Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 135, Number 49, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 8 December 2016 — Page 1

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o^> «o<ir*Flee HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAKARUSA Join the Wakarusa Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 8 for a celebration of Indiana's 200th birthday. Enjoy refreshments, test your knowledge of Hoosier trivia, create a Hoosier birthday hat, and enter one of the drawings. Prizes include a movie, books, and music that all have Indiana connections. The birthday party will take place in the library's Meeting Room from 1-8 p.m. BOARD TO MEET WAKARUSA The Wakarusa Public Library board will be meeting on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:45 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. WEAVER NITE OUT NAPPANEE Weaver Furniture Barn invites the community for its Countryside Nite Out on Friday, Dec. 9, from 2 p.m. to midnight, with 15 percent off storewide in-stock merchandise, 20 percent off from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m., and 20 percent off all mattresses all night. Enter to win a reclining sofa and loveseat (the drawing will be held at midnight, must be present to win.) Weaver has lots of new accessories and gifts in stock. Receive a free gift when you turn in your completed Countryside Nite Out form at the store. COPPES CHRISTMAS NAPPANEE Holiday shoppers can find unique treasures without driving a great distance - visit Coppes Commons on the weekend of Dec. 9 and 10 foe "A Coppes Christmas." Hours will be 5-9 p.m. on Friday, and 10-4 on Saturday. There will be a live Nativity walk, free refreshments, live music, and children's activities. Gift certificates for up to S3OO will be awarded for the occasion, and there will be several individuals participating in an artisan/ antique market. For more details, contact Coppes Commons at 574-773-0002 or check out their website at www.coppescommons. com. IT'S A SWEET WALK WAKARUSA - Holdeman Mennonite Church, 65723 CR 1, Wakarusa, will be hosting its annual Goodie Walk on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9-11 a.m. Cookies sold by the pound, candies, cheese balls, party mix, and other baked goods will be available for purSee Around, Page A 2 Contact Us (news) J (ads) 6170 Emaih ViV4 « tw mmmmmmmmmmammmaammammmamaaamm m

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Panther Project progressing soon

By Amy Lant- Wenger Assistant Editor NAPPANEE that has been very evident during the latter part of 2016, it is that Panthers know how to get things done. And the upcoming launch of the $29.5 million "Panther Project" construction endeavor is no exception. Some of the specifics with regard to the preliminary phases of the renovation were discussed during the Monday, Nov. 28 session of the Wa-Nee Community Schools Board of Trustees. Two representatives from the archi-

New superintendent for Wa-Nee

By Amy Lant-Wenger Assistant Editor NAPPANEE to being a standing room only affair at the Nov. 28 meeting of the Wa-Nee Community Schools Board of Trustees. A cryptically worded agenda item added to the intrigue of the Evening a notation of "Board President Communication" by Don Lehman. Nearly all the seats were occupied by administrators and principals of the five Wa-Nee schools, and file group appeared poised for a significant announcement. And sure enough, one individual stepped forward, introduced himself, shared a bit about his credentials and noted that his wife would be happy to come home to Elkhart County, where she was raised in the community of Millersburg. - —»*- The gentleman whose presence held sway for a good portion of the session was Dr. Scot Croner. And he has been chosen to lead the district into the 201718 scholastic year as the newest superintendent for Wa-Nee Community Schools. This announcement follows the procedural course of action in the official hiring of Dr. Croner, which is anticipated to take place at a special session of the school board on Dec. 16. Dr. See New, Page A 3

Championing the cause of understanding

Supporting, promoting Special Olympians

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Photo provided Rusty Ellicjtfcfleft) is proud to share with all who will listen that his daughter, Laura Elliott, is one of his biggest heroes. To watch his special needs daughter battle through every moment eaqi new day to listen, focus and understand the world around her teaches this proud father about bravery.To watch her overcome the terrors of life situations, frustrations of. not understanding, and overwhelming noises of the world-and still end each day with a reason to be thankful and smile—has taught deep life lessons he can use in coaching Laura and other Elkhart County Special Olympians.

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Thursday, December 8,2016

tectural firm of Barton-Coe-Vilamaa were on hand to discuss the first steps in moving forward. This is the company that has worked closely in initiating the "Panther Project" since its inception. Brian Bohlender and Karen Fisher both spoke to the board about the significant electrical upgrades that will encompass the first stage of the project. Bohlender said that such work is expected to occur in late spring and early summer. This extensive undertaking will include the preparation of the schools for one on one device inclusion in the Wa-Nee classroom setting this fall. Bohlender said that there are

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Photo by Amy Lant-Wenger Dr. Scot Croner, at left, will soon be voted upon by the Wa-Nee Community Schools Board of Trustees to take on the position of Superintendent, upon the departure of retiring Joe Sabo, at right. Dr. Croner's new role will begin on July 1, 2017. He spent some time with the board and several school administrators and principals on Monday, Nov. 28.

portions of North Wood High School, in particular, that will require precedence, in that some of the building still has original wiring from when the school was constructed in the early 19705. At some point, he added, the entire school will have to have a complete system shutdown, which could take as long as two weeks. That cannot happen while school is still in session, he noted. With that, the school board went on to approve a request to begin advertising for the electrical upgrades, with bid receipt expected to conclude in early See Progress, Page A 3

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? A series created by Journalist Merrie Chapman to keep you in touch with names and faces from your hometown, and explain what they are achieving arid experiencing today. rjti. . By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer NAPPANEE - Rusty Elliott, a native of Nappanee, graduated from North Wood High School in 1986. Classmates may remember him as an athlete who participated in football, gymnastics, track and wrestling. Former neighbors might recall the curious boy exploring the world around his East Market Street home. Others might still recall the loving care he took in mowing lawn each summer for his elderly grandmother, Martha Hartman. A few seen Elliott's passion for protecting the defenseless when people bullied his special needs uncle, Dick Hartman. Whatever role in which

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Board grants sewer changes By Merrie Chapman Staff Writer NAPPANEE Sewer adjustments and applications were the focus of Nappanee Board of Public works and Safety members as they gathered last week. United they granted two adjustments and approved a residential connection. A burst copper line led to a lower sewer adjustment of $71.61 for the property at 907 W. Walnut St. Another $61.87 was reduced from sewer billing at 101 W. Market St. when a leaky toilet was discovered. The property at 156 W. Market St. was approved for a sewer application involving a 4" connection. This measure was in reference to a needed sewer repair at that site. Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month, at 4:30 p.m., inside the Nappanee Municipal Building, 300 W. Lincoln St. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone with audio communication impairments who may need assistance with communication at the public meetings may call Nappanee Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Brown's office up to 48 hours in advance of meetings and assistance will be provided.

Special Olympics members of the Nappanee community may have seen Elliott in, the general agreement seems to be that below the gruff exterior of a rough and tumble boy there was always a heart filled with empathy for others. Whether Elliott was sticking up for kids at school, or defending his uncle against bullies, he was always looking out for others. For that reason it may come as no surprise to most that the former Panther athlete went on to marry, have children, and continues to support others around him as needed. What his former friends and neighbors may not yet know is that Rusty Elliott is very active in promoting the understanding of Special Olympics, and is an active board member of the Elkhart County Special Olympics which features more man See Cause, Page A 5