Wabash Marketplace Executive Director Steve Downs talks about the past year during the group’s annual meeting. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Joseph Slacian

Wabash Marketplace Inc.’s membership increased 8 percent in 2017. It now stands at 138 members.

That was one of the points brought forward Thursday night, Nov. 9, during WMI’s annual meeting. About 100 people gathered at Reading Room Books to hear a recap of the year and vote to ratify the board for the upcoming year.

Now in its 36th year, WMI’s original purpose was to promote economic development downtown, Executive Director Steve Downs reminded those present.

The Denneys celebrated the seventh sibling in the line of nine to reach their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 29. Before the celebration, the family posed for a photo with their spouses. They are (from left) Lawrence and Beverly (Vrooman) Denney, Jack and Mary Louise (Denney) Thompson, Carol (Denney) and John Schetzle, Max and Janet (Hodel) Denney, David and Carolyn (Manning) Denney, and Bob and Ellen (Sebert) Denney. [Not picture: Donald and the late Marilyn (Garrison) Denney] Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Bob and Ellen Denney reached their golden anniversary on Oct. 8 and became the seventh set of Denney siblings to achieve 50 years of marriage.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, the Denneys celebrated the milestone at the Honeywell Center, the six other siblings present to welcome them to the club.

A family native to Wabash County, the late Darwin “John” and Delores “Jeff” (Jeffries) Denney’s eldest seven of nine children — Lawrence, Mary Louise, Donald, Carol, Max, David and Bob—have all reached 50-year wedding anniversaries. Within the family, there are six sons and two daughters. One daughter passed away.

Youths play and learn the alphabet during the Little Knights, Little Norse program. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

The Little Knights and Little Norse preschool students are learning through play and building independence and confidence before entering kindergarten, according to MSD of Wabash County officials.

The MSD-based pre-kindergarten program kicked off in August and, so far, “it has exceeded all expectations,” according to Janette Moore, Metro North Elementary School principal.

Hosted at Metro North and Southwood Elementary, the LKLN program has started nearly 50 youth, referred to as “the littles,” on the academic track.

Sgt. Nick Brubaker poses for a photo in Traverse City, Mich., following a 400-mile bike ride from LaFontaine. Brubaker packed light for the journey, carrying his belongings on a homemade trailer. Photo provided

By Emma Rausch

When Wabash Police Sgt. Nick Brubaker set out on his 400-mile bike ride to Traverse City, Mich., on Sept. 9, he packed light and hoped for the best.

“It was unsupported and solo,” Brubaker told The Paper of Wabash County. “I went by myself and there were no support vehicles. … And I didn’t want to stop.”

From Sept. 9-16, Brubaker pedaled his way up the coast of Lake Michigan, stopping in campgrounds along the way before concluding the journey in Traverse City.