Merrill Blosser was the first artist from Nappanee to gain national recognition as a professional cartoonist. His most popular cartoon, Freckles and His Friends, ran from 1915 to 1973 and was syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association. In 1965, the National Cartoonists Society honored Blosser on the fiftieth year of Freckles and for its wholesome entertainment. Five other Nappanee artists also became nationally recognized cartoonists. Henry Maust and Francis "Mike" Parks drew newspaper editorial cartoons; Bill Holman was best known for Smokey Stover, which ran from 1935 to 1973; Fred Neher's Life's Like That ran from 1934 to 1977; and Max Gwin drew Slim and Spud for Prairie Farmer from 1955 to 1991. Town, training, and careers connected these artists.