Local author, Peggy V. McCallen, shows off her books. She will be at the Honeywell House on Thursdy to read one of them. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Although Wabash resident Peggy V. McCallen will present her book “The Dog with the Doughnut-Shaped Tail” at the Honeywell House on Thursday, April 16, she admits that she had no idea she was an author until after an afternoon lunch with her children.

“I didn’t know anything about (the book) until it was published,” McCallen said in an interview with The Paper of Wabash County. “When I first saw it, our daughter came home from Oklahoma and we were just having a nice lunch just before Thanksgiving and Penny (French-Deal) had come too, and I thought that was very nice and they suddenly handed me the book.”

While McCallen originally wrote the tale about a dog named Thoughtful over 60 years ago, she never expected to publish it.

“I took a famous writer’s course and I found out I’m not a very good writer,” McCallen joked. “I’ve written other things before, but nothing worth publishing. … So, I was totally shocked when I saw the book.”

By Joseph Slacian

City of Wabash officials are urging residents who have not yet filled out income surveys they received to do so.

“This survey will be used to determine eligibility for certain grant-funding programs as part of our Stellar Communities designation,” Mayor Robert Vanlandingham said. “It is vitally important that you return this survey as quickly as possible, in the pre-addressed stamped envelope, as we need to receive a designated number of responses for our survey to be considered valid.”

In February, The Region III-A Development and Regional Planning Commission sent out about 700 surveys to local residents.

As of Thursday, April 9, 356 responses were returned, according to City Hall officials. That means another survey will be sent to the 344 non-responsive households.

Wabash Musicale practices for their upcoming Guest Night choral performance on April 21. The group includes (front row, from left) Sheri Shanks, Susan Jones, Pat Cassiday, Sue Gray, Kae Gifford, Judy Ward, Delight Howes, (top row, from left) Beth Perkins, Dorviky Merrich, Bettie Miller, Luvernia Wilson, Margie Gillespie, Sarah See, Susan Vanlandingham, director Carolyn Eppley, and (not pictured) accompanist Eileen Dye. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

On Tuesday April 21, the Wabash Musicale will perform their Guest Night spring concert at the First Methodist Church, announced Susan Jones, one of the group’s charter members.

Established in 1967, the group formed with the purpose to “keep music alive in Wabash,” said Sue Gray, president.

“I love Musicale. It’s an opportunity to perform music you never get to at any other time,” Gray said in an interview with The Paper of Wabash County. “Even if you’re not performing in public any more, you get to perform during the year with your peers. … And everyone brings something different to the group.”

By Emma Rausch

When Northfield senior Jonathan Fawley was diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia on Dec. 30, 2014, he said had an idea that he had cancer after the doctors admitted him to Riley Children’s Hospital after a visit for a sinus infection.

Since the diagnosis, Fawley’s life has changed. Going in and out of hospital visits, he plans to graduate on time from Northfield, but he said that he no longer plans to attend college, but instead will take online courses.

Also, medical expenses are piling up.

Although the Fawley family has never asked for help, as word spread about Fawley’s condition a local group of artists took action to help out their peer.

On April 22, lead by Northfield senior Jeremy Nevil, a group of local students will share the stage and perform both cover and original songs for the Fawley Benefit Concert.

Rep David Wolkins (right) listens as a measure honoring ARC of Wabash County's 60th anniversary was read on the Indiana Statehouse floor. Joining him were (from left) Kim Opsahl, President of Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, ARC Program Director Linda Johnson and ARC President and CEO Nancy Hoffman. Photo Provided

By Joseph Slacian

ARC of Wabash County was honored on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives for its 60th anniversary.

State Rep. David Wolkins authored the resolution to honor the local agency that provides services and opportunities for those with disabilities to live meaningful lives.

“It is an honor to recognize ARC of Wabash County in the House Chamber, said Wolkins, R-Warsaw. “This organization has impacted the lives of so many Hoosiers, and we are fortunate to have such an am azing group of individuals working in our community. “

Michael Lengel is informed by Julie Garber, program director for the Community Foundation of Wabash County, that he was selected as the 2015 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Looking on is his mother, Amy Lee Lengel. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Joseph Slacian

When Michael Lengel walked into a conference room in the main office of Southwood High School on Thursday afternoon, April 2, several family members and other individuals greeted him.

Perhaps the most important person there to welcome Lengel, a soon-to-be 2015 high school graduate, was Julie Garber, program director for the Community Foundation of Wabash County. For it was Garber who broke what could easily be called the best news that Lengel has received thus far in his fairly young life.

“Michael,” she said, “I’m here to tell you that you are the 2015 recipient of the Lilly Endowment Scholarship.”

By Joseph Slacian

Early and absentee voting begins in the Wabash County Clerk’s office on Monday, April 20, and will continue for two weeks. Voting will be available from noon to 4 p.m. 

Also, the Clerk’s office will be open for voting from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25 and May 2. The last day to vote early in the Clerk’s office is from 8 a.m. to noon Monday, May 4.

For those wanting to vote in the LaFontaine area, there will be early voting on Saturday, April 25 and May 2, at the Liberty Township Fire Department. Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to noon.

By Joseph Slacian

The Economic Development Group of Wabash County (EDG) will use up to $45,000 in County Economic Development Income Tax for three projects it has planned.

EDG President and CEO Keith Gillenwater received permission to use the funds during the Wabash County Commissioners meeting on March 30.

Part of the funds will be used to update the organization’s website, while a new marketing initiative is planned to complement the website project. The third project is to support Wabash County’s buy-in for the Regional Cities Proposal.

Revamping the Website will take the biggest part of the funds, he said, roughly $25,000.