The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 19, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 June 1987 — Page 1

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VOLUME 26 »

Underway at North Webster

42nd Mermaid Festival

'Sesquicentennial 1987' theme for parade, queen's contest

There is a new twist to the 42nd annual Mermaid Festival. The town of North Webster is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Sesquicentennial events are be-, ing held throughout the week and both the parade and “Queen of Lakes” contest are using the “Sesquicentennial 1987” theme. The knights and queens will share the spotlight with the sesquicentennial on Saturday. The 1987 Cutie King and Queen will be crowned tonight with the Tournament of Knights winners and a new “Queen of Lakes” to be crowned on Saturday. The reigning “Queen of Lakes” is Kristianna Fullhart of Muncie. She is a 24-year-old graduate of Ball State University who wants to enter the field of telecommunications. Kristianna is five foot 8 inches tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. She possesses a certain poise that made the job easy for last year’s judges. She will crown her successor during festivities slated to be held Saturday evening at Camelot Hall. 0 Again this year, the queen contestants will not meet or be judged until Saturday. They will have interviews and rehearsal at 8 a m. with the swimsuit competition slated for 7 p.m. and the finals at 8 p.m. All queen contestants will participate in the parade. The contest is being sponsored by Psi lota Xi Sorority and the North Webster Lions Club. Cuties Tonight Wednesday is the traditional night for the younger set. The midway is open from 12 noon until 5 p.m. with a special price on rides. The North Webster Lady Lions and the Lions Club will host the annual Cutie Parade at 7 p.m. with the Annual Cutie King and Queen Contest to be held at Clarksville at 8 p.m. A rain date has been set for Friday, June 26. The parade route will be on SR 13 from Augsburger’s to the North Webster School. The United Methodist Church’s Strawberry Festival, with sundaes, short cake and homemade

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SESQUICENTENNIAL VINTAGE DRESS AND BEARDS—Winters for the North Webster Sesqukentennial Vintage Drees and Beard and Mustache Contest were chosen in a contest heM last night on the Mermaid Festival grounds. The event was one of many being heM this week in honor of the North Webster Sesquicentenniai.

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pie will begin at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday). At 5:30 p.m. Millersburg will meet South Whitley in the Boys* Youth League Tournament. Second round play will begin at 7 p.m. The midway and merchants’ building will re-open at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. home art demonstrations will be given by the Tippecanoe Home Economics Club in the merchants’ building. The highlight on Thursday will be the Chain of Lakes Barbershop Chorus on the festival grounds at 7 p.m. Other events include the boys’ Youth League Tournament at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The merchants’ building and rides will open at 6 p.m. with rides being half price. The talent contest for high school and older will begin at 7 p.m. and the Lake City Bank will present a treasure chest in front of the festival office.

Over-flow crowd -—

STEPS program presented to Wawasee School Board

By MARK WEINSTEIN

Staff Writer

Wawasee Community School Board members moved closer to settling the current middle school issue Tuesday evening by working through important details at its special study session. The meeting was attended by an informative, over-flowing crowd in Wawasee’s central office. After Lynda Eastman presented, in detail, the Citizen’s for Quality Education’s STEPS proposal, Wawasee Superintendent highlighted his reasons for proposing two middle schools. “This proposal —two middle schools serving all three com-

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24,1987

The Church of the Brethren will hold a tenderloin supper beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday. The girls’ Youth League finals will begin at 4 p.m. and the boys’ Youth League finals will begin at 7 p.m. The midway and merchants’ building will open at 6 p.m. and another treasure chest will be placed in front of the festival office at 7 p.m. Saturday Is Big Day As in the past, Saturday is the big day at the festival. Events will get underway at 10 a.m. with an open house at the American Legion hall. A chicken barbecue will also be held at the Legion hall on Saturday. At 11 a.m. the United Methodist will host a chicken and noodle dinner. The International palace of Sports will host the 15th annual Tournament of Knights competi-

munities — offers more to the Milford student than anyone else,” said Thornton. “We cannot sustain the cost differential between the schools and sustain equal programs much longer. We are taking dollars out of Syracuse and North Webster, and giving to Milford smaller class sizes.” Thornton’s point referred to the cost for educating students in Wawasee’s district. At the middle school level, it costs the corporation $2,392.01 for each student in Milford. At Syracuse, though, the cost per pupil is $2,036.29, and at North Webster the figure is $2,043.65. Milford also has the highest cost-per-pupil figure at the elementary level. North Webster students cost $1,415.65 each, while in Milford, the figure is $1,631.76. Syracuse is nearly S7O

In Bout from left are John Cnlltas, Judy Clayton, Panl Royer, and Dennis Wagoner. In bach are Boh Richards, Jay Overmeyer, Jack Rhoades and Ray Anker. (Photo by Carta Gaff) _

tion at 11 a.m. and the midway will open with bracelet day being featured. At 2 p.m. The North Webster Lake Ski Club will present a ski show. It may be seen from the west shore of the lake. A second ski show will be presented at 7 p.m. The merchants’ building will close at 3:15 p.m. with all attention being focused on the 42nd annual Mermaid Festival Parade which will begin at 4 p.m. Awards will be presented in front of the merchants’ building approximately one hour after the parade. The crowning of the new “Queen ot Lakes” later in the evening will conclude the 42nd annual Lions’ sponsored Mermaid Festival. Additional sesquicentennial activities will take place throughout the summer.

higher than North Webster’s amount. The cost figure represented for each child’s education is based on the entire salary at the facility and the number of students. In each case. Milford has the lowest enrollment, prompting the highest costs. Meanwhile, in a comparison of salary cost adjustments necessary to equalize middle school salary expenditures, an additional $178,568.92 would be added to the costs for educating students. The figure is based upon Milford’s spending level. Syracuse would increase $94,265.80, and North Webster $84,303.12. If the corporation decided to reduce all three schools to (Continued on page 2)

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MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL — Ernie Rogers was named “Honorary Mayor of Syracuse," at the Syracuse Sesquicentennial Mayoral Banquet, Saturday. Rogers raised $16,091.23 to earn the title of “Honorary Mayor of Syracuse" while all eight candidates raised a total of $41,170.08. This money will go towards the sesquicentennial celebration, with all excess funds being given to the Syracuse Public Library for a permanent museum. Approximately ISO people attended the Saturday banquet to hear the total money raised by the candidates and who would be mayor.

Candidates raise $41,170 — Ernie Rogers is Syracuse's Mayor

By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer

A true native of Syracuse, a man whose family has lived in Syracuse since the early 1800 s, Ernie Rogers was named Syracuse’s first mayor. Rogers was named during a banquet held in the American Legion Hall Saturday night. To win the “election” Rogers and his sponsors, LoganRogers Realty, Pilcher Shoes, Beemer Enterprises and Smokercraft collected a total of $16,091.23. Members of the city council are Lil Cook, Jane Nearing, Jeanne Gardiner, Jerry Claybaugh, Robert Troutman, Bud Smith and Loren Longenbaugh. In all, the eight candidates collected $41,170.08. Around 150 persons filled the Legion Hall for the evening’s festivities. Candidates and guests were introduced by Jim Evans, co-chairman of the mayoral race committee. Bill Beemer, chairman of the sesquicentennial gave a brief speech, stating it was fantastic, the way the Syracuse people have supported the candidates and the community would be the envy of the whole northern part of Indiana. Beemer also noted all excess funds will go to the library’s fund for expansion. Evans stated when he started working on the committee he had two objectives: raise $20,000 for the sesquicentennial celebration, and to have fun. “We have had a lot of fun, working together and the camaraderie felt, you can’t put a price tag on.” He stated the community is indebted to these people for their time, money and energy put in on their campaigns. “They are doing their part in making Syracuse a better place tolive.” A special part of the evening, was the singing of “Happy Birthday” to Mayoral Candidate Loren (“Curly”) Longenbaugh who was celebrating his birthday that evening. Each of the candidates was given a final two minutes to make a plea for contributions. Most of the candidates took their two minutes to thank all who had helped make their campaigns a success. At 8:25 pm. Evans dedared the race officially over and all money collected that evening was turned over to Mike Talton, cer tified public accountant, who, with the help of his wife, Margaret, made the final tabulation. . Historian Speaks Wiley (“Bill”) Spurgeon, a summer resident since ex

ecutive editor of The Muncie Star and Muncie Evening Press, was introduced by Evans. Spurgeon, a noted historian on the area, stated he was going to go through 150 years of Syracuse History in 15 minutes. He was true to his word. Spurgeon broke down the history into five generations: The first generation, the Indians and beginning of transportation; the second generation, agriculture exporting community and the beginning of the lake community; third generation, industrial Syracuse with the coming of the Sandusky Portland Cement Factory; the fourth generation, the seasonal resort area; and the fifth generation, the permanent residents with fewer hotels and a diversified industry. “Let’s look to the future,” commented Spurgeon, who stated Syracuse is a remarkable community and people need to look to the future and get along with the natural assets to which they were

Living a dream —

Ready for 'Miss Indiana' Pageant

Dreams come true. Milford’s Shelley Sanders is living her dream this week as she prepares for the 1987 “Miss Indiana” Pageant in Michigan City, June 25,26, and 27. The dream of the 1986 Wawasee High School graduate began last Jilnewhen she was crowned "Miss Kosciusko County” at Tippecanoe Valley High School, Mentone. She is hoping her county title will tead her to the elite crown in the state — “Miss Indiana” 1967. The local county pageant is sanctioned by the “Miss America” Pageant. Sanders didn’t realize that when she, entered the contest, but is now thankful. Sanders is one of 22 young women vying for the coveted honor. Competition will be held at the Rogers Auditorium in Michigan City. The winner from the weekend pageant will represent Indiana in the upcoming “Miss America” Pageant to be held in September in Atlantic City, NJ. In the state competition, contestants will be judged in four areas — talent, swim suit, evening gown, and a personal interview. Sanders will take her first step towards the crown Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the preliminary talent contest. She will sing, ‘Since I Fell For You’, in the competition. ~ -

Wiley (“Bill") Spurgeon, Muncie and Lake Wawasee resident, was the guest speaker. He gave a 15-minute talk on the 150-year history of Syracuse. Shown in the photo are the Honorary Syracuse City CooncD members and the Honorary Mayor. All received a special plaque and license plate v From left are Jerry Claybaugh, “Bad” Smith, Jeanne Gardiner, Rogers, Loren Longenbaugh, LB Cook, Jane Nearing and Bob Troutman. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

. ' if; *♦'■»■* .Air beneficiaries: Spurgeon suggested permanent ways to make the area a better place in which to live. Mayor Named Shortly after Spurgeon’s presentation, Evans received the results of the final tally and upon announcing the $41,000 dollar figure the complete total amount could barely be heard above the loud applause. He stated it had been his policy throughout the whole campaign not to know what each candidate’s total was, and in keeping with that policy he only announced what the mayor had raised. He held the audience in suspense as each of the city council members was announced, not in any particular order, toX receive their plaques and special license plates stating each was a Syracuse City Council Member’x City Council Members ana their sponsors are: Jeanne Gardiner, The Papers Incorporated and Augsburger’s Super-Valu; Bob Troutman, State Bank of

On Friday, Sanders, and the rest of the field, will perform in the swim suit and evening gown competition. In the swim suit contest, Sanders will be wearing a suit created by maker of the ‘supersuit’ — Ada Duckett. Duckett has been known for making swim suits for several s<i Miss America’s** throughout the years. Her winning trend, whienbegan in 1979, offers great encouragement to Sanders. \ After Friday’s competition, the top 10 finalists will be announced.

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Syracuse, The Frog Tavern, and Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Chib; Bud Smith, Wawasee Kiwanis, Leisure Pools and Spas, Three Flags Drive-In, and Syracuse Lions Club; Jane Nearing, Wawasee Property Owners Association; Loren Longenbaugh, Syracuse Bowling Association and Bushong Barber Shop; Jerry Claybaugh, Sea Nymph, lakeland Standard, JA Business Service, and RC’s Pier; and Lil Cook, Laketronics, Rogers Electro-Matics, Inc., Hedral, Inc., and Mike Kiley. Following a standing ovation, the new Mayor of Syracuse, who was “choked up” at receiving the honors, had a few words to say: “It’s been a long couple of months, thank you." The mayor was given a police escort ride in a chauffeur-driven limousine through town. Candidate Robert Troutman had secured the limousine for the evening and arrived at the banquet in the vehicle.

Finals are slated for Saturday evening at Rogers’ auditorium. Sanders, the daughter of Bill Sanders, Syracuse, and Pat Sanders, Milford, will be a sophomore at Texas Woman’s University, Benton, Texas. She is studying vocal performance at the school. Sanders plans on pursuing a career as a professional entertainer. In high school, Sanders was awarded the Director’s Award (Continued on page 2)