by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

On April 24, Wabash County’s top students gathered at the Honeywell Center for a special luncheon with the county’s business leaders. The Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and Manchester University sponsored the event. The purpose of the event was “to honor top graduating seniors from the county high schools, and to have an opportunity to encourage local talent to return to their home for employment opportunities during the summers or after graduation from their college experience,” according the a press release from the chamber. 

The large number of honors students was matched by a heavy community presence. Many students were able to sit with business professionals working in their areas of interest, as well as fellow students with similar college and career goals.

Serving as a sort of Master of Ceremonies for the luncheon, Manchester University Associate Vice President of Finance and Director of Operations Chris Garber welcomed those in attendance and introduced Wabash County Chamber of Commerce President Kim Pinkerton, who delivered the invocation. 

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

On Thursday, April 24, Southwood High School senior Amy Bowman was one of 13 students in the state to be awarded the 2014 C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award as part of the Brady Sports Achievement Awards, held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. Designed to reward exceptional student-athletes, the $2,500 scholarship is sponsored by IHSAA, Methodist Sports Medicine, the Indianapolis Colts, Sport Graphics, Inc., and WTHR-13.

Bowman’s 4.4 grade point average puts her at the top of the 2014 Southwood High School class. The daughter of Kevin and Kymber Bowman, Amy earned 10 varsity letters in high school: four in basketball, three in volleyball and three in track and field. She is a two-time Student Congress president, two-time county sportsmanship award winner for basketball, and a leader of both Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Peers Educating Peers. Bowman is also involved in 4-H and various church activities.

The Charley Creek Inn Wine & Cheese Shoppe is partnering with Trinitas Cellars Wine to offer a distinctive evening of excellent wine and five courses of wonderful food on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 7pm.

This distinctive event will take place in the Cloud Club, the rooftop garden event venue with limited seating and personal service.  Garrett Busch, CEO, of Trinitas Cellars, a winery in Napa, California, will pair five Trinitas Cellars wines with five beautiful courses prepared by Twenty’s Executive Chef Scott Howell. 

Tickets can be purchased in the Wine & Cheese Shoppe.  Shoppe hours are Monday-Thursday 1-8pm and Friday & Saturday 1-9pm. You can call 260-563-0456 or email wine@charleycreekinn.com for further information.

The Eagles Theatre will start May by adding yet another memorable date to its rich 108-year history. The Eagles will host an independent film – and one made by a Wabash native, no less. Director Denis Hennelly will welcome the public to view his film Goodbye, World on May 1 at 7 p.m. Dennis will also give attendees a special introduction to his film and hold a Q&A session after the showing. Although the film is not yet rated, it is intended for mature audiences.

by Kalie Ammons

kalie@thepaperofwabash.com

The LaFontaine Riverside Extension Homemaker’s Club celebrates 100 years of community service and teaching. The Riverside Club was organized in April of 1914 by the first dean of home economics at Purdue University, Mary Mathews and her aunt, Virginia Meredith. Their goal was to take information from the campus and bring it to the rural home.

The Riverside Club originally met on the banks of the Mississinewa River at the home of Mrs. Chester Troyer. There were 10 charter members who lived near the river, and due to its location it was aptly named the Riverside Home Economics Club.

The Club originally had very limited membership, as getting to a meeting meant walking or taking a horse and buggy. Soon the club grew in popularity, and decisions that have lasted to this day were made: the club flower is the pink rose, pink and green are the colors, and the club emblem has been a canoe.

Each meeting begins with the pledge of allegiance and the Homemaker’s Creed, stating the members believe in community service, economic perfection and improving the state of the home. Meetings also teach a lesson, varying from food and gardening, managing the family home and human development.

Contestants are being sought for the 24th Wabash County Festivals Scholarship Pageant. The pageant will be held on Friday, June 27, in the Ford Theater.

Any Wabash County young woman aged 17 to 21 who plans to further her education is eligible. Any young ladies ages 17-21 are encouraged to enter. All college-aged girls need to be enrolled in college for the 2013-2014 school year. High school-aged girls must be planning to attend college.  The complete list of rules is attached to the application.

Contestants will participate in a get-acquainted fun night, a fund raising project, rehearsal and pageant.  The queen and her court will represent Wabash County at various festivals and events. They will also appear in several parades.

In November, the queen will compete in the Indiana State Festival Scholarship Pageant. This year, the state pageant will be held in Indianapolis. There, the queen will have the opportunity to win additional scholarship money.

There are lots of great reasons to join Rotary North Manchester for pancakes and sausage on Election Day on May 6.

The club is fully invested in the community, from annual $1,000 scholarships for two Manchester High School seniors, annual support of the North Manchester Public Library, founding investment in the Strauss-Peabody Aquatic Center, and trailblazer funding of a half-mile hike and bike trail in northeast North Manchester, youth baseball, the annual Rotary World Affairs Conference for 100 area high school scholars and much more.

The Pancake Day from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in the Scout Hall in Warvel Park enables the community’s Rotarians to support lots of projects and good causes locally and internationally. The breakfast is a semi-annual Election Day tradition in North Manchester. Hundreds of area residents gather for the great food and conversation.

If you are a seafood enthusiast then you will love this restaurant-quality seafood pasta. This creamy pasta is choc-full of tender lobster, shrimp and sometimes I add scallops for extra flavor. I will admit I have tweaked this recipe just a tad bit. The original recipe calls for two whole sticks of butter! I have found that 1/2 of a stick is more than plenty. Whenever I serve this to my guests I always have requests for the recipe. This pasta is wonderfully delicious; a very high calorie content but totally worth it!