Crossroads Music Festival was a good place to be Saturday
« May 2008 | Main | July 2008 »
June 30, 2008
Crossroads Music Festival was a good place to be Saturday
Snapshots from Camp Whitley's 80th Anniversary Celebration
Snapshots from Camp Whitley's 80th Anniversary Celebration
Former campers, counselors converge to reminisce on the bygone days at Camp Whitley
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Seated along the logs near the lodge at Camp Whitley, and talking in small groups, campers of the past reminisce about their days at Camp Whitley. Below, former camper and counselor Chick Harker signs a banner signifying the camp's 80th year. Three generations of Harker's family have attended Camp Whitley. Below, in a photo provided by Camp Whitley, Pleasant Guy Stickler is shown proudly holding a Camp Whitley t-shirt. The late Stickler was a long-time supporter of the camp. Recently, his family donated some memorabilia to the camp for future generations to enjoy.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Pulling up the long gravel drive to Camp Whitley Saturday afternoon, a sense of nostalgia was immediately present.
Groups of adults, standing in small clusters, or seated together on logs near the lodge building reminisced about their days as campers…not so long ago, it seemed. 
Yet, the camp has now been opened eight decades, enough time for as many as four generations of the same family to attend camp at the same scenic spot on the shore of Troy Cedar Lake in northwestern Whitley County.
Saturday afternoon marked the 80th anniversary celebration for Camp Whitley and brought out dozens of former campers and past counselors to share their memories and take another look around a place they remember so fondly.
“I looked at the lake and it looked like is must have shrunk,” said Richard Phend who attended the camp between the years of 1944-1947. “I think I could swim across it now!”
John Pence looked at some of the older cabins on site and said, “I helped build some of those cabins.”
Laughing, Pence added, “And back in the day, as campers, we probably helped tear down a few too.” 
JoEllen McConnell didn’t remember what year she attended camp, but did recall she had been a Pirate and had won the best archer award that year.
Camp Whitley board member Carrie Gates, herself a former camper, said they are currently collecting stories and memorabilia from the past 80 years and hope to compile it into a book eventually.
With 80 years of experiences at camp, she said, “we’d hate for those memories to be lost.”
Gates said she hopes the book, upon completion, would be available for sale and a copy would also be given to the Whitley County Historical Museum for future generations to enjoy.
In a small display inside the lodge, a collection of recently donated memorabilia can be found. The family of the late Pleasant Guy Stickler contributed a booklet, a 1933 attitude award patch, ribbons and certificates from his stay at Camp Whitley in the early years. Several generations of Stickler’s family have been Camp Whitley participants.
As with any great experience, you want your children and grandchildren to experience it as well. Chick Harker said three generations of his family had attended camp there. Bill Kettelkamp’s family might mark four generations.
Ted Gruver of Phoenix, Maryland, remember great times at camp, is carrying the tradition on with his grandson, Patrick Anderson.
Anderson has never attended an overnight camp before, but accompanied his grandfather to Camp Whitley on Saturday from Maryland and will be staying there this week – a 13th birthday gift from his grandparents. Gruver hopes to eventually send his granddaughters to Camp Whitley as well.
“I thought it would be a great thing for him to come to camp,” Gruver said. “I have such fond memories here.”
Gruver and his family traveled the furthest to attend the 80th anniversary celebration Saturday.
Standing in the center of a circle of log benches, similar to the log benches campers have been seated around for decades, after each person present introduced themselves and talked briefly about their camp experience, Gates said, “Hopefully, Camp Whitley will be around for another 80 years.”
Former campers, counselors converge to reminisce on the bygone days at Camp Whitley
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Seated along the logs near the lodge at Camp Whitley, and talking in small groups, campers of the past reminisce about their days at Camp Whitley. Below, former camper and counselor Chick Harker signs a banner signifying the camp's 80th year. Three generations of Harker's family have attended Camp Whitley. Below, in a photo provided by Camp Whitley, Pleasant Guy Stickler is shown proudly holding a Camp Whitley t-shirt. The late Stickler was a long-time supporter of the camp. Recently, his family donated some memorabilia to the camp for future generations to enjoy.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Pulling up the long gravel drive to Camp Whitley Saturday afternoon, a sense of nostalgia was immediately present.
Groups of adults, standing in small clusters, or seated together on logs near the lodge building reminisced about their days as campers…not so long ago, it seemed.
Yet, the camp has now been opened eight decades, enough time for as many as four generations of the same family to attend camp at the same scenic spot on the shore of Troy Cedar Lake in northwestern Whitley County.
Saturday afternoon marked the 80th anniversary celebration for Camp Whitley and brought out dozens of former campers and past counselors to share their memories and take another look around a place they remember so fondly.
“I looked at the lake and it looked like is must have shrunk,” said Richard Phend who attended the camp between the years of 1944-1947. “I think I could swim across it now!”
John Pence looked at some of the older cabins on site and said, “I helped build some of those cabins.”
Laughing, Pence added, “And back in the day, as campers, we probably helped tear down a few too.”
JoEllen McConnell didn’t remember what year she attended camp, but did recall she had been a Pirate and had won the best archer award that year.
Camp Whitley board member Carrie Gates, herself a former camper, said they are currently collecting stories and memorabilia from the past 80 years and hope to compile it into a book eventually.
With 80 years of experiences at camp, she said, “we’d hate for those memories to be lost.”
Gates said she hopes the book, upon completion, would be available for sale and a copy would also be given to the Whitley County Historical Museum for future generations to enjoy.
In a small display inside the lodge, a collection of recently donated memorabilia can be found. The family of the late Pleasant Guy Stickler contributed a booklet, a 1933 attitude award patch, ribbons and certificates from his stay at Camp Whitley in the early years. Several generations of Stickler’s family have been Camp Whitley participants.
As with any great experience, you want your children and grandchildren to experience it as well. Chick Harker said three generations of his family had attended camp there. Bill Kettelkamp’s family might mark four generations.
Ted Gruver of Phoenix, Maryland, remember great times at camp, is carrying the tradition on with his grandson, Patrick Anderson.
Anderson has never attended an overnight camp before, but accompanied his grandfather to Camp Whitley on Saturday from Maryland and will be staying there this week – a 13th birthday gift from his grandparents. Gruver hopes to eventually send his granddaughters to Camp Whitley as well.
“I thought it would be a great thing for him to come to camp,” Gruver said. “I have such fond memories here.”
Gruver and his family traveled the furthest to attend the 80th anniversary celebration Saturday.
Standing in the center of a circle of log benches, similar to the log benches campers have been seated around for decades, after each person present introduced themselves and talked briefly about their camp experience, Gates said, “Hopefully, Camp Whitley will be around for another 80 years.”
Whitley County Amateur Radio Club field day provided community education, awareness of amateur radio
(Talk of the Town photos by E. Matthew Pugh) Participating in the ARRL field day event at Peabody Public Library, Whitley County Amateur Radio Club members Lee Simmonds, left, and Ed Scott, right, work together to make contact with other radio operators around the country. Below, a temporary radio tower stands steady despite winds. In extended entry, the radio shown is one that can be used by amateur radio operators to assist local authorities durinng crisis situations when all other forms of communication have failed.
By E. Matthew Pugh
Every year in the U.S. the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) members put on a field day. Locally, the field day was held over a 24-hour period from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday. 
Field day is put on for two reasons -- the first is to raise awareness that there are still amateur radio clubs out there and to share with the community that amateur radio clubs have been gaining members as the years progress. The second reason is to give people a feel for what exactly an amateur radio group does.
Field day is held all over the U.S. by other groups of the ARRL and is a sort of competition. Points are awarded to a group for various things such as making contact with another group, teaching someone without a license and having them make contact with another group. Additionally, teaching a child gains them even more points for teaching the youth about amateur radio. The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club were awarded extra points for holding their field day at the Peabody Public Library, because it is considered public property.
The Peabody Public Library had approached Whitley County's local radio club to see if they would put on an event to show children and other patrons the ins and outs of amateur radio. The Whitley County Radio Amateur Radio Club have been holding their meetings at the library for some time now and asked if they could make their event the day of field day and earn some extra points while teaching the youth of Whitley County about amateur radio, said local radio club member Dan Dahms.
Throughout their setup, some of the members had some scares with setting up the radio tower but eventually got it up and running just fine despite a bit of wind yesterday. Their largest tent, a headquarters of sorts, was blown over by the strong wind early on and was damaged too extensively to put back up. Rain also caused them some trouble in the beginning, but soon subsided to extreme heat.
They had three stations set up, and all of it was running on emergency power generators. They can contact people as far south as Mexico and as far north as Canada.
By late afternoon, they had contacted Canada, Texas, New Mexico and Florida. They normally get about 1 contact a minute, but can get 2-3 in a minute on a good day.
This individual club has existed since 1990, and no other amateur radio clubs are known to have existed before it in Whitley County. Most clubs have been around since the 1930s and 1940s so Whitley County's club is fairly young.
On field day, according to Dahms, amateur radio club members are only trying to have short conversations and trying to get location information to gain more points. Normally, these amateur radio clubs would talk to people over the radio about just about anything -- having interesting conversations with people they've never met. The only thing that is illegal to talk about over amateur radio is business, Dahms said. You cannot have any business-related talks over amateur radio.
It is interesting to know that amateur radio has continued to develop as technology upgrades. Amateur radio has the ability to use the internet to reach farther distances with short range radios. They have something called APRS which is a form of GPS that allows tracking, and allows them to send short text messages. Amateur radio was also sending small pictures and texts before cell phones were able to do it. 
One of the most important things to know, however, is that when a natural disaster happens, such as the flooding that took place in southern Indiana not to long ago, it knocks out all of their forms of communication, cell towers, phone lines, internet -- however radio still works, amateur radio technicians were the ones in those kind of situations to send messages to the other shelters, and called in for more help because radio has it's own system and doesn't rely on a large network to continue working.
More than 650,000 Americans have Amateur Radio licenses and there are over 2.5 million license holders through the world.
There were over 30,000 operators in last year’s field day event.
Whitley County Amateur Radio Club field day provided community education, awareness of amateur radio
(Talk of the Town photos by E. Matthew Pugh) Participating in the ARRL field day event at Peabody Public Library, Whitley County Amateur Radio Club members Lee Simmonds, left, and Ed Scott, right, work together to make contact with other radio operators around the country. Below, a temporary radio tower stands steady despite winds. In extended entry, the radio shown is one that can be used by amateur radio operators to assist local authorities durinng crisis situations when all other forms of communication have failed.
By E. Matthew Pugh
Every year in the U.S. the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) members put on a field day. Locally, the field day was held over a 24-hour period from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Field day is put on for two reasons -- the first is to raise awareness that there are still amateur radio clubs out there and to share with the community that amateur radio clubs have been gaining members as the years progress. The second reason is to give people a feel for what exactly an amateur radio group does.
Field day is held all over the U.S. by other groups of the ARRL and is a sort of competition. Points are awarded to a group for various things such as making contact with another group, teaching someone without a license and having them make contact with another group. Additionally, teaching a child gains them even more points for teaching the youth about amateur radio. The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club were awarded extra points for holding their field day at the Peabody Public Library, because it is considered public property.
The Peabody Public Library had approached Whitley County's local radio club to see if they would put on an event to show children and other patrons the ins and outs of amateur radio. The Whitley County Radio Amateur Radio Club have been holding their meetings at the library for some time now and asked if they could make their event the day of field day and earn some extra points while teaching the youth of Whitley County about amateur radio, said local radio club member Dan Dahms.
Throughout their setup, some of the members had some scares with setting up the radio tower but eventually got it up and running just fine despite a bit of wind yesterday. Their largest tent, a headquarters of sorts, was blown over by the strong wind early on and was damaged too extensively to put back up. Rain also caused them some trouble in the beginning, but soon subsided to extreme heat.
They had three stations set up, and all of it was running on emergency power generators. They can contact people as far south as Mexico and as far north as Canada.
By late afternoon, they had contacted Canada, Texas, New Mexico and Florida. They normally get about 1 contact a minute, but can get 2-3 in a minute on a good day.
This individual club has existed since 1990, and no other amateur radio clubs are known to have existed before it in Whitley County. Most clubs have been around since the 1930s and 1940s so Whitley County's club is fairly young.
On field day, according to Dahms, amateur radio club members are only trying to have short conversations and trying to get location information to gain more points. Normally, these amateur radio clubs would talk to people over the radio about just about anything -- having interesting conversations with people they've never met. The only thing that is illegal to talk about over amateur radio is business, Dahms said. You cannot have any business-related talks over amateur radio.
It is interesting to know that amateur radio has continued to develop as technology upgrades. Amateur radio has the ability to use the internet to reach farther distances with short range radios. They have something called APRS which is a form of GPS that allows tracking, and allows them to send short text messages. Amateur radio was also sending small pictures and texts before cell phones were able to do it.
One of the most important things to know, however, is that when a natural disaster happens, such as the flooding that took place in southern Indiana not to long ago, it knocks out all of their forms of communication, cell towers, phone lines, internet -- however radio still works, amateur radio technicians were the ones in those kind of situations to send messages to the other shelters, and called in for more help because radio has it's own system and doesn't rely on a large network to continue working.
More than 650,000 Americans have Amateur Radio licenses and there are over 2.5 million license holders through the world.
There were over 30,000 operators in last year’s field day event.
June 29, 2008
Old Settlers Day photographs...
Readers, if you have photographs of various Old Settlers Days events or of your family enjoying themselves at the festival you'd like to share with fellow Talk of the Town readers, we'd love to publish them here...send them to: jennifer@talkofthetownwc.com
We have a few more of our own we'll be sharing over the next few days as well.
Old Settlers Day photographs...
Readers, if you have photographs of various Old Settlers Days events or of your family enjoying themselves at the festival you'd like to share with fellow Talk of the Town readers, we'd love to publish them here...send them to: jennifer@talkofthetownwc.com
We have a few more of our own we'll be sharing over the next few days as well.
Local amateur radio operators conduct 24-hour field day at Peabody Public Library
Local amateur radio operators conduct 24-hour field day at Peabody Public Library
Snapshots of the 2008 American Legion Old Settlers Day Parade
Snapshots of the 2008 American Legion Old Settlers Day Parade
June 28, 2008
Dekko Foundation supports 4-H Feeder Calf barn building project with $35,000 grant
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Longtime Whitley County 4-H volunteer Ron Myer was beaming Friday night – sharing that the feeder calf barn building project has received a boost that ensures its completion in time for this year’s fair in July.
Myer was notified that the Dekko Foundation will be awarding a $35,000 grant to the project.
“We should have everything we need now,” Myer said.
“The Dekko Foundation has been very good to us,” he said.
The Dekko Foundation supported the building of the Whitley County Agricultural History Museum and 4-H Learning Center with a significant grant during its construction two years ago.
Dekko Foundation supports 4-H Feeder Calf barn building project with $35,000 grant
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Longtime Whitley County 4-H volunteer Ron Myer was beaming Friday night – sharing that the feeder calf barn building project has received a boost that ensures its completion in time for this year’s fair in July.
Myer was notified that the Dekko Foundation will be awarding a $35,000 grant to the project.
“We should have everything we need now,” Myer said.
“The Dekko Foundation has been very good to us,” he said.
The Dekko Foundation supported the building of the Whitley County Agricultural History Museum and 4-H Learning Center with a significant grant during its construction two years ago.
A great vantage point...
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A few teens found an ideal spot to watch the American Legion Old Settlers Days parade -- in the turret atop Smith & Sons Funeral Home on North Main Street in Columbia City.
Many more photos of the parade will be published on the site throughout the weekend.
A great vantage point...
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A few teens found an ideal spot to watch the American Legion Old Settlers Days parade -- in the turret atop Smith & Sons Funeral Home on North Main Street in Columbia City.
Many more photos of the parade will be published on the site throughout the weekend.
James Wise named OSD's Longest Continuous Resident
(Talk of the Town photo by Lyn Lancaster) James Wise of Etna Troy Township was named Whitley County's Longest Continuous Resident by the Old Settlers Days Association on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, Red Coats Tom Drew and Fritz Martin, 2008 OSD president, visited Wise at his daughter's home and presented his plaque. At the age of 94 years, eight months and 22 days, he was born in Whitley County on October 15, 1913. Above, from left, is Tom Drew, James Wise and Fritz Martin.
James Wise named OSD's Longest Continuous Resident
(Talk of the Town photo by Lyn Lancaster) James Wise of Etna Troy Township was named Whitley County's Longest Continuous Resident by the Old Settlers Days Association on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, Red Coats Tom Drew and Fritz Martin, 2008 OSD president, visited Wise at his daughter's home and presented his plaque. At the age of 94 years, eight months and 22 days, he was born in Whitley County on October 15, 1913. Above, from left, is Tom Drew, James Wise and Fritz Martin.
What's happening today?
Today
The Columbia City Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the south edge of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn and near City Hall.
Camp Whitley is hosting their 80th year celebration from 1-4 p.m. at the camp on Troy Cedar Lake.
Crossroads Music Festival will be held at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds from 9 a.m. and continuing into the evening hours. Admission is $5 for anyone over age 12. Children 12 & under are free.
The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club will be hosting a 24-hour field day at the Peabody Public Library from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday. The community is invited visit and participate.
Old Settlers Days will continue today and conclude this evening at 11 p.m. The midway opens today at 1 p.m. with a wristband day until 5 p.m. The quilt show is scheduled to continue at the Whitley County Historical Museum until noon today. American Legion bingo will be held in the tent on the midway from noon-11 p.m. A karaoke contest for children ages 5-14 begins at 3:30 p.m. on the south courthouse stage followed by an adult karaoke contest for ages 15 and over at 8 p.m. Raffle drawing winners will be announced at 11:45 p.m.
What's happening today?
Today
The Columbia City Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the south edge of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn and near City Hall.
Camp Whitley is hosting their 80th year celebration from 1-4 p.m. at the camp on Troy Cedar Lake.
Crossroads Music Festival will be held at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds from 9 a.m. and continuing into the evening hours. Admission is $5 for anyone over age 12. Children 12 & under are free.
The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club will be hosting a 24-hour field day at the Peabody Public Library from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 2 p.m. on Sunday. The community is invited visit and participate.
Old Settlers Days will continue today and conclude this evening at 11 p.m. The midway opens today at 1 p.m. with a wristband day until 5 p.m. The quilt show is scheduled to continue at the Whitley County Historical Museum until noon today. American Legion bingo will be held in the tent on the midway from noon-11 p.m. A karaoke contest for children ages 5-14 begins at 3:30 p.m. on the south courthouse stage followed by an adult karaoke contest for ages 15 and over at 8 p.m. Raffle drawing winners will be announced at 11:45 p.m.
June 27, 2008
Mildred Wilkerson is county's Oldest Settler at OSD
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Standing proudly with the Red Coats, Mildred Wilkerson proudly holds the plaque she received Thursday evening proclaiming her the Oldest Settler at the 105th Old Settlers Days. From left is Jim Brock, Tom Drew, Mildred Wilkerson, Jacie Worrick and Fritz Martin. Below, a few snapshots of Wilkerson receiving her award near the OSD entertainment stage Thursday night.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In the midst of a thunderstorm, Mildred Barber Wilkerson was born on September 18, 1911, at a place that faded with the pages of time and exists no more – the Long Swamp near Loon Lake. 
Thursday evening, precisely 96 years, nine months and eight days, she was the recipient of something she never expected – 105th annual Old Settlers Days Oldest Settler Award.
On Thursday, Wilkerson traveled with her daughter, Gloria Baker, from her Thorncreek Township home to register her name in the annals of the Old Settlers Days at the Whitley County Historical Museum. Despite her age, she said she really had no idea she’d be Whitley County’s oldest settler to register this year. 
The only child of William and Leona Barber and bride of the late John Wilkerson, she attended Smith School and graduated with the Columbia City High School Class of 1930. She also attended six months of classes at Indiana Business College.
She attends Thorncreek Bethel Church of God on State Road 9 and has lived in the same home in Thorncreek Township since 1949. Known by many as “The Egg Lady,” she was known to have delivered fresh eggs from her farm to neighbors and others.
Back in the day, she said she and her husband loved square dancing and she still enjoys dancing. She also likes to read, care for her cats and is proud to say she does her own housework…and she doesn’t care for television, except to watch the news.
Smiling brightly as she shook the hands of the many Red Coats and well-wishers present to bestow her award on the courthouse lawn and celebrate her moment with her, Wilkerson said she was, “proud that the good Lord let me live this long.”
Though we was not present to receive his award Thursday evening, James Wise was found to be the longest continuous resident in attendance at Old Settlers Day registration and will be recognized with an award at his daughter’s home Friday afternoon.
Mildred Wilkerson is county's Oldest Settler at OSD
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Standing proudly with the Red Coats, Mildred Wilkerson proudly holds the plaque she received Thursday evening proclaiming her the Oldest Settler at the 105th Old Settlers Days. From left is Jim Brock, Tom Drew, Mildred Wilkerson, Jacie Worrick and Fritz Martin. Below, a few snapshots of Wilkerson receiving her award near the OSD entertainment stage Thursday night.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In the midst of a thunderstorm, Mildred Barber Wilkerson was born on September 18, 1911, at a place that faded with the pages of time and exists no more – the Long Swamp near Loon Lake.
Thursday evening, precisely 96 years, nine months and eight days, she was the recipient of something she never expected – 105th annual Old Settlers Days Oldest Settler Award.
On Thursday, Wilkerson traveled with her daughter, Gloria Baker, from her Thorncreek Township home to register her name in the annals of the Old Settlers Days at the Whitley County Historical Museum. Despite her age, she said she really had no idea she’d be Whitley County’s oldest settler to register this year.
The only child of William and Leona Barber and bride of the late John Wilkerson, she attended Smith School and graduated with the Columbia City High School Class of 1930. She also attended six months of classes at Indiana Business College.
She attends Thorncreek Bethel Church of God on State Road 9 and has lived in the same home in Thorncreek Township since 1949. Known by many as “The Egg Lady,” she was known to have delivered fresh eggs from her farm to neighbors and others.
Back in the day, she said she and her husband loved square dancing and she still enjoys dancing. She also likes to read, care for her cats and is proud to say she does her own housework…and she doesn’t care for television, except to watch the news.
Smiling brightly as she shook the hands of the many Red Coats and well-wishers present to bestow her award on the courthouse lawn and celebrate her moment with her, Wilkerson said she was, “proud that the good Lord let me live this long.”
Though we was not present to receive his award Thursday evening, James Wise was found to be the longest continuous resident in attendance at Old Settlers Day registration and will be recognized with an award at his daughter’s home Friday afternoon.
Democrats announce Hearld, Heaston to run
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Whitley County Democratic Party chair Patty Weybright announced late Thursday that local candidates have filed to run for a county commissioner’s seat as well as the 83rd District State Representative seat.
Larwill resident Tim Hearld has filed to run as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Tom Rethlake for Whitley County Commissioner.
“We will be working hard in Whitley County to see that Tim fills the chair,” Weybright said in a news release.
Whitley County resident Steve Heaston has also filed as s Democrat to run against Republican 83rd District State Representative incumbent Matt Bell. Bell currently serves a portion of northeast Whitley County.
“We wish him success with his campaign,” Weybright added.
Weybright and other local Democrats recently returned from the Democratic State Convention where national delegates were selected to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver, slated for August.
Weybright shared that on July 20th, during the demolition derby at the Whitley County 4-H Fair, many local and state Democratic candidates will be in attendance to meet with local residents.
“The County 4-H Fair has declared that day ‘Democrat Day at the Fair,” Weybright said.
Whitley County Democrats meet the third Saturday each month at The Brownstone in South Whitley at 8:30 a.m. The next breakfast will be July 18.
District Democrats meet the 4th Saturday of each month for breakfast at Brevin’s in Churubusco.
“It’s always a good time,” added Weybright.
Democrats announce Hearld, Heaston to run
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Whitley County Democratic Party chair Patty Weybright announced late Thursday that local candidates have filed to run for a county commissioner’s seat as well as the 83rd District State Representative seat.
Larwill resident Tim Hearld has filed to run as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Tom Rethlake for Whitley County Commissioner.
“We will be working hard in Whitley County to see that Tim fills the chair,” Weybright said in a news release.
Whitley County resident Steve Heaston has also filed as s Democrat to run against Republican 83rd District State Representative incumbent Matt Bell. Bell currently serves a portion of northeast Whitley County.
“We wish him success with his campaign,” Weybright added.
Weybright and other local Democrats recently returned from the Democratic State Convention where national delegates were selected to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver, slated for August.
Weybright shared that on July 20th, during the demolition derby at the Whitley County 4-H Fair, many local and state Democratic candidates will be in attendance to meet with local residents.
“The County 4-H Fair has declared that day ‘Democrat Day at the Fair,” Weybright said.
Whitley County Democrats meet the third Saturday each month at The Brownstone in South Whitley at 8:30 a.m. The next breakfast will be July 18.
District Democrats meet the 4th Saturday of each month for breakfast at Brevin’s in Churubusco.
“It’s always a good time,” added Weybright.
Crossroads Music Festival planned for Saturday at Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds in Columbia City
(Photo Provided) Huckleberry Blue is one of several popular local bands that will perform Saturday at the Crossroads Music Festival at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds on State Road 9, just north of Columbia City. Huckleberry Blue is also scheduled to perform this evening on the entertainment stage at Old Settlers Days.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Uniting in support of a good cause and for the love of music, the Crossroads Music Festival will bring together some of the area’s best country, bluegrass and original artists on Saturday, June 28. 
The third annual event, held at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds on State Road 9 in Columbia City, will feature the live music of area favorites including Huckleberry Blue, Cheyenne, Roger Marshall & The Law, Kenny Taylor, Edible and Shade Jonze. Proceeds from the event with support Shriners Hospital for Children and the Cleft Advocate, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and assistance of those born with facial differences, such as cleft lips and palates.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day and into the evening. Onsite primitive camping is available in addition to lodging discounts at Executive Inn on Frontage Road in Columbia City.
In addition to great live music, the event will also feature a car show, with bikes welcome. Registration for the show will be from 9 a.m.- noon and the show will be held from noon-3 p.m. Dash plaques will be presented to the first 50 participants. Prizes will also be awarded.
CJ’s Drive in will have lunch items available for purchase. A hog roast with all the trimmings will be served at dinner time for $5 per plate.
Additional activities include children’s games, a corn hole tournament for the first 20 teams. Registration for the tournament will be held from 3-5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded. A 50/50 raffle is also planned.
Admission to the event is $5 per person with children age 12 and under attending for free.
Crossroads Music Festival planned for Saturday at Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds in Columbia City
(Photo Provided) Huckleberry Blue is one of several popular local bands that will perform Saturday at the Crossroads Music Festival at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds on State Road 9, just north of Columbia City. Huckleberry Blue is also scheduled to perform this evening on the entertainment stage at Old Settlers Days.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Uniting in support of a good cause and for the love of music, the Crossroads Music Festival will bring together some of the area’s best country, bluegrass and original artists on Saturday, June 28.
The third annual event, held at the Mizpah Shrine Horsegrounds on State Road 9 in Columbia City, will feature the live music of area favorites including Huckleberry Blue, Cheyenne, Roger Marshall & The Law, Kenny Taylor, Edible and Shade Jonze. Proceeds from the event with support Shriners Hospital for Children and the Cleft Advocate, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and assistance of those born with facial differences, such as cleft lips and palates.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day and into the evening. Onsite primitive camping is available in addition to lodging discounts at Executive Inn on Frontage Road in Columbia City.
In addition to great live music, the event will also feature a car show, with bikes welcome. Registration for the show will be from 9 a.m.- noon and the show will be held from noon-3 p.m. Dash plaques will be presented to the first 50 participants. Prizes will also be awarded.
CJ’s Drive in will have lunch items available for purchase. A hog roast with all the trimmings will be served at dinner time for $5 per plate.
Additional activities include children’s games, a corn hole tournament for the first 20 teams. Registration for the tournament will be held from 3-5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded. A 50/50 raffle is also planned.
Admission to the event is $5 per person with children age 12 and under attending for free.
Quilts on display at the historical museum
Quilts on display at the historical museum
Camp Whitley to celebrate 80 years Saturday
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Camp Whitley will celebrate their 80th season of summer on Saturday afternoon with an open house from 1-4 p.m. The community, including past campers of eight decades, are invited to attend, tour and reminisce together about memories made at Camp Whitley.
Camp Whitley to celebrate 80 years Saturday
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Camp Whitley will celebrate their 80th season of summer on Saturday afternoon with an open house from 1-4 p.m. The community, including past campers of eight decades, are invited to attend, tour and reminisce together about memories made at Camp Whitley.
Snapshots for Thursday at Old Settlers Days
Snapshots for Thursday at Old Settlers Days
June 26, 2008
Registering the Old Settlers (and a few young ones)
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Old Settlers of many ages took part in the requisite event of Old Settlers week -- the annual Old Settlers Day Registration held the Thursday of Old Settlers Days each year. Whitley County residents visit the Whitley County Historical Museum to sign in on the traditional registration books. Everyone who registers is an "old settler" from 6 to 96!
After registering in the township or city of residence, each registrant received a pale pink ribbon embossed with a gold seal, the year and designation as the 105th annual event. The ribbons and registration process have been an element of Old Settlers since the very first event was held in 1904 at Loon Lake.
Following the registration, volunteers determined the Oldest Settler in attendance at Old Settlers Days as well as the Longest Continuous Resident. Each individual is recognized by the Old Settlers Day Association with a plaque. We'll announce the winners on Friday.
Above, from left, are volunteers Gloria Smith, Erin Duym, Waneta Bundy, Connie Rohrbach, Elizabeth Earnhart, Jane Stroup and the museum's assistant director Angie Maley.
Registering the Old Settlers (and a few young ones)
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Old Settlers of many ages took part in the requisite event of Old Settlers week -- the annual Old Settlers Day Registration held the Thursday of Old Settlers Days each year. Whitley County residents visit the Whitley County Historical Museum to sign in on the traditional registration books. Everyone who registers is an "old settler" from 6 to 96!
After registering in the township or city of residence, each registrant received a pale pink ribbon embossed with a gold seal, the year and designation as the 105th annual event. The ribbons and registration process have been an element of Old Settlers since the very first event was held in 1904 at Loon Lake.
Following the registration, volunteers determined the Oldest Settler in attendance at Old Settlers Days as well as the Longest Continuous Resident. Each individual is recognized by the Old Settlers Day Association with a plaque. We'll announce the winners on Friday.
Above, from left, are volunteers Gloria Smith, Erin Duym, Waneta Bundy, Connie Rohrbach, Elizabeth Earnhart, Jane Stroup and the museum's assistant director Angie Maley.
Into every great day, a little rain must fall...
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A much-anticipated part of Old Settlers Days is the children's wristband day on the midway -- continuing today until 5 p.m. Storms brewed in the early part of the afternoon, with rainfall ensuing. The rain failed to damped the mood downtown, however, with plenty of eager fairgoers viewing the rainfall as a means of shortening lines perhaps? Above, the view of the downtown was magical from the roof of the Whitley County Courthouse. We have many beautiful photos taken from this vantage point this afternoon and will continue to share them over the course of the next several days.
Into every great day, a little rain must fall...
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A much-anticipated part of Old Settlers Days is the children's wristband day on the midway -- continuing today until 5 p.m. Storms brewed in the early part of the afternoon, with rainfall ensuing. The rain failed to damped the mood downtown, however, with plenty of eager fairgoers viewing the rainfall as a means of shortening lines perhaps? Above, the view of the downtown was magical from the roof of the Whitley County Courthouse. We have many beautiful photos taken from this vantage point this afternoon and will continue to share them over the course of the next several days.
Eagles Lodge #1906 serves of plates full of tradition
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A longstanding tradition, the Columbia City Eagles Lodge hosted their annual Noodle Lunch today, serving up heaping, steaming plates of chicken noodles and beef noodles over mashed potatoes, below. Those with a hankering for more can come back for the Noodle Dinner tonight from 4-7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, located on the northwest corner of Van Buren and Line Street. Above, Kim Swain, a CANI volunteer, cheerfully serves a helping of chicken noodles for a hungry lunchtime visitor.
Eagles Lodge #1906 serves of plates full of tradition
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) A longstanding tradition, the Columbia City Eagles Lodge hosted their annual Noodle Lunch today, serving up heaping, steaming plates of chicken noodles and beef noodles over mashed potatoes, below. Those with a hankering for more can come back for the Noodle Dinner tonight from 4-7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, located on the northwest corner of Van Buren and Line Street. Above, Kim Swain, a CANI volunteer, cheerfully serves a helping of chicken noodles for a hungry lunchtime visitor.
'Elmers' offering 24-hour ham radio field day at Peabody Public Library this Saturday, Sunday
Article Provided
The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club will participate in field day from a camp set up in the grove in front of the Peabody Public Library on June 28-29.
The club welcomes new members especially youth. The public is invited to sit with an experienced, licensed radio operator (an ‘ELMER’) and make contact with a radio operator across the country or in Canada or Mexico.
Learn about radio basics and etiquette, Morse Code, and how to get started with amateur radio. This is a 24-hour event starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday and finishing at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
There are 650,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world.
Through the ARRL’s ARES program, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies, all for free. To learn more about Amateur Radio, visit www.emergency-radio.org.
The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams and see what modern amateur radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event in amateur radio. Tens of thousands of amateur radio operators gather for a public demonstration of service. Field day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event.
For further information check out the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club website at www.wcarc.org
'Elmers' offering 24-hour ham radio field day at Peabody Public Library this Saturday, Sunday
Article Provided
The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club will participate in field day from a camp set up in the grove in front of the Peabody Public Library on June 28-29.
The club welcomes new members especially youth. The public is invited to sit with an experienced, licensed radio operator (an ‘ELMER’) and make contact with a radio operator across the country or in Canada or Mexico.
Learn about radio basics and etiquette, Morse Code, and how to get started with amateur radio. This is a 24-hour event starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday and finishing at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
There are 650,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world.
Through the ARRL’s ARES program, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for thousands of state and local emergency response agencies, all for free. To learn more about Amateur Radio, visit www.emergency-radio.org.
The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams and see what modern amateur radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event in amateur radio. Tens of thousands of amateur radio operators gather for a public demonstration of service. Field day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event.
For further information check out the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club website at www.wcarc.org
Residents urged to safely dispose of medical sharps
By Jorell Tucker
Needles and syringes should be separated from other trash and kept out of recycling. Health officials and sanitation workers are reminding residents to separate used medical needles, syringes or other sharp objects from their regular garbage and not to dispose of such objects in curbside recycling.
Instead of placing sharps with household trash or recycling, residents are asked to use one of these two alternative disposal methods:
- Place used needles, syringes, lancets in an approved sharps container (from a pharmacist, health care provider or medical supply store). The container should be puncture-proof with a tight-fitting lid. Then bring to the local Solid Waste Facility at 701 South Line Street in Columbia City. Or…
- Place these sharp objects into a heavy plastic or metal container such as a coffee can or liquid detergent bottle, sealed with tape and clearly marked as “Sharps.” Place this container out for pickup with other garbage.
Please, do not place these containers in recycling bins or with recyclables. These items are garbage only. Proper disposal is a must and will be properly disposed of at the local solid waste facility if you do not have regular garbage pickup.
Many people use needles and syringes for home medical care, but if these objects are not properly disposed of, they pose a grave health risk to anyone who encounters them. Used needles can transmit infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Workers at local solid waste collection facilities have seen a marked increase in the number of medical sharps found in curbside recycling in recent weeks and one employee was recently the victim of a needle stick.
Again, separate medical sharps from regular trash and never dispose of sharps in your curbside recycling.
Any further questions may be directed to the Whitley County Solid Waste Management District office at 248-3132 or the Whitley County Health Department office at 248-3121.
Residents urged to safely dispose of medical sharps
By Jorell Tucker
Needles and syringes should be separated from other trash and kept out of recycling. Health officials and sanitation workers are reminding residents to separate used medical needles, syringes or other sharp objects from their regular garbage and not to dispose of such objects in curbside recycling.
Instead of placing sharps with household trash or recycling, residents are asked to use one of these two alternative disposal methods:
- Place used needles, syringes, lancets in an approved sharps container (from a pharmacist, health care provider or medical supply store). The container should be puncture-proof with a tight-fitting lid. Then bring to the local Solid Waste Facility at 701 South Line Street in Columbia City. Or…
- Place these sharp objects into a heavy plastic or metal container such as a coffee can or liquid detergent bottle, sealed with tape and clearly marked as “Sharps.” Place this container out for pickup with other garbage.
Please, do not place these containers in recycling bins or with recyclables. These items are garbage only. Proper disposal is a must and will be properly disposed of at the local solid waste facility if you do not have regular garbage pickup.
Many people use needles and syringes for home medical care, but if these objects are not properly disposed of, they pose a grave health risk to anyone who encounters them. Used needles can transmit infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Workers at local solid waste collection facilities have seen a marked increase in the number of medical sharps found in curbside recycling in recent weeks and one employee was recently the victim of a needle stick.
Again, separate medical sharps from regular trash and never dispose of sharps in your curbside recycling.
Any further questions may be directed to the Whitley County Solid Waste Management District office at 248-3132 or the Whitley County Health Department office at 248-3121.
June 25, 2008
Tasty treats waiting downtown at Old Settlers Days
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Four-year-old Sammy Varga, above, enjoys a pretzel and cheese during the Old Settlers Day midway Tuesday evening in downtown Columbia City. Varga, his parents, Tad and Kim Varga, and other family members helped with Faith Christian Academy's pretzel sale to raise funds for the school. They'll be selling pretzels throughout the week near the corner of Line Street and Van Buren Street on the midway.
Tasty treats waiting downtown at Old Settlers Days
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Four-year-old Sammy Varga, above, enjoys a pretzel and cheese during the Old Settlers Day midway Tuesday evening in downtown Columbia City. Varga, his parents, Tad and Kim Varga, and other family members helped with Faith Christian Academy's pretzel sale to raise funds for the school. They'll be selling pretzels throughout the week near the corner of Line Street and Van Buren Street on the midway.
Esteemed community volunteer, businesswoman Jacie Worrick asked to wear the Red Coat
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) New Old Settlers Day Association Red Coat recipient Jacie Worrick, far left, joins second vice president Jim Brock, president Fritz Martin and first vice president Tom Drew. Worrick will serve as the 2011 Old Settlers Day president. Below, Worrick makes the fifth member of the Columbia City High School Class of 1963 to be honored with a Red Coat. From left, are Class of '63 classmates Bill Webber, Jim Nelson, Jacie Worrick, Mike Rush and Mike Redman.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
An annual rite of Old Settlers Days, the traditional Red Coats Dinner was held Tuesday night at the Eagles Nest Event Center, an event marked by the ceremonious presentation of a new red jacket to the next person deemed worthy to wear it and serve as the association’s president in the coming years. 
A noted community leader, philanthropist and business owner, Jacie Worrick was selected as the latest recipient of a Red Coat and will serve as president of the association in three years.
A crowd filled with many former presidents cheered as current second vice president Jim Brock read Worrick’s impressive resume of servant leadership and involvement in the business community. She has served most recently as the president of the Whitley County United Way board of directors and serves on the Columbia City Rotary board. Additionally, she has been a past board member of the Columbia City Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Whitley County.
Worrick is the third woman to be selected as a Red Coat recipient in the organization’s 105-year history and the fifth member of the Columbia City High School Class of 1963 to be selected for the honor. When the class of 1963 gathers for their class reunion on Saturday, there will be five Red Coats in attendance – namely Bill Webber, Jim Nelson, Mike Rush, Mike Redman and Worrick.
“I love this community and the people who live and work here,” Worrick said after donning her newly minted red jacket and addressing the audience following dinner.
Rather than an event fully focused on the rides and games, Worrick shared her vision of Old Settlers Days as something more meaningful. “It’s about saying thank you to those who’ve formed and cultivated the community we live in.”
In her entire life, Worrick can only recall missing the Old Settlers Days festivities on two occasions. “It’s just something that you do,” she said. “It’s a time to go and visit with friends.”
Worrick concluded by saying in the same way the community needed to debate some serious issues 50 years ago when it came to deciding the future for youth at that time, she sees the same issues at the forefront today and challenged those in attendance to consider the needs of the community’s youths, saying they will be the “Old Settlers” of tomorrow.
“I would be remiss in not saying, ‘Jacie, welcome to the group,” said 2008 OSD president Fritz Martin. Martin is serving this year alongside first vice president Tom Drew and second vice president Jim Brock. The OSD association secretary is Bill Webber and treasurer is John Lefever.
Esteemed community volunteer, businesswoman Jacie Worrick asked to wear the Red Coat
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) New Old Settlers Day Association Red Coat recipient Jacie Worrick, far left, joins second vice president Jim Brock, president Fritz Martin and first vice president Tom Drew. Worrick will serve as the 2011 Old Settlers Day president. Below, Worrick makes the fifth member of the Columbia City High School Class of 1963 to be honored with a Red Coat. From left, are Class of '63 classmates Bill Webber, Jim Nelson, Jacie Worrick, Mike Rush and Mike Redman.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
An annual rite of Old Settlers Days, the traditional Red Coats Dinner was held Tuesday night at the Eagles Nest Event Center, an event marked by the ceremonious presentation of a new red jacket to the next person deemed worthy to wear it and serve as the association’s president in the coming years.
A noted community leader, philanthropist and business owner, Jacie Worrick was selected as the latest recipient of a Red Coat and will serve as president of the association in three years.
A crowd filled with many former presidents cheered as current second vice president Jim Brock read Worrick’s impressive resume of servant leadership and involvement in the business community. She has served most recently as the president of the Whitley County United Way board of directors and serves on the Columbia City Rotary board. Additionally, she has been a past board member of the Columbia City Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Whitley County.
Worrick is the third woman to be selected as a Red Coat recipient in the organization’s 105-year history and the fifth member of the Columbia City High School Class of 1963 to be selected for the honor. When the class of 1963 gathers for their class reunion on Saturday, there will be five Red Coats in attendance – namely Bill Webber, Jim Nelson, Mike Rush, Mike Redman and Worrick.
“I love this community and the people who live and work here,” Worrick said after donning her newly minted red jacket and addressing the audience following dinner.
Rather than an event fully focused on the rides and games, Worrick shared her vision of Old Settlers Days as something more meaningful. “It’s about saying thank you to those who’ve formed and cultivated the community we live in.”
In her entire life, Worrick can only recall missing the Old Settlers Days festivities on two occasions. “It’s just something that you do,” she said. “It’s a time to go and visit with friends.”
Worrick concluded by saying in the same way the community needed to debate some serious issues 50 years ago when it came to deciding the future for youth at that time, she sees the same issues at the forefront today and challenged those in attendance to consider the needs of the community’s youths, saying they will be the “Old Settlers” of tomorrow.
“I would be remiss in not saying, ‘Jacie, welcome to the group,” said 2008 OSD president Fritz Martin. Martin is serving this year alongside first vice president Tom Drew and second vice president Jim Brock. The OSD association secretary is Bill Webber and treasurer is John Lefever.
Snapshots from the Red Coats Dinner
Snapshots from the Red Coats Dinner
Leadership Whitley County application deadline nears
A limited number of spaces remain in the 2008-2009 class of Leadership Whitley County, but the deadline to apply for this year's class is quickly approaching on June 30.
Topics of discussion this year will include servant leadership, diversity, teamwork, public speaking, conflict management and personal mission.
For additional information, contact Kelley Sheiss, program director, at 799-4045 or visit the website at www.leadershipwc.org
Leadership Whitley County application deadline nears
A limited number of spaces remain in the 2008-2009 class of Leadership Whitley County, but the deadline to apply for this year's class is quickly approaching on June 30.
Topics of discussion this year will include servant leadership, diversity, teamwork, public speaking, conflict management and personal mission.
For additional information, contact Kelley Sheiss, program director, at 799-4045 or visit the website at www.leadershipwc.org
Spike & The Bulldogs delighted crowd Tuesday night
Spike & The Bulldogs delighted crowd Tuesday night
Grace Lutheran Church presenting "Power Lab" vacation Bible school for local children
“Power Lab” will be the theme this year for Grace Lutheran Church’s vacation Bible school program. Power Lab will be held the week of July 7–11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Power Lab is where kids discover Jesus’ miraculous power! Get ready for an exciting adventure, following Jesus as he heals, helps, and gives to people who need him.
As children experience amazing Bible adventures, they’ll take part in daily challenges that encourage them to apply Bible truths to everyday life.
Each day the children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste! Since everything is hands-on, Power Lab is great fun for children of all ages, preschool and up.
Grace Lutheran Church is located at 204 North Main Street, Columbia City.
For additional information, contact Amy Henderson, youth director, at 244-7118.
Grace Lutheran Church presenting "Power Lab" vacation Bible school for local children
“Power Lab” will be the theme this year for Grace Lutheran Church’s vacation Bible school program. Power Lab will be held the week of July 7–11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Power Lab is where kids discover Jesus’ miraculous power! Get ready for an exciting adventure, following Jesus as he heals, helps, and gives to people who need him.
As children experience amazing Bible adventures, they’ll take part in daily challenges that encourage them to apply Bible truths to everyday life.
Each day the children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste! Since everything is hands-on, Power Lab is great fun for children of all ages, preschool and up.
Grace Lutheran Church is located at 204 North Main Street, Columbia City.
For additional information, contact Amy Henderson, youth director, at 244-7118.
June 24, 2008
Tuesday night at the midway...
Tuesday night at the midway...
OSD Horseshoe Tournament brings together many from Columbia City Horseshoe Club
OSD Horseshoe Tournament brings together many from Columbia City Horseshoe Club
Passing the gavel
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Columbia City Rotarians marked the day with the passing of the gavel from former president Dr. Renel Alarie, left, to incoming president Candice Yeakle this afternoon. Alarie was presented with a framed, golden gavel to commemorate his dedication and leadership while serving as club president. During Alarie's year of service, the organization assisted in many worthwhile activities within the community, including providing gifts to the Splashpad project, the YMCA and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department's K9 program.
Passing the gavel
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Columbia City Rotarians marked the day with the passing of the gavel from former president Dr. Renel Alarie, left, to incoming president Candice Yeakle this afternoon. Alarie was presented with a framed, golden gavel to commemorate his dedication and leadership while serving as club president. During Alarie's year of service, the organization assisted in many worthwhile activities within the community, including providing gifts to the Splashpad project, the YMCA and the Whitley County Sheriff's Department's K9 program.
Snapshots as Old Settlers Day midway materializes
Snapshots as Old Settlers Day midway materializes
Camp Whitley's second week of campers say farewell
* Week one participants, boys ages 7-8, will be featured later this week.
Camp Whitley's second week of campers say farewell
* Week one participants, boys ages 7-8, will be featured later this week.
Big G's Classic 3-on-3 draws a sizeable crowd
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Suspended momentarily in mid-air, a player's layup attempt is blocked by his opponent. Below, the streets of downtown Columbia City were temporarily transformed into basketball courts for the Big G's 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Saturday morning, Columbia City’s downtown area was transformed by bleachers, backboard and basketballs for the Big G’s Classic 3-on-3 basketball tournament. 
According to the event’s coordinator, Jo Murphy, participation this year was similar to prior years with 46 teams participating. The excellent weather Saturday morning was ideal for the event and for those who came to watch some exciting basketball action.
Results for the event are as follows - click the link below:
Girls 10 and under -1st Place
Team- Lady Chargers
Members- Makenzie Teel, Paige Shearer, Becca Schermerhorm, Grace Hales
Girls 10 and under -2nd Place
Team-Little Lady Eagles
Members- Morgan Bales, Miranda McConnell, Madison Hanson, Darian Farber
Boys 10 and under-1st place
Team- The Future
Members- Brock Bunyan, Dylan Reed, Spencer Klimek, Ryan Mosher
Boys 10 and under - 2nd place
Team- Four Phine Phuture Eagles
Members- Reece Metzger, Chandler Julius, Isaac Beatty, Christian Livingston
Boys 10 and under-3rd place
Team- Eagle Ballerz
Members- Jordan Bechtold, Cameron Slavich, Aaron Gregory, Andrew McFarland
Girls 11 & 12- 1st place
Team- Valley Girls
Members- Kelsey Ball, Whitney Sleeth, Danielle Adams, Christen Mallott
Girls 11 & 12 - 2nd place
Team- Swishin’ Sweeties
Members- Bailey Rentschler, Sarah Puckett, Macie Hinen, Aubrey Wright
Girls 11 & 12 - 3rd place
Team- Lady Ballerz
Members-Alyssa Hansen, Carly Johnson, Kalisha Goree, Eryn Schinbeckler
Boys 11 & 12 -1st place
Team-Huntington Red
Members- Grant Meese, Dylan Mower, Riley Velez, Charleston Dydasco
Boys 11 & 12 -2nd place
Team- The Snarley Four
Members- Samantha Metzger, Gerrit Taylor, Caleb Livingston, Ethan Bowland
Boys 11 & 12 - 3rd place
Team - DMC Ballerz
Members- Matt Benedict, Drew Lamle, Collin Ahearn, Charles Nagy
Girls 13 &14 -1st place
Team- CC Lady Ballerz
Members- Samara Qureshi, Hannah Schnorr, Megan Giffin
Girls 13 & 14 - 2nd place
Team- Stars ACA
Members- Anne Morsches, Celine Rongos, Alana Beckner
Boys 13 - 14 - 1st place
Team- Lil’ Rascals
Members- Connor Slavich, Jared Murphy, Derek Hinen
Boys 13-14- 2nd place
Team- CC Ballers
Members- Jacob Johnson, Cole Smith, Brandon Gay, Derek Lamle
Boys 13-14 - 3rd place
Team- Team Rethlake
Members- Matt Rethlake, Conner Ruby, Tyler Johnson
Boys 15-16 - 1st place
Team- Columbia City Vikings
Members- Connor Reed, Drew Benedict, Drew Burnsworth, Greg Bockelman
Boys 15-16 - 2nd place
Team- Poof, Slim & The Misfits
Members- Matt Schmidt, Ryan Ness, Chris Bachelder, Ryan Daniel
Boys 15-16- 3rd place
Team - Boston Three Party
Members- Coach Dylan Hinen, Andy Moog, Landin Sittler, Max McConnell
Boys 17-18 - 1st place
Team-Tarheels
Members- Matt Russell, Russell Anderson, Kevin Dawson, Jason Doehrman
Boys 17-18- 2nd place
Team- Boyz II Men
Members- Brice Lantz, Orry Moughler, Adam Murphy
Boys 17-18-3rd place
Team- Carroll
Members- Connor Blasier, Max Killian, Brandon Kinsey, Ryan Fitz
Mens 19 & over- 1st Place
Team-Spartans
Members- Mitch Shaffer, Michael Neece, Nathan Ferch, Tyler Henn
Mens 19 & over - 2nd place
Team- Indiana Lamp
Members- Al Easton, Trevor Helvie, Tanner Helvie, Robert Stromp
Mens 19 & over - 3rd place
Team- Spacejam
Members- Jordan Moss, Tim Briggs, Ryan Whiteleather, Dave Plant
Big G's Classic 3-on-3 draws a sizeable crowd
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Suspended momentarily in mid-air, a player's layup attempt is blocked by his opponent. Below, the streets of downtown Columbia City were temporarily transformed into basketball courts for the Big G's 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Saturday morning, Columbia City’s downtown area was transformed by bleachers, backboard and basketballs for the Big G’s Classic 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
According to the event’s coordinator, Jo Murphy, participation this year was similar to prior years with 46 teams participating. The excellent weather Saturday morning was ideal for the event and for those who came to watch some exciting basketball action.
Results for the event are as follows - click the link below:
Girls 10 and under -1st Place
Team- Lady Chargers
Members- Makenzie Teel, Paige Shearer, Becca Schermerhorm, Grace Hales
Girls 10 and under -2nd Place
Team-Little Lady Eagles
Members- Morgan Bales, Miranda McConnell, Madison Hanson, Darian Farber
Boys 10 and under-1st place
Team- The Future
Members- Brock Bunyan, Dylan Reed, Spencer Klimek, Ryan Mosher
Boys 10 and under - 2nd place
Team- Four Phine Phuture Eagles
Members- Reece Metzger, Chandler Julius, Isaac Beatty, Christian Livingston
Boys 10 and under-3rd place
Team- Eagle Ballerz
Members- Jordan Bechtold, Cameron Slavich, Aaron Gregory, Andrew McFarland
Girls 11 & 12- 1st place
Team- Valley Girls
Members- Kelsey Ball, Whitney Sleeth, Danielle Adams, Christen Mallott
Girls 11 & 12 - 2nd place
Team- Swishin’ Sweeties
Members- Bailey Rentschler, Sarah Puckett, Macie Hinen, Aubrey Wright
Girls 11 & 12 - 3rd place
Team- Lady Ballerz
Members-Alyssa Hansen, Carly Johnson, Kalisha Goree, Eryn Schinbeckler
Boys 11 & 12 -1st place
Team-Huntington Red
Members- Grant Meese, Dylan Mower, Riley Velez, Charleston Dydasco
Boys 11 & 12 -2nd place
Team- The Snarley Four
Members- Samantha Metzger, Gerrit Taylor, Caleb Livingston, Ethan Bowland
Boys 11 & 12 - 3rd place
Team - DMC Ballerz
Members- Matt Benedict, Drew Lamle, Collin Ahearn, Charles Nagy
Girls 13 &14 -1st place
Team- CC Lady Ballerz
Members- Samara Qureshi, Hannah Schnorr, Megan Giffin
Girls 13 & 14 - 2nd place
Team- Stars ACA
Members- Anne Morsches, Celine Rongos, Alana Beckner
Boys 13 - 14 - 1st place
Team- Lil’ Rascals
Members- Connor Slavich, Jared Murphy, Derek Hinen
Boys 13-14- 2nd place
Team- CC Ballers
Members- Jacob Johnson, Cole Smith, Brandon Gay, Derek Lamle
Boys 13-14 - 3rd place
Team- Team Rethlake
Members- Matt Rethlake, Conner Ruby, Tyler Johnson
Boys 15-16 - 1st place
Team- Columbia City Vikings
Members- Connor Reed, Drew Benedict, Drew Burnsworth, Greg Bockelman
Boys 15-16 - 2nd place
Team- Poof, Slim & The Misfits
Members- Matt Schmidt, Ryan Ness, Chris Bachelder, Ryan Daniel
Boys 15-16- 3rd place
Team - Boston Three Party
Members- Coach Dylan Hinen, Andy Moog, Landin Sittler, Max McConnell
Boys 17-18 - 1st place
Team-Tarheels
Members- Matt Russell, Russell Anderson, Kevin Dawson, Jason Doehrman
Boys 17-18- 2nd place
Team- Boyz II Men
Members- Brice Lantz, Orry Moughler, Adam Murphy
Boys 17-18-3rd place
Team- Carroll
Members- Connor Blasier, Max Killian, Brandon Kinsey, Ryan Fitz
Mens 19 & over- 1st Place
Team-Spartans
Members- Mitch Shaffer, Michael Neece, Nathan Ferch, Tyler Henn
Mens 19 & over - 2nd place
Team- Indiana Lamp
Members- Al Easton, Trevor Helvie, Tanner Helvie, Robert Stromp
Mens 19 & over - 3rd place
Team- Spacejam
Members- Jordan Moss, Tim Briggs, Ryan Whiteleather, Dave Plant
June 23, 2008
Getting berry anxious for Old Settlers Days!
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) With the final hours until Old Settlers Days just ticking away, rides for the festival's midway are parked along the far end of the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds property, including this strawberry ride, above. The scrambler ride, which met an unfortunate end last year when it was smashed by an out of control motorist, appears to be back again this year, a delight for some patrons with sturdy stomachs. The midway will be assembled late this evening and ready for visitors tomorrow night in downtown Columbia City.
Getting berry anxious for Old Settlers Days!
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) With the final hours until Old Settlers Days just ticking away, rides for the festival's midway are parked along the far end of the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds property, including this strawberry ride, above. The scrambler ride, which met an unfortunate end last year when it was smashed by an out of control motorist, appears to be back again this year, a delight for some patrons with sturdy stomachs. The midway will be assembled late this evening and ready for visitors tomorrow night in downtown Columbia City.
Thank you, Megan Devito!
Talk of the Town reader Megan Devito looked at the weather photographs we posted yesterday and knew right away what they were -- altocumulus clouds. Not only was she the first to respond with lightning speed, she also provided photos as proof! Thanks, Megan!
Thank you, Megan Devito!
Talk of the Town reader Megan Devito looked at the weather photographs we posted yesterday and knew right away what they were -- altocumulus clouds. Not only was she the first to respond with lightning speed, she also provided photos as proof! Thanks, Megan!
CCHS, CCJHS alumni invited to participate in alumni association's parade float
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The CCHS Alumni Association announced today that it will have a float in the American Legion’s Old Settlers Day parade on Friday evening and all alumni are welcome to participate.
According to CCHSAA president Richard Phend, a farm wagon is being provided by Richard Hoffman and Hoffman plans to pull it along the parade route with one of his antique tractors. In front of the float will be a golf cart provided by Eagle Glen Golf Course.
The process of decorating the float will begin Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday morning in the southeast corner of the high school parking lot. Any CCHS alumni member or supporter is welcome to participate. In addition to Phend, who will be attending from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Class of 1957 graduate Ted Gruver of Phoenix, Maryland.
“As the Founder of the Columbia City High School Alumni Association, it is an
honor to return to CC and visit my 1957 classmates and other residents of
CC,” Gruver said. Gruver is looking forward to attending several Old Setters Day activities and will be taking his grandson to Camp Whitley for the first time.
If you’re able to help decorate or would like to ride along on the Columbia City High School Alumni Association float, contact Richard Phend at cchsaaorgpres@sbcglobal.net.
CCHS, CCJHS alumni invited to participate in alumni association's parade float
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The CCHS Alumni Association announced today that it will have a float in the American Legion’s Old Settlers Day parade on Friday evening and all alumni are welcome to participate.
According to CCHSAA president Richard Phend, a farm wagon is being provided by Richard Hoffman and Hoffman plans to pull it along the parade route with one of his antique tractors. In front of the float will be a golf cart provided by Eagle Glen Golf Course.
The process of decorating the float will begin Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday morning in the southeast corner of the high school parking lot. Any CCHS alumni member or supporter is welcome to participate. In addition to Phend, who will be attending from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Class of 1957 graduate Ted Gruver of Phoenix, Maryland.
“As the Founder of the Columbia City High School Alumni Association, it is an
honor to return to CC and visit my 1957 classmates and other residents of
CC,” Gruver said. Gruver is looking forward to attending several Old Setters Day activities and will be taking his grandson to Camp Whitley for the first time.
If you’re able to help decorate or would like to ride along on the Columbia City High School Alumni Association float, contact Richard Phend at cchsaaorgpres@sbcglobal.net.
Snapshots from the BABE Extravaganza
Snapshots from the BABE Extravaganza
Kiwanis sponsors Whitley County Sheriff's Department's SafeAssured ID program at BABE Extravaganza
Kiwanis sponsors Whitley County Sheriff's Department's SafeAssured ID program at BABE Extravaganza
June 22, 2008
Pondering the county's southern skies...
Pondering the county's southern skies...
...and Whitley County's northern skies
...and Whitley County's northern skies
June 21, 2008
Leadership Whitley County, Whitley County Historical Society to benefit from parade-day fundraiser
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Leadership Whitley county alumni Kelley Sheiss and Mindy Muchow, from left above, stand in front of the Whitley County Historical Museum on Jefferson Street where they'll be selling "walking tacos" on Friday, June 28, from noon until the parade is over.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A ‘walking taco,’ eh?
The name conjures up an interesting mental picture – a cartoony taco, overflowing with lettuce and cheese, a smiling face on its crunchy shell and tiny legs protruding from the shell. Cute enough to…eat!
Well, they won’t be cute, but they will be tasty, according to those planning a walking taco sale next Friday from 12-8 p.m.
Leadership Whitley County is once again partnering with another organization on a fundraising event – this time with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Whitley County Historical Society as they sell walking tacos outside the museum next Friday.
“We will be offering lunch delivery in the downtown area starting at noon,” said LWC alumni Mindy Muchow. Muchow came up with the idea for the fundraiser several weeks ago.
The walking taco features corn chips covered in taco meat, lettuce and cheese in a convenient bag for easy eating.
During the American Legion Old Settler's Day Parade, a group of LWC alumni will be motoring the walking tacos around the parade route and will also have water available for sale as well. Meals can be delivered to you as you wait in the parade line. Walking tacos are $2 each and bottled water is $1.
Walking tacos will be sold at the Whitley County Historical Museum, 108 West Jefferson Street, or can be delivered to you by calling 609-0649.
The fundraiser is sponsored by J&J Insurance, SWAT Team Pest Control, More Farm Store and Kinetico.
Proceeds will support Leadership Whitley County and the Whitley County Historical Society.
Leadership Whitley County, Whitley County Historical Society to benefit from parade-day fundraiser
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Leadership Whitley county alumni Kelley Sheiss and Mindy Muchow, from left above, stand in front of the Whitley County Historical Museum on Jefferson Street where they'll be selling "walking tacos" on Friday, June 28, from noon until the parade is over.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A ‘walking taco,’ eh?
The name conjures up an interesting mental picture – a cartoony taco, overflowing with lettuce and cheese, a smiling face on its crunchy shell and tiny legs protruding from the shell. Cute enough to…eat!
Well, they won’t be cute, but they will be tasty, according to those planning a walking taco sale next Friday from 12-8 p.m.
Leadership Whitley County is once again partnering with another organization on a fundraising event – this time with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Whitley County Historical Society as they sell walking tacos outside the museum next Friday.
“We will be offering lunch delivery in the downtown area starting at noon,” said LWC alumni Mindy Muchow. Muchow came up with the idea for the fundraiser several weeks ago.
The walking taco features corn chips covered in taco meat, lettuce and cheese in a convenient bag for easy eating.
During the American Legion Old Settler's Day Parade, a group of LWC alumni will be motoring the walking tacos around the parade route and will also have water available for sale as well. Meals can be delivered to you as you wait in the parade line. Walking tacos are $2 each and bottled water is $1.
Walking tacos will be sold at the Whitley County Historical Museum, 108 West Jefferson Street, or can be delivered to you by calling 609-0649.
The fundraiser is sponsored by J&J Insurance, SWAT Team Pest Control, More Farm Store and Kinetico.
Proceeds will support Leadership Whitley County and the Whitley County Historical Society.
WOW! What a schedule of fun events happening in Whitley County today and tonight
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Today will be quite a busy day in Whitley County, with ample activities to keep everyone busy. Here’s what we found for you:
Columbia City Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the southern edge of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn.
Churubusco Farmers Market is open for the summer season from 8 a.m.-noon at the corner of Main and Whitley streets in Churubusco in the C&A Tool Engineering parking lot. For more information, call Churubusco Town Hall at 693-9350.
The Old Settler’s Day Mud Volleyball tournament begins at 8 a.m. in Morsches Park. Spectators welcome.
Whitley County Republicans will meet for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Brownstone Café, 105 South State Street, South Whitley.
The BABE Extravaganza family event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the YMCA soccer fields on East Van Buren Street. The event features a dunk tank, bike races, children’s games and more with proceeds supporting BABE.
An ice cream social is being held at the Senior Center at 603 West Van Buren Street from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. today. The event is open to the entire community with children’s games, special bingo from 1-2 p.m. as well as games, prizes and entertainment. Proceeds support the construction of the new Senior Center building.
A full day of Turtle Days activities continue in Churubusco today, including the Turtle Days Parade at 6 p.m. For the full schedule of events, click here
2008 Big G’s Columbia City Classic, a three on three basketball tournament, scheduled to take place on the Courthouse Square on Saturday, June 21.
Cleveland Township Fire Department will host an ice cream social tonight beginning at 4 p.m. at the fire station on State Street in South Whitley.
WOW! What a schedule of fun events happening in Whitley County today and tonight
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Today will be quite a busy day in Whitley County, with ample activities to keep everyone busy. Here’s what we found for you:
Columbia City Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the southern edge of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn.
Churubusco Farmers Market is open for the summer season from 8 a.m.-noon at the corner of Main and Whitley streets in Churubusco in the C&A Tool Engineering parking lot. For more information, call Churubusco Town Hall at 693-9350.
The Old Settler’s Day Mud Volleyball tournament begins at 8 a.m. in Morsches Park. Spectators welcome.
Whitley County Republicans will meet for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Brownstone Café, 105 South State Street, South Whitley.
The BABE Extravaganza family event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the YMCA soccer fields on East Van Buren Street. The event features a dunk tank, bike races, children’s games and more with proceeds supporting BABE.
An ice cream social is being held at the Senior Center at 603 West Van Buren Street from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. today. The event is open to the entire community with children’s games, special bingo from 1-2 p.m. as well as games, prizes and entertainment. Proceeds support the construction of the new Senior Center building.
A full day of Turtle Days activities continue in Churubusco today, including the Turtle Days Parade at 6 p.m. For the full schedule of events, click here
2008 Big G’s Columbia City Classic, a three on three basketball tournament, scheduled to take place on the Courthouse Square on Saturday, June 21.
Cleveland Township Fire Department will host an ice cream social tonight beginning at 4 p.m. at the fire station on State Street in South Whitley.
June 20, 2008
Getting ready for the BABE Extravaganza Saturday
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The front window of STAR Insurance in downtown Columbia City captures a bit of the excitement for BABE's Extravaganza, a event for families in Whitley County tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the YMCA soccer fields. The event will feature a bike race, music, children's activities and much more with all proceeds supporting BABE. Highlights of the day include a visit from the Fort Wayne Freedom football team. Admission is free.
Getting ready for the BABE Extravaganza Saturday
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The front window of STAR Insurance in downtown Columbia City captures a bit of the excitement for BABE's Extravaganza, a event for families in Whitley County tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the YMCA soccer fields. The event will feature a bike race, music, children's activities and much more with all proceeds supporting BABE. Highlights of the day include a visit from the Fort Wayne Freedom football team. Admission is free.
Will he wonder where the boat went?
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) It is garage sale time at Goose Lake and Loon Lake, with dozens of garages sales in the surrounding area, including a large one on Wolf Road near Loon Lake.
Above, a Goose Lake wife seems to be taking the marketing of her husband's sailboat into her own hands -- with a hand-written note on the side, reading "Please buy my husband's boat." In case your interested in a sailboat, call 248-2045 to inquire about this one -- and you'll be making one wife's day apparently!
The garage sales kicked off Friday morning and will continue Saturday. Both communities are accessible from CR 250 West in northern Whitley County.
Will he wonder where the boat went?
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) It is garage sale time at Goose Lake and Loon Lake, with dozens of garages sales in the surrounding area, including a large one on Wolf Road near Loon Lake.
Above, a Goose Lake wife seems to be taking the marketing of her husband's sailboat into her own hands -- with a hand-written note on the side, reading "Please buy my husband's boat." In case your interested in a sailboat, call 248-2045 to inquire about this one -- and you'll be making one wife's day apparently!
The garage sales kicked off Friday morning and will continue Saturday. Both communities are accessible from CR 250 West in northern Whitley County.
Mitch Daniels' famous RV to participate in OSD parade
By Jennnifer Zartman Romano
Almost synonymous with the Mitch Daniels campaign is his now famous RV – featuring the signatures of supporters from around the state.
Used heavily in his original bid for the governor’s office, Daniels is using the RV once again to get his message around the state.
According to Whitley County GOP chairman Jim Banks, the Governor Mitch Daniels’ RV-1 will be accompanying local Republicans as they walk in the Old Settler’s Day Parade next Friday evening in downtown Columbia City.
Banks is inviting all interested Republicans to walk together in the parade alongside RV-1.
Additionally, Banks is inviting Republicans to participate in the Turtle Days Parade tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, in Churubusco. Participants will line up at 4:30 p.m. at the Churubusco United Methodist Church.
For more information about the activities of the Whitley County Republican Party, visit their website at www.whitleygop.com
Mitch Daniels' famous RV to participate in OSD parade
By Jennnifer Zartman Romano
Almost synonymous with the Mitch Daniels campaign is his now famous RV – featuring the signatures of supporters from around the state.
Used heavily in his original bid for the governor’s office, Daniels is using the RV once again to get his message around the state.
According to Whitley County GOP chairman Jim Banks, the Governor Mitch Daniels’ RV-1 will be accompanying local Republicans as they walk in the Old Settler’s Day Parade next Friday evening in downtown Columbia City.
Banks is inviting all interested Republicans to walk together in the parade alongside RV-1.
Additionally, Banks is inviting Republicans to participate in the Turtle Days Parade tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, in Churubusco. Participants will line up at 4:30 p.m. at the Churubusco United Methodist Church.
For more information about the activities of the Whitley County Republican Party, visit their website at www.whitleygop.com
Historic building offering affordable office space for small business in downtown Columbia City
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The old Linvill Memorial Hospital is experiencing a sort of rebirth as the building becomes a hub for small businesses in Columbia City, offering affordable office space in a historic location. Below, one of several office spaces available features a beautiful bay window in a part of the building that dates back to 1879 and that was part of the original Linvill family home.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Years ago, the former Linvill Hospital and later Linvill Memorial Clinic, at the corner of East Van Buren and Whitley streets was a place where babies were born, the sick sought medical care and where surgeries were performed. Indeed, it was a home for healthcare in Whitley County. 
Eventually, in the 1950s, a new hospital was built named Whitley Memorial Hospital and the attractive brick building found new uses first as a medical clinic and later as a fitness center and office space.
In a new millennium, the building is now experiencing a renaissance of sorts – providing low cost office space for small businesses looking for their spot in Whitley County commerce.
“This is a great old building, but we’re trying to get a few more tenants in here,” said Jim Macino, who is overseeing the marketing of the space. Macino said that by bringing in a few more tenants to the space, everyone will benefit by the addition of new fixtures and upgrades.
Down the long corridors where patients one traveled, today you see wall to wall carpeting and signs designating the various offices that already call the Linvill Building home – Vardaman Insurance, Franklin Electric, Adarna Healthcare, Hill’s ATA Academy, USA Powerlifting and G.R.A.M.’s Tutoring, to name a few.
Before locating his own office to the building, Macino had done his homework.
“I did some pricing and for an office downtown, I was looking at $400 per month just for the rental space,” Macino said. “Utilities on top of that like air conditioning, heat and electric – it would be pretty prohibitive.”
At the Linvill Building, he was able to find an affordable office space with utilities included, an attractive office space and a paved parking lot. His only added costs were for phone and internet services.
Approximately 8-10 spaces in the building are currently available. They may be rented monthly or, with a discount, on an annual contract basis. Meeting a wide variety of pricing needs, the rentals start at about $125 per month on up. Rental contracts can be made on a monthly or yearly basis.
“It’s the kind of thing we need to have in Columbia City,” Macino said.
Macino believes the location is ideal – with great proximity to downtown Columbia City, governmental offices, the YMCA, Peabody Public Library and, soon, the new site of Parkview Whitley Hospital and its medical offices.
Another benefit Macino sees in filling the office spaces at the Linvill Building is that it is an excellent example of taking a retired space and finding a new use for it that meets the needs of the community.
Because it is using a rehabbed building, each office space is unique and boasts character you won’t find everywhere. One available office features an attractive bay window while another offers a sunny, multidirectional view of downtown Columbia City. Another is a subterranean office with the street at eye-level, offering a unique view as traffic rolls by.
“It’s already here and ready to move in,” Macino said. “We want to fill this place up again.”
For more information about touring the available office space, square footage availability or pricing, contact Jim Macino at 693-6102 or send him an e-mail at jim@icmgt.com..
Historic building offering affordable office space for small business in downtown Columbia City
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The old Linvill Memorial Hospital is experiencing a sort of rebirth as the building becomes a hub for small businesses in Columbia City, offering affordable office space in a historic location. Below, one of several office spaces available features a beautiful bay window in a part of the building that dates back to 1879 and that was part of the original Linvill family home.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Years ago, the former Linvill Hospital and later Linvill Memorial Clinic, at the corner of East Van Buren and Whitley streets was a place where babies were born, the sick sought medical care and where surgeries were performed. Indeed, it was a home for healthcare in Whitley County.
Eventually, in the 1950s, a new hospital was built named Whitley Memorial Hospital and the attractive brick building found new uses first as a medical clinic and later as a fitness center and office space.
In a new millennium, the building is now experiencing a renaissance of sorts – providing low cost office space for small businesses looking for their spot in Whitley County commerce.
“This is a great old building, but we’re trying to get a few more tenants in here,” said Jim Macino, who is overseeing the marketing of the space. Macino said that by bringing in a few more tenants to the space, everyone will benefit by the addition of new fixtures and upgrades.
Down the long corridors where patients one traveled, today you see wall to wall carpeting and signs designating the various offices that already call the Linvill Building home – Vardaman Insurance, Franklin Electric, Adarna Healthcare, Hill’s ATA Academy, USA Powerlifting and G.R.A.M.’s Tutoring, to name a few.
Before locating his own office to the building, Macino had done his homework.
“I did some pricing and for an office downtown, I was looking at $400 per month just for the rental space,” Macino said. “Utilities on top of that like air conditioning, heat and electric – it would be pretty prohibitive.”
At the Linvill Building, he was able to find an affordable office space with utilities included, an attractive office space and a paved parking lot. His only added costs were for phone and internet services.
Approximately 8-10 spaces in the building are currently available. They may be rented monthly or, with a discount, on an annual contract basis. Meeting a wide variety of pricing needs, the rentals start at about $125 per month on up. Rental contracts can be made on a monthly or yearly basis.
“It’s the kind of thing we need to have in Columbia City,” Macino said.
Macino believes the location is ideal – with great proximity to downtown Columbia City, governmental offices, the YMCA, Peabody Public Library and, soon, the new site of Parkview Whitley Hospital and its medical offices.
Another benefit Macino sees in filling the office spaces at the Linvill Building is that it is an excellent example of taking a retired space and finding a new use for it that meets the needs of the community.
Because it is using a rehabbed building, each office space is unique and boasts character you won’t find everywhere. One available office features an attractive bay window while another offers a sunny, multidirectional view of downtown Columbia City. Another is a subterranean office with the street at eye-level, offering a unique view as traffic rolls by.
“It’s already here and ready to move in,” Macino said. “We want to fill this place up again.”
For more information about touring the available office space, square footage availability or pricing, contact Jim Macino at 693-6102 or send him an e-mail at jim@icmgt.com..
A little history on the old Linvill Memorial Hospital...
Above, an old photograph of Linvill Memorial Hospital shows the building before the new addition was added in 1952.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
It was Whitley County’s first hospital facility, a red brick building at 215 East Van Buren Street bearing a name local residents for generations associated with medicine – Linvill.
With many years having passed, its original purpose as a place at the forefront of local medical care is rapidly fading from memory. Fewer people recall receiving treatment there, and while it is enjoying a sort of rebirth with a new purpose, it is still interesting to know more about what the building once was. 
Originally the home of Dr. David Goff Linvill, the oldest part of what is now the Linvill Building was built in 1879. Linvill is considered by many accounts to be the founder of the Whitley County medical community. He and his uncle, Dr. William Swayze came to Columbia City to practice medicine together in 1849.
In 1929, Linvill’s son, Dr. Benjamin Perry Linvill, tore down most of his parents’ home except for portions of the ground and first floor, added on and converted it into Linvill Memorial Hospital. The hospital had 20 beds and a variety of medical services were performed there for the citizens of Whitley County.
Though not technically the first “hospital” as Dr. David Goff Linvill had rented rooms in the Washburn building for a medical hospital, the Linvill Memorial Hospital was the first dedicated hospital building in the community.
Dr. Benjamin Perry Linvill was a graduate of Culver Military Academy, Whittenberg College and Washington University. He studied medicine and received surgical training at the University of Michigan. He was eventually the assistant chief of surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital. He performed surgery in Columbia City for a period of time between 1911-1927, but then left for Chicago where he was a surgeon at Auburn Park Hospital.
After returning to Columbia City and constructing the Linvill Memorial Hospital in honor of his father, Linvill continued his medical career until 1946 and died July 7, 1951.
A newer wing was added to the building in 1952 that housed a medical clinic.
Whitley County Memorial Hospital (the hospital currently known as Parkview Whitley Hospital) opened in April of 1951 on North Oak Street. The Linvill Memorial Hospital continued to operate as a hospital until April 19, 1969.
The Linvill Memorial Hospital building continued to house medical offices, treatment rooms, a nursing home area and a clinic until the building was purchased by the Whitley Memorial Hospital board of trustees in 1986. Shortly thereafter, it was converted into Linvill Fitness Center.
Dr. John Vogel was the last physician to practice in the building.
The building continued on as the Linvill Fitness Center until just a few years ago when Parkview Health sold the building to a private individual and closed the fitness facility. Since then, it has become a home to several local businesses, including Hill’s ATA Taekwondo, Franklin Electric, Adarna Healthcare, Vardaman Insurance and GRAMS Tutoring, to name a few.
As the current owners of the building, John McGill and Rex Shisler, continue to invest in its care and upkeep, finding alternative uses for the space, it is certain the Linvill Memorial Hospital building will continue to be an important location in the community.
* A special thank you to Whitley County Historical Museum assistant director Angie Maley for helping with this story.
A little history on the old Linvill Memorial Hospital...
Above, an old photograph of Linvill Memorial Hospital shows the building before the new addition was added in 1952.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
It was Whitley County’s first hospital facility, a red brick building at 215 East Van Buren Street bearing a name local residents for generations associated with medicine – Linvill.
With many years having passed, its original purpose as a place at the forefront of local medical care is rapidly fading from memory. Fewer people recall receiving treatment there, and while it is enjoying a sort of rebirth with a new purpose, it is still interesting to know more about what the building once was.
Originally the home of Dr. David Goff Linvill, the oldest part of what is now the Linvill Building was built in 1879. Linvill is considered by many accounts to be the founder of the Whitley County medical community. He and his uncle, Dr. William Swayze came to Columbia City to practice medicine together in 1849.
In 1929, Linvill’s son, Dr. Benjamin Perry Linvill, tore down most of his parents’ home except for portions of the ground and first floor, added on and converted it into Linvill Memorial Hospital. The hospital had 20 beds and a variety of medical services were performed there for the citizens of Whitley County.
Though not technically the first “hospital” as Dr. David Goff Linvill had rented rooms in the Washburn building for a medical hospital, the Linvill Memorial Hospital was the first dedicated hospital building in the community.
Dr. Benjamin Perry Linvill was a graduate of Culver Military Academy, Whittenberg College and Washington University. He studied medicine and received surgical training at the University of Michigan. He was eventually the assistant chief of surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital. He performed surgery in Columbia City for a period of time between 1911-1927, but then left for Chicago where he was a surgeon at Auburn Park Hospital.
After returning to Columbia City and constructing the Linvill Memorial Hospital in honor of his father, Linvill continued his medical career until 1946 and died July 7, 1951.
A newer wing was added to the building in 1952 that housed a medical clinic.
Whitley County Memorial Hospital (the hospital currently known as Parkview Whitley Hospital) opened in April of 1951 on North Oak Street. The Linvill Memorial Hospital continued to operate as a hospital until April 19, 1969.
The Linvill Memorial Hospital building continued to house medical offices, treatment rooms, a nursing home area and a clinic until the building was purchased by the Whitley Memorial Hospital board of trustees in 1986. Shortly thereafter, it was converted into Linvill Fitness Center.
Dr. John Vogel was the last physician to practice in the building.
The building continued on as the Linvill Fitness Center until just a few years ago when Parkview Health sold the building to a private individual and closed the fitness facility. Since then, it has become a home to several local businesses, including Hill’s ATA Taekwondo, Franklin Electric, Adarna Healthcare, Vardaman Insurance and GRAMS Tutoring, to name a few.
As the current owners of the building, John McGill and Rex Shisler, continue to invest in its care and upkeep, finding alternative uses for the space, it is certain the Linvill Memorial Hospital building will continue to be an important location in the community.
* A special thank you to Whitley County Historical Museum assistant director Angie Maley for helping with this story.
June 19, 2008
Dream Realized: Splashpad will be officially opened at July 5 fireworks celebration in Morsches Park
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Through there is still a plenty of work to be done on the Splashpad, a water feature under construction in Morsches Park, it is really starting to take shape and will be officially opened at 6 p.m. on July 5. Above, today work begins to install the cement foundation for the Splashpad.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
As earth-moving crews make way for the Splashpad at Morsches Park, countless local residents are on the edge of their seat – craning their necks as they cross the bridge on US 30 or taking a momentary detour off SR 205 to take a quick peek at the progress there.
In the final weeks of the Splashpad project, an initiative now about two years in the making, there is visible progress and a heightened sense of anticipation as it is so nearly reality at this point.
“It has been very exciting to see the progress that has gone on over the last couple of years,” wrote Columbia City Park Department director Mark Green to volunteers working closely with the project this week. “I definitely could not have done this by myself. Working with each one of you has been incredible.”
“It’s a small Splashpad that’s going to provide a lot of fun for kids,” Green said.
Green estimates that the total cost of the project, which has been funded by individual contributions, a Dekko Foundation grant and other gifts, will be approximately $190,000. He said the cost not only includes the Splashpad, but also parking lot resurfacing, newly painted handicap parking spaces, remodeled bathrooms to offer handicap accessibility, additional sidewalks, a drinking fountain, enhanced drainage, new picnic tables, benches, shade structures and trash cans.
The cost of the Splashpad, alone, Green said, is $120,000 with $35,000 of that for installation. Originally slated to open in early June, flooding and other issues, pushed the date back considerably.
At last, however, Green is eager to announce the grand opening of the Splashpad will be July 5 at 6 p.m. during festivities for the community Independence Day celebration in Morsches Park.
Green plans to incorporate the grand opening of the Splashpad with other Independence Day events on July 5, including live entertainment, music and other family-oriented activities.
“We’ll also want to thank those who’ve donated to the project,” he said.
“I really want to thank the water department and the electric department,” Green said. “If it wasn’t for them, this would cost a lot more. It’s been hard work, not fun stuff.”
Green said he was also very grateful for the efforts of Jeff Walker for working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
“He put a lot of effort into that,” Green added.
Dream Realized: Splashpad will be officially opened at July 5 fireworks celebration in Morsches Park
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Through there is still a plenty of work to be done on the Splashpad, a water feature under construction in Morsches Park, it is really starting to take shape and will be officially opened at 6 p.m. on July 5. Above, today work begins to install the cement foundation for the Splashpad.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
As earth-moving crews make way for the Splashpad at Morsches Park, countless local residents are on the edge of their seat – craning their necks as they cross the bridge on US 30 or taking a momentary detour off SR 205 to take a quick peek at the progress there.
In the final weeks of the Splashpad project, an initiative now about two years in the making, there is visible progress and a heightened sense of anticipation as it is so nearly reality at this point.
“It has been very exciting to see the progress that has gone on over the last couple of years,” wrote Columbia City Park Department director Mark Green to volunteers working closely with the project this week. “I definitely could not have done this by myself. Working with each one of you has been incredible.”
“It’s a small Splashpad that’s going to provide a lot of fun for kids,” Green said.
Green estimates that the total cost of the project, which has been funded by individual contributions, a Dekko Foundation grant and other gifts, will be approximately $190,000. He said the cost not only includes the Splashpad, but also parking lot resurfacing, newly painted handicap parking spaces, remodeled bathrooms to offer handicap accessibility, additional sidewalks, a drinking fountain, enhanced drainage, new picnic tables, benches, shade structures and trash cans.
The cost of the Splashpad, alone, Green said, is $120,000 with $35,000 of that for installation. Originally slated to open in early June, flooding and other issues, pushed the date back considerably.
At last, however, Green is eager to announce the grand opening of the Splashpad will be July 5 at 6 p.m. during festivities for the community Independence Day celebration in Morsches Park.
Green plans to incorporate the grand opening of the Splashpad with other Independence Day events on July 5, including live entertainment, music and other family-oriented activities.
“We’ll also want to thank those who’ve donated to the project,” he said.
“I really want to thank the water department and the electric department,” Green said. “If it wasn’t for them, this would cost a lot more. It’s been hard work, not fun stuff.”
Green said he was also very grateful for the efforts of Jeff Walker for working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
“He put a lot of effort into that,” Green added.
Whitley County's waterfall -- the scenic Collamer Dam
Whitley County's waterfall -- the scenic Collamer Dam
Plans underway for three-day annual Northeast Indiana Conservation Camp at Camp Whitley
(Talk of the Town photo by Nadean Eldien) 2007 Conservation campers, above, are being educated and entertained by "Alligator Aaron" from Silly Safari out of Indianapolis. This is just one of the many fun things camper get to do and see at Conservation Camp.
By Nadean Eldien
The annual Northeast Indiana Conservation Camp is scheduled this year for August 4-6, 2008, at Camp Whitley, which is just northeast of Columbia City on Troy-Cedar Lake. For years, the northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts have leased Camp Whitley to host their own three day conservation camp.
Camp is open to the first 80 boys and girls who complete and turn in an application. Campers must be between the ages of 9-13. The fee for the three day camp is $100.
If you are interested in sending your child please call your local Soil and Water Conservation District because many of them will help with the expense of your child attending camp. For example, the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will pay half of the camper’s fee if he or she is attending the conservation camp for the first time. This a good camp for your child, if they have never attended a camp before, since it is only three days long.
The camp program includes hands-on activities in wildlife, forestry, soils and water. The campers will participate in a mini-envirothon, water safety program, team building activities, presentations by the Columbia City FFA Chapter, educational programs provided by the local SWCDs, scavenger hunt, program by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, bird house building, a program by the Fort Wayne Zoo, a visit from Indianapolis’s Silly Safaris, swimming, crafts and many more activities.
The campers will earn “water bucks” during camp which they will use at the end of the camp for an auction. There is always a large variety of merchandise to purchase from such as basketballs, footballs, games and many more items. Every camper goes home with something from the water buck auction.
Applications are available from the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District. If you are interested and need more information or need the phone numbers of the Soil and Water Conservation District in your county, please call the Whitley County SWCD at 244-6266 ext. 3 and ask for Nadean. The deadline for camp applications will be July 25, 2008.
Plans underway for three-day annual Northeast Indiana Conservation Camp at Camp Whitley
(Talk of the Town photo by Nadean Eldien) 2007 Conservation campers, above, are being educated and entertained by "Alligator Aaron" from Silly Safari out of Indianapolis. This is just one of the many fun things camper get to do and see at Conservation Camp.
By Nadean Eldien
The annual Northeast Indiana Conservation Camp is scheduled this year for August 4-6, 2008, at Camp Whitley, which is just northeast of Columbia City on Troy-Cedar Lake. For years, the northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts have leased Camp Whitley to host their own three day conservation camp.
Camp is open to the first 80 boys and girls who complete and turn in an application. Campers must be between the ages of 9-13. The fee for the three day camp is $100.
If you are interested in sending your child please call your local Soil and Water Conservation District because many of them will help with the expense of your child attending camp. For example, the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will pay half of the camper’s fee if he or she is attending the conservation camp for the first time. This a good camp for your child, if they have never attended a camp before, since it is only three days long.
The camp program includes hands-on activities in wildlife, forestry, soils and water. The campers will participate in a mini-envirothon, water safety program, team building activities, presentations by the Columbia City FFA Chapter, educational programs provided by the local SWCDs, scavenger hunt, program by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, bird house building, a program by the Fort Wayne Zoo, a visit from Indianapolis’s Silly Safaris, swimming, crafts and many more activities.
The campers will earn “water bucks” during camp which they will use at the end of the camp for an auction. There is always a large variety of merchandise to purchase from such as basketballs, footballs, games and many more items. Every camper goes home with something from the water buck auction.
Applications are available from the Whitley County Soil and Water Conservation District. If you are interested and need more information or need the phone numbers of the Soil and Water Conservation District in your county, please call the Whitley County SWCD at 244-6266 ext. 3 and ask for Nadean. The deadline for camp applications will be July 25, 2008.
June 18, 2008
Columbia City Parks Department, Big G's present 2008 Junior Golf Tour at local golf courses
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Crooked Lake Golf Course in northern Whitley County is one of several area golf courses participating in the 2008 Junior Golf Tour, four tournaments aimed at young golfers between the ages of 5-16.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
What better way to introduce youngsters to the game of golf than by creating a mini tour of the many great golf courses in Whitley County?
The Columbia City Parks Department and Big G’s Restaurant are teaming up to present the 2008 Junior Golf Tour. 
Comprised of four tournaments, young golfers will complete in four age categories with awards going to the top three finishers. Age categories include age 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16.
Over the course of the summer, golfers will participate in tournaments at Clear Creek, Eel River, Crooked Lake and Eagle Glen golf courses.
The cost to participate is $10 per child, per tournament. All golfers must be registered one week prior to each tournament. Tournament dates include June 28, July 10, July 19 and August 7.
“This is our fourth year for the event,” said Columbia City Parks Department director Mark Green.
Green sees the tournaments as a way of giving children the competitive tournament experience that may benefit them in the future. Additionally, he sees benefit in sharpening their skills, meeting other young golfers and gaining familiarity with local courses.
To register, contact Melinda Wheeler at 229-1503 or stop by the parks department office in Morsches Park, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. or send an e-mail to: ccparks@columbiacity.net
Columbia City Parks Department, Big G's present 2008 Junior Golf Tour at local golf courses
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Crooked Lake Golf Course in northern Whitley County is one of several area golf courses participating in the 2008 Junior Golf Tour, four tournaments aimed at young golfers between the ages of 5-16.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
What better way to introduce youngsters to the game of golf than by creating a mini tour of the many great golf courses in Whitley County?
The Columbia City Parks Department and Big G’s Restaurant are teaming up to present the 2008 Junior Golf Tour.
Comprised of four tournaments, young golfers will complete in four age categories with awards going to the top three finishers. Age categories include age 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16.
Over the course of the summer, golfers will participate in tournaments at Clear Creek, Eel River, Crooked Lake and Eagle Glen golf courses.
The cost to participate is $10 per child, per tournament. All golfers must be registered one week prior to each tournament. Tournament dates include June 28, July 10, July 19 and August 7.
“This is our fourth year for the event,” said Columbia City Parks Department director Mark Green.
Green sees the tournaments as a way of giving children the competitive tournament experience that may benefit them in the future. Additionally, he sees benefit in sharpening their skills, meeting other young golfers and gaining familiarity with local courses.
To register, contact Melinda Wheeler at 229-1503 or stop by the parks department office in Morsches Park, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. or send an e-mail to: ccparks@columbiacity.net
Hands on experiments pique interest of young scientists during Faith Christian Academy's summer enrichment program
Hands on experiments pique interest of young scientists during Faith Christian Academy's summer enrichment program
Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417 honors flag
(Talk of the Town photos by Jeff Mullendore) Officers of Columbia City Elks Lodge 1417, Churubusco American Legion Post 157, Columbia City VFW #5582, and Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard, above and below, partipated in a Flag Day celebration on the Whitley County Courthouse Lawn last Saturday.
By Jeff Mullendore 
On Saturday, June 14, the officers and members of Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417, along with the American Legion Post 157 of Churubusco, Columbia City VFW #5582, and the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard honored our nation's flag with the Elks annual Flag Day Observance in downtown Columbia City.
Patriotism has always been a hallmark of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1907, the Elks became the first fraternal organization in the nation to mandate observance of June 14 as Flag Day. More than 40 years later, fellow Elk, President Harry S. Truman signed into order a declaration naming Flag Day as an official national holiday.
The Officers and members of the Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417 would like to thank Lee Dilly, Pat Dilly, Betty Stott, Donna Hilliard, Jim Claxton, Bruce Stahl, Shannon Fahlsing, Jay Hilliard and Alicia Armstrong of the Churubusco American Legion Post 157 and the Legion Riders, also, David Hawn of the Columbia City VFW #5582, John Slabaugh, Don York, Paul Gates and Frank Frey of the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard, the Columbia City Fire Department and Todd Shoda and John Stanley for their great sound system.
Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417 honors flag
(Talk of the Town photos by Jeff Mullendore) Officers of Columbia City Elks Lodge 1417, Churubusco American Legion Post 157, Columbia City VFW #5582, and Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard, above and below, partipated in a Flag Day celebration on the Whitley County Courthouse Lawn last Saturday.
By Jeff Mullendore
On Saturday, June 14, the officers and members of Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417, along with the American Legion Post 157 of Churubusco, Columbia City VFW #5582, and the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard honored our nation's flag with the Elks annual Flag Day Observance in downtown Columbia City.
Patriotism has always been a hallmark of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1907, the Elks became the first fraternal organization in the nation to mandate observance of June 14 as Flag Day. More than 40 years later, fellow Elk, President Harry S. Truman signed into order a declaration naming Flag Day as an official national holiday.
The Officers and members of the Columbia City Elks Lodge #1417 would like to thank Lee Dilly, Pat Dilly, Betty Stott, Donna Hilliard, Jim Claxton, Bruce Stahl, Shannon Fahlsing, Jay Hilliard and Alicia Armstrong of the Churubusco American Legion Post 157 and the Legion Riders, also, David Hawn of the Columbia City VFW #5582, John Slabaugh, Don York, Paul Gates and Frank Frey of the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Color Guard, the Columbia City Fire Department and Todd Shoda and John Stanley for their great sound system.
American Red Cross has critical need for blood, drive planned tomorrow at CCUMC
Help honor the lives of those who serve and protect our communities by donating blood on Thursday, June 19, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Columbia City United Methodist Church, located at 605 N. Forest Parkway.
This drive, dedicated to those who’ve fallen in the line of duty, is expected to be supported by several in local law enforcement.
Due to flooding in other areas of the state, the American Red Cross is in dire need of certain blood types at this time, including type O positive, type O negative, B negative and A negative.
If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification. For more information or to schedule your blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
American Red Cross has critical need for blood, drive planned tomorrow at CCUMC
Help honor the lives of those who serve and protect our communities by donating blood on Thursday, June 19, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Columbia City United Methodist Church, located at 605 N. Forest Parkway.
This drive, dedicated to those who’ve fallen in the line of duty, is expected to be supported by several in local law enforcement.
Due to flooding in other areas of the state, the American Red Cross is in dire need of certain blood types at this time, including type O positive, type O negative, B negative and A negative.
If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification. For more information or to schedule your blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
More than a 100 years later, county historian hopes to remember more Civil War veterans on monument
In the photo above, part of the Whitley County Historical Society’s collection, “The Old Standbys,” members of the GAR Post 81 pose for a photo with the Civil War monument they raised funds to build. The photo above was taken November 14, 1903, and from left is I.N. Keller, I.B. McDonald, Henry Worden, David Engle, David N. Hart, H.J. Egolf, Adam Malone, Henry H. Lawrence, John F. Lawrence, F.P. Gruesbeck, E.B. North, John Hess, J.M. Maine, George Sheckler, William Brubaker, William N. Langell and P.V. Gruesbeck. Many of these names appear on the monument today. Below, the monument as it appears today near the north entrance to the Whitley County Courthouse. (Talk of the Town photos, below, by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
It was a project that began more than a hundred years ago now.
Civil War veterans, many of whom were yet living, dedicated the large stone monument that now greets visits to the Whitley County Courthouse’s main entrance. 
Years later, with several blank spaces yet to be filled, forgotten Civil War veterans may yet be remembered on the monument.
Two weeks ago, in the latest edition of the Whitley County Historical Society’s The Bulletin, the quarterly publication featuring news and notes of a vintage nature, announced that a rare opportunity is available for those with the interest and cash to make it happen.
As part of a project being managed by Whitley County historian Jeanette Brown, with the endorsement of Whitley County commissioners, those interested descendants of Civil War soldiers may have their ancestor’s name carved into the monument.
The cost to have a name entered onto the 22 remaining spaces is $43 for the first two letters and $5 for each additional letter. In the past, some families put names and regimental or company information while others included birth and death dates.
In addition to the spaces on main area of the moment, there additional spaces on the corners that can be reserved as needed.
Terry Smith of Smith & Sons Funeral home is coordinating the actual carving. The carvings are expected to be done all at one time.
There are a total of 360 spaces on the monument, with at least 22 available for engraving. So how many soldiers are eligible to be included on the monument? According to Brown, there are approximately 1700 Civil War soldiers who were either born or who lived in Whitley County during their lifetime – so that’s quite a few potential candidates for inclusion.
“They must have lived here or be buried here,” Brown said of criteria in determining whether or not a soldier’s name may be entered onto the monument. Brown will personally research each proposed name to ensure their connection to Whitley County before those names are inscribed on the monument.
“We have four maybe six interested so far,” Brown said. “I’ve been approached before,” she said, adding that she has heard from people interested in having names added for several years – demonstrating to her the interest local people have in completing the project began so many years ago.
According to Brown’s research, the monument was spearheaded by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in 1897. Numerous changes and adjustments over the years have resulted in the addition and then subtraction of some spaces on the monument. Major changes were made in 1916 and the monument was moved to its current location in 1985.
For more information about the project or to propose names for inclusion, contact Jeanette Brown at 213-1763.
More than a 100 years later, county historian hopes to remember more Civil War veterans on monument
In the photo above, part of the Whitley County Historical Society’s collection, “The Old Standbys,” members of the GAR Post 81 pose for a photo with the Civil War monument they raised funds to build. The photo above was taken November 14, 1903, and from left is I.N. Keller, I.B. McDonald, Henry Worden, David Engle, David N. Hart, H.J. Egolf, Adam Malone, Henry H. Lawrence, John F. Lawrence, F.P. Gruesbeck, E.B. North, John Hess, J.M. Maine, George Sheckler, William Brubaker, William N. Langell and P.V. Gruesbeck. Many of these names appear on the monument today. Below, the monument as it appears today near the north entrance to the Whitley County Courthouse. (Talk of the Town photos, below, by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
It was a project that began more than a hundred years ago now.
Civil War veterans, many of whom were yet living, dedicated the large stone monument that now greets visits to the Whitley County Courthouse’s main entrance.
Years later, with several blank spaces yet to be filled, forgotten Civil War veterans may yet be remembered on the monument.
Two weeks ago, in the latest edition of the Whitley County Historical Society’s The Bulletin, the quarterly publication featuring news and notes of a vintage nature, announced that a rare opportunity is available for those with the interest and cash to make it happen.
As part of a project being managed by Whitley County historian Jeanette Brown, with the endorsement of Whitley County commissioners, those interested descendants of Civil War soldiers may have their ancestor’s name carved into the monument.
The cost to have a name entered onto the 22 remaining spaces is $43 for the first two letters and $5 for each additional letter. In the past, some families put names and regimental or company information while others included birth and death dates.
In addition to the spaces on main area of the moment, there additional spaces on the corners that can be reserved as needed.
Terry Smith of Smith & Sons Funeral home is coordinating the actual carving. The carvings are expected to be done all at one time.
There are a total of 360 spaces on the monument, with at least 22 available for engraving. So how many soldiers are eligible to be included on the monument? According to Brown, there are approximately 1700 Civil War soldiers who were either born or who lived in Whitley County during their lifetime – so that’s quite a few potential candidates for inclusion.
“They must have lived here or be buried here,” Brown said of criteria in determining whether or not a soldier’s name may be entered onto the monument. Brown will personally research each proposed name to ensure their connection to Whitley County before those names are inscribed on the monument.
“We have four maybe six interested so far,” Brown said. “I’ve been approached before,” she said, adding that she has heard from people interested in having names added for several years – demonstrating to her the interest local people have in completing the project began so many years ago.
According to Brown’s research, the monument was spearheaded by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in 1897. Numerous changes and adjustments over the years have resulted in the addition and then subtraction of some spaces on the monument. Major changes were made in 1916 and the monument was moved to its current location in 1985.
For more information about the project or to propose names for inclusion, contact Jeanette Brown at 213-1763.
June 17, 2008
Local broadcaster shares political perspectives with city Rotarians during noon meeting
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) NewsChannel 15's Mark Mellinger was a special guest at Columbia City's Rotary meeting this afternoon, sharing his unique, candid perspective on media and the presidential race. Mellinger shared some of his favorite stories as well as his impressions of the top contenders for the White House -- having interviewed all of them in recent months. Mellinger was a guest of long-time friend and Columbia City Rotary member Jim Banks. Mellinger's visit was recorded, so perhaps it might be featured on WANE-TV during one of tonight's newscasts?
Local broadcaster shares political perspectives with city Rotarians during noon meeting
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) NewsChannel 15's Mark Mellinger was a special guest at Columbia City's Rotary meeting this afternoon, sharing his unique, candid perspective on media and the presidential race. Mellinger shared some of his favorite stories as well as his impressions of the top contenders for the White House -- having interviewed all of them in recent months. Mellinger was a guest of long-time friend and Columbia City Rotary member Jim Banks. Mellinger's visit was recorded, so perhaps it might be featured on WANE-TV during one of tonight's newscasts?
Bright and blooming
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) This vibrant yellow lily, with beads of water on its petals, is just one of the many great finds at the Columbia City Farmers Market this season. A note to would-be shoppers, on June 21, the market will move to the southern edge of the Whitley County Courthouse Lawn for the day.
Bright and blooming
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) This vibrant yellow lily, with beads of water on its petals, is just one of the many great finds at the Columbia City Farmers Market this season. A note to would-be shoppers, on June 21, the market will move to the southern edge of the Whitley County Courthouse Lawn for the day.
OSD-American Legion Parade deadline nears
The deadline to enter a float or to participate in the 2008 Old Settlers Day-American Legion Parade is tomorrow, June 18.
There are no entry fees to participate. Line-up at Columbia City High School between 4:30-5:00 p.m. The parade route, as in prior years, will begin at Columbia City High School, north on Whitley Street, west on North Street, south on Main Street through downtown Columbia City.
Parade entries should be mailed to Norris Strickland, 4660 N. S.R. 109, Columbia City, IN 46725.
For more information, contact Norris Strickland at 503-1643 or Connie Strickland at 503-1637.
OSD-American Legion Parade deadline nears
The deadline to enter a float or to participate in the 2008 Old Settlers Day-American Legion Parade is tomorrow, June 18.
There are no entry fees to participate. Line-up at Columbia City High School between 4:30-5:00 p.m. The parade route, as in prior years, will begin at Columbia City High School, north on Whitley Street, west on North Street, south on Main Street through downtown Columbia City.
Parade entries should be mailed to Norris Strickland, 4660 N. S.R. 109, Columbia City, IN 46725.
For more information, contact Norris Strickland at 503-1643 or Connie Strickland at 503-1637.
Old Settler's Day full schedule of events released
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The midway in downtown Columbia City, shown above in 2007, glows as excited youngsters and their families stroll along, playing games and meeting up with old friends. Below, Community of Hope Church's band prepares for the parade as they wait in the high school parking lot. At bottom, Heather Nichols, a Lenzie, Scotland, resident visited Columbia City during OSD 2007 and participated in the parade.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano 
Some people look forward to the parade, a chance to sit among friends and neighbors and watch as the decorated floats roll by. For others, eating Shrine elephant ear or drinking a lemon shake-up is the highlight each year. Still others look forward to bringing their lawn chairs for an evening of entertainment on the courthouse lawn. Children, of course, love the midway and those just a little older always make a point of registering their age at the museum – just one of the traditions that is Old Settler’s Day.
With the annual festival just a week away, the official 2008 Old Settler’s Day Festival 
activities schedule has been released. Check it in the link below and make plans now for what you want to do next week.
One of the changes this year, according to OSD association member Mike Redman is the cancellation of the basketball tournament.
For information on OSD activities, call Mike Redman at 244-7635. You can also visit the official website at www.osdassociation.com
Saturday, June 21
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament 8:00 a.m. Morsches Park
Tuesday, June 24
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
Council on Aging Carry-in Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Council on Aging Bingo after lunch Senior Center
OSD Past Presidents Dinner 6 p.m. Eagle’s Nest Event Center
OSD Horseshoe Tournament 7 p.m. Burnworth Pool
“Spike & The Bulldogs” – Oldies 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Wednesday, June 25
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging – Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Birthday Party - King & Queen Announcement will follow lunch at the Senior Center
Antique Road Show event at Senior Center - $5.00 per item (no guns)
American Legion Bingo 5-11 p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
“Nostalgia” - Rock-n-Roll 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Thursday, June 26
Poor Jack’s – Wrist Band Discounts 1-5 p.m. Midway Downtown
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
Old Settler’s Registration 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging –Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Karaoke Contest 12 p.m. Senior Center
Eagles Lodge #1906 Noodle Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Corner of Van Buren & Line
Eagles Lodge #1906 Noodle Dinner 4-7 p.m. Corner of Van Buren & Line
American Legion Bingo noon-11p.m. Legion Tent on MidwayOSD Oldest & Longest Citizens Awards 7:30 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
“Prime Time” – Standards 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Friday, June 27
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging - Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Euchre & Skip Bo Tournaments 8:30 a.m. Senior Center
King & Queen featured in parade 6:30 p.m. Parade Route – Main Street
American Legion Bingo 5-11p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
Leadership Whitley County Walking Tacos during parade Corner of Jefferson & Main
OSD 4-Mile Fun Run 6:30 p.m. Parade Route – Main St. from North Street to Downtown
W. C. Pork Producers – Pork Sandwich Feed 4-8 p.m. Corner of Main & Van Buren
American Legion Post 98 Parade 6:30 p.m. Parade route from high school to North Street to Main Street and then downtown. This year’s theme is “Stars and Stripes Forever”
“Huckleberry Blue” - Blues & Country After Parade South Courthouse Stage
Saturday, June 28
Poor Jack’s – Wrist Band Discounts 1-5 p.m. Midway Downtown
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 1-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-noon Historical Museum
American Legion Bingo noon-11 p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
Junior Karaoke Contest – Ages 5 to 14 3:30 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
OSD Karaoke Contest – 15 & Over 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
OSD Raffle Prize Drawings 11:45 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Midway Ticket Sales Locations
Tickets for the 2008 Old Settler's Day midway are on sale at this time. The cost is $9 for a sheet of 20 tickets. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations in Whitley County: Star Insurance, Star Financial Bank, Family Video, J&J Insurance Solutions, Trier Ford Chrysler, Peoples Federal locations, Chase Bank, CVS, Redman Plumbing & Heating, Carousel Hair, Culligan, ProFed, Ball Furniture, Hammond Oil, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, Lake City Bank, Kroger, Tractor Supply Company, B&E Comics, Walgreen's, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Bravo Home & Gifts and The Brew Ha.
Event Locations
Entertainment Stage on south side of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn
W. C. Historical Society Historical Museum located at 108 W. Jefferson Street
W. C. Council on Aging Senior Center located at 603 W. Van Buren Street
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament in Morsches Park, located on East Van Buren Street (S.R.#205)
OSD Horseshoe Tournament is located between Burnworth Memorial Pool & Columbia City High School on North Whitley Street (behind the Whitley County Community Foundation).
Event Registration Requirements
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show: Visit the Whitley County Historical Museum at 108 W. Jefferson St. or call 244-6372 to register. Entry fee is $1 per entry, maximum of 2 quilts entered per person.
W. C. Council on Aging Events: Visit the Senior Center at 603 W. VanBuren Street or call 248-8944 to register. A free will offering will be accepted for lunches.
OSD Horseshoe Tournament: Participants are asked to register prior to 7 p.m. at the horseshoe pit at Burnworth Memorial Pool. There is no entry fee to participate and prizes will be awarded.
OSD 4-Mile Fun Run: Registration will be held at the Church of the Nazarene parking lot. The entry fee is $10 per person to pre-register and $12 the day of the run. For more information, contact Brian Shepherd at (260) 894-4638.
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament: The entry fee is $45 per team of three men & three women plus substitutes. The event is sponsored by the Lady Eagles Traveling Softball League. The entry deadline was June 13. For more information, contact Kelly Schrader at 246-2377 or 691-3357
OSD-American Legion Post 98 Parade: There are no entry fees to participate. Line-up at Columbia City High School between 4:30-5:00 p.m. Parade entries should be mailed to Norris Strickland, 4660 N. S.R. 109, Columbia City , IN 46725. The entry deadline is June 18. For more information, contact Norris at 503-1643 or Connie at 503-1637.
Old Settler's Day full schedule of events released
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The midway in downtown Columbia City, shown above in 2007, glows as excited youngsters and their families stroll along, playing games and meeting up with old friends. Below, Community of Hope Church's band prepares for the parade as they wait in the high school parking lot. At bottom, Heather Nichols, a Lenzie, Scotland, resident visited Columbia City during OSD 2007 and participated in the parade.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Some people look forward to the parade, a chance to sit among friends and neighbors and watch as the decorated floats roll by. For others, eating Shrine elephant ear or drinking a lemon shake-up is the highlight each year. Still others look forward to bringing their lawn chairs for an evening of entertainment on the courthouse lawn. Children, of course, love the midway and those just a little older always make a point of registering their age at the museum – just one of the traditions that is Old Settler’s Day.
With the annual festival just a week away, the official 2008 Old Settler’s Day Festival activities schedule has been released. Check it in the link below and make plans now for what you want to do next week.
One of the changes this year, according to OSD association member Mike Redman is the cancellation of the basketball tournament.
For information on OSD activities, call Mike Redman at 244-7635. You can also visit the official website at www.osdassociation.com
Saturday, June 21
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament 8:00 a.m. Morsches Park
Tuesday, June 24
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
Council on Aging Carry-in Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Council on Aging Bingo after lunch Senior Center
OSD Past Presidents Dinner 6 p.m. Eagle’s Nest Event Center
OSD Horseshoe Tournament 7 p.m. Burnworth Pool
“Spike & The Bulldogs” – Oldies 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Wednesday, June 25
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging – Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Birthday Party - King & Queen Announcement will follow lunch at the Senior Center
Antique Road Show event at Senior Center - $5.00 per item (no guns)
American Legion Bingo 5-11 p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
“Nostalgia” - Rock-n-Roll 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Thursday, June 26
Poor Jack’s – Wrist Band Discounts 1-5 p.m. Midway Downtown
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
Old Settler’s Registration 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging –Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Karaoke Contest 12 p.m. Senior Center
Eagles Lodge #1906 Noodle Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Corner of Van Buren & Line
Eagles Lodge #1906 Noodle Dinner 4-7 p.m. Corner of Van Buren & Line
American Legion Bingo noon-11p.m. Legion Tent on MidwayOSD Oldest & Longest Citizens Awards 7:30 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
“Prime Time” – Standards 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Friday, June 27
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 5-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historical Museum
W. C. Council on Aging - Lunch 11:30 a.m. Senior Center
Euchre & Skip Bo Tournaments 8:30 a.m. Senior Center
King & Queen featured in parade 6:30 p.m. Parade Route – Main Street
American Legion Bingo 5-11p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
Leadership Whitley County Walking Tacos during parade Corner of Jefferson & Main
OSD 4-Mile Fun Run 6:30 p.m. Parade Route – Main St. from North Street to Downtown
W. C. Pork Producers – Pork Sandwich Feed 4-8 p.m. Corner of Main & Van Buren
American Legion Post 98 Parade 6:30 p.m. Parade route from high school to North Street to Main Street and then downtown. This year’s theme is “Stars and Stripes Forever”
“Huckleberry Blue” - Blues & Country After Parade South Courthouse Stage
Saturday, June 28
Poor Jack’s – Wrist Band Discounts 1-5 p.m. Midway Downtown
Poor Jack’s Amusements Midway 1-11 p.m. Midway Downtown
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show 9 a.m.-noon Historical Museum
American Legion Bingo noon-11 p.m. Legion Tent on Midway
Junior Karaoke Contest – Ages 5 to 14 3:30 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
OSD Karaoke Contest – 15 & Over 8 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
OSD Raffle Prize Drawings 11:45 p.m. South Courthouse Stage
Midway Ticket Sales Locations
Tickets for the 2008 Old Settler's Day midway are on sale at this time. The cost is $9 for a sheet of 20 tickets. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations in Whitley County: Star Insurance, Star Financial Bank, Family Video, J&J Insurance Solutions, Trier Ford Chrysler, Peoples Federal locations, Chase Bank, CVS, Redman Plumbing & Heating, Carousel Hair, Culligan, ProFed, Ball Furniture, Hammond Oil, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, Lake City Bank, Kroger, Tractor Supply Company, B&E Comics, Walgreen's, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Bravo Home & Gifts and The Brew Ha.
Event Locations
Entertainment Stage on south side of the Whitley County Courthouse lawn
W. C. Historical Society Historical Museum located at 108 W. Jefferson Street
W. C. Council on Aging Senior Center located at 603 W. Van Buren Street
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament in Morsches Park, located on East Van Buren Street (S.R.#205)
OSD Horseshoe Tournament is located between Burnworth Memorial Pool & Columbia City High School on North Whitley Street (behind the Whitley County Community Foundation).
Event Registration Requirements
W. C. Historical Society Quilt Show: Visit the Whitley County Historical Museum at 108 W. Jefferson St. or call 244-6372 to register. Entry fee is $1 per entry, maximum of 2 quilts entered per person.
W. C. Council on Aging Events: Visit the Senior Center at 603 W. VanBuren Street or call 248-8944 to register. A free will offering will be accepted for lunches.
OSD Horseshoe Tournament: Participants are asked to register prior to 7 p.m. at the horseshoe pit at Burnworth Memorial Pool. There is no entry fee to participate and prizes will be awarded.
OSD 4-Mile Fun Run: Registration will be held at the Church of the Nazarene parking lot. The entry fee is $10 per person to pre-register and $12 the day of the run. For more information, contact Brian Shepherd at (260) 894-4638.
OSD Mud Volleyball Tournament: The entry fee is $45 per team of three men & three women plus substitutes. The event is sponsored by the Lady Eagles Traveling Softball League. The entry deadline was June 13. For more information, contact Kelly Schrader at 246-2377 or 691-3357
OSD-American Legion Post 98 Parade: There are no entry fees to participate. Line-up at Columbia City High School between 4:30-5:00 p.m. Parade entries should be mailed to Norris Strickland, 4660 N. S.R. 109, Columbia City , IN 46725. The entry deadline is June 18. For more information, contact Norris at 503-1643 or Connie at 503-1637.
June 16, 2008
Pink flamingos ready for retirement as flocking fundraiser draws to an end
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Numerous homeowners awoke for the day or arrived home from a day at work, only to gaze upon their prized lawns and note something amiss – flocks of pink plastic birds, cheerful frolicking on the sod.
Hurriedly, they’d race across the lawn, snatch up the paperwork housed in a little plastic box and find a ransom note of sorts – pay up or the birds stay put. Briskly, they found a checkbook and a phone, set to send the fair fowl on their way.
Such was the case of the recent “flamingo flocking” fundraiser put on by the most recent graduating class of Leadership Whitley County as a means of raising money to help offset the costs of the Splashpad project at Morsches Park. The Splashpad is a unique water feature that is handicap accessible and free for use by families during the summer months. Currently under construction, the Splashpad will be completed soon – thanks to significant support from the Dekko Foundation, private contributions and other contributions.
According to totals recently reported by the Whitley County Community Foundation, as of last week, more than $1700 had been raised – with perhaps a few hundred more expected to trickle in this week.
As of Saturday, though the flocks may be viewed for a few more days, the flocking has officially come to an end. Some of the birds, it seems, have seen sunnier days! And those planning the fundraiser say they have far exceeded their goals.
So, as the summer sun shines on, the flocks are ready for retirement. Will they reappear at some later date? We’ll have to wait and see…