Community News | Press Releases
LaGrange County Heart of Gold Recipient Announced
The Lagrange County Community Foundation (LCCF) Board of Directors has selected Mongo resident, Rhonda Bartlett, as the LaGrange County Heart of Gold Recipient for 2011. Mrs. Bartlett was selected from a pool of eleven community nominees. Each nominee’s name was submitted to the Community Foundation by a local resident who was familiar with the nominee’s unselfish volunteer efforts to serve others. The announcement of the award took place at the second annual Heart of Gold Award Ceremony on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in LaGrange. Over 60 citizens attended the brunch which was catered by the Saint Joseph’s Ladies Sodality. The LIFE Youth Philanthropy Pod helped in serving the event’s guests and in presenting summaries of each Heart of Gold Nomination.
Each nominee for the Heart of Gold is awarded by the LCCF Board of Directors an opportunity to select a LaGrange County nonprofit of his or her choice from an approved list for a $100.00 grant from the Community Foundation. The Heart of Gold Recipient is awarded an inscribed Heart of Gold Bench, an engraved nameplate on the Heart of Gold Wall of Fame and an opportunity to select a LaGrange County nonprofit of his or her choice from an approved list for a $1000.00 grant from the Community Foundation.
Mrs. Bartlett is well known in the Mongo and Prairie Heights area for her volunteer efforts within the community and at her church. In her home town, she has served as a frontrunner in the creation and leadership of the Mongo Community Development Association. Through that grass roots effort, she has written many grant applications in search of funding and was instrumental in coordinating the purchase of land, equipment and the development of programming for the new children’s park on the east side of Mongo. In her church, she has taught Sunday school, hosted youth activities, organized and prepared countless funeral dinners, watched the children in the nursery, coordinated church camp participation and church missions…all as a volunteer in the everyday service of her neighbors.
The 2011 Heart of Gold Award Ceremony was generously sponsored by Mahlon and Terri Bontrager, Cedar Lake Golf Course, Galarina Folk Arts, Heron Creek Golf Club, Hostetler Insurance Agency, Inc., Paul and Janet Johnston, LaGrange County Dodge, Lake City Bank in Shipshewana, Kevin and Carrie Lambright, Burvel and Laura Lemings, Price’s Laundry, Inc., Riegsecker Marketplace, Dr. Rhonda and Eric Sharp, Jeff and Jennifer Wible.
Rhonda Barlett, 2011 LaGrange County Heart of Gold Recipient (seated front and center) is surrounded by this year’s other nominees. Left to right are Norma Miller, Sue Keenan, Kathy Hopper, Raymond Hoover, Richard Greene, Colton Strawser, Duane Billman, Fran Bailey and Lula May Carney. Nominee Lily Jagoda is not pictured.
CDFLC Honors Local Efforts at Luncheon Sponsored by the Community Foundation
The Council for a Drug-Free LaGrange County (CDFLC) recently honored several member organizations and individuals at its 22nd Annual Meeting in LaGrange. Forty – two people attended the luncheon at Grossmans Banquet Room and shared their enthusiasm for the awards and the overall CDFLC mission. The council works to raise community awareness and financially support effective programs for reducing substance abuse in our county. The annual luncheon was sponsored in part by the LaGrange County Community Foundation. The Community Foundation has been actively represented within the council for many years.
The meeting opened with a warm welcome and remarks by CDFLC founding member and present Chair, Jan Noble, a counselor at Cornerstone of Recovery. This was followed by an informative and disquieting presentation on the complex mix of recent trends in local substance abuse by Ron Chupp, Addictions Counselor at the Northeastern Center. After the meal, CDFLC Coordinator and Healthy Families Supervisor and Family Resource Specialist, Christine Swander, presented this year’s awards.
Arron Knisely, LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department Communications Officer was honored with the 2011 CDFLC Program of the Year Award for his law enforcement and educational work with K-9 reserve officer, Kayla. Officer Knisely funds this results-driven program without cost to local taxpayer through local grants and donations.Also honored was Westview High School Junior, Luke Pamer. Pamer received the 2011 CDFLC Youth Advocate Award for his volunteer public speaking efforts to educate other teens about responsible driving decision - including the decision not to drink and drive. Cornerstone of Recovery was recognized with the 2011 CDFLC Horizon Award for that organization’s new A and D Program. Cornerstone of Recovery offers effective addictions counseling in LaGrange County and throughout the region.
Dee Miller (far left) and Yvonne Kindy (far right) were awarded the 2011 CDFLC Volunteer of the Year award for their many years of service at the Coconut Hut teen gathering place at the Howe United Methodist Church in Howe. At the Coconut Hut, Miller and Kindy provide after school activities and adult mentoring for young people in a safe and drug-free environment. Christine Swander, CDFLC Coordinator, makes the presentation.
Historic Sites & Structures Inventory Available for Purchase
 |
The LaGrange County Courthouse, an example of Second Empire style of architecture, was built in 1878, and is pictured here in 1934. According to the ARCH report, the style was well suited to the flamboyant post-Civil War era when ostentation and excessiveness were not discouraged. There are several other examples of Second Empire style in LaGrange County. |
Old postcards and black and white photos in the LaGrange County Interim Report (click here for link to pdf of book) of the Indiana Historic Sites & Structures Inventory display the development of architectural styles in county towns and the surrounding countryside. The illustrations have caught the interest of many who have seen the books. Nearly 1000 historical sites have been documented and
LaGrange County Community Foundation and LaGrange County government provided over $9,000 each to provide the local match required to obtain the Federal Historic Preservation Fund grant in order for ARCH, Inc. to conduct the survey and publish the findings.
Fort Wayne based ARCH, Inc. Executive Director Angie Quinn points out that the books serve as more than simply an interesting historical journey through the development of LaGrange County. They provide necessary information for planning road or sewer projects where federal funds may be available, not only for the projects themselves, but also to protect identified historical structures affected. Quinn says the book identifies historical districts and properties which, especially when located in downtown areas, can sometimes receive tax credit for rehab work.
ARCH, Inc. distributed 125 books to the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Architecture and 70 were distributed to colleges and libraries throughout the state. The community foundation received 55 books for local distribution—to each branch of the local library and the book mobile, the Office of Economic Development, the Council on Aging, and the Chamber of Commerce. Copies were provided for local high school libraries, historical societies and business associations, and 20 copies were allotted to local government officials.
The community foundation has made a pdf of the publication available for viewing on the website at www.lccf.net, and additional copies of the document are being offered to interested individuals for $25 per copy. To purchase a copy contact the LaGrange County Community Foundation office at 260-463-4363 for details.
Caleb Lehman 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar
Caleb Lehman is the recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship as the LaGrange County Community Foundation’s 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. He will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Lehman, a student at Lakeland High School, is the son of Clarence and Christina Lehman of LaGrange. He plans to major in either business management at DePauw University or sports management at University of Indianapolis or Grace College.
“It is very humbling to receive the scholarship,” Lehman
stated. “It is a great honor because there are so many other great candidates out there.” He believes that the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship will lessen the pressure of finances for college, but may increase the pressure to succeed. “It makes you want to be a good example and to confirm that those deciding made the right choice,” he said.
Lehman is a member of National Honor Society, was on the high honor roll all four years of high school, and served five years as a member of the LaGrange Independent Foundation for Endowments (LIFE) youth philanthropy pod. He was active in cross country and track, serving as captain in both, and receiving the mental attitude award in cross country in 2009 and 2011. In addition he participated in student tutoring, painting houses for Habitat for Humanity, Lakeland Disability Walk, visits to Life Care Center and reading books to students.
LCCF has participated in the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars program since it was initiated in 1998.
Copyright © LaGrange County Community Foundation
|