Plymouth grad Starr ventures into the world of film making

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth grad Matt Starr has been busy on the set.

Several films featuring Starr have been making the film festival circuit, and a film he recently directed will hopefully be released later this year. Starr was in the film "Caleb's Gift" directed by Robert Bates which was recently screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival and had a part in John David Hartfield's film "Homecoming" that will be released soon.

Starr's own film "Neitzsche Ate Here" is also in the final stages of production and hopefully will be out before the end of the year.

"It started out as a one act play by Roy C. Berkowitz that we performed around Ohio and it was really warmly received everywhere we played it," said Starr who directed actors Gail Griffith and Bruce Jacklin in the stage play. "We were sitting around after the performance one night and Gail said 'Wouldn't this make a great short film?'. We contacted the playwright who has been incredibly supportive and great to work with and that's where it started."

The story brings to light the inner conflicts between two very different strangers who share common vulnerabilities. Cheryl, a sarcastic street-wise waitress, and Paul, an esteemed attorney from Washington D.C. collide in a run-down diner outside of Manassas. Both face their trepidations about each other and themselves as an event upsets their world.

"It's a story of forgiveness and not revenge which is what really drew me to it," said Starr. "We have a lot of stories about revenge these days and a story of redemption really attracted me. It has a message that sometimes wounds heal only when after they've deepened."

Starr would like to work on another project soon with the same team.

"I really hope this is just to first project for all of us," he said. "I hope that maybe this time next year we can be working on a feature film. From day one all these folks together there was just a great creative energy that was really positive."

"Directing is fun but I really think if I had to choose I prefer acting. I really like being able to relate to humanity through the character that I'm playing - giving him a background working with a director, getting a chance to connect through that character."

See the trailer and other information on the film "Neitzsche Ate Here" at the website http://www.neitzschefilm.org/ or on Facebook by searching "Neitzsche Film".

Plymouth Fireman will make a Blueberry run for kids

By Rusty Nixon
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH - In an emergency situation a fireman is known to be able to endure great hardship and trial to save lives. One Plymouth Fireman is taking that a step - make that a jog - further.

Plymouth Fireman John Pasley will be running the full course of this year's Blueberry Stomp. You likely won't be able to recognize him by his face because you probably won't be able to see it. In order to help Riley's Children's Hospital, Pasley will run the full 9.3 miles in full fire gear - including helmet and airpack.

"I'm going to modify the helmet a little bit," admitted Pasley. "The normal helmet we wear weighs three pounds all by itself and I had neck surgery a few years ago and I don't really want to do that again so I'll be wearing a modified helmet. That and running shoes instead of boots, but everything else is full turnout gear."

Pasley got the idea a year ago watching a fellow fireman from another city run the course in his gear.

"I really kind of felt sorry for him because he was out there all by himself, I thought somebody should be doing it with him," said Pasley. "I called some friends of the guy and found out he wasn't going to do it this year but I started thinking that I could do it by myself and why not do it to raise money for a good cause."

The cause is one that Pasley is close to.

"(Fellow Plymouth Firemen) Art Jacobs daughter Hanna has been helped there and Heath Neidig's daughter has been there," said Pasley. "Every time we are at a scene and something critical happens with a child the helicopter takes them to Riley's. I wanted to do something on a personal level to help."

He is under no illusions about setting any course records on the run.

"I ran this race about 18-19 years ago and in a little over an hour. It was like the Kentucky Derby," said Pasley. "I'm not a thoroughbred anymore, I'm a Clydesdale. And that air pack alone weighs 25 pounds. I did try running with it the other day and it was really tough at the start but it got easier and I was able to go about 6 miles with it.

"I'm not a runner but I am a competitor and if it's me and those kids against 9.3 miles I'm know we're going to do it."

To support Pasley you can call him at the Plymouth Fire Station 574-936-2156 or simply send a donation to the Riley Kid's Foundation to the Fire Station at 111 N. Center Street in Plymouth.

Art Thomas Open information

Below please find a registration form for the 2012 ATBRO to be held on Friday, August 3, 2012.  This will be the 22nd annual Big Red tournament. Thank you all for your continued support!

We are excited to continue our affiliation with the Plymouth Alumni Association.   The mission of the Plymouth Alumni Association is to provide a means for PHS alumni to network and interact via social networking, to provide assistance to those holding class reunions, and to financially support extracurricular activities and other initiatives of the school corporation.  The organization's website can be found at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com  and you can sign up to become a member online at this site. We encourage you to visit the website and to join YOUR alumni association.

This year, we will hold the 18 hole tournament the same as all prior years:  5 or 6 man teams, tee off at 11AM, lunch as you make the turn, beverages on the course, 2 teams playing together, dinner following the round, gifts/prizes/etc.  The cost will be $85 per person. For those of you who would like to participate but do not want to play a 6-7 hour round, we are offering an option to play in a 9 hole tournament. Those choosing to participate in the 9 hole tournament will tee off around 2:30 - 3:00PM and have all the same benefits as the 18 hole players except for lunch. The fee will be $50 per person for this option. Anyone choosing this option needs to coordinate the logistics of this option with me via email or my cell (see below).

For both tournaments, we will need your registration turned in by NO LATER THAN JULY 27th, or you risk not having carts available for your group.

Anyone not paying their registration fee in advance will be charged an additional $5 at the registration table ($90 or $55 accordingly).

PLEASE INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT SO THAT WE CAN SCHEDULE YOU IN THE PROPER TOURNAMENT (9 or 18 hole). If your team will be able to pay its entire entry fee together, it would be much appreciated. Please note that we have a new P O Box to send your entry fees to: ATBRO, c/o Plymouth Country Club, P O Box 476, Plymouth, IN 46563

As always, dinner will be served in the pavilion after you finish your round and prizes will be awarded shortly thereafter.         

This year, the "All Class" Cocktail Party Reunion will be held at the Plymouth Country Club after the tournament beginning at 7:00 PM. This party had previously been held at Swan Lake the past couple years and was moved to PCC in hopes that some of the golfers would stick around to attend. Locker room facilities are available at PCC for those wishing to clean up after the tournament and attend the party. We are planning to have taxi service available to all attendees from about 9PM to 1AM.

Thanks again for all your support over the years and we look forward to seeing you at the Plymouth Country Club on August 3rd.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can either email me at grenz@hoosierdriving.com or call me on my cell 574-286-4253.

Sincerely,

Greg Renz

Tournament Director

Morgan Uceny Day

Earlier this year Plymouth's member of the U.S. Olympic Team in London visited with future Olympic hopefuls at the Plymouth Schools. Here is a re-posting of the video from Morgan Uceny Day...

Ladies Big Red Open information

Show your support for our Olympian

All Plymouth Alums and supporters, there will be t-shirts supporting our women's 1500 meter champion and Olympic team member Morgan Uceny for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Yoders' Sports Center in Plymouth has designed the shirt at the request of classmate Judy Weston and you can order yours by calling her at 574-936-8148 or Yoder's at 574-936-2440 and they will be on sale at the LifePlex in Plymouth.

Saturday July 14, Deb Palmer has organized a 5k fun run/walk thru Centennial park to support Morgan. That event starts at 8:00 a.m. at the High School.  T-shirts will also be available there.

Alumni Banquet 2012 video

PHS 2012 grad will be part of Democratic Convention

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — During the last Presidential election, Plymouth resident Jason Pickell was fascinated as he watched the broadcasts of delegates at the Democratic convention cast their votes.

Now, Pickell will get to not only see the process up close, but participate in it.

As a representative from Marshall County at the Democratic Party state meeting in Fort Wayne last weekend, Pickell was named as an Indiana Democratic delegate to the national convention. He will be heading to Charlotte, N.C. over Labor Day weekend along with thousands of delegates from all over the United States.

Pickell, 2012 Plymouth High School graduate, will turn 19 June 25. He is the youngest delegate to ever be selected from Marshall County.

Pickell spoke of his belief that young people need role models as he asked those at the state convention to give him one of three spots for males to the national convention.

“I am one of the most steadfast supporters of President Obama,” he said. “I believe that it is vital for the Democratic Party to send young people to the convention. Not for the purpose of replacing the 'old guard,' but rather to inspire my generation to take action; to let them know that they truly have the ability to change things if they simply got involved.”

Speaking directly to being a role model himself, Pickell said, “We need to embolden my generation to have the desire to ask the hard questions and to take action when they see injustices. They need role models. In the upcoming election, young people are going to play one of the most vital roles. Therefore, the time is ripe for the Democratic Party to create some role models. And I believe that I can be one of these role models.”

One of his biggest supporters, his father Bob Pickell, was also a state delegate for the first time.
Michelle Livinghouse, Marshall County Democratic vice-chair, said Pickell had given an impromptu speech at the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner held earlier this year. She said, “Everyone was impressed," adding he then went on to contact all of the county chairs and send letters to supporters.
“Jason was the last one to give his speech at the state meeting, even following some who had been active in the party for 50 years,” Livinghouse said. “He was very polished and articulate. He has been active for so long in the Democratic Party, that he really knows the inter workings.”

Pickell isn’t ruling out a career in politics in his future, but says he will start at the local level and then work his way up. He said he first became interested in the political world when his fourth grade teacher had the class study current events. In high school, he delved into the Junior State of America Club and honed his speech skills as a member of the PHS Speech and Debate Team. In 2011, he won a bid to the NFL (National Forensic League) finals.

He will be entering Ball State University to study political science.

“It’s a dream come true," he said. "It’s a huge honor.”

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

PHS alums celebrate at banquet

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - Literally hundreds of Plymouth Alumni began the reunion season with the largest celebration of Plymouth grads of the year at the annual Plymouth Alumni Association Alumni Banquet.

As one of the highlights of the evening the Association welcomed Suellen Glaub Long and Dr. Robert O. Vore and posthumously Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr., into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame and celebrated the PHS class of 1962 as part of their 50th class reunion. As part of the celebration Pat Felke spoke on behalf of Plymouth's latest graduating class of 2012.

Brent Johnson of the class of 1987 opened the banquet with his invocation and last year's Distinguished Alumni inductee Lt. Col. Bill Lee was present to introduce the latest inductees to the Hall of Fame. Linda Starr ended the banquet ceremonies with the singing of the Alumni Song.

After the banquet, those present were treated to a special concert by 1995 grad Denver Bierman in the PHS auditorium, and Jessica Oliver and Oliver Ford gave away a vacation to Carol Blake at intermission.

Telling stories on his classmates, Ron Bollman of the class of 1962 kept the crowd laughing as he brought banquet goers back to Plymouth of the late 1950's and early '60's without revealing any names of those who might be still be "quiet" about their pranks.

Hall of Fame inductees Suellen Long and Dr. Vore had similar messages of being aware of the value of others in your life and accomplishments and never backing away from an opportunity you may have to help another, not knowing what kind of person they may become because of the opportunity you could provide for them to shine.

For a complete photo album go to the Plymouth Alumni Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plymouth-Alumni-Association/135863303126019

ISSMA gives Plymouth band it's highest honor

Pictured left-right: Jim Condon PHS Principal, Tori Fox, Lindsey Holloway, Daniel Johnson, Amanda Wolford, Elizabeth Wolford, and Band Director Bryan Ames.

PLYMOUTH - Ending another successful school year, the Plymouth High School administration was recently notified that the band program has again achieved the highest honor given by the Indiana State School Music Association, the “All-Music Award.”

This prestigious award is given only to select schools that participate in all of the different areas of state music competitions. In order to be eligible for this award, every part of the overall program must be successful. Requirements for the award include a competitive marching band that earns a Gold Award rating at the ISSMA Disctrict competition, both soloists and ensembles that advance to the Solo and Ensemble competition state finals, a jazz program that earns a Gold Award at ISSMA Jazz Contest, and an additional Gold Award rating at the annual concert band competition. 

“This award is hard to achieve because it means that every part of your overall program is successful. There are many schools who excel in one or two of those areas, but struggle in another. Plymouth is one of only a few schools in our state that have achieved this award annually for almost a decade,” said band director Bryan Ames. “The kids know that this award is important and they work together to make sure that we are successful at achieving our goals each year.” 

This will be the ninth consecutive year that the Plymouth band will have received this award.

This award caps off a successful school year for the band program. “This year's seniors will graduate with solid Gold Award ratings at all twenty-two ISSMA events that the band has competed in during their high school career.”

“Achievements like this only happen where music is valued and plays an important role in both the school and the community. This award not only recognizes our students, but also our supportive administration and parents,” said Ames.

Plymouth Chamber hosts Art on the Street

For those of you in Plymouth or coming to town this weekend, here's an event you will enjoy...

DMHO ready to come "home" for Alumni Banquet

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - The biggest reunion of the summer takes place on June 15 as the Plymouth Alumni Association will host the annual Alumni Banquet at Plymouth High School starting at 6 p.m.

Along with welcoming Dr. Robert Vore, Suellen Glaub Long and Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr. into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, Banquet goers will enjoy another reunion after the dinner with 1995 graduate Denver Bierman returning to his favorite stage for a special concert. Banquet goers will have free VIP seating for the show, with a free cruise provided by Oliver Ford to be given away to a lucky banquet goer at intermission. Banquet tickets are available for $35 and concert tickets alone are available for $10. Proceeds go to support extra and co-curricular programs at the Plymouth Community School Corporation.

A veteran of network TV, and world tours with his band the Mile High Orchestra and with some of the music industry's top acts, Denver admits that the PHS stage will always be his favorite.

"There are just so many firsts for me there - my first trumpet solo was on that stage, the first time I ever sang a song for an audience was there, all of my firsts are there which is one reason I love that stage," said Denver from his home in Nashville. "It goes deeper than that though. I've been on a lot of stages in a lot of places all over the world since then, and it always hits me about what we had in Plymouth and how unbelievably good it was. I never stop being grateful for the fact that as a high school student I had a chance to act and play music on a top flight professional stage. As I've gone on that hasn't always been the case. I've always been thankful to have had a first class facility like that to learn on when I was in school."

Denver obviously learned those lessons well and as a father himself now has begun trying to teach them to children everywhere. Denver and the Mile High Orchestra recently took their first Dove Award for Best Children's Album for their recently released record "Groovy".

"It's really kind of wild that two or three of the songs on that album we've been doing in concert for years," said Denver. "For awhile now we've been incorporating some of those songs into our live show and we'll definitely be playing some of them at our show in Plymouth. Honestly I think that the parents love the songs as much as the kids and its really a perfect fit with what we do."

The future is a busy one for DMHO with several projects and tours in the works.

"The really exciting thing is that we have a children's TV show in development," said Denver. "We're working with a top flight producer in David Campbell (Executive producer of the children's animated series' "Doug", "PB&J Otter" and "Stanley") we've found some financial backing and we really hope to have a pilot produced sometime in the next year. It's been about a two and a half year process and I really think it's the next phase of our career. A lot of things have really fallen into place and I feel it's certainly the way God has been leading us.

"We're certainly going to keep recording and touring and making the music we always have, but this could be a very exciting chapter for us."

Tickets for the Alumni Banquet are available online at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ by calling 574-952-4444 or email plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com. You can also mail or drop off a check made payable to the Plymouth Alumni Association at 611 Berkley St., Plymouth IN, 46563.

Tickets for dinner that include VIP seating for the show are $35. Tickets for those wishing to attend the concert alone are $10.

Follow DMHO online at http://www.denvermho.com/

PHS senior joins family of fliers

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — After completing nine months of flying lessons, Plymouth High School senior Connor Flynn was more than ready to go on his first solo flight. In fact, he was so eager that he took the first opportunity available — right after his baseball game May 15.

"It was dusk," Flynn remembered. "The sky was just beautiful."

Flynn first became interested in learning to fly in junior high, when his cousin Thomas, a pilot, invited him to go flying. The experience was exhilarating, and Flynn knew that he wanted to pursue getting a pilot's license.

"I fell in love with it," said Flynn simply. "I knew it was something I wanted to try when I got older. I tried it, and I'm still in love with it."

Flynn comes from a family of fliers. Two of his uncles and two of his cousins are pilots, and his grandmother Kay Flynn also pursued flying.

"I guess she was the start of it all," said Flynn of his grandmother, adding, "In my immediate family, I'm the only one that's flown."

Flynn's family is supportive of his relatively newfound interest, "because I love it so much," said Flynn, continuing, "My mom was pretty nervous and scared (before the solo flight) but I guess that's just what moms kind of do."

He started lessons with the Mentone Flying Club at the Fulton County Airport in September, and said he's learned a lot from his instructor, Ted Cox. Flynn was encouraged to join the club by his friend, Mitch Holloway. Holloway already has his pilot's license, and the friends dream of being co-pilots with the Coast Guard someday.

"(Flying) is simply awesome," said Holloway. "Not many people get to experience what flying really is. Whatever problems you are going through on the ground, in the air you are about three, four thousand feet above it."

When it was time for his flight, Flynn was surprised how different it felt to take off with no one in the plane but himself.

"I didn't know what to do because there was nobody to talk to — so I just started singing," said Flynn. "I was singing Tommy Tutone, '8675309.' I don't know why, but it just popped into my head. Then I got to talk to other pilots in the traffic pattern too."

He stayed close to the airport in case anything went wrong, and took off and landed twice. He thinks the entire experience lasted about 30 minutes.

"Takeoff is the easy part, but it's the landing that really gets you thinking," said Flynn. "It's one of the greatest feelings of a sense of accomplishment I've ever had, because of all of the work I put into it. It just felt really good."

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News

Speech team makes mark in National Tournament

By Carol Anders
Correspondent 
 
PLYMOUTH — Several Plymouth High School Speech and Debate Team members traveled over the Memorial Day holiday weekend to compete in the NCFL (National Catholic Forensic League) tournament in Baltimore, Md. The contest, which attracted students from 775 high schools all across the country making up 2,705 competitors, is a difficult tournament that challenges all competitors through four preliminary rounds. There were 2,114 entries with over 250 per event.

After the results first four rounds are tallied, the top 48 in each event advances to one round of octa-finals. Twenty-four of the 48 advance to quarter-finals for one round before the survivors are narrowed down to 12 in semi-finals. Only the top six compete in the final round for the national championship titles.

Travis Tredway (sophomore) competed in Declamation at the quarter-finalist level and placed 13th in the event in the nation.

Octa-finalists for Plymouth included: Pauline Dagaas (junior)-Oral Interpretation - 25th in the nation; Rebecca Brumbaugh (senior) and Shelby Pratt (sophomore) Duo-31st in the nation; Ellen Smith (sophomore)-Original Oratory-35th in the nation; April Bowen sophomore)-Declamation-40th in the nation; Jason Pickell (senior) and Kyle Barry (sophomore)-Duo-40th in the nation.

Other PHS competitors included: Olivia Hilliard (senior) - Oral Interpretation-75th in the nation; Kelsey Shaffer (senior) - Extemp - 78th in the nation.

Michaila Nate (junior) competed in Congress. There are three preliminary sessions that last three hours each in the competition. The top 56 students advance to one semi-final session where they compete for an additional three hours. The top 24 advance to the final session. Nate placed 33rd in the nation.

Coaches traveling with the team included David McKenzie, Jane Faulstich, Daphne Stapleton, David Stapleton, and Regina Warren.

Building community has been her calling

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - You could say that Suellen Glaub-Long had service in her blood.

Suellen is a member of the Plymouth High School class of 1959 and the daughter of Walt Glaub. Walt was one of the driving forces of Plymouth's growth and development during his lifetime and himself a member of the Plymouth Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Suellen grew up with a perfect role model in community service.

"Growing up in Plymouth was really the best of times," said Suellen, now President of Bridgeview Bank in uptown Chicago. "The world was at peace, the economy was good, those were great years and I have exquisite memories of growing up. Sitting on my porch in the summertime with all my friends - who've all stayed close friends to this day - nothing that any of us have done could have happened without the foundation that growing up in Plymouth gave to us all."

Part of that foundation was helping others and being deeply involved with community.

"I remember Saturday night's in the summer at (G&G Grocery) and my father would mark down food items or have specials," said Suellen. "That was the night the migrant workers would come in the store to shop and he wanted to be sure they'd be able to afford food for their families. Being around those people who would come to the store gave me a real desire to experience other cultures."

She was also exposed to many ideas during those years.

"Dad had something they called 'Discussion Club' where all his friends would come over they had a topic and they would sit and discuss it," she said. "I always wanted to be a part of it but I was too young so my mom would send me to bed and I would sneak out to the stairs and listen in secretly to everything they were talking about. I learned a lot listening to those conversations."

Continuing to learn Suellen pursued a career in design attending the Chicago School of Design and falling in love with the city that has become her second home.

"I got hooked on the vitality, the mixed cultures and economics of uptown," said Suellen. "That was the point of entry for nearly all immigrants back then and it was addicting to learn about other cultures. I got involved in everything."

It's also where she met Chip Long - himself a transplant from Erie, Pennsylvania and her husband for 45 years.

"I remember we met on a sub zero night and two weeks later he proposed," she said. "It was just meant to be."

The two have raised three children - Doug, Allison and Edward - and spent a lifetime revitalizing uptown Chicago - it's buildings and it's community.

With a little help from home - namely the Culver State Exchange Bank and Billy Osborne - the couple bought and refurbished their first building. All the while Suellen was deeply involved in helping build the community their buildings were in.

She has won numerous awards for her work with her company The Long Promotional Group for outstanding campaigns for nonprofit partnership. She began incubator style plans to lease space to non-profit organizations. She is a Board member and past Chair of the Heartland Alliance working to create viable communities for immigrants to seek their fortunes, raise families, nurture and fulfill the dreams that brought them to America and has been extremely active in the uptown Chamber of Commerce.

"Community building is a real passion for me," she said. "It's a combination of watching people like my father, or Father Sheridan and all the time they spent building community when I was growing up. It's in my blood. Bringing people together to create wonderful communities like the one they have in Plymouth."

Suellen will be honored along with Dr. Robert Vore and Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr. as the latest inductees to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at this year's Alumni Banquet slated for Friday June 15 at the Plymouth High School cafeteria and will feature a concert by 1995 graduate Denver Bierman in the PHS Auditorium. Tickets for the banquet are $35 and include VIP seating for the show. You can purchase tickets online at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ by email at plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com or phone 574-952-4444 or mail your check made payable to the Plymouth Alumni Association to 611 Berkley St., Plymouth, IN.

Service to others is Vore's legacy

By Rusty Nixon
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH - The city of Plymouth has changed a lot since the days Dr. Robert Vore played football in the open fields just off of North Michigan Street near Centennial Park.

"I remember those football games and Dick and Bob Averill and I riding our bikes all over town," said Vore. "The hospital was there in that field. Plymouth is a really great place to live and a really great place to grow up."

Sports was and continues to be a great diversion for Vore who attended Manchester College and was a key member of the tennis team there that won a conference championship. By his junior year Vore was the team's number one singles player and had an opportunity to take on some big challenges.

"I remember one time when - I think it's Trine University now but then it had a different name - came in to Manchester for a match and I was playing a guy who was a member of the Israeli Davis Cup team," he said. "I really did pretty well, I was beating him after the second set but for some reason before the third set he went in and took a shower. Our coach Bill Sayers was fuming that they let him go take a shower before the third set. Of course he came back and beat me after that, but I guess I must have made him sweat a little bit if he had to take a shower."

Vore graduated with a degree in chemistry and went to work for GE for several years before enrolling in Indiana University's School of Optometry. The rest, as they say, is history, and that history - for Vore - is a long one in caring for others and serving the community.

"My dad was a physician and he gave a lot to his patients," said Vore. "He would stop by people's homes to find out how they were after he'd treated them. I remember he even used to stay all night in some patients homes if they were particularly ill, just to be sure. He was a great example of what it means to care for people."

Vore has been a driving force in the Indiana Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association serving in many capacities over the years including President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. He was Secretary and President of the North Central Optometric Society and was past Director of the IOA's Continuing Education Department.

Not stopping with his profession, Vore has also been a key figure in service to the Plymouth community, serving as a member of the Plymouth City Council and the Marshall County Council. He was President of the Aviation Board of Commissioners, on the Board of Directors of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and served as President and Regional Vice President of the JayCees, receiving that organizations Keyman Award. He was District Chairman of the Boy Scouts and received that organizations Order of the Arrow.

He is an active member of the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, at various times singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, acting on the Finance Committee and serving as the Chair of the church's Ministerial Committee.

His love of sports has not diminished either. Vore continues to teach racquetball at the LifePlex in Plymouth.

"I have to say that my wife (Marabelle) has had every bit as much to do with my success as I have," said Vore. "To do all the things that I've been privileged to have a chance to do takes time - time away from your family. She was always there, willing to do more, giving more of her time to support me and allow me to serve. I can't tell you how much I appreciate her and what she's done for our family."

Most residents in Plymouth came to know Vore personally. He was the driving force and face of yearly free vision screenings for all students in the Plymouth Schools.

"When I first started my practice in Plymouth I remember the State Association had been talking about a need for school screenings for children," said Vore. "I felt it was extremely important because you never know what you will find. I remember finding one young girl who had a tumor in her eye. Its a very rare condition and one that you have to catch very early. We were able to start her on treatment immediately."

Dr. Vore will be honored along with Suellen Glaub Long and Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr. as the latest inductees to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at this year's Alumni Banquet slated for Friday June 15 at the Plymouth High School cafeteria and will feature a concert by 1995 graduate Denver Bierman in the PHS Auditorium. Tickets for the banquet are $35 and include VIP seating for the show. You can purchase tickets online at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ by email at plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com or phone 574-952-4444 or mail your check made payable to the Plymouth Alumni Association to 611 Berkley St., Plymouth, IN.

PHS Band members in All State Band and Indy 500 Parade

PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth High School band was recently notified that six members of the Pride of Plymouth Marching Band were selected to march in the Indiana All-State Marching Band at the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade on Memorial Day.

Students from high school band programs throughout Indiana are selected for this event based on teacher recommendation and student applications.   Plymouth has one of the largest numbers of students involved in the band.   Students will spend Friday rehearsing on the Butler University campus and then perform in the Festival 500 Parade in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday morning. 

"This is very exciting to have this many kids from one school representing our community in the Indy 500 Parade," said band director Bryan Ames, "These are outstanding students in our program and I am very pleased to have them representing our school at this event."

The 500 Festival Parade is a televised parade and band members in the parade can be identified by their school uniforms.  Each participant in the parade wears their individual schools uniform for the parade.

Representing Plymouth H.S. will be: Elizabeth Wolford and Nicole Splix - Flute, Jack Garrison - Trombone, Rinda Scott, Jessica Celmer, Colleen Scarborough - Color Guard.

Distinguished Alumni named

PLYMOUTH - Final voting is complete and the Plymouth Alumni Association will induct three new members into the Plymouth Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at the annual Alumni Banquet on June 15.

Suellen Glaub-Long

This year for the first time the Hall will welcome three inductees - from the class of 1945 Dr. Arthur Becknell Jr., from the class of 1949 Dr. Robert Vore, and from the class of 1959 Suellen Glaub-Long.


The format for inducting members was revised this year with the Alumni Association Board of Directors voting to revise the process to allow more than one member to be inducted per year without diminishing the difficulty of obtaining the honor.

"We have literally hundreds of nominees that are more than deserving of being in the Hall and many were nominated as far back as the 1990's or late 80's and are still waiting," said Rusty Nixon Director of the Plymouth Alumni Association. "We made the process a little more like the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, where you can have more than one inductee per year but it is still difficult to gain the honor."

Dr. Robert Vore

Under the new process an initial screening brings the list of nominees down to a ballot of 10 finalists that are then submitted to the final Selection Committee. Once on the ballot finalists will remain there for a period of five years and if they are not inducted during that time will have to be renominated for induction. Those inducted will be replaced by other nominees in the next year's screening process.

The Selection Committee is made up of local Plymouth graduates with a wide range of ages and occupations and the Board of Directors of the Plymouth Alumni Association. Members may vote for any number of finalists - just one or up to five - or may choose to vote for none if they feel that none are worthy of induction.

Dr. Art Becknell

In order to be inducted a finalist must appear on at least 60 percent of the ballots or wait for the next year for induction.

"The Pilot News and WTCA-AM have given us a big hand this year by publishing the bio's of our 10 finalists," said Nixon. "I think the community can see what our problem had been. We really have an extraordinary amount of worthy graduates and Plymouth Schools continues to turn out worthy candidates every year. Its incredibly difficult to choose just one inductee."

The new members of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame will be introduced and honored at this year's Alumni Banquet to be held at Plymouth High School on June 15. Reservations for the event can be made online at http://plymouthalumni.blogspot.com/ or by email at plymouthschoolsalumni@gmail.com or by calling 574-952-4444.

Plymouth Building Trades to unveil 34th home

By Rusty Nixon
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - One of Plymouth High School's most successful programs will unveil it's handiwork this weekend as the Plymouth Building Trades class holds its open house for the program's 34th home on Sunday, May 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The home is located at 937 Ohio Street in Plymouth.

The class is built entirely by area students giving them first hand experience in nearly all aspects of the construction trade.

"You get hands on experience," said Ben Smith one of the students in the program. "You learn by doing there's no doubt about that."

"You learn about putting all the things together in construction," said Jovanny Luva. "Putting up the walls, the electric, everything that puts it all together."

"They (students) can also earn college credit for the class," said P.T. McKinnis, Plymouth Building Trades instructor. "Ivy Tech offers three credits for their Introduction to Construction class for being a part of this."

They learn something else by taking part in the program.

"Team work," said Oscar Aguilar.

"It takes hard work and a lot of sweat to put a wall up," added Fabian Baca.

Many of the students plan on attending college on graduation and some look forward to having careers in construction. While all have their favorite part of the class there was one part of the build that brought some enlightenment.

"I have a lot more respect for plumbers," said Smith.

Last week the class had their recognition luncheon. Carter Lumber, Lowe's, Mid City Supply, Trim-A-Door, D.C. Garage Doors, and Espich-Siddall Plumbing all showed their continued support for the program by donating door prize items for the students.

Building Trades Students; front row l-r  Braxton Moore, Cody Bennett, Jovanny Luva, Emanual Vargas, and Stephen Abair.  middle row l-r  Chase Peters, Oscar Aguilar, Jaime Martinez and Fabian Baca.  back row l-r  Ben Smith, Jacob Segraves, Jordan Sheetz, Ian Horvath, and Donnie Boyd.

PHS Senior one acts this weekend

PLYMOUTH - Next Saturday, May 19, the Plymouth High School Acting Class will be holding their 16th annual Senior Directed One-Act Competition.

Three seniors have taken on the challenge of directing.  In doing so they have left their comfort zone of being "on stage" to now begin in charge and having all of the responsibilities "off stage."  Three One-Acts will be presented during the afternoon, with awards afterwards.

The performances will be in the PHS Studio Theatre, just behind the auditorium, and are FREE.  The first show starts at 1:30 PM  the shows are about 40-45 minutes each with an intermission between each to allow for set changes. This also allows the audience to come and go as they wish.

The directors and cast lists are;

 1:30 p.m. Show Directed by Christina Krozel
Cast includes: Cristina Chavez, Maicee Evans, Markee Farler, Kristen Gergely, Christie Gorka, Cinthia Lua and Jason Pickell

2:30 p.m. Show Directed by Kelsey Shaffer
Cast includes: Haley Adams, Briana Gantz, Miranda Hurford, Clayton Lenig, Katherine Peters, Shelby Pratt and Aimee Ringer


3:30 p.m. Show Directed by Rebecca Brumbaugh
Cast includes: Emily Gadziola, Michael Gray, Breanna Morrow, Anna Piazza and Madison Woods

4:45 p.m. Awards