Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 134, Number 1, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 5 January 2012 — Page 6

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• Advance News • Thursday, January 5,2012

Picture-perfect moments for 2011

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Look, from front

erally gave of themselves by donating blood June 24 during the Fallen Officers blood drive hosted by the American Red Cross. Welcome Center Quilt Garden flourishing NAPPANEE The Nappanee Welcome Center Quilt Garden continues to flourish at its new site, 302 W. Market St. This garden is one of 18 on the Elkhart County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (ECCVB) 2011 tour. Recently the all-volunteer committee enjoyed a decorated apple cake from Sonya Nash of the ECCVB. Millers offer new menu, bigger portions By Angel Perkins Editor NAPPANEE New menu. Bigger portions. Those are the two main things Steve and Vickie Miller have brought to the Dutch Kitchen restaurant (now Miller's Dutch Kitchen) since they purchased the restaurant March 31. That and their giant tenderloin of course. Corbins ‘plant’ themselves within Nappanee community By Angel Perkins Editor NAPPANEE Joel and Joyce Corbin have successfully planted themselves within the Nappanee community, serving it by making it a little more beautiful. The couple bought Fred's Flowers April 29 and jumped right in, opening the florist shop with the name Floral Cascades and the greenhouse, Plant Life, March 1. Dream comes true in downtown Wakarusa NAPPANEE "Owning my own business is just in my blood I guess" stated Alex Cook, -president,and owner of Pro IT Solutions. Growing up in his father, Stan Cook's business, Cook's Pizza, Alex had always dreamed of being "just like Dad" and owning his own business. His dream has come true. Four storefronts down West Waterford Street from Cook's stands a beautifullyremodeled building owned and operated by Cook himself. Congratulations, State champs! NAPPANEE The North Wood Thunder 12U baseball team here being presented and raising the trophy won the Town „& Country state championship Monday night in Sweetser. More coverage will be published in next week's Advance-News. Congratulations, boys!

BULK FOODS

Ton’s of Cheese Between 90 A 100 ton a year *j--6 Kinds of Meat *1 Chocolate *!* jC Candies ymjt Wfik. Hard Candies Nuts Dried Fruits 3V| Gummy Candies And All Kinds of yt Bulk Snacks Frozen Quick Meals Lots of Baking Supplies Lots of Sugar Free for Diabetics and Gluten Free Products *i Canning Supplies Some Unique Toys and JL ■ Kitchenware AND MUCH MORE!

* M m ** ■ - m rDvlu Oy Arrff pf rWunf AT LEFT Dr. Robert Abet sits smiling from the seat of a fire truck at the adoring family, friends and staff that surprised him Nov. 10. Photo by Angel Pertdna AT RIGHT: Rachel Clark won Nappanee’s Got Talent overall for her skills doing tricks while spinning a hula hoop. Here she attempts to twirl nine hoops around her frame. DAT photo BELOW: Panther comerback Nate Wager (82) nearly makes a spectacular one-handed interception in front of North ridge receiver Jaityn Rode. Fortunately for Northridge, the ball fell incomplete but the Panthers prevailed 41-6.

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‘Benue’ Beer recognized for 50 years of service By Lydia Beers y Staff Writer NAPPANEE This Friday, July 29, Bernard "Bemie" Beer will have been employed by McCormick Motors in Nappanee for 50 years. ... A group had garnered for a surprise ceremony, during which Mayor Larry Thompson presented Beer with a plaque commemorating his 50 years with the company. Now the president of McCormick Motors, Beer started as a salesman in 1961. AUGUST Samaritan’s Feet makes its way to Nappanee feet By Angel Perkins Edttor NAPPANEE —An initiative that began 28 years ago in Lagos, Nigeria has made its way to the Bremen and Nappanee area. This year will be the first "Back to Basics" Samaritan's Feet program hosted by Horizon Ministries and the Bremen United Methodist Church. Chinese artists visit festival as part of exchange By Merrie Chapman Correspondent NAPPANEE —A community rich in a history of woodcarving traditions, Nappanee welcomed, with open arms, a team of four Chinese artists from Dongyang, China, during the 49th annual Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival. According to Richard Pletcher, festival oiganizer and owner of Amish Acres Restaurant and Round Bam Theatre, the mix of Chinese artists featured on one side of the festival grounds, and the Amish crafters on the other both surrounded by English art forms and crafters was the highlight of his 49-year history with the festival. Wa-Nee schools saving money By Amy Wenger Correspondent NAPPANEE - During the 2010-11 school year, the staff and students of the Wa-Nee School Corporation adopted many practices designed to help the district become more energy-conscious. Members of the Board of School Trustees were pleased to discover that those habits have translated into a savings of more than $200,000 in just short of 12 months. Manufacturers to bring; more than 400 jobs V. By Angel Perkins Editor

Fresh Pies, Breads and Anything You Order Dally 1533 3»d IRA, BrMWi. IN • 574A4M010

Community

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Photo provlded\ AT RIGHT: Brittany Lengacherl shares a giggle with a special friend j in Kenya.

WAKARUSA Things may be looking up for those that are out of work or displaced by major layoffs that took place in the area. Monaco RV, LLC. a recreational manufacturer, announced earlier this month that it plans to relocate its motor coach manufacturing positions from Coburg, Ore. to Wakarusa which will create close to 400 jobs in addition to the more than 250 positions already filled at the local plant and as soon as 2012. SEPTEMBER Darla Burns is new Chamber assistant By Angel Perkins Editor Nappanee's Chamber of Commerce officially has a new administrative assistant. After interviewing 110 candidates for the position, Darla Bums, an area native, was selected, and started work last week. Chamber director Jeff Kitson and President of the Chamber's board of directors Arden Graber managed the difficult task of weeding through the applicants. Said Kitson: "We've got the right gal in my opinion." ‘Distinguished Hoosier’ awarded Photo by Merrie Chapman Bobbie Wilson was awarded the "Distinguished Hoosier Award" by Congressional contender Jackie Walorski during the 2011 Nappanee Apple Festival Grand Marshall's Reception. The award recognizes a lifetime of community service Wilson has put in at all levels in her hometown, residing county and state. Husband and wife team, Will and Bobbie Wilson, served as the 2011 Nappanee Apple Festival Grand Marshalls. OCTOBER Dumplings, mascot named Photo by Merrie Chapman The new "Adam Apple" mascot made his debut at the festival and was present during the Apple Dumpling Awards ceremony. Nappanee hit by EFO tornado four years after EF3 devastated community - By Merrie Chapman Correspondent NAPPANEE Oct. 18 will mark the fourth anniversary of the EF3 tornado that devastated the Nappanee community. A fact fresh in the minds of all who lived through it, and a fact that haunted residents last week as a second tornado touched down on the city's east side. The Sept. 27 tornado was classified as an

RESTAURANT

Breakfast Known for the Biscuits A Gravy Country Scramble Breakfast Burritos Farmers Breakfast Baked Mfc Oatmeal m Pancakes Sf .^ r * Lunch Soups Pizzas Croissant Sandwiches And watch for our FREE meal winners weekly t Restaurant Hours Opyn from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

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EFO. It was far weaker than the 2007 tornado which began its destruction southwest of the city, and continued to the northeast comer. Last week's tornado is still reported to have brought winds of 70 to 75 miles per hour and caused minor damages to roofing and trees. Wa-Nee schools get their own report cards By Amy Wenger Correspondent NAPPANEE Recent reports released by the state of Indiana affirm what the parents, staff, and students of the Wa-Nee district already know that the schools of this region continue to excel in their pursuance of education. Statistics were shared with members of the Wa-Nee Board of School Trustees during their most recent session. City approves land purchase By Merrie Chapman Correspondent NAPPANEE The Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety voted unanimously during a Sept. 26 meeting to purchase approximately 8.30 icres on the city's north side. The land is adjacent to the property currently owned by the Nappanee Water Utility. It will be purchased for approximately SB,OOO per acre. The newly-purchased property will be used to provide access and parking for new soccer fields to be built on top of the well fields at that location. North Wood honors legends Carter and Weaver _ By Steve Sutler Correspondent NAPPANEE of "Senior Night" the North Wood Panthers honored two legendary figures that have been a part of North Wood football since before the school even existed. Public address announcer Bryan Carter, who has been at the mic for 45 years, and chain-gang member Doug Weaver who spent 50 years on the sidelines, began their careers working for the Nappanee Bulldogs, and both are retiring at the completion of this season. Wa-Nee approves full-day kindergarten By Amy Wenger Correspondent NAPPANEE swiftly-executed demonstration of support, members of the Wa-Nee Board of Scnool Trustees voted unanimously to institute fullday kindergarten beginning in the 2012-13 school year. The vote was rendered during the

Monday, Oct. 10 evening session of the board. Board members were elated to learn that significant funds will be made available to the district through grants and other financial avenues proffered by the state of Indiana. NOVEMBER Panthers crush Plymouth to advance to final By Stev e Sittlek Correspondent PLYMOUTH - Coy Brown and Andrew Hahn combined to rush for 195 yards and three touchdowns, and four other Panthers found pay dirt as North Wood hammered file Plymouth Rockies 49-16 in file second round of the Gass 4A sectional. The 49 points were a season high for North Wood and the win See Look, Page A 7