Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 135, Number 48, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 1 December 2016 — Page 1

in W. MmHut St, Nappaiut • 574-773-*7OO naFnt:u*-m-*m

«Oar*Flee STORY TIME WAKARUSA - Book Bites, an informal story time, will be taking place on Monday, Dec. 5 at 10:15 a.m. at the Wakarusa Public Library. Children will hear a story or two, including "Charlie Needs a Cloak" by Tomie dePaola, and participate in either a craft or activity related to the stories. No registration is required. SPECIAL HOURS WAKARUSA - The Wakarusa Public Library will be opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 to allow staff to celebrate the holidays together. TOYS FOR TOTS DROP SITE WAKARUSA The annual Toys for Tots drive will continue running until Dec. 7. A donation box is located in the front foyer of the library, and donations will be distributed through the Family Christian Development Center of Nappanee. CHRISTMAS AT COPPES COMMONS NAPPANEE - Guests of Coppes Commons over the weekend of Dec. 9 and 10 will be treated to "A Coppes Christmas." Hours wifi be from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and from 10-4 p.m. on Saturday. There wifi be a live Nativity walk, free refreshments,' and live music, as well as a chance to win S3OO in Coppes Commons gift certificates, which will be given away on Friday. An artisan/ antique market will also be open for the duration of the weekend, and activities for the children will also be featured. For more details, call 574-773-0002. VISIT SANTA AT AMISH ACRES NAPPANEE - For a memorable holiday experience that will prove magical for the young ones, plan a trip to Amish Acres for "Breakfast With Santa" on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. Guests of all ages will enjoy Christmas carol singalongs, games, story time, and a ride on the "Candy Cane Express" around the farm's pond. Every child will also have the opportunity to be photographed with the jolly old elf himself. To reserve a space for $lO per child or sls per adult, call the box office at 800-800-4942. See Around, Page A 3

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Mental Attitude Winner DAT photo North Wood senior Drew Minnich poses with his parents, Darrin and Lisa, along with representatives of the IHSAA and the Indianapolis Colts after being selected as the winner of the Phil Eskew Mental Attitude Award following the Panthers'34-22 state finals loss to Roncalli.

TIF $ contributes to projects, planning, fees

By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer NAPPANEE Last week the Nappanee Common Council voted to use additional funding from the City Wide TIF District funds to help cover costs for road improvements, consultant and attorney fees, as well as demolishing two downtown homes recently purchased by the City of Nappanee in preparation of a new city parking lot. Over the course of the past month

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North Wood Spellers State Finalists Photo provided The North Wood High School Spell Bowl team completed the 2016 season by earning a state finalist designation at the finals at Purdue University. The team qualified for the state competition by finishing fourth in Class 2 out of 33 teams at the Area competition held at Northridge High School. The team is coached by Kelly Vorhis, an English teacher at North Wood High School. Front, from left: Sarah Foster, Madison Kuhn, Brittany Hershberger; back: Victor Castillo, Noah Brown, Zachary Yoder, Dawson Bley, Captain: Benedict Yoder, Corbin Knight, Jason McNeill. Not pictured: Coach Vorhis.

Shopping the scenic route

By Amy Lant-Wenger Assistant Editor REGIONAL Whether you're searching for a shopping experience that is literally off the beaten path, seeking that perfect gift item for a special recipient, or just want to support small business, there is an event coming to town that is both convenient and unique. This year's "Countryside Nite Out" will be held on Friday, Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. until midnight, and the participating merchants are encompassed witnin a wide range of rural Nappanee, Wakarusa, and Bremen shops. There will be refreshments and hourly psize drawings, with five winners collecting S3OO in "Countryside Cash." One lucky shopper who is available to secure seven or more stamps from any of the

Ember Gaines wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearl Only 24 days until Christmas! ■■■HM 104 S. Nchigan Stl 103 W. Laporti St Downtown Plymouth i in ■ u opowuly V 4 n A.* r W4»tt4|o« 574-935-0315 or message on Facebook

SERVING NAPPANEE & WAKARUSA

utility mains broke in the 100 block of North Williams Street. In responding to the emergency situation the city also chose to make some needed street improvements as the work finished and the roadway was built back into place. That led to the need for an additional $94,524.13 from the local TIF finances to cover costs. An additional $25,054.00 in TIF funds was requested and approved to cover additional expenses for the 2016 City Paving Project which included

stores sharing in the occasion will score SISOO in "Countryside Cash." Maps and further details are available at any of the following area businesses, all of whom are part of the holiday sales: Burkholder Country Store, 29999 CR 56, Nappanee - 574-773-4279 Burlington Bike Shop, 831 2nd B Road, Nappanee - 260-768-8134 Card Creations, 20736 CR 50, New Paris - 574-831-3475 Cedar Lane Bike Shop, 30489 CR 50, Nappanee - 574-773-3177 Cehtsible Clothing & More, 9720 W 1200 N, Nappanle - 574-646-2418 Country Home Furniture, 13778 N 950 W, Nappanee - 574-773-8908 Country Quilt Creations, 1611 3rd Road, Bremen - 574-546-5747 Countryside Vendors, 29607 CR 52,

Thursday, December 1,2016

detailed work around the new downtown covered pavilion. Two recently purchased residential houses required an estimated $38,000 to demolish in preparation of becoming a new city parking lot. Add to all of that $21,000 needed to pay the Troyer Group overseeing the planning of city projects, and an additional $25,853.48 needed to cover attorney fees. Together all these areas See TIF, Page A 3

Nappanee - 574-773-7951 Heritage Fabrics & General Store, 25350 CR 52, Nappanee - 574-773-2445 Homestyle Furniture of Rentown, 1533 3rd Road, Bremen - 574-546-2508 John's Bargain Bam, 9962 N SR 19, Nappanee - 574-646-9908 L & J Cycle, 25363 CR 54, Nappanee - 574-773-5487 Mint City Millwork, 3013 Birch Road, Bremen - 574-209-1351 Rentown Country Store, 1530 3rd Road, Bremen - 574-546-9010 Ruth's Library & Stamping Supplies, 234 Ist Road, Nappanee - 574-773-2795 Second Chance Discount, 1818 sth Road, Bremen - 574-546-2555 Weaver's Dutch Country Surplus, 22534 CR 50, New Paris - 574-831-4927 Woodland Variety, 4133 E County Line Road, Bremen - 574-773-0303

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SPORTS Panthers finish season in Indy Page A 8

574-209-0704

Stay informed with weather alerts By Amy Lant-Wenger Assistant Editor REGIONAL As much as we may want to wish it away, or make it not be so, it is indeed that time of year when the ever-changing Indiana weather can make for terrible traveling conditions. With that in mind, parents of children in the Wa-Nee Community Schools district will want to stay apprised of the various ways to be notified when and if inclement weather conditions alter the schedules of the school days. During the 2016-17 school year, administrators will be utilizing two mass online notifications systems. New this year will be the inclusion of REGROUP, which broadcasts all information relevant to delays, closings, cancellations, and other emergencies. To become registered for, or to log into, this system, visit http://www.wanee.org/ SchoolSafety.aspx, where accounts can be managed and adjusted. Announcements will be transmitted via email, text, or voice messaging. Wa-Nee will continue with the use of "We Are Qosed Today" as well for similar updates. To sign up, head over to http: / / weareclosedtoday.com, enter the zip code and choose a radius, and see all of the notices posted within those parameters. Also, the following television and radio stations will continue to broadcast closures and delays: WNDU, Channel 16 WSBT, Channel 22 WFRN-FM, 104.7 WNSN "Sunny 101.5"- FM WILLIE 103.5 - FM WZOC "Oldies" 94.3 - FM WRSWI4BO-AM More information can be found at the Wa-Nee Community Schools website, which is www.wanee. org. Any scheduling changes will be noted across the top of the screen in a bright red banner. The district also maintains a Facebook page, and details can be found there as well. Any announcements regarding the closing and delay of school will be made as early as possible. If an announcement is not forthcoming early in the day, then it should be assumed that classes will begin on time. Please, do not call the school office to verify closing information. If there happens to be an occasion where classes are dismissed early, parents are encouraged to have a plan of action ready for their child, so that they understand where they are supposed to go and what they need to do. Decisions regarding weather related delays and closings are made with the safety of students always a top priority. If ever a parent feels that weather conditions are simply too hazardous to send their children to school, that is their right to do so. Staff members ask that in cases such as these, parents remember to follow the proper procedures for reporting an excused absence by notifying the child's school.