News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 27, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Light-hearted humor flew into the air as Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman shook hands with Pretzels Inc. President Bill Huggins and his son, Steve, vice president of administration and purchasing.
“Boy, I didn’t know you were so pretty. Prettier than the governor,” Bill Huggins said. Steve added, “I think you’re taller too,” followed by laughter around the room.
Skillman visited Bluffton Tuesday to tour Pretzels Inc. She came to understand the challenges and successes the company faces since as lieutenant governor she serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“This was important for me to see so I can tout them across the state and know what other food processing companies will face if they move to Indiana,” Skillman told the News-Banner.
Food processing employs more than 34,000 people in Indiana and Pretzels Inc. is one of the state’s largest food processors, according to Skillman’s press secretary Vicki Duncan Gardner.
Skillman came to Bluffton from Huntington where she visited the new Sheets Wildlife Museum and spoke at the Huntington Rotary Club. She said she has visited 13 counties in the last seven days.
Skillman stepped down from her Ethanol-powered black Chevrolet before shaking hands with many employees. Her time in Bluffton lasted about an hour before she left.
Receptionist Brandi McCormick raised her eyebrows with a startled look to see Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman greeting her.
“I was surprised she was here and glad that I got the opportunity to meet her,” said McCormick, a 21-year-old native of Bluffton and a student at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Before Skillman’s tour, owners Bill Mann, chairman, and Bill Huggins explained Pretzel Inc.’s mission. Mayor Ted Ellis jumped in, highlighting the 1997 Christmas Eve fire.
Ellis explained that after the fire, the owners kept their employees on payroll and Mann shot back, saying “Yeah you think the mayor would lower our taxes” as he laughed.
Mann gave Skillman a brief history of the business.
“The old joke we use is that it’s the last legitimate crooked business,” he said.
Pretzels Inc. went from one shift, one pretzel oven and five employees in 1979 to its current three shifts, eight pretzel ovens and 250 employees, according to its Web site.
Bill Huggins explained that pretzels are 65 percent of the snack industry. Steve Huggins said the company produces about an average of 150,000 pounds within a 24-hour period.
Rob Swain, director of Economic Development for Indiana’s Department of Agriculture, who accompanied Skillman during the tour, asked if the company receives many customers from the airline industry.
Mann explained that Northwest Airline is a customer, the airlines are cutting back on their pretzel purchasing.
Ellis said Bluffton receives phone calls because of the small pretzel bags that carry Bluffton’s name.
“The ripple effect is just amazing,” he said.
Mann drew surprised looks when he said hardware chain Menards was one of Pretzel Inc.’s biggest customers.
Tour participants were asked to remove their watches and bracelets and put on hair nets. After being warned an air conditioning unit was not working, many of the men removed their suit jackets.
Pretzels Inc. Director of Operations John Sommer led the eight tour participants through the factory. Sommer said one room in the tour was 125 degrees.
The tour participants included Jim Jackson, a Bluffton building contractor, Phil Swain of National City Bank in Bluffton and Lisa Shelton with AgriNews, an agriculture weekly newspaper in Indianapolis.
After her tour, Skillman said she was fascinated with the facility. Dressed in a shell pink jacket and white slacks, she smoothed her hair after she pulled her hair net off.
“We’ll spread the good story,” Skillman said. “Anything we can do to help you, let us know.”
Skillman described Pretzels Inc. as an “Indiana treasure.”
“I will now look at pretzels in an entirely new way,” she said. “They’re a great corporate neighbor here in Wells County.”
Skillman’s Bluffton visit ended with gifts, as Mann handed “The Pretzel Book,” a small paperback book filled with pretzel history and recipes.
Pretzels Inc. sent more gifts with Skillman as special assistant Tristan Vance and governor fellow Justin McAdams carried out 24 bags of pretzels in boxes that said “Handle with tender loving care” on the side.

(Sidebar) Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman

Age: 54

Hometown: Bedford, Ind.

Family: Skillman and her husband, Steve, have a son Aaron.

Position: On Jan. 10, 2005, Becky Skillman was sworn in as the first woman elected to the position of lieutenant governor in the state of Indiana.

Duties include: serving as president of the senate, overseeing the Office of Tourism Development, the Energy Group and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
Skillman chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council, the intergovernmental entity responsible for homeland security. She also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development under the state’s, new Department of Agriculture and Office of Rural Affairs.

Previous political work: Skillman began her political career in 1977 when she was elected as the Lawrence County Recorder. Eight years later, the voters of Lawrence County chose her to serve as county clerk.
In 1992, Hoosiers in five southern Indiana counties elected Skillman to represent them in the Indiana Senate. She became the first woman in Senate Republican leadership when she held the second highest position as majority caucus chair.
During her 12 years in the Senate, she led the charge to include the state’s small towns and rural communities in its economic development agenda serving as president of the Association of Indiana Counties.
Source: Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Web site

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 26, 2005

"New education laws aid some, hurt others"

By Sarah Pulliam
Cheerleading may be safer but mentoring could become more scarce.
An assistant cheerleading coach may be added at Norwell High School thanks to a new law that went into effect July 1, according to Superintendent of Northern Wells Schools Gina Berridge.
A cheerleading safety law and elimination of funding needed for mentoring program, which allows experienced educators to assist new teachers, were part of a package of education laws Indiana Legislature passed last session.
The three Wells County Schools currently follow IHSAA’s cheerleading guidelines but may need to add more specific guidelines.
“I think most schools are very careful anyway with their cheerleading,” Berridge said. “Sometimes I think they pass laws based on emotion instead of saying, ‘How many times does this happen?’ and ‘Do we need this law.?’ ”
The Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education do not keep cheerleading accident statistics.
Sen. Robert Meeks (R-LaGrange), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said eliminating funding for a mentoring program was necessary to decrease state spending.
“We’ve got to get our spending under control,” Meeks said. “I was just looking around for places to cut where I could save money and that was one of them.”
Meeks said the structural deficit where the state spends more than its revenue was estimated to be $630 million and Gov. Mitch Daniels is taking steps to eliminate the structural deficit by June 2006.
The state passed a law requiring schools to provide mentors to new teachers at $600 a year. Meeks guessed the law was passed about 10 years ago.
Police have a mentoring program similar to the school system, but the program isn’t funded by the state, said Meeks.
“Education in my opinion, is no different,” Meeks said.
Superintendent of Southern Wells Schools Neil Potter he was disappointed the state eliminated funding for the mentors.
“I think that’s a step backwards,” Potter said. “If they’re going to require it, they ought to fund it.”
Other laws that went into effect July 1 include:
Kindergarten Age: Changes the kindergarten cut-off to from July 1 to Aug. 1 for the 2006-2007 school year, opening the way for more students in next year’s kindergarten class.
Indiana’s current July 1 kindergarten entrance date is the earliest in the nation and caused difficulties for families who move to Indiana from other states, according to Scott Minier, Legislative Liaison & Policy Analyst for the Indiana Department of Education.
“Parents, who anticipate a move from Indiana, also expressed concerns about their children being so much older than classmates in their new state,” Minier said, “The kindergarten entrance date needed to be moved to provide Indiana’s children the opportunity for earlier, quality educational experiences during this critical window of opportunity for learning.”
Minier said Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed asked the date be moved to Aug. 1 and then to Sept. 1, a goal she will likely pursue, along with full day kindergarten, as the state’s financial condition improves.
Berridge said 10 more students may be added to next year’s Northern Well’s kindergarten program.
“It may increase our kindergarten classes a little bit but I don’t see us having to hire an additional teacher,” she said, echoing the two other superintendents’ feelings.
Graduation Rates, Dropouts: Requires an exit-interview for 16-to-18-year-olds who want to withdraw from school. Defines a dropout to include all students in the determination of a school’s graduation rate, unless they have left to transfer to another school, been removed by parents, withdrawn for medical reasons, detained by law enforcement, placed elsewhere by court order, enrolled in a virtual school, or already graduated.
The three superintendents said they already have exit interviews for students who wish to drop out.
Norwell graduated 96 percent of their 2003-2004 class, Southern Wells 93.3 percent and Bluffton 90.5 percent keeping the schools below the state average of 89.8 percent, according to the Department of Education’s Web site.
Superintendent Tom Johnson thinks defining a dropout is an improvement for the school system.
Johnson said, “Some of the schools are more lenient on what they call a dropout and if we’re competing with other schools, our graduation rate will be different so that could potentially be an improvement in statistics.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 26, 2005

"Wells schools prepared for state's new law calling for daily 'moment' of silence, pledge"

By Sarah Pulliam
Five seconds, 30 seconds and 60 seconds provoke the debate of how long a moment of silence will last in the schools this fall.
As administrators gear up for the school year, they are preparing to implement the new education laws that went into effect July 1.
The Indiana Legislature passed a law requiring a U.S. flag to be displayed in each classroom, requiring schools to provide a daily opportunity for students to daily voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance and requiring schools to establish a daily moment of silence each day.
In each of the three Wells County schools, the elementary schools currently recite the pledge every morning. The pledge will be a new addition to the middle and high schools.
Sen. Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) authored the bill, saying individual schools will determine how long a moment of silence is.
The law also requires Indiana’s Attorney General to defend schools in any civil suit based on the law’s provisions.
“We’re a very litigious society,” Young said. “ If it does happen, we don’t want the schools to bear the cost.”
The amendment repealed a law allowing an optional brief period of silent prayer or meditation.
“It gives people a chance to stop and reflect what’s important,” he said. “It’s a chance to start the day with a clear head and quietness.”
Young said he looked into changing the moment of silence law just before Sept. 11, 2001, and other senators encouraged him to add the Pledge of Allegiance. He said approximately 30 states have a similar law.
Bluffton High School English teacher Billy Kreigh said faith and patriotism can’t be legislated through a moment of silence or saying the pledge.
“It’s almost detrimental and sad. I think it is a superficial attempt,” Kreigh said. “I have moments of silences continually throughout my day but it’s not legislated.”
Kreigh said that as a teacher, whatever the law states, she will follow.
“I will probably not be thrilled with the fact that what we are doing is taking away from a moment of education,” she said. “On the other hand, if it’s handled correctly and that moment is explained, then that is a moment of learning and that is my goal.”
Superintendent of Bluffton-Harrison Schools Tom Johnson said the school is determining how much a moment of silence is but 20 to 30 seconds would be more than enough.
“I think there are times in class that are spent worse than saying a moment of silence,” Johnson said. “I don’t think 30 seconds to a minute one time per day is going to negatively impact student instruction.”
Johnson said he does not know whether the school will have to purchase more flags to display in classrooms.
Superintendent of Northern Wells Schools Gina Berridge said the classrooms currently display flags.
Berridge said principals will decide how long a moment of silence is, a time she guessed would be about a minute.
“I think that most of our students are Christians and they will take the moment of silence to pray,” she said. “Everybody can take time to say a little prayer.”
Superintendent of Southern Wells Schools Neil Potter said that most of the classrooms in the schools already display an American flag, but the school ordered more for about $10 each.
“We replace eight or 10 flags a year to keep them sharp looking so we just ordered a couple more,” he said.
Potter thinks the new laws are a positive change for the school system.
“It’s a good reminder anytime we remind our kids of our country and country loyalty,” Potter said. “I’m not against the moment of silence. I don’t think it will be as valuable as the pledge depending on how kids choose to use it.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 19, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Royalty runs in the family.
Lori Murray, 17, followed in her sister Lisa Murray’s footsteps when she was crowned Miss Wells County Monday night.
Lisa, 23, represents six states as Miss Mideast 2005 and reigned as Miss Wells County 2001.
“She’s always there at my pageants cheering with my family,” Lisa said. “It’s nice to be on the other side and cheering for her.”
Lori has watched Lisa compete in many pageants and described she and her sister as close friends.
“We go shopping, we like to watch movies together. We’re good friends, except when it comes time to sharing clothes,” Lori said and laughed.
Lori is daughter of Jaine and Lincoln Murray and will be a senior at Norwell High School in this fall.
Her three sisters played an active role in the Miss Wells County pageant.
“The pageants always become a family affair,” Jaine said. “Everybody just jumps in and does what needs to be done.”
Lisa was the co-director of this year’s pageant and performed a dance routine to song “Let’s Get Loud,” the talent she performed in the Miss Mideast competition.
Lori’s 9-year-old sister Shannon Murray escorted the contestants as one of the 12 Miss Indiana Little Princesses. Shannon escorted Miss Indiana contestants in the pageant where Lisa competed in June.
Kristen Murray, 13, held the video camera throughout the pageant.
“She’s too old for the younger pageants and she’s too young for the older pageants,” Lisa said. “She’s our official recording crew. She’s content to video tape, take pictures, gain knowledge and experience.”
Lori’s 6-year-old twin brothers Alex and Kyle did not attend the pageant and her brother Ryan, 15, didn’t look too pleased to be in the family pictures after the event.
“He’s very supportive, but he's a boy. He likes to tease and aggravate his sisters,” Jaine said. “He’s very supportive, hauling stuff with dad and in the cheering section.”
Jaine was surprised when the emcee announced her daughter as Miss Wells County.
“Her boyfriend was sitting beside me and I think I beat his arm,” she said.
The Murrays began competing in pageants when Lisa competed in Miss Wells County when she was 19.
Jaine said she thinks the pageants help ladies build their self-esteem and public speaking skills.
“We’re already thinking of different things to do in the community. I’ve raised these kids so they know they will be out in the community,” Jaine said. “I think you need to give back to your community to keep it healthy and going.”
The Murray family will keep busy this year with two reigning contestants in the house.
“I just keep going and going and going. Some days I wonder how I'm going to fit it all in there, but it seems to pull together,” Jaine said. “One of these days I will rock in my chair and watch tv. The house will be quiet and I’ll wonder ‘what’s going on?’”
Lisa praised her mother as being the best director a pageant contestant could have.
“Our mom is the best as far as practice interview questions, she helps us get out wardrobe together and goes on countless shopping sprees,” Lisa said. “She’s not like the pushy pageant mom. We do the pageants because we like to.”
Lori will represent Wells County at the Indiana State Fair and will compete in the state fair pageant in Aug.19-21. National City donated $400 for Lori’s first place award.
Lori proved her outgoing personality throughout the evening.
After she became tangled in her gown's train as she received the Miss Congeniality award, she laughed and pumped her fist.
As pictures were being snapped, Lori would make faces to stop her smile from hurting.
In the dressing room before the competition, Lisa gave the ladies a pep talk.
The contestants fussed around with their hair and chatted nervously in anticipation of the contest.
“All of us lined up in the bathroom brushing our teeth after dinner,” Lori said. “We were all talking and had toothpaste. It was probably the funniest part and what I’ll remember most about it.
Lori was also shocked to receive the Miss Congeniality award.
“I was just astounded and dumbfounded for a few minutes,” she said.
The crowd of friends and relatives held signs, wore painted t-shirts and screamed in support of their favorite candidate throughout the pageant.
The weather was humid and muggy, recovering from a downpour two hours earlier.
The evening began with an opening number where the seven contestants danced in their black, formal dresses to “She’s a Lady.”
Lisa said the dance routine was to try to make the pageant something the crowd saw more.
“We just thought we needed a fresh face to the pageant,” Lisa said. “It makes the girls ready to go down to the state fair pageant.”
After the dance routine, each candidate was asked a question by emcee Lorri Christian-Reese, Miss Wells County 1990.
Lori was asked what she would want to accomplished throughout the year if she were selected as Miss Wells County.
She responded that she would want to be involved the community and get more girls active in the pageant next year.
She told the News-Banner later that she hopes to recruit 13 to 15 ladies next year.
“A bunch of the girls had never done pageants before and they placed,” Lori said. “It just shows you how much fun it was.”
Lori wore a light pink professional suit for the business wear competition where the ladies were introduced.
The contestants walked across the stage for the evening gown competition to the popular pageant song “One in a Million,” as Christian-Reese announced their accomplishments and aspirations.
Lori is the recipient of the Rex Decker mental attitude award, a graduate of Charmaine Modeling School an Upward cheering coach, varsity cheerleader and track member. She plans to become a pediatric neurologist.
Suspense filled the air as Christian-Reese announced runners-up. Silence fell just before announcing the Miss Wells County.
Christian-Reese said, “And the 2005 Miss Wells County is…did you guys have a good time?” to the crowd who responded with groans and laughter.
Victoria Nicholson won first runner-up and $300 donated by Markle Bank. Marci Worden received second runner-up and $200 from Ossian Bank while Natalie Layton received third runner-up and $100 from the Wells County Chamber of Commerce.
The other candidates, their pictures and their credentials were featured in the July 16 issue of the News-Banner.
After Lori was presented with her tiara, plaque and flowers, she waved to the crowd, shaking with excitement.
Lori wore a fitted black strapless gown with a train. The gown was accented with green, yellow, pink, purple and turquoise beads.
Lori and her mother thought Brinnan Imel would win after Christian-Reese announced the first runner-up.
“I kind of thought it was between me and Brinnan and I thought ‘Oh Brinnan got it, Brinnan got it’ and when they said my name, I thought, ‘Oh poor Brinnan!” She’s my best friend and if either of us were to represent Wells County, I’d be excited,” Lori said.
Lori and Imel cheerlead together at Norwell and have been friends since elementary school.
Singer Susie Wood provided the entertainment for the evening.
She said to the contestants, “Here’s some advice from another princess” before she sang “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from “Cinderella.”
2005 Indiana State Fair Queen Keela Roser congratulated the contestants and promoted the Aug. 10-21 state fair. She represents Wabash County as she visits 35 county fairs this summer.
The pageant crowd mumbled when Roser announced the fair’s Starbucks Cafe and Switchfoot Clay Aiken concerts.
2004 Miss Wells County April Heyerly’s eyes filled with tears when she said thanked her parents and said her goodbye.
“I always said I wasn’t going to cry,” she said.
Heyerly recalled her first-time experiences as Miss Wells County.
“It was my first time being in a pageant, first time being in a parade and first time being six inches away from a cow,” she said. “Wow I can’t believe it’s been a year already.”
Heyerly will transfer from IPFW to St. Francis to become a physician’s assistant. She later told the News-Banner she wants to concentrate on school before she competes in any other pageants.
Heyerly said she was sad her time as Miss Wells County is over, but was glad to give the crown to someone she knew since she and Lori competed in the pageant last year together.
“I think it’s going to a really good, deserving girl,” she said. “It just makes it better when you know the person.”
The crowd clapped for Rebecca Meyer and Cylie Hoopingartner after they were recognized as 2003 and 2002 Miss Wells County during the competition.
Judges scored the contestants for the earlier interview, personality and speech. Christian-Reese explained that only half of the scoring is done during the evening for professional wear and evening gown.
The two judges were Lynette Dudash, assistant director of the Miss DeKalb County pageant, and Shirley Souder, executive director for the Miss Fort Wayne and Miss Outstanding Teen pageants in Fort Wayne.
Lisa said she was exempt from judging parts of the pageants and met the judges after the contest.
“This year I kept myself out of a lot of things,” she said. Since Lori was in the competition, I didn’t want there to be any question of that.”
She praised her co-director Joye Fuess who juggled the pageant while expecting a baby in October.
“Joye just has it all together,” Lisa said. “It was just fun being there with her.”
Lisa said the baby girl will be named Miss Wells 2020 and laughed.
Lori competed in Miss Indiana Oustanding Teen June 25 hopes to compete in the Miss Mideast contest next summer.
“I always thought it’d be really neat for Lisa to crown me,” Lori said.
Lori doesn’t have specific plans but hopes to compete in more pageants in the future.
“I’d just like to do as many pageants as I can and get a lot of experience under my belt because that scholarship money’s going to help a lot.” Lori said. “I’ve always wanted to be Miss America, but hey, Miss Wells County’s a step.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 13, 2005

Survivor?
Ossian license branch hopes to be spared from BMV's chopping block
Rep. Espich looking for alternatives

By Sarah Pulliam
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may run over the Ossian branch.
The BMV spared Berne, Hope and Bloomfield in a series of nine controversial closings but the Ossian branch faces a hearing for possible closure.
Aug. 18 is the tentative date for the BMV’s hearing on the potential Ossian branch closing, according to BMV communications director Greg Cook.
BMV Commissioner Joel Silverman was not available for comment because he was in Brownstown for a BMV hearing.
Senate president Robert Garton blocked the BMV from closing Hope’s branch.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Espich of Uniondale said he would be looking for alternatives to closing the branch, including cutting hours, employees or moving to a rent-free location.
“I intend to fight it by looking at alternatives,” he said. “I feel semi-confident that we’ll suggest some alternatives that will be provided in the end.”
Espich said closing Ossian’s branch would be a step backward for the town.
“People see it as part of their life and they don’t want to lose it,” Espich said. “It’s like losing a neighbor.”
Cook said Silverman will listen to the alternatives before making a decision on the branch’s future.
“Right now, our branch inefficiencies are preventing us from providing the best possible service,” Silverman said in a press release. “We’re inefficiently spending some $7 million on branches that are not needed.”
Cook said the money saved by closing the branches will be allocated to training employees who will make transactions no longer than 15 minutes and updating Internet services, eliminating the need for branch visits.
Silverman’s decision on the Ossian branch’s future could be as early as late summer-early fall, Cook said.
Silverman will consider various factors in his decision including the number of transactions, proximity of other branches and lease agreement. Ossian’s lease agreement ends Sept. 30.
Ranked 125 out of 168 in the state, Ossian’s customers made 27,573 transactions in 2004 compared to Bluffton’s 38,701 transactions ranked at 102, according to the BMV’s Web site.
Ossian’s annual operating expenses is approximately $211,00 compared to Bluffton’s $351,000. Both Ossian and Bluffton’s branches have five employees.
Ossian Branch Manager Roberta Duncan said the closure will affect Ossian businesses.
“Everybody’s very hurt about it and very disappointed,” Duncan said. “Everybody is signing petitions and everyone is hoping we can stay open.”
Duncan did not know who began the petitions or how many people have signed them.
Petitions are being signed in many Ossian locations, including the Ossian PRO Hardware, Ossian Deli, Heyerly’s Bakery, Ossian State Bank, NAPA, Ossian Furniture, National City Bank and Video Escape. There are also petitions in Roanoke’s post office and Markle’s Crossroads Gas Station.
Ossian Deli employee Lana Bookmiller estimated more than 2,000 people have signed the petition set up in the deli to keep the branch open.
Bookmiller is upset that the branch might close because she thinks the government should provide the service to the town.
“This is an older town and I think it would be sad if they send them to Bluffton,” she said. “It’s just going to be 10 times worse at Bluffton.”
Although many Ossian residents are upset, some are more apathetic.
“It would make it less convenient for me but it wouldn’t bother me a whole lot,” said Uniondale resident Jack Brush.
Fort Wayne residents Joe Gregg and Ron Denoo said they travel to Ossian because the lines are smaller and the employees are friendlier.
“In fact, where we work, everyone is recommended to go to the Ossian branch,” Gregg said.
Town council member Brad Pursley said the council is trying to keep the branch from closing by sending a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“It’s good for economic development,” Pursley said. “It’s also the only government office in town.”

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.
July 7, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
Glittering gowns, professional business suits and coordinated dance outfits left Danielle Long and Tiffany Gentis exhausted after a weekend in Indianapolis.
The Wells County residents spent Independence Day weekend competing in Indiana’s National American Miss pageant.
Long, who will be a Norwell senior in the fall, won second runner-up in the optional photogenic competition where she had submitted a picture.
“I felt pretty good about it,” she said. “I’m sure if I had more preparation and experience I would’ve done better but I’m satisfied with how I did.”
Gentis, an upcoming senior at Southern Wells, said even though she didn’t win anything, she had a fun time and made many friends.
A panel of judges scored the 106 contestants in formal wear, personal introduction, interview and community involvement.
Casandra Vakarias, 17, from Hobart, Ind. won the event and will compete in the national pageant.
The pageant took place in Indianapolis’ downtown Mariott Hotel. The hotel elevators smelled of hairspray and perfume as the competitors scurried to their next event.
The teens arrived Saturday for orientation and competed in the formal wear competition Sunday evening.
The competitors walked on the stage with their escort before walking in a circle to display poise and posture while the emcee introduced them.
Long wore her spaghetti-strapped, yellow prom dress with sequins covering the bodice while Gentis wore her strapless baby blue, prom dress that was decorated with beeds. Both dresses were fitted at the bodice and widened below the waist.
“I was kind of scared that I was going to step on my dress but everything went fine,” Gentis said.
Monday morning, the contestants dressed in business suits and gave a personal introduction saying their name, where they were from and their career aspirations.
Following in her grandmother’s footsteps in a medical career, Long would like to work with premature babies in neonatal nursing. She is looking at attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne or Purdue University.
After reading her grandmother’s John Grisham novels, Gentis became interested in law. She hopes to study criminal law at Indiana University at Bloomington in hopes of becoming a prosecuting attorney some day.
“I would like to see people put where they belong rather than on the streets,” Long said.
In the afternoon, competitors met with judges for a personal interview.
The evening ended the event with a grand finale. The teens dressed in coordinated pink T-shirts, necklaces, bracelets and socks for the dance routine before rushing to change into their formal dresses.
Both Wells County representatives competed in the optional photogenic contest. Long entered in the optional acting and spokesmodel contests where she gave a speech on friendship. Gentis sung in the optional talent competition.
The two ladies were opposites in both personalities and physical features.
Soft-spoken but friendly Long described herself as a loner. Her petite figure, subtle makeup and curly, thick brown hair was a stark contrast to Gentis.
Gentis’ taller physique, silver nailpolish, glitter lip gloss and straight, highlighted brown hair hinted a more outgoing personality.
Long is daughter of Bluffton resident Theresa Town and Allen County resident Jim Long.
Pursuing her interest in acting, Long will play Shelby in Norwell’s “Steel Magnolias” in the fall.
“It just gives me that rush,” she said. “You get to be something you’re not. It’s the best feeling.”
Long also participates in Campus Life at Norwell and works at Coventry pizza.
Gentis’ parents are Warren residents Tracy and Rhonda Gentis.
Gentis keeps busy participating in show choir cheerleading and FFA. She also works at East of Chicago pizza.
Long and Gentis both said they hope to compete in more pageants including the Miss Wells County in the future.
“It was really fun being up there on stage,” Long said. “I’d do it again in a heart beat.”
Wells County businesses financially aided the two ladies competing in the pageant.
Long was sponsored by Body Solutions, Youth for Christ and Troxel Equipment
Gentis was sponsored by MarkleBank, Gentis Contracting and Same Day Trucking.

News-Banner
Bluffton, Ind.

Bluffton dad returning soon to Iraq; Son my follow
Saturday, July 2, 2005

By Sarah Pulliam
“Like father like son” recently took a new twist for Bill and Paul.
Bill will return to Iraq with the Army Reserves next week and his son Paul could go to Iraq with the Army as early as September.
“Do I like that my son might be in Iraq shortly? No, I don’t like that,” Bill said. “Somebody’s son or daughter has to be there.”
Bill is husband to Ramona and father to Paul, 21, Stephanie, 19, and Meredith, 13. Bill preferred omission of their last name for safety concerns.
“I think having him leave is going to be the hard part,” Ramona said. “I try not to think about it and enjoy every minute he’s here.”
Bill is home in Bluffton for 10 days on leave from Iraq where he has been stationed since January. He returned to the military after 9/11. Bill will leave July 9 to continue serving with the 983rd Battalion in western Al Taqaddum, Iraq for up to six months.
“I’m over there because I believe in what America is doing,” Bill said. “I’m doing this for my kids and their kids.”
Paul enlisted in the Army in January, began boot camp in Georgia in March and will finish basic training mid-July. His family is unsure whether he will be able go home before his first assignment.
Paul’s grandfather served in the Navy during the Korean War, making Paul the third continuous generation of military service. On the family’s kitchen wall, pictures are displayed of an ancestor who served in the National Guard after the Civil War.
Bill served in the Air Force for 10 years until 1987 working with intercontinental ballistic missiles. He worked in Kansas and Montana but ended his time in the military because of an injury from a car accident.
9/11 made Bill consider serving in the military again and he enlisted in the Army Reserves in November 2003.
“It really pushed me over the edge,” Bill said. “My country was at war and I just wanted to be a part of serving my country.”

Serving in Iraq
Bill found out he would go to Iraq last summer and left for training in October.
“In the back of my mind I knew it would happen,” he said. “The hardest part was leaving my family.”
Bill has various duties as an engineer including bulldozing buildings and leveling dirt. His battalion is repairing bases before the United States turns them back over to Iraq.
“It’s very fulfilling,” he said. “The progress that we’ve made is tremendous.”
Bill’s battalion built barriers for two weeks in February in Samarra, Iraq, and he said it was probably the most dangerous city because the Reserves were most exposed in the downtown area.
While traveling from base to base with approximately 25 convoys Bill suffered some of his hardest times in Iraq.
“I think those were more stressful times,” Ramona said. “I just heard it from him on the phone. There was more strain in his voice.”
When Bill’s battalion would travel during the convoys, he would control a .50-caliber gun, a weapon used to shoot down vehicles that may contain bombs and crash into his vehicle.
He raised his eyebrows and said, “It’s a big gun,” and chuckled before turning serious. “You just got to be ready for anything they throw at you.”
The exposure of the convoys made Bill nervous.
“That’s where a lot of casualties come from,” he said.
Bill said the closest bomb dropped under 400 feet away from him.
“You don’t really think about being scared,” he said. “It happens and you go ‘holy cow.’ ”
While Bill has seen difficult parts of serving in Iraq, he was careful to clarify he wasn’t always fighting.
“I don’t want to paint this picture that I’m constantly being hit,” he said. “I’m not getting the combat action and I don’t want to seem like a warrior who’s in constant battle.”
Bill said one of the most satisfying parts of being in Iraq was the children he met and he recalled the memory of a girl in Samarra.
“This little girl made him think of his own children...” Ramona said. “Hoping for her future to be better.” Bill added. “Hopefully they’ll remember the kindness we showed them.”
As he scrolled through more than 1,400 pictures on his computer, he described Iraq as being “a beach with no water,” and laughed. “It’s very desolate and arid.”
It rained when he first arrived in Iraq, but Bill said he doesn’t remember rain since March.
The temperature reached a high of 124 degrees since he’s been in Iraq. In contrast, when the sun went down it became very cold at night, though he recalled the view.
“It is just absolutely gorgeous at night,” he said. “The skies are beautiful; you just see shooting stars.”

Christianity
Bill converted to Christianity in 1983 and his faith is an evident part of his family. Although somewhat reserved and shy, Bill opened up when asked how his Christian faith impacts his military service.
“I’m able to share about Jesus Christ to the guys I’m with. Anything that happens, I know that Christ is there,” Bill said. “He gives me a peace that’s hard to describe.”
Ramona said she tries not to think her husband might be in combat while he’s in Iraq.
“It’s hard knowing he’s there, but I believe in what he’s doing and I know where his heart is,” she said.

Background
Bill, 46, grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Ohio. He met Kansas native Ramona on a blind date during his time in the Air force.
“We met and clicked and I guess the rest is history,” Bill said.
Bill’s casual, brownish orange T-shirt and jeans hinted his introverted, shy tendency while Ramona's bright green polo revealed her outgoing, sociable personality. The opposites married in 1982 while he was still in the Air Force.
During his time in the Air Force, Bill attended night school and received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from Kansas Newman University. He later received his master’s in industrial technology from Bowling Green State University (Ohio).
Bill moved around the country with his family during his time in the Air Force and later for job transfers.
His family landed in Bluffton in 2000 for his job as an engineer at TI Automotive in Ossian.
Ramona works as a nurse practitioner in Fort Wayne. Stephanie recently completed her first year at Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne and Meredith finished seventh grade at Norwell Middle School.
“We hope to be here many years,” Bill said.
Bill’s enlistment ends in November but he does not know what the future holds.
“It’s not easy,” Bill said. “I’m missing a lot of stuff with my kids.”

Family
Ramona said the battalion has an invitational Web site where wives and girlfriends can post pictures or inspirational messages to each other.
“We’re all kind of adjusting to the fact that they’re gone,” she said. “We try to be very encouraging to each other.”
Bill tries to call Ramona as often as he can, sometimes up to a half-hour every day.
“There have been times when I expect him to call and that’s kind of stressful,” Ramona said.
The phones and e-mail are shut down whenever there is a casualty in Bill’s battalion so they can notify the closest relative.
“That’s when she gets nervous,” Bill said.
Meredith said she misses riding her dad’s motorcycle with him and having him tuck her in at night. Although she has her mother’s blonde hair, Meredith seems shy like her father.
She said having her dad away can be tough sometimes but her friends have been supportive.
“They’re just there for me and I know I can talk to them,” Meredith said. Her mom laughed and said, “They keep her busy.”

Support
Bill and Ramona said the support from the community has been important.
“When it comes up that my husband serves in Iraq, they say to be sure to thank him,” Ramona said.
Bill said when a stranger at a restaurant found out he served in Iraq, he picked up the tab for the family.
“They may not agree with the government but they’re supportive,” Bill said. “When you’re 6,000 miles away from home, it’s nice to know people are appreciative.”
The family’s church, Hope Missionary Church, has been an important part of their family.
Ramona said friends and neighbors have helped with yard work and transportation.
“The help has been pretty incredible,” she said. “It’s not great having him gone, but the support has made the time easier for me.”
Bill is spending his 10 days at home with his family, golfing, canoeing and seeing close friends. He said the fourth of July will mean a little more to him this year.
“As having been in harm’s way, it gives me a little more appreciation for the freedom we do have,” he said. “Seeing one of our guys hurt and one then killed, you realize how much freedom costs.”

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Bluffton, Ind.

By Sarah Pulliam
Sibling rivalry hit home for two brothers when Eric Morgan was hired as athletic director at Norwell High School May 10.
Eric’s younger brother, Todd, coaches and teaches at Norwell’s rival, Bluffton High School.
Eric and Todd both played sports and graduated from Bluffton High School in 1989 and 1994 respectively.
Todd works as the sixth-grade teacher, head baseball coach and football defensive coordinator at Bluffton High School.
Eric’s new position will create the first opportunity for the brothers to compete since childhood.
“Growing up, we were the only two kids in the family and he was always the big brother I was trying to be better than,” Todd said. “Whether it was shooting baskets or cleaning the house, we were very competitive in everything we did.”
Eric was chosen from 30 applicants to replace Mike Gilbert as the athletic director at Norwell High School. Gilbert will retire at the end of June.
“We’re competitive like brothers, but at the same time, he’s my best friend with the exception of my wife,” Eric said. “It’ll be an interesting situation for my parents.”
Sharon Morgan, Eric and Todd’s mother, said her sons didn’t become close friends until Eric went to college.
“You know how big brother really doesn’t want little brother to be around,” she laughed.
Sharon described Eric as being more vocal than Todd and said the brothers don’t look anything alike. Even though Eric will work for the rival school, she’s happy to have him back in Wells County.
“We’re going to have to sit in the middle aren’t we? We’ll probably root for the home team which is probably normal.”
Rick Morgan, the brothers’ father, said he’ll still root for Bluffton.
“As much as I love Bluffton, I think he made the right decision,” Rick said. “It’s a tremendous job opportunity for him and I think his brother feels the same way.”
Todd said he will be excited to play Norwell at the annual baseball double-header.
“You always want to do well because a lot of people come. People always circle that date,” Todd said. “I’ll be glad that he’s there and watching, but at the same time I’ll be sure that my team comes out with a victory.”
Eric finished his job as athletic director at Prairie Heights two weeks ago and is taking a graduate course through Ball State University to receive his administration license. In addition, he has spent time with current athletic director Gilbert to adjust to Norwell.
Coming from a 2A school almost half Norwell’s 3A size, Eric sees advantages in a more competitive athletic program, and being closer to home.
“Because it’s a bigger school there’s going to be some new experiences for me,” he said. “We did not have a soccer or swimming program so those will be two new arenas for me which is exciting but also challenging.”
Gilbert’s assistant also retired and Eric will conduct interviews for his own assistant later this week.
Eric sold the family’s house in Auburn about a week ago and plans to move with his wife Holly, their daughter Macy, 3, and son, Bo, 1, to the Northern Wells district when he finds a house.
Holly taught at DeKalb Middle School and hopes to find a teaching job in Wells County.
“It’ll be an adjustment for myself and my family because it’ll be new,” Eric said. “We’ve been in the same community for the last few years, so it’ll be difficult but at the same time exciting.”
Eric received an education degree from Manchester College where he played baseball and football. He then earned a masters in secondary education from Ball State and spent three years at the University of Missouri as a residence hall director.
Eric began teaching social studies at Prairie Heights in 1999. He was named athletic director in 2001 and was head baseball and head football coach.
Eric said he’s been so removed from Bluffton that he doesn’t think working for his high school’s rival will be difficult.
He said, “I’ll always root for Bluffton as long as they’re not playing the blue and gold.”