Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 135, Number 43, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 27 October 2016 — Page 1

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&2&i> yOcv-*Ree 'BOOK BYTES' AT WPL WAKARUSA Bites"/ is an informal story hour held in the children's room at the Wakarusa Public Library at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 27. This week's event will spotlight the story of "Sophie's Squash" by Pat Zietlow Miller, followed by an activity or craft. Children do not need to be registered to attend this program. 'FALLING LEAVES NAPPANEE Leaf pick-up has now begun in the city of Nappanee. Street Superintendent Brent Warren is reminding residents to separate their brush from the leaf piles to keep from damaging the collection equipment. Residents on Main Street (S.R. 19) and Market Street (U.S. 6) must bag their leaves. Brush, twigs, and branches will still be hauled away on an asneeded basis. CELEBRATE AUTUMN WAKARUSA - The town of Wakarusa is gearing up for their annual Fall Party, sponsored by the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 at North Wood Middle School. The doors will open for admission at 6:45 p.m. There is a costume contest for all ages, along with free dder, doughnuts, and hot chocolate. Goody bags will be given to those in costume, and the judging begins promptly at 7 p.m. The popular cake walk will follow the contest, from 8 to 9 p.m. REPRESENT WA-NEE NAPPANEE Robin Bilinski, yearbook advisor for North Wood High School, is currently serving on the planning committee for the JEA/NSPA (Journalism Education Association/ National Scholastic Press Association) Convention, which is being held in Indianapolis from Nov. 1-13. The big push is to promote Hoosier hospitality and demonstrate the hometown feel. They are currently seeking donations for the adviser gift bags and a silent auction to benefit the Student Press Law Center. The goal is to provide 800 bags, and Bilinski hopes to have one item from the community in each bag to showcase what the Wa-Nee community has to offer. Donations must be received by Oct. 28, and Bilinski can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected], or by callSee Around, PageA2

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Madison Street dedicated to one who championed its preservation and history

EMBRACE THE PACE... By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer Madison Street was one of the first eight roads to be established in the City of Nappanee. All were written into the city planning in December 1874. Today Madison Street remains instrumental for routing daily traffic. The northern district, known for its brick patterned path, is also part of an historic district today. This year the first four blocks of Madison Street have been restored and updated to preserve the brick path's historic look while maintaining its stability as a roadway. The finished project was celebrated this week as city leaders dedicated the street in honor of the late Tom Lehman because he spent years promoting the cause of preserving the roadway. "I have much gratitude to Tom Lehman for all his work on the City Council and Board of Works," said Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins, referring to his mentor of many years. Jenkins began his work on city boards, commissions and the council while Tom Lehman was still alive and serving the city. Lehman served his hometown of Nappanee, and its many residents, throughout his life. He was a member of the Nappanee Common Council over 20 years even serving as deputy mayor. He also served on the Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety, and served countless other roles throughout all levels of the city both personally and as a member of city government. In addition to being a member of the Nappanee Open Door Board of Directors, Tom Lehman was also a volunteer there spending his time helping Nappanee citizens needing assistance with groceries and contact information for agencies that could help with other needs during times of crises. He was also active in the Methodist Church on West Market Street, the Masons and Nappanee Rotary Qub. Each group knew as did Nappanee citizens Lehman could be counted on to listen, recognize legitimate needs and growth opportunities at every level. "He always did his research on everything," said Gty Attorney Brian Hoffer. 'Tom always made good decisions for our city because he researched everything first before he voted." The Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce honored then Nappanee Common Councilman Tom Lehman as the "2008 Gtizen of the Year." "It's a shame Tom can't be here with us," said Coundlwoman Kim Ingle during the street dedication, held Oct. 24. "I remember every time the budget came around, he came to me and said, 'can we fit that street in on the budget this year?"' Lehman brought the question to Ingle during her 30+ years as Nappanee Clerk-Treasurer because she was responsible for oiganizing the financial plans for the city each year. Present during the street dedication were Tom Lehman's widow, Becky Lehman. Also present were his son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Dawn Lehman, and their children, Brooklyn and Jacob Lehman. "I really appreciate this (dedication of the street)," said widow Becky Lehman. 'Tom really wanted (historic Madison Street restored), and I really appreciate them doing all of this in his honor." HISTORY OF THE STREET Recorded history on the Gty of Nappanee indicates that in December 1874 the first eight streets were outlined for existence Main, Market, Madison, Lincoln, Walnut, Elm and Gark. Each received major wear and tear as horse-drawn buggies and wagons made their way through town alongside all the foot traffic. Putting the plans on paper did not immediately result in creating sturdy passages. Instead it is reported by Rocki Stillson, Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission, that the original streets consisted mainly of timber some still plagued with soggy patches of cattails and swamp. History records that by the year 1884 over a thousand wagons full of gravel were emptied in the streets to help passage through the swamp portions, and through all areas after rains left thick mud behind. Later, in 1899, the Town Board decided that each street should be either brick or paved. Work didn't begin for another eight years, and brick roads weren't laid until the ninth year. One significant historic fact states that at the time the original brick roads were laid, the materials were made right here in Nappanee, at a brick yard located between North Main and North dark Streets, day for those bricks is recorded as having originated somewhere along the area of North

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Gark Street. It is worth noting that in 1908 it cost the Town of Nappanee $78,827.45 to establish a concrete base, bricks, gutters and curbs on both Main and Market Streets. In 2016, it cost the Gty of Nappanee approximately $165,000 to pull up the historic bricks on Madison Street, lay a cement foundation and curbing with needed guttering, and realign new bricks onto the roadway. "...in 1908 it cost the Town of Nappanee $78,827.45 to establish a concrete base, bricks, gutters and curbs on both Main and Market Streets. In 2016, it cost tiie City of Nappanee approximately $165,000 ...on Madison Street."

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Photos by Merrie Chapman ABOVE: This year, the City of Nappanee had four blocks of the historic brick roadway on North Madison Street restored a project long sought by former Nappanee Common Councilman Tom Lehman. On Oct. 24, the finished project was completed, and all four blocks of the restored street were dedicated in honor of Lehman and all his work to ensure the completion. Present at the event were members of the Tom Lehman family. Front, from left: Grandchildren Jacob and Brooklyn Lehman; back, from left: Son and daugh-ter-in-law Roger and Dawn Lehman, and widow Becky Lehman. LEFT: The 2016 Madison Street Restoration Project began last spring and has ended with a level surface to travel, and a beautiful path welcoming both travelers and passersby wishing to glimpse into the city's history. Restored were four blocks of brick streets which were dedicated Monday evening in honor of the late Tom Lehman who fought endlessly to make the restoration happen. ROAD EXPERIENCES WEAR AND TEAR As the town grew into a dty two brick streets remained but the pathway sagged and swayed. During the street dedication jokes were even shared about one intersection in particular that was such a deep drop that people used to comment about the sparks flying from cars as they crossed and the bottom of the vehicle dropped deeply to hit the next portion of the road or nit the incline hard enough to scrape the car's metal. Thanks to 2016 Madison Street Restoration project the road now features an even route of travel, is made up of four blocks of historic bricks, and is pleasing to the eye. The two phase project began last spring and continued throughout the summer. Now the decades-old vision originating from the late Tom Lehman has come to fruition. In honor of his ceaseless efforts the restored brick streets residing in the first four blocks of North Madison Street are dedicated in his name. Hats off to the late Tom Lehman for his service, dedication and vision for the Gty of Nappanee. Lehman truly embraced the pace of his hometown each passing year as he worked to preserve the old while evolving the dty to meet the new and changing needs of residents and local government.