Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 10, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 9 March 2006 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE MEETING The Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce will host a Legislative Town Hall meeting on March 11 in the Wakarusa Town Hall meeting room. The session will begin at 9 am with a short update from each legislator, followed by a question and answer period. Senator Ryan Mishler, Representative Bill Friend and Representative Jackie Walorski have been invited to talk about the current status of Governor Mitch Daniel's Major Moves plan and other issues that are being finalized during this session. This is an opportunity to come out and meet your state legislators and hear where the legislative session is moving and give your input. Your voice can make a difference. For further information, contact the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce @ 862-4344. CURRENT CLUB The Current Club will meet on March 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Susie Pletcher. Special speaker will be Rev. David Harrold of the United Methodist Church. ST. PATRICK'S BUFFET Miller's Senior Living Community will host a St. Patrick's Day Buffet on March 17 from 11 a m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of SB. Reservations are required for the buffet, and may be obtained by calling 862-1918. •* NURSERY SCHOOL Registration begins on March 20. Come by school between 8:15 and 11:15 a.m. or between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. for an application. For more information, please call 773-3917. UCCB SUPPER The Union Center Church of the Brethren is hosting a homemade chicken and noodles supper on Saturday, March 25 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. This all-you-can-eat dinner is $7 for See AROUND, Page A 3 Contact Us Advance News 158 W. Market St. P.O. Box 230 Nappanee, IN 46550 Office Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday Phone: 574-773-3127 (news) 1-800-933-0356 (ads) Fax: 574-773-3512 Email [email protected]

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Still ‘Whelan’ and dealin’ aha- 65 years

By Anthony Godson Editor While many current marriages fall short, Hank and Ruby Whelan continue to go strong. "People today are more independent," Hank said about why so many modem marriages fail. "We are dependent on each other, and love each other." That dependence and love has lasted for over 60 years as the couple celebrated its 65th wedding anniversary on Feb 1. "I help him, and he helps me," Ruby said about the dependence the two share. The Whelans journey began back in 1932 when Hank moved back to Barbee Lake, near North Webster. "He came home at 11 years old after his father passed away," Ruby said. "He was living in Ohio, but then his mother brought him home to her parents." It was there that Hank and Ruby met, living only a halfmile away from each other. While they had known each other for years, it wasn't until many years later that they become romantically involved. During their courtship, Hank would trek over to Ruby's parents, where many times they'd

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advance news photos/a w gadson Firefighters from around the area stood at attention as Gregory Freed’s procession past by the Nappanee Fire Department.

North Wood

By Anthony Godson Editor The North Wood band couldn't have done any better. On Feb. 25 members of the North Wood band competed in the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Of its 45 entries, North Wood brought home 45 gold ratings, where only gold, silver and bronze are awarded. "In terms of the number entries and number of kids we took down there, that's never happened ■ here before," North Wood Director of Bands Barry Houser commented. Before competing at the state level, North Wood first needed to qualify by competing at the district competition held at Penn High School on Jan. 28. At that competition, North Wood qualified its 45 entries. "We usually send between 15 to 20, as opposed to 45," Houser said about past numbers at the state level. Of the 45 entries, students could compete as soloists, or as part of an ensemble. At North Central, between 2,500 and 3,000 students from across the state broke up into different rooms, performing for three to five minutes before judges. It's there that the students received their ratings. With up to 3,000 students performing at the competition, it was a bit hectic, and a bit timeconsuming. "We performed throughout

walk down to the local hotel to listen to the jukebox. "We just got going together," Hank recalls about his and Ruby's relationship. Back then, Hank and Ruby spent much of their time walking, as Hank would pick her up and they'd just walk to the lake. "I remember walking to her house in 10-below zero weather," Hank said. After courting Ruby for a period of time, the two decided to get married in Columbia City bn Feb. 1, 1941. Hank was almost 20 years old when he took the 18-year old Ruby's hand in marriage. Now, over 65 years later, they're still going strong. "She's just put up with me," a sarcastic Hank said about the reason the two have stayed together over the years. After marrying, the couple stayed at Barbee Lake until Hank took a job with Pacific Molasses in 1964. While working at the Syracuse and Bremen plants, the Whelans moved to Nappanee, where they've been ever since. As Hank worked as the plant manager, Ruby worked in the office at the factory. The two kept that arrangement going

is golden at competition

the day," Houser said. "We left here at 6 a.m., and didn't get back until 7:30 p.m." Among the entries at the state competition was the drum ensemble, which performed the song "Mo Java." "The song has more of a latinfeel," junior Tony Riga said about the song. "I like it, because it has a quicker beat, and it's just more fun." Freshman Dan Slabaugh was also a part of the ensemble, and was happy with how all of his bandmates performed. "They were doing really well, and no one really messed up," he said. Both students believed that North Wood would do well at the competition, but not as well as it did. "I thought we get at least a few silver (ratings)," Riga commented. Perhaps the students did do so well because of the work put in, as attested to by Slabaugh. "We practiced the pieces for about three hours a week, until two weeks prior to the competition," the freshman said. "Then we practiced them everyday." The practice seems to have paid off, and with North Wood doing so well, people are now taking notice as if they weren't before. "This shows people that the band continues to get better, and the program continues to grow," Houser said. Among the gold rating winner at the competition were:

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ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/A.W. GADSON Hank and Ruby Whelan are as happy as ever after 65 years of union.

until Ruby retired five years prior to Hank, who will be retired for 20 years this April. Even though he no longer works at the factory, Hank still keeps himself busy. He has been

To honor the passing of Gregory Freed, a 19-year veteran of the Nappanee Volunteer Fire Department. firefighters drove his casket atop one of their fire engines on March 1 en route to the Bremen Cemetery following funeral services at the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.

Flugelhom Solo - Brad Paulus; Flute Choir - Danielle Stutzman, Samantha Clark, Dani Huber, Hannah Kurtz, Andrea Martin, Kristen Minnich, Amanda Stahl and Karen Wakefield; Clarinet Trio - Katie Henke, Janna Peterson and Jaclyn Sonnet; Flugelhom Solo - Brett Johnson; F Horn Sqlo - Kayla Smith; Trumpet Quartet - Brad Paulus, Brett Johnson, Sarah Lucas and Sam Carney; Clarinet Choir - Katie Henke, Jenna Kurtz Cayla Anderson, Samantha Loutzenhiser, Ann Lucas, Molly McFerren, Brad Nissley, Janna Peterson, Christina Schmitt,

a member of the Nappanee Plan Commission for 12 years, been a member of the Rotary Club for 28 years (26 years in Syracuse) and the both of Whelans still work with the Open Door Food

Katie Schmitt, Jaclyn Sonner, Jillian Wegmiller and Krystal Zimmerman; Percussion Ensemble - Robby Balough, Alysia Borsa, Jacob Grabill, Shawn Kronk, Erin Ortiz, Thomas Reid, Anthony RigA, Matt Riege, Chad Schmucker, Dan Slabaugh and Brian Ufkin; Flute Solo - Maggie Ward; Tuba Solo - Laura Schiefer; Trumpet Solo - Brad Paulus. JAZZ BANDS Also, this past weekend the North Wood Jazz Band I and Jazz Band II each earned on gold ratings at the ISSMA Jazz Contest.' Members of those bands are: Matt Christianson, Krystal Zimmerman, Maggie Ward, Katie Henke, Ben Geleske, Drew Miller, Rachel Messick, Michael Schmitt, Ben Leavitt, Brad Paulus, Brett Johnson, Sarah Lucas, Sam Carney, Alison Leavitt, Kayla Smith, Kendra Lentz, Taylor Christianson, Rachel Wenger, Danielle Stutzman, Annie Grosse, Kory Weldy, Ben Peterson, Trenna Hurst, Lucas Schaffer, Isaac Blosser, Austin Stephens, Tanner Stephens, Patrick Messick, Harlan Eagan, Derrick Stevens, Stephen Abel, Rachel Stull, Caleb Lechlitner, Shawn Kronk, Kyle Smith, Carter Ammerman and Brian Ufkin. Photos of the band can be found on Page A 2 under NorthWoocTGold Rating Winners

Pantry in Nappanee, which provides free food for underprivileged families. "I come in on Monday mornSee WHELANS, Page A 3 Talking to yourself before reacting By Anthony Godson Editor Sometimes that voice in your head isn't a bad thing. "We all have a voice inside of our heads," licensed Marriage and Family Counselor Mike Aemmer said. "Your thoughts are constantly active." While speaking as part of the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce monthly business luncheon at Heritage House, Aemmer condensed a sevenpart program into 45 minutes. "I've picked a piece of what I thought would be helpful," he said about choosing one of his seven parts for the luncheon. Aemmer's emphasis during the luncheon was on what he. referred to as "self-talk." The counselor commented that self-talk is that tiny voice in our heads, which tells us if we can accomplish objectives. Aemmer said that we often relate our emotions to outside sources, but they actually come from us. As an example, Aemmer talked about going to the dentist. Instead of actually fearing the needle and drill that goes along with dentist visit, people often cause the stress themselves. "Therefore, what a person 'thinks' about a situation is likely the biggest factor influencing how they feel and respond," he said. Aemmer said that for the most part, our self-talk is often negative. He said that if we want to, we can control our feelings. "Owning our feelings is freedom," he said. In owning our feelings, Aemmer said that we can selfevaluate ourselves, instead of blaming others. "As long as we see ourselves as a victim, we don't have to accept responsibility," he said. Aemmer said that he asks himself "What’s true, about me?" As an example of his own self-improvement, Aemmer relayed a story about his son, Artie, teaching him a lesson. After Artie had done someSee AEMMER, Page A 3