By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

In the mid 19th century, a group of actors looking for a way to socialize with one another formed the organization known as The Jolly Corks.

When one of the founding members died, the group moved to become a charitable organization to help take care of the fallen member’s family. Deciding the organization needed a more formal name, the group debated as to whether to call themselves the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks or The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalos. By an 8-7 vote, the Elks name won and, on Feb. 16, 1868, the B.P.O.E. was created.

This week, more than 1,900 local lodges around the United States and its territories, including the Wabash Elks Lodge No. 471, will be celebrating the organization’s 150th anniversary.
 

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

For the third time in less than 18 months, a project in the City of Wabash will benefit from a crowdfunding campaign sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority through the CreatINg Places program.

“All Hoosiers deserve the same opportunities, regardless of background, economic status, or physical and intellectual challenges,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as board chair of IHCDA. “There are more than 100,000 Hoosiers that have an intellectual or developmental disability. This playground ensures that all individuals can enjoy it."
 

Ryan Potter presents Northfield's Dick Leming with the 50 years of coaching award at the IATCCC banquet Friday in Indianapolis. Photo provided

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Dick Leming had a lot of goals over the years as it pertained to his teaching and coaching career.
Longevity was never on that list.

Not bad for a guy who’s been coaching at Northfield High School for half a century.

Leming received the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches’ 50-year coaching award Friday, Feb. 2 at the Sheraton Hotel at Keystone at the Crossing in Indianapolis. He’s only the fourth ever coach to receive the honor.
 

By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER -- Manchester University celebrated the 50th anniversary of a historic speech at its North Manchester campus Thursday, Feb. 1.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave an address to a packed auditorium at Manchester College Feb. 1, 1968, and the university has celebrated the anniversary of that speech since.

The celebration on the North Manchester campus began at 2 p.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony for the university's new Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

A Wabash man was sentenced to two years in prison on Jan. 29, for possession of child pornography Jan. 29 in Wabash Circuit Court.

Dennis R. Case, 68, pled guilty to the charge on Nov. 17, in a case dating back to 2016. A charge of child exploitation was later dismissed.
 

By The Paper staff

Several events are planned in February at the Dallas L. Winchester Senior Center in Wabash.
On the calendar are:

Matchbox Valentines Workshop with Jeanie Cooper:  Wednesdays, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Center, 239 Bond St. in Wabash. Free with supplies provided; Registration required. Call 260-563-4475.
 

By The Paper staff

LoCash, with special guest Gunslinger, will perform at the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. 

The singer/songwriting duo of Chris Lucas, of Baltimore, Md., and Preston Brust, a Kokomo native, fuse modern country with classic rock which results in a uniquely identifiable edgy blend. 
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash City Schools can’t say for sure what the cause is illness-wise, but the school system has seen a pretty significant rise in absences this winter, school nurse John Davis said.

“I don’t know the exact percentages,” Davis said. “It varies day-to-day, week-to-week. It’s not all from the flu though. But, we’ve definitely seen an increase in absences due to that.”