Looking for a classic example of Americana? Look no further.
Ligonier’s history includes a period when the city was home to a marshmallow manufacturer. That production is defunct, but the event that pays tribute to the treat continues.
Every year over Labor Day weekend, the Marshmallow Festival makes Ligonier a destination spot. Rides, games and food are in abundance, as well as the charm of the small city southeast of Goshen.
Perhaps more than anything, though, the Marshmallow Festival has long offered Ligonier residents an opportunity to get together. And coming together is exactly what that community is doing in the face of troubling news.
This week, Ligonier residents learned that event chairwoman Tamara Deel was arrested on felony charges of stealing $15,000 from the festival. Authorities also allege that Deel stole money from her employer.
Fifteen thousand dollars isn’t much in terms of, say, the federal budget. In terms of funds for a small city’s festival, though, it’s a sizable chunk. The loss could have meant the end of the Ligonier tradition.
Nothing doing, according to Ligonier Mayor Patty Fisel, who this week told The News that the festival will continue.
“Actually, the city of Ligonier is a city that rallies around whenever we have something negative happen,” she said. “We work really hard to turn it into a positive.”
Ticket sales and vendor income will factor in to festival coffers. Fisel said there will be rides, and the parade will go on as scheduled.
Sharing the mayor’s forward view — and optimism — is her daughter Pamela Howard, who’s on the festival committee. She said news of the alleged theft has resulted pledges of support from around the community.
That’s good to see. The Marshmallow Festival is a fun end-of-summer tradition, brimming with smiles, fond greetings and, lest we forget, marshmallows. To have it end would have made us sad, and we’d have had company.
Thank you, Ligonier, for turning lemons into lemonade. And marshmallows.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Children participate in the bed races during the 2008 Ligonier Marshmallow Festival. GOSHEN NEWS FILE PHOTO
Keeping this Marshmallow Festival afloat
- Opinion
-
-
Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
-
We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
-
Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
There’s still time to help someone you probably don’t know.
-
Farmers are positive this will be the year
Farmers and Cub fans have something in common. They are eternally positive and expect a better season next year.
-
It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
-
Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
The final gavel has fallen on the 2013 regular session of Indiana’s General Assembly. During the 14-week session, our lawmakers passed nearly 300 pieces of legislation, including the state’s $30 billion biennial budget that contains the largest tax cut in state history.
-
Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
-
Carl Weaver has inspired many at GHS
Goshen High School teacher Carl Weaver has created one of the most successful science program in the United States, and we, on behalf of the thousands of students who have experienced the program, thank him.
- Don't let acts of terror crimp life's positives
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
