Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 16, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 22 April 2010 — Page 3

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Pholo by Anita Munson Ed Geleske, from left, Jim Shay, and Gail Abel served up customers with smiles and hot Italian sausage and pork chops from the Wakarusa United Methodist Church food tent at the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival during lunch Friday.

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Brad Oelio blazes through a drum routine while atop his parade float. Delio, a fourthgrade student at Wakarusa Elementary, was the youth winner of the 'Wakarusa’s Got Talent* competition, which was held Friday.

Festival, cont. from front

Even Saturday's brisk winds served a bit of a.purpose, as the joyous sounds and tantalizing aromas drifted along with the breezes to points far beyond the downtown thoroughfare. But a display from Miller Fireplace & Stove was really welcomed by festival-goers it was the "hot spot" to be. Music and pageantry were dominant themes on Friday evening, as local singers Younger Generation from Wakarusa Elementary, the North Wood Middle School choir, North Wood High School's Dawning Generation, and the Vocal Jazz musicians of North Wood High School each appeared onstage at the Entertainment Tent. Cher at North Wood Middle School's gymnasium, the parking lot and the gymnasium were both filled to capacity as friends and family members arrived to cheer on their favorite Queen and Sweetheart contestants. Seventeen young ladies, all eighth grade students of North Wood Middle School, stood elegantly attired alongside 11 sweetly dressed kindergarten girls from the Wakarusa school district. At the conclusion of the Valfjie OStrowskj was selected by her peers to 6e-the 2QIO Syrup Festival QUeeji, an announcement that followed 1 bjr thujideroiis cheers and applause from Her friends and classmates. Ostrowski, the daughter of Bruce arid Kristi Ostrowski of Nappanee, received a queen's sash, a necklace donated by Dru's Jewelry, a jar of maple syrup, and a SSO savings bond. Finalists included first runner-up Alana Strycker, the daughter of James and Kim Strycker of Nappanee. Ashley Stump, the daughter of Tim and Darlene Stump of Nappanee, was named second runner-up, while Sara Ivin, the daughter of Bob and Diane Ivin of Nappanee, was chosen as third runner-up. Lashae Nisly received the honor of the "Spirit of Wakarusa" award, as the winner of an essay contest in which all contestants described the most influential person of her life. Nisly's heartfelt essay, which was read aloud by 2009 Maple Syrup Festival Queen Lindsay Zeigler, gave tribute to her grandmother, a powerful force of familial love who has been Nisly's hero while battling cancer. For her award, Nisly also received a SSO savings bond, a sash, a necklace, and a jar of maple syrup. There were two young ladies who were crowned Sweetheart Kira Gongwer, the daughter of Todd and Traci Gongwer of Wakarusa; and Arianna Topping, the daughter of Brian and Stephanie Topping of TJy girls were named at oTthe voting process, during which local residents could place money In jars with the contestants' pictures on them. The jars were situated at Cook's Pizza and

Photos by Amy nrCflycr Lyle Miller and Brodie Long compete to see who can retrieve the most pennies from jars of live crickets during the 'Kid's Scare Factor"contest, held at the new downtown park on Saturday afternoon. Both boys put forth a valiant effort for the final finish, but the winner was Steven Weaver of Nappanee.

Interra Credit Union. The one who received the highest amount of money is then deemed the winner, with this year's contest ending in a tie. Saturday morning's schedule of events and contests began in earnest by mid-morn-ing, with one of the highlights being the festival parade, which moseyed through the heart of downtown Wakarusa shortly after 10 a.m. A busy afternoon swiftly followed, with many competitions and demonstrations lined up along Elkhart and Waterford Streets and places around the perimeter of the town, including the North Wood Middle School, the new Comer Case Restaurant, the Wakarusa Town Park, the Wakarusa Historical Museums, and the Bible Baptist Church. Many guests visited the Dime Store to partake of the jumbo jelly beans that have become a festival favorite. Several local churches provided a variety of sandwiches, baked goods, and other specialties, and of course, everyone stopped by the big iron kettle for a free bag or two of kettle-popped popcorn. Other popular out- . lets for local cuisine included the Lions Club paricqke and sausage breakfast at North Wood Middle School, where the line for admission was consistently winding out the front door throughout the event. Also well traveled was Nelson's Port-a-Pit, where the Wakarusa PTO was sponsoring their chicken barbecue. Country musician Corey Cox took to the stage by midday, with the audience filling the seats of the Entertainment Tent, while others lined the surrounding sidewalks and streets for a listen. Among the biggest attractions of the day were the "Scare Factor" competitions, which had categories for both youth and adults, the cross-cut saw event, the bed race, and the classic car show. The closing hours of the Festival ended on a boisterous high, as the retro classics from the 'sos and '6os were presented by Spike and the Bulldogs, a returning crowd favorite. By sundown on Saturday, the. air was tranquil and still, and small trails 6f leftover popcorn swished through die streets like confetti. The final vehicles made their way through town, passengers heading home with armloads of purchases and smiles on their faces. It was most definitely another successful Maple Syrup Festival. Here is a list of die winners from the various contests that were held during the course of the two-day Maple Syrup Festival. (Results for the bed race and the car show at press time.) 2010 Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival Queen Queen - Valerie Ostrowski Ist Runner-up - Alana Strycker 2nd-Runner-up - Ashley Stump 3rd Runner-up - Sara Ivin

Community

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Country musician Corey Cox and his band dazzled the audience during a Saturday performance in which every seat was spoken for, and the audience spilled over onto the sidewalks and streets.

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This group of skilled bakers represents the top honorees in their respective categories at the Maple Syrup Festival baking contest. From left are Gerry Nemeth, first place rolls, "Maple Syrup Coffee Treats;" Suzanne Grove, first place cookies, 'Maple Pecan Cookies;' Danielle Maust, first place cakes, "Maple Cake;" and Chastity Maust, first place pies,'Maple Cheesecake.'

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One-year-old Aden Gonzalez wears a joyful expression as he takes a ride on a miniature car at the carnival midway in the downtown sector.

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■ i ——am ■ ■ ■■ 1 Pictured is the 2010 Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival Queen, with members of the court. In front is Sweetheart winner Arianna Topping, Queen Valerie Ostrowski and Sweetheart Kira Gongwer. In bade Lashae Nisly, winner of the essay contest; Alana Strycker, first runner-up; Ashley Stump, second runner-up; and Sara Ivin, third runner-up.

“Spirit of Wakarusa” Essay Winner - Lashae Nisly 2010 Maple Syrup Festival Sweethearts - Kira Gongwer & Arianna Topping Maple Syrup Baking Contest Ist Place, Rolls Category - Gerry Nemeth, “Maple Syrup Coffee Treats” Ist Place, Cookies Category - Suzanne Grove. “Maple Pecan Cookies” Ist Place, Cakes Category - Danielle Maust, “Maple Cake” Ist Place, Pies Category - Chastity Maust, “Maple Cheesecake” “Wakarusa's Got Talent” winners Winner, Age 14 & Under - Brad Delio 2nd Place - Liam Burke 3rd Place - Mandy Meserve, Amber Haddar, & Maisun Christie Winner, Age 15 & Up - Emily Hoffman Parade entry winners Youth Category - Northern Indiana Michiana Girl Scouts Horses - Wells Fargo Horsedrawn Stagecoach Two-Wheel - Gabe Sterling Antique Auto - Michael and Denise Cannon, 1930 Model A Ford Truck Originality - 50th Virginia Company “D” Confederate Civil War Reenactors Pet/Animal - Rescued Greyhoud Float - Dr. Topping Dentistry of Nappanee Tractor - Bob and Juanita Weldy’s 1957 John Deere 520 Tractor, painted pink in honored breast cancer awareness Baby Olympics 0-12 Months, Crawling Ist Place - Lexi Bogen 2nd Place - Jeremiah Mobley 3rd Place - Benjimen Spicher 0-12 Months, Hurdles Ist Place - Lexi Bogen 2nd Place - Danae Goshen 3rd Place - Benjimen Spicher 12-24 Months, Running Ist Place - Carissa Goshert 2nd Place - Riley Bogen 3rd Place - Deborah Kratzer 12 -24 Months, Hurdles

Advance News • Thursday, April 22,2010

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During the mesmerizing practice of chainsaw sculpting, Doug Blosser turns an ordinary stump of wood into an elegant bird during a Saturday afternoon presentation near the downtown square.

Ist Place - Riley Bogen 2nd Place - Carissa Goshen 3rd Place - James Ramirez 24-36 Months, Running . Ist Place - Brooklyn Goshert 2nd Place - Bradley Culp 3rd Place - Rachel Harden 24-36 Months, Hurdles I st Place - Brooklyn Goshert 2nd Place - Rachel Harden 3rd Place - Bo Brunner 24-36 Months, Bag Throw Ist Place - Bradley Culp 2nd Place - Rachel Harden 3rd Place - Riley Dodson Cross Cut Saw contest Ist Place - Nick and Neal Brown, time 48:69 2nd Place - Troy Davidhizar and Mike Sauer, time 53:12 Pedal Tractor Pulls 3 & 4 Years Old Ist Place - Hunter Stauffer 2nd Place - Ty Brooks 3rd Place - Ethan Mestach 5 & 6 Years Old Ist Place - Gram Brooks 2nd Place - Ethan Evers 3rd Place - Jody Showalter 7 <t 8 Years Old Ist Place - Brock Flickinger 2nd Place - Kyle Slabaugh 3rd Place - Andrew Miller 9 A 10 Years Old Ist Place - Nathan Martin 2nd Place - Lyndon Bontrager 3rd Place - Tiara Zahner II A 12 Years Old Ist Place - Jamon Martin 2nd Place - Kendall Ramer 3rd Place - Nichole Mast Adult “Scare Factor” Winner - Caleb Jackson of Goshen Youth “Scare Factor” / Winner - Steven Weaver of Nappanee

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