Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 135, Number 47, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 24 November 2016 — Page 1

Smiley 102 W. Mmrirn St, Nappaiut • 574-773-0700 TtU Fnt: Qtt-773-9700

HOUDAY HOURS FOR LIBRARY NAPPANEE On Thursday, Nov. 24, the Nappanee Public Library will be closed for the Thanksgiving day holiday. CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY WAKARUSA The Wakarusa Public Library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24 in observance of Thanksgiving Day. HELP OPEN DOOR FILL PANTRY NAPPANEE PeopleLink Staffing Services of Nappanee is conducting a food drive, and those who participate will be entered into a drawing to win one of two SSO Visa gift cards. Simply bring in a food item to the office, located at 107 W. Lincoln St. and drop it in the box. For every item brought in, one entry is earned toward the drawing. The food collection will take place between Nov. 28 and Dec. 30, and the winners will be drawn on Dec. 30. All donations collected will be given to the Open Door food pantry of Nappanee. Some suggestions for donations that are needed include canned vegetables, crackers, canned fruit, toilet paper, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, chips, paper towels, and other non-perishable goods. WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? WAKARUSA Story Hour guests of the Wakarusa Public Library will hear a tale about foxes, including "Fox's Garden" by Princesse Camcam on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 at 10:15 a.m. The sessions are for children ages 3-5 years old who are registered in the program. LEARN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING NAPPANEE The All American Wrestling Academy is beginning its winter session for elementary and middle school age wrestlers, and Will continue through January. The staff is dedicated to helping young wrestlers train to become champions and to assist each wrestler to attain his goals. The yearlong academy conducts practices on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 to 6:30 at 69954 CR 11 in Nappanee. The academy is open to dll area wrestlers of differing abilities. Cost for the winter session is S4O. For more information, See Around, Page A 3

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DAT photo North Wood's football team poses for a semistate championship photo following the Panthers'2l-14 win at Lowell last Friday night. North Wood advances to the Class 4A state championship game opposite Roncalli at Lucas Oil Stadium this Friday.

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By Steve Sittler Correspondent LOWELL On a cold and windy night in northwest Indiana, when the weather played havoc with the vaunted NortnWood offensive attack, the Black Crunch defense stepped up once again, allowing just one offensive touchdown as the Panthers rallied to defeat the host Lowell Red Devils 21-14 in the Class 4A northern semistate. The win puts the unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Panthers into the state championship game for the first time since 2005 where they will face No. 1-ranked Indianapolis Roncalli.

Community comes together to kickoff Christinas season

By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer NAPPANEE Unusually warm 70 degree temperatures last Friday gave way to colder weather that evening which in turn welcomed snow flurries through the night, and all day Saturday. The transition was perfectly timed to authenticate the city's annual Miracles at Main and Market Streets celebration. The Christmas spirit poured through crowds spanning over four city blocks to watch the evening lighted parade. A loving hometown feel made everyone present feel like family. That was true no matter if they were family, friends, neighbors or strangers. That same sentiment followed all traveling to the covered downtown pavilion where the parade ended and Nappanee's annual Christmas kickoff celebration began. The lighted parade began at the Boys & Girls Club three blocks north of Nappanee's downtown square (U.S. 6 and S.R. 19). It traveled south on Main Street (S.R. 19) through the streets lined with all ages welcoming and admiring parade participants, and continued to Lincoln Street before traveling one block west to Clark Street. Those watching the parade were awed by a

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By Amy Lant*Wenger Assistant Editor NAPPANEE One by one, they came forward, each taking turns speaking with eaual measures of eloquence and entnusiasm. Some came from great distances, while others still call Nappanee home. And when they spoke about the guest of honor, there were many phrases used to describe the man

Ki f iu are doina a San& picture 646610 n mL on November 30tn at Nappanee Veterinary Hospital from 9-Noon It is that time of year to set up an appointment for your pet photo session. We will email you the picture for whatever use you want. You can bring in your pet or pets for a picture. Children can also be in the picture. call to set up your appointment before the November 30th date. .fjj. 1 I Nappanee Veterinary Hospital 151 W. Lincoln St, Nappanee * 888-773-4121 or 574-7?M||l

SPORTS Panthers continue dominance; undefeated Cont. Page A 8

Thursday, November 24,2016

"This is pandemonium", said a happy head coach Nate Andrews amid a throng of North Wood revelers on the field. "I'm really happy for these kids and not only them but some of our graduated guys from the last couple of years who are out here enjoying this and were a part of the foundation". After a torrential downpour soaked the field about two hours before kickoff, the stands were packed on both sides at The Inferno with a cold wind howling out of the west at more than 20 miles per hour. Not surprisingly, the first series by each team ended

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Nov. 19 marked the start of the Christmas season for Nappanee residents as the community gathered to share in a lighted parade followed by celebrating together. Pictured at left, from left: Nola Nephew, 7,and Gavin Nephew, 5, journeyed downtown to watch the evening parade. Inspired by the lighted parade entries, both came adorned in bright Christmas lights. Right: Red Regiment members Nick Clark, a sophomore at North Wood High School, and Brendan Slaven, a freshman, joined fellow band members to march from Market Street Suites to Lincoln Street. The parade ended a block west on Clark Street, at the covered downtown pavilion, where the community celebrated the season together.

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walking nativity, three wise men and their camels, shepherds, angels represented by young people of the community, and many other

who would always "bleed Bulldog blue." They said he was tenacious. And they said he was determined. Yet when they all talked about the legacy of Chuck Grimm, one particular word kept creeping up in the commentary. Chuck Grimm, they all said, was passionate about his beloved city of Nappanee. Those sentiments were all very evident in a touching ceremony

with three-and-outs as the defensive units were clearly fired up and ready to play. On their second series, the Panthers drew first blood by taking over at their own 24-yard line and driving 76 yards in just seven plays. The touchdown came on a freak play as Brayton Yoder, fighting for a first down on fourth and 1 at the Lowell 31-yard line, coughed up the football, which was scooped up by tight end Drew Minnich, who raced 30 yards to the end zone. A false start penalty on the extra point forced NortnWood to kick in the brutal cross-wind, but Adler Chamberlain trotted out and

forms of spiritual celebration calling attention to the true meaning of Christmas. See Season, Page A 3

which commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Nappanee Center, a facility which the late Grimm was very instrumental in bringing about. Grimm passed away in March of this year at the age of 71. Many city officials and leaders, both past and present, turned out to mark the milestone, reflecting upon how the sprawling Market Street structure came to become the Center, how the collection grew, and of the tireless efforts from both

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People came from throughout the City of Nappanee and beyond to the Miracles on Main and Market Street. Familiar faces were seen laughing together awaiting start of the annual Christmas Parade. While strangers were also present it was never obvious as all in the crowds freely greeted and visited with one another. ABOVE: Jason and Amber Stroud traveled from Goshen to witness for the first time Nappanee's lighted parade, and experience the community celebration which followed. LEFT: From left: Nappanee natives Brian, Wrigley and Dale Barr arrived downtown early to get prime positions for viewing the parade.

calmly drilHl the PAT to make it 7-0 Panthers. The Red Devils answered with a long drive, mostly on the legs of standout running back Trevor Espravnik, but it died deep in North Wood territory as the Black Crunch defense stiffened. The defensive struggle continued as the Panthers were forced to punt on their next two possessions, sandwiched around a three-and-out by Lowell. The Devils then put together yet another long drive featuring 12 runs by Espravnik, but a great fourthSee Panthers, Page A 8

Photos/Merrie Chapman

Grimm and Evelyn Lehman Culp. It was ten years ago that the maintenance of the Heritage Collection evolved into a joint endeavor between the City of Nappanee, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Redevelopment Commission, and many volunteers. Prior to that time, the Heritage Collection was primarily organized by Culp, who See Center, Page A 2