Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 1, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 2 January 2002 — Page 1

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Vol. 125 Issue 1

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CLASS BREAKFAST The Nappanee High School Class of 1944 will meet for breakfast at Country Table, Thursday, January 3, 8:30a.m. All class members and friends are welcome. FREE COFFEE - Join Mayor Larry Thompson for a free cup of coffee at Teakwood Gourmet Coffee Shop in downtown fsfappanee, from 8-9a.m. on January 5. A featured guest will be on hand to visit. PARK BOARD The Nappanee Board of Parks and Recreation will meet in regular session, Wednesday, January 9, 4:30p.m„ in the Emergency Services Building, W. Lincoln St. SCHOOL BOARD The Wa-Nee Board of School Trustees will meet January 14,6:30p.m. at the WaNee Administration Building, north on S.R. 19. Meetings are open to the public. OFFERS SERVICES Do you need assistance? Family Christian Development Center, 151 S. Locke St., serves families living in the Wa-Nee District with a food pantry (open Tuesday and Thursday l-4p.m.) FEMA assistance for rent and utility bills Head Start (for 4-5-year-olds) Healthy Babies Wellness checks (second Wednesdays, 9a.m.-noon). For assistance in any of these areas, or other areas of your life, call the center at 773-2149. The office is open from 9a.m.-noon and l-4p.m. weekdays. OPEN DOOR HELPS If you need emergency food, clothing, or temporary help with your NIPSCO bill, contact Open Door between 9-11a.m., Monday thru Friday. Open Door is located at 201 S. Main St., Nappanee. phone 773-3820. BOARD OF WORKS The City of Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety will meet Monday, January 14, 3:30p.m., in the council chambers at the municipal center, W. Lincoln St. RETAIL COMMITTEE The Retail-Marketing Committee of the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday. January 10, 7:30a.m.. Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce office, 451 N. Main Street. COMMON COUNCIL The City of Nappanee Common Council will meet Monday, January 7, 7p.m., in the council chambers at the municpal center, W. Lincoln St. LICENSE BRANCH I The Nappanee License Branch, located at 219 W. Market St., is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 8:30a.m. to 5p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. and Thursday, 8:30a.m. to 6:30p.m. OFFICE HOURS * The office of the Nappanee Advance-News, 158 W. Market St., is open Monday, 9:30a.m.nbon, and Tuesday through Friday. 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m. The mailing address is P.O. Box 230, Nappanee, IN. .46550. The display advertising deadline is Thursday at 4p.m.. with news and photos accepted for the Advance-News until Monday noon, for that week's edition. {All classified ads are due by {BjOOp.m. Thursday. The telephone number is 219-773-3127. FAX 219-773-3512. E-MAIL [email protected].

Ready or not—here comes another year!

By Barb Keiser Editor Heard more than once during the past month—"l can't believe the holidays are almost here, and that another year has passed.” Believe it —those holidays are now history, and you have a bright new year in which to work toward fulfilling dreams and expectations, make necessary adjustments of all kinds, organize and, perhaps, say a prayer or two (or more) for those you love, those you do not know and for a nation at war. For sure, the most talkedabout situation of 2001 will be—not the hiring of a new football coach for Notre Dame —but the September 11 tragedies and the after-effects of terrorists on the loose. The problem continues and the solution may seem far away, if ever in place. In Nappanee, families in

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CHARLIE ADAMS

Accept nominations for annual awards

Nominations are now being accepted for various community awards, to be presented by the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual dinner, 'set for Saturday, February 16. All nominations must be sent or delivered to the chamber office, 451 N. Main St., Suite 100. Nappanee, IN. 46550, no later than February 1. A committee will make the final selections. For more information, call the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce, 219-773-7812. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR —This nominee must be civic-minded and dedicated to church, club or community service. He/she must be of good moral character and must work or reside in Nappanee. He/she need not be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to be nominated, but must have made a significant contribution to Nappanee through work in business, government, service club or volunteer organization. RETAILER OF THE YEAR —This nominee must be a Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce member, have significantly impacted the community through growth of his/her respective business and have contributed to the community above and beyond most normal expectations. The nominee must have partnered with the city, school or service organizations to help promote a particular project or event for Nappanee. The nominated retailer must have a track record of commitment to Nappanee. BOSS OF YEAR AND SECRETARY OF YEAR—-

Nappanee, Indiana 46550 Wednesday, January 2, 2001

need continue to struggle, although generous contributions from community friends have made the holidays more bearable. Please remember, the needs continue throughout the year, and make your donations as often as possible to local help agencies like Open Door and Family Christian Development Center. They do so much for so many. For now, let’s take a brief look back through the year, and many of the activities that highlighted life in Nappanee, Indiana. Lack of space prohibits mentioning everything again—you probably have your own list. Here, then, is a cross-section of what we believe makes our community so special. JANUARY School board members approved a contract for new Supt. Joe Sabo, replacing the retired Jerry Lelle; adult education offerings were

Adams featured speaker at dinner

Charlie Adams, anchor on WSBT-TV News 22, Saturday mornings, will be the featured speaker at the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, set for Saturday, February 16, at Amish Acres. Dan Caskey, local sports announcer, will serve as master of ceremonies. Adams has been at WSBTTV since 1988, when he arrived in time to cover Notre Dame's national champi-

Nominees must be members of the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce and must have a track record of commitment to employees (Boss of the Year) or employer (Secretary of the Year). A letter should be included in the nomination, stating why he/she should receive the award. EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR —This nominee must be dedicated to the profession of education. He/she must have high academic and moral standards for self and community. He/she must be a motivator of self, colleagues, students and community, and be an inspired initiator of programs and projects of education. The nominee must be a team builder cooperating with the community educational system and citizens, to insure excellence and productivity. He/she must reside or teach in the WaNee area. INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR—This nominee must be a Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce member, and must have significantly impacted the community through growth of his/her respective business. The nominee must have contributed to the community above and beyond most normal expectations and must have partnered with the city, school or service organizations to help promote a particular project or event for Nappanee. The nominated industry must have a track record of commitment to Nappanee. For further information, call the Nappanee Area chamber of Commerce office, 219-773-7812.

announced, holiday sports events results were listed, including NLC basketball tournaments and wrestling invitationals, Mayor Larry Thompson offered his “State of the City” address, with an emphasis on the community’s older adults, health care and the parks, and Roman Lehman retired from the Nappanee Fire Department, after 15 years of service. A 90th birthday celebration was held for Hilda Strang, students were told to bundle up against the cold—because recess would go on, Main Street Suites spokespersons announced plans for a senior housing project, Connie Fink was named new director for the local senior center. Elder Haus, the Robert Thomas home was damaged in a fire, and local Girl Scouts took orders for theif famous cookies. City employees combined

•onship. Sportscaster for many years, his role has expanded in recent years. While continuing to keep his hand in sports, Adams also anchors News 22 Saturday Morning and does regular “Connecting With Kids” features. He also does regular “Making a Difference” features, which focus on inspirational people in the area. He has written two books: "Travels With Charlie,” which focused on a three-month stretch of life in local TV

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SNOWSCAPES—Winter finally arrived December 21, bringing snow just in time for Christmas. The fresh snow brightened up an otherwise dismal landscape as evidence of these photos taken in Stauffer Park, near McCormick Creek Golf Course. In the background

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to dig out the community’s fire hydrants, following a heavy snow, businesses offered customer appreciation sales, the Ervin Schwartz family shared a four generation photo—all “guys,” the library staff and a host of volunteers packed for yet another library expansion, renovation project, the NWHS boys’ soccer team auctioned a Panther afghan and Kasey Chamberlin scored a careerhigh 26 points in a conference win over Northridge, adding nine steals and four assists to an outstanding performance. Committee members announced plans to expand the Nappanee Apple Festival, Newmar President Virgil Miller was named “Newsmaker of the Year” by an RV business magazine, 40% of the Wa-Nee heating budget was used in one month—it was COLD!—and the “Left Behind” movie premier was announced, as sponsored by

news, and “I Didif t Know You Were So Tall,” recalling stories from his two decades in broadcasting, including candid thoughts on Notre Dame and former IU Coach Bob Knight. A company in Los Angeles recently purchased the option to market the two books as film concepts. If a movie ever gets made, Rick Mecklenburg wants Brad Pitt to play him in it! Adams also gives motivational talks throughout Michiana, and recently teamed

of the top photo the Derksen Park sledding hill appears void of snow, however, it shouldn't be long before the young and young at heart are able to enjoy its winter offerings. (AN photos by Mindy Abel)

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VISITORS—WeIcome or not, over 100 Canada geese spent a sunny December afternoon enjoying one of the ponds at the McCormick Creek Golf Course. By Christmas, the geese had moved to a warmer spot since snowflakes were falling and ice was forming around the edges of the pond. Winter has arrived! (AN photo by Mindy Abel)

First Brethren Church and Jim Moore Motors. Wrapping up January were the announcement of honor students, the arrival of “Ceci,” the city hall cat, the hiring of Sharon Neverman as assistant Elder Haus Director, a victory by the NWHS boys’ basketball team over Warsaw —the first in 32 years at the Tiger Den, advancement of 10 Panther wrestlers to the Goshen regional and the earning of conference titles by seventh and eighth grade boys’ basketball teams. FEBRUARY The sweetheart month kicked off with music students named as contest winners, Boy Scouts holding an airplane derby at the high school, Dillon Whitacre, Chad Davis and Josh Metzler advancing to the wrestling semi-state, the boys’ basketball team setting a Please turn to page 2

up with Brett Eastbum to givemotivational seminars. Eastbum, of North Liberty, was bom with almost no arms or legs, yet does not consider himself handicapped. Beginning this year, the two will launch their seminars. Information on dates can be obtained at 219-935-4054. The Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce will soon be releasing information on ticket purchase for the annual dinner.