By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
and
Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Dick Beemer received the Tall Sycamore of the Wabash award for 2018 on Saturday morning, prior to the start of the Wabash River Defenders annual Clean Out the Banks of the Wabash event.

WRD founder Mike Beauchamp presented the award to Beemer in front of a crowd of volunteers gathered at the Paradise Spring Historical Park.

“He has stood alongside all of us for the past eight years while together, we have improved our river,” Beauchamp said.
In addition, he noted, Beemer has paddled the length of the Wabash and Ohio rivers and beyond.

“He has stood in the river at 6:30 in the morning, in freezing weather, while snowing on the ice in the river,” Beauchamp continued. “He has flown above our river to make inspections and to support aerial photography.

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

In 2016, the City of Wabash won Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution.

Across country, in Yreka, Calif., Dan Daniels watched the ensuing video series, and fell in love with the community.
“Googling one day we saw the Small Business Revolution,” Daniels said. “So we watched that, and watched it, and rewatched it. It was kind of a binge watch of the season.”

His wife, Patti, added, “I remember coming home that first day after he found it, and he said, ‘I found where I want to live.’”

In May, the couple visited Wabash during First Friday, put down an offer on a downtown building, returned to California and put their home on the market. It sold within 24 hours, and the couple began planning their move to Indiana.

On Friday, Aug. 3, during the August First Friday celebration, their business, New Tradition Dulcimers, 14 W. Canal St., will officially open. It is one of the featured businesses during the First Friday event.

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

WABASH -- Mikayla Munn received a 12-year sentence Tuesday afternoon in Wabash Circuit Court in connection with the 2016 death of her newborn son.

Wabash Circuit Court Judge Robert McCallen III suspended three years of the sentence, during which time Munn will be placed on probation.

Munn pled guilty in June to neglect of a dependent, a level 3 felony. She originally faced charges of murder and neglect of a dependent as a level 1 felony.

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

One retired Wabash Police Department officer was honored Monday night, while another member of the WPD and a member of the Wabash Fire Department were promoted when the Wabash City Council met.

Wabash Patrolman Greg Music, who retired earlier this month after 34 years on the department, received a plaque from Mayor Scott Long.

Meanwhile, WPD Patrolman Paige Blanton was promoted to First Class Patrolman.

By The Paper staff

PERU – “The Understudy” will be presented Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 2-5, by No Frills Theater.

The performances will be at the Ivy Tech Theater in Peru. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-4 and 2 p.m. Aug. 5.

There is no admission fee; however, donations will be accepted.

The dark comedy has a PG rating for some language and adult situations.

By The Paper staff

NORTH MANCHESTER -- On Friday evening, Aug. 10, “Dancing Under the Stars” celebrates the many forms of partnership dancing. 

The FunFest program kicks off at 6:30 with performances by area social dancers in styles such as swing, tango, hustle, waltz and country.  At 7 p.m., a swing class will be taught by Warsaw instructor Teena Nichols. This will be followed by a swing dance contest at 7:30.  Participants will be randomly paired with partners so dancers at any level of experience can participate.  Top couples will receive gift certificates to local restaurants and area dance events. 

By The Paper staff

The Wabash Valley Music Association will host a list of upcoming performances taking place during the 2018-2019 season at the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater.

The series consists of seven shows that feature quality Broadway, classical, and vocal performances. Corporate 

Sponsorship for the Wabash Valley Music Association is provided by Parkview Wabash Hospital.

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Marcia and Terry Knee are the newest members of the Wabash County 4-H Volunteer Hall of Fame.

The couple received the honor Friday afternoon, prior to the start of annual Wabash County 4-H livestock auction.

The Knees are the second inductees into the Hall of Fame. Duane Truss received the honor last year.