The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 December 1987 — Page 6

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 16,1987

Community Corner

For Enchanted Hills Playhouse owning the playhouse is also a hobby

SBy DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer | They have a love for music and the theater. But for Robert Decker, Christopher Helvey and Michael Algate, owning the Enchanted Hills Playhouse is a business first, hobby second. “We didn’t go into it (the business) because of our love for the theater .dr because we wanted a toy or a hobby,” commented Decker. The trio has been in theater productions together and when the availability of the playhouse was brought to their attention, they investigated the venture. Helvey stated after looking at the-property, their purchase was feasible and felt they would make a good invest-' ment. Profile Helvey commented music and theater goes together. “People who have a background in the theater become involved in music,” and vice versa. This is the case with the three co-owners. Decker, 46-year-old Elkhart native, will be general manager. The 1959 Elkhart High School graduate has a secondary education degree in music. His major interest is in music, with theater and pipe organs as other interests. His interest in the theater started in high school and continued on through college. Decker has worked in civic theaters and taught theater in high school. “I’ve been involved every since.” Decker has directed productions as well as worked in some productions in the Elkhart Civic Theater, where the three met in the 19705.

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Algate, Goshen, who will be production manager, started in the ] theater when he was 12 years old in the Nappanee Civic Theater. A i couple years following his graduation from Goshen High School in 1977, he attended and graduated from the American Musical And < » j I■' | HK9 > flA* < Rq s iteAltAv 51 • ‘ ’ n ./ z ■ BUSINESS FIRST, HOBBY SECOND — Robert Decker, Elkhart; Christopher Helvey, Middlebury; and Michael Algate, Goshen, became the new owners of the Enchanted Hills Playhouse Saturday. All three have a love for music and the theater. But for the co-owners, their business venture is a business first, hobby second. Between the three owners, there is very little that they haven’t done in the area of theater work. Once the season opens the owners will be at the playhouse 99.8 percent of the time. From left are Algate, production manager; Helvey, business manager; and Decker, general manager. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

LOUISA'S LETTER A reader has suggested this letter be re-run as it has an excellent gift idea for semi-shut-ins who like to keep busy. Dear Louisa, My grandmother does beautiful handwork and she enjoys doing it as she is slightly lame and cannot move around easily. v But she claims that materials are so expensive that she is not Holiday programs for Meals for Older Americans Various Christmas programs have been scheduled for the Meals for Older Americans this week. All the events will be held in the Scout Cabin, Syracuse. On Thursday, Dec. 17, the first graders of Syracuse Elementary School will be presenting a program of Christmas songs at 12:30 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 18, The Melloaires. a senior citizen group of Kosciusko County residents, will give offer a musical presentation at 11:15 a.m. A Christmas dinner will be served on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The holiday menu will consist of roast turkey with all the trimmings. Reservations should be made by 1 p.m. prior to the day of the dinner by calling 457-2631.

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able to do what she would like to do. I solved a part of this problem for her by giving her a sizable gift certificate last Christmas at her favorite shop and this year she has had a “ball” making Christmas gifts for the people she usually remembers without any expense to herself. These are wonderful gifts and everyone, including grandmother, is very happy about them. E.C.-N.C Answer: For a shut-in, who loves to do handwork, this sounds like a wonderful idea. But I hope those receiving gifts remembered grandmother in a nice way. While many people enjoy knitting, crocheting, etc., it takes a great deal of time and work to create lovely things and such gifts should be appreciated. Louisa. Address letters: Louisa, Box 532, Orangeburg, S.C. 29115 Meals drivers Volunteer drivers for Syracuse Mobile Meals have been scheduled for the week of December 21-25. They are as follows: December 21-25 MONDAY — Gran and Ginny Godley TUESDAY— Mary Jane and Ken Bowton WEDNESDAY - Jan Baumgartner THURSDAY — John and Jenny Oswald FRIDAY — Merry Christmas. No meals served

Dramatic Academy in New York. Algate spent 4*4 years participating in Off-Off Broadway. The 28-year-old also did some work with the New York Opera Company and was in a film on the Jimmy Hendricks story. Algate’s interests include the theater and music, as well as weight lifting. The youngest of the owners, Helvey, who is 21 and a 1984 graduate of Elkhart Central, will be the business manager. Helvey is a business administration major. He started in the theater life through the Elkhart Civic Theater, on the musical end of productions. He later went from music to the stage. Helvey has an interest in music and plays the guitar and drums. Os course, he has the theater interest and computers. Familiar With Playhouse The reputation of the Enchanted Hills Playhouse is familiar to the new owners and the playhouse itself is no stranger to them. Decker and Helvey have attended productions in the past. Algate, who has also attended productions, was a part of the production, “Guys and Dolls, ’ ’ approximately nine years ago. “It has a good reputation in the community,” commented Helvey, adding the owners want to keep it that way and make it better. Decker indicated no drastic changes will be made, but they will start where things are presently at and help it grow. Between the three owners, there is very little that they haven’t done and are “not afraid to pound nails and see what needs done is done,” remarked Decker. The general manager did state that 99.8 percent of the time the three owners will be at the playhouse when the season opens. “I feel it’s important to be there. We are working members of the theater,” commented Decker.

sag*’ ' f JiiiHflih 1 — 7 •

HEAR ABOUT REASSESSMENT — Charlene Knispel, Turkey Creek Township Assessor, met with the Wawasee Kiwanians on December 12, and spoke on the reassessment process. Mrs. Knispel explained there are 1,008 township assessors and 813 township trustee assessors in the state. Kosciusko County has three elected township assessors and 14 trustee assessors. The assessors have the responsibility of handling the reassessment of property. She noted a property® 5 owner does not need to go to the county courthouse with problems about assessments, but can go to the township assessor with questions and problems. Mrs. Knispel stated the assessor has two responsibilities: to see the rights of the property owner are protected; and to see that government has correct information on which to formulate the tax on a property. The assessor is responsible in the reassessment process. In the two years the reassessment is to be completed, the assessor must see the general assessment is completed and at the same time carry on the current tax work. This involves two separate files being kept at the same time. The assessor and helpers must compile accurate information on every property in the township. Only commercial and industrial properties are covered by outside professionals. She noted the assessor is responsible for a physical inspection of every property, if admittance is refused, the assessed value must be made on information given by the owner. The tax is not determined by the assessor. This is done by the state tax board, which sets the tax rate, and by the property owners who vote on improvements and equipment they want in their area. Property owners can help the assessor by giving accurate information and by receiving the assessor or representative with cooperation, noted Mrs. Knispel. Shown in the photo is Larry Martindale, president-elect of Kiwanis; Mrs. Knispel; and Phil Hoover, president of the club.

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CALENDAR Week Os December 16 To December 23 WEDNESDAY Syracuse PTO 12 noon, in Syracuse Schools LRC Syracuse Lions Club 6:30p.m., in the Beacon Xjttw Wty Syracuse PTO 7 p.m., in Syracuse LRC Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Twilighters Bunco Club 7:30 p.m. Psi lota Xi 7:30 p.m. Lutheran Church Women 7:30 p.m., in Syracuse Grace Lutheran Church Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse ' Alanon 7:30 p.m.; in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Syracuse Syracuse Jaycees 7:30 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles Ej&M THURSDAY \f Ebenezer Ladies Aid 2 p.m. f Milford Volunteer Firemen 7 p.m., in Milford Fire Station North Webster Lady Lions 7 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church Wawasee Community Toughlove 7 p.m., in Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenager’s behavior. North Webster American Legion Auxiliary 8 p.m., in Legion Hall FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Dr., Lake Wawasee, Syracuse. Open meeting jb SATURDAY W a wasee Kiwanis 7 a.m., in Gropp’s, Syracuse Turkey Creek Senior Citizens 12 noon, in Syracuse Scout Cabin SUNDAY Adult Singles 9:30-10:30 a.m., in Mike’s Soda Shop, North Webster. Sponsored by North Webster Church of God and Mike Kern. Alcoholics Anonymous Fireball Group 10 a.m., in North Webster Fire Station Alcoholics Anonymous, Sunday Night Recovery Group 8 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church, closed meeting Alanon Sunday Night Group 8 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church, closed meeting MONDAY Lakeland Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in North Webster Church of God Syracuse Emergency Medical Service 7 p.m. North Webster Chamber of Commerce 7 p.m., in Palace of Sports, North Webster. All interested parties are urged to attend Milford Lions 7 p.m., in Milford Community Building Syracuse Primary Mothers 7 p.m. Alanon Milford Family Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Milford Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church. Closed meeting Alcoholics Anonymous North Webster Group 7:30 p.m’, in North Webster United Methodist Church North Webster American Legion 8 p.m., in Legion Hall \ TUESDAY Alanon Just For Today 9:30 a.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary 12 noon in Beacon Restaurant Adult Children of Alcoholics 6:30 p.m., in North Webster United Church basement Wawasee American Legion Auxiliary 223 7:30 p.m., in the Legion Hall WEDNESDAY Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse Alanon 7:30 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse DID YOU KNOW We recently hod our Ist annual employee Christmas party at Amish Acres. Miller's Merry Manor, Inc. cares about its employees. Miller's Merry Manor, Inc. Pickwick Drive, P.O. Box 8 SYRACUSE, IN 46567 Bos.: 219-457-4401 Providing 24 Hour Licensed Nursing Care In Your Hometown