Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The memories of the founder of the Baker Youth Clubs of Warsaw will continue to live on.
The Warsaw Park Board approved a request at its meeting Tuesday night to move the Pete Thorn bust from the youth center to the Baker Youth Clubs to honor the club's founder.
Thorn was the founder and 39-year director of the Baker Youth Clubs.
Salvation Army Director Ken Locke said the move will better recognize Thorn for his service with the Baker Youth Clubs.
"The Rotary Club wants to honor Thorn for his connection with the Baker Youth Clubs," Locke said.
He said other plans include refurbishing the bust.
Park Board member Steve Haines made the motion to approve the move. Park Board member Toby Sumpter seconded the motion.
Park Board President Jon Garber gave a report on the proposed park department's 2007 budget.
The city council heard proposed department budgets during a budget workshop at its July 31 meeting.
The proposed 2007 park board budget is $1,579,540.
After talking with Mayor Ernie Wiggins and city council members about the budget, there were some changes that were suggested, Garber said.
He said the cumulative capital development fund, which will fund tennis court repairs at Kelly Park, was taken out of the budget. He said it was suggested the project could be funded from another source such as the riverboat fund.
Other suggested budget changes included putting money in the budget for an insurance plan that would offer complete dental coverage for full- and part-time employees. The current insurance plan is limited to health and limited dental, Garber said.
Janelle Wilson, activities director, gave a report on park events and activities for July and August.
The report included the number in attendance for concerts, including the Northeast Indiana Banjo Society concert, Blues and Barbecue Concert and Concert Lake Area Community Band.
There were 440 people who attended the Banjo Society concert, between 700 to 800 people who attended the Blues and Barbecue Concert, and 200 people attended the Lake Area Community Band Concert.
"It is good to have this information to review our concert attendance and plan for future activities," Wilson said.
Wilson also presented the country concert evaluation report for 2006 the parks department conducted. The concert evaluation was for the Chris Cagle concert held July 28.
There were 72 surveys completed and 100 percent said they would attend the concert again, according to the report.
Staci Wright, intern for the Warsaw Parks Department, gave a report on the department's 2006 family carnival.
She said there were 500 to 600 people who attended the event and participated in activities such as children's entertainment, games, obstacle courses and pony rides.
There were three monetary sponsors for the event, including Kosciusko REMC, Kosciusko Community Hospital and Kohl's. Wright said Kohl's was a new sponsor and provided six volunteers.
Local merchants donated door and game prizes and there were 25 community volunteers.
The ticket sales for the event were $1,954, which were the highest to date the carnival has had.
"Overall, it was a great success and everyone enjoyed a fun and beautiful evening in the park," Wright said.
Present board members were Cathy Folk, Steve Haines, John Sadler, Toby Sumpter, Jeff Grose and President Bill Baldwin.
