Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 29, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 20 July 2006 — Page 13

Community gets social with its team

By Anthony Gadson Editor Motorists looking to head south on Elkhart Street between Waterford and Harrison streets in Wakarusa on last August came across quite a surprise—an ice cream social right in the heart of the town. As an ode to-the old time feelings of a small town's relationship to its football team, the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce hosted an ice cream social for the North Wood team, cheerleaders and band. And something must have worked, as the football team went on to win its first ever state championship. "It's something we did a number of years ago, and it just fell out," Dr. Robert M. Abel said about the event. "We're proud of the football team, the cheerleaders and the band, and our town wanted to show that." The band opened ceremonies by playing fight songs, before North Wood head football coach Rich Dodson introduced each of the football players on hand. "This is the first one we've had after a number of years of hanging on, in the late 70s and early 80s," Dodson said about bringing his team to the social. With it being so early in the season, Dodson was more familiar with the numbers and last names of his

Wfl lUoo church*

NAPPANEE •Pillar of Fire 26358 US 6 East, Nappanee • Maranatha Fellowship 9636 W. Hepton Rd., Nappanee 773-2740 • Nappanee Missionary Church SR 19 at CR 50 773-7773 • Bible Way Apostolic Church 26148 US 6 East, Nappanee 773-7882 • County Line Assembly of God 300 Haney Dr., Nappanee 773-7509 • Calvary Baptist Church 201 E. Market St., Nappanee 773-7454 • First Brethren Church 1600 N. Main St., Nappanee 773-4252 • Brethren In Christ Church 1601 N. Main St., Nappanee 773-3365 • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Traditional Catholic Church 458 W. Walnut Sl, Nappanee 773-2770 • Berea Christian Fellowship Church 12944 N. 1100 W. 773-7603 •First Church of God Corner of CR 7 and 54 773-7743 • Church of the Brethren

301 Mack Dr., Nappanee 773-4044 • Turkey Creek Church of the Brethren 72906 CR 13 773-3700 • Union Center Church of the Brethren 70535 CR 11 773-4295 • City Church 1105 W. Market St., Nappanee 773-5343 • SL John’s Lutheran Elea 655 S. Main SL, Nappanee 773-7571 • Bethel Conservative Church 25402 CR 50 773-3570 • First Mennonhe Church 900 W. Market St., Nappanee 773-7294 • North Main Street Mennonhe Church 504 N. Main SL, Nappanee 773-4558 • Hepton Union Church 9266 W. Hepton Rd., Nappanee 773-2388 • Living Gospel Church 302 W. Walnut SL. Nappanee 773-7110 • North Wood Chapd 28220 CR 52 773-7895 • First Presbyterian Church 1155 N. Main SL, Nappanee 773-3773

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ADVANCE NEWS FILE/A.W GADSON North Wood coach Rich Dodson addresses the crowd at last year’s ice cream social in downtown Wakarusa. players than their full names, but played it off to the supportive Wakarusa community. Following Wakarusa's downtown revitalization last year, Abel was eager to show off the new look. "The revitalization is what really made us want to do

• United Methodist Church 301 E. Market St., Nappanee 773-4183 • lglesia De Christo Klim 475 W. Randolph St., Nappanee 574-354-0127 • Ministerios Cordero 558 W. Walnut St., Nappanee 773-5253 • New Beginnings Assembly of God 300 Haney Dr., Nappanee 574-551-3560 WAKARUSA • Bethel Missionary Church 63473 CR 7, Wakarusa 862-2631 • Bible Baptist Church 205 E. Waterford Sl, Wakarusa 862-2214 • Hoideman Mennonhe Church 6523 CR 1, Wakarusa 862-4751 • Wakarusa Missionary Church 202 W. Waterford Sl 862-2102 •Wakarusa United Methodist Church 309 S. Elkhart SL 862-2863 • Yellow Creek Church of the 65575 CR 11 862-2672

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Explore Wa-Nee • July 27,2006 •

this," Abel said. "We're proud of our town, and our ■chamber wanted to show its appreciation with this." Abel first approached North Wood High School Band Director Barry Houser about the sotial the prior spring, planting the seed for the event. "Last spring I began talking to Barry Houser, and he said he'd love to do it," Abel said. "From there I talked to coach Dodson, and it took off from there." Following the introductions of the players, cheerleaders and the band, everyone at the event was free to enjoy ice cream and cookies/baked at the Wakarusa Bakery. Cook's Pizza also provided great assistance to make the event a success. "It's something everyone wanted to do," Abel said. The weather cooperated as best it could, which led to many people turning out. "We had so many people that we had to run out for more ice cream cups," Abel mused. The day after the social, football players held an inter-squad scrimmage and with a scrimmage against South Bend Washington set for the following week, the social may have kicked off the 2005 North Wood Panthers football season. "It's just nice to get the guys out of their pads and practice to come over here and get ice cream," Dodson said.

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