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Towering biographies


Photo by Rebecca Sandlin.

Chelsea Weatherspoon, 11, of Huntington, squats next to her winning stack of books she made during the Huntington City-Township Public Library’s book stacking contest Thursday, April 16. Children’s librarian Kay Stine measures the tower at 32.25 inches. Chelsea also won the competition three years ago. The annual event is part of National Library Week. Chelsea is the daughter of Amy Weatherspoon, of Huntington.

Berne couple paddles through county traveling full length of Wabash River

LaNae (left) and John Abnet, of Berne, prepare to set up camp at the Kilsoquah boat dock at Roush Lake Fish and Wildlife Area, Huntington, on Friday, April 10. The couple plans to kayak the Wabash River from its source in Ohio to New Orleans, LA, where it ends.
Photo by Rebecca Sandlin.

It seemed like the perfect time for an adventure.

John Abnet, who had been in the automotive industry for 20 years, was on hiatus from work, and he and his wife, LaNae, grabbed the brass ring of an opportunity to do something they say no one has done before. They plan to travel the entire 503-mile length of the Wabash River, from its source at its mouth at the Ohio River, and on to the waterway’s end at New Orleans, LA.

John Abnet says inspiration for the trip comes from the couple’s faith, which they posted on their webpage.

Longtime coach honor


Photo by Scott Trauner.

Former Huntington North High School baseball coach Jeff Phillips (third from left), who retired this year after coaching at the high school for 18 years, was honored Tuesday, April 14, for his service before the Vikings’ home-opener. Joining Phillips are the coaches he worked under at HNHS (from left) Kyle Daugherty, Brian Abbott, Don Sherman, Chad Daugherty and Russ Degitz.

HNHS teams with medical pair to offer sports physicals June 4

The Huntington North Athletic Department, Parkview Huntington Hospital and SportONE Ortho Northeast will hold a physical clinic on Thursday, June 4, at Huntington North High School.

The doors (No. 28) will open at 6 p.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. These physicals are for athletes entering grades 6-12.

There is a cost for the physicals, with an optional EKG available for high school students for an extra cost. Parents who plan to have an EKG done for their child entering grades 9-12 must submit the EKG paperwork to the athletic trainers by May 15.

Heritage Days Cornhole Challenge set for June 20 in downtown Huntington

A Heritage Days Cornhole Challenge will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 20, in downtown Huntington.

The double elimination tournament will begin at 1 p.m. and continue through the completion of the event.

The Heritage Days Cornhole Challenge is hosted by TrophyCenter Plus and Huntington County Habitat for Humanity. An entry fee is charged.

Each competitor will receive a T-shirt and the winning team receives championship trophies and a cash prize. The runnerup team will also receive a cash prize.

Two Democrats vying for third district seat on Common Council

Bill Oswalt (left) and Larry Parker.
Oswalt photo provided. Parker photo by Joni Knott.

A seat representing Huntington’s third district on the Huntington Common Council is up for election this year, and is one of the contested races in this spring’s primary.

Two Democrat candidates, current Councilman William “Bill” Oswalt and challenger Larry Parker, are vying for their party’s nomination to the seat.

Oswalt was appointed to the council in June of 2014, following the death of Councilman Jim Long.

Oswalt graduated from Huntington Township High School in 1964 and served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969.

UMMH board gives $24K to Historic Warren

Rev. James D. Jones, a member of the United Methodist Memorial Home board, and Chod Boxell, chief financial officer for the United Methodist Memorial Home (from left) present a check for $24,000 to (from left) Jeff Souder and Neil Laymon, board members for Historic Warren.
Photo provided.

The board of trustees of the United Methodist Memorial Home has approved a $24,000 contribution to Historic Warren, a gift which will be used to assist Warren business owners in improving and growing their businesses.

The gift will provide matching funds to the business owners for projects that will help Warren to be a thriving, vibrant community.

Winterfeld begins duties as exec director at Sheets Museum April 15

Lauren Winterfeld
Photo provided.

Lauren Winterfeld began her duties as executive director of Sheets Wildlife Museum on Wednesday, April 15.

Winterfeld has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, Fort Wayne, in communication media and public relations.

She has worked in the Huntington community for over 10 years, including as a reporter at The Huntington County TAB from August 2011 to August 2014.

Most recently, she was employed at The Plain Dealer in Wabash.

Winterfeld says she looks forward to returning to the Huntington community.

Tea time


Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Brenda Kitt (standing), a member of the Friends of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library, serves dainty sandwiches to (from left) Betty Korreckt, Mary Snyder and Mary Scheffer during an afternoon tea at the Andrews library on Thursday, April 16. A packed house heard Sweet Life Honey Farm owner Cindy Sheets talk about bees and honey and, after hearing about the origins of afternoon tea from library staffer Dee Kochensparger, were treated to a traditional afternoon tea.

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