Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
10 years
Matt Gillis, CR 300N, started his farrier/ blacksmith career in 1982 specializing in the trimming and shoeing of horses. His business, Lake City Forge, caters to owners of trail and pleasure horses. Pete Parmenter, Fort Wayne, is learning the trade. In the shop and the back of his truck Gillis uses a gas forge and electricity to operate power tools. The shop features an English-made Peterweight anvil made in 1830 weighing 112 stone (142 pounds). Gillis plans to establish an 18th-century blacksmith shop at the Fairgrounds this summer. It will be constructed with fieldstone walls and house a coal-burning forge. Coal burns hotter and cleaner than gas. His tent during Back to the Days of Kosciuszko is a favorite stop during the fourth-grade tours. The students get to try their hand at this ageless craft.
25 years
Fremont R. and Rose Ann Clair of The Pebble Patch of North Webster are proud of their students who entered their ceramic projects in the Fort Wayne Ceramic Show. Rose Ann Clair, North Webster; Ginger Abbs, Syracuse; Paula Hammelmen, Alaska; Judy Clayton, North Webster won trophies for "Best in the Category." Also placing: Eric Friend, North Webster; Pam Butt, Syracuse; Teresa Nivision, Leesburg. Out of 17 projects entered, 11 placed in "Best of Category."
The fourth-grade class at Triton toured Noah Lemler's Sugar Camp north of Bourbon to see firsthand how maple syrup is made. They watch as the sap from the maple trees is boiled.
Daisy Girl Scout Troop #143 of Washington Elementary School took a tour of Noble Roman's Pizza with manager Phil Army.
50 years
A large barn was lifted from its foundation at the Donald Pelz farm located at the entrance of Wilson Lake, Whitley County, by a windstorm last week. The 40x72 foot structure was built in 1889. Trees were down east of Pierceton.
Joyce Laughlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Millard Laughlin, Mentone, has completed her executive secretarial course at Porter College, Indianapolis.
Mayor Joe Johnson signs a proclamation proclaiming "Girl Scout Week" March 9-14. Representing the four age groups in scouting: Elaine Schooley, Cadet; Cynthia Patterson, Senior; Sally Garber, Brownie; Nancy DeGood, Junior. A "Brownie Play Day" will be held at Madison School. The 52nd birthday of the Girl Scouts occurs March 12. Linda Truman will speak at the Girl Scout Cabin and show slides of Ecuador.
75 years
Mrs. Hazel Thorn Nettleton, whose ancestors were among the first white settlers, reports: one of the first buildings erected in this vicinity was the now home of Mrs. Nelson Powell, 220 South Buffalo Street, first residence south of the Kelly Funeral Home near the Pennsy Railroad. Mrs. Nettleton's mother, the late Mrs. Carolyn Nye Thorn, was born in 1856, the last of 12 children born in the home. The home was built by her father, Andrew Nye, who had come with his eight brothers and three sisters from Ohio in the 1830's. Andrew constructed Warsaw's first brick chimney for the Isaiah Morris property which was located at the present Times Building site. He built and operated the first grocery, a cabin at the present Warsaw Candy Kitchen corner. John and Agnes Nye moved here after their children had first settled here.
