From The Post & Mail July 7, 2006:

Herschell Leland King, 94

June 14, 1912 - July 2, 2006

Herschell Leland King of Hamilton, Mont., died July 2, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Weighing 12 pounds and coming into this world on the kitchen table, he was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1912, a son of Raymond and Essie King in the small town of Frankton. Flag Day was a perfect birthday for Hersch as he was a patriot, very proud of his country. As an infant he escaped diphtheria which claimed the life of his 7-year-old brother.

His love of fishing was evident at an early age as he would walk the banks of Pipe Creek behind his house, fishing for small mouth bass. His parents, because of losing their oldest child and fearing for the safety of their young son, forbid him to go to the river by himself, but Hersch would not be deterred from his desire to catch the big one. Out of frustration and concern for his safety, his parents chained him to a tree in the yard. Hersch outfoxed them by bribing his younger sister Erma Lee with candy in exchange for a file with which he could free himself to go fishing at the river.

His father was a funeral director. He decided that this would not be his career when he assisted his father in retrieving a farmer's body after he had been gored by a bull. However, another bull played a part in his life when the bull charged him while he fished along Pipe Creek. He climbed a tree and for nearly two hours the bull snorted, butted, and pawed at the base of the tree. But rescue was at hand when a bulldog appeared, a dog known in the small community as being mean-spirited but for some reason had befriended Hersch. He called the bulldog which took on the bull biting its flanks. The wounded bull left in a trail of blood. The owner later sued Hersch's father but did not prevail.

Mr. King led a full, exciting, and fortunate life. He knew the word "timing" as well as anyone for as a teenager he was riding in a car with three friends who decided to go to a silent movie in Elwood. He asked them to stop at his house so that he could change his clothes. While waiting for him, the teenagers drove around the block where they were hit by a train, and all were killed.

He began his college days at Purdue University and then transferred to Ball State University where he received his degree in industrial arts. He later received his Masters Degree in guidance and counseling from Ball State. While an undergraduate, he earned two letters in baseball and three in basketball. He played under college basketball Hall of Fame coach Branch McCracken who later went on to win two national championships at Indiana University. He played against such players as Hall of Famers Ray Meyer, Moose Krause of Notre Dame and John Wooden of Purdue. But baseball was his love. Just hours before his cardiac arrest at the hospital, he told his granddaughter that he was so upset that the NBA selection show had pre-empted the baseball game on ESPN. After graduation at Ball State, he signed a contract with the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team.

One of his few misfortunes occurred the winter before he was to report to the team. In this winter of his first year of teaching industrial arts, as he was trying to save a student from an accident with a power saw, he cut off the first joint of his index and middle finger. This caused him to be unable to throw from his catcher's position, and ended his future with his beloved baseball. Even with this disappointment, perhaps his only regret in his 94 years is that his Chicago Cubs never won the World Series.

From age 22 to 25, he coached the Frankton basketball team to a 30-24 record, losing 15 games by a score of 4 points or less. He chose to resign as coach after that saying in later years that his team was full of talent, and the only reason for the close losses was the coach. However, years later he helped mold the lives of young men at the high school in Columbia City, coaching basketball, baseball, and golf.

Mr. King was a true educator, passionate about how curriculum should be designed to reach the varied abilities and interests of all students. His contributions were exemplary. As a guidance counselor in the high schools in Columbia City and Marion, he was instrumental in guiding and preparing students for entrance in the military academies, Ivy League schools, and other schools of higher learning. But true to his belief in challenging all students, he worked equally as hard to guide the non-college-bound students into training programs and vocational education. He also went to businesses and industries creating opportunities for non-graduate employees to receive their high school diploma.

However outstanding his accomplishments, this all paled in comparison to his life as a husband and father. The importance of family and family values was the very core of him - family was everything.

He married Elizabeth Hollis on Christmas Day, 1937, thus beginning their marriage - their love story. His devotion to his wife and hers to him is an inspiration to his family and those who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife Elizabeth (Liz), of 68-years, who is strong knowing that his love, his strength of character and positive outlook will always be a part of her and all the family. He is also survived by a daughter Judy (Lee) Yockey; a son, Tom (Diane) King; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and a niece.

At his request there will be no service. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, Mont.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in his name has been established at all of the branch offices of Farmers State Bank for Marcus Daly Hospital EMS/Ambulance.

This article appeared in The Post & Mail Wednesday, April 19, 2006

New H.S. recommended

by
Jenica Schultz, Staff writer

Columbia City High School needs to be replaced, according to a feasibility study.

The CCHS Task Force, a committee of community members evaluating the high school's future, recommended to the Whitley County Consolidated Schools school board Tuesday that it buy land in another location for new facilities.

The task force has been meeting since October to study and debate the building's future.

CCHS was built in 1958 and has had several additions throughout the years. It is landlocked at its current location.

While the task force presented an option of expanding the high school at its current site, it showed the expansion was not practical. In order to obtain enough land, WCCS would have to buy at least 10 adjacent properties from homeowners. Parts of the existing school would be demolished and rebuilt while classes continued in the building nearby.

“It would be a very long process that we felt would be very difficult on the students and the teachers,” said Martin Klimek, a task force member. “This was not the option the task force would recommend.”

The task force recommended building a high school that would accommodate 1,200 students, with expansion possibilities for 1,600 students. While the enrollment number at the school has been consistent the last decade, Klimek pointed out that a new high school may draw more citizens to the school district.

Klimek said the high school was in need of expanded athletic facilities and a swimming pool, something the current site could not accommodate.

A new high school would need approximately 65 acres at a new location. The task force had talked about building it on the Indian Springs Middle School campus, but more land needs to be acquired.

The task force found the current high school cramped and outdated with few expansion possibilities. A new high school would allow for space and technology infrastructure.

“We'd have all the new nice things we'd like to have in a new school,” Klimek said.

Mark Gareiss, another task force member, told the school board WCCS could afford a new high school without affecting its interest rates.

“It needs to be structured in such a way that's not as big a burden to the taxpayers,” Gareiss said.

A new high school could cost as much as $80 million. Owners of $96,000 homes, the median home value in the school district, would have their property taxes increase by approximately $211 a year for $80 million borrowed.

Gareiss said the tax rate would even out in the future as other school loans are paid down.

“I hope we do the right thing for our children,” Gareiss said.

Representatives from Educational Services, an educational company facilitating the school's evaluation, said the school needs major renovations. On a national scale rating school facilities, CCHS earned a score of 50 out of 100 points. Schools with scores below 45 should be completely replaced.

“We looked in every corner,” said Don Dyck of Educational Services. “Basically it needs major improvements and is close to ... needing to be replaced.”

WCCS last evaluated the high school 10 years ago, and nothing was done. With rising construction costs and a decaying school, Klimek said something has to be done now.

“We said we can't do (nothing) because that's what was done 10 to 12 years ago. We have to do something now,” he said.

The school board will review the task force's 41-page feasibility report over the next month and reconvene to discuss the findings. If the school board is in agreement with the task force, it will still be some time before construction begins. Cost studies must be done on the construction. A quick timeline would have the new high school completed in 2010.

“I think it's important to think of this whole process as a very first step,” said Superintendent Dr. Laura Huffman.

In other school board news:

 ●  The elementary schools gave an interactive presentation on Connecting Learning Assures Student Success, a method of teaching focused on brain-based learning. Teachers demonstrated the method through three hands-on demonstrations.

 ●  The school board adopted new textbooks and fees.

 ●  The school board adopted new software for extracurricular accounting.

 ●  The school board accepted a bid on Washington School from Terry Hollenbaugh, who bought one tract of the property for $25,000 and the other for $3,000. Hollenbaugh plans to turn one part of the property into a business, and the other into a park.

The 9th Annual CCHSAA Florida Brunch was held on Sunday, March 1, 2009, at the Jacaranda West Country Club in Venice, Florida, with the following in attendance:  Don Adams (57) and wife Barbara; Linda Sullivan Bayman (65) and husband Jim; Joan Schang Blaine (57) and friend Ed Hudson; Ruth Ann Bowie Davis 57; Nancy Kneller Farber (61); Gregg Goewert, Columbia City High School Principal, and wife Danielle; Ted Gruver (57) and wife Sue; Bill Kettelkamp (52) and wife Sue; Jackie Kilty (57); Rosalie Farber KIeespie (57) and husband Graham KIeespie (54); Jim Kyler (57) and wife Sandra; Marilyn Binder Miller (5O); Tom Nelson (58) and wife Kathie; Richard Phend (51) and wife Marthene Wiley Phend (55); Gerri Kneller Sparks (60); Belle Jenkinson Washburn (55); Don Wineland (53) and wife Eileen; Marlin Worden (57) and wife Imgard; Greg Woodham 56); Joe Yoder (57) and wife Dee.  Don Wolfe (73) was unable to attend.

Guests arrived at 11:00 a.m. and spent time reminiscing and visiting with other alumni.  Founder and Past President of the Alumni Association, Ted Gruver (57) welcomed all present and the Invocation was given. Brunch was served at 12:00 noon followed by a social time. A fifty-fifty raffle was held and the winner was Nancy Kneller Farber, who generously returned her winnings of $60.00 to the Florida Brunch fund.

Richard Phend (51) gave an update on Columbia City High School Alumni Association.  Richard, as Past President of the Alumni Association, indicated he is working on membership along with present President, Bob Brittain (64).  Please check the Alumni Association web site for further information at www.cchsaa.org.

Greg Woodham shared his memories of spending his young years in a prisoner of war camp in the Philippines with his mother while his father served in the armed forces. His mother taught school while they were there.

Gregg Goewert, CCHS Principal, was the guest speaker.  Mr. Goewert said his mission is to make Columbia City High School the "Greatest High School in America."  Mr. Goewert enthusiastically told of his newly acquired position and shared his vision for Columbia City High School in the next several years.  He was very complimentary of his superiors and his staff and answered questions from the floor.  Mr. Goewert and wife were houseguests of Ted and Sue Gruver of Naples, Florida, for the weekend.

The tenth anniversary CCHS Alumni Florida Brunch will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010.  A possible three or four-day cruise could be arranged if enough interest is expressed.  If not, it will be held at the Jacaranda West Country Club in Venice, Florida.

This article appeared in "The Post & Mail" on January 26, 2006:

High School Paper Reborn

By Jenica Schultz, Staff Writer

 

Columbia City High School's student newspaper has been resurrected.

In 1990, budget and technology restraints forced the newspaper, then known as The Eagle, to fold. Last year, advisor Lori Brehm started the student newspaper back up again, with the help of her student staff and the support of Principal Steve Doepker, who helped her create the school's first-ever newspaper class.

Aside from the 15-year lapse in publication, CCHS has had a student newspaper since the mid-1930s. Bob Brittain, who was the advisor when the paper folded, said having a newspaper production class makes a huge difference in creating the paper. When he was the advisor, it was difficult to create content and meet weekly deadlines when students were only able to meet after school.

“I guess maybe one of the biggest problems was students didn't have time to do it without a class,” Brittain said.

The paper switched to a biweekly print schedule six years before it folded.

Brehm asked Doepker for a newspaper class after being inspired by high school newspapers she saw at a Franklin College conference. Doepker told her she could start a class if enough students showed interest.

The new student newspaper, called The Talon, first printed last year. Money, one of the reasons The Eagle folded, has not been an issue for The Talon. The monthly paper costs $300 an edition to print, and it is entirely self-sufficient. Every issue is paid for by dollars raised through ad space sold by students. The cost production has lessened since Brittain advised the paper, in part because it is now designed on computers the school already had.

Senior Jessica Miller, Talon editor, said putting together the first edition of the paper was chaotic.

“I can remember the first paper last year. We were rushed, and you could tell that things weren't worked out. Now we have a feel for everything, and we know how things should look. It just comes together a lot easier,” she said.

Miller, who has edited the paper since it began, said her staff has learned a lot about writing and newspaper design. She has seen improvements in the paper since it started.

In its first year of production, The Talon won awards at Ball State University's High School Journalism Day for graphics and advertising.

“Basically we were all just a bunch of novices trying to see what would happen, and it worked,” Brehm said.

Brehm said she loves the chaotic, creative environment of the student newsroom.

“Kids tend to procrastinate. They all need to do something last minute, but they've always pulled it off. I think that's what it's like in a real newspaper room,” she said. “I love working in a busy atmosphere, and it's not your typical structured environment.”

Every other year, Brehm, who is also the yearbook advisor, takes her publication staffs to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association workshop at Columbia University in New York City. The student publication staffs are currently trying to raise $500 a piece for the trip this March. (Note:  CCHSAA contributed $100 for the trip, which was made.)

The workshop includes lectures on various journalism and newspaper production topics, from writing to design to advertising. Students will be in classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. They will also have the opportunity to explore some of New York City's cultural sites...  (Ed. Note:  Alumni wanting to make a donation to support the new school newspaper, should make checks out to CCHSAA & mail  to 600 N. Whitley St., Columbia City, IN 46725 with a note that it's for the school newspaper.)