Joe Hawn Archives - News Now Warsaw https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/tag/joe-hawn/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:00:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Final results: Two workers reimburse Winona Lake for credit card use https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/final-results-two-workers-reimburse-winona-lake-for-credit-card-use/ Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:26:31 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=122413 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WINONA LAKE — A review of facts by two Winona Lake boards over unauthorized use of town credit cards by town employees has led to reimbursements by two people.

Reimbursements were made by Parks Director Holly Hummitch for $1,336 and by Meghan Lincoln, a former deputy clerk treasurer (who was employed with the town from 2019 to 2022) for $640 for credit card purchases that were not authorized.

Hummitch used town credit cards for cell phone rental purchases. Lincoln used a town credit card for a car rental while she was on vacation in Hawaii, and for other small purchases.

Details about the investigations came to light in a series of recent actions and appear to be the final moves by the town regarding an audit released in late June by the State Board of Accounts concerning town recordkeeping and oversight that also exposed credit card misuse by employees.

Recent events include:

The statement said the additional details of the investigation into other employees were released in order "to provide maximum transparency and to help clarify several points we believe have been mischaracterized," the town statement said in part.

The moves come after calls by some people online and at town meetings to recover some of the misused money.

In complying with the Freedom of Information Act request, the town also issued a statement and then contacted other media, encouraging them to cover the issue.

The 19 pages included correspondences, exhibits, lists, and a redacted billing statement for a rental car used by Lincoln while on vacation in Hawaii.

In the statement, the town pointed out that the Indiana State Board of Accounts did not require any reimbursements and did not suggest any prosecutorial action be taken.

The responsibility of conducting an investigation was given to the town, the statement said.

The council also said that it remains committed to restoring and maintaining respect for taxpayer funds, and then added, “We also care deeply about transparency and accountability to our constituents, which is why we continue to respond to public concern and provide factual clarity in the face of speculation and misinformation.”

Town leaders have already enacted numerous changes in policy to prevent future problems outlined in the audit.

A longer list of purchases by Lincoln was determined to be reasonable and well-documented.

The town tried to put the circumstances into perspective.

"These purchases occurred during a time when formal standard operating procedures were underdeveloped," and were made in good faith and served legitimate town purposes, the town said.

The town also reviewed a list of credit card purchases by Town Marshal Joe Hawn, but found those to be acceptable.

At the end of the statement, the town pointed out that the park board has authority over the park director, but did not mention that the park board meeting would be the next day.

The post Final results: Two workers reimburse Winona Lake for credit card use appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WINONA LAKE — A review of facts by two Winona Lake boards over unauthorized use of town credit cards by town employees has led to reimbursements by two people.

Reimbursements were made by Parks Director Holly Hummitch for $1,336 and by Meghan Lincoln, a former deputy clerk treasurer (who was employed with the town from 2019 to 2022) for $640 for credit card purchases that were not authorized.

Hummitch used town credit cards for cell phone rental purchases. Lincoln used a town credit card for a car rental while she was on vacation in Hawaii, and for other small purchases.

Details about the investigations came to light in a series of recent actions and appear to be the final moves by the town regarding an audit released in late June by the State Board of Accounts concerning town recordkeeping and oversight that also exposed credit card misuse by employees.

Recent events include:

The statement said the additional details of the investigation into other employees were released in order “to provide maximum transparency and to help clarify several points we believe have been mischaracterized,” the town statement said in part.

The moves come after calls by some people online and at town meetings to recover some of the misused money.

In complying with the Freedom of Information Act request, the town also issued a statement and then contacted other media, encouraging them to cover the issue.

The 19 pages included correspondences, exhibits, lists, and a redacted billing statement for a rental car used by Lincoln while on vacation in Hawaii.

In the statement, the town pointed out that the Indiana State Board of Accounts did not require any reimbursements and did not suggest any prosecutorial action be taken.

The responsibility of conducting an investigation was given to the town, the statement said.

The council also said that it remains committed to restoring and maintaining respect for taxpayer funds, and then added, “We also care deeply about transparency and accountability to our constituents, which is why we continue to respond to public concern and provide factual clarity in the face of speculation and misinformation.”

Town leaders have already enacted numerous changes in policy to prevent future problems outlined in the audit.

A longer list of purchases by Lincoln was determined to be reasonable and well-documented.

The town tried to put the circumstances into perspective.

“These purchases occurred during a time when formal standard operating procedures were underdeveloped,” and were made in good faith and served legitimate town purposes, the town said.

The town also reviewed a list of credit card purchases by Town Marshal Joe Hawn, but found those to be acceptable.

At the end of the statement, the town pointed out that the park board has authority over the park director, but did not mention that the park board meeting would be the next day.

The post Final results: Two workers reimburse Winona Lake for credit card use appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-15-051914.png Winona Lake hires first female police officer https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/winona-lake-hires-first-female-police-officer/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:31:42 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=100628 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WINONA LAKE — A former paralegal with the Marion County prosecutor's office has been hired by Winona Lake as its first female police officer.

Amanda Escalante was introduced at Tuesday's Winona Lake Town Council meeting.

Police Chief Joe Hawn said Escalante came across very well in the interview process.

"She just blew us away on just her knowledge and her desire to be a police officer so after the interview was done we decided she was the right person to be the next police officer for Winona Lake," Hawn said.

She has been a resident of Rochester while working for the prosecutor's office, Hawn said.

Escalante and her husband have a blended family with six children.

She spoke briefly after being sworn in and said she was looking forward to the new job.

Escalante will undergo several months of police training before she becomes an active member of the police force.

[caption id="attachment_100631" align="aligncenter" width="913"] Amanda Escalante, fourth from left, is pictured with family members after being introduced as the new police officer with Winona Lake. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

 

The post Winona Lake hires first female police officer appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WINONA LAKE — A former paralegal with the Marion County prosecutor’s office has been hired by Winona Lake as its first female police officer.

Amanda Escalante was introduced at Tuesday’s Winona Lake Town Council meeting.

Police Chief Joe Hawn said Escalante came across very well in the interview process.

“She just blew us away on just her knowledge and her desire to be a police officer so after the interview was done we decided she was the right person to be the next police officer for Winona Lake,” Hawn said.

She has been a resident of Rochester while working for the prosecutor’s office, Hawn said.

Escalante and her husband have a blended family with six children.

She spoke briefly after being sworn in and said she was looking forward to the new job.

Escalante will undergo several months of police training before she becomes an active member of the police force.

Amanda Escalante, fourth from left, is pictured with family members after being introduced as the new police officer with Winona Lake. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.

 

The post Winona Lake hires first female police officer appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-23-061058.png Winona Lake looks at grant money to buy Tesla police cars https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/winona-lake-looks-at-grant-money-to-buy-tesla-police-cars/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:21:37 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=87339 By David Slone
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — If awarded a grant, the Winona Lake Police Department could be going electric on about half of their vehicle fleet.

Town Marshal Joe Hawn told the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday, “We have an opportunity to be able to apply for a grant. It’s through MACOG (Michiana Area Council of Governments). And it is for up to $200,000 but we would have to buy electric vehicles with this. That’s kind of the push for this. We looked at it. I think I would like to — with your approval - apply for this grant. MACOG really does all the work for us, they do all the updates and everything.”

If WLPD receives the grant, Hawn said that includes the outfit (lights and equipment) price as well, the vehicle, charging stations, “everything.” He said he was thinking of possibly applying for three vehicles with the grant, and maybe applying for the full $200,000 or more. MACOG told him it was OK to apply for more than the $200,000.

Hawn said everything would be covered 100% by the grant.

Councilman Barry Andrew asked him what kind of cars would they be buying.
“Teslas. Two Teslas and a Lightning I was looking at,” Hawn said.

“For you guys? To chase the bad guys?” Andrew asked. “Yes,” Hawn replied.
Councilwoman Ashley McGinnis asked if they would be replacing squad cars, and Hawn said yes.

Andrew said he didn’t know anything about Teslas except that they’re expensive. Hawn said they aren’t really that expensive.

“What’s the long-term impact financially on the town when it comes to these kind of vehicles because I honestly don’t know?” Andrew asked.

Hawn said he’s been in contact with the Bargersville Police Department that exclusively uses Teslas. “And they say, according to their chief of police down there, he says he saves $6,000 per year per vehicle on maintenance and gas as well. And that’s including the electrical costs as well. That’s what he says,” Hawn said.

He said they’re going to test drive some other vehicles because there’s also a Chevy Blazer that could be purchased with the grant. Hawn likes the Blazer and the Lightning because they do have the additional wiring for the police department and they’re geared for police a bit more. Bargersville swears by the Teslas for the police department, he said.

When Andrew asked what the maintenance was on the vehicles, Hawn said very little. “That’s where they save the money, because they said they don’t have to put brakes on them because when you put off the peddle it basically brakes for you,” Hawn said. 

Councilman Austin Reynolds said it’s regenerative braking.

Hawn said the grant opportunity will give them an idea if this is something Winona Lake wants to do or not.

Councilman Jim Lancaster asked if there was a deadline for the grant request. Hawn said yes, but MACOG will do all the work for the town, Hawn just has to tell them what kind of vehicles he wants.

If the town is successful in getting the grant, Lancaster asked if they have to move forward with it. He said he’d like some additional data on operating costs before they actually move forward because they’re talking about “fleet turnover.” Andrew said he’d also like more data because he doesn’t know enough about it.

Town Manager Craig Allebach said the grant application was due by Feb. 2. He said MACOG could come in next month and make a presentation.

Lancaster made a motion to approve the grant application, with the caveat more information is provided at next month’s council meeting either by MACOG in person or virtually. Andrew seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Lancaster also asked for some current operating expenses at the January meeting of the vehicles that the WLPD will trade out.

Hawn also requested to purchase a new Tahoe for the WLPD at $42,410. The outfit - lights and equipment - for the vehicle will cost $14,397.66. He said all the cost was within the budget that was approved by the council for this year. The budget for the vehicle was $57,500.
Andrew asked if a vehicle was being traded in. Hawn said he sent pictures of the 2016 Ford Explorer reserve car in to Kelly Chevrolet to see if they will get money for it.
The council approved the new vehicle purchase.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a resolution to transfer $350,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax fund to the Tax Increment Financing fund. Clerk-Treasurer Heather James said they have the cash balance to support that, they just needed to make the transfer of those funds.

• Approved an additional appropriation for a total of $740,000. The appropriation was tabled at the council’s special meeting Dec. 11 due to questions and an error.

“I think it’s important just to start off by saying this ask is not for money that is needing to be spent. The money is already spent ... We have had several expenses, and they have already been paid. The money that was budgeted has already been expended, so it’s just to put the money back into the appropriate place,” James said. 

She said it wasn’t the normal way they’d go about it, but they’re dealing with the situation that they have.

• Approved the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) ordinance on second reading. The ordinance was approved on first reading Nov. 21. A DORA allows municipalities after July 1 to designate an area to serve alcohol and then walk outside in a designated area with certain restrictions.

The ordinance lists Port Winona Wine & Market, Light Rail Café, Cerulean Restaurant and Boathouse Restaurant as retailer permittees who have submitted a completed application to the town to participate in the area.

• Approved the 2024 Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation agreement for $32,500, an increase of $5,000.

• Approved a resolution for Christmas bonuses for town employees. The resolution was tabled from the Dec. 11 special meeting. The council approved a $500 per employee Christmas bonus.

• Approved an ordinance on first and second reading to provide a 3% salary increase for 2024 for the town marshal and clerk-treasurer.

A resolution to give all other town employees a 3% raise for 2024 also was approved.
• Approved the town attorney and town engineer agreements as presented.

• Tabled a request by Merrywood Trailer Court to waive $3,000 to $4,000 in wastewater late fees. James wanted to get more information for herself and the council.

• Heard from Fire Chief Kevin Gelbaugh that the fire department had its Christmas party. The Fireman Service Award went to Carson Kintzel, and the Fireman of the Year award went to Kyle Boyer.

Gelbaugh also reported the support brackets that hold the “tank on the tank of the (tanker) truck” are getting worn and will need replaced at the start of the year for anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000.

Finally, he reported on the tornado siren at the fire station getting “extremely old.” It did activate the last time, but it had some issues. It’s going to need replaced. Alex Hall, from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, said if he came talk to him he might be able to find him some funding for the siren replacement.

• Heard the Pajama Party Sale in The Village at Winona is 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 27.

The post Winona Lake looks at grant money to buy Tesla police cars appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By David Slone
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — If awarded a grant, the Winona Lake Police Department could be going electric on about half of their vehicle fleet.

Town Marshal Joe Hawn told the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday, “We have an opportunity to be able to apply for a grant. It’s through MACOG (Michiana Area Council of Governments). And it is for up to $200,000 but we would have to buy electric vehicles with this. That’s kind of the push for this. We looked at it. I think I would like to — with your approval – apply for this grant. MACOG really does all the work for us, they do all the updates and everything.”

If WLPD receives the grant, Hawn said that includes the outfit (lights and equipment) price as well, the vehicle, charging stations, “everything.” He said he was thinking of possibly applying for three vehicles with the grant, and maybe applying for the full $200,000 or more. MACOG told him it was OK to apply for more than the $200,000.

Hawn said everything would be covered 100% by the grant.

Councilman Barry Andrew asked him what kind of cars would they be buying.
“Teslas. Two Teslas and a Lightning I was looking at,” Hawn said.

“For you guys? To chase the bad guys?” Andrew asked. “Yes,” Hawn replied.
Councilwoman Ashley McGinnis asked if they would be replacing squad cars, and Hawn said yes.

Andrew said he didn’t know anything about Teslas except that they’re expensive. Hawn said they aren’t really that expensive.

“What’s the long-term impact financially on the town when it comes to these kind of vehicles because I honestly don’t know?” Andrew asked.

Hawn said he’s been in contact with the Bargersville Police Department that exclusively uses Teslas. “And they say, according to their chief of police down there, he says he saves $6,000 per year per vehicle on maintenance and gas as well. And that’s including the electrical costs as well. That’s what he says,” Hawn said.

He said they’re going to test drive some other vehicles because there’s also a Chevy Blazer that could be purchased with the grant. Hawn likes the Blazer and the Lightning because they do have the additional wiring for the police department and they’re geared for police a bit more. Bargersville swears by the Teslas for the police department, he said.

When Andrew asked what the maintenance was on the vehicles, Hawn said very little. “That’s where they save the money, because they said they don’t have to put brakes on them because when you put off the peddle it basically brakes for you,” Hawn said. 

Councilman Austin Reynolds said it’s regenerative braking.

Hawn said the grant opportunity will give them an idea if this is something Winona Lake wants to do or not.

Councilman Jim Lancaster asked if there was a deadline for the grant request. Hawn said yes, but MACOG will do all the work for the town, Hawn just has to tell them what kind of vehicles he wants.

If the town is successful in getting the grant, Lancaster asked if they have to move forward with it. He said he’d like some additional data on operating costs before they actually move forward because they’re talking about “fleet turnover.” Andrew said he’d also like more data because he doesn’t know enough about it.

Town Manager Craig Allebach said the grant application was due by Feb. 2. He said MACOG could come in next month and make a presentation.

Lancaster made a motion to approve the grant application, with the caveat more information is provided at next month’s council meeting either by MACOG in person or virtually. Andrew seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Lancaster also asked for some current operating expenses at the January meeting of the vehicles that the WLPD will trade out.

Hawn also requested to purchase a new Tahoe for the WLPD at $42,410. The outfit – lights and equipment – for the vehicle will cost $14,397.66. He said all the cost was within the budget that was approved by the council for this year. The budget for the vehicle was $57,500.
Andrew asked if a vehicle was being traded in. Hawn said he sent pictures of the 2016 Ford Explorer reserve car in to Kelly Chevrolet to see if they will get money for it.
The council approved the new vehicle purchase.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a resolution to transfer $350,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax fund to the Tax Increment Financing fund. Clerk-Treasurer Heather James said they have the cash balance to support that, they just needed to make the transfer of those funds.

• Approved an additional appropriation for a total of $740,000. The appropriation was tabled at the council’s special meeting Dec. 11 due to questions and an error.

“I think it’s important just to start off by saying this ask is not for money that is needing to be spent. The money is already spent … We have had several expenses, and they have already been paid. The money that was budgeted has already been expended, so it’s just to put the money back into the appropriate place,” James said. 

She said it wasn’t the normal way they’d go about it, but they’re dealing with the situation that they have.

• Approved the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) ordinance on second reading. The ordinance was approved on first reading Nov. 21. A DORA allows municipalities after July 1 to designate an area to serve alcohol and then walk outside in a designated area with certain restrictions.

The ordinance lists Port Winona Wine & Market, Light Rail Café, Cerulean Restaurant and Boathouse Restaurant as retailer permittees who have submitted a completed application to the town to participate in the area.

• Approved the 2024 Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation agreement for $32,500, an increase of $5,000.

• Approved a resolution for Christmas bonuses for town employees. The resolution was tabled from the Dec. 11 special meeting. The council approved a $500 per employee Christmas bonus.

• Approved an ordinance on first and second reading to provide a 3% salary increase for 2024 for the town marshal and clerk-treasurer.

A resolution to give all other town employees a 3% raise for 2024 also was approved.
• Approved the town attorney and town engineer agreements as presented.

• Tabled a request by Merrywood Trailer Court to waive $3,000 to $4,000 in wastewater late fees. James wanted to get more information for herself and the council.

• Heard from Fire Chief Kevin Gelbaugh that the fire department had its Christmas party. The Fireman Service Award went to Carson Kintzel, and the Fireman of the Year award went to Kyle Boyer.

Gelbaugh also reported the support brackets that hold the “tank on the tank of the (tanker) truck” are getting worn and will need replaced at the start of the year for anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000.

Finally, he reported on the tornado siren at the fire station getting “extremely old.” It did activate the last time, but it had some issues. It’s going to need replaced. Alex Hall, from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, said if he came talk to him he might be able to find him some funding for the siren replacement.

• Heard the Pajama Party Sale in The Village at Winona is 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 27.

The post Winona Lake looks at grant money to buy Tesla police cars appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-design-2023-12-20T065903.903.jpg Back-To-School Cookout Continues Growing In Winona Lake https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/back-to-school-cookout-continues-growing-in-winona-lake/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:25:56 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=81355 By David Slone
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE - Whether it was the Mountain Dew, free food or just the fact that it was one of the last summer activities before the start of school, more people showed up to the back-to-school cookout lunch Monday in Winona Lake than Police Chief Joe Hawn expected.

Monday was the third year for the “Jacked Up On Mountain Dew, Send Them Back To School Special,” as Hawn calls it. “Who doesn’t like Mountain Dew?”

It was moved to the Miller Sunset Pavilion from the park due to the on-again, off-again rain. The Winona Lake Police Department, Park Department and town put the cookout on together following the Winona Lake Family Festival, which was Saturday.

“It’s actually after the Family Fest, and then we have some extra food, and three years ago they had a bunch of extra food and I was like, ‘What are you guys going to do with that, all the extra food?’ So, I was like, ‘Why don’t we just have an event on Monday to get rid of some of that food and have a community event?’” Hawn recalled.

“It’s turned into this. I really thought it was going to be 50 to 100 people, maybe. And every year it’s gotten bigger. This one, it just blew up this year, and I really thought it was going to be down because of the weather, I really did.”

He said the Miller Sunset Pavilion was a nice facility to move the cookout to at the last moment. All the grills were moved to the pavilion. Social Ice Cream helped out, as well, by heating up the food left over from Saturday’s Family Festival. Volunteers did all the grilling of the hamburgers and hot dogs, which were donated by SiteWorx.

“It’s just really turned into a pretty big event. A lot bigger than I ever participated, ever,” Hawn said.

He estimated 300-400 people came in and out of the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. The leftovers from the Family Festival served at the cookout Monday included pulled pork sandwiches, mac & cheese, watermelon, ice cream, potato chips and cookies.

“We went out and purchased the Mountain Dew. We purchased the lemonade and stuff like that,” Hawn said. Rabb Water Systems provided a water truck.

He said he only purchased 120 cans of Mountain Dew, but after the first hour that was down to just 10 cans so more had to be purchased.

“I got five cases. I thought five cases was an overkill, I was wrong. So I better - maybe not double it - but get seven or eight (cases) next year,” Hawn said.

While the Family Festival was specifically for Winona Lake residents, Hawn said the cookout was for anybody and everybody. The Warsaw School System sent out an email to all of their families about it. He said he talked to students from Lakeland Christian Academy as well as Jefferson, Lincoln, Eisenhower and Madison elementary schools.

The peddle cars from Saturday’s festival were left out for Monday’s cookout for the kids to ride, too.

“I didn’t know we would have to put this many tables up. We kept pushing them back, pushing them back a little bit. We had, literally, only 10 tables set up at the initial. I was way off! So we just kept putting tables up,” Hawn said. “It’s a good problem to have. I’m really excited. It’s an event that kind of has blown up a little bit, it really has.”

He said the best part about it was just seeing the kids’ smiles.

“It’s a really good event. It’s that last something to do for the kids before they go back to school,” Hawn said.Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach said, “Today’s event is probably our biggest. I don’t know why, but I think a lot of it has to do with the location again. Fortunately, we were able to move the location pretty quickly and this was available, of course. So this has just been a great, great event.”

While he didn’t have the numbers for the previous years’ events, he said he attended them and they weren’t near what Monday’s event was.

“I’m envisioning probably half of this. I would say easily the numbers this year have doubled. It’s been really nice,” Allebach said. “It helped us give away a little more of our free food from Saturday we had left over, plus, of course, we’ve got the hamburgers and hot dogs. But just a great event to kick off going back to school.”

 

The post Back-To-School Cookout Continues Growing In Winona Lake appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By David Slone
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE – Whether it was the Mountain Dew, free food or just the fact that it was one of the last summer activities before the start of school, more people showed up to the back-to-school cookout lunch Monday in Winona Lake than Police Chief Joe Hawn expected.

Monday was the third year for the “Jacked Up On Mountain Dew, Send Them Back To School Special,” as Hawn calls it. “Who doesn’t like Mountain Dew?”

It was moved to the Miller Sunset Pavilion from the park due to the on-again, off-again rain. The Winona Lake Police Department, Park Department and town put the cookout on together following the Winona Lake Family Festival, which was Saturday.

“It’s actually after the Family Fest, and then we have some extra food, and three years ago they had a bunch of extra food and I was like, ‘What are you guys going to do with that, all the extra food?’ So, I was like, ‘Why don’t we just have an event on Monday to get rid of some of that food and have a community event?’” Hawn recalled.

“It’s turned into this. I really thought it was going to be 50 to 100 people, maybe. And every year it’s gotten bigger. This one, it just blew up this year, and I really thought it was going to be down because of the weather, I really did.”

He said the Miller Sunset Pavilion was a nice facility to move the cookout to at the last moment. All the grills were moved to the pavilion. Social Ice Cream helped out, as well, by heating up the food left over from Saturday’s Family Festival. Volunteers did all the grilling of the hamburgers and hot dogs, which were donated by SiteWorx.

“It’s just really turned into a pretty big event. A lot bigger than I ever participated, ever,” Hawn said.

He estimated 300-400 people came in and out of the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. The leftovers from the Family Festival served at the cookout Monday included pulled pork sandwiches, mac & cheese, watermelon, ice cream, potato chips and cookies.

“We went out and purchased the Mountain Dew. We purchased the lemonade and stuff like that,” Hawn said. Rabb Water Systems provided a water truck.

He said he only purchased 120 cans of Mountain Dew, but after the first hour that was down to just 10 cans so more had to be purchased.

“I got five cases. I thought five cases was an overkill, I was wrong. So I better – maybe not double it – but get seven or eight (cases) next year,” Hawn said.

While the Family Festival was specifically for Winona Lake residents, Hawn said the cookout was for anybody and everybody. The Warsaw School System sent out an email to all of their families about it. He said he talked to students from Lakeland Christian Academy as well as Jefferson, Lincoln, Eisenhower and Madison elementary schools.

The peddle cars from Saturday’s festival were left out for Monday’s cookout for the kids to ride, too.

“I didn’t know we would have to put this many tables up. We kept pushing them back, pushing them back a little bit. We had, literally, only 10 tables set up at the initial. I was way off! So we just kept putting tables up,” Hawn said. “It’s a good problem to have. I’m really excited. It’s an event that kind of has blown up a little bit, it really has.”

He said the best part about it was just seeing the kids’ smiles.

“It’s a really good event. It’s that last something to do for the kids before they go back to school,” Hawn said.Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach said, “Today’s event is probably our biggest. I don’t know why, but I think a lot of it has to do with the location again. Fortunately, we were able to move the location pretty quickly and this was available, of course. So this has just been a great, great event.”

While he didn’t have the numbers for the previous years’ events, he said he attended them and they weren’t near what Monday’s event was.

“I’m envisioning probably half of this. I would say easily the numbers this year have doubled. It’s been really nice,” Allebach said. “It helped us give away a little more of our free food from Saturday we had left over, plus, of course, we’ve got the hamburgers and hot dogs. But just a great event to kick off going back to school.”

 

The post Back-To-School Cookout Continues Growing In Winona Lake appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

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