Oscar the Grouch, the strange, true story of The Beast of ‘Busco by Michael Summers is the front page feature of a recent Fort Wayne Reader, an independent newspaper in Allen County.

Next year Churubusco will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the hunt for Oscar as well as the Turtle Days Festival, both of which took place in 1949.

Summers* writes …

Sure, ballparks are all well and good, but for civic leaders and city boosters seeking other creative means to draw tourists to our fair city, slow the brain drain, and put Fort Wayne on the proverbial map, I have two words for you: Lake Monster.

…  Look what it’s done for Loch Ness, a Scottish backwater that is famous throughout the world and rakes in an estimated 25 million pounds in tourism annually all due to the beastie lurking in its lake - a beastie that, despite the eyes of thousands of tourists and a small fortune in sonar equipment, has never really been seen.

But Loch Ness is an extreme example. For a more modest example of the Lake Monster effect, one need look no further from home than Churubusco, the tiny town just a few miles Northish of us. Perhaps the annual draw from the community’s Turtle Days festival each summer falls short of $25 million, but, you know, I’m sure it’s something, and they owe it all to “Oscar.”

For more of this story go to Fort Wayne Reader …

(*used with permission of Michael Summers.)

The Jorgensen Family YMCA is hosting a shopping trip to Chicago, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 22.

A charter bus will drop off visitors in the heart of Chicago. Spend the day Christmas shopping, touring museums or just browsing with a friend. Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This popular holiday trip is filling up quickly so don’t delay!

The pick up/drop off location is the Jorgensen Family YMCA, 10313 Aboite Center Rd, located in Indian Trails Park. The bus will leave at approximately 6:45 a.m. and will returned at approximately 10 p.m.

Cost is $40 for members, $80 for non-members.

To sign up, stop by the Jorgensen Family YMCA Membership desk, or call Nikki Surbaugh, Youth and Family Program Director at the Jorgensen Family YMCA, at (260) 432-8953 or email nikki_surbaugh@fwymca.org.

The website is great!! I’m deployed in Iraq right now and I check it every chance I get.

Helps me get a little taste of home while I’m away.

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Justin Berghoff

Ed. note: We got the OK from Justin - a graduate of Churubusco High School - to publish his email address. He would enjoy hearing from anyone back home, he said. Email him at jberghoff@gimail.af.mil.

The Friends of the Churubusco Public Library will host the 9th annual Christmas Walk Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 2-6 p.m.

Five houses and one church are included on this year’s walk. A closing ceremony with door prizes to be awarded Sunday at the library, 116 N. Mulberry Street, at 6 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Area churches will be providing cookies in the library as well as the eagerly-anticipated petit fours made by Stephanie Krider. Refreshments will be available at the library Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 p.m.

Santa Claus will be at the library during the Christmas Walk on both days from 2-2:30 p.m. and from 5-6 p.m. Children are invited to stop by and get their photo with Santa.

For more information call the library at 693-6466.

The six Christmas Walk sites are as follows (All summaries are written by the individual home owners and Green Center Church officials.):

Larry and Ava Lillmars
6952 E. 150 N.
Columbia City IN 46725

The home of Larry and Ava Lillmars and family is located south of Churubusco, three miles west of Eel River Golf Course. The red, tumbled brick home was built in 1998 and rests on seven acres with a peaceful scenic view.

There are many memories being created in their family household and especially during the Christmas season. You will enjoy the traditional and Swedish decorations along with the special collection of nutcrackers and smokers all bringing the rooms to life. In addition to the special themes in the house, you will want to see the downstairs workshop room, giving way this season to “Santa’s Workshop”.

The Lillmars welcome you to their home and hope the Churubusco Public Library’s 9th Annual Christmas Walk will enhance the joy of your holiday spirit.
Harold Norman
813 Clearview Drive
Churubusco, IN 46723

Books, videos, and recordings are what you will notice as you tour the home of Harold Norman.

The Christmas trees in each room are decorated in various color themes - such as gold, red, and blue.

A collection of ceramic houses is displayed in most rooms. Many nativity sets are on display, as well. There also is a collection of nutcrackers.

Note: Parking during the Christmas Walk will be available at the Good News Baptist Church across the road.

Bob and Janice Parquet
6134 N 650 E
Churubusco, Indiana 46723

During the energy crisis in the 1970’s, Bob and Janice Parquet had plans for a 2-story home, but in the winter of 1976, when the wind chill factor was well below zero and their root cellar was 38 degrees, they switched gears and designed and built an earth-covered house. They had to get a special variance from the zoning board to build this unconventional home. The Parquets designed the home, but Masolite Corporation engineered the structural requirements.

The footers and side walls were designed more in line with commercial construction and the back wall was designed as a free standing retaining wall.

By using prestressed double T concrete panels, it was not necessary to have a supporting wall running through the center of the home. Natural light filters through the windows on the exposed wall. An indoor greenhouse at the back of the house creates more light. For the three feet of dirt that was placed on the roof, the prestressed, double T concrete panels were designed to hold around 250 lb. per square foot. The roof panels and front wall were installed with a crane. By having dirt on three sides and the roof of the house, it was very energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

In 1983, Bob Parquet was transferred to the Toledo area by Dana Corporation, so they moved his parents into the house. His parents lived in the home until their deaths in 1999. In 2002 the Parquets decided to remove the dirt from the roof and add a second story. The roof became the floor of the second story.

It is a great home for family gatherings. Christmas decorations you will see are traditional. The decorations have been collected over the years. There is a wreath that is decorated with Bob’s grandparents’ fragile ornaments. Lenora Ellen Geiger (Janice Parquet’s mother) made the tree skirts and the wall hanging for the large naivety. Other Christmas wall hangings made and designed by Mrs. Geiger will be on display.
Bonnie and Tom Swihart
14023 McDuffee Road
Churubusco, IN

Located south of Churubusco off Highway 33, our house became our “Country Retreat” in the fall of 1991. Both Tom and Bonnie grew up on farms in LaGrange County.

Bonnie lived on a dairy farm and Tom’s farm had sheep and hogs. Upon college graduation, Tom accepted a teaching position with Fort Wayne Community Schools. The couple officially became “City Folk.” For twenty-one years they lived in the traffic and hustle and bustle of Fort Wayne. But the country in them never went away. When they found this house all the details came together for them to buy it. Ever since, they’ve enjoyed being in the country.

Bonnie and Tom have two daughters and sons-in-law and have been blessed with five grandchildren. One of their highlights is seeing the grandchildren enjoying the outdoors at their house and fishing and swimming in the pond.

The couple enjoys modernizing their home by taking on various projects. Tom claims to be a handyman of sorts and Bonnie really enjoys decorating. The summer of 2007 they took on their biggest adventure by adding a three-seasons room on the west side of their house. The extra view that it gives them of the neighborhood is much appreciated.

Christmas has always been a favorite time of the year for Bonnie and she really enjoys the lights and trimmings of getting the house ready for the season. Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Venture out to McDuffee Road and visit the house in the woods with the Swiharts.
Nick and Debra Uecker
5100 S 100 E-57
Churubusco, IN

The Uecker family has lived in their home in Green Township, Noble County, since October 1996. The home was designed and built by Nick Uecker with the help of family and friends.

Their love of wildlife, and the hunting and fishing hobbies of the male members of the family, are evident in the home’s decor. Deb has used part of her Precious Moments collection in decorating the music room. Many of the Uecker’s other Christmas decorations have been received as gifts or made by their children throughout the years.

Part of their Christmas traditions include making cookies and candy to give to family and friends. Spending time with extended family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are also an important part of their Christmas celebration.

The Ueckers look forward to their participation in the Christmas Walk as a way of expressing their Christmas wishes to the entire community this year.

Green Center United Methodist Church
2861 S. 300 E.
Albion, Indiana

In 1907, shortly after a Sunday School was started at the old Green Center schoolhouse, revival services raised about $1,800 through subscription to build a church. Land for the church was donated by William and Fanny Shambaugh. Allen Bortner and Leslie Moore helped plan and erect the building. Much of the lumber came from the farm of Frank Stanley and was cut at a sawmill operated by Burt Herron, located one-half mile west.

Green Center United Brethren Church was dedicated by the Rev. H. H. Fout in the summer of 1909. The church was on a circuit with other churches until 1940 when members decided to withdraw from the circuit and rely on pastors from the surrounding area to conduct services. With no regular pastor the community gradually lost interest and the church closed in 1943.

In 1945 the church was remodeled and reopened and the Rev. Louis Strong was appointed pastor. During this time the church services were often recorded and later broadcast on radio station WKJG. Sometimes Rev. Strong and a group from the church went to the station and did live broadcasts.
The church later became the Evangelical United Brethren Church, which then merged with the Methodist Church in 1969. Physical changes also took place as several remodeling projects were undertaken, culminating in the latest addition of a handicapped accessible fellowship area, kitchen, bathrooms, and office, and enlarged Sanctuary.

Although there have been name changes, pastor changes, and membership changes the church has continued to work for God in the Green Center community and beyond. Our mission continues to be “Win Souls for Christ” as we grow, prosper and spread the word of God to the community and the world.
Be sure to enjoy our annual display of poinsettias around the altar at the front of the sanctuary.

Barbara A. Childs, 82, wife of Charles E. Childs and long-time Gaston businesswoman, died at 4:40 a. m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie.  She had been in declining health after suffering a stroke over six years ago, and had been a patient there for over five years.

More…

Smith-Green Community Schools board of trustees have appointed Bruce Hippensteel as interim superintendent until they can find a permanent replacement for Carol Kaiser who resigned Nov. 1.

Hippensteel spent almost 25 years at Noble School Corporation and recently served as interim superintendent and financial director at Whitko Community Schools. Hippensteel will begin working a minimum of three days a week at $420 a day as needed.

Board members will meet Monday night. Following are the agendas for the regular meeting and the executive meeting which will follow.
Regular meeting

Monday, November 17, 7 p.m.
Board Room, Administrative Center
222 West Tulley Street, Churubusco,

1. Call to Order and Welcome of Visitors
2. Pledge of Allegiance & Spotlight on Success
3. Moment of Meditation
4. Action on Consent Agenda
A. Minutes
1. Regular Meeting, November 3, 2008
2. Special Meeting, November 12, 2008
B. Claims
5. Comments from Visitors
A. Community
B. Administrators
C. Board
6. Personnel
A. Resignations/Retirements
B. Terminations
C. Reassignments
D. Leave Requests
E. New Hires
7. Business
A. Action: Approval of Professional Leaves
B. Action: Approval of CMS Principal Designee
C. Action: Acceptance of Donation, Wal-Mart Foundation
D. Action: Acceptance of Noble County Community Foundation Grant
E. Adjournment
– Executive Session -
Monday, Nov. 17, immediately following the regular meeting

The Board of School Trustees will meet for the following purpose(s) in accordance with IC
5-14-1.5-6.1(b):

8. To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This
subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or
benefits of employees during a budget process.

10. To train school board members with an outside consultant about the
performance of the role of the members as public officials.

The Town of Churubusco fared much better in its second round of grant applications when they asked the state for funds to help build a new water system and filtration plant.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman announced Friday that Churubusco was one of 27 rural communities to receive a Community Focus Fund (CFF) grant in the amount of $500,000 for a new water system.

Keith Gillenwater, area director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) said Churubusco did well in the highly competitive application process, finishing at the top of the list and beating out the nearest competitors by nearly 20 points.

This was due in large part to the town’s and the residents’ affirmation - in photos and in testimonial letters - that the town was sorely in need of a new water filtration plant and water system to replace the antiquated infrastructure which produces discolored and cloudy drinking water in many parts of the community. The town does not have a water filtration plant.

The Town of Churubusco had applied for the grant to help offset the $1.3 million project in the spring, but was rejected. Town officials said they would apply again in the fall and felt confident they would receive the grant the second time around.

Officials earlier this year said - if awarded the grant - they would break ground and begin construction in the spring of 2009. The plant will be built on town property near the Town Hall on Home Avenue.

The state awarded a total of $11,591,980 in the fall round of OCRA grants. Administered by OCRA, the grants are funded through the Federal Community Development Block Grant program.

In addition to Churubusco, other communities receiving grants in northeast Indiana included Garrett, $500,000 for a water system improvement project; Ligonier, $477,239 for downtown revitalization; and Shipshewana, $500,000 for water system improvements.

Skillman will host an awards ceremony for grant recipients Dec. 8 at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Nicole M. Johnson, age 23,  a resident of Churubusco, Indiana died early Tuesday morning November 11, 2008 following a traffic accident on US 33 south of the city. Nicole was born December 13, 1984 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of Bruce L. and Terri K. (Schlund) Johnson. She was a graduate of Churubusco High School with the class of 2003. She had been employed in Fort Wayne by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for 3 years and also Logan’s Roadhouse for 2 years.

More…

Madalene A. Gaff, 93, a former resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Carl E. Gaff, died at 2:25 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Provena Sacred Hearth Home in Avilla.  She had been in failing health for a number of years, and had been a resident there for the past six years.

More…

Max G. Gross, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus at 12:35 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health, and had been seriously ill for the past five weeks.

More…

Harriet E. Fisher, 85, a resident of Churubusco and widow of Charles B. Fisher, died at 7:00 a. m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City.  She had been a patient there for the past month.

More…

The Churubusco/Smith Twp. Fire Department will be hosting a fire prevention program starring The Kasey Program - an exciting and educational program that teaches children fire and life safety skills.

Churubusco Fire Department members and The Kasey Program will be at the Churubusco Elementary School Thursday, Nov. 13, from 1–2 p.m. and will be presenting a check with funds donated by local organizations to help the program.

Kasey is a black Labrador retriever who has been trained to demonstrate life saving skills. Kasey and her partner, firefighter/paramedic Jeff Owens, travel the country bringing their life saving message to all that will listen.

Owens, a firefighter/paramedic for more than 20 years, developed the program in 1994 and has watched the program grow from less than 100 programs annually, teaching less than 3,000 people, to now scheduling approximately 400 programs and reaching more than 400,000 people annually.

The Kasey Program is sponsored by Koorsen Fire and Security, with their corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. Koorsen Fire and Security has built its business on providing safe environments to work and live in and wants to be a major player in protecting young people from injuries that are preventable.

During the program Kasey will demonstrate to the students how to:

• Stop, drop and roll;
• Feel a door to see if it’s hot before opening it;
• Knowing two ways out of every room;
• Telling an adult when finding matches and lighters;
• Crawling under smoke to escape;
• Call 9-1-1 during an emergency, and;
• Designate a meeting place outside the students’ home.

LILLIAN “JOY” M. BIESIADA, 79, went home to her Lord Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, dying at Lutheran Hospital. Born Nov. 13, 1928, in Fort Wayne, she was the oldest child of Thomas and Edith (Roehling) Hayden. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She used her computer and the internet daily to stay in touch and was dedicated to her faith in God. “Lillian was well loved and will be deeply missed.” She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and the Seton Society. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas; sons, Michael (Jeanine) of Fort Wayne, Thomas (Rosa) of San Diego, Calif., David of Churubusco, and Lawrence (Sonia) of Westland, Mich; and daughters, Lois Wehrle of Fort Wayne and Joyanne (Duane) Barnett of Pleasant Lake; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Mills of Terre Haute and Thomas Hayden of Fairfield Glade, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her sons, Edward and Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, with Vigil at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. Memorials to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

NILA JEAN PAULUS, 43, of Fort Wayne, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, 9:37 p.m., at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. Surviving are her husband, Larry C. Paulus of Fort Wayne; daughters, Joanna Christine Paulus and Rachel Julia Paulus, both at home; son, Nathaniel Luke Paulus at home; daughter, Sarah Florence Paulus at home; parents, Delbert and Carolyn Conrad of Hoagland; brothers, Roger (Michelle) Conrad of Churubusco and Andrew (Mindy) Conrad of Fort Wayne; and maternal grandmother, Vernice Moore of Fort Wayne. Service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, with visitation from 10 a.m. until service time. Visitation also from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur.

More…

(Warning: This is the Web! Full of vile and disgusting stuff. Turn back now if you are offended by the words ass, politician, uterus,Tijuana, titmouse, betcha, Republican, cabbagehead, betcha ass or Democrat.)

The day after john McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, my brother asked me why I was not running for vice president.

After all, he said:

By Viv Sade

1) I have more local government experience (three terms on a town council),

2) I have just as many skeletons in the closet. You betcha. (wink)

3) I too, think Iran and Iraq are the same country.

4) I was once, for a few months, an unwed pregnant teenager.

5) I have just as much foreign policy diplomacy experience if we can count that drunken overnight trip to Tijuana, Mexico in 1971, - which by the way, was unrelated to #4 - but, most importantly …

6) Can I skin an elk?

Well, geesh, that got me to thinking, I am a staunch Obama supporter, but hey, it’s hard staying afloat on this Obama island in Red Whitley County.

Should I rethink my vote? After all - as one female acquaintance of mine pointed out - Palin and I both have uteruses.

Is uteruses a word?

So, now I’m expected to vote for uteruses? Doesn’t that mean if I vote for a man, I’m voting for —-s?

Does that mean there are people in America actually voting genitalia over qualifications?

Shouldn’t we all be very, very scared?

Although, I do have four kids, a pair of wireless glasses, and tend to wear my hair in a messy updo that looks like a busy soccer mom, a la Palin. I’m not a busy soccer mom - I’m a lazy and poor mom.

The difference is Palin doesn’t have time to go to the hairdresser -whereas I don’t have the money. Which throws me back in the Obama Camp, where - if he wins - Obama has promised to take Paris Hilton’s cash and redistribute it to me and my hairdresser and buy me a new do and my hairdresser a new curing iron. We can’t wait.

This debacle of an election and politics of fear have made Americans crazy.

Winston Churchill had this to say about elections: “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”

Jerry Seinfeld had this to say: “People - they’re the worst.”

Both were correct.

We’ve got everyday people - intelligent people - who go all wacko every four years during a presidential election.

A woman told me in confidence the other day that if I don’t vote for a particular candidate, … blah, blah, blah … well, I’m not sure what she said - I quit listening after she said something about angry stemcells collecting weapons of mass destruction - but this is what I heard: “a throng of same-sex Socialist aliens armed with assault rifles will move into my upstairs where they will drill for oil and take over our lives, taxing our underwear, double-taxing naughty underwear, forcing us to buy worthless stock with our unemployment checks and making us drink processed fossil fuels until the ice caps melt and we all drown in a sea of disgraced Republicans, demoralized Democrats, skinned Alaskan elk, discarded SUVs and dying, but still arrogant oil barons …”

Or something like that.

All this has raised some serious questions that everyone needs to ask before going to the polls Tuesday.

Questions like:

Am I voting for the candidate of my choice or the choice of my candidate?

Or the choice of my candidate’s choice?

And is my choice the candidate of choice?

Or even the choicest candidate?

Does my candidate have a uterus or … Yikes! … something else?

Where can I get a pair of those kick-@$$ black suede boots Palin wears on the campaign trail?
Or, will Barack take the boots from Gloria Vanderbilt’s feet and give them to me if he wins?

Is Cindy McCain a freshly-manufactured Stepford Wife?

Is Barack Obama’s father really Darth Vader?

Did Sarah Palin name her children - Piper, Track, Willow, Trig and Bristol - while still under the influence of birth-giving, mind-enhancing Demerol?

If she has more, will they be named Ceilingtile, Betcha, Obgyn (pronounced like R2D2), Cellulite or Wink?

If McCain and Joe the Plumber are traveling in Air Force One from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Calif., how many hours until Joe loses his 15 minutes of fame?

If Delaware separates from the Continental shelf and floats into the Atlantic because of some unknown fault line, will Joe Biden still have his gig as senator?

Did Obama really stack wooden blocks with a Turkish toddler terrorist when they were both two-years-old and attending the Hawaiian Preschool for Future Leaders?

It’s getting so ridiculous on Capitol Hill that the only vote that would bring some kind of relief is Jack Kevorkian for White House physician.

But as a lifetime member of Hope-A-Holics Anonymous, I’m not giving up on the system just yet. I’m tough and have been through tougher times.

And, I’m pretty sure I could skin an elk.

The question is, why would I want to?

Jacqueline June “Jackie” Gotz, age 79, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, IN where she moved when her health failed a couple years ago. Born on June 29, 1929 in West Frankfort, Franklin County, IL she was the daughter of Joseph S. and Theresa Verna (Frick) Spires. During her childhood, she moved from West Frankfort, Illinois to Pontiac, Michigan and graduated from Pontiac Senior High School with the Class of 1947. She attended Pacific Bible College, Portland, OR through her junior year, transferring to Phillips University, Enid OK. On August 23, 1952, she married Reverend Russel B. Gotz, at the Sellwood Park Church of God, Portland, OR. While living in Enid, OK, her husband served as student pastor of a small church in West Liberty and she gave birth to 2 children, Jon Robert in 1953 and Teresa Jean in 1957. In 1955, she earned her Religious Education and Bible degree.

More…

Vivian L. Shambaugh, age 90, of Churubusco, IN passed away at 4:45 pm Friday, October 31, 2008 at The Oaks, Columbia City, IN. Born on June 26, 1918 in Churubusco, IN, she was the daughter of Frank and Leona (Hawn) Sheldon. She was a lifetime resident of Churubusco, IN and graduated from Churubusco High School with the Class of 1936. On March 21, 1942, she married Harold L. Shambaugh at Pastor Marion Shroyer’s Parsonage, Columbia City, IN.

More…

Radio station Star 88.3’s tenth Annual Adoption Celebration will be Sunday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m.

The event is hosted by Parkview Family YMCA, 10001 Dawsons Creek Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Special guest will be national comedian and ventriloquist, David Pendleton.

This is a free event open to the public to help celebrate adoptive families and individuals considering adoption.

A love offering will be taken to benefit the Lutheran Social Services adoption agency.

There will be many agencies present with adoption information.

For more information go to www.fwymca.org or www.star883.com.

This past spring, Cheryl Nimtz, Columbia City resident and mother, approached Count Me In! (CMI) regarding a grant to coordinate a summer art club for middle school aged girls.

CMI approved the request and the New Moon Art Club was formed. A series of eight classes followed over the summer. Emphasis was on various forms of art ranging from stamping, beading, sketching, cross-stitching, and face painting. At the end of the summer program, the girls visited the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. In addition to viewing the art on display, they discussed their favorites. And as a part of the trip,

they learned proper museum etiquette since many had never been to a museum. Adults sharing in the experience along with Nimtz were Beth Seaton, Sarah Smith, Joni Walker, Leah Jagger, and Peggy McCarthy.

All materials and supplies were purchased by CMI while the adults served as mentors, teachers, and supervision for the young women who participated.

This is just one example of the sixty-four grants that have been approved by CMI since April 2002. To date, CMI has approved $41,780 in grants that connected caring adults with kids. Grants have been for scrapbooking classes, soccer club in South Whitley, bike safety rodeo, music week, tutoring program, show choir week, wood carving class, Sign Language Club, fishing derby, garden club and many others.

CMI exists to fund new programs that make connections with Whitley County youth and adults, and to promote the 40 Developmental Assets as researched by the Search Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Assets are forty areas that a responsible, caring adult would have experienced in their development from child to adulthood. These assets are found in eight broad categories: Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, Constructive Use of Time, Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, and Positive Identity.

According to the Search Institute, while the majority of Americans say they believe it is a good idea to contribute to the healthy development of young people, very few act

ually take action. Fortunately, for the young women above interested adults stepped forward to make a connection.

CMI will consider grants to new and innovative ideas that require funding in Whitley County. CMI can even help to register participants and find a location to host the session or sessions in addition to assisting financially. Please be aware salaries will not be funded by a grant.

If you are interested in a grant or learn more about CMI, contact John Slavich, program officer for the Whitley County Community Foundation, at 244-5224.

CMI adult volunteers available for counseling include Rhonda Jones, Amy Shaw, Larry Wooley, Krista Pope, Monica Trump, Darcy Hoopingarner, Amber Lecklider, Peggy McCarthy, Ryan Carper, Nikki Trier, Kendra Zickafoose and David Addison.

For more information about the 40 Developmental Assets go to www.search-institute.org.

Story and photo contributed.