Crumstown Residents Reminisce on 6-Year Anniversary of Tornadoes

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Crumstown Residents Reminisce on 6-Year Anniversary of Tornadoes

October 24, 2007 marks the sixth anniversary of tornadoes that touched down in St. Joseph County. Crumstown Highway was hit hard, with homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. (WSBT file photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Oct 24, 2007 at 5:15 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 31, 2007 at 8:42 PM EST

(WSBT) October 24, 2007 marks the sixth anniversary of tornadoes that touched down in St. Joseph County.

Crumstown Highway was hit hard, with homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. People who live there say rebuilding wasn't always easy.

"It doesn't seem possible like it was six years [ago]," said Renita Jaworski, owner of Jaworski Meat Market. "I remember it like it was yesterday of course."

"It's hard to believe it's been six years," said Crumstown resident Ken Kolacz.

A typical fall afternoon changed the small town of Crumstown forever. The tornadoes ripped through the area, tearing roofs off homes, snapping trees and destroying businesses.

One of the hardest hit areas was Jaworski's Meat Market, leaving a trail of devastation and months of rebuilding.

"It really looked like a war zone. The health department condemned the building and everything in it," Jaworski said. "So yeah, we had to inventory everything and then tear down and start from scratch."

But after a little more than a year of rebuilding, a brand new store was up and running — one that owners say is bigger and better than ever.

And just across the street, Betty and Adam Kolacz were also forced to rebuild their home. But after losing some precious possessions, they say it's just not the same.

"We have no more baby pictures, no more family pictures, those are all gone," Betty Kolacz said. "So that's what's hard."

It's easy for them to sympathize with the people of Nappanee.

"It's a struggle and you can get disappointed, but [take it] day by day and you can do it," said Jaworski.

"You know you lost a lot, but you just go on and hopefully things get better," said Ken Kolacz.

And after six years, the pictures show just how much staying patient and positive has paid off.

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