Historical helpers thanked (6/13/05)

Headwaters Heritage Inc. would like to thank the participants in the recent Historic Preservation Week activities, and to acknowledge the winners of the “Draw Your Favorite Historic Building” third and fourth grade student prizes.

Our featured exhibit of the Weiler Building wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of the fine folks at the Jay County Historical Society, whose collection of articles, photos and documents, as well as the loan of the remaining “cash container,” brought back many fond memories for the visitors.

Also, we thank Doug Inman of The Portland Foundation for allowing us to borrow some of the original Walter Scholer blueprints and documents.

Rob Weaver, director of the John Jay Center for Learning, was a great help as a central contact for loaned items, and for his assistance in handling media releases. We congratulate John Jay Center for Learning for their success in obtaining the much-needed grant monies to get the renovation of the Weiler Building underway. Wayne Bailey’s involvement and dedication for this grant were invaluable.

The location of our annual exhibit — the beautiful Jay County Public Library — is instrumental in the success of this educational event, and we extend our gratitude to the board of the library as well as Rosie Clamme and Linda Shreve, and the helpful staff.

We really appreciate the following Jay County citizens who loaned items for the exhibit: Frida Fiely, Kathleen McClung, Sara Priest, Linda Sipe, Dorothy Timmons, Sue Trobridge, Miss Solether for the loan of her bowler hat, the Portland Fire Department and Mayor Hosier.

We thank the Jay School Corporation board, Mrs. Downing and staff, and the elementary school principals and teachers of the third and fourth grade classes for their interest in preserving Jay County architecture through the drawing contest involvement.

This year’s winners are: Bloomfield — 1. Mikayla Wellman, 2. Miranda Reinhart, 3. McKayla Haines.

East — Michael Bruggeman.

General Shanks — 1. Kaleb Baldwin, 2. Rachelle Boolman, 3. Frida Hernandez.

Judge Haynes — 1. Zach James, 2. Kathryn Braun, 3. Lindsay Myers.

Pennville — 1. Natalee McIntire, 2. Trevor Berry, 3. Tyler Geesaman.

Westlawn — 1. Tyler Back, 2. Taylor Franklin, 3. Courtney Knight.

Congratulations to these fine young artists or future architects.

Of course this annual event wouldn’t be possible without the historic preservation work of the board of Headwaters Heritage and the support of our members.

We are always looking for new members who enjoy historic architecture and believe in the importance of preserving our “built environment” for future generations to enjoy. If you would like more information, please contact Headwaters Heritage Inc. at 109-C S. Commerce St., Portland, IN, 47371.

If you were unable to find time to enjoy the Weiler history exhibit while it was at the library, you may visit it at the John Jay Center for Learning. We felt that it would be beneficial to the fund-raising and renovation efforts to have the historic information readily viewable.

Portland’s downtown historical district has many positive steps that have been taken, and the upcoming renovation of the former Weiler Building will be an interesting and memorable process that we have been looking forward to.

The end result should be spectacular to look at, as well as rewarding for the many needs that will be met through the years to come in the new John Jay Center for Learning. Please contact Rob Weaver if you would like more information about contributing to the renovation process at (260) 729-5525.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sandy Bubp, president, and Heather Steed, archivist, for the board of Headwaters Heritage Inc.[[In-content Ad]]