News

• Newsletters
• Press Releases

Current News

FunFest By The River Beats Heat, Success All The Way Around

The North Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the FunFest Committee would like to say “Thank You” to all the participants, volunteers and spectators who were involved with the 2010 FunFest by the River – “Pirates Of The Eel”.
Despite the heat and humidity, the three-day event was very well attended and ran smoothly! The festival started on Thursday evening and wrapped up late on Saturday night. With new events such as the Bed race, entertainment for people of all ages, and well attended concerts on both Friday and Saturday night, there was always something going on to keep people busy and enough food to keep everyone fed. The car show was another great event this year with around 200 cars & motorcycles being presented downtown while the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce Board members were selling Corvette Raffle tickets, which was won by Homer Easterday of Akron, In. This years parade was very well attended and the participation with all the “themed” entries was just phenomenal …………Thank you!
The North Manchester FunFest Committee along with the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a huge, “Thank You” to the NM Police Department, NM Parks and Rec. Department, and the NM Street Department. The FunFest Committee could not put this event on without these departments and volunteers and their determination and relentless labor.
The North Manchester Chamber of Commerce would also like to thank the FunFest Committee for all their hard work and determination. The people listed below prepare for months for FunFest and volunteer countless hours to make FunFest the great event that it is. Without them, the event would not be possible. These members are as follows: Co-Chairs: Laura Rager & Karen Fawcett, Chris Garber, Kathy Garber, Erica Garber, Annette Meggison, Glenda Christiansen, MaryBeth Perkins, Jeff Perry, Eric Dougal, Larry Swihart, Wade Weaver, Julie Deniston, Molly Shock, Lucy McFarland, Roy Carlin, Miriah Tobias, Carrie Mugford, Anne Meyers, Laura Fawcett, John Mugford, Jr., and Aaron Payne. (I apologize if I’ve missed anyone) THANK YOU!
I would also like to thank the residents of the downtown North Manchester area for their cooperation with allowing us to hook up to their water, and also for working well with the FunFest committee in general.
I also need to extend a sincere thank you to our major sponsors; Crossroads Bank, Cinergy MetroNet, First Financial Bank, and Beacon Credit Union. Without your generosity, FunFest wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you North Manchester and all its residents for another great year and we cannot wait for the 2011 FunFest by the River!
Tim McLaughlin, Executive Director
North Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Beautiful Weather Leads To Golf Outing Success
The North Manchester Chamber of Commerce hosted their 17th Annual Golf Outing last Friday, May 14, at the Sycamore Golf Club, North Manchester. The weather was nearly perfect, and the participants enjoyed a great day of golf along with lunch provided by the Main View Inn.
19 teams and 76 players took part in the outing. Lunch was served at 11:30, followed by a 12:30 shot gun tee off. The MainView Inn provided cheeseburgers, applesauce, pasta salad, potato salad, chips and dip, along with hot dogs on the turn for the golfers and workers. Cookies were provided by Nordmann’s Nook. Drinks were sponsored by the MainView Inn and Dr. William Hankee, DDS.
After a brief welcome and instructions given by Todd Sandow, owner and Professional of Sycamore Golf Club, the teams were off and running. On Hole #18, the golfers all took a crack at making a hole in one. Sponsored by Wetzel Insurance, anyone so fortunate would have earned $5,000 cash and $1,000 worth of fitted golf clubs provided by Sycamore Golf Club. Unfortunately, no one hit the hole this year. On hole #10, Tower Bank and Trust sponsored a marshmallow hole. The individual who hit a marshmallow the furthest received a $100 VISA gift card, courtesy of Tower Bank. At the end of the day, Jerry Clevenger walked away with the prize.
The Chamber gave prizes to the 1st place, 2nd place and second to last place teams along with two longest drives at the 9th and 16th holes and two closest to the pin prizes at the 4th and 18th holes. The 1st place team was The Batteries Plus squad of Andy Butterbaugh, Dan Manwaring, Jerry Clevenger, and John Clay. The group shot a 16 under par 56. 2nd place honors went to the Manchester Tool and Die team of Chad Williams, Jeff Kock, Josh Berry, and Dan Blocher who shot a 15 under par 57. The second to last place team privilege went to the Harting Furniture team of Von Harting, Joel Harting, Arvel Posey, and Thad Coverstone.
Long drive winners for the men were Jeff Kock and John Clay . Long drives winners for the women were Marilyn Custer Mitchell and Carol Riley. Closest to the pin winners were Ricci Moore and Jeff Kock.
The chamber could not have put on such a magnificent fundraiser without the help of the following hole sponsors: Cinergy MetroNet, Dr. Dan Croner, DDS, Manchester Barbershop, the Muller Group, First Merchants Bank, Schutz Brothers, Inc., Phone Line, Inc., New Market, Oji Intertech, Timbercrest Senior Living Community, Midwest Eye Consultants, Tower Bank and Trust, Shepherds Chevrolet-Cadillac, Wabash County Hospital, The Mainview Inn, Manchester Tool and Die, The HF Group, Quality Inn (Columbia City), Butterbaughs Oil Company, Inc., Harting Furniture, McKee Mortuary, POET, EDGWC, Corssroads Bank, Pizza Hut, Fahs Brown Plumbing, Batteries Plus, The News-Journal, Bippus State Bank, Duke Energy, Manchester College, Peabody Retirement Community, Midwest Poultry, Stoops Law Office, Rotary, and First Financial Bank..
Not to mention the participating teams and their members: MSKTD, Oji Intertech No. 1 and No. 2, First Merchants Bank, Shepherds Chevrolet-Cadillac, Wabash County Hospital, Midwest Eye Consultants, Crossroads Bank, Manchester Tool and Die, The HF Group, First Financial Bank, Harting Furniture, Batteries Plus, Wetzel Insurance, POET/Pizza Hut, Midwest Poultry, Custom Magnetics/Stonehenge, R&B Car Company, and the N. Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Also, the following businesses generously donated prizes wither for winners or door prizes: The Main View Inn, Pizza Hut, Hardees, KenapochoMocha, High 5 Sports, First Financial Bank, Butterbaughs, and Oji Intertech.
The Golf Outing committee consisted of Jack Vineyard, Tim McLaughlin, and Annette Meggison. Assisting the day of the event were Tim Taylor, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Beth Perkins, Sue Chapman Roesner, Russ Roesner, Kim Fierstos, and Tawn McLaughlin.
I would like to give a big Thank You to all the Hole Sponsors and Teams! Without you, the day would not have been successful. The Chamber depends heavily on this event, and it went to a tee! Also, I would like to extend a personal thank you to all who helped with the event itself. Your volunteerism is greatly appreciated. And thanks also goes out to Todd Sandow at Sycamore. Todd made the event easy to pull off and the course, as always, was in great shape.
Tim McLaughlin, Executive Director
North Manchester Chamber of Commerce