After a year-long selection process, the Plymouth Church of the Brethren welcomes Pastor Tom Anders to fill the position as the full-time pastor.

Tom comes from Logansport, Indiana, where he was born and reared. He began his career as an elementary education teacher, having graduated from Ball State. In 2010, Tom was called to serve in ministry. Tom has a Masters of Ministry Degree and is nearing the end of studies for his Masters of Practical Theology Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has been serving as an associate pastor in the Logansport Church of the Brethren for the past five years. Tom is enthusiastic and light-hearted, loves to spend time with family, work in his yard, and enjoys watching the Cincinnati Reds and Green Bay Packers.

Pastor Tom and his wife, Rachel, also an educator who is currently working on getting her principal’s license, have two children: a son, Taylor, who will begin college this fall at IU Kokomo and a daughter, Ann, who will be entering the eighth grade at Lincoln Jr. High.

Pastor Tom Anders will begin his ministry on July first. He is excited to serve the Plymouth Church as they begin their journey together seeking God’s plan.

The Plymouth Fraternal Order of Police and Indiana Department of Natural Resources recently hosted a hunter safety class. Of the 33 who signed up, 32 completed the program. Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 is required to take a hunter safety class before they can purchase a hunting license.

 

The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is anticipating a major fireworks display over Labor Day Weekend in Plymouth, but finding the funds will have to wait a bit longer.
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Plymouth High School 2015-16 1st Semester Honor Roll Juniors and Seniors Plymouth High School 2015-16 1st Semester Honor Roll Freshmen and Sophomores

Plymouth High School 2015-16 1st Semester Honor Roll Juniors and Seniors

United Way of Marshall County Recognizes Campaign Cabinet Volunteers

Plymouth, Indiana – All over Marshall County, volunteers are working hard to deliver Campaign Packets to raise money for United Way of Marshall County (UWMC). The money that is raised in the 2015 Campaign will be used to support 24 Member Agencies in Marshall County. And none are working harder than the 2015 Campaign Cabinet Division Chairs.

 

Packets were ready for distribution in September and since then, UWMC Cabinet Chairs have been rallying crews to help them distribute a packet to every business or professional in Marshall County.

“Together We CAN, Marshall County” is this year’s United Way theme and the Chairs have been given the task of making sure everyone knows that every dollar does makes a difference. By working together, all Marshall County residents, children and adults, can unlock their full potential.

 

All Campaign Cabinet Chairs are doing an outstanding job. Chairs like Heath Thornton of Bremen, who was given the entire Bremen region to distribute and rose to meet the challenge, Dick Featherstone of Plymouth, who scheduled and delivered presentations to all the school Districts in the county, and Dennis and Francie Beville along with Tammy Boys, who have almost wrapped up the Plymouth Professional Division are being recognized for their exemplary volunteer contributions.

 

If you didn’t receive a packet from a volunteer and would like one, please call 574-936-3366 or stop by the United Way offices 2701 N Michigan Street, Plymouth. For more information or to make your online donation, go to marshallcountyuw.org/Give, or email info@marshallcountyuw.org, or mail your contribution to PO Box 392, Plymouth, Indiana, 46563.
For over 50 years, the United Way of Marshall County has continuously conducted annual fundraising campaigns in support of local health and human service not-for-profit organizations. The United Way has been the conduit for helping thousands of individuals, regardless of income level, contribute to a united community cause. United Way volunteers have spent millions of hours advocating for much needed programs and services that help build a stronger community and, as a result, the United Way has allocated more than $8 million to local agencies for everything from basic necessities like food to tutoring programs for youth to helping the elderly get to the doctor. The United Way of Marshall County remains committed to igniting the caring power of the human spirit to help meet the most basic needs of education, health and financial stability. Together we create a stronger future for Marshall County.ABOUT THE UNITED WAY OF MARSHALL COUNTY

 

Plymouth High School Dean of Students Ken Olson was recognized recently for being nominated for the 17^th annual Ernestine M. Raclin Community Leadership Award established by 1st Source Bank.

The award recognizes Ernestine M. Raclin, Chairman Emeritus of 1st Source, who strongly demonstrated the spirit of volunteerism throughout her career by giving of her time and talents to help others. Continue reading →

Plymouth High School Announces Top Students

Plymouth High School is pleased to announce senior Emma Libersky as the valedictorian of the Class of 2015 and Katelyn O’Neal as the Class of 2015 salutatorian.

Emma is the daughter of Tamara and Jeff Libersky. She holds a GPA of 4.340 and is ranked number one in her class of 263.

Emma has earned an Academic Honors diploma. She also attained distinguished honor roll status all four of her years at Plymouth High School.

She has a deep passion for reading and poetry. Emma has been involved with the Poetry Out Loud competition at both the state and national levels.  Contestants of both levels must memorize and recite three poems in front of a panel of judges while being assessed on their physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, level of (poem) difficulty, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.

Emma has taken top honors for the last three years, becoming the first State Champion in the eight-year history of the event to win top honors in the Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition three years consecutively.

This year was the first time she placed while competing at the national competition. Emma advanced to the final nine competitors vying for the National Poetry Out Loud title on April 28-29, 2015 in Washington, D.C.

While in school, from 2012 to 2014 Emma was a member of the Global Discussion Club, formerly known as the Junior State of America Club. She said she enjoyed discussing current events, often relating to government and politics.

This year she joined the Plymouth Gay Straight Alliance Club and has been actively involved in promoting the understanding and acceptance of LGBT, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

For the past two years in her spare time, she has volunteered at the Marshall County Museum by greeting visitors, giving tours, sewing labels on donated clothing, and cleaning.

Inside and outside of school, Emma spends much of her time reading and embracing literature. She is honored by the fact that she was chosen as the 2015 inductee for Plymouth High School’s English Academic Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, Emma was recognized for her exceptional academic achievement as she was named a Commended Student in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Emma’s future plans are to attend Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa where she plans to major in psychology. She would like to go on to earn a masters and Doctor of Psychology and focus on mental health research. She said she looks forward to studying literature further and eventually would like to be able to have a career where she can help people suffering from mental illness.

 

Emma was awarded a Tri Kappa Honor Scholarship and a Grinnell Trustee Honor Scholarship.

Katelyn O’Neal, the daughter of Kasi and Dave O’Neal, is ranked number two in her class of 263. She carries a GPA of 4.333 and she has earned an Academic Honors Diploma.

In school, Katelyn was an active student council member her freshman year and KEY Club member for 2 years, serving as treasurer her senior year. She was active in the PHS Theater for 2 years and was involved in 7 performances.

By being a member of the Interact Club her senior year, Katelyn participated in helping beautify the Plymouth community through various service projects.

She was also inducted into the National Honor Society at the end of her junior year and served as a proud member her senior year.

Raising awareness and donations for the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis was important to her as well shown through her participation in 3 Riley Dance Marathons hosted by PHS her sophomore through senior years. Katelyn was also involved in the PHS Crimson Connection Show Choir and served as soprano section leader.

Katelyn is proud to say faith has influenced the choices she makes in life, as she was also a member of Prayer Club for all 4 years of her high school career.

She is proud to have been a member of the Plymouth Pilgrims track team all 4 years as a varsity hurdler. Throughout her athletic career at PHS, she mainly ran the 100m high hurdles and 300m low hurdles. She also competed in the JV 4x400m relay and Varsity 4x100m relay during her senior year.

This year, she received NLC All-Conference for 100m high hurdles and was also a recipient of an NLC Academic All-Conference Award. She received an NLC All-Conference Honorable mention her junior year.

Outside of school, Katelyn is heavily involved in the Plymouth Missionary Church and their youth Ministries. With the help of the church, she has participated in several missions trips with her youth group including a trip to Jamaica, organized by Praying Pelican Missions in the summer of 2013. She has also gone on other urban missions trips in Fort Wayne, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Katelyn will be attending Grace College & Theological Seminary, a four-year Christian Liberal Arts college located in Winona Lake, IN. An honor roll student throughout her high school career, she is grateful to have been awarded a Grace College National Merit Finalist Academic Scholarship for her Salutatorian ranking, as well as a Winona Merit Scholarship; both renewable for 4-years.

Katelyn has not decided on a major area of study. However, she is considering majoring in the fields of engineering or administrative business with a minor in intercultural studies, where she can focus on her true passion- missionary work.

 

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Provided by Purdue Extension Pulaski County

The Annual Achievement Program was held at the Winamac Presbyterian Church on June 1st.  Following a delicious carry-in dinner was a program by Joyce Lawyer on quilting called “Around the Block.” Kelly Ortman gave a memorial tribute to Pam Rausch, former EH County President, who passed away last year after the fair.  The new county officers were installed: President – Lenora Hoover; First VP –Pat Walded; Second VP– Karen Good; Secretary – Jean Rife; Treasurer – Marcia Link; Advisor – Julie Kasten. Congratulations to them!

Special awards given went to:

Club with Most Guests and a tie for Most New Members went to Patchwork Pals

Most New Member Award also went to Extension Chords

Community Service Club award was awarded to Nite Liters EH Club who helped a family in need to learn some cooking skills.

Behind the Scenes Award for 2015 went to Lenora Hoover of Patchwork Pals for all her hard work, many times without recognition.

Homemaker of the Year for 2015 went to Sue Rosenbaum of Patchwork Pals for all her work she has done for Extension Homemakers and 4-H the past 30 years.

Quilted “rug mugs” were made for each member present by the Patchwork Pals. The chair Hostess club for program/meal was the Country Friends, and Happy Homemakers were over the registration.  Thanks to all who  participated!