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Temperatures in the lower 50s and wind, making it feel like it was in the 40s, didn’t keep hundreds from an artful evening at First Friday, downtown Warsaw.
Face painting, fall art creations, cookie decorating and listening to the Warsaw Community Pep Band were highlights of the night.
All activities seemed to come to a halt when the pep band performed on center stage. Music genre of all types were played featuring different sections of the band, including the drum line.
A handful of local authors were staying warm inside City Hall, talking to guests and autographing their publications. Many stopped to hear Skylar Payton tell about why Robin Wentz wrote her book “Purple Bear in Her Wheelchair, Making New Friends.”
Various churches and organizations along with businesses were on hand providing food, selling fundraiser items and presenting information, such as the Kosciusko County Extension Service and Northern Indiana Student Hunger Drive.
OrthoWorx Diversity Council was amazing youngsters with the wheel of diversity and learning simple terms in sign language. The volunteers also showed the diversity of the community. Taking the last name of the youngsters, the volunteers would provide information on where the name originated and place a flag in the wreath of diversity.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of winners in the Walk-N-Wander Photo Art contest. The contest entries, 75 in all with 36 entries from kids ages 17 and under, have been displayed at Latte Lounge where individuals could vote by sending phone texts or messages.
The People’s Choice Winner was Tena Elliott with her “Kisses All Around.” This was one of four entries by Elliott in the Enhanced Division.
Her photo was taken at the statue of a couple kissing. Using an idea she has seen in New York, she utilized the help of her family – brother, mother and father, son, sister-in-law and niece – to create the “Kisses All Around.”
“I love it. I’m thrilled,” she stated after receiving her award.
Winning first place in the Enhanced Division was Trina Hoy with “Passion.” Fascinated by the sculptures, Hoy felt it was an exciting time and combined the opportunity with her love of Photoshop. “I decided to do some things to make it pretty and enter the contest.”
She too entered four into the Enhanced Division. “It is quite a surprise.”
Rebecca Dawson placed second in the Amateur Division with her entry “Fanfare,” with the statue sculpture of the man wearing the cowboy hat. “It was the hat. My husband has a hat like that and it reminds me of my husband.” She used her three children in the photograph along with the sculpture.
“How awesome is that,” she stated on her win.
Winners in the Amateur division are: Bill Wise, “Interrupted Nap,” first; Dawson, second; John Weckler, “Window Painting,” third.
Winners in the 17 and under division are: Destiny Harding, “Violin Fingers,” first; Reagan Wrigld, “Say Cheese,” second; and Kyle Novat, “Artist Masterpiece,” third.
Winners in the Enhanced division are: Hoy, first; Jason Lenon, “Mirror Trick,” second; and Dave Mitchell, “Sidewalk Crack,” third.
The Mixed Media winners are: Gustavo Cartagena, “Love Never ends,” first; Ken Meyer, “The Painter,” second; and “Danielle Presteguin, “Music is where the Heart Is,” third.
The November First Friday theme, Nov 7, will be Homespun Homemade, focusing on textured art, with lots of activities and events appropriate for Christmas, according to Paula Bowman, downtown event liaison and first Friday Coordinator through the Warsaw Community Development Commission.