going to be out hang it up. I’m ready now,” Fisher said. said. here going to scenes like this, I want to “I guess I had some good mentors There’s one thing that Fisher hopes know what to do to help.” with Paul Gerwig and Nyal Frantz, espe- that people will remember him for when Fisher also served on the Uniondale cially Paul. He really inspired me. I said he walks out of that corner office for the Fire Department for 26 years. He’s still if I ever became sheriff, I hoped I would final time. listed on the department’s roster. “They be half the sheriff he was,” Fisher said. “I hope they think I was fair, and that won’t take me off,” he said with a chuck- When asked if he thought he had suc- I was compassionate toward the people le, adding, “I’m not active, though.” ceeded in that goal, Fisher responded it and passionate about the job.,” he said. He’s going to miss the friendships he’s was difficult to talk about himself that “You don’t run for this office to win a gained with the employees and the other way. popularity contest, but I’ve strived to “People have told me I have. I would treat people with respect, no matter what

is now a Level 3 child care center. “Now Dave Bustos we’re working on Level 4,” he said, (Continued from Page 24) “and once we do that, we’ll be the only said. “It’s something that the Lord has Level 4 facility in Wells County.” Also, NB blessed me — a tool, an ability, I guess. of course, he wants to collaborate “even Digital It’s a passion of mine.” more so.” A Division of News-Banner Publications, Inc. That passion has led him to talk to “The short-term goal is to get into the 
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60 • Thursday, June 28, 2018 • The News-Banner