ADULT DEPARTMENT

Learn How to Paint

Thursday, September 2 9 AM, 1 PM & 6 PM

Moonlight Silhouette in acrylics. There is a sample on display at the library. The $10.00 fee includes all materials and the canvas (no frame). Registration is required.

BYOBeads

Wednesday, September 8 9 AM to 1 PM Join fellow beaders to exchange ideas and complete up those unfinished projects. This is a FREE program.

Writers’ Book Discussion

Saturday September 11 6 PM The selection for the month of September is “Eats, Shoots & Leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation” by Lynne Truss.

This is a FREE program.

Dark City Movie Night

Saturday, September 11 7 PM Burt Lancaster plots to get rid of Barbara Stanwyck in “Sorry, Wrong Number”. Popcorn and soda will be available. This is a FREE program.

Sunday Hours Return

Sunday, September 12 1PM – 5 PM

The library resumes its Sunday openings through Memorial Day of 2011.

Tatting with Laura Bobay

Monday September 13 & 27 5:30 PM Learn to create beautiful lace patterns using the needle technique. $13.00 fee for first time participation only.

Registration required.

Stained Glass Class

Monday, September 13 6 PM Make a 9 inch square ‘quilt’ piece – one night each month for 6 months. You will piece your “quilt” together the 7th month. The fee is $15. Registration is required.

Guitar Hero Tournament

Friday, September 17 6 PM Showcase your talent! Competition, prizes & refreshments. Registration is required. This is a FREE program.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Monday, September 20 All Day Join the bilge rats at the library as we celebrate the biggest day of the year. Food, fun and music! This is a FREE program.

Island Drums with Kent Arnsbarger

Monday, September 20 2 PM Steel Drummer Kent Arnsbarger returns to help us celebrate Pirate Day with the happy, foot tapping sounds of the steel drum. This is a FREE program.

Modern/Classics Book Club

Tuesday, September 21 Noon The selection for the month of September is “Lydia Bailey” by Kenneth Roberts. Walk-ins are always welcome. This is a FREE program.

Friends Movie Night

Saturday, September 25 7 PM Join the Friends of the Library for “Swing Time” with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Refreshments will be available. This is a FREE program.

September Events for Young Adults

Cre8tive Kids Art – Wednesday, September 8, 6th grade and up at 6:00 PM. Learn different techniques of working with clay as you create your own clay sculpture. Limit of 20 per class. Sign-up in the Children’s Department.

Craft Saturday – Saturday, September 11 — Come anytime between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Young Adults can create an interesting water color painting.

Cooking 101 – Monday, September 13 at 4:00 PM. Kids can learn cooking basics and create tasty treats. This month we will be learning about the country of China and preparing several different Chinese foods. For grades 3-12. Sign-up requested. Limit of 20 students.

Teen Game Night – Monopoly! September 16 at 5:00 PM. Bring a friend or two and challenge other young adults to a game of Monopoly. Food provided! Sign-up requested.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Monday, September 20 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Best pirate costume contest, I spy wetlands, steel drum music, pirate games, puzzles, crafts, fun, prizes, cake, and grog!

Teen Café Club – Wednesday, September 22 at 5:00 PM. Writers group and book discussion.

Fall Band Jam – Sunday, September 26. Calling all Teens….If you are in a band or know a band of teenagers, then this Fall Band Jam is for you and them!!! Sign up in the Children’s Department, online, or call us. Refreshments will be served and let’s enjoy some music outside before the cold sets in!! Bring a lawn chair and some friends. This is an event you won’t want to miss!! Set up starts at 4:00PM and the concert starts at 5:00 PM. See you there!!

Show Me the Movies! – “The Lightning Thief”. Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30 PM. The first installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Refreshments will be served. This movie is rated PG.

September 2010 Children’s Events From the Peabody Public Library

Preschool Story Time meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and Thursdays at 4:15 PM. In September our over all theme will be visiting the zoo. Story Time theme for September 7 and 9 is “Monkeying Around”, September 14 and 16 is “Roar with the Lions”, September 21 and 23 is “Bears! Oh My!” and September 28 and 30 is “Can Giraffes Dance?” Join us for stories, songs, finger plays and a craft. .

Toddler Time meets in the Children’s Department at 10:30 AM on Tuesdays, September 7, 14, 21 and 28. This easy-going group is designed for parents and their children under age three.

Cre8tive Kids Art – Learn different techniques of working with clay as you create your own clay sculpture. Wednesday, September 8, K-2nd grade at 4:00 PM and 3rd-5th grade at 5:00 PM. Limit of 20 per class. Sign-up in the Children’s Department.

Joni Walker Art Classes – Thursday, September 9 and 23 at 4:15 PM. Sign up at the Children’s Services Desk, call the Children’s Department, or register online. Fee is $2 per person per class to cover the cost of materials. Ages 5 and up. Limit of 30 students. Sign-up requested.

Craft Saturday – Join us and make a sunshine craft for the younger kids and water color craft for the older kids. Saturday, September 11 anytime between 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Cooking 101 – Monday, September 13 at 4:00 PM. Kids can learn cooking basics and create tasty treats. This month we will be learning about the country of China and preparing several different Chinese foods. For grades 3-12. Sign-up requested. Limit of 20 students.

Grandparent’s Tea – Tuesday, September 14 from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM. Come enjoy tea, cookies, & punch. Grandparents are encouraged to bring items, pictures, and stories from their childhood. All ages welcome to bring their grandparents or other special adults. Sign-up requested.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Monday, September 20 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Best pirate costume contest, I spy wetlands, steel drum music, pirate games, puzzles, crafts, fun, prizes, cake, and grog!

Book Buddies Year 1 – Tuesday, September 21 from 4:00 PM until 5:00. This monthly program is for children age 3 to 6 and their parents. For information, contact the Peabody Public Library Children’s Department at 244-5541..

Babes & Books – Wednesday, September 22 at 10:30. This monthly program is for babies 8 weeks to 18 months. For information, contact the Peabody Public Library Children’s Department at 244-5541.

“Dining with Diabetes” is a program for people with diabetes and their families. This 4 week cooking school will be held on Thursday evenings, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Whitley County Extension Office, 115 South Line Street, Columbia City. Includes: September 9 – “What is Diabetes?”; September 16 – “Main Dishes – Looking at Fats and Sodium”; September 23 – “Desserts – Looking at Carbohydrates and Sweeteners”; and September 30 – “Side Dishes – Looking at Vitamins and Fiber”. Cost is $35/person for all 4 sessions; $20 for the 2nd person in a family. Aging and In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana is providing a limited number of full scholarships for persons over age 60. Registrations are due Sept. 7. For more information, call 260-244-7615 or 260-625-3313 or e-mail cbarnett@purdue.edu.

“Dining with Diabetes” is a program for people with diabetes and their families. This four-week cooking school will be held on Thursday evenings, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Whitley County Extension Office, 115 South Line Street, Columbia City.

This curriculum reflects current advances in diabetes nutritional education and also takes into consideration today’s busy lifestyle. Recipes utilized throughout the curriculum have fewer and less expensive ingredients and are prepared with less fat and sodium content. Utilization of the artificial sweeteners in combination with limited amounts of sugar is emphasized to reduce overall carbohydrates and calories. Emphasis is placed on the addition and importance of fiber and calcium in the meal plan.

The class schedule is: September 9 – “What is Diabetes?”; September 16 – “Main Dishes – Looking at Fats and Sodium”; September 23 – “Desserts – Looking at Carbohydrates and Sweeteners”; and September 30 – “Side Dishes – Looking at Vitamins and Fiber”.

Cost is $35/person for all 4 sessions; $20 for the 2nd person in a family. Aging and In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana is providing a limited number of full scholarships for persons over age 60.

Registrations are due Sept. 7. For more information, call 260-244-7615 or 260-625-3313 or e-mail cbarnett@purdue.edu.

For our many out-of-staters or for those who live nearby who have not yet seen it – here’s a shot of the new Town Government Center at 530 South Main Street …

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (August 24, 2010) – Breyden Products, Inc. announced today that the company has acquired the Electronics Division of Pennsylvania-based Gudebrod, Inc., which will be incorporated into Breyden Products’ Columbia City, Indiana operations.

“This acquisition enhances our company’s position as the largest supplier of lacing tapes, cords, and braider yarns for the wire harnessing industry,” said Breyden Products Vice President of Sales Mike Zuber, “We look forward to serving an expanded customer base with a continued focus on product quality and customer service.”

Breyden Products manufactures military specification lacing tapes, twines, yarns and cords, commercial grade lacing and tying materials, and sleevings used in the aerospace and wire harnessing industries. The company also manufactures braided or twisted tapes, cords and twines utilized in the electric motor industry for lacing stators.

In 2009, the company expanded its facility at 71 Radio Road to add a shipping & receiving area, purchased new equipment to increase company capabilities, and added one new fulltime employee. Additional investment and job creation to support the Gudebrod Electronics Division purchase have not been finalized.

“On behalf of Columbia City, congratulations to the owners and employees of Breyden Products on their continued growth and success,” said Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, “The City and the EDC will continue to work with companies like Breyden Products to encourage their investment in our community.”

The Whitley County EDC will continue to work with local and state partners to identify opportunities to support Breyden Products’ business development goals.

About Breyden Products, Inc.

Breyden Products moved to Columbia City in 2004 from the High Desert region near Los Angeles, California. The company manufactures lacing tapes, twines, and cords for military customers; a variety of commercial grade lacing and tying materials; a range of sleevings and braiding yarns for aerospace and wire-harnessing customers; and braided or twisted tapes, cords, and twines used in the electric motor industry. For more information about Breyden Products, please visit: www.breydenproducts.com

About Whitley County EDC

The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic development agency in Whitley County, Indiana. The EDC works closely with local, regional, and state partners to support our industry clients’ growth and success. Our mission is to implement a unified economic development effort and to expand employment and business opportunities for the benefit of the people of Whitley County by developing and maintaining cooperation of all individuals, groups, and organizations within the county. The Whitley County EDC was established in 1992 and represents Whitley County, Columbia City, and the Towns of Churubusco, Larwill, and South Whitley. For more information about the EDC, visit www.whitleyedc.com.

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Aug. 24, 2010) — Saturday, August 28, the New Era Show Choir members and boosters will be hosting a car wash at Egolf’s IGA on South Main Street in Churubusco.

The car wash will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cars will be washed and dried by members of New Era during this time at no charge, although free will donations will be accepted.

All proceeds from this event will be used to help offset the costs of New Era’s upcoming trip to Orlando, Florida in March, 2011, to compete in the FAME national show choir competition.

Here’s a chance to help the New Era Show Choir and drive away in a clean, shiny car at the same time!

car wash 1

(August 24, 2010) — According to an article in this morning’s Journal Gazette by reporter Holly Abrams, a veteran Indiana State Police trooper resigned Friday after being questioned in an internal investigation.

The pending investigation pertains to deferral checks missing from the 31-year-veteran trooper’s post, a state police spokesman said Monday.

Dallard Tackett, 58, a lieutenant, was commander of the state police post along the Indiana Toll Road in Elkhart County, according to Abrams’ story.  The Toll Road post oversees the seven counties along the northern border of the state, including LaGrange and Steuben.

State police employees noticed missing deferral checks Thursday, prompting an investigation … For the rest of this story, go to the Journal Gazette …

TRI LAKES, COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (Aug. 22, 2010) – Another cougar sighting – this time in our own backyard in Whitley County!

Linda Zimmerman and her husband Max, along with two relatives sighted an adult cougar taking a drink at the water’s edge of Big Cedar Lake in the East Basin at approximately 5 p.m. yesterday (Aug. 21, 2010).

Big Cedar Lake is one of the lakes that comprise Tri Lakes in Whitley County, a short drive from Churubusco and Blue Lake.

Zimmerman notified buscovoice.com early this morning at 12:27 a.m. (Apparently, she had a little trouble sleeping?)

This is what Zimmerman reported:

“My husband, Max, and two first cousins sighted an adult cougar on the north shore of Big Cedar Lake in the East Basin approximately 5 P.M. today (Aug. 21, 2010). We have alerted the Whitley County Sheriff Department, as well as neighbors adjoining the area of the sighting,” Zimmerman said.

“This sighting was a very clear, close range sighting of the cougar as it drank from the water’s edge and immediately bolted into brush and disappeared as we were approaching with our pontoon dead on,” Zimmerman continued.

“One neighbor had heard ’something wild’ last night outside (his/her home) but didn’t know what it was. Cougars don’t often attack humans, but they can and sometimes do. Pets, I imagine, would be considered fair game for this adult cougar! I can honestly say, we were all surprised at the sighting but all know exactly what we saw … no imagination here.”

If you sight what you believe to be a wild cat in or around your neighborhood, call the local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or local law enforcement officials.

(Click on map to enlarge)

There is a Web sight devoted to wild cat sightings in the Midwest called Cougar News.

Following are some of the articles listed on the sight.

The big cat out back? It could be a lion!

By SETH SLABAUGH of the Muncie Star

MUNCIE — The camera doesn’t lie. And that’s why state officials are now taking more seriously people such as Delaware County farmer Lon Wright when they cry “cougar.

At 2:30 a.m. on May 1, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources captured multiple images of a cougar, also known as a mountain lion, in rural Greene County east of Bloomfield and southwest of Bloomington.

Cameras were placed in the area after investigators found evidence consistent with mountain lion behavior, including a deer minus its intestines buried under a pile of leaves.

On March 1, DNR implemented a new policy to collect data and evaluate reported sightings of mountain lions, prompted by increased reports of the animals migrating east, specifically out of South Dakota.

Since then, 19 mountain lion sightings have been reported, including the one in Greene County — seven counties away from Delaware County. Of the remaining 18, two reports were confirmed by biologists as animals other than a mountain lion. Sixteen were classified as “unconfirmed,” either because of no physical evidence or because photographs provided were of insufficient quality to identify characteristics of any animal type.

Wright swears he saw a mountain lion in a hay field near his dairy farm in southern Delaware County in the summer of 2008. A feed company truck driver reported seeing a cougar walking down the driveway within 60 feet of Wright’s house. Wright’s wife also has seen it, close enough that she was prepared to squirt it with a garden hose if it had approached her.

For the rest of this story click here …

Category Archive for ‘Confirmed Sightings’

Wisconsin DNR response to cougar sightings varies by circumstance

Posted in Confirmed Sightings, Government Agency, Monitoring, Wisconsin on Jul 7th, 2010

DNR response to cougar sightings varies by circumstance

Rare animal sightings tend to jump start the imagination.

The cougar hiding in your neighbor’s woods. The wolverine scurrying under a deck. A timber wolf hunting cattle.

The Department of Natural Resources — the recipient of these reports — takes a case-by-case approach when deciding whether to investigate … (Click on headline for complete story)

Michigan DNRE determines trail camera photo in Menominee County is likely cougar

Posted in Confirmed Sightings, Government Agency, Michigan, Monitoring, Remote Camera on Jun 21st, 2010

Menominee County is in the southwestern corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and shares a border with Wisconsin

DNRE Determines Trail Camera Photo in Menominee County is Likely Cougar – June 21, 2010

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today announced it has reviewed a Menominee County trail camera picture [...]

COUGAR ON THE PROWL NEAR MORDEN

Conservation officials suggest healthy deer population attracting the predator

“Generally speaking, respect the animal, but do not fear it. Cougar attacks (on people) are very [...]

Brown County Ohio cougar was flea market purchase

Posted in Confirmed Sightings, Control, Monitoring, Ohio on May 31st, 2010

Most eastern states and Canadian provinces now ban private ownership of cougars or require the “owner” of the exotic animal to obtain a license or permit or to register the animal with state or local authorities to privately possess the animal. As of 2009, only two states (Wisconsin & West Virginia) and one eastern Canadian [...]

Remote camera confirmation of cougar at Lena, Wisconsin

Posted in Confirmed Sightings, Remote Camera, Wisconsin on May 31st, 2010

Lena is in eastern Wisconsin north of Green Bay. Based on the location of the urinary opening, we know the cougar is a male.

Possible escaped captive cougar sighted in southwestern Ohio

Posted in Confirmed Sightings, Control, Monitoring, Ohio on May 28th, 2010

Georgetown is in SW Ohio near the Kentucky border.

http://www.maysville-online.com/news/local/article_eaaa2e50-6a00-11df-bef9-001cc4c03286.html

Mountain lion believed sighted near Georgetown

GEORGETOWN, Ohio — The Brown County Sheriff’s Office has received two reports in two days of a mountain lion sighting near Georgetown, Ohio.

Police believe the animal may have escaped from a resident on Western Run Avenue in Mount [...]

Don Page

Several members of the Muller Memorial Pool committee were present including president Liz Schemm and Don Page, brother-in-law of the late Paul Muller, who willed a large sum of money  for the water feature.

Paul Muller was a lifelong resident of Churubusco. When he died in 2003, he left $361,000 to Smith-Green Community Schools for the construction of a swimming pool. The school decided at that time they could not undertake such a project, and the funds were held in a trust with Whitley County Community Foundation. In 2007, the Mueller Pool Committee was formed with the intent of making Paul Mueller’s dream a reality.

The proposed pool project, however, was estimated at $400,000 to $500,000 a simple community pool, with more elaborate plans falling in the $500,000 to $1- or $2-million range. Since a splash park would cost under $300,000 and require less maintenance, the pool committee decided last year to pursue that option.

The splash pad recirculates the used water, resulting in lower utility bills, and is low maintenance, with no lifeguards required.

A local life scout, Andrew Biddle, is planning to earn his badges by landscaping the area around the pad and planting several fast-growing shade trees. Page presented Biddle with a plaque for his efforts.

Jamin Longardner was the winner of the Name the Water Feature contest and was also honored with a plaque at today’s ceremony.

According to Rick Krider, superintendent of Churubusco Park, the splash pad will be open daily as long as weather permits, through September.

Park superintendent, Rick Krider, and town council president, Frank Kessler, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Jamin Longardener won the award for coming up with the name of the splash pad - Paul's Pad. Here, he is congratulated and presented with a plaque by Don Page.

Members of the pool committee, including president Liz Schemm, third from left, were present at the ceremony.

Paul Muller's granddaughter also spoke at the ceremony.

Not a happy splasher ...

Andrew Biddle is a Life Scout who has volunteered to plant trees and landscape in the area around the splash pad. Here, he receives a honorary plaque from Don Page.

Fun!  Fun! Fun!

CHURUBUSCO, Ind., (Saturday, Aug.21, 1:30p.m.) — The American Legion Riders, along with residents of  Churubusco, carried out a grand welcome home for a twice-wounded warrior who recently served in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Cpl. Dan Kernan and his wife, Lauren, were escorted from Fort Wayne to the Churubusco American Legion for a welcome home reception.

Lauren is the granddaughter of Churubusco resident,  Emily Munk.

Churubusco area residents turned out – despite the rain – to welcome Cpl. Kernan to ‘Busco. People lined both sides of Main Street, holding flags and waving and cheering. The procession was led by local police and fire department officials, who flashed their lights and turned on their sirens as they made their way into town.

After parking in front of the Churubusco American Legion, where a dinner was held in their honor, Kernan and his wife walked amid the crowd. People who knew Kernan or his wife stopped to greet or hug them, but many who did not know him also approached, shook his hand and thanked him for his service to our country.

“This was awesome … and unexpected,” Kernan said with a big smile.

Cpl. Dan Kernan and his wife, Lauren, greet people along Main Street in Churubusco.

We loved this Turtle Trivia story and the photos sent to us by Deanna Hoffman recently.

“A relative in Oregon saw this recipe,” Hoffman said. “What a perfect idea to serve at the Turtle Days Festival or a town event/fundraiser!”

The recipe for Louisiana Cajun Turtle Burgers is simple enough:

Handmade ground beef patties, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, wrapped in a bacon weave; then add hotdogs as the heads and legs with slits for toes and tail.

Next step:  Place on an oven rack, covered loosely with foil and baked for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees.  A little crispy, not too crunchy … just how a turtle should be, no?

We don’t have a nutrition chart, but we’re guessing the fat and cholesterol content is off the charts. But hey, Turtle Days comes but once a year. What the heck – top off a couple of Cajun Turtle Burgers with a deep-fried Snickers bar and then call the paramedics!

(From the Post & Mail written by reporter Chris Meyers)

Friday, August 06 2010

Within the next couple of months, Churubusco will have a new sign for the town, courtesy of a recently-established bank in town.

The lighted and LED sign, with a cost of nearly $20,000, will all be given to the town courtesy of PNC Bank, which is in the former National City Bank location at the intersection of state Route 205 and U.S. 33.

“This is a very valuable asset for the town to have,” said Lee Prescott of PNC Bank.

The sign will be placed on the northeast corner of the 5-way intersection and have a permanently backlit top area for “Welcome to Churubusco, Indiana.”

Below that portion of the sign is an area that will be three feet, five inches tall and seven feet, three inches wide for LED lights.

For the rest of this story click here >  Post and Mail …

Pet of the Week

Sponsored by Fort Financial Credit Union

Roxy is an approximately 2-1/2-year-old Bull Terrier-mix, who was surrendered to the shelter by her owner months ago. Roxy’s owner was sad to give her up, and told us that she is housebroken and good with kids and other dogs. She has become a shelter favorite! This charismatic dog can sit on command, especially if there are treats involved (which she takes very gently from your hand). Roxy is very sweet and fairly mellow, but she is also very large and strong. This girl is very friendly, happy and loving. She will make an awesome pet! Come in to meet Roxy, and see if this intelligent terrier is the dog for you!

Come to the Whitley County Humane Shelter and meet Roxy and see what a smart and friendly dog she is.

The shelter is located at 951 S. Line St., Columbia City. Shelter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 2-7 and Saturday, 1-5.

For more information, call the shelter at 260-244-6664; e-mail dirhswc@yahoo.com, or visit the WCHS Web site at www.hswc.org.

The BLue River Boys (And Girl)

The church will offer concessions such as hot dogs, baked beans, chips, lemonade, ice tea, water, coffee, and desserts. The public is invited to attend.

The fun will start about 5 p.m. There will be games, including cornhole. The Blue River Boys will sing at approximately 6:15 p.m. There will NOT be a free will offering – the event is totally free.

This wonderful band is a real blessing to hear and the crowd will be inspired. Bring lawn chairs and get ready to have a great time.

For more information call the church at 260-693-1104. The church is located in Collins on Darland Avenue.

In the interest of full disclosure – one of the boys in the band is a girl!

August 2, 2010 — From the Churubusco Public Library:

Friday, August 20th 7-8 pm – Last Summer Band Concert

Featuring: Shade Jones along with J. Taylor

All concerts will be held at the library, 116 N. Mulberry St. – rain or shine.

It is suggested that anyone attending please bring lawn chairs.

Summer Band Concerts are made possible by a grant from the Whitley County Community Foundation.

Book Discussion Group meetings

The Churubusco Public Library offers two book discussion groups, the Adult Discussion Group and the Grim Readers Book Club for middle and high school students. For more information regarding these groups and their upcoming reads, call the library at 693-6466.

The Adult Discussion Group, led by board member Harold Norman, will meet Thursday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. The topic is “Favorite Novels.”

The Grim Reader Book Club, led by staff member Shelly Becraft, will meet Friday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. The group will be discussing stories that incorporate the ideas of trust and finding the truth. This month’s featured books include Liar by Justine Larbalestier and Ruined by Paula Morris.

New Email Address

The library has a new email address. It is: buscolibrary@frontier.com.

Picks by the Staff

Favorite picks of the CPL staff include:

Any book by Karen Kingsbury (Carol Scherer)

Any book by Kristin Hannah (Joanne Sattison)

Message in a Bottle by Nicolas Sparks (Marna Perlich)

The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris (Sam Fry)

The Frankenstein series by Dean Koontz (Shelly Becraft)

Library hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10-7; Tues, Thurs 3-7; Sat 9-2

For more go to www.buscolibrary.whitleynet.org

The new water feature – “Paul’s Pad” – the the Churubusco Community Park is nearing completion.

According to park superintendent Rick Krider, construction has been held up by inclement weather, but he still expects the splash pad to be open a few weeks this summer.

Update (8-3-10):

“We are planning on having our ribbon-cutting open ceremonies Sat. Aug 21 at 5 p.m. if everything goes as planned,”Krider said today.  “The splash pad will officially open after the ribbon-cutting) and probably be open that night until dusk.”

The splash pad committee and guests will have a get together at the Masonic Lodge for supper at 7 p.m. that same night in celebration of accomplishing the long-anticipated project for the community of Churubusco.

Krider said the park will also install a security system, including security lights and cameras in and around the splash pad and skatepark areas. The system will be monitored by local police, as well as park officials.

The plumbling for the new splash pad is currently under construction.

(July 24, 2010) — From Talk of the Town, our partner in the Whitley News Network …

Whitley County 4-H Auction sales total $336,902.21

Whitley County’s curbside recycling program continues to grow

Last week as Whitley County Solid Waste Management director Jorell Tucker talked with local business people, he couldn’t help but share his delight about the increased level of recycling in Whitley County this year.

Tucker said he knew the new, single stream recycling program introduced at the beginning of the year was going to be popular based on the phone calls and comments he received from local residents. Residents were excited about the simplicity of the new program, the inclusion of more items to recycle, the containers with built-in wheels and the fact that a local vendor, Whitley Environmental, had been selected as the contractor for the curbside program. For more, click on the headline above …

Parkview Whitley Hospital Foundation’s annual golf outing raises $14,000

Volunteers and projects needed for Whitley County’s United Way Day of Caring

Over the years, volunteers have completed projects ranging from tidying up landscaping to painting to constructing playground equipment — all with the goal of helping non-profits and improving the community.

The Whitley County United Way Day of Caring is set for September 14, 2010, and the time has come for local organizations to submit their wish lists for volunteer teams to complete that day.

It is also the time for volunteer teams to sign up and agree to dedicate time to complete work projects.

To submit a project or volunteer to work on a community project, click here …

Imagine for a moment that you call 9-1-1 for the fire department and no one shows up. The volunteer fire service, which dates back to Ben Franklin, is slowly disappearing like the horse drawn fire truck.

In a community where we pride ourselves on staying connected and knowing our neighbors, the fire department has always been that social and civic point of contact for our citizens. But as incidents increase and volunteers fade, the volunteer fire service could become as rare as a firehouse Dalmatian.

“People are running out of free time”, said Fire Chief Roger Bennett and according to a 2004 report by the NVFC that’s the number one factor.

Blame it on our society: longer commutes, year round sport activities, factories or shops that won’t allow volunteers to leave in the middle of a workday. Blame it on state mandated training requirements that have increased heavily since 9/11. Blame it on people who live in the community and don’t realize the department is strictly men and women willing to volunteer and there aren’t people at the station 24/7. The fact remains that the fire department could use more hands.

“Years ago the fire department was made up of local business owners and farmers who could leave for an emergency. Today more people travel out of town for work. Even if it’s just to Ft Wayne, it’s too far for them to respond”, said one firefighter.

As more people commute to these cities and towns for work, you can imagine how few of these volunteers are available during the daytime hours.

Two critical accidents during the afternoon hours in June, one being a fatality, had a total of two firefighters at one incident and three at another. The department’s protocol calls for two trucks to respond to accidents and to have 4 to 5 people in each truck. On a structure fire the amount of apparatus and people needed to make it as safe as possible triples.

VOLUNTEERING SAVES YOU MONEY

The economic consequences are obvious, because as more volunteers disappear from the fire service, towns are forced to hire career firefighters in place of volunteers. Of the 30,000 fire departments in the U.S., roughly 2/3rds are volunteer protecting 40% of the population.

A study conducted by the Public Safety and Environmental Protection Institute and found that it would cost U.S. citizens $37.2 billion annually if they had to replace all volunteers with career staffing.

The study went on to say that the average figure that can be used for a career firefighter’s salary and benefits is $71,500 per year. This obviously varies by area of the country, but it’s a figure that the town of Churubusco or Smith Township could not afford.

“To cover costs like these would require a raise in property taxes and in this day and age that’s not going to happen”, said Smith Twp. Trustee Patty Amber. “Even if we considered a fire territory, there isn’t enough assessed evaluation to create a career department” Amber went on to say.

BENEFITS OF BEING A VOLUNTEER

Most firefighters are very humble when called a “hero” because they’re just doing their job, but they all gain great satisfaction knowing their hard work helped someone else in a time of need. It could be as simple as helping someone up from the ground after a nasty fall, to saving a home from total fire destruction. No matter the incident, your help made a difference in someone’s life.

On top of the intangible benefits there are life skills and financial benefits to being a firefighter. Some of these include:

• CPR certification – This could help you advance in your career
• Cell phone discounts – Many of the major carriers offer some sort of discount
• Hotel room discounts – Some major hotel chains will offer discounts
• Free admission – You can attend events, festivals and at times movies for little or no cost
• Tax breaks – It’s possible to write off or claim items on your taxes

I WOULD LIKE TO HELP

Deciding to be a volunteer isn’t something you should take lightly and the fire department has a list of questions to ask yourself before you decide to apply.

1.)   Do I have enough time?

2.)   Am I willing to go out in extreme weather, odd hours and get dirty?

3.)   Will my family be supportive?

4.)   Do I have the ability to cope with emergencies?

5.)   Can I physically do the job?

There are two main requirements to apply for a position

1.)   Must be 18 years of age or older

2.)   Live within the coverage area which is roughly 5-6 miles in either direction from downtown

Applications can be picked up from the fire station on Tuesday evenings after 7:00 P.M. or downloaded from the Churubusco Fire Department website.

Zane Sade

Sade will portray Judge Turpin in the musical, to be held at North Side High School Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 11, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. A $2 discount will be allowed for those with a Three Rivers Festival button.

Summer Music Theatre also has a patronage program called “Adopt-A-Thespian.” With a donation of $25 or more, patrons will receive two tickets to a performance of their choice and their names will be featured on the program. Adopt Sade by calling him at 260-693-9290.

This is Sade’s second experience acting with the Summer Music Theatre. He participated in last summer’s production of “Rent.” For more on the “Sweeney Todd” production, go to the Summer Music Theatre’s Web site.

Sade will attend Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio this fall, majoring in Music Theater.

From an article in the The Journal Gazette this morning, June 29, 2010, written by reporter Benjamin Lanka:

CHURUBUSCO – Area Republicans on Monday selected a former Whitley County GOP chair and councilwoman to fill a ballot vacancy as the party aims to retake the Indiana House.

Kathy Heuer won the tightly contested caucus to replace Rep. Matt Bell, R-Avilla, on the ballot this fall.

Bell announced this month he would not seek re-election after agreeing to head the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana.

Heuer, the lone female candidate, was picked from a field of seven.

For more go to the Journal Gazette Web site …