Colleen has chaired, sponsored, or volunteered at over 25 events in downtown Angola
Here’s What Our Community Members Say About Colleen…
“Colleen’s leadership (as President of the Angola Rotary) has resulted in (The Angola Rotary Club) having the highest membership growth out of the 57 total clubs in our district.”
– Tim Gibson, District Governor 6540
“Colleen is exactly what WE need……she cares and will work her (*^$^&%$#^& OFF!!!”
– Todd Saylor
“Colleen’s passion for our community is absolutely unmatched and I know she will work tirelessly to make our community a better place for all of us”
– Candace Smith
“Colleen is a great woman, she does EVERYTHING she can to help this community. I am so proud of her and I believe she would make a very good mayor of this town”.
– Bernie
“Colleen is a big supporter of youth and families in our community. She is passionate about helping people feel connected, is a hard worker, and values every community member equally. The best is she has a sense of humor”.
–Trish Sullivan
“Colleen has encouraged the growth of our Steuben County Farmers Market. When there was an issue with insurance, she developed a partnership with Angola Main Street and the Steuben County Farmers Market, so the market could stay open. She is also active in supporting the Market through grant writing.”
–Colleen Holman
“Colleen has brought so much life and spirit to Angola using her superb grant writing skills and vision for a successful and thriving city. She brings worldly experience in entrepreneurship, education, and the arts. She’s for the people, all people, and I believe she will bring much success as the new mayor of Angola.”
-Sophia Benedict
“Colleen has really taken it upon herself to find ways to improve our community. She has a passion for the city of Angola and the people in it. My family has benefited from the projects that she has poured her heart into, including the Sojourner Truth Underground Railroad walk, the Angola Art Festival, and weekly piano lessons for my daughter, in addition, she has been behind wonderful events such as women’s week and luncheon and so much more.” – April Hoff
“The intersection in personality and giftedness of Colleen Everage is remarkable. She has ambitious ideas and she takes action to see plans become reality. Colleen has an appreciation for other people and their dreams that I don’t see in many people. I am blessed to call her my friend.”
– Cheryl Wilhelm
“Colleen exemplifies such a strong female force, which is so inspiring to witness as a young girl. Colleen has such care for everyone in the community, especially the youth. She has always had total faith, no matter what I was trying to pursue and I couldn’t be more thankful for that kind of support.”
–Sienna Fee
“I have worked with Colleen in both the school system and as a member of the Cahoots board. She has always brought a great amount of energy, enthusiasm, and great ideas. I believe that the work that she has already done to improve our community would only be enhanced as Mayor”
– John French
“As the owner of POWERSCREEN, I know Colleen will serve to make Angola brighter. She cares about businesses, families, and not just our city, but is concerned and helpful for our county and state.”
– Bryan Shutt
“Colleen was helpful with getting our restaurant, Little Chef business started, and now we have grown to Sofia’s. We are grateful for her help so we can serve Angola. She is very supportive”
-Nancy Navarro
“I think Colleen would be good for mayor. She is involved in the community, brings things to Steuben County and she is a people person!!
-Angel Williams
“Colleen is someone I know you can count on. She helped me to become the person I am today……Without her help and constant support, I would have been a different person. I cannot thank her enough for being a part of my support system.”
– Jourdan Krohn
“In my opinion, Colleen Everage will make a good mayor for Angola. Not only has she demonstrated her interest in various not-for-profits over the years, she is forward thinking and truly cares about Angola and the surrounding community.
-Fred Beck
“Mrs. Everage is the kindest person in the world. She has a heart of gold. She never gives up and is always there when you need her. She is a good friend and a good singer. And she has a fabulous personality.”
–Darbi Brumbaugh
“I was able to work with Colleen in 2016 through the Hometown Collaborative Initiative with Purdue and Ball State. It was two years of collecting data that included Angola. The data showed residents wanted more arts and culture. Colleen helped to develop Main Street to serve that need and also is a founding member of the Mayors Arts Council. Thanks to people like Colleen, Angola feels like home.”
–Crystal Van Pelt
“Colleen is one of the most genuine people I know. Her love for Angola is just genuine. She has traveled the globe and still decided that our small sliver of the world was worth improving. I couldn’t think of a better candidate for Mayor of Angola. I have no doubt that she will continue to help improve Angola and make it a destination to many other world travelers like herself.”
– Gabriela McHugh
“Our family moved to the community in 2021 from Seattle. I looked into a couple of groups to get involved in when we moved here. Those groups were Rotary and Steuben County GOP. Colleen was a member of both and later found out she was involved in numerous other groups. She is very welcoming to new members of the community and makes you feel welcome!”
– John Towers
“She is in tune with so many organizations and has great insight into what we need to be; a culturally progressive community while maintaining the integrity of traditions. Angola is very diverse in income population, we have very low-income and very high-income residents, and a lot of people in the middle, and it’s a big challenge to be able to serve those needs for affordable housing, goods and services, and safety. Angola needs leadership that is willing and able to look to the future.”
–Sheila Everidge
“As a business owner in Angola, I fully support Colleen Everage for mayor. Her commitment to putting the community first is unwavering and her vision for the future is bright. She consistently thinks ahead, considering the needs of the next generation to come, and I believe she is the right leader to ensure a prosperous future for Angola.
–Kyle Wainwright
“You can say many good things about Colleen and her family. Colleen is so many things but one thing she isn’t is selfish, controlling, etc. If you haven’t met her or had the opportunity to be around her, you should, you wouldn’t regret it. Colleen will put anyone/everyone first no matter the situation, as well as help everyone around her and the community. Colleen and her family have been nothing but great to my family and me.”
– Miguel Cruz
-Mark Carunchia
“Colleen has been instrumental in bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program to Steuben County. She is supportive of our local United Way and other non-profits. She has helped to connect resources for non-profits that transition funds for and support our community which assists our mission of making the most impact in our county and home.”
-Jessica Bird
– Craig Holman
“Colleen has a passion for this community, which is evident not only by her words but by her actions as well. She is always looking for a way to serve those around her and make this town a better place for everyone. Colleen is very supportive of the youth activities that are offered throughout the community. With children of her own that are involved, she is able to better relate to young families and see what needs may be present for the youth in our area. Anyone who has taken the time to have a conversation with Colleen can clearly see what a great advocate she is for our community.”
-Janna Duke
-Jeanette Meridew
“I worked for the Everage’s at Wehop and Colleen was a great boss, listened and cared. She always was upbeat and I know she cares a great deal about people and our community”
– Bridget McShane
-Nate Simons
“Everages run their business honestly and with integrity. Colleen will not let our side entities pull the wool over. We will be lucky to have her as our watchdog.”
-Mark Christ
“As a business owner, I am grateful that Colleen and Craig Everage were so very generous when we moved Printing Place, Inc. to our new location in one of their re-vitalized business buildings in town. The business space and improvements made to it prior to our leasing from them not only enhances our town but also shows the investment the Everage family makes in the community and businesses that operate here. I am truly thankful for their personal concern and efforts to assist in our successful transition!”
-Caroleann Trusty
Committee Chairman
Craig Everage
Craig Everage, husband to Colleen is a businessman, athlete, supporter, and promoter of the amenities of Angola and surrounding areas. For twenty years Craig has run Everage Auto in Angola with a recent expansion to Lagrange. He understands teamwork as he has been heavily involved in sports and coaching his entire life. In addition, he is a super late model race car driver, a burn survivor, and a member of the Phoenix Burn Society, where he has presented in support of other burn survivors. Craig is a member of the YMCA and has volunteer coached youth sports for over 18 years. He is a volunteer for the Cruise to the Monument and started the 4-H Steuben County Cruise-In.
“Colleen is an amazing wife and mom and has really helped me with employees, businesses, and investments. I would not be where I am today without her help. She’s the smartest person I know, and the community would be lucky to have her. She looks at things differently and can fix and find fun in boring things. She can see how things can be better. She’s grateful, never complains, and is patient with everybody.”
Committee Treasurer
Linda Parks
Linda served as the Steuben County Chief Probation Officer where she started the Community Service and Home Detention programs and was awarded “Indiana Probation Officer” of the year. She prevailed and led as a woman in a field where there were few. She was the secretary of the Child Protection Team and served on the board of the Northeastern Center. She also served on the Indiana Judicial Center team which set new standards for probation. Linda was an expert in the areas of sexual assault, domestic issues, child abuse, domestic violence, and juvenile and adult probation. Linda is a member of the Angola United Methodist Church and served the Girl Scouts and BPW (Business and Professional Women). She is a Chaplin for P.E.O., a Rotarian, and an Honorary Board Member of the Steuben County Humane Society. She is a graduate of Angola High School and attended Tri-State University. She and her late husband (Bill Parks) have two daughters; Shelly Parks-Pittman of Carmel and Jodi Parks-Clouse of Angola.
“I have known Colleen Everage for many years. The first time I met her I was very impressed with her intelligence and drive to make the world a better place. Through the years I have watched her become interested in participating in numerous programs to beautify Angola. She is a skilled grant writer to fund programs in Angola. She has a master’s degree and taught in the Chicago Public School System, Italy, Trine, Angola high school, and middle school. She also completed the Lugar Series in Indianapolis.