Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 127, Number 37, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 9 September 2004 — Page 3

Wolfberg’s treasured by Wakarusa

By Amy Wenger Correspondent In the earliest part of his life, Moses Wolfberg was a young man enduring a great many hardships m his homeland of Russia. And then he arrived in the United States, and his world began to change. His became a life of intrigue, success, and blessings - a great example of what it means to embrace the American dream. Moses Wolfberg, along with several generations beyond his own, went on to become one of Wakarusa’s most notable and respected businessmen. His small family enterprise, which began as the M. Wolfberg & Son General Store, became a mainstay in the community for more than 75 years. Moses's story began with his birth in 1860, in what was then the tsarist-ruled land of Russia. Moses was the youngest of ten siblings, and his arrival came about later in his parents' lives - his mother was 50 years old when she bore him. The elder Wolfberg children were far older than Moses, and so he was something of an only child as a youth. Because the Wolfbergs observed the Orthodox Jewish faith, it became increasingly difficult for the family to live under the harsh Russian regime. So Moses fled Russia when he was just seventeen years old, searching for a promising future on the European horizon. While traveling in Germany, Moses met a young woman named Sarah Kaminski, and she became his bride. They had two children, one of whom was a daughter who died of typhoid fever, and a son named Charles, bom in 1884. By 1886, Moses left for America, pledging to Sarah that he would send for her and their little son as soon as he was able. Moses made his way to the Goshen area, where Sarah had some distant ancestry residing. Moses set about learning the English language and lived a nomadic but profitable existence. He first began peddling his wares directly from a pack he carried on his back, then he later fashioned a horse-drawn cart covered with a. tin roof, from which he sold dry goods. As he journeyed about the rural Elkhart County region, he was quick to make friends, many of whom were quite willing to allow Moses to stay overnight on occasion in exchange for a sampling of his merchandise. Sarah and young Charlie were allowed to enter the United States in 1888, and the Wolfbergs established a residence in Goshen. They used a small

Three bike rides during Nappanee Apple Festival

NAPPANEE Bushels of fun await one and all at the 4th Annual Key Bank “Apple Pedaler’s Century & Bike Rides” during Nappanee's Apple Festival Three bike rides will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18, all departing from the Church of God, located on C.R. 7. The three rides include: •Scenic Metric Century - 100 kilometers (approximately 62 miles) winding through picturesque Kosciusko County (including the lakes of Wabee. Dewait, Papakeechie, Wawasee and Syracuse) and the back roads of Elkhart County. Departure time is 8 a.m. •50K Countryside Tour - A 50 kilometer (approximately 31 miles) ride touring farmland and countryside scenery, including the “downtowns” of Foraker, Southwest and the newly renovated downtown Wakarusa. Departure time is 8:30 a.m. •25K Fun Ride - A 25 kilometer (approximately 16 miles) fun ride taking you through Nappanee’s farm lands. Departure time is 9 a.m. Same-day registration for only S2O and pick-up begins at 7 a.m. and continues until each ride’s departure time. Pre-registration is suggested for maximum efficiency and to assure a T-shirt on the day of the ride. Key Bank has been a major sponsor of this event for each of its four years, and this year they are the sole sponsor. Refreshments (including cookies from Mary’s Pastries), emergency assistance and medical personnel will be available during the rides. Also, Danny Jones from Lincoln Avenue Cycling and Fitness (Goshen) will be available before the rides to assist bikers with last minutes adjustments or needed accessories and supplies. Bedward added that bicycle helmets are mandatory for all riders, and each biker must sign a waiver (under 18 must have parent or legal guardian consent). “We try hard to have a very safe event for all involved...from the medical personnel to the roaming radio-equipped vehicles...we want the bikers to have fun, but most importantly, to have a safe day,” Bedward said. Registrations and brochures are available at all area bike stops as well as the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the chamber at 574-773-7812 or visit the Apple Festival Web site at www.nappaneeapplefestival.org. . *

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section of their tiny home as a shop, with the store facade being a menagerie of items that Sarah displayed in the front windows, including furs and hides. In the meantime, the Wolfberg family began to grow...and grow. Six more children were bom to Moses and Sarah within a span of ten years - five daughters and another son. That second son, Louis, would be the one to enter into a partnership with his father when he was a lad of sixteen. With the guidance and financial backing of some business associates from the Goshen area, the Oppenheim brothers, Moses and Louis opened their first general store in downtown Wakarusa on September 7, 1907. It was originally called M. Wolfberg & Son. As the mercantile's profile became more visible in the community business foray, the Wolfberg family relocated to Wakarusa and resided in a house on Wabash Avenue. The store enjoyed a decent run of prosperity, until the advent of the Great Depression, during which time most businesses quickly were consumed by the faltering economic outlook. It appeared that M. Wolfberg & Son was destined for the same fate, as a "going-out-of-business" sale was announced. But the sales were so robust that the store carried on, even moving to a larger facility in the early 19305. The store reopened at 109 East Waterford Street, where it would remain until its final days. Louis Wolfberg inherited his father's entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, giving a great deal of his time and energy to help with tasks at the store. That is, until he was drafted into the army during World War 1. While he was away, his sisters Irene and Florence worked in his stead. During Louis's stint in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was enrolled in basic training, he met his future wife, Rhoda Baron. She was an entertainer for the troops, charming them all with her musical talents. Louis and Rhoda were married in 1924, and soon after, moved into a home in Wakarusa. to be nearer to the store. By 1939, the time had come for Louis to come aboard the helm of the store. Moses’s reign as the primary owner and operator had come to an end. through the most solemn of circumstances. While visiting his daughter. Jeanette, and her husband, Dr. Phillip Rosenbloom, at their Gary residence, Moses was soon ailing, and after a period of several weeks of ill health, he succumbed on

:' -v~.: By Sarah Middaugh Staff "Writer NAPPANEE On Tuesday, Sept. 7, Classie Lassie Pet Grooming, officially opened for business in Nappanee. Cheryl Mattem, owner'and dog groomer, has always had a love for pets. In the 1980 s, Mattem started training at the Mishawaka Humane Shelter to learn about dog grooming. After eight months of training, she then began grooming for family and friends. “It was a very small business,” she said. “Now that 1 have just sent my last child off to college, I would like to become more established and serve thecommunity with a full-ser-vice pet grooming facility.” Mattem plans to provide grooming service for the communities of Nappanee, Wakarusa, Bremen, Goshen and Milford. “I will accommodate with work schedules," Mattem said. “Pets can be dropped off as early as 5 a.m., and they can be picked up after people get off work.” “I enjoy pets and I like to do this

Community

Classie Lassie is now open in Nappanee

MILLER AUCTION

Auction Location: Two blocks north of th* square in Nappanee, Indiana on St Rd 14 (Main St.) to Centennial St., then seven blocks west at 707 W Centennial Tuesday, September 14,2004 Starting at 1:00 p.m. ANTIQUES - COINS - HOUSEHOLD - LAWN, GARDEN ft MISC. Beautiful Victorian red velour walnut hand carved love seat wfmatching platform rocker S straight chair; nice maple pedestal dining table whix solid maple arrow back chairs, nice Duncan Phyfe kneehole desk wfchait; ha) tree; oak fern stand, limed oak bedroom suite vrfno springs S mattress: misc chest of drawers, two matching wood grain bookcases glass front t-gun gun case. nice, overstuffed reclining blue lounger; nice Admiral undercounter microwave oven; oak arcade cast iron automobile; other misc. toys, pots, pans, kitchtnwares, glassware, nice Electrolux sweeper w/Power noule; Emerson IT color portable TV w/remote, Griswold »l griddle, large Adleke RR 4-sided lantern wiblue lens other old lanterns, Coleman lanterns; kerosene we) hung lantern bracket; muc. crocks, misc cast Iron Gypsy pots, nice old antique John Deere hand com sheller wrwheel. Craftsman t$M hp 42* cut nding lawn tractor; tOO.OOO BTU Knipco bullet heater, nice large heavy duty Yardman gas powered snowblower, smalt garden rototitler, Snapper 21* power trim mower; nice Husqvarna chain saw; wheelbarrow, old sleds, misc. lawn A garden items; crosscut saw; egg carrier; old shovels A forks; numerous silver dollars, Buffalo nickels, Indian cents and others; American Arms J 2 caliber revolver, WW M bayonet silver plate; Hamilton; Elgin pocket Welches and other veried svratwatchesc old wooden high cheV; wooden rocker; old floor lemp; antique bird cege; toasters; antique fly sprayerv C uppers tea ketde; misc. 76 A 45 records end albums, large wooden tool chest; ink well, Many other items too numerous to mention Any Aimounctaunts Mode Dey of Sale Take Precedence Over Pmtred Matter Junior H. Miller, Deceased Connie J. Newkirk) Personal Representative HAHN AUCTIONEERS Office (574) 77J-41M AC39900021 Phil Hahn - 535-3783 • Lie. #AU01012967 Nappanee, IN

December 22, 1939. He was 79 years old. A lengthy and bittersweet tribute to his extraordinary life was printed in the town newspaper on December 28. 1939. "Wolfberg has been a household name in this community for years, and 'Mosey' was a jovial friend to thousands of people." his obituary read in part. "From horse and buggy days, they have known him and made his store their headquarters. A friend to all, and respected by all." After her husband's death, Moses’s beloved wife, Sarah, went to live with one of her daughters, Frieda, and her son-in-law in Chicago. She passed away in 1943. In the 1940'5, Louis would be assisted at the store by his daughter, Eleanor, and her husband. Larry Smith, and the name was changed from M. Wolfberg & Son to simply Wolfberg's. Louis's tenure as the chief proprietor continued across the span of two decades. By the fall of 1968, he opted to sell his share of the store to the Smiths, and just a few years later, he lost his dear wife Rhoda to cancer in 1972. Louis then retired to Florida and remarried Betty Sawilosky in 1975. Louis had enjoyed a fruitful life, and was revered for his generosity to the Wakarusa community, an activist in such causes as the furtherment of the Wakarusa Historical Society and the Wakarusa Library. He was also a donator of playground equipment to help build the Wakarusa Town Park. So it was with a great deal of sadness that the town mourned the passing of another legendary business icon when Louis Wolfberg died on August 15, 1977. He lived to be 87 years of age. Eleanor and Larry continued to carry on the Wolfberg legacy until Larry died in 1979. At that point. Eleanor and Larry's daughter Abbe and her husband, Michael Dallek, purchased the business and continued to keep the enterprise going until the long, illustrious run ended forever on June 30, 1983. Large-scale shopping outlets and the changing spending habits of customers had rendered the neighborhood general and variety store all but antiquated. However, the building which once embraced this great chapter among the annals of Wakarusa history has served another, similar purpose, a business which echoes something of its predecessor by availing themselves to the hometown heritage that the Wolfbergs so dearly cherished. The former Wolfberg site is now the home of The Dime Store, a favorite niche of local shoppers and visitors alike for many years.

for people. 1 think that cleaning and grooming them is very important. Small dogs should be groomed every six weeks, while large outdoor dogs should be groomed four times a year.” As part of the service, Mattem will trim and comb hair, trim toenails, clean ears, and give bath and flea treatments as needed. In addition, she will either blow dry or cage dry, and finish by adding a bow. “I want people to know that their dogs will be “classie" when they leave here," she said. Mattem added that she will try to keep the rates at a reasonable price. It all depends on the size and temperament of the dog, she said. “For smaller dogs, grooming usually takes an hour and a half. But for heavy coated dogs, it can take longer,” Mattem added. Appointments can be scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays by contacting Cheryl Mattem at 574-773-7224. Advance News Photo/ Sarah Middaugh

Advance News • Thursday. September 9. 2004

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Photo provided by Wakarusa Public LibraryAbove is a picture of the former Wolfberg's Department Store, as it looked in its final years of operation during the early 1980's. The business was located at 109 East Waterford Street in Wakarusa for more than 75 years before closing its doors in 1983. Founded by Moses Wolfberg in 190", the business was owned In four gener ations of Wolfberg family members over the course of the years. The location is now the site of The Dime Store, which is run by Mac and Deb McNally.

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Advance News Photo/Sarah Middaugh Cheryl Mattem, Clxssie Lassie owner and groomer, gi\es Snickers a trim al her shop. The business is located 24616 CR 50, Nappanee.

World’s Famous JOHN’S BUTCHER SHOP

Rib Eye Steak - $7.99 lb. Boneless Chuck Roast Ready to Bake Meat Loaf - $2.69 lb. Ready to Heat Pork BBQ - $4.39 lb.

Discount to Churches for: Pot Lucks & Funeral Dinners & Fund-Raisers 158 N. Main Street • Nappanee. Indiana 773-4632 -Open-Monday-Kriday 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. k Saturday 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. .

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