(Talk of the Town photo provided) Below, Carrie Ebersole and John Fosnaugh are celebrating 20 years of service at Micropulse, Inc. in Whitley County.

Article provided

Micropulse, Inc., a leader in the medical device manufacturing industry is recognizing two employees for their dedication and service to the company.
Carrie Ebersole and John Fosnaugh both joined Micropulse on June 7, 1993, and are celebrating 20 years with the company.  They both started through the Columbia City High School Student Co-op Educational Program.
Carrie Ebersole has worn many hats at Micropulse.  She started as an administrative assistant and worked her way through accounting, purchasing, and shipping/receiving.  She is currently employed as the shared operations manager, where she is responsible for production support in cleaning, passivation, shipping, materials management and document control. 
John Fosnaugh started at Micropulse as a CNC machinist.  He has worked in many departments over the years, including CNC machining and automation assembly. He is currently employed as a maintenance technician, where he is responsible for managing various equipment and facilities maintenance activities.
Micropulse is thankful for Ebersole and Fosnaugh's commitment and service and is honoring them by making a charitable contribution in their name to BABE of Whitley County and the Whitley County Humane Society.
Micropulse provides development and manufacturing solutions for instruments, implants, and sterilization cases for all market segments of the orthopedic industry. 
Micropulse is committed to being a leader in the medical device manufacturing industry by creating high value for our customers through highly skilled people and the latest technology, all supported by an organization built on foundational values of quality and integrity.
For more information about Micropulse, visit www.micropulseinc.com

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By Tammy Nickolson

With a capital campaign that exceeded its goal, Passages, Inc. continues to further its mission to be a leader in providing quality and innovative programs and services for individuals with an intellectual disability.  
The goal of the capital campaign was to raise $750,000 -- with $782,500 raised to date. The capital campaign raised funds to remodel the former Parkview Health owned Lehmberg Medical Office Building in Columbia City.   
Passages was recently notified that it is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Dekko Foundation, with the funds directed to the capital campaign. Dekko also supported the capital campaign in 2012 with a $75,000 grant.   The Creative Learning Center is being developed to enhance the programs and services offered by Passages today, prepare for future needs, and expand outreach to individuals with an intellectual disability, their families and loved ones.
“We believe Passages is helping young people gain skills, knowledge and character traits that they need to live economically free lives," said Ashlee Slone, Dekko Foundation program officer. "Our experience with the Passages’ staff has been exceptional and we are happy to be able to invest in such a well-run and effective organization. They are creating positive change in the community.”
With a legacy that started 59 years ago, Passages remains committed to client choice, community based services, and opportunities for integration that will enhance opportunities for those served to live a life of meaning.
For further information, contact www.passagesinc.org, or Tom O’Neill (260-403-6295) or via email at toneill@passagesinc.org.

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By Tracy Lytwyn

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long has appointed State Senator Jim Banks of Columbia City to summer study committees that will review issues related to education and veterans affairs.
During the 2013 legislative session, Banks authored multiple bills that focused on these two topics. He will serve on the Regional Campuses Study Committee, which emerged from his legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 98. This requires the committee to review topics regarding the governance and operation of regional campuses as well as Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne’s growth and management.
“The structure of our regional campuses makes them unique from other colleges,” Banks said. “Since they are subject to different regulations, it’s necessary to evaluate whether these rules are still appropriate for their school as it grows. That idea will guide the committee’s work through the interim.”
Banks also said he will serve on the Commission on Education, which will review an issue addressed in another of his bills.  Senate Enrolled Act 409 requires the Department of Education to develop performance standards for teacher education programs, which will then be used to rate these programs. As part of the bill, the Commission will review best practices for evaluating teacher preparation programs and student graduation statistics.

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(Talk of the Town photos provided)

This past Saturday, June 15, Hannah Reid swam in the Glen S. Hummer 2013 Huntington Mile in Lake Clare in Huntington, Indiana.
Reid swam a one mile or 1.76 K race in what they call "open water race" in the lake, above. A USA sanctioned swimming event, children and teams from all over Indiana to compete at this event.
Reid competed in the 11-12 year-old age group and placed first with a time of 23:57.05

Above, Reid competes her laps in Lake Clare. At right, a beaming smile after a big win.

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By Jennifer Zartman Romano

Author Colleen Coble of Wabash will be at the Cleveland Township-South Whitley Public Library on Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. to lead an informative book discussion.
Coble is a Christian author of romance, romantic suspense and historical fiction novels. She's sold over 2 million copies of her 35 novels and novellas. She has received many accolades for her work, including the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award.
Coble will share her story and experience with all in attendance.
There is no fee to attend this discussion.

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By Rachel Burkholder

Erin’s House for Grieving Children is nearing completion of the state’s first stand-alone grief center for children, and is extending an opportunity for the people of northeast Indiana to help bring the project to a close.
With an expected dedication date in early September, the new Erin’s House will be the first standalone entity in the state of Indiana solely dedicated to providing support and education services to grieving children and their families. The new facility will be located at 5670 YMCA Park Drive West in northeast Fort Wayne and will offer more than 14,000 square feet of usable space, enabling the local not-for-profit to expand its programs, services and community partnerships for children, teens and families, as well as for other grief centers and bereavement professionals throughout the region -- including grieving families in Whitley County.
“For nearly 20 years, Erin’s House has called many locations ‘home’ as we’ve continued to grow our service to the community,” said Debbie Meyer, executive director of Erin’s House. “Now, through the incredible generosity of our dedicated supporters, we are finally building our own permanent residence that will ensure grieving children, teens and families have a safe place to heal their hearts for generations to come. Erin’s House will finally have its own home.”
While private funding covered a large part of the initial construction costs, the greater community now has an opportunity to support the project as it nears completion. A custom-made butterfly sculpture will adorn the entrance to the facility and will feature the names of individuals, families, groups, companies and organizations who have contributed to the capital campaign that made construction of the new Erin’s House possible. The butterfly’s wings in the sculpture will bear the names of donors, creating a visually striking mosaic that will greet visitors as they enter the new facility.
“This sculpture will be a visible and memorable way for us to recognize the many people in our community who have helped to make this new facility possible,” Meyer added. “Those who’ve donated are making an investment in the future of our organization, as well as the future of our community’s young people.”
Those interested in learning more about contributing to the final phase of the construction campaign can visit www.erinshouse.org or call 260.423.2466.

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From reports

The Columbia City High School Football Team participated in their first summer Seven on Seven Tournament on Saturday at East Noble, reaching the finals of the 16 team tournament before falling to New Haven.
Seven on Seven is a passing game competition played without linemen.
The twelve-player squad of Eagles included two freshmen and three sophomores against several teams bringing the maximum sixteen participants. After a close loss in overtime to Garrett in the tournament’s first round, the Eagles reeled off five consecutive victories against Churubusco, DeKalb, Concordia, Carroll, and Woodlan.
The Eagle offense, with Senior Quarterback Travis Herbst at the controls, turned in an outstanding performance with notable contributions from Seniors Wayne Smith and Sam Dailey, along with Juniors Drew O’Dell and Trevor Bolt. These five teammates also logged a significant number of snaps on a defense that yielded one of the lowest number of scores in the competition.
On the whole, the entire squad showed a great deal of effort and toughness in defeating opponents that were often bigger, faster, and more experienced.
The Eagles will finish their seven on seven tournament season at Pike High School in Indianapolis this Saturday.

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From reports

Do you like to play sand volleyball? Help support Leadership Whitley County by participating in the first annual Minear Real Estate Sand Volleyball Tournament!
The tournament is set for Saturday, July 27, 2013, at DeVol Field in Columbia City. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. and the first game will begin at 11 a.m.
The fee to participate is $10 per person or a team for $60.
All proceeds from the event support Leadership Whitley County.
For more information or to register, contact Brandon Ferrell at 414-9521 or by email at ferrellbr@gmail.com

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(Talk of the Town photo by James Romano)
National Flag Day is in recognition of a resolution by the Second Continental Congress, signed on June 14, 1877, stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and that “the union be 13 stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation."
At noon on Saturday, June 15, 2013, the Columbia City Elks Lodge will be joined by the Columbia City and Churubusco American Legions, the Columbia City VFW, the South Whitley VFW and AmVets and the Daughters of the American Revolution to present a celebration of our National Banner. This is a public ceremony, to be held on the north lawn of the Whitley County Courthouse. All are invited to attend and show our support of our American Flag.

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(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
The fireworks display is always a high point of Churubusco's annual Turtle Days Festival, shown above in 2012 -- the last fireworks show of it's kind for the summer because fireworks were suspended due to the draught. This year, events are slated for June 19-22, 2013.
For a full schedule of events for Turtle Days, click here.

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By Robin Koller

If you are looking for ways to reduce your energy costs this summer, free Residential Home Energy Assessments from Energizing Indiana can help! Learn ways to improve the comfort and efficiently of your home, lower energy bills, improve in-home air quality, and increase your home's value. Qualified professionals will assess your energy use and recommend appropriate weatherization measures. They may also inspect your home's air duct sealing, insulation levels and more. You will also receive a FREE energy savings kit, which includes low-flow showerheads, CFL light bulbs and sink aerators. Once the assessment is complete, you also receive a free report detailing what can be done to start saving energy right away.
Plus if you sign up at Peabody Public Library or on the library's website, the library will receive a $25 donation for every home enrolled. You can save energy and money, and help your community at the same time!
Participating energy companies are Duke Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Indiana Municipal Power Agencies, Indianapolis Power & Light, NIPSCO and Vectren.  Homes must be at least 3 years old.
Stop by Peabody Public Library or visit http://www.ppl.lib.in.us for more information.

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By Jennifer Zartman Romano

The Columbia City Redevelopment Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at noon to hear findings from the recently formed Acquisition Committee, a group looking at obtaining property in the downtown area for the purpose of redevelopment. More information about this effort is anticipated following this meeting.
Other topics of discussion will include The Center and Smith & Sons Funeral Home.
Recent facade grant applications will also be reviewed.
Redevelopment commission members include Carl Siler, Kevin Snell, Lindsey Hively, Ben Romine and Patricia Hatcher.

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From reports

Junior Achievement of Whitley County invites the community to participate in their annual Auto, Truck and Cycle Show on August 3, 2013.  Gates open at 8 a.m. in downtown Columbia City on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn. Show registration will close at 10 a.m.
Prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. for the Top 5 categories and dash plaques handed out for the first 200 registered. Early registration is $10 if registered before July 29 or $15 at the gate.
For more information or to register, contact Julie Copeland at Julie.Copeland@superioressex.com or call 260-609-6039.
Vendors are still being accepted for the show. Booth space is $10 for a non-for-profit and $15 for others. To reserve your space contact Gene Donaghy at gdonaghy@nremc.com or call 625-3700 x403. 

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