North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce presented a $500 scholarship to further her education to Shelby Bolt. She earned the award by changing the chamber sign on the south side of town for the past year. Giving her the award is President Mindy Scaggs, left, with Bolt, center, and Linda Land, scholarship chairman for the chamber. Photo by Martha Stoelting.

By Martha Stoelting
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Two presentations were given at the in-person meeting of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Monday, June 8, at the North Webster Community Center. Shelby Bolt received a $500 scholarship she earned from the chamber while the chamber was given a $500 rebate by The Papers Inc. from the ad sales for its community guide.

For the past year, Bolt has been changing the sayings on the chamber sign on SR 13. For this service she earned the scholarship to further her education. She was accompanied by her father. She is the daughter of Ron and Kim Bolt. The award was given by Chamber President Mindy Scaggs, RE/MAX Lakes and Scholarship Chairman Linda Land, Lake-Land Cottages. The chamber has given this scholarship annually for many years to a deserving Wawasee High School student or graduate. Laurel Kelsheimer has been chosen as the next recipient.

With the ad sale income generated by the chamber sponsored North Webster Community Guide, The Papers Inc. rebated $500 back to the chamber for its use. Making the presentation were chamber board members from The Papers Susan Stump and Martha Stoelting. Scaggs and Vice President Emily Shipley, Todd Realty ERA, received the check.

A new board member was elected to serve out the term of Kara Dobbins. It is Karen White, Caliber Designs. A resignation from the board was given by Stoelting. Replacements for her and for Amanda Meerzo are being sought.

The board voted to increase its donation to the Webster Lake Conservancy Association fireworks fund from $100 to $250. WLCA is shooting the fireworks off Kline Island at dusk Friday, July 3. Sunday, July 5, is the rain date.

A list of ribbon cutting opportunities was compiled by the board. Shipley will follow up on them. There are some new local businesses and also those with new owners or locations. Any local business is eligible to have a ribbon cutting under those circumstances.

Scaggs and board member Jerry Parsons attended the most recent meeting of the North Webster Lions Club. The club is having a demolition derby Saturday, July 25. The board decided to offer chamber members the information about how to participate if they wanted to have their businesses open before the event for attendees. Notice will be given to members by email, in the newsletter and on the Facebook page. The Dixie Day Festival will return the last Saturday in July in 2021 sponsored by the chamber of commerce. The date is July 31.

Secretary Tammy Waliczek volunteered to head the committee for the town tree lighting night. It will be held Saturday evening, Nov. 21. The chamber plans not only to replicate what was done last year in downtown but to expand the event. Last year it included store open houses, activities for kids, food vendors, and caroling besides the lighting of the tree on Pilcher Shoe’s lawn.

Board member and Dixie Sternwheeler President Karilyn Metcalf explained once again the decision to not have the Dixie boat tour in 2020. “It was certainly the hardest decision I have been involved with,” she explained. Requirements by the state for cleaning and social distancing plus concern for the passengers and crew’s health and welfare all played a part. “The Dixie boat will be back in 2021 with renewed energy,” she added.

The next meeting of the chamber board and membership will be noon Monday, July 13. It is tentatively scheduled for the chamber office, Tippecanoe Township Building, 102 S. Morton St.

The Papers Inc. presented a rebate check for $500 to the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce. The company put together the North Webster Community Guide for the chamber. The handy book is now available throughout North Webster. From the left are chamber board member and TPI accounty executive Susan Stump, chamber vice president Emily Shipley, chamber president Mindy Scaggs and outgoing board member and TPI staff writer Martha Stoelting.