Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Had she been asked a year ago about writing a book, Michelle Bormet would have said "no way."
Well, that's all changed as Mayor Ernie Wiggins' secretary is wrapping up a 200-page book titled "A History of Warsaw - Preserving the Past for the Future."
It all began when Bormet researched information on Warsaw's 22 mayors since 1975, to include on the city's Web site.
"I just started accumulating stuff," she said of the project. Portions of the biographies collected about the mayors were published by the Times-Union in observation of Warsaw's 125th year anniversary.
The hardbound book will contain more than 250 old photographs and reproductions of colored postcards.
A Bourbon resident, Bormet has never lived in Kosciusko County but has been employed here since 1973, starting in the mayor's office in 1991. She probably knows as much about the city as any lifelong resident, however.
"Most of the historical books have focused on the county," she said. "I felt I owed it to the citizens who live here and remember to write this book."
Bormet's requests for information and photographs have resulted in a plethora of images and memories, mostly from senior citizens.
"Most of the people I've talked to have been 70, 80 and 90 years old. Time is running out on gathering information."
Additionally, Bormet has interviewed hundreds of people now living in Florida, Virginia, Arizona, Texas, California, Colorado and Ohio, either by e-mail or on the telephone.
"It's just been crazy," she said of the project.
And it's all the former mayors' fault. Her interest was piqued when she discovered several of the men were lawyers and judges. One was a doctor.
One of the mayors started the popular Flagpole frozen custard drive-in and another had a dry cleaning business on the courthouse square.
The narrative gives information about numerous business founders and how the company has changed over the years.
The text is intermingled with local citizens' recollections.
There are individual chapters about the Opera House, the theaters and restaurants and the evolution of the first grass landing strip for local pilots into the current municipal airport.
Citizens who have contributed to the growth and progress of Warsaw during the past century will be featured, too.
The fledgling author acknowledges the help of "key people" Marge Prizer, Chelsea Stover and Jerry Gerard, who will assist with proofreading the final draft, and Al Disbro, for reproducing all the fragile old photographs.
All the net proceeds will be given to the Kosciusko County Historical Society, which is taking advance orders.
During the rest of April and through May, the pre-publication price is $29.95, plus tax. After May 31, the list price will be $31.95.
Brochures with order blanks are available at many local businesses and at the Old Jail Museum and City Hall. For more information call 269-1078 or 372-9595.
