From Saturday, July 24, 2010
Ossian State Bank made a $1,000 donation
The Wells County YMCA will soon be following the decision made by the YMCA of the USA to change its name — to “the Y.”
Christian Care Retirement Community has received the 2009 “Excellence in Action” awardfrom My InnerView, an independent research firm.
Dr. Michael R. Elliott, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is the recipient of the prestigious Cox award given to a statistician in early to mid-career who has made significant contributions to one or more of the areas of applied statistics in survey methodology, experimental design and biostatistics.
The National City Bank branches in Bluffton and Ossian, as well as 27 other National City branches in northeast Indiana, will become PNC branches next weekend.
United REMC members are invited to the utility’s annual meeting and summer picnic, which will be held Saturday, June 12, at the co-op’s office on U.S. 224 just west of I-69.
Neoti, a Bluffton-based company, will have a vested interest in the Indianapolis 500 again this year as three cars owned by KV Racing Technology. Mario Moraes, E.J. Viso and rookie Takuma Sato will all be driving this weekend with Neoti’s message located on the nose of each car.
Shelton Financial Group will be the title sponsor for Youth for Christ’s 2010 Golf Classic. The event will be held on July 20 at the Golf Club of the Limberlost.
First Bank of Berne was ranked the No. 1 best performing bank in the state of Indiana for the first quarter of 2010 — the 5th quarter in a row that First Bank of Berne has earned that honor in the Indiana Bank Performance Report completed by the Financial Management Consulting Group.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce will offer courses in June to update employers on Family Medical and Leave Act changes and techniques for supervising and managing staff.
MarkleBank has recently had two individuals join the bank’s staff as mortgage originators — Jeremy Collins at the Bluffton North office and the Huntington office, and Matt Level at the Fort Wayne office.
Trent A. Bucher has been promoted to managing partner of Honegger, Ringger and Co., Inc., in Bluffton.
Laura Gentis has been named regional vice president for financial services for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, a $16 billion agriculture lending cooperative serving over 85,500 farmers throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee.
Tonya Claycomb, R.N., is the choice of patients and family members for the 2010 Patient Choice Award at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
HUNTINGTON — Bluffton native Bob Kaehr will retire from his position as director of library services at Huntingotn University, effective May 31. He has served Huntington College and Huntington University for 34 years.
The Berne and Decatur chambers of commerce will host a speed networking event, the Adams County Advantage, the morning of Wednesday, May 19.
The Kinder Haus Daycare at Swiss Village has been granted Level 3 status by the Paths to Quality program.
The 2010 food drive at Curves in Bluffton brought in 1,024 pounds of food, which will benefit the Wells County Food Bank.
The board of directors of First Bank of Berne has promoted Joe Caffee to senior vice president and head of lending, effective May 1.
Jody Holloway of Coldwell Banker Holloway was ranked in the Top 10 Sales Associates for the first quarter of 2010 in Indiana for the Coldwell Banker franchise system. Holloway ranked fourth out of all Coldwell Banker Indiana agents for listings sold.
Cari Whicker of Uniondale has been appointed to one position and reappointed to another by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The Northeast Indiana Foundation has announced a name change to Northeast Indiana Fund and also introduced an updated logo to reflect the new identity for the nonprofit organization.
A “Start Your Own Business” workshop will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Wells County Public Library, 200 W. Washington St.
Super Wash car washes are hosting a fundraiser to provide funds for local food pantries.
Brittany Beals, an employee of the Bluffton Scott’s store, is one of 150 customer service award winners for 2009 in the Kroger Co.’s Central Division.
John E. Patterson of Ossian was appointed chairman of the board of Ossian Financial Services Inc. and its bank subsidiary, Ossian State Bank, at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on April 21.
Lengerich Meats in Zanesville reopened its retail operation this past week after being closed for two weeks for remodeling.
Derek Myers, president of Neoti Inc. of Bluffton, has been named a recipient of a 40 under 40 Award for his professional successes, leadership and community involvement. Myers, 33, opened Neoti in 2007 and has since grown the company into a creative marketing and advertising firm that focuses on providing unique mobile digital-out-of-home products and opportunities.
Paul Morris has been named sales manager at Alexin LLC of Bluffton.
The Economic Club of Indiana will host a stop of its “Summer Series” on June 3 at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Ice Miller LLP law firm will present a seminar, “Health Care Reform: A Reality in 2010,” on April 29 at the downtown Hilton in Indianapolis.
HUNTINGTON — Family Practice Associates will join the Parkview Physicians’ Group as of July 1. PPG is a physician-led and physician-governed division of Parkview Health.
The Bluffton/Fort Wayne South KOA Kampground, 1625 Lancaster St., will host its grand opening celebration from noon until dusk on Saturday, May 1.
Kent Liechty, currently the executive vice president and head of lending at First Bank of Berne, will become the bank’s president and chief operating officer May 1.
The lineup of vendors is coming together for the 2010 Wells County Senior Expo, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park.
Two tax abatement compliance forms were approved March 23 by the Bluffton Common Council.
The Huntington Drive-In will offer free shows next weekend as a special pre-season event as the facility marks its 60th anniversary.
William E. Shuttleworth, president of Shuttleworth Insurance of Bluffton, has successfully completed the annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, a leading national insurance professional organization.
Community Market in Ossian was one of the stores involved in a holiday season point-of-purchase fundraiser held Nov. 1 through Jan. 3.
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce will host a free seminar on Windows 7 at noon Thursday, April 8.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently at Bloomin' Boutique Floral and Gift Shop located in downtown Ossian.
Indiana’s 34 Pak-a-Sak locations have raised more than $20,000 since Feb. 15 for the fight against muscular dystrophy with its “Shamrocks Against Dystrophy” campaign — and the Montpelier store is one of two locations to raise more than $3,000.
Wells County Surveyor Jarrod Hahn received a pleasant surprise Wednesday.
Neoti of Bluffton has formally unveiled a new logo.
The Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition, which includes the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, will host a 2010 legislative wrap-up breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 17. The event will be held in the Anthony Wayne Room at the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, 826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.
Wells County resident Ted Kaehr is the recipient of the 2009 Trucker of the Year award from the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association.
Jerri Lehman has opened Lehman Hair Care LLC at 303 W. Market St. Members of the staff are Mike Sumwalt, Randy Peeper, and Tim Worley.
Wells County resident Charles E. Isch, president and chief executive officer of First Bank of Berne, has announced he will retire from his position in May after 46 years of service with the bank — the past 17 as president.
Edward Jones has been named a top firm for training, ranking No. 31 on Training magazine’s Top 125 list.
First Bank of Berne, which has a banking center in Bluffton, was ranked the best performing bank in the state of Indiana for all four quarters of 2009.
Stylus Audio & Video/Radio Shack has added AT&T cell phone service to its Bluffton and Decatur retail stores. A complete line of cell phones and calling plans are available at both stores. New and current AT&T and previous Centennial customers can choose from several calling plans.
The Wells County Foundation Inc. was one of the honored organizations that participated in the Planned Giving Council of Northeast Indiana’s 10th annual Leave a Legacy Write a Will campaign.
The Wells County Foundation Inc. was one of the honored organizations that participated in the Planned Giving Council of Northeast Indiana’s 10th annual Leave a Legacy Write a Will campaign.
The Bluffton Curves location, plus other sites, will participate in the Curves food drive during March.
The Sunier and Lockwood insurance agency has recently aligned with Star Insurance, and the combined office will do business out of the Sunier and Lockwood location at 105 N. Main St.
Four representatives of the Bluffton/Wells County Chamber of Commerce — Executive Director Suzanne Huffman, Wells County Economic Development Director Mike Row, plus Chuck King and Phillip Stoller — were in Indianapolis this past Tuesday for Chamber Day at the Statehouse.
FORT WAYNE — The 23rd annual Greater Fort Wayne Business Expo, with a theme “Turning Small Business into Big Business,” is set for Tuesday, May 25, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.
Wells County is included in the expansion of a federal economic development district in northeast Indiana.
The Bluffton Pizza Hut restaurant will be one of 15 area stores helping to raise funds for the Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
Seth Whicker has been promoted to vice president of SYM Financial Advisors, based in Warsaw. In this role, Whicker will continue to provide leadership to a select group of clients while assisting in the guidance of SYM’s investing initiatives from vision to implementation.
The New Image Salon, forced out of its South Johnson Street location by the Jan. 10 fire at the Morrow Block, has relocated to 2035 Commerce Dr.
Two Bluffton couples have purchased Swiss Cleaners of Berne.
Timothy K. Babcock is now a partner in the law firm that is now known as Dale, Huffman & Babock. David C. Dale and Keith P. Huffman made Babcock a partner in the firm effective Jan. 1.
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce will host an eight-hour food safety program for “Servsafe” certification on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Body Solutions Fitness and Tanning Inc. of Bluffton has joined the International Smart Tan Network, North America’s association for professional indoor tanning facilities.
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce will be joining the Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition for Chamber Day at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
MARKLE — The western portion of Markle’s Industrial park has been certified as “site ready.”
Pamela Baker Beckford, executive director of the United Way of Wells County, has been chosen to membership in the National Professional Council of the national United Way organization.
Three Bluffton-based real estate agents — Cyndee Fiechter, Karen Gerbers, and Dianna McBride — will serve on the board of directors for the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors for 2010.
Jon Osborn, an interdisciplinary cooperative education student from Bluffton High School, is now working at the Jericho Advanced Training Center for Ministries Inc., located behind Walgreens in Bluffton.
Eric D. Orr has opened a private law practice in Berne.
William J. “Bill” Sorg has retired from the board of Ossian Financial Services Inc. and its bank subsidiary, Ossian State Bank, after 24 years of service.
Gregg Palmer of the Bluffton Optimist Club attended a training session for governors and governors-elect Jan. 7, 8, and 9, in Orlando, Fla.
Casey Gentis has been honored by lia sophia, an in-home retailer of fashion jewelry, her her success in the company’s Excellent Beginnings program.
Bluffton Realtor Jody Holloway has been named 2009 Realtor of the Year of the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors.
The Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition, of which the Wells County Chamber of Commerce is a part, has released its legislative agenda for the upcoming short session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Service awards
Andy Marshall, vice president and relationship banker, for MarkleBank, has been named as a finalist for Lender of the Year by the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation.
President's Plaque
Imagination Limousine of Bluffton provided the transportation for an upcoming episode of the Fort Wayne TV segment “Make My Date.”
FORT WAYNE – Indiana Physical Therapy has opened its Stellhorn Clinic in northeast Fort Wayne. The new clinic replaces the Parnell location.
The Elzey Patterson Rodak Funeral Home, which operates a facility in Ossian and is a Dignity Memorial network provider, will host a luncheon and program about 2009 tax preparation. The event will be held in conjunction with its Dignity Memorial Living Information for Today (LIFT) program.
Michael E. Row, economic development director for Wells County, recently became a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
Open for business
Kirk Nevins, a retired Franklin Electric executive and veteran member of the United Way of Wells County board of directors, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Association of United Ways (IaUW).
Charles Isch has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Berne Chamber of Commerce. Isch was born and raised in the southern half of Adams County. His entire 45-year career has been spent at First Bank of Berne. For the last 17 years he has served as president of the local financial institution.
The name will be the same, but the new operators of the Arby’s restaurant, 1233 N. Main St., say much will be different when the facility reopens Tuesday.
Billy Ann’s Supper Pub, the downtown Bluffton restaurant that features American and Southwestern cuisine, is under new ownership.
Wells County Commissioners Paul Bonham, Kevin Woodward, and Scott Mossburg attended the annual conference of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners earlier this month. Also attending were County Auditor Laura Brubaker and Ed Herman, superintendent of the County Highway Department.
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, which represents Wells County and nine other northeast Indiana counties,was recognized by the Mid-America Economic Development Council at its annual MAEDC Economic Development "The Best of the Midwest" awards ceremony held Dec. 7. The regional partnership garnered six economic development marketing honors during this year's ceremony including four first-place awards and two third-place awards.
All around the town, especially the downtown, new shops are opening
Instead of a quarterly luncheon, the Wells County Chamber of Commerce will have a Christmas Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.
Joan Phelps, a licensed mental health counselor in Bluffton, has joined “Give an Hour,” a nonpartisan, nonprofit national network of mental health professionals providing free counseling services to returning troops and their families. Her participation in the program is in addition to her current counseling services.
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership will be embarking on its third foreign trade mission for 2009.
The parent company of the Bluffton Regional Medical Center has reported an 18 percent increase in income in the third quarter of this year compared to the third quarter of last year.
The excellent worker safety record compiled by Ossian town employees has earned the town the safety award for the 2008 calendar year from the Indiana Public Employers’ Plan. The award not only recognizes the prevention of accidents among employees, but also emphasizes the cost savings to government agencies by keeping workers on the job.
Ousley Insurance has announced that Wanita Schaefer has joined their team as a licensed Property/Casualty and Life/Health agent. Schaefer will represent several insurance companies.
A young entrepreneur from Ossian launched the Lynn David Handbag Co. in October to blend her passion for creativity with her love of handbags and fabrics.
YMCA Ribbon Cutting
Linda Kellogg, left, and Lisa M. Jack are the owners of the New Image Salon, 112 S. Johnson St.
Betsy M. Collier, who owns and operates a Curves franchise in Bluffton, is the recipient of the Lorine Peters Humanitarian Award of the Elex Club in Fort Wayne.
Denice Beights is the new executive director of rthe Fort Wayne Children’s Choir.
FORT WAYNE — Phyllis Hermann, who has been the interim chief operating officer of the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, is now the agency’s full-time CEO. The announcement was made by the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home board of directors Thursday.
The Wells County Child Care Provider Network has welcomed new member, Education Plus+, Inc. Preschool.
A portion of all pumpkin pie sales at all Richards restaurant locations, including the one at 608 Charles Deam Court, will be donated to local non-profit organizations.
Burger King restaurants operated by Quality Dining Inc., including the Bluffton restaurant at 657 N. Main St., are participating in the Veterans of Foreign Wars “Unmet Needs” program through Dec. 6.
Mike Coratti, owner of Imagination Limousine of Bluffton, chauffered Miss America — Katie Stam of Indiana — during a visit earlier this year to northeast Indiana.
Dr. Eric Purdy of the Caylor-Nickel Clinic in Bluffton supervised the revision of the “Basic and Clinical Science” textbook for the American Academy of Ophthalmology during 2008 and 2009. The book is due for publication next year.
The second annual “Bluffton Holiday Open House” is on tap for the coming weekend.
Dr. Donna J. Blair, OB-GYN physician at Caylor-Nickel Clinic, has received written notification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology of her successful completion of all the requirements for voluntary recertification.
Members of the First Presbyterian Church’s day care ministry recently completed training with the wells County Child Care Provider Network to become more child-centered. The ministry has modified its philosophy to provide a more child-centered environment.
MarkleBank is ranked fourth among all Indiana banks in Small Business Administration (SBA) lending. Based on lending statistics recently released by the SBA, MarkleBank ranks No. 4 based on total SBA loan volume for the year between Oct. 1, 2008, and Sept. 30, 2009. This is up from No. 21 during the first six months of the fiscal year.
Caylor-Nickel Clinic, P.C., Pathology has met all criteria for Laboratory Accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization.
Troxel Equipment Co. has attained Gold Star certification from John Deere by successfully completing the company’s Gold Star Performance Standards program. It marks the fourth year Troxel has received the award.
Jason Egts, R.N., is the winner of the 2009 Patient Choice Award at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
Do home improvement projects to increase energy efficiency really pay off in the long run? Well, they did for two area homeowners in neighboring Whitley County, aided in part by a group of workers from REMCs across the state.
Greg Smitley, President of MarkleBank, traveled to Washington, D.C., Oct. 4 through 6 to meet with legislators and regulators to discuss how recent banking proposals might impact Indiana communities. Smitley was one of approximately 30 individuals traveling with a delegation from the Indiana Bankers Association.
Carol Young, Ossian resident and designer for Celebrating Home, went to the company’s Rally 2009 conference in Nashville, Tenn., this summer. The gathering, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, was intended to re-energize designers witha spirit of enthusiasm to make their businesses successful.
The Bluffton Ugalde’s restaurant, 1070 N. Main St., has changed its name and slightly changed its dining focus.
Simpler Times Bakery and Antiques, 119 S. Main St., will open for business Monday.