Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Saturday will be a big day in the small town of North Manchester.
A full day of activities, including the dedication of two parks, a tree seminar and a tree planting, is planned.
At 10 a.m., the North Manchester Tree Advisory Board will host a program about picking the right trees to put on property. The seminar will take place in the Blocher Room of the North Manchester Public Library.
After the seminar, the action will move outside as a hickory tree is planted outside the Thomas Marshall house. "Thomas Marshall" will attend in costume and give a presentation at the planting ceremony. The hickory tree, which according to the tree advisory board was not easy to find, has a special meaning that "Marshall" will explain himself during the presentation.
At noon, the North Manchester Park and Recreation Board will dedicate the Town Life Center playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guest speakers. Parks and Recreation Director Kathy Staton will welcome visitors, and Park Board President Anne Myers and Town Council President Don Rinearson will make the presentation. Honorary ribbon cutters are Ahlai Justice, Sarai Justice, Madyson Ulrey, Madison Dockter, Naomi Justice, Braden Fortner, Sam Adlerman and Kristin Henson.
Warvel Park Playground will be dedicated an hour later at 1 p.m. Staton will open the ceremony by welcoming guests, then Arts in the Park Coordinator and town council member Laura Rager will speak. Myers and Rinearson will make a presentation. Honorary ribbon cutters are Zachery Applegate, Arielle Reynolds, Susannah Watson, Madison Warren, MacKenzie Day, Lilianna Popi, Dominic Morris, Brodie Avery, Marie Taylor, Sarah Adamiec, Caitlyn Bailey, Nathan Applegate, Katie Avery, Bryce Betten, Gunner Ream, Sydney Jordan, Cheyenne Bishop, Bryeanna Richards, Mickey Avery and Alicia Carver.
The equipment placed in both parks was purchased from Service Supply Ltd. Inc. of Columbus, Ohio.
Benches designed and decorated by local artists also will be displayed at Warvel Park Saturday. The benches were sponsored by individuals and businesses in the North Manchester area, and designed and decorated by North Manchester area artists Joe Deal, Jeanine Wine, Sharon Fruitt, Linda McLaughlin, Nancy Lance, Kristy Schuler, Penny Deal, the Manchester High School Art Club, Lucy McFarland, Rolf Westman, Steve Batzka, Susan Ring, Cheryl Gohman, Charles Klingler, Carolyn Fedewa, Kathy Rinearson and the North Manchester Girl Scouts.
In other business, the council:
• Approved Duane Coburn and Chad Delong as town reserve officers.
• Set up a committee to review and evaluate town ordinances to see what, if any, changes need to be made. Chris Garber, Dave Young, Dan Hannaford, Bernie Feringer, Todd Richards and Charles Tiede will serve on the committee and will be expected to give monthly updates on their progress until the project is finished.
• Heard May 16 is "Meet Your Police Officers Day" in North Manchester. The event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at the North Manchester Public Safety Building. Free hot dogs and drinks will be provided. The event, which is sponsored by the North Manchester Police Department, North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, North Manchester Lions Club and Main View Inn, celebrates National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
• Approved the trash contract bid sheet to be sent out to potential trash service providers. The document outlines the specifications for the town's trash pickup. Bids will be opened and a provider will be selected at a future meeting.
Town Council members are Chris Garber, Diana Haupert, Don Rinearson, Stan Escott and Laura Rager. Town manager is Dan Hannaford, secretary-treasurer is Nancy Reed and town attorney is Charles Tiede.
