by Emily Armentrout

On Nov. 6, 2013, Carson Ryne McKee was born to Jarrod and Heather, McKee, Wabash. At his one-week check up, Carson was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Always looking for new ways to stay fit and wanting to help a deserving family, family friend, Allison Eads-Dawes, Catalyst Fitness, decided to head up a benefit to assist Carson and his family.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States have CF. “Carson has the most common form of the mutation know as the Delta F508. A defective gene that produces thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can cause life threatening infections,” Jarrod, Carson’s father, told The Paper.

Carson is now seven months old, and he takes enzymes to help aid his pancreas. Carson currently takes over 20 pills a day. This number will increase as Carson grows older. Carson is also treated in the morning and the evening with a treatment called “pats,” where they pat him in eight different locations on the lung area to break up any mucus that could be building up in his lungs. “You would never and will never be able to tell he has Cystic Fibrosis as it’s known as the ‘invisible disease,” Jarrod told The Paper. “He can still play sports and excel in the classroom in the future,” added Jarrod. Starting out, the McKees were making monthly trips to Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis. They currently make bi-monthly visits, but the trips will eventually become every three months until they find a cure. They feel fortunate to work with Dr. Howenstine, who is a leader in the CF world and originally from Huntington.

by Emily Armentrout

In a collaborative effort, the three Wabash County school districts are holding the first Wabash Innovation Summit for Education at Northfield High School on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. This conference will network opportunities along with workshops and keynote speakers, Eric Sheninger and George Couros.

During the Fall of 2013, Wabash City Schools, the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County and Manchester Community Schools applied together for an Indiana Department of Education Summer of eLearning grant. This application was completed by Justin Vail, Wabash City Schools, Brian Miller, MSD of Wabash County, and Janelle McLaughlin, Manchester Community Schools and the districts were awarded, together, $15,000 to sponsor the conference. Part of the grant required the applicants to obtain two nationally known speakers. “Both men are school administrators who have built a following by sharing their educational experiences through Twitter and blogging,” said Lavonne Sparling, former Chief Academic Officer for MSD of Wabash County.

Eric Sheninger, Bergen County, New Jersey, will be the keynote speaker for the Thursday session, beginning after registration at 8 a.m. According to the Wabash WISE website, “Eric is the award-winning principal at New Milford High School. His work focuses on leading and leading in the digital age as a model for moving schools and districts forward.”

The keynote speaker for the Friday session, beginning at 8 a.m., is George Couros. Couros is a Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning with Parkland School Division, located in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada. “George is passionate about distributed leadership within his division, and he believes that creating a collaborative environment with all stakeholders will held to ensure that we meet the best needs of all children,” according to wabashwise.org.

All area businesses are invited to participate in the second-annual Wabash County Industrial Disc Golf Tournament being held on June 29, at 8 a.m. at the Wabash City Park.

This tournament is a single-elimination format. Consisting of two person teams, best-shot rules apply.

Last year, eight, two person teams from three area businesses competed for a traveling trophy and bragging rights. The overall winners were: Josh Baldwin and Chris Gibson, from Owens Corning-Thermafiber.

To register, contact Heath Clark at 260-274-0362 or heath.clark @owenscorning.com or Alan Siepker at 260-563-0420 or alan.siepker@owenscorning.com by July 26.

There is no cost to enter and refreshments will be provided.

Barb Drye brings with her twenty years of experience in Real Estate listings and sales.  Her desire is to do a great job whether working with buyers or sellers.  Barb states, “My priorities are as follows:  people come first, product comes next, and lastly profits.”  She brings not only the experience, but a high Code of Ethics and Professional Standards to do the job right.  She is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Indiana Association of Realtors, and the Realtors Association of Central Indiana, and the Indiana Regional MLS.

A Southwood High School graduate, Barb has been married to Fred for forty-two years, who now enjoys being semi-retired after thirty-two years as the Pastorate.  They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Barb looks forward to being a part of the Wabash Community and serving buyers and sellers with all of their real estate needs!  You can reach her at barbdrye@gmail.com, or her cell 574-721-0876, or the office at 260-563-4962.   

On Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14,  Brandt’s Harley-Davidson will host the Great American Daredevil Bubba Blackwell for a series of Harley-Davidson stunt shows and one huge ramp-to-ramp jump!

For the first time in Brandt’s Harley-Davidson history, Bubba Blackwell, the Great American Daredevil, will be performing a Harley-Davidson, ramp-to-ramp jump over at least 10 brand new Dodge Darts! Mr. Blackwell is the only man in history to break all of Evel Knievel’s records using the same bike!  With sponsorship from Wabash Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Wabash, Brandt’s is able to host this epic event of the year in their dealership parking lot, open and free to the public of all ages! 

The Honeywell Center in Wabash has announced the on sale date of two new shows, comedian Rodney Carrington and country superstar Martina McBride.

Rodney Carrington’s performance will take place on the Ford Theater stage at the Honeywell Center on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 13, at 8 a.m.  Sponsorship for this performance is provided by Market Street Grill.

Rodney Carrington is a multi-talented comedian, actor and writer who has recorded eight major record label comedy albums, which have sold millions of copies. Carrington has been one of the top ten highest grossing touring comedians for the last ten years and among the top 4 or 5 the last several years.  This performance is recommended for mature audiences.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. WWKI 100.5 will welcome country singer superstar Martina McBride for her performance on the Ford Theater stage at the Honeywell Center.  Sponsorship for this performance is provided by the Wabash County Hospital.  Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 12 at 8 a.m.

Recently McBride made history as the first solo female artist to debut at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart with an independently released and distributed album in the chart’s 50-year history. Her album Everlasting is Martina’s fifth #1 on the Top Country Albums chart.

To date, Martina McBride has sold over 18 million albums, which have included twenty top 10 hits and six #1 smashes. She has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Associations and three wins for Top Female Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music. Some of her top songs include: Independence Day, Wild Angels, My Baby Loves Me, and I'm Gonna Love You Through It.

The Wabash Carnegie Public Library is offering a free program by Minnetrista Puppets at the Honeywell Center Gym on Wednesday, June 11 at 9:30 a.m.

The show, Furry Tales with a Twist, takes you on an adventure with Sam and Alex—two blundering actors with a scrambled script—as they perform GoldiSOCKS and the Three WOLVES, The Three Billy TROLLS Gruff, and the Three Little BEARS, who battle the Big Bad BILLY GOAT in the end. Minnetrista’s puppeteers will engage with the audience as they show what elements build a story and involve children in reimagining three beloved fairy tales. This play will delight audiences with whimsically eye-catching puppets, eccentric costumes, and enchanting sets. 

This program is part of WCPL’s Summer Reading Program: Fizz, Boom, Read!

For more information, call the library at 260-563-2972 or visit WCPL on the web at http://www.wabash.lib.in.us.

Peru Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident at the Mississinewa Dam Spillway where the body of a male subject was located during the early morning of June 2.

Indiana Conservation Officers, assisted by State Police, Miami County Police, Amboy Fire Department, Dukes EMS, and the Miami County Coroner, recovered the body from Mississinewa River. It is believed the adult male subject was fishing just prior to entering the water.

The investigation is still ongoing. An autopsy will be performed by the Miami County Coroner’s Office.

Charles Stout, 73, Kokomo, was found in the Mississinewa River by a fisherman around 1 a.m. Monday. It is suspected that a medical condition may have been a contributing factor, however that is unconfirmed until the investigation is complete.

Indiana Conservation Officers continue to remind everyone to wear a US Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket when in or around the water.