WABASH, Ind. – Congratulations to Jen Huber and Eric Seaman, winners of the 2017 Honeywell Foundation essay contest to celebrate the Honeywell Foundation’s 75th anniversary. Huber and Seaman will both receive two tickets to every 2017 Ford Theatre Show! Runners-up included Scott Buehrer, Lisa Flack, and Richard Tucker. Included below are the winning essays and the essays from the three runners-up.
“My story of how the Honeywell Foundation has impacted my life is a different one. From as young as I can remember, I attended almost all of the shows at the Honeywell Center. We sat on the bleachers in the gymnasium and heard brand new country stars such as Reba McEntire, younger stars such as Henry Lee Summer, and even ones who could still hit the high notes such as Lou Christie. I gathered their autographs in my multicolored leather Girl Scouts notebook as they leaned off the front of the stage to sign my pages.
I attended so many of the madrigal dinners in that gym, performed in a couple with my dad, Lynn, and was grateful for the years when we got to transfer the celebration to the brand new auditorium in 1994. I participated in all of the Wabash Valley Ballet recitals, both in the old gym with its tiny, hot dressing room and then in the new one with plenty of space. I roller skated in the basement, after school and at birthday parties. I even took a summer job working at Eugenia’s restaurant bussing tables. I’ve been to weddings at the Honeywell Center, went to prom in the gym, had my high school baccalaureate ceremony there, and even auditioned for the summer youth community theatre down in the Crystal Room
Most all of these activities involved my parents as well. My father was the house announcer for the theatre from the time I was a child until he had to give it up nearly 35 years later because of health reasons. Many people still refer to him as “The Voice of the Honeywell Center.” Since dad was behind the sound board, I often sat with my mom and he would come join us after intermission. We watched everything, from orchestras to ballets to magicians to comedians. Some were performers we had heard of, many were new to us, but we went anyway. And from a young age, I began to develop a love of the arts. I began to appreciate all kinds of performances and to approach each show with an open mind.
When I went to school at Butler University in 1996, I needed an on-campus job and immediately went over to Clowes Memorial Hall, the 2,100-seat auditorium on campus. I became an usher that September and kept that job all four years of college. When I graduated, I became a house manager and am now in the middle of my 21st season working at Clowes. Like my previous experience with the Honeywell Center, I have seen hundreds of shows ranging from operas to the local percussion ensemble. Each season brings new surprises.
I now live in Indianapolis, which means I still get to see shows at the Honeywell Center. I took my mom to see Ben Folds this autumn, and I will return at Christmas to see the beautiful holiday decorations, another family tradition. I see how much the Honeywell Foundation has helped Wabash and how much it has grown since the time I moved away from Wabash. It pulls new people to the community and creates gathering spaces for local families. I am happy to see that the Foundation is taking care of important places such as the Eagles Theatre and spending resources on arts education.
The entire Honeywell Center is filled with memories for me, from the bottom hallways to the spacious auditorium. I truly love my years that I spent there and hope that it can continue to provide joy and happiness to others for many generations to come.”
– Jen Huber
“Though I’ve only known of the Honeywell Foundation for a relatively brief amount of time, it’s always seemed to be there during my time here.
I moved to Wabash in the summer of 2013 from college, completely oblivious to how amazing the Foundation is and the impact it has on the young, old, rich and poor.
I couldn’t possibly pick out one instance with the Foundation that stands out from the rest.
I’ve made friends for life through the Foundation, whether through business with work, participating in several theatrical performances at the Ford Theater or experiencing a time (from before my time) at the nostalgic, historic Eagles Theatre.
Within the halls of the Honeywell Center alone, I’ve shared Shakespearean tragedies, Rodgers and Hammerstein classics and brought the joy of Christmas to out-of-towners through Wabash Area Community Theater.
When I have company in town, the Honeywell Center is the highlight of the trip as they’re mesmerized by the theater, the Porter Lobby or the Honeywell Room. The sparkle of the Eagles façade catches their eye.
I’ve seen an entire backstage wall covered in ink and photos with the thank yous and blessings of the likes of Wabash’s own Crystal Gayle, Bobby Knight, the Osmonds, Tony Bennett and hundreds more.
I’ve met, in person, childhood heroes in Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood thanks to the Foundation, a lifelong memory.
My mother, the most beautiful person I know, has struggled in her recent years with anxiety and depression. With my sibling and I now young adults, the empty nest doesn’t help. One of her role models to always keep a positive attitude is the iconic Kristin Chenoweth.
Thanks to the Foundation, I was able to not only have her attend her show recently with great seats, but I was also able to surprise her at the last minute with a meet-and-greet with the woman who has inspired her to keep a smile on her face, even when the world sometimes forces her to do otherwise.
And how did she thank me? She bought me an amazing painting of the Abraham Lincoln statue in front of our beautiful courthouse in Wabash.
And where did she buy it? From the Center’s Clark Gallery of course.
I’ve seen with my own eyes low-income children being offered hope for the holidays after meeting Saint Nicholas at the Honeywell Center. I’ve watched high schoolers with aspirations of becoming an artist see their dreams pushed into a reality while attending art workshops facilitated at the Charley Creek Gardens. Elementary schoolers have seen the books they’re reading in the classroom brought to life in the “Page to Stage” program through the Foundation’s Educational Outreach Program.
Children have become tigers, butterflies or dogs at the face-painting stations at Kid-O-Rama. Readers’ theatre allowed myself and members of the community to bring “Romeo and Juliet” to life in about 30 square feet of space at the Honeywell House. I’ve been to the free Plaza Series, where babies, children, teens, adults and the elderly dance for the hundreds in attendance to see.
As a native of suburban Indianapolis, I couldn’t imagine living my life anywhere else but Wabash, Indiana, and the Honeywell Foundation is in the center of that statement.
One of my only regrets in life is that it took me 22 years to get here.”
– Eric Seaman
“The Honeywell Foundation by preserving and operating the Honeywell Center was a significant contributing factor behind the decision to move my family to Wabash County.
Last fall, I visited Wabash for the first time. This resulted from a request by a mutual friend to meet with the owner of B. Walter & Co., Inc. (B. Walter) and share my sales experience from the medical device industry which was a new market for the company. Upon arriving in Wabash, my initial impression was formed when seeing the Honeywell Center. This caught my attention and created a positive view on Wabash right from the start, as I share a Honeywell connection.
Growing up in Toledo, my mother told us about Mr. Honeywell and that when he died he had no direct descendants. She enjoyed telling this story since her father’s (Harold Miller’s) grandmother was Harriet Elizabeth Honeywell(born in 1846) from Napoleon, Ohio which made us part Honeywell. Additionally, research conducted by my family in the past year indicates that Mark Honeywell and Harriet Honeywell were distant cousins.
This Honeywell connection has further meaning to me as my middle name comes from my grandfather, Harold Miller. When my grandfather was 10 years old, his father divorced his mother and a year later his mother died of tuberculosis. As a result, he and his sister were adopted and raised by Grandmother Honeywell, my Great Great Grandmother. The Honeywell upbringing must have been a good experience for my grandfather as he went on to serve in World War I with an honorable discharge, obtained a law degree and served as a State Representative in Ohio for 5 terms.
During my first visit with the owner of B. Walter, I asked about the Honeywell Wabash relationship. It was during this visit that pieces of the Honeywell history puzzle started coming together. For example, I learned that Wabash is where the Honeywell Company started, having previously thought it was in Minneapolis.
From the beginning, I felt very much at home in Wabash. Wabash isn’t just any town, it is the town where the Honeywell Company started and where the “Honeywell spirit” is alive. B. Walter isn’t just any manufacturing company, it is among the oldest manufacturing companies in Indiana. Also, it was intriguing to learn that the receiving location for B. Walter’s shipments to its largest customer on Bond Street is a former Honeywell manufacturing location.
That first visit to Wabash proved to be a life changing event. Over time, it was revealed that the owner of B. Walter was contemplating selling his company and retiring. Based on the attractiveness of the company and the Wabash community which includes easy access to the Arts courtesy of the Honeywell Foundation, I made an offer to purchase B. Walter. After considering several offers, the owner ended up selecting mine and here I am today with my wife Siouxanne in Wabash running B. Walter. It feels like this is my destiny and the Honeywell Center’s presence was a key sign that inspired me to take on this challenge.
In 2016, I have enjoyed a number of performances at Honeywell facilities (ex. KC and the Sunshine Band, Light up the Town, Jazz on the Lawn, Aaron Barker & Friends, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, etc.) which helped advance my understanding and appreciation of the Arts. The Honeywell Foundation through its many operations is the backbone of Wabash County. The events at Honeywell facilities are outstanding which raises the quality of life for the entire region. Clearly, the Mark Honeywell spirit lives on through the work of the Foundation.
My Honeywell story, although over 100 years in the making, is really just beginning for me. Based on my past business experiences, over time B. Walter should grow into a larger and more productive business allowing for our increased prosperity to be shared with our employees and the Wabash community.
You’re sure to receive many worthy submissions for such a wonderful and generous grand prize. If my essay isn’t the winner, that won’t change my desire to support the mission of the Honeywell Foundation. Just driving by the Honeywell Center on my way to B. Walter each morning alone provides an inspirational lift to me.
Should my essay be selected the winner, the prize tickets will be given to B. Walter employees to enjoy. A number of them may be financially stressed limiting their ability to see the magic of Ford Theater performances. This would provide them with the opportunity to experience more of your events. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.”
– Scott Buehrer
The Honeywell Center and Me: A Love Story
“The theater is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed. It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive.” – John Steinbeck
“I love this quote by John Steinbeck, as he is one of my favorite authors. And I’m not just saying that: when I was in high school, I chose to do an English theme paper on his epic book, The Grapes of Wrath. I was enthralled with the way he described the desperation of the Dust Bowl years, and how Americans struggled valiantly to survive the horrific conditions of the time. Yet despite the suffering, the struggles, the poverty, and the hunger, the people still managed to find commonality amongst themselves: they were all human, they experienced the same emotions, and they were searching for the same fragment of humanity that would make them feel they had a purpose and a place on earth. This is the way I feel about the theater, and the ideas that are brought to life on the stage of the Honeywell Center. Everyone sitting in that theater comes from different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, families, socioeconomic status, etc. but when we fill the seats of the Ford Theater and the lights go down, we become one in our transportation to another world filled with story, song, dance, and humor. It is an experience I have come to know, love, and share with my family in the years since we have lived in Wabash County.
I have always been a fan of movies, bands, theater, and especially musicals. Growing up in a small town in Indiana, however, did not lend itself to being able to watch many theatrical shows, and certainly none that were Broadway caliber. When we moved to Wabash County, it only took a few months before I became aware of the Honeywell Center and all the great shows and artists that performed there every month. I was ecstatic to have such a center for the arts so close to my home! I couldn’t wait to share my enthusiasm with my family. Unfortunately, the only person I could get to attend a show with me initially was my 6-year-old daughter. We bought tickets to “Annie,” and the night of the show I could hardly contain my excitement! My daughter had never been to a show, and when the lights went down I glanced at her as she sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes gleaming in anticipation. From the moment of the first note of the pit orchestra, we were both transfixed. The acting, the vocals, the costumes, the dancing………it was all phenomenal, and brought our imaginations along for the ride. By the time the last note sounded and the cast was taking its first bow, I had tears in my eyes. I couldn’t believe our good fortune to have such a venue with this kind of Broadway-worthy show at our disposal, in our own county. Since that night, we have seen “Oklahoma,” “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Fiddler On The Roof,” and “West Side Story,” to name a few.
Another great example of the legacy of the Honeywell Foundation is the support given to local artists, musicians, actors, and talent. My daughter and I were privileged to be chosen to participate in the great local play “Wait ‘Til You Get To Wabash,” written by one of Wabash’s own citizens. We practiced many days and nights, and got to know several members of the community better while getting to be part of a historic production. The show days were wonderful, with hundreds and hundreds of attendees enjoying the great story and original songs.
And the final way the Honeywell Center has impacted my life and won my heart is through my previous work as a stage hand for the Ford Theater. I was able to help with some of the productions in many different ways, whether it was unloading the semis, putting props together, laundering costumes, or styling wigs. Each of these experiences brought to life the world of the theater in a new and exciting way for me. Seeing the theater from a backstage perspective only deepened my appreciation for the immense talent of the performers as well as heightened my awareness of how blessed we are as a community to have such great production managers, stage hands, electrical crews, etc. All of these individuals are from our communities and together they bring the Ford Theater stage to life year after year.
So in closing, I think John Steinbeck got it exactly right. There are truly “tough and devoted people” that keep the theater and the legacy of the Honeywell Foundation alive for all of us to enjoy, and I feel blessed every time the lights dim and I sink down in my Ford Theater seat and let my imagination sail away…”
– Lisa Flack
What The Honeywell Foundation Has Meant to Me Through the Years
“As I sat down to write this essay, memories of the Honeywell Foundation/Center came rushing back. These memories cover more than 65 years.
My memories start as a child when I was active in the Wabash Community Service programs. I had the very good fortune to be involved in the woodworking shop classes; instructions on good picture taking techniques and use of the dark room; working in the ceramics room making art objects, at least I thought they were art objects, which I proudly presented to my mother. Later in life I was able to return some of that good fortune by serving on the Community Service Board and a term as president working with outstanding individuals such as Don Baer, Director, and Jan Ellison, Assistant Director. It was a rewarding experience to be a part of what W. C. Mills and Mark Honeywell gave to this Community.
As a high school student, I attended many Apache basketball games in the Honeywell Gym. During my Junior and Senior years, I was the PA announcer for the games giving the starting lineups, which helped with my public speaking in later life. After the games, fun times were had in the Apache Way, having a soda with friends and, if possible, snagging a booth in the twosome lane with a girlfriend. The skating rink provided many hours of enjoyment and entertainment with friends and a few bruises.
As an adult, the Foundation has continued to provide opportunities to me. As a young adult, I had opportunities to be involved in many community activities, such as the Lions Club, and many Chamber of Commerce meetings. I was a member of the Personnel Committee, a forerunner of the current Wabash Area Personnel Association, and served as its President. These activities took place in the Honeywell Center. It was always a pleasure to work with the Center staff and to hold meetings in the Center’s beautiful surroundings. How many other towns, of any size, can boast having a Center that offers these amenities to its citizens?
The Foundation/Center has enriched the Community and surrounding area over the years with entertainment offering that goes above and beyond what anyone could believe possible for a town the size of Wabash. It has been my good fortune, over the years, to be exposed to much of this entertainment. I have been a member of the Wabash Valley Music Association for many years, dating back to when the programs were held in the Gym-atorium. I can remember when the seating and acoustics were updated, the padded seats were a great improvement over the hard-wooden bleacher seats until the individuals in front of you leaned back and your knees had no place to go. This was soon corrected with additional supports to the backrests. The Gym-atorium served us well until the 1994 addition to the Center gave us the gorgeous Ford theater, an art gallery, Eugenia’s Restaurant and the Olivette Room. This addition is truly “The Miracle on Market Street”.
In my later years, the Foundation has afforded me the opportunity to give of my time through volunteer work. Many organizations seem to view volunteers as a burden; but not the Foundation. The staff at the Foundation seem to welcome the extra help and the opportunities to volunteer are endless, as I have found to be true. I volunteer as an Educational Outreach Ambassador, a worker at the summer arts camp, winter and spring bashes, tour guide, delivery person, host at the Dr. James Ford Historic Home, and have been a member of the Christmas decorating team for the past 10 to 12 years.
The Honeywell Foundation continues to enhance my life each day.
This Diamond, that we call the Honeywell Foundation/Center, shines brighter each day. If the past 75 years is any indication, one can only imagine what the future holds for this Wabash gem.”
– Richard Tucker