Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 112, Number 27, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 13 July 1994 — Page 2

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, July 13, 1994

Page 2

City officers report

By Barb Keiser Editor Mayor Kenneth filters was among department hods reporting their wrapups of Jmt activities to members of the common council, at last Wednesday njsht's session. £Among his meetings was a session with the Youth & Family SJyvices Commission, to hear prelinjmary plans for utilization of South Efementary School for a day-care futility and other county services. alters also attended a special noting of the Board of Public Ypjrks and Safety, to review and approve a grant award from the Igliana Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $25,000, for Phase II work at the West Park pfirilion. IThe mayor met with and spoke to members of Friendship Force, fijln Australia, who were being hjjted by the Southern Michigan Friendship Force, with several nfepbers being from the Nappanee asa. Jfie also worked with ClerkTreasurer Kim Ingle, Water Supt. aje Gerber, and Police Chief John £ajUfOtt, to present a 90-minute forum <OO city government to the NorthWood High School summer governmjjk class of Jim Hess. 'Among the mayor’s other commitments for the month were /pjpflar and special sessions of various city departments, discussion of iiqkistrial development possibilities, Mayors’ Roundtable at Lake Station, chamber of commerce activities, and several ribbon-cutting cdretnonies. v EMS DEPARTMENT <sary Fuller, representing the Emergency Medical Seivices Department in the absence ogpirectoWlm Sumpter, offered the oepartmerfl’s report for June, indicating a total of 44 calls answered. A total of 29 patients were from Nappanee, with die remainder from rural and other areas. The department also assisted the fire department twice, and helped with a storm waiqh call. ! SMOKEY STOVERS The Nappanee Fire Department

- NOW LEASING - SELF STORAGE Fenced, lighted. ; You keep the keys. Lowest Prices Size sxlo, 10x10, 10x15, 10x20, 10x30 Also fenced in area for outside ' winter storage for. motor homes, cars, boats, trailers, etc. mwmhb self storage Highway 6 West : Nappanee, IN 46650 Office located in brick house • next to Storage Sheds

To lower our prices, we went to a higher authority.

dv -'vK/' .. ft '

Sale! $ 369 95 “Paramount' Chaise Casually styled Reclina-Rocker* recliner or Reclina Way* wall chair with full body chaise comfort.

Fine Home Furnishings & Interior Design Services

handled a total of 21 calls for the month-an unusually large number for the volunteers, which have responded to 94 calls as of June 30, according to Fire Chief Don Lehman’s report Included among the calls were several smoke investigations, residence fires, accident standbys, washdowns, vehicle fires, mutual aid to Wakarusa for the Holiday Rambler fire, grass and trash blazes, a weather watch, and one tree fire, caused by lightning. POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief John Elliott included on his monthly report a total of 2237 telephone and on-station calls, including 91 calls to 911. The department also handled 1043 assists to citizens and complaints, and answered six alarm calls, three of which were false alarms. The traffic patrol division made 57 traffic arrests and 25 non-traffic arrests, issued 19 warning tickets and 18 parking tickets. The division also investigated 26 accidents, with four personal injuries and no deaths. There were 29 lockouts reported, and 51 vehicle identification checks made. The investigation division received 29 crime reports, including three DWI, and 54 incident reports. There were no drug-related arrests. Police Reserves worked a total of 255 hours for the department. STREET DEPARTMENT Street Supt. Jeff Kem reported that his department has finished the painting program for its buildings, and Mayor Walters stated that the area is “really looking great.” The crew swept city and uptown streets, completed painting of curbs, treated gravel roads and alleys with dust control, and re-graveled road berms. In addition, roadsides and yards were mowed, missing street signs replaced and new street and road signs installed, and manholes and catch basins rebuilt. The department also began this summer’s city sidewalk replacement program, treated city catch basins with mosquito briquettes, and constructed road-closed barricades. SENIOR CENTER In her report to council. Elder Haus Director Dee Leavitt indicated the importance of the center’s taxi service, which completed 174 calls during the month. The center is due to receive a van in August. A total of 140 newsletters and calendars were mailed, and 187 visits made to the center. The Elder Haus has served 189 different persons this year. Daily activities, including cards, games, quilting, crafts, volunteer projects, visiting and refreshments

continue, as well as special programs, which have included Bingo, trips, dinners and a mystery trip for lunch. Court news The following cases have been handled through the Nappanee City Court. David Widmoyer is the judge. John W. Dawson 111, charged with driving left of center, paid total fine and costs of $64.50. Adam Hochstetler, charged with a front seat passenger restraint violation, paid total fine and costs of $25. Lawrence D. McCollough, charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, paid total fine and costs of $213.50 Lawrence D. Davies, Jr., charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, paid total fine and costs of $213.50. William D. Sauer, charged with battery, paid total fine and costs of $213.50. Jay M. Huber, charged with speeding 45mph in a 35mph zone, paid total fine and costs of $84.50. Willowdean A. Grosse, charged with having expired plates, paid total fine and costs of $59.50. Wilfredo Figueroa, charged with driving while license suspended, paid total fine and costs of $64.50. Vicki Stanley, charged with driving while license suspended, paid total fine and costs of $129.50. Beer & Slabaugh, paying for Daniel E. Miller, charged with FMCS general maintenance violation, paid total fine and costs of $79.50; also charged with not having a fuel tax permit, paid total fine and costs of SSO. Ambulance calls July 5, la.m.«Nick Plank, 452 South Madison, Nappanee, transported from his home to Michiana Community due to chest pain. July 9, Ba.m.-Herbert Miller, 4085 W 1350 N, transported from his home to Goshen General Hospital due to illness. July 9, 4:20p.m.-Chris Castell, 311 South Main, Nappanee, required no transport from his home following unknown injuries. July 10,12:01a.m.-Susan Miller, P.O. Box 636 sth B Road, Bremen, transported from Beech Road, onehalf mile north of US6, to Bremen Community Hospital following an auto accident. July 10, 12:01a.m.--Eddy Schmucker, 28892-1 US6 W, Nappanee, transported from Beech Road, one-half mile north of US6, to Bremen Community Hospital following an auto accident.

Sale! $ 399 95

“Forte" Chaise Handsome transitional %***

MARKET SQUARE EAST 1200 E. Market - U.S. 6 E. Nappanee Mon.-Tue.-Sat. 9-5:30 Wed.-Thurs.-Fri. 9-8:30 (219) 773-5000

Building a better community...

Business becomes cornerstone

By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer Rick Purcell is a man who believes in the power of today’s youth as tomorrow’s citizens. He and his wife Jean own and operate McDonald’s Restaurants in Nappanee, Bremen, Syracuse and Ligonier. The Purcells use these restaurants as their vehicles to guide and direct young employees and their peers toward academic excellence. Rick has established many of his youth programs based on a belief he shares with McDonald's creator, Ray Kroce, “Education is the key.” That philosophy has led Rick mid Jean to promote education at all levels. Every year they sponsor 26 Ronald McDonald programs involving children in kindergarten through fifth grades. These presentations include a magic show, an informative ecology program, and “Bookin’ It With Ronald McDonald.” During the Halloween season they encourage the public to give safe treats with special coupon booklets at each of the restaurants. Through special arrangements in Ligoner, the Purcells have been able to provide x-raying for Halloween candy. The Nappanee branch offers gifts and prizes at the annual party sponsored by the police department On Valentine’s Day, special McDonald’s coupon booklets are available to offer affectionate slogans and a special treat Children with little or no allowance are off the hook for Mothers’ Day as the Purcell’s offer free meals and carnations to moms. Stocking stuffer coupons mark the Christmas Holiday and yearround opportunity for safe and enjoyable gift giving and receiving. Rick says that his own lack of motivation in school and after graduation led to little interest in academics and ended his college career short of a degree. Now he is determined to provide young students with inspiration to do better and make schoolwork fun. Wa-Nee middle school students who improve their grade point average each nine weeks are entered into a drawing for an opportunity to win special prizes. Between the 35mm cameras, savings bonds, Walkman Radios and other prizes, Purcell invests approximately $2,000. “Even if it only helps one child, it’s worth it,” says Rick Purcell. At Syracuse, where the middle school jelects students to participate in the NASA Space Camp, Florida, McDonald’s donates SI,OOO scholarships to help paytta the cost. High School students of all areas--academics, sports and performing arts-are also heavily supported. Programs such as Athletes of the Week, which is co-sponsored by G.L Perry’s and McDonald’s, recognizes those well rounded individuals who combine great athletic and academic skills. Special meals, coupons and savings bonds are awarded to academic team members in math, science, English and social studies. A SSOO scholarship is also awarded annually to a collegebound senior in the performing arts. Students of all ages can benefit from Purcell’s generosity outside of school as well. In Nappanee, McDonald’s also sponsors the Early Bird Kiwanis Soccer League as well as Little League baseball teams. Through the McStudy Hall Program, high school students can earn money for studying before and during their scheduled work hours. Purcell started the program after seeing an article in Readers’ Digest about Pat Newbury, Renton, Washington, who starred a similar procedure. Locally, Rick transformed a small barn-shaped storage shed into a study area, complete with a typewriter, pencil sharpener, desk and chairs. He hopes to complete it with a computer comparable to those used in Wa-Nee. The building is open to his workers for an hour of paid time before they begin their shift, or during their breaks. Off the clock, students are invited to use the study area on afternoons and weekends when they aren’t scheduled. According to Mr. Purcell, the program attracts “better quality workers.” Rick and Jean are currently work-

? Come & see the new look at: 302 N. MAIN STREET THE HOMESPUN COUNTRY INN bed & breakfast v Open House Sun day, July 24, 1994 2:00 - 4:00 pm. i % Your hosts Dennis & Dianne Debelak Please join us! AM

-nr yp mm 4 ' ■ * ■

NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT-Rick Purcell and his wife, Jean, have spent the past eight years working to improve the local McDonald's Restaurant. After creating a bigger dining area and purchasing a larger parking lot, they turned to the playground area. This new equipment was installed last month and is complete with a rubber surface to avoid scrapes and other injuries. Pictured: Rick Purcell invites the public to visit McDonald's and see how fun safety can bel (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

mg to provide McStudy Halls at the other three locations. On duty, teens participate in the Golden Achiever Program. Points are earned during orientation, to mark each year worked, good grades (1,000 for each A, 500 for each B, and 500 for every grade raised-from the previous report card), having perfect cash drawers, and for working on shifts of record sales for a specific day or hour. The points earned can be used immediately for merchandise from the Golden Achiever Catalog, to earn certificates for a free movie rental or pass at Crystal Video or the Nappanee Theatre, or be saved and used toward book and tuition fees when the workers head for college. Rick Purcell has more than just a professional interest in the people of Nappanee and the surrounding area. He is a native Hoosier from Michigan City, where he lived until the age of six. He and His family experienced many changes and moved several times before he and his mother settled in New Jersey, where he graduated. After six years of marriage he and his wife were looking for additional income and he took on a second job as manager of a McDonald’s Restaurant. He found he liked the work and has now been with the company for 22 years. Believing that “you have to give back to the community,” Purcell began programs such as Me Do-

State police warn of possible phone scam

In the wake of the recent murder of a Kosciusko County Sheriffs Deputy, Indiana Stare Police are warning area residents of a possible telephone scam being conducted in the officer’s name. No reports of the scam have been received yet by area law enforcement agencies. Stare Police want to inform the public of the potential problem and to prevent citizens from being victimized when they try to assist the officer’s family by donating money. The scam surfaced after the February 1993 murder of Master Trooper Michael E. Greene. Greene was shot to death as he investigated a suspicious vehicle along 1-65 in Marion County. Shortly after his funeral, Indianapolis area residents began receiving

nald’s Cares coupons for fundraisers-including the Butch Nine Memorial Golf Tournament and Gary Fuller Benefit Fund. This program is also available to other adult and teen groups wanting to raise funds for special occasions. Once the coupon bookelts are sold, 50 cents of every dollar goes to the charity or group represented. Rick and Jean formed Purcell Food Service and bought the Nappanee McDonald’s eight years ago. Since that time they have worked hard to meet the needs of the community. Beginning with their business, the couple expanded the restaurant to form a larger dining room area and parking lot to accomodate their customers. The latest addition came in June. The Purcells installed aIT hew playground equipment to provide fun and safety for their younger visitors. In looking at his accomplishments and his unique position of being able to start so many successful programs, Rick says, “I would like to thank the community. I have been very fortunate to start my career in Nappanee, and the community has been really good to me.” One might think the Purcells are ready to rest-not a chance. Rick says that he’s always looking for new ideas to help both his business and the community. Be watching for more innovative ideas at work within the restaurant and in the schools.

telephone solicitations for donations to die Michael Greene Memorial Fund. The callers stated that the funds would be used to provide a college education for each of Trooper Greene’s children. The calls were believed to have originated in Florida and the fund was never confirmed as being valid. Indiana law provides free tuition at state colleges for children of police officers killed in the line of duty. Detective Phil Hochstetler was shot and killed in Warsaw on June 29, while questioning a burglary suspect. Also killed at the time were the four-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son of the suspect. The suspect killer died after a gun battle with police in Warsaw on July 1. Kosciusko County Sheriff A 1 Rovenstien advised that there should be no valid telephone solicitations t made in connection with ainy ' memorial funds for Hochstetler’s children. A valid trust fund has been ' established for Hochstetler’s family through Lake City Bank of Warsaw. Citizens wanting to make donations can drop them off at any Lake City Bank branch or mail them to: The Phil Hochstetler Trust Fund, Lake City Bank, P.O. Box 1387, Warsaw, IN 46581-1387. Checks should be made payable to “The Phil Hochstetler Trust Fund.’’ • Citizens receiving telephone calls soliciting funds in the name of Deputy Hochstetler are asked to notify the Indiana State Police or their local law enforcement agency. «

&P* We use • recycled newsprint