Open House In Warsaw Honors Bowman For Work As Downtown Coordinator
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — “The hardest working woman in the room” has officially stepped down from organizing downtown Warsaw events.
Longtime Downtown Warsaw Coordinator Paula Bowman was recognized at an open house at The VIC at One Ten Craft Meatery in Warsaw on Wednesday, March 16.
Bowman helped run events like First Friday for 12 years. Family, friends and community members dropped by to commend Bowman for her hard work.
Among them was Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
“Paula’s the hardest working woman in the room, the most creative, collaborative,” he said. “She worked hard … and made a lot of people happy. … Families enjoyed coming downtown for First Friday, Spooktacular, all of the events we had that she just did a marvelous job (for) … and it really paid off. We’re going to miss her.”
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker echoed the mayor’s remarks.
“There’s nobody that’s worked harder than Paula,” he said. “No matter what the weather was, no matter the conditions, no matter the time, she could always be counted on. She was always there and she’s just been awesome to be able to bring this community together. I mean what would we be without First Fridays?”
“Paula really was that anchor that brought it together so we can have a great community, and so I give her a lot of credit for her dedication and her commitment and her hard work and her vision. She’s been great,” he continued.
Parker also heads up Main Street Warsaw, formerly known as Warsaw Community Development Corp. He and others are to handle running First Fridays now.
He said filling her shoes in planning events is going to be tough.
“It’s going to be really, really hard,” he said. “She’s done an awesome job, so we’re very grateful for everything she’s done.”
Kosciusko County Commissioners President Cary Groninger, who’s also served on the WCDC board and is president of G&G Hauling & Excavating of Warsaw, added his thoughts on Bowman.
“I want to say this from the G&G role because G&G sponsored some of the First Friday events for three or four years, so it was a joy to work with her,” he said. “It made it a lot of fun to be able to have an opportunity for businesses like mine to be able to come down and give back to the community.”
One Ten Craft Meatery Owner Jason Brown also raved about Bowman. His business is right next to Bowman’s Latte Lounge, on Buffalo Street.
“She’s been a delight to be a downtown business neighbor with,” he said. “She’s been very supportive of bringing me into this town and I appreciate all of her efforts in helping Warsaw.”
Bowman’s reflections
Bowman also reflected on her time as downtown Warsaw coordinator, including regarding what were her favorite First Friday events.
“There were so many. I mean in 12 years, there was a whole bunch. I loved Fire and Ice. I loved the veterans’ memorial, the Vietnam memorial … Just every one is unique in its own right and just it was so fun to see so many people come downtown and go, ‘Yeah, Warsaw’s still alive and well and we have a vibrant downtown,'” she said.
She enjoyed working with vendors as well as making new friends while putting together First Fridays.
“Seeing the same faces every month, it was just so much fun. You just made so many friends and just people I can just call at the drop of a hat and they can fix an issue,” she said. “This talented community is incredible, so to be able to showcase all of that, show other communities what we have … is just amazing.”
She noted a challenging part of being coordinator was dealing with the weather, including extreme temperatures, tornado sirens going off and sudden downpours.
“But it’s Indiana, so you just roll with it. This job is 150% flexible,” she said.
She’ll miss most the vendors and getting to interact with store owners downtown.
Bowman’s plans for the future are continuing to run Latte Lounge and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She said not being coordinator will give her some extra time to spare.
She did say she is ready to assist Main Street Warsaw with anything they need regarding planning First Fridays.
“It’s just been a great 12 years and I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said, getting tears in her eyes. “It’s just wonderful. … I love Warsaw. You’re not going to get me out of here.”