When hundreds of people nearly packed the Lakeview Middle School auditorium Saturday night for the 10th annual Country Christmas with Susie McEntire, they ended up getting more than a night of music.
McEntire, her husband Mark Eaton and their guests - including Keenie Word Moore with guitarist Clay Edwards; Jenifer Wrinkle and husband Scott Thompson; and Linda Davis and husband Lang Scott - shared some memories about the songs they sang and their lives. There were moments that touched people’s hearts, and moments that left some tears in people’s eyes.
It concluded with a big surprise for McEntire and Eaton when they were shown videos from family and friends - including two country music legends, Susie’s sister Reba and Dolly Parton - and Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented McEntire and Eaton with the Sagamore of the Wabash.

    Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch (L) presents the Sagamore of the Wabash to Susie McEntire and Mark Eaton (R) Saturday at A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire, which benefits Toys for Tots. Holding the Sagamores are event founder Mike Loher and Leesburg Methodist Church Pastor Rob Seewald (C). Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

In a brief interview before the concert, Crouch explained why she was presenting McEntire and Eaton with Sagamore of the Wabash awards.
“The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Hoosier by the governor in the state of Indiana. While Susie and Mark aren’t Hoosiers, they certainly are honorary Hoosiers because of their long, kind of commitment to Toys for Tots and for doing this charity event every single year for 10 years,” she said. “So I thought it was only befitting to honor their service to Hoosiers and young kids all over Indiana by supporting Toys for Tots and it’s an honor to present the Sagamore of the Wabash to them.”
Leesburg Methodist Church Pastor Rob Seewald welcomed the crowd to the Country Christmas concert.
“Can you believe that this is the 10th year that we’ve been able to put this on?” he said.
Seewald read off the long list of sponsors, beginning with the 10-year sponsors, the five-year sponsors and then those who joined as sponsors this year. He then read a list of special thanks to those who have worked behind the scenes for the concert.
“But there’s one person we really need to say thank you to,” Seewald said before inviting event organizer and founder Mike Loher to the stage. “This event does not happen without this man who, 10 years ago, had a crazy idea to put on a country Christmas concert for Toys for Tots. It’s his brainchild. He’s been working on this for over a year, and he’s already planning for next year. So please make sure you thank Mike for this amazing night.”
In some of his remarks, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said, “Warsaw has started our Christmas events this year. Dec. 1, we lit 200,000 lights down at Central Park. A couple weeks ago, the Wagon Wheel started its ‘Christmas Carol’ production. Last night, we had a Twinkle Light parade with probably two, three dozen well-lit city vehicles and others and a wonderful time last night.”
He said Saturday’s concert culminated “a wonderful celebration. You’re going to hear a lot of great music.”
Atoka, Okla., Mayor Brian Cathey left his home at 3:30 a.m. Friday to surprise McEntire and Eaton at The Boathouse, according to Thallemer, who also said it was great to meet Cathey and that he would visit Atoka for sure.
Thallemer then introduced Crouch, who is running for Indiana governor in 2024.

    Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch (R) poses for a photo Saturday with Harrison Elementary School student Kayleigh McQuiller before the start of A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire at Lakeview Middle School. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

“You know, I could be anywhere in Indiana tonight, and I choose to be here in Warsaw - the best part of Indiana,” she said. “And to be here, with Susie and her husband Mark and their friends, who are giving of their time and talent, to be here with you all, who are giving of yourselves so that other children - those children who perhaps may not be able to enjoy Christmas like the rest of us - will have those toys under their tree Christmas morning. So to you, thank you, for your generosity and thank you for what you do for these other people.”
She then introduced a video from Second District U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym.
“At this special time of year, I wanted to thank you for being part of Warsaw’s A Country Christmas and for partnering with Toys for Tots. Your generosity and goodwill means that many more Hoosiers will have a much happier Christmas this year. So thank you for giving back to your community and embracing the true meaning and spirit of the season,” he said, adding that he hoped everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Crouch then introduced Trish Smith, the assistant coordinator for Toys for Tots. Crouch reminded everyone that the toys donated at the concert will be donated in the memory of Christian, the son of Chris Cage and his wife Penny. Cage is the coordinator for Toys for Tots of Kosciusko County but was unable to attend Saturday’s event due to a prior commitment.
Smith, who has been involved with the Toys for Tots program for about 15 years with her family, thanked everyone for the 11 full boxes collected Saturday night. This year alone, Toys for Tots helped 321 families in the community with 998 kids. “The need was great and you guys helped with that need,” she said.
Reading a statement from Cage, Smith said, “Thank you for helping the kids of Kosciusko County with all of your donations. Penny and I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to the committee for choosing to donate the toys from tonight’s show in memory of our son Christian. He took his life on April 3. Mental health and suicide is an issue for teens and adults today. Things can be tough this time of year. If you are struggling, know that there is help out there. Thank you again. Merry Christmas.”
Seewald then introduced McEntire and Eaton as “two amazing individuals that I have the privilege of calling friends.”

    Country gospel music artist Susie McEntire (L) performs with her husband Mark Eaton during Saturday’s A Country Christmas at Lakeview Middle School. The concert was the 10th annual event. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

When McEntire asked for a show of hands of who has attended the concert all 10 years, there were a few.
“We are so glad to be here,” she said and then introduced Davis, Wrinkle and Word. The banter between them began right away when McEntire asked if they had bought all their Christmas gifts yet and they said no.
“I have to start when I get home. I just put my tree up last week,” Word said. She just had a baby about 3-4 months ago.

    Keenie Word Moore (R) yodels with Clay Edwards on the guitar during Saturday’s A Country Christmas. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

Eaton pointed out McEntire had some people from her hometown at the concert. McEntire pointed out Cathey, as well as their youth and music leaders.
“Having homefolk with you, that really makes it Christmas,” Davis said. “But I feel like I’m home here because you’ve had me back so many times.”
Wrinkle said this was her second time for the concert and she was excited.
The first song they sang was "Winter Wonderland."
Before the last song was sung, videos on the big screen were shown to Susie McEntire and Eaton and everyone else.
The first was from Reba McEntire, who said, “So sorry for the interruption. I just wanted to take a second to say congratulations, Susie and Mark, for being honored tonight. All the work you’ve done over the last 10 years on Toys for Tots, that’s wonderful. I’m very proud of y’all for all of your hard work and I love you both.”
The last of the series of videos was from Dolly Parton. She said, “Hey, Susie and Mark, it’s Dolly here and I just wanted to say a thank you for all the years of supporting Toys for Tots. I know that it means a lot to the kids, and I’m pretty sure it means a lot to you. So I just wanted to say congratulations and keep up the good work. Can’t do enough for our kids!”

    Susie McEntire and her husband Mark Eaton watch a pre-recorded video of Dolly Parton congratulating them on 10 years of work for Toys for Tots. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

Crouch then presented Susie and Eaton with the Sagamore of the Wabash.
“We give very few of these honors out a year, and certainly I’m not sure we’ve ever given any to any people from Oklahoma. So, on behalf of the state of Indiana and Governor Holcomb, I wanted to bestow upon you, Susie, and you, Mark, the highest honor that we can give to any Hoosier - and since you are honorary Hoosiers - we are honored and happy to honor you with the Sagamore of the Wabash.”
McEntire thanked her and said, “What an honor it is. Thank you. Thank you so much for a great day. We watched women be touched today. Women that don’t have much hope in their life and they probably have children who can benefit from the Toys for Tots today this Christmas season. I just thank God for Mike (Loher), how you worked. You worked your butt off doing this and I don’t know how you got Dolly but that’s about the best thing that’s ever happened.”
She said they’ve had a great support group in Atoka. “It’s really neat to be able to have our hometown people come and see what we do. A handful of my family’s ever even seen me in concert, and our people drove all day to come here and see. I really appreciate that. Thank you very much.”

    Linda Davis and Lang Scott sing a duet at A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire Saturday at Lakeview Middle School. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

Pamper Me
Earlier in the day was the first annual Warsaw Ladies Pamper Me with McEntire and Keenie. It included a meal, shopping, a style show, speakers, music and other fun for about six hours in the LMS gymnasium.
Crouch was one of the speakers at the event.
“It was really wonderful. I was able to talk about my experiences as a young woman and now as a woman serving as lieutenant governor in the state of Indiana. I shared my experiences in terms of domestic violence and sexual assaults against women, but also in terms of mental illness and addiction and all the challenges they face, not only women but that face Hoosiers,” she said. “How as women we have to be united and have to work hard to help our families and help the people in our communities. So, it was a great opportunity to be in a room full of powerful, inspirational women.”
Barb Ridley was one of the local women who attended the Ladies Pamper Me and she the concert with her U.S. Marine veteran daughter Amie Bruielly.

    Barb Ridley (L) attended the first annual Warsaw Ladies Pamper Me and A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire with her U.S. Marine veteran daughter Amie Bruielly (R). Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

“It was inspiring,” Ridley said of the Ladies Pamper Me. “There were quite a few women that told their story about the struggles in life, as well as the more pleasant times in life. It was just an inspiration to hear. A lot of women that attended today had a lot of struggles in their life. So you know you’re not by yourself, you know you’re not alone. It just helps to hear some other stories that people have gone through the same thing that you have gone through. And so that’s what it was like today - just a full day of people sharing and letting the audience know that people care about them. It was great.”
She said it was a wonderful time of camaraderie, of women getting together and knowing the power that they have. “I was just so impressed by the fact that, some of the miracles that had happened for some of the ladies. So all those stories being shared all day was totally inspiring,” Ridley stated.
Additional Notes
The concert began with the John C. Peterson American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, presenting the colors. Warsaw Police Department Capt. Brad Kellar then sang the national anthem.
Vendors that had taken part in Pamper Me remained set up as people walked into the school for the approximate 2-1/2-hour concert.
Goshen College was present during the whole event to interpret using sign language for those who are hearing impaired, a new addition to the concert.

    Warsaw Police Department Capt. Brad Kellar sings the national anthem while an interpreter from Goshen College interprets for the deaf and hard of hearing. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

While McEntire and Eaton also were presented with a cake for their 10-year involvement with the concert for Toys for Tots, each person who attended received homemade truffles on their way out.
“These are not dairy-, sugar- or gluten-free. And if you need me to, I’ll pray the calories out of them,” Seewald joked when telling the audience about the truffles.
Warsaw Community High School Media Digital Production Class recorded the show. They are going to edit and produce a version of the concert to be distributed to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospice patients and their families.
“This is not going to be for sale or for public distribution. ... What an amazing gift we can give to those who right now would love to be here but are unable to do so,” Seewald said.
McEntire and Eaton also were scheduled to be at Leesburg United Methodist Church Sunday at 9 a.m.

    Jenifer Wrinkle and her husband Scott Thompson perform during Saturday’s A Country Christmas at Lakeview Middle School. Wrinkle has a new album coming out in 2024. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

    Susie McEntire and her husband Mark Eaton watch a video of Reba McEntire congratulating them on 10 years of work benefitting Toys for Tots. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
  

    Shown are two of the 11 boxes of toys collected Saturday for Toys for Tots at A Country Christmas with Susie McEntire. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union