Miami County | News & Events | Northern Indiana Community Foundation

Interested in becoming a part of an upcoming new orchestra? Come be a part of an exciting musical experience while supporting and representing the communities of North Central Indiana! The Miami County Community Foundation, Miami County Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre and Arts Alive of Peru High School have banded together to promote the forming of a local orchestra, comprised of the fabulous local talent of musicians not only in Miami County, but also from surrounding counties. The Community Orchestra of Peru, Indiana is the brainchild of Peru native and recent Butler University graduate in music education, Zak Tschiniak.

Zak is a lifelong musician, playing many instruments including piano and trombone – and has enjoyed performing for several years in the Cole Porter Festival. “I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my music degree, through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, Cole Porter Scholarship and J&J Scholarship,” said Zak. “I have been working on this orchestra, and other ideas, as a way to give back to this community using my musical background and education.”

The Community Orchestra of Peru, Indiana is seeking musicians of all ability levels who play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass and are eager to contribute a love and joy for music. Please contact Zak Tschiniak at 765-473-6861 or zak.tschiniak@gmail.com to express interest in becoming a part of this new musical opportunity.

To make a donation to benefit Miami County Arts & Culture initiatives, go to the

Make A Donation link to the left of the article.

Miami County Community Foundation Awards Grants

It is the season of joy and giving and the Miami County Community Foundation spread some early Christmas joy to eight community organizations during their 2009 Grant Award Banquet. Nearly $15,000 was awarded on Monday December 7th at the First Christian Church Fire House Ministry in Peru.

The grants are part of the Community Foundation’s Unrestricted Funds which allow the community foundation to assess the greatest needs of the community and assist the community's individual programs. The funds that make it possible for these grants to be awarded are the: Bob Clary Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Donald W. Ferrara Unrestricted Fund, Jane and Bob Haskett Fund, Miami County General Unrestricted Fund, Miami County Services Committee Unrestricted Endowment Fund, John Nixon Unrestricted Fund and the Chris and Beth Smith Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

Bona Vista Programs Inc. - Keys for Kids Preschool/musical instruments	$ 500
The Heritage Museum dba Grissom Air Museum - Seniors on Wheels benches	$ 1,300
Miami County Helping Hands - Programming costs	$ 3,500
Miami County YMCA - Technology Upgrade	$ 3,185
Nickel Plate Trail, Inc. - Equipment, Weed trimmers	$ 500
Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre - Children’s Theatre Workshop	$ 1,500
Partners 4 Community Growth - Project SOAR	$ 3,500
Peru Public Library - Teen Reading Program	$ 1,000
Total	$14,985

In an effort to raise additional funds to support the Extending God’s Grace (E.G.G.) House, a day of music, fun and food will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Firehouse Ministries, 12 N. Miami, in Peru.

Organizers have scheduled three local live bands, a Cruise-in Car Show, and other activities for the whole family. The Peru Lions Club will also be cooking and selling tenderloins.

“We’re calling it a Family Fun Day,” said Mike Rogers, one of the event’s organizers. “Everything will be a free will donation, except for the beverages and food cooked by the Peru Lions Club.”

Three bands already slated for the day are the Mountain Railroad Band, The Harness Family Band and the Bluegrass Buddies. In addition, the Peru Fire Department will have a “smoke house” demonstration as well as fire trucks and engines on display.

When completed, the E.G.G. House will provide free temporary shelter and assistance for those who have lost their homes due to a natural disaster. Lori Warner, secretary of the E.G.G. House committee, estimated the home would be completed and ready for occupancy by mid-fall.

Come on out and have some fun with your family. Your financial support of this program is greatly appreciated!

To make a donation, please be sure to enter E.G.G. Fund in the Comment Box. Find the

Make A Donation link to the left of the article.

Via Credit Union presented a check for $525 to BOOKS of Miami County as a result of an auto loan promotion in May and June. BOOKS (Books Offer Our Kids Success) is a program designed to put new books in the hands of every kindergarten student throughout Miami County. The donation of $525 will buy a month’s supply of books so every kindergartner in every school can take home a new book to their families.

ViaCU supports literacy and financial literacy programs, which is why BOOKS was selected to receive the donation. Via Credit Union has $240M in assets and approximately 21,808
members with locations in Marion, Gas City and Hartford City. Membership
is open to anyone living or working in Blackford, Grant, Madison or Miami County,
visit www.viacu.org for details.

To make a donation, please be sure to enter BOOKS Fund in the Comment Box. Find the

“His spirit lives in so many people in this community,” Rev. John E. “Jack” Hess remarked at the 2009 Miami County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner.

He was referring to Rex E. Mays of Peru, who was the recipient of the 2009 Miami County Community of Character Pillar Award. Rex’s family accepted the award on his behalf as Rex had unexpectedly passed away just four months earlier.

Rex was born in Miami County and raised on the family farm until his family moved out of the county because the government bought their land to build Grissom Air Force Base. As soon as Rex graduated from high school he was right back to Miami County with a job as a teller at First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

While attending church Rex spied a young woman at the front of the sanctuary. Rex inquired to his cousin, "who is that good looking chick?" To his surprise, her mother was sitting in front of him within earshot. That attractive young woman was Juanita Summers and as Paul Harvey would say, “now you know the rest of the story.” Rex and Juanita were married in 1959 and shortly thereafter Rex was drafted into the United States Army serving for two years. They returned to Peru, and Rex resumed his work at First Federal Savings & Loan as a teller. He proved himself a worthy employee and through promotions served as Vice President and Treasurer from 1982 until his retirement in 1995. During this time a farm was purchased, which began a life long hobby of farming.

Upon retirement Rex and Juanita traveled the United States delivering RV’s for Don Ray Drive- Away. Many cross country trips included their beloved grandsons. Rex also served as a bus driver for Peru Community Schools. His wisdom and value of citizenship inspired him to make a positive lasting impact on the students who rode his bus. He aimed to reach out to students and encourage them. A sign in the front of school bus #1 read, “Smile, you’re on camera.” It wasn’t important that there was a camera. Rex desired that each student smile, feel safe, and have self-esteem in addition to developing character. “Ladies first” was a custom and quality of respect that Rex was sure to pass on to his students.

Rex’s life always involved athletics. He became a certified IHSAA referee in 1957. An admired, honest, and respected man, Rex refereed basketball games throughout the region. He was elected the secretary/treasurer for North Central Indiana Athletic Officials Association in 1977. He retired from both associations in 1999. In addition to basketball, Rex was a softball umpire and the director of the Maconaquah Park Softball League and even served as a women’s fast pitch umpire for the National Sports Festival in Indianapolis in 1982. His avid sportsmanship made him a cherished official and friend of sports. He loved Purdue, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Indiana Pacers.

Tragically, Rex was killed in September 2008 in an accident on his farm in Miami County. But this tragedy is not the end of the positive impact he had on others. He was a strong believer in organ/tissue donation which his family honored. To further his positive impact, Rex’s close friend Max Hattery suggested memorial contributions could be used to establish an endowment fund within the Miami County Community Foundation. Through the generous donations of many of Rex’s friends and family, Juanita and their children Marcia Minard, Curtis Mays, and Douglas Mays, have established the Rex E. Mays Memorial Fund within the Community Foundation.

This fund supports charitable projects and programs in the field of youth athletics. It was important to Rex that young people develop and strengthen their character through education and the spirit of sportsmanship and this fund will continue to do just that.
Rev. Hess summed it up so well when he said, “Rex has continued to help others to live a healthier and better life.” And through the Rex E. Mays Memorial Fund, Rex will continue to make a lasting impact far beyond anything he could have imagined.

To make a donation, please be sure to enter Rex E. Mays Memorial Fund in the Comment Box. Find the

Make A Donation link to the left of the article.

Sandy Chittum is spearheading a major initiative to establish an animal shelter in Miami County. She was inspired to establish the animal shelter by her loved pet and named the animal shelter Rosie’s Rescue Retreat Miami County Animal Shelter, after the death of her white Lab of 13 years.

The proposed shelter will be a 4800 sq. ft. facility to be built next to the jail. Sandy also plans to establish a 3-acre fenced dog park adjacent to the facility, with security card access. Dog park membership fee of $30 per family, annually, is proposed, which would allow unlimited access. The dog park fees would help to fund the shelter. The projected opening date will be in December 2009.

Joey Martin of Martin Drafting and Design, aided in the design of the “green” facility. Included in the “green” design is a concrete cistern to capture rain water and any runoff water. Plus, the water used to spray the kennels would be filtered and re-used for flower beds, landscaping, etc. The water would be pumped out using a solar powered pump. The building will be energy efficient with 6” insulation in the walls and 12” insulation in the attic. Martin Drafting and Design has provided discounts on the architectural and engineering fees. Several other local contractors have said they would be willing to donate labor to back the facility as well.

The facility will be staffed with a full time director and an assistant – and volunteers. Jail trustees will assist in cleaning the facility. The shelter plans to be open Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The shelter is in discussions with newly graduated veterinarians to set up a practice within the shelter. A local groomer is being sought as well, to provide services in exchange for rent-free space.

Not only will this be a shelter and an adoption facility for Miami County, it will also be an educational outlet to promote the well being and care of animals. An animal’s love is unconditional.

The shelter is seeking to raise funds through naming rights – through perhaps naming building rooms in memory of a loved one or pet. Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact Sandy Chittum at 765.472.7905. Support has been phenomenal from area businesses and citizens.

To make a donation, please be sure to enter Miami County Animal Shelter Fund in the Comment Box. Find the

Make A Donation link to the left of the article.

After over $50,000 worth of renovations, the Miami County YMCA has opened its new Youth Fitness Center. This family-oriented room contains state-of-the-art equipment – all specially designed to fit youths’ bodies. Although this room is geared toward the youth, parents (as well as younger siblings) are more than welcome to come and work out with them. Statistics show that children, who exercise regularly with their parents, are 40% more likely to continue exercising into adulthood. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult.

The Youth Fitness Center’s grand opening was celebrated on April 2, 2009. Winter hours are 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Summer hours will be 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. YMCA staff member Bill Calfee supervises the center. “I would say we have, on average, about fifty kids come through every evening,” Bill states.

Top-notch equipment in the Youth Fitness Center includes a rock climbing wall ($9,000), an elliptical for a full-body workout, two treadmills, four spin bikes, and six weight-bearing machines specially designed for youth – i.e., that have more movement, tending to keep young people interested. Also available is a Heavyball game, Dance-Dance-Revolution, and a state-of-the-art Expresso Fitness Bike ($5,000).

What is so special about this bike? First, several courses are available, ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. Each course is viewed on the bike’s computer screen which shows the landscape of the virtual course, as well as other riding competitors. The bike is steered by a set of controls - and the rider can listen to built-in music, in different genres to fit different tastes. The bike also features games requiring, for example, pedaling and steering correctly to earn points.

Preston Inglehearn said he enjoyed the bike the most of all the equipment in the room. One time he reached the highest level of points, which completed the game. Braxton Wilken also liked the bike the best. The rock climbing wall was the favorite item of Austin Parks. He was able to climb from one side to the other without falling down.

The community really worked together to get the money for the Youth Fitness Center. Most notably, Duke’s Health Care Foundation gave a matching grant of $25,910 to the YMCA for this room. Other contributors included the Peyback Foundation, the Miami County Community Foundation ($3,000), Pepsi-Co and REMC Round-Up. The YMCA has mounted nameplates on a Donors Wall to show appreciation to everyone who donated money.

The YMCA Youth Fitness Center will hopefully make a lasting impact in Miami County - especially the future health and fitness of the youth who use it now. “As a nation, we are all getting obese and it is starting in childhood… This is a major public health problem and we are going to have to make major lifestyle changes to prevent it.” –Kenneth Lee Jones, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics University of California, San Diego. It is time to reverse the trend of obesity in this nation – starting with the youth of Miami County.

To make a donation, please be sure to enter Miami County YMCA General Endowment Fund in the Comment Box. Find the

Make A Donation link to the left of the article.

2nd Annual S.A.M. Golf Tournament

Arts & Culture - 2010 Opportunity

Miami County Community Foundation Awards Grants