August 2011-color.qxp - Huntington County Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber Scene
HUNTINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
305 Warren Street • Huntington, Indiana 46750 • (260) 356-5300 • www.huntington-chamber.com • August 2011
Tippmann Foundation restoring St. Felix Friary
By PAULA KIMMEL
Long hallways that were once walked by
brown-robed brothers at the former St. Felix Friary at 1280 Hitzfield Street have received a fresh coat of paint and the surrounding building is being completely restored. Last August the vacant property
was purchased by a foundation headed by
John V. Tippmann Sr., a Catholic businessman and investor from Fort Wayne, and the
work began.
Funds of over $2 million dollars from the
Mary Cross Tippmann Foundation, chaired
by John Tippmann, have been spent thus
far on renovations to St. Felix. The Mary
Cross Tippmann Foundation invests in real
estate and gives money primarily to
Catholic churches, educational entities and
social causes. It was instrumental in the
restoration of Fort Wayne’s Lincoln Tower.
Originally built in 1928, the monastery
housed men who lived a consecrated religious life, praying, studying, working, eating and sleeping, wholly devoted to God
and service to mankind. St. Felix was built
as a novitiate and was designed by Huntington architect, Robert Stevens Sr. It was
a place where men who wanted to become
priests came to explore that possibility and
study towards that end.
The brothers who resided at St. Felix
planted 170 apple trees, grape arbors and
gardens. They were totally self-sufficient
and even preserved their own food supply.
The friary is named for St. Felix of Cantalice, Italy, a Capuchin priest who lived
from 1515 to 1587, known for his love of
nature and youth, and prayers for healing
of the sick.
Tippmann’s inspiration for the renovation
of the friary, according to Father Ron
Rieder of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic
Church in Huntington who lived at the friary from 1956 to 1959, was a former resident of the friary. Upon Tippmann’s initial
visit to and inquiries about the property,
Father Ron gave him a book about former
friary resident Father Solanus Casey.
Father Solanus was born in 1870 in Wisconsin and served parishes in New York
and Detroit each for 20 years. Father
The restored exterior of the former St. Felix Friary, 1280 Hitzfield Street, is shown in the
photo above. The Tippmann foundation is funding the work to the facility built in 1928.
Solanus lived at St. Felix Friary 10 years
from 1946 to 1956 and returned to Detroit
and passed away at age 87 in 1957. Father
Ron got to know and had spent time in Detroit with Father Solanus in 1955 and 1956.
Father Solanus is known for his compassion and consultations with visitors. Thousands of cures have been associated with
his prayers for healing, and Pope John Paul
II declared him “venerable” in 1995 – a
step on the way to “canonization” or sainthood. Father Solanus believed God’s spirit
worked in the world through Jesus of
Nazareth to heal “all who were afflicted.”
When sainthood is achieved, Father
Solanus will be the first priest born on
American soil to receive the honor.
Both Father Solanus and Father Ron are
members of the Roman Catholic Capuchin
Franciscans who live a simple life in devotion to their founder, St. Francis of Assisi.
The order left St. Felix around 1978 when
the property was purchased by the Church
of the United Brethren in Christ and it
housed the Good Shepherd Church.
The Good Shepherd Church put the property up for sale in late 2009 due to rising
utility costs. Father Ron commented that
the church had taken “good care” of the
property during their time as owners. Father Casey’s former room was kept by the
church much as it appeared during his life.
Protected by a padlocked door, the brother’s brown robe is draped across the small
bed in the room and can be seen through a
glass window in the door. Chalk and dry
erase boards in the former basement youth
rooms of the building still bear the names
of former Good Shepherd youth group
members and their “farewell comments” to
the building.
Possible uses for the building, according
to Father Ron and Tippmann’s plans, include some type of a retreat center, a place
for youth activities or use as a school or
college by a religious order, but plans have
not been completed.
In an earlier interview, Tippman said that
the foundation didn’t buy it as a piece of
for-profit property, but to get it back into
Catholic hands. The foundation has already
received some inquiries for the 29-acre
site.
Tippmann’s pledge to renovate the
62,000-square-foot friary building, which
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of a historic district
which also includes the nearby Victory
Noll Center, home of Our Lady of Victory
Missionary Sisters, is coming to fruition.
Already 499 windows have been replaced,
the exterior brick of the building has been
completely tuck-pointed and cleaned, the
red tile roof has been completely refurbished and the interior is gleaming with all
of the work accomplished and still in
progress.
(Story Continued on Page 3)
Page 2
Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County
Board of Directors
2011
Chairman of the Board
Seth Marshall
BSB Investments
August 2011
August
Business of the Month
Bippus State Bank
Chairman of the Board Elect
Nicole Johnson
Edward Jones & Company
Treasurer
Lee Pasko
MarkleBank - Huntington
Community Banking Center
Assistant Treasurer
Stefan Poling
Rollo Harter & Poling LLC
Greg Batt
Ad Design
Arthur Daronatsy
Dean Foods
Dan Juergens
Juergens Do-It Center and Radio Shack
Mike McElhaney
McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home
Lori Mickley
Bendix Commercial Vehicle
Systems, LLC
Richard Najuch
The New Huntington Theater and
Supper Club
Mike Perkins
Parkview Huntington Hospital
Foundation
Sandra Seacott
Teachers Credit Union
Tracey Shafer
Huntington County Community School
Corporation
Rose Wall
Wehr Into Flowers
Michael Zahn
First Federal Savings Bank
STAFF
Steve Kimmel
Executive Director
Ellen Prange
Financials
Jo Ann Burnau
Administrative Assistant
Bippus State Bank, celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2011, was chosen as the August Business of the Month by the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce. Pictured
above second from left is Ryan Warner, president, Bippus State Bank. Also pictured
above are several employees of Bippus State Bank, Bippus State Bank’s board of directors, officers and several Chamber ambassadors. The bank had its beginnings in a
store in Bippus, Indiana. The 100th Anniversary has been celebrated all year long with
a Chamber After Hours, employee appreciation activities, customer appreciations days,
lunch for the community and various other memorable celebratory events.
Fandana Festival coming to HU
Huntington University’s Fandana Festival
is only a few short weeks away. More than
30 bands, including Switchfoot, Sidewalk
Prophets, Photoside Cafe, BarlowGirl,
Stellar Kart, Josh Wilson, SevenGlory, Hyland, Red Umbrella, Attaboy and Me in
Motion, will play on multiple stages
around campus during the three-day event.
The fun starts on August 11 with bands
and events carrying through August 12. On
August 13, stick around for a praise and
worship service. The festival will also feature an indie band competition, seminars,
an indie film component and kid-friendly
activities including inflatable games.
“Huntington University is very enthused
about hosting the only multi-day Christian
music and arts festival in the state of Indiana. The Fandana Festival is also one of the
only music and arts events in the nation to
be held completely on a college campus,”
said Jeff Berggren, HU’s senior vice president for enrollment management and mar-
keting. “This is an opportunity to welcome
our regional friends for a fantastic family
and teen group experience.”
Overnight lodging is also available in residence halls for individuals or groups. Meal
plans and individual meals are also available.
Tickets are $19 in advance or $25 at the
gate for all three days. HU students are $5,
children ages 6-10 are $5 and children 5
and younger are free. Groups of 15 or more
are $15. Special rates are available for HU
faculty and staff. Tickets are on sale now at
www.fandanafestival.com.
“The Fandana Festival is a great ministry
opportunity for HU and we look forward to
watching the event grow over the next several years,” Berggren said.
Visit www.fandanafestival.com for all of
the details, and stay tuned for the full
schedule.
August 2011
Huntington County Chamber of Commerce
Page 3
Tippmann Foundation restoring continued
(Story Continued From Page 1)
The stone wall surrounding the property
has been repaired and a shrine with a statue of the Virgin Mary has been repaired
under the direction of Fort Wayne contractor Bob Rowlett. The 600 pound statue was
originally moved from SS. Peter and Paul
Church to St. Felix by Herb Hoover. Beautiful stone work with flower-dotted landscaping surround the statue which was repainted by Linda Belding of Huntington.
Truckloads of overgrown brush and dead
trees have also been removed from the
property and the exterior back yard has
been completely tilled and reseeded. The
work on the grounds was directed by Jim
Zahm. A swimming pool on the grounds
will most likely be filled-in as the repair
costs are estimated at $80,000. An existing
ball diamond is currently being refurbished
for future use.
According to Father Ron, Bishop Kevin
C. Rhoades of the Fort Wayne South Bend
Catholic Diocese, is excited about the work
being done to the property and is especially anxious for the new grass to grow and
kids to come and enjoy it.
Volunteers from Huntington University,
local churches, other area schools and the
community have aided in the work to the
property and the interior. Over 120 rooms
in three stories plus the basement were designed in the original floor plans to house
the brothers. Some were consolidated by
the United Brethren Church for office
space, but around 80 of these small “cells”
remain. Each small room has a window,
and holds a single bed and desk. According to Father Ron, most historic features
have been kept intact during the renova-
A restored statue of the Virgin Mary can
be found in a prayer garden located immediately behind the former St. Felix Friary.
The 600 pound statue was repainted by
Linda Belding of Huntington.
The choir room, located within the former St. Felix Friary, has been completely restored
to its original 1928 quality. This room is known as “the heart of the monastery” and is the
place where all 150 Psalms were said each day by the brothers who lived there.
tions including the wooden latches in place
of doorknobs on each of these rooms. Father Ron said the wood latches can only be
found two places in the world, one is St.
Felix, the other is in Austria.
Father Ron went on to explain that many
features in the building “were architecturally ahead of the time, such as the steel
pull-down fire doors, unusual in a building
of that era.” Some historic pieces of equipment used by the brothers also remain such
as a fire-powered Huebsch Company
clothes dryer that still is operable, original
kitchen appliances and tools in the woodworking shop. A heavy cord runs down
through the building and still rings the bell
in the bell tower, which has been completely restored.
Upon entering St. Felix through heavy
wood doors, the chapel can be seen just up
the stairs. It has new carpet and has been
completely repainted in shades of soft
gold. Above the altar hangs a heavy wood
cross, placed there by the Good Shepherd
Church. Jesus, in a nailed position, a piece
of sculpture which was found in SS. Peter
and Paul’s basement, has been added to the
cross during the restoration of the room.
Twelve columns striped in gold, beautiful
woodwork and 18 stained glass windows,
decorated with symbols of the faith, complete the peaceful atmosphere of the sanctuary.
Just outside the sanctuary is the former
sacristy. Dark wood cabinets and drawers
that were once filled with priestly robes, altar cloths and other items used in Mass line
the walls of this room. From there more
long hallways, walls fresh with paint and
wood floors refinished, follow a pathway
through the building. Dark wood doors line
these corridors and open to once purpose-
filled rooms.
Overhead the original Latin inscriptions
line the arches over the walkways. Father
Ron explained that the Latin words such as
Oportet Semper Orare, are in English, “It
is important to pray all the time;” O Beata
Solitudo, O Sola Beatitudo, “O Beautiful
Solitude, O Only Happiness;” Silentium,
“Silence;” Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
“Holy, Holy, Holy” and many more are reminders of St. Felix’s early residents.
The larger rooms in the building all
served a purpose for the brothers. The
kitchen is located on the lower level and
contains the original cupboards, tile, floor
and cooking and baking equipment. A
game room is now vacant and was used for
pool, ping pong, card games and more.
In the refectory in the basement, communal meals provided one of the times in
which all the brothers of the establishment
were together. The tables and benches in
St. Felix’s refectory were made by the early residents in the woodshop and no bolts
or nails were used in their construction.
The heavy wood tables are hard for the average person to even lift and are held together by the wood used in the construction. Beautifully lined wood rises threequarters of the way up the walls and is finished with an artistic edge.
The choir room, according to Father Ron,
is the heart of the monastery. All of the
brothers living in the monastery would
gather for prayer and praise to God in this
room. Rows of wooden chairs carved into
the wood lining of this room’s walls face
each other from each side. An ornate wood
altar graces the front of the room. Seated in
these rows of chairs, the friars would offer
their praises to God by reciting all 150
(Story Continued on Page 4)
Page 4
Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County
August 2011
Tippmann Foundation restoring continued
(Story Continued From Page 3)
Psalms back and forth between each other
each day.
St. Felix had its own tailor shop where the
brothers made their brown robes and
leather sandals. The room holds its original
furnishings today. While the building was
owned by the United Brethren Church, the
food pantry of Love INC was begun in a
room near the front of the building. Shepherd’s Closet, a clothing ministry, was also
For more photos of the friary go to
www.huntingtoncountychamber.com
and click on the
Photo Gallery
housed at St. Felix. Both of these ministries
are now combined in the Love INC building at 715 Byron Street in Huntington.
The building also has a library, conference room, classrooms, guest quarters, private quarters for the manager, offices and
more. The building’s restrooms have been
totally reworked and are covered with elegant ceramic tile, beautiful vanities with
sinks, shower stalls and toilets. The electrical upgrade to the building was done by
Denny Young. Mann’s Inc. is redoing the
Father Solanus Casey resided at St. Felix Friary from 1946 to 1956 and is remembered
for his prayers for the sick. Shown above is his robe preserved in his former room.
plumbing and heating and will install four
new boilers. The building was originally
heated with coal. The outbuildings and
garages on the property have also received
a “facelift.”
Rob Mayo and wife Karen live at St Felix
and oversee its care. Mayo greets visitors
in a friendly way and is happy to explain
the work that has been done so far. Mayo
finds St. Felix “a place of love and peace,”
that he says, “can be felt.”
Father Ron said that “Nothing makes me
happier than to know this place is being restored, what they have done is endless.”
A new piece of artwork found at St. Felix
says, “Faith is not believing that God can –
it is knowing that He will.” Thanks to John
Tippmann and his generosity, St. Felix will
be completely restored and God will direct
the plan and purpose He has for the building.
Note: Books are available about the life
of Solanus Casey and his time spent at St.
Felix Friary is included. Two of these
books are The Porter of Saint Bonaventure’s by James Patrick Derum and Thank
God Ahead of Time, The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey by Michael H. Crosby.
August 2011
Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County
Welcome New
Members
Ribbon Cutting
Lillsun
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Johnson Junction
Greg Williams
1350 Harris Street
Huntington, IN 46750
Page 5
The Quarry Tavern
Ty & Heather Smith
2000 East State Street
Huntington, IN 46750
Harmony Feast
The Second Annual Harmony Feast will
be held Friday, September 23 from 5 to
7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend
this event which will be located in a large
tent near PNC Bank in Huntington Plaza
Shopping Center across from Kriegbaum
Field.
The Harmony Feast marks the observance
of Harmony Day in Huntington County.
Harmony Day is an outreach of the Harmony Initiative, an organization of local volunteers dedicated to appreciating and recognizing the contributions from people of
all backgrounds, that make our community
a great place to live, to grow and to prosper.
The Harmony Feast mini food court, celebrating Huntington County cultures, will
offer food from a variety of food vendors
by purchase of tickets. Over 400 people enjoyed the celebration last year by purchasing food at the feast. Tickets will be $1
each and it will require one to three tickets
to purchase one food item.
Inside the tent those in attendance will
find several tables featuring food vendors
from Huntington County offering American, Mexican, Irish, Italian, German, Creole, Greek, Jamaican, Native American and
a selection of other foods. The tickets are
purchased upon entrance to the tent to select the foods. The Boys Scouts and Bailey’s Coffee will take tickets for beverages.
Tables will be available to sit and enjoy
dinner while the Huntington North High
School homecoming parade passes by.
Boogie Down Dee-Jays will provide musical selections. The parade will be followed
by the traditional homecoming football
game at Kriegbaum Field.
Sponsorships for the Harmony Feast are
available and can be discussed by calling
the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce at 356-5300. For more information
visit the website at www.harmonyinitiative.org.
Pictured at left, front row: Tom Wall, County Commissioner; Ruth Marsh, City Operations Manager; Ralph Johnson, founder of Johnson Petroleum; Krystle Goldsberry, Ad
Design; Melissa Goodrich, store employee; Heather Bowers, store manager; Ryan
Warner, president, Bippus State Bank; Darlene Stanley, president, Johnson Junction;
Megan Stanley; Brent Stanley, vice president, Johnson Junction; Jim Burns, Burns
Builders; Steve Kimmel, executive director, Chamber of Commerce; Pam Stephens,
store employee; Steve Updike, mayor, Huntington and Terry Miller, Chamber ambassador. Others from the Chamber board, ambassadors and dignitaries of the community attended the event to celebrate the grand opening.
After Hours
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Shoe Sensation
The Huntington County Chamber of Commerce held an After Hours at the new Shoe
Sensation store located at 2880 Wal-Mart Drive, The Forum Shops. Shoe Sensation
treated their guests to vegetable, fruit and cheese and crackers trays; cookies. wine,
soft drinks and other assorted beverages. Chamber members enjoyed a sneak preview
of all the merchandise available and received discounts on their purchases.
Select My Business Card
Northview Inn & Suites
We’re Expecting You!
Amy Stansell
General Manager
2820 Hotel Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750
Phone: (260) 359-9000
Fax: (260) 359-9100
northviewinn@yahoo.com
Joe Burgess
Business Manager
August 2011
Huntington County Chamber of Commerce
Page 7
Register for Huntington
Bicycle Challenge Tour
Bicyclists from all over the Midwest are gearing up for the
Eighth Annual Huntington Bicycle Challenge being held Saturday, September 17. The cycling event is a fundraiser organized
by Pathfinder Services, Parkview Home Health and Hospice
and 3 Rivers Velo Sport Bike Club.
Proceeds from this event go to two causes: Pathfinder Services to assist teenagers with developmental disabilities with
scholarships to attend summer camp, and Parkview Home
Health & Hospice’s quality, end-of-life care for the terminally
ill.
For 2011 there will be 3.5, 10, 21, 34 and 39 mile tour rides.
The 3.5 and 10 mile tours are $15, and the 21, 34 and 39 mile
tours are $25 if pre-registered before Monday, August 29. After
the August 29 deadline all tours increase $10. Anyone who registers for the 21, 34 and 39 mile tours is welcome to ride all
three routes, 94 miles. All tour courses are on-road.
The Business Team Challenge will also take place on Saturday, September 17 and is a special 28 mile on-road course.
Businesses, universities, bike teams and individuals may enter
a team of three to six riders and the cost per team is $250. Businesses will compete for first, second and third place team
medals. After the team event, team challenge riders may also
ride any additional tour courses at no cost.
All Tour and Business Team Challenge courses start and end
at the Pathfinder Services and Parkview Home Health and Hospice parking lot located at 2824 Theater Avenue and ride
through beautiful scenic Huntington County.
To register online or for a printable registration form for any
of the above events please visit www.pathfinderservices.org,
www.truesport.com or www.3rvs.com. Registration includes an
event t-shirt, and lunch for all participants between 11 a.m. and
2 p.m. sponsored by Lee’s KFC in Huntington.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday September 17 at
Pathfinder Services at 2824 Theater Avenue in Huntington. The
activities begin at 9 a.m. with a welcome followed by the Business Team Challenge beginning at 9:15 a.m. with the scenic
tour rides immediately following. Lunch sponsored by Lee’s
KFC in Huntington will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for all registered participants, and door prizes and awards will begin at 2
p.m.
VACANCY OFFICE SPACE
Located at 1312 Flaxmill Road
BEST LOCATION IN HUNTINGTON
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
AMPLE PARKING WITH UP TO (10)
INDIVIDUAL OFFICES
OWNER WILL MAKE CHANGES TO
MEET YOUR NEEDS!
CALL LIZ McCLAIN OR GENE FLECK AT:
356-6577
Select My Business Card
ADDRESS SERVICE
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Paid
Huntington, IN
Permit No. 194
305 Warren Street
Huntington, IN 46750
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Mark Your Calendars
PROFESSIONAL JANITORIAL
SERVICE, INC.
Roanoke Farmers Market
Each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Industrial and Commercial Cleaning
Since 1985
ABATE Regional Meeting
SAFEGUARD SERVICES, INC.
Saturday, August 20
Izaak Walton League, 470 Hauenstein Road
Taste of Roanoke
Saturday, August 20
Early Evening Block Party
Food and Music
Down(town) By The Sea
Huntington Arts Initiative, Inc.
Opening day Sunday, August 21
Fire Hydrant Art Exhibit
Downtown Huntington
Security Guard and Patrol Service
Since 1962
430 Warren Street
Huntington, IN
(260) 356-4726
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER ADS
Business Card and Service Ads
as low as - $10 per issue
Half Page - $50 per issue
Full Page - $100 per issue
Andrews Western Days
Call 356-5300
Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27
Activities throughout downtown Andrews
to reserve your space
Markle Wildcat Festival
Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28
Activities throughout Markle Park in Markle
Roanoke Fall Festival
Thursday, September 8 through Sunday, September 11
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:
Email your press releases and pictures to:
skimmel@huntington-chamber.com
NOTE: Deadline for advertising and members in the news for
the September newsletter is Friday, August 19, 2011. Call for
details!