Manchester Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 15

MU| F e a t u r e s Food and all, MU students have most of what they need here. Emily, who works part time at the local day care center, says one of her favorite things to do is sit by a crackling bonfire under the moon and stars. “Anywhere is fun,” she adds, “when you’re with good friends.” Though MU draws many of its students from small towns, city-bred students often appreciate the slower pace and relative safety that North Manchester offers. “The people are what got me here,” says Vivien Carter ’16, a management major from the Indianapolis area who spent this summer working as an intern for the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce. In this community, says Vivien, “you’re going to have people who care about you.” Cool things “A” For her, those people include Norm and Laura Gable, who met Vivien when she volunteered for child care at the Manchester Church of the Brethren. The Gables live on a farm near town and invite Vivien for homecooked meals. “They very much made me feel like family.” That’s a familiar theme for other students, including Sara Cruz ’16, an accounting major from Fort Wayne. She moved to North Manchester full time after her sophomore year and rents a house in town with friends. “It’s a beautiful town,” says Sara, especially the downtown business district. She dines with her friends regularly at the Main View Inn and Zook’s and says the restaurant employees “make you feel like you’re at home.” For her entertainment, Vivien loves to visit with friends at the KenapocoMocha, a coffee house that features a made-from-scratch menu and welcomes customers to linger over their laptops, read a book or play a board game. She also enjoys North Manchester’s 60,000 hours • Safe and sound. North Manchester is easy to navigate on foot or bicycle. It’s also one of the 30 safest communities in Indiana, based on FBI crime statistics. • Public schools. Manchester Elementary School gets an “A” as one of Indiana’s “Four Star Schools” and Manchester JuniorSenior High School is ranked one of the state’s best by U.S. News & World Report. • Manchester Symphony Orchestra. This Universitycommunity partnership makes North Manchester one of the smallest towns in the U.S. to boast its own symphony. Bravo! • Really good food. Get world-famous tenderloins, authentic Mexican, scrumptious baked goods, bulk candies and snacks, and all kinds of made-from-scratch delights at mom-and-pop eateries. A bustling farmers market has fresh produce too. • Fitness vibe. With a membership or day pass, burn off calories at the Strauss-Peabody Aquatic and Fitness Center and enjoy two pools, sauna, whirlpool, steam room, fitness center and exercise classes. The North Manchester Community Trail Network features five marked trail loops through town. • Community spirit. MU students, faculty and staff volunteer more than 60,000 hours each year. Much of that time is spent working side-by-side with townspeople on projects that improve the quality of life. • Victorian style. Complementing its many historic homes, North Manchester is revitalizing its downtown business district by blending charm, one [ًXKZ