Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 127, Number 44, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 28 October 2004 — Page 5

Hastings and Caris schools provide plenty of memories

By Amy Wenger Correspondent On Sept. 12, a gathering was held at the Living Gospel Church of Nappanee, to honor the former students of two bygone era schoolhouses. Classmates from the Hastings and Caris Schools, both one-room facilities nestled in northern Kosciusko County, enjoyed a day of celebration and remembrances. Many, but not quite all, of the pupils from these schools were once a part of an area known as Hastings, which was situated about midway between Nappanee and Milford. Hastings follows the tradition of similar locales, such as Southwest or Locke, in that it shares a history as a town of "used-to-be.” There is not a great deal that is documented regarding the soundings and the evolution of Hastings as an organized community. Hastings In the earlier part of the 1800's, when many of the region's townships were formed, pertinent documents and records were sometimes left in the safekeeping of each township's trustee, rather than at local government entities. Once a trustee ended his tenure, the records usually left office with him, never to oe seen again. But this much is certifiable, thanks to a nostalgic series of articles published by former schoolteacher and area resident Kenneth Haney a number of years ago. Hastings was located in Jefferson Township, amidst a broad, hilly expanse of trees, overgrowth, and marshland. Ditches were dug and timber fallen to facilitate farming in the new town, which rose up from between two stretches of marsh. Because the freshly cleared swath of land was higher than the marshes which served as its makeshift gateways, Hastings was sometimes referred to as “the island.” The inspiration for the name of Hastings is not known, nor is there any specific information as to when Hastings first came into recognition. There were a handful of businesses and other social outlets for residents to make use of, including a general store, a barber, a small auditorium, and an ice house. To reach Hastings by horse drawn buggy, the typical mode of transportation in the town's heyday, there were three narrow corridors. One of the paths was called the Om road, now County Road 1050, Which carried travelers to the nearest city of Milford. There was another, smaller road, which led to the town of Clunette, and another, more mainstream north-south byway, which eventually became SR 19. Not only were the roads used by those who embarked on comings and goings through Hastings, but also by nearby farmers who were transporting crops which were plentiful and profitable in the late 19th and early 20th century mint, onions, and hemp being among them. ' The little red schoolhouse which bore the same name as the ; territory it served, the Hastings School, is said to have been : built in 1896. The structure was located five miles southwest of present day Milford, at the junction of County Roads 1050 North and 425 West. The bricks used in its construction were formed from clay derived from a pit one half mile west of Hastings. James Hollar, the owner of the! land where the pit was found, burned each individual brick in his own kiln and personally delivered the finished bricks to the school site.

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PHOTO PROVDED Students enrolled In the free ENL classes each Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. may bring their children with them. While their parents are In class, children ages 2-10 participate in special story time activities.

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When the raising of the Hastings School had been accomplished, an old frame schoolhouse adjacent to the west was moved across the road and served as a homestead for a family who operated a blacksmith shop. In later years, that house was tom down, and parts of salvageable lumber were used to build another home on that same comer. Caris Details surrounding the premier days of the Caris School are a bit sketchy at best, but there is documentation to support the idea that the Caris School was likely built sometime between 1860 and 1890. Like Hastings, this was also a school designed for students in grade levels one through eight. The Caris School was formerly at the northwest comer of County Roads 900 North and 425 West When the young scholars had completed their courses of study at Hastings or Caris, they then departed for the Van Buren Township Consolidated School system, which was part of the Milford corporation. Both of the one-room facilities were discontinued in 1946, with the advent of additional consolidation. Reunion And now, all of these many years later, students meet again. Among some of the anecdotes shared at the Hastings and Caris Schools reunion were the occasions of the smoking furnace, playing baseball with other schools, "jack knife" played on the cellar door, and making the long trek to classes trudging through deep snow. The legacy of Jake Fox was also observed, a fellow who lived across the road from the Hastings School who would start up the furnace in the chilly dawn hours. He also opened his home to provide housing for teachers when situations arose. For those who were able to participate in what will hopefully be an annual event, friends and schoolmates will forever cherish their memories, not only those that blossomed in another time and place, but those that were made during a very special day of fellowship. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance and expertise of the following individuals and organizations as the research for this story was taking place the Nappanee Public Library, the Milford Public Library, the Warsaw Public Library. Delores Bollman and the fascinating writings of Kenneth Haney. Those who were in attendance at the Hastings and Caris School reunion held Sept. 12 at Living Gospel Church in Nappanee included Maxine and Blane Biller, Edna Miller, Malinda Miller, Betty and John Yoder, Amanda Chupp, Mary Ann Smith, Verba Prough, Roy and Grace Hershberger, Lydia Mae Stutzman Hochstetler, Bugs Haney, Vera Haney, Barbra Helmuth, Ida Yoder, LeVon Heckaman, Delores Bollman, John Coldeburg, Alice Gamer, Marjorie Bope, and Joe and Mary Mishler. Tributes were offered to several former teachers, including Louise McDaniels, Alma Plue, Allen Weldy, Mary Jane Hemminger, Evelyn Warner, Kenneth Haney, Ester Miller, Ethel Lambert, Sam Mow, and Mr. Graber. Entertainment for the day's festivities was provided in the form of a musical concert featuring Chara Sonntag from Middlebury oh M piano, Jessie and Sarah Sark of MiUersburg playing violins, and Beth Wheeler of Middlebury on flute.

English Gasses Students enrolled in the free ENL classes each Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. may bring their children with them. While their parents are in class, children ages 2-10 participate in special story time activities. This program is sponsored in partnership with the Learning Generation of Elkhart and LaGrange Counties. Crafts for Kids Make a fun fall-time craft at the library’s next Crafts for Kids day on Saturday, Nov. 6. Supplies for this make-and-take craft will be available in the Children's room. Intro to Internet Interested in a basic introduction to the Internet? The library offers a class for those unfamiliar with surfing the web on the second Monday of each month. Several ways to search for information on the Internet will be demonstrated. The next session will be held Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Childbirth Preparation Find out what to expect when you’re expecting in a class conducted by Goshen General Hospital at the library. Participants will learn about all facets of the labor process, such as recognizing signs and symptoms of labor, comfort measures for the mother, the supportive role of the coach and relaxation and breathing techniques. Discussion relative to emergency and scheduled cesarean section, as well as the use of epidural anesthesia during childbirth, is covered. The series also includes care of the mother and baby after delivery. A tour of the hospital's OB unit is part of the class, as well. Goshen General Hospital will offer its childbirth preparation class at the

HO West Market Street 9:00 TmftoS p.m. ff nappanee, in / 574-773-2090 open Friday nights till 7:00 Christmas Open House iliß iKK Thursday, Friday & Saturday T October 28,29 &30 9-am - Bpm (Thurs/Fri) 9-am - spm (Saturday Everlastings Candlelight Nights begins at 5:00 PM Thursday, Oct. 28th, as we begin our 7th annual “Enchanted Evening Candle Light Christmas” Thousands of white lights and candle light are the feature event of the evening. As we dim the lights, you’ll enjoy the Holiday atmosphere as you shop by candle light. Bring a friend to F a a "Til enjoy this one of a kind event! 4 ;: 3 — ' Open ‘House Specials = =■■ *W iW (2004) 5’ pine 4’ born) garland for a special price of s S w> **6- $ 50 , ° gift certificates (2 each dag • /)'( ( Draw illgineed not In present t(\ win)

Community

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ABOVE An early photo of the Caris oneroom school house which was used until 1946. It was located on the northwest corner of County Roads 900 North and 425 West. RIGHT Jake and Clara Fox lived across the street from the Hastings school. Jake fired the furnace for the school, and the couple housed the school's teachers. PHOTOS PROVIDED

Nappanee Library News

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library on Tuesdays, Nov. 9. through Dec. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for $75. To register, call "Nurse on Call" at (574) 535-2600 or toll free at 877-846-4447. Childcare and meals will be available at each meeting, and funds may be available to assist with fees for those with financial need. Quilting Guild The Artful Quilters. a guild for those interested in new quilting techniques, will meet on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the library . The next meeting will be held Nov. 11. Join the fun and fellowship with other quilters while keeping up to date with new activities and techniques in the quilting world. Bring your own projects to share, cheek out planned programs for the coming year and sign up for trips. Membership is open to anyone. Yearly dues are sls and will be used forthe benefit of the guild. Those interested may attend two meetings to get I acquainted before becoming members. For more information, contact Londa' Harwell (773-7650), Marka Harwell-Bentley (773-5774) or Connie' Kauffman (773-7089); Book Club Read along with the Cover to Cover Book Club at the library. The club will meet on Sunday. Nov. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss their next title: "Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars" by Joel Glenn Brenner. Participants of the group are encouraged to call the library to reserve their copy of the book. Reader's guides and a list of selections for the remainder of the year are also available at die adult services desk. For more information on any of the above items, call the library at 7737919 . or go to www.nappanee.lib.in.us.

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