By Martha Stoelting
Staff Writer
[email protected] 

Two new local businesses and a non-profit gave presentations to the general meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce at the general membership meeting Monday. During the treasurer’s report Linda Land announced an audit of the books had been completed and there were only three minor things outstanding.

President Tonya Bowser noted to laughter, “Not only has Mutual Bank’s Josh Birky gone through the books with a fine-tooth comb, he may have used a lice comb as well.” This is the first audit that has been done in several years.

The two new businesses noted are Two Nurses’ Home Care Inc., formerly known as Nightingale Home Services owned by Amber Bryant and Karen Wolken based in North Webster, and the Website www.wawasee411.com, compiled by Jackie Stout, Syracuse, for the Wawasee Community School Corp. area. “These are services our communities need,” stated Bowser.

Lindsay Best gave the chamber an update on the Kosciusko County Big Brothers Big Sisters organization noting that there is a waiting list for North Webster Elementary as well as the entire county. “The kids have found out about the program from their friends and they want to be part of it too,” she explained.

Volunteers have two options to choose from. One is the in school once-a-week lunch buddy time for one-hour during the school year. The other is based out in the community where “bigs” and “littles” get together to share fun activities once or twice a month for a year.

Contact Best for more information or for her to give a presentation, www.bbbsnei.org.

The 2012-2013 Community Guide sponsored by the chamber has been printed at The Papers Inc. and delivered. Businesses will get copies delivered or can pick them up at the chamber office, North Webster Community Center. This year’s theme is “North Webster ‘The Community’ Where Everyone Belongs.” It is a great resource for visitors and locals alike.

Land announced that the current 2012 membership is 133. The number has more than doubled from four years ago.

The Dixie Days committees have been formed and are meeting. Sponsors need to have the donation money in by Wednesday to be on the first-run of T-shirts. The shirts will be sold on the Dixie, Ace Hardware of North Webster and Sue’s Creations Floral and Gifts up until Dixie Days, which are July 26-28.

Upcoming events were noted and corrected. Changes include the location of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club of North Webster Chicken Barbecue has been moved to the North Webster Community Center. It will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 26.

The North Webster Town Council will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, at the North Webster Community Center. This is a week later than previously announced. J.B. Routh noted, “Representatives from the Department of Natural Resources will be there to talk about the building of a new dam for Webster Lake. If you are interested in that information, please attend.”

Also corrected were the May 28 Memorial Day services put on by North Webster American Legion Post 253. Honor guards will be 9 a.m., Thorn Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., Salem Cemetery; 10 a.m., Mock Cemetery; and 10:30 a.m., Legion. A small parade will form at 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of SR 13 and Washington Street. It will head down SR 13 to North Webster Cemetery where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. The Flag Raising Ceremony at the Legion will be at noon.

Mermaid Festival booklets were passed out. The 67th annual Mermaid Festival sponsored by the North Webster Lions Club will be June 13-16. This year’s theme is “Creatures from the Deep versus Super Heros.” The booklets outlining all the events are available at many local businesses.

The next general meeting of the chamber will be at noon, Monday, June 11, American Legion. All members are welcome.

For more information on today’s meeting, see this week’s issue of The Mail-Journal.