A variety of events were held during Main Street Warsaw’s August Third Friday on Aug. 18, including the finals of “Warsaw’s Got Talent.” Vocalist Natalie Linnemeier took the top spot.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — There were plenty of activities for people to do during Main Street Warsaw’s Third Friday on Aug. 18.

Among them were the finals of “Warsaw’s Got Talent.” Vocalists Natalie Linnemeier and Breanna Bennett and comedienne Amanda Sautter, who were selected as the top three after the initial contest at July’s Third Friday, performed again twice before celebrity judges Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts Executive Director Lakesha Green and Atelier owner Sea Grandon.

The three named Linnemeier the winner, with Bennett finishing second and Sautter third. Linnemeier played guitar and sang the “House of the Rising Sun” and “Landslide” for her two performances.

Linnemeier, whose family has a cottage on Chapman Lake, said she had fun competing in “Warsaw’s Got Talent.”

“My mom actually told me about ‘Warsaw’s Got Talent’ like two days before the (first competition) took place. I was picking out a song two days before (the competition),” she said. “I just love performing. Everybody did a great job … It’s really exciting, really fun. I’m really thankful for the opportunity.”

She said she’s “been singing since I was little.”

“I picked up the guitar when I was about eight years old and I’m just kind of self-taught,” she said.

KBOR Car Show

People at Third Friday could also browse the more than 110 entries in the Kosciusko Board of Realtors’ third annual Children’s Charities Car Show.

It was the first time the show was held in Warsaw.

Julie Rans of Plymouth took home Best of Show with her light blue 1966 Chevy II Nova.

“I’ve had it since ’83,” she said. “I and my husband (Bob Rans) did (work on) it by ourselves. It took us five years to put it together.”

“It has an LS3 motor in it,” she added, mentioning the car has won in other shows.

Also displaying a vehicle at the show was Graham Geiger, who lives outside Warsaw.

He brought a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe two-door sedan.

“This (was) the family car pretty much of the Ford line,” he said. “I’ve had it for two years. It was the second car I bought … This thing gets around pretty good around town.”

“It needed a lot of suspension work. It had some throttle issues, and we worked all those out,” said Geiger, mentioning he drives it all the time.

Open Mic Night

Those downtown Friday could also step inside Courthouse Coffee on the Square, where an Open Mic Night was being held.

Performers include musicians and poets. It was organized by local musician Marena Moonflower.

“I have hosted a couple of open mics before in the past and I’ve been looking for somewhere that’s a family-friendly environment (to host one),” she said, mentioning all ages could perform at the event. “I wanted a place where songwriters (and others) could get together and try their new stuff, somewhere that’s nonjudgmental. We’re all about not judging people and everybody get up and do their thing no matter what their ability is.”

Another Open Mic is set to occur in September at Courthouse Coffee, with all ages welcome to perform. People may learn more information and sign up ahead of time by emailing [email protected].

The only requirement that performers should follow is that their act be “family-friendly,” said Moonflower.

The Kosciusko Board of Realtors’ third annual Children’s Charities Car Show was also held Friday. Julie Rans of Plymouth won Best of Show with her 1966 Chevy II Nova.

Graham Geiger, who lives outside Warsaw, also entered a vehicle in the show, a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe two-door sedan.

Courthouse Coffee on the Square held an Open Mic Night Friday. Here, Andrew Norman performs.

Vocalist Breanna Bennett finished second in “Warsaw’s Got Talent.”

Comedienne Amanda Sautter placed third in “Warsaw’s Got Talent.”

Judges for “Warsaw’s Got Talent” were from left: Atelier owner Sea Grandon, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts Executive Director Lakesha Green and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith.

People check out vehicles at the car show.

Some of the cars on display.

More vehicles are shown on display.

A woman performs poetry during the Open Mic Night.

Brookes Herring, left, and Lyla Sudhoff play cornhole.

The Dad Bods perform during Third Friday.