Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 136, Number 28, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 12 July 2018 — Page 1

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iv^T&e DONATIONS WELCOMED WA-NEE - Donations are now being sought for the 11th annual "School Supply Daze," which will be held on Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m. at the Nappanee Public Library. This event is designed to help families in need to gather the necessary school supplies, free of charge. Last year, this drive was able to assist nearly 100 families with over 200 children get what they need for the start of school. This event is also sponsored by the Nappanee the Chamber of Commerce. To offer donations, either monetary or supplies, contact Dianne Debelak, Chairperson, at [email protected] or call 574-773-3456. READING PROGRAM ENDS WAKARUSA - Friday, July 13 will be the last day to collect prizes for the Wakarusa Public Library Summer Reading Program. Any additional prize drawing slips may be turned in that day until 5:30 p.m. FARM & FLEA MARKET NAPPANEE - Coppes Commons is continuing its new tradition of the Nappanee Farm and Flea Outdoor Market, which continues each Saturday through September 29, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Stop by to shop the diverse selection of antiques, crafts, produce, baked goods, collectibles, repurposed items, and much more. Call 574-773-0002, or leave a message on the Coppes Commons Facebook page for more details, or to inquire about vendor opportunities. HELP THE BEACHY FAMILY GOSHEN - Yellow Creek Mennonite Church is hosting a Benefit Hog Roast on Saturday, July 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the church, located at 64901 County Road 11. The cost of the meal is $lO for the pulled pork meal and $6 for the hot dog meal. Both dinners include chips, applesauce, and homemade ice cream. Carry-out options are also available. All of the proceeds will be used to benefit the family of Ken Beachy, who is in need of a kidney transplant. CANVAS PAINTING CLASSES WAKARUSA - Hie first Sae Wa-Nee,PageAl> m

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Nappanee celebrates its artistic heritage

by Amy Lant-Wenger • ■.. v Editor NAPPANEE - Generally, everyone who travels through Nappanee expects a certain level of busyness to consume their commutes. After all, the city is nestled right at the juncture where a national, historically significant highway and a well traversed state road meet. So it might be rather easy to pass swiftly by the shops and sites and not fully realize how alive and vibrant the downtown sector and its environs actually is. Now there is a new event that has embraced the mission of showing folks how truly unique the landscape of Nappanee has become - through the celebration of creation. The Nappanee Art Walk is being held this Saturday, July 14 from 1-4 p.m., and will offer insights and spotlights on the newest sculptures, designs, and other treasures of beauty. The walk is taking place in conjunction with Second Saturday activities taking place throughout Nappanee, and has been made possible through the effort of the Nappanee Arts Council. "An Art Walk is a self-guided stroll through town where people can walk to many of our businesses, inside and out, and see amazing works of art, listen to great music, and enjoy good food," explains Cami Mechling, one of the primary coordinators of the event. In our case, there will be a variety of artisans. We have painters, a sculptor, wood carvers, several musicians, mosaics, jewelry, photography, and so much more." Among such individuals expected to be on hand include painter Branden Hochstetler, artist Jessica Flores, quilter Janice Kruger, harpist Anna Hagen, and artist Cathy Hagen. Mechling, who serves as the Events Coordinator for the Visit Nappanee committee, realized the strength of having such an cmazing range of local artisans, and felt that this would be a good opportunity to give them a platform to the public. "There are so many talented people in this town, it just made sense to showcase their work and brag a little about what Nappanee has to offer," she said. "There's a unique and beautiful collection of art sprinkled all over our town!

MACOG seeks financial support from City of Nappanee

By Merrie Chapman Correspondent Shifting Michiana Area Council of Government (MACOG) focus from automotive transportation—to include bicycle and pedestrian travel routes—has resulted in there not being enough hours in the average work week for current employees to fully dedicate toward each of these areas. As a result MACOG seeks to create a new fulltime posi-tion-active transportation planner —using financial support resources from area cities, and a non-profit biking organization. The new employee will be asked to concentrate on walking and biking traffic throughout the four counties being served by MACOG—an organization organized nearly 50 years ago. James Tumwald, MACOG executive director, attended the July 2 Nappanee Common Council meeting to request a 3-year commitment from the City of Nappanee to contribute $5,000 annually for this cause. That $15,000 would be used to supply the new Planner with equipment needed to keep track of just how often bike and walking trails are utilized—an important aspect of MACOG's work toward documenting and addressing traffic counts and issues for area cities and towns to

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SERVING NAPPANEE & WAKARUSA

Photo provided by Visit Nappanee Pictured is just one of the newest additions to brighten the downtown business corridor in Nappanee. This eye-catching sculpture is just one of many that will be featured on the Nappanee Art Walk, to be held Saturday, July 14 throughout the city. This town is unique in so many ways... we have so many things no other town has. There aren't many other places where you'll find hand painted quilt murals or art apples or quilt gardens. We have the art of blacksmithing, wood carvers, old-fashioned murals on our downtown businesses, rug looming, quilters, Amish baking, and even art sculptures all over town. There's not really a place in town where you don't see art. It adds such a lovely touch and makes people want to stay and take pictures and eatjmdshop/' To get regjsfered for The Nappanee Art Walk, head over to the Visit Nappanee Facebook page and click on the signup link. The walk will take place rain or shine, and questions can be directed to the same Facebook page.

Photo by Merrie Chapman The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project has caused traffic disruptions for over a year but has now finished various levels of needed construction to allow normal traffic patterns to return. Motorists can now turn west off N. Oakland Avenue (CR7), onto Derksen Road and drive past the Waste Water Treatment Plant and water tower before entering the Stauffer Park.

assure both easy and safe passage. In addition to documenting existing bicycle traffic patterns, concerns and routes, MACOG has developed, and implemented, various outreaches to promote bicycle safety. These include: • Bike Right commercials, and advertisements • Previous study of bicycle traffic in the Amish community • Supplying Amish Bishops with safety lights

for bicycles Continuing to monitor non-motorized travel, promote safety and monitor concerns or needs in these areas are important aspects of what MACOG is designed to do. Still all are things Tumwald stressed ffie organization would like to continue making a priority, with proper staffing to accomplish that goal. He explained that MACOG's annual budget begins anew each July and continues through the fol-

INSIDE July 4th photos Page A 2

Photo provided Emergency personnel survey the scene of a fatal collision between a truck and a train, an accident which took place on Saturday, July 7 near Milford. Killed in the accident was Kevin Geisel, 59, of Mishawaka.

Driver dies when

train strikes truck

by Amy Lant-Wenger Editor MILFORD - A Mishawaka man was fatally injured in a collision between his vehicle and an oncoming train. The accident occurred on Saturday, July 7 near Milford. The crash took place at approximately 2:20 p.m., and shortly thereafter, emergency personnel were summoned to the scene. Kosciusko County Sheriffs Deputies, the Milford Police, end. param.edig. arrived at she Kilmer Street tanrsad crossing to find diet Kevin Geisel, 59, had been killed when his westbound red Toyota Pickup was struck by the approaching train.

lowing June. In keeping with mat Tumwald said the City of Nappanee would not be expected to make the first annual payment until June 2019 if city leaders decide to support the 3-year plan presented. Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins led discussions to take all that Tumwald had presented under advisement The mayor did express confidence tnat MACOG's hiring of someone to specifically focus on this area of transportation would like-

Initial reports state that Geisel entered the crossing for an unknown reason when it was hit by the northbound Norfolk and Southern train. Geisel was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosdusko County Coroner’s Office, as he sustained fatal traumatic internal injuries. At press time, a more detailed investigation of the accident is still underway. The Kosciusko County Fatal Team was assisted by members of the Lutheran EMS, the Milford Fire Department, the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office, Norfolk and Southern Personnel, the Milford Police Department, and the Kosciusko County Sheriffs Department.

ly be a valuable resource to the City of Nappanee where there is a focus on the citywide bicycle pedestrian path, and bicycle safety issues. Decision on whether or not to include the first $5,000 installment of the $15,000 plan as part of the 2019 City of Nappanee Budget will be made at a later date following review, consideration and discussion among council members. EXPRESS INTEREST, SEEK ESTIMATES A vote was taken to approve expressing interest of a property owned by Century Link, and located at 759 Wabash Street, Nappanee. Owner of the property is prepared to sell the parcel—located west of the Nappanee Street Department Garage—and is offering it to the City of Nappanee prior to advertising its sale. The decision to express interest in the property is file first step, and opens the door for appraisals to be sought on the parcel without commitment to purchase it. FUNDS TRANSFERRED FOR HUMAN RESOURCES Despite recent opposition to creating and outsourcing a new Human Resources Department, a consulting service has already been previously lured for this purpose. See MACOG, Page A 3