EACS chief will advise on Title I

The new superintendent of East Allen County Schools will have some control over the district’s Title I application, but the administration will have just days to pull it together before the June 30 deadline.

The Title I application for the district has been a topic of much discussion for the board this month, and Tuesday the board decided to hold off on a decision again to allow the district’s new leader to be involved.

The board is expected today to name its preferred candidate to replace former Superintendent Karyle Green, who left the district in a mutual agreement with the board March 1. The board is expected to approve a contract with the new candidate next week.

The administration had asked the board for direction on the plan for Title I money – federal dollars for schools with high populations of low-income students – during the June 4 board meeting.

Because of an expected decrease in funding, the district is likely to reduce the number of schools the money serves.

Much of the discussion Tuesday centered on the human resources report, which included Title I certified and classified employees in the list of employees receiving reduction-in-force notices.

These notices give the district flexibility in staffing if it doesn’t have positions or funding available for the next school year. Teachers receiving the notices could be hired back by the district or replace another teacher with less seniority, district officials said.

The board amended the human resources report to remove two classified employees whose positions were funded with Title I dollars from the list of staffers receiving reduction-in-force notices.

Classified staff members are not part of the teachers’ union and wouldn’t be able to replace another employee with less seniority. The notices are required by June 30, but most were already notified in person before the end of the school year.

The administration submitted two scenarios for the board for the Title I application. The first would seek about $2.6 million in funding for six schools: Southwick Elementary, Prince Chapman Academy, Paul Harding Junior High, New Haven Middle, Highland Terrace Elementary and Meadowbrook Elementary.

The second scenario would fund eight schools, adding New Haven High and East Allen University, with the same amount. Last year the district had about $3.4 million in Title I funding that it spread among 10 schools.

The board will likely meet next week to approve the superintendent contract and the Title I application. Board members said the new superintendent will meet with administrators today to discuss the application so they can begin work it. The application can range from 160 to 200 pages.

The board conducted a public hearing Tuesday on its proposed contract with the new superintendent, during which no board or community member spoke.

The new candidate would earn a base salary of $140,000 in the first year, with a $3,000 increase each year for three years based on performance evaluations from the board. The amount totals less than Green’s three-year contract. The contract also includes $5,000 a year in annuity payments and vehicle and phone allowances.

sarah.janssen@jg.net

Indiana All-Star

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS by Beth Stauffer

Farmers Market Set to Open Wednesday

by Beth Stauffer

After a brief reprieve from a busy Canal Days Festival, Schnelker Park, which is nestled in the heart of downtown New Haven between the New Haven Middle School Campus and the Broadway Street business district, is busy preparing this week for another fun summer event:  the New Haven Farmers Market!  The season Grand Opening will take place at Schnelker Park, 956 Park Avenue, New Haven, on Wednesday, June 19^th from 4-7 pm.

Prepping for its 2^nd season in New Haven, this year the market’s organizers have partnered with the Fort Wayne Farmers Market association to give shoppers more choices when it comes to selecting the finest in local produce and quality handmade goods.  New Haven’s affiliation with the Fort Wayne Farmers Market has provided much needed awareness for the Wednesday night event at other Farmers Markets, such as Georgetown and Jefferson Pointe; the newfound relationship has also been beneficial to vendors, making it easy to register for several area farmers markets in one simple step.

According to Anna Gurney, Recreation Director for the New Haven Adams Township Parks and Recreation Department, the Wednesday night market is unique from other Farmers Markets in the area because of its quaint, Mayberry-esque setting nestled in Schnelker Park’s pavilion amongst the shade trees and nearby gazebo and playground.  The New Haven Farmers Market offers a fun shopping experience for the family that is sure to enhance the reputation of the community and area businesses.

This year, the market will again host local vendors, emphasizing those who have committed to being a consistent presence at the market each week.  “Last year, we would have 14 vendors one week and the next week we might have six,” said Gurney.  “The majority of these vendors have committed to the season, and that’s a really good thing.”

“We feel there is a real need in the community for a farmers market,” said Gurney, “We really want to enrich the culture in the community, and we want to keep the market in Schnelker Park, in the heart of downtown New Haven.”

Several sponsors agree with Gurney that there is a real need for a farmers market in New Haven, including Parkview LiVe, a community outreach program which emphasizes lifelong habits for healthy living.  With the help of sponsors like Parkview LiVe, the Parks Department has worked diligently to come up with many unique ideas to attract new shoppers to the Farmers Market on Wednesdays evenings from June 19^th through October 16^th.

One of those ideas is hosting a special 3rd Wednesday of the Month Arts & Crafts Market in addition to the Farmers Market, where the ratio of arts & crafts vendors will be higher than on a typical Wednesday.  According to Gurney, most weeks they try to keep the vendors at the market selling local produce and handmade goods at an 80% to 20% ratio.  On the 3^rd Wednesday of the month, the ratio may be more like 50/50, said Gurney, adding that there will be some craft items available every week at the market.  This Wednesday’s Opening Night will also be the first Arts & Crafts Market of the season.

Speaking of crafts, the Parks Department will keep the Craft Shed open in Schnelker Park late every Wednesday during the summer for the little crafters in the family.  The playground will also be open for business to entertain the little ones while the grown-ups peruse the vendor booths at the market.

Once again this year, Jim Mohr will provide entertainment and host an Open Mic format over at the Gazebo every Wednesday night.  Local musicians, poets, writers, and bands are welcome to show up and sign up to play on the Gazebo stage every Wednesday night during the Farmers Market from 4-7 pm.

Visitors to the Farmers Market are also encouraged to plan to grab a bite to eat when they visit the park on Wednesday evenings this summer.  Andy’s Knock-Out Chicken will be available for purchase on opening night, along with an on-site food truck vendor from the Food Truck Association.  As the season progresses, Gurney says she hopes to be able to include other local restaurants as vendors in the park.

“It is so exciting to see all of the planning and hard work that went into making this market become a reality,” said Gurney during an interview on June 14^th.  “The Parks Department believes that the New Haven Farmers Market will enrich the community by providing a place for friends and neighbors to enjoy a meal, relax, and shop.  We especially want to focus on shopping locally, so all of our produce and goods are either handmade by the person selling them or grown locally.”

Each week will bring something new and exciting to the New Haven Farmers Market, according to Gurney, and she isn’t referring to the fresh produce, handmade soaps, jewelry, pet treats, and baked goods.  From hands-on nature education activities to non-profit displays and karate demonstrations, the Wednesday Night New Haven Farmers Market is the place to be from 4-7 pm.  For more information about the New Haven Farmers Market, contact the Parks Department office at 260-749-2212.

Jacquay headlines Cougars’ Hall class

Cory Jacquay, the NAIA football player of the year in 2004, heads a group of four former Saint Francis athletes who will be inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.

New Haven star paces Indiana

Leading Scorer VJ Beachem Takes a Piece of the Net at Saturday Night's Sectional Championship

New Haven’s V.J. Beachem went 9 of 9 from the floor, including 4 of 4 from the three-point line, to score 22 points in leading Indiana to a 114-60 trouncing of Kentucky in a high school All-Star game Friday at Freedom Hall in Louisville.

The 6-foot-7 Beachem, who has committed to attend Notre Dame, added two assists, two blocked shots and two steals as Indiana defeated Kentucky for the 10th consecutive time in the annual All-Star series.

Indiana led 44-29 at halftime, then outscored Kentucky 70-31 in the final half.

Former Northrop standout Bryson Scott, who is headed to Purdue, and Mr. Basketball Zak Irvin of Hamilton Southeastern, bound for Michigan, each scored 14 points for Indiana, which dominated Kentucky on the glass, 51-23. Clay Yeo of Triton added 12 points, and Devin Davis of Warren Central had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Indiana grabbed an early 14-4 lead, watched Kentucky get within 16-10, then went on an 11-0 run that was helped fueled by a three-pointer and blocked shot from Beachem and a jumper from Scott.

In the girls game, Kentucky defeated Indiana 84-78.

Indiana Miss Basketball Stephanie Mavunga of Brownsburg was sidelined with a knee injury with 16:03 remaining in the first half and never returned. She made her only field goal attempt for two points.

Former South Side standout and IPFW recruit Ariana Simmons did not play due to her high school graduation ceremonies.

The Kentucky girls, led by Miss Basketball Makayla Epps’ 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, scored the game’s first nine points and never trailed. Kentucky connected on 12 of 25 three-point attempts, whereas Indiana hit 4 of 20 from long range.

Bridget Perry of Indianapolis Roncalli led Indiana with 19 points. Ally Lehman of Indian Creek had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The series for the boys and girls resumes today at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

East Allen poised to reveal pick

5 in race for superintendent

Beth on “Man of Steel”

by Beth Stauffer (Birthday Girl 6/14)

I recall with vivid clarity going to see the Avengers movie last summer with my husband Jon and our friend Barry Sturgill.  ‘Why?’, you may be thinking to yourself, ‘Was the Avengers movie that great?’

Well, it was good, but not good enough to warrant vivid clarity (at least not in my mind).  The part that really jumped off the screen for me was, in fact, one of the previews for a movie to be released on my birthday, June 14^th, 2013:  the brand new Superman movie, Man of Steel.

Long time superhero fan Beth proudly wears her Wonder Woman underoos

As an unabashedly unashamed child of the 1980’s who grew up watching the original Superman movies with Christopher Reeve, I was beyond thrilled.  Of all the superhero franchises, Superman has always been my favorite.  When I was little and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say, “Lois Lane!” partly because I wanted to be a reporter and partly because of, well, Clark Kent.

Needless to say, when I found out I was going to get to see Steel first in 3-D  compliments of Wal-Mart for free last night at a pre-release showing of the movie, I was pretty ecstatic.

When I had originally learned that Henry Cavill was going to fill the cape previously worn by Christopher Reeve in the role of Superman, my first thoughts were, ‘This could actually work.’ The only reason I watched The Tudors on Showtime was because of Cavill’s work portraying Charles Brandon in a supporting role as one of the mentally unstable king’s advisors.

In Man of Steel, Director Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300) gives Superman fans a compelling look at the backstory of what initially brought Superman to the Kansas farm of his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent (portrayed by Kevin Costner and an almost unrecognizable Diane Lane). Without giving too much away, Superman (or Kal El) is born in the midst of chaos on the planet Krypton—fearing for his safety, his father Jor-El (portrayed by Russell Crowe) and mother Lara (portrayed by Ayelet Zurer) send him to Earth to ensure not only his survival, but to make a way for a piece of Krypton to survive the coming planetary apocalypse.

Of course, this does not fit into resident bad guy General Zod’s plans and he vows early on to make it his life’s mission to find and destroy Kal El.

Meanwhile back on earth, outsider Kal El, now known as Clark, struggles with questions that we all face in life:  ‘Why Am I Here?’  As Clark’s path crosses with feisty Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (portrayed by Amy Adams) and nemesis General Zod, he begins to figure out the answer to this question in the midst of eye popping, heart racing action sequences as he races to save Earth.

Here’s a breakdown of what I liked about Man of Steel:  Henry Cavill is the perfect actor for this role.  The storyline was tight, with no major plot holes that I could see on a first viewing (and a lot of subtle humor and a few discreet tributes to the original movies, which I enjoyed).

Perhaps this might sum up what I liked the most about Man of Steel.  Justin Sheehan of New Haven sent me a Tweet last night asking if I thought Man of Steel was better than the Batman movie the Dark Night.

They are both really, really good movies, but really, really different.

The Dark Night is, as you might guess from its title, an exploration of the darker side of heroism, and humanity.  Of course, it is also notable for its legendary portrayal of the Joker by Heath Ledger.

Man of Steel, however, is more focused on exploring the inherent good in people, about delving into the hope that drives and sustains us.  In one of the key scenes in the movie, Lois Lane asks Superman what the S on his chest stands for, and he tells her it isn’t an S at all, but a symbol of hope on his planet, a symbol that every person will be a force for good.

Another key scene in the movie is when Superman goes into a church and the pastor is sweeping the floor.  He tells the pastor that he is the one General Zod and the alien invaders are looking for, but he doesn’t know if he should turn himself in.  He doesn’t trust General Zod, but he doesn’t know if he can trust humans either.  The pastor, after swallowing hard, tells Clark, “Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first.  The trust part comes later.”

I really enjoyed Man of Steel more than the Dark Knight from this perspective because I think it’s precisely the kind of story the world needs more of, not less of.

Here’s what I didn’t like:  Concessions at the movie theater are ridiculously expensive.  For two buckets of popcorn and 2 medium drinks for 5 people last night at the theater, it cost almost $50.  $50!  If the tickets had not been free, that would have been $55 for tickets, plus another $50 for concessions…we’re talking over $100 for 5 people to go to the movies.  Craziness, I say, craziness.

At the end of the movie, the theatre was filled with applause (for the film I would assume, not the popcorn prices).  I was also filled with nostalgia for my childhood, when my little brother Brent would be beside me in his Superman underoos , red cape flying in the wind, while I was at the helm of my invisible jet in my Wonder Woman underoos, the two of us racing off to save the world from evil baby sisters everywhere.

Meyer Trucking

Provided by the New Haven Chamber of Commerce

Meyer Trucking began as a supplemental income for Ken Meyer, the father of Jon Meyer the company’s current VP/CFO.  Jon’s father was a farmer and in the 1970s and 80s needed to supplement his income during the winter months. With Jon’s mother Marjorie dispatching from the kitchen table, one truck soon became two trucks and on until they set up an office in New Haven.  At that time Meyer Trucking was basically a small regional trucking fleet with loads back and forth to cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.

Jon grew up with the business, “I grew up washing trucks, changing oil, helping dad change tires and riding along so I have always been involved and knew what was going on. After college my dad was always asking me to help with the computers or maintenance. I finally told him that if I was going to do the work I might as well get paid. That’s when I became part of the staff.”

Ken insisted that Jon start at the bottom and work his way up. Because of that business work ethic Jon says, “I know a little bit about everything, but I am not an expert on any one thing.  I started out being a driver and I have been part of every job here from driving, to maintenance, to dispatching, and accounting, for a long time I was the primary book keeper.”

Because of Jon’s experience at every piece of the company he has the ability to understand how any decision affects everyone from the accountant to the customer.  “Trucking logistics in general is a big jig saw puzzle” said Meyer. “You just try to get all the pieces together; the timing, the days, the hours. You have to coordinate between the shippers schedule and the trucker’s schedule. Then you’ve always got break downs or delays something that throws a wrench in everything. We always say it’s organized chaos.”

Meyer shared that trucking has changed a lot in just the last fifteen years. That change has been driven by the economy. He said, “A lot of factories and businesses had their own shipping department and now they have outsourced that to other people that handle all of their shipping. There were a lot more places that worked around the clock. They had shipping and receiving for 2^nd and 3^rd shift. When things slowed down a couple of years ago, people have cut back to where they are only shipping and receiving on 1^st shift. That has made scheduling and dispatching a little tougher because there is a tighter window of picking up and receiving. Companies aren’t carrying as much inventory as they used to. As soon as it comes off of production they want it shipped the next day. They don’t want to warehouse.” Because of these changes Meyer Trucking has had to diversify and work with other trucking companies in order to get freight moved.

Meyer Trucking has been in a constant state of growth. Jon shared that their volume of business grew to the point that they needed more capacity. He said, “We’ve always been a fairly small company anywhere from five to fifteen trucks. We were getting to the point where we were pushing fifteen to twenty trucks and we still had more demand. Also, customers kept offering us loads that we couldn’t possibly handle because of our size.”

“I talked to a few companies and found a good match with Landstar,” Meyer said. “They have allowed us to operate our own trucking fleet independently from the work we do with them. We didn’t have to sign over our company or equipment.”

In the summer of 2011 Jon Meyer became a Landstar Agent. Landstar is a non-asset based provider of integrated supply chain solutions. Landstar delivers safe, specialized transportation and logistics services to a broad range of customers worldwide utilizing a network of more than 1,000 independent sales agents.

Becoming a Landstar Agent caused Meyer Trucking to expand in two directions. First they expanded from just being a regional fleet with flatbed trailers, to now moving shipments throughout the United States and Canada, with a variety of equipment. The second expansion that developed was, that as need grew, the Meyer Trucking fleet itself also increased in size. Meyer said, “It has allowed us to stay involved with customers instead of us always having to say we didn’t have trucks or couldn’t go to where they needed shipments to go. Now, through our affiliation with Landstar, we keep our foot in the door of that customer and provide services that we couldn’t before.”

Now when someone calls Meyer Trucking to move a load, they have access to Landstar drivers, load boards, and services. Meyer Trucking can search to find trucks and specific equipment and services in different parts of the country. “It’s a search and hunt, where we will try to match up a driver, a truck, a company, or another trucking company with the freight we need to move on a specific day”, said Meyer.    “We work back and forth, maybe we are offered a load that we think would be good for a Meyer truck, but because of scheduling or locations it doesn’t work and so then we’ll see if the Landstar side can cover it or vice versa. We have loads Landstar can’t cover and Meyer trucks handle it.”

Meyer Trucking is logistically centered in the Midwestern freight lanes of IN, OH, MI and IL. With three highways coming together in New Haven, they have flexibility in direction of where they can go.  Jon has been happy to see manufacturing facilities come into the New Haven area over the past few years.  SDi LaFarga and Superior Aluminum Alloys have shown that New Haven can be a great location to manufacture and distribute their products.  It is his hope in the next five to ten years that Meyer Trucking keeps growing their capacity to provide transportation for all shipping needs.

Meyer Trucking has been a New Haven Chamber of Commerce member off and on since 2001. Meyer said, “The biggest benefit of membership is staying up to date with what’s going on around town. It is a way of keeping your ear to the ground to hear what’s going on. It’s important to know what the shipping trends are in the area.  He also said, “Rob Callahan at Temporary Solutions (another chamber member) has been a great asset with our office staff as we’ve grown.”

Meyer Trucking is a full service trucking and logistics company. They can move freight with vans, flatbeds, and LTL (less than a truck load) shipments. They now can go anywhere in the United States as well as Canada. Meyer had this to say about his company, “We are a small business, yet we have access to a larger capacity of drivers, trucks, and equipment.  Meyer Trucking has small town ethics with big town reach.”

Parkview Canal Days 5K 4 Wellness

Local Youth Ranch Hosts Day Camp for Autistic Children

Second Steps, LLC. kicked off its second annual day camp for children with behavioral disabilities associated with autism. The camp, which began Monday, June 10, will be held on weekdays, continuing through Friday, June 21, is being held at Dare to Dream Youth Ranch, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Autism Camp

The camp is one of many special activities provided to the community by Dare to Dream Youth Ranch. During the camp, children spend time at the ranch, ride on horses while assisted by volunteers and therapists, create crafts and even paint on the horses with water-soluble paint. “This camp is an amazing experience for the kids, many of whom really connect with the horses and can relate to the environment and activities here,” said Lisa Compton, Owner and President of Second Steps, LLC. “This year, working together, our staffers and the Dare to Dream ranch staff have taken the camp to a whole new level.”

Jim Buck, Executive Board Member of Dare to Dream Youth Ranch, agrees. “By providing ranch experiences like these, which are core to the mission of the ranch, we can encourage the child, heal the horses, build the family and spread the message of hope. This camp is a great example of what can happen when we join forces, collaborate together and help children to reach their potential.”

About Dare to Dream Youth Ranch

Dare to Dream Youth Ranch serves the Fort Wayne and surrounding area by offering children the opportunity to experience a horse ranch, learning the values of integrity, leadership and compassion, through hard work, cooperation and caring for horses in a supervised and supportive environment. The ranch rescues and rehabilitates abused and neglected horses and integrates them into the ranch program. www.daretodreamyouthranch.com

About Second Steps LLC

SECOND STEPS LLC provides therapeutic services within its clinic, creating a comprehensive program that assists individuals with the behavior problems often associated with autism. SECOND STEPS LLC, which serves children from ages 2 to 18, has Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to conduct initial assessments, set goals and oversee each program. http://www.secondstepsllc.com

Summer Reading Program

by Beth Stauffer

The New Haven Branch of the Allen County Public Library is preparing kids to Dig Into Reading this summer with the annual Summer Reading Program that is running now thru July 26^th..

Special incentive programs are available for babies to 5^th graders.  (A separate program is offered for 6^th graders-recent high school graduates). Pre-school age children and school age children receive a free TinCaps ticket for signing up for the program and incentives for every 360 minutes of independent reading or time they are read to during the summer (incentives include an egg shaker or water bottle and up to two books).  Parents can also participate in the fun by partnering with their children to complete literacy enrichment activities to earn a chance to win one of several $100 gift certificates to local retail establishments.

The New Haven Branch will also host several free special programs during the summer for children to enjoy with their families.  On Tuesday, June 18^th at 10:30 am, the library will host A2 Magic, with magician Jeff Wawrzaszek presenting a hilarious magic show for all ages.  Later in the afternoon on Tuesday from 2:00-3:00 pm, children ages 6-11 are invited to come and learn all about Fairy Houses and make one of their own to take home.

On Tuesday June 25^th, the always popular Mark’s Ark and his amazing animals will visit the library at 10:30 am for an exciting program for children and grown-ups of all ages.  On Tuesday, July 2^nd from 2:00-3:00 pm, children can stop by the library to create a piece of art to take home, then on Tuesday, July 9^th at 10:30 am it’s time for all things Superhero related at the library.

From 2:00-3:00 pm on July 16^th, a super special life-size Candy Land program will take place at the library, then on July 17^th the loveable children’s book characters Elephant and Piggie will come to story time at the library at 10:30 am.

On July 23^rd, Dirt Detectives will be featured at the New Haven branch as children investigate archaeology and paleontology at this event that takes a scientific approach to learning all about dirt and why people dig it up.  The Summer Reading Program will wrap up with a Family Fun Final Special Program on Thursday, July 24^th at 7 pm.

According to Rachel King, Teen Librarian and Assistant Manager at the New Haven Branch, the Summer Reading Program has been a vital part of the library’s programming for children and families since the 1960’s.

Participating in the Summer Reading Program helps kids avoid the “summer slide,” says King, referring to the lapse in reading skills that sometimes occur over the summer months.  “The Summer Reading Program is a holistic program that not only keeps kids current with their reading skills, but keeps them interacting with other kids during the summer months and engaged with the community,” added King.

To sign up for the Summer Reading Program, stop by the New Haven Branch (or any branch of the Allen County Public Library) during normal business hours.  The New Haven Branch hours are Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, 10:00 am-9:00 pm and Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, 10:00 am-6:00 pm.  Additional information is also available online, www.acpl.info.