Tag Archive | "Turtle Days"

Thumbs Up to Turtle Race Volunteers

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Thumbs up to all of the volunteers who made this year’s Turtle Races a big success. A big THANKS to Vince Simmers, Danyel Simmers, Jim Rollins, Brad Streseman, Viv Sade, Pat Flaherty and Jerry McCoy. The races could not go on with out all of you. Also thank you to The Husk’s for the use of their sound system and to Fort Financial Credit Union for providing the grand prize award.

Dee Dee McCoy
Churubusco Chamber of Commerce

 

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THUMBS UP! To the hardworking Turtle Days Festival Committee – in particular the officers and those in charge of events – who worked so hard. The result was obvious – what a great small town festival!

 

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THUMBS UP! To the Conrows for their generous donation and to everyone who contributed to Buy A Boom because those were the most awesome fireworks EVER!

 

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THUMBS UP! To Greg Barkley for the great job he does on the microphone at the Turtle Days events. The parade and contests are a lot of fun and very enjoyable with him as the announcer.

 

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THUMBS UP! To the decision to have Chuck Mathieu as the Grand Marshal. Great choice – who better than the man who has helped preserve the history of Churubusco and the legend of Oscar?

 

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THUMBS UP! To the person(s) responsible for the layout of Turtle Days at the park and for bringing back the Merchant’s Tent! Great idea to have the Merchant’s tent as an aisleway between the Midway and the food court and entertainment tent.

 

-Several faithful visitors and neighbors of Turtle Days

Parade and fireworks a fitting end to a great festival

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fireworks good one

parade postmaster

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Sat. June 19, 2010) — TURTLE DAYS FESTIVAL PARADE – Winners of the parade are as follows:

1st – United States Postal Service

2nd – Sugar Grove Church of God

3rd – Churubusco Middle/High School Cheerleaders

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The parade was led by Grand Marshal Chuck Mathieu.
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dancer military girls33 marine

parade vfw
VFW Post float
parade vets car
Veterans' Causemobile
parade turbo mark
Turbo and Mark Gatwood
parade teen girl sm boy
parade swat kid
A junior member of the SWAT team
parade sugar gr church
Sugar Grove Church of God float
parade subway team
Subway ball team
parade stacy girlsparade s mainparade pretty blondsparade powparade pooper scoopers 1parade oscar floatparade pom poms
parade oscar ready
Kathy Mullins gives Oscar a hand while getting ready for the parade.
parade oscar to use winnersparade onion daysparade mennonitesparade mathieu family2
parade mathieu family
The Mathieu family followed their father, Grand Marshal Chuck Mathieu.
parade llama lovers
parade legion guard
The American Legion Color Guard
parade Jeff S Terryparade TD crew brianparade horse team
parade hayhurst
The Whitley County respectively followed Grand Marshal Chuck Mathieu. Mathieu was a 14-year Democratic member of the Churubusco Town Council.
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"Look what's coming!"
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parade girl finds candy
"Look what I found!"
parade girl boy waving
parade geigers van
A Gaggle of Geigers
parade float boy clap
parade firetrucks
The line of firetrucks ...
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... and one response
parade fire guardparade EN Marching band
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Dave Gatwood is positively patriotic as he stands to pay respect to the flag.
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parade dan fletcher
Dan Fletcher waves to the parade participants.
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parade cute 4-h kids
4-H Float
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4-H Float
parade cub scouts
Local Cub Scout Troop
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parade TD gang kay mike
Part of the Turtle Days Gang
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Happy Trio
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This kids axiously await the start of the parade with their bags ready to retrieve treats.
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Churubusco Town Marshal Chad Fulkerson and family.
parade ca team to useparade bubble EN bandparade bri kids
parade boy scouts
Local Boy Scout Troop
parade Blue lk camp
Blue Lake Campground float.
parade better one maddy gangparade ball teamparade alisha Sparade 3 girls churchparade 2 teensparade 2 boys waving
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Retrieving the parade candy.
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Chippy the Clown

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Park superintendent and festival board member, Rick Krider, directs traffic at the park after the parade.
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Getting the fireworks ready ...
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And all that’s left is the clean up …

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Turtle Days Festival President Kirk Gray takes down the entertainment tent Sunday morning after the festival.
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A lot of trash ...
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... and more trash
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Turtle Days committee members take down the canopies and pack them away for next year's festival.

Until next year!

Turtle Days’ event winners

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CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – Major event winners from Turtle Days Festival 2010 included:

karaoke winners adult brumbaugh, Myers, Grams

Adult Karaoke Winners:

1st – Tom Brumbaugh

2nd – Johnny Irish

3rd – Kayla Meyers

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Jr Karaoke Winners:

1st – Donovan Geiger

2nd  – Alyssa Moschel

3rd  – Molly Blake

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McKenna Fensler
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Samantha Van Every

Dance Competition:

12 & Under: 1st McKenna Fensler

2nd Samantha VanEvery

Duo or Group: Zack & McKenna Fensler

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Car/Truck /Bike Show:

Original: Steve & Paula Witte

Restored: Jim Morhart

Modified: Tom Spinnett

Custom: Paul Walker

Paint: Ron Clemmens

Interior: David Bishir

Engine: Sarah Lichpsinn

Street Rod: Randy & Kathy Bergdall

Truck: Jim McQueen

Bike: Sean Shanahan

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BBQ Cookoff Winners:

Overall: Brad Rearick

Ribs: Chad Stillwell

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Turtle Days Parade:

1st United States Postal Service

2nd – Sugar Grove Church of God

3rd – Churubusco Middle/High School Cheerleaders

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Turtle Days Poker Run:

1st – Ken Penley

2nd – Damian Stafford

3rd – Jeri Crance

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T. Sordelet
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A. McDowell

Tom Fletcher Memorial Scholarship:

Alex McDowell

Taylor Sordelet

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Corn Hole Tournament:

Singles- Brian Sims

Doubles- Jay Moon & Braden Moon

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Royalty Competition:

Baby Oscar - Wyatt Cliffton

Little Miss Turtle - Austen McGlothlin

Little Mr. Turtle - Bently Kilgore

Turtle Prince - Isaiah Pippenger

Turtle Princess - Olivia Whan

Turtle King - Dakota Barkley

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The Merchants Tent was a big hit this year.
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Merchants' Tent
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Participants wait for their dishes to cook in the BBQ Cook Off Contest.
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BBQ Cook Off
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A little belly dancing to relieve stress ...
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From front, Mike Lions, Jeff Stilwell and Chad Stillwell prepare their favorite barbeque recipe for the Turtle Days BBQ Cook Off Contest. Check out that super grill - custom made by Stillwell for his new BBQ catering business, In Due Time.
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A sad note in the midst of Turtle Days festivities - the funeral of local resident and businessman, Charlie Leffers, who died in a tragic automobile accident.

Car show at C&A big success

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In 2009 Brady’s Auto Service hosted a classic car, truck and bike show in and around their business south of town and it was such a success they decided to make it an annual event during Turtle Days.

This year the event grew by almost 20 entrants from 97 last year to 115 this year and was held at the C&A south complex.

A total of 75 awards were handed out to entrants by Dave Brady, Dick & Sara Conrow and several other volunteers.

The top winners were:

BEST ORIGINAL: Steve & Paula Witte

BEST RESTORED: Jim Morhart

BEST MODIFIED: Tom Stinnett

BEST CUSTOM: Paul Walker

BEST PAINT: Ron Clemens

BEST INTERIOR: David Bishir

BEST ENGINE: Sarah Lichtsinn

BEST STREET ROD: Randy & Kathy Bergdall

BEST TRUCK: Jim McQueen

BEST BIKE: Sean Shanahan

Turtle Days features will continue throughout the week on Buscovoice.com!

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Watch this site daily for updates, videos, photos and the results of all Turtle Days events!

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Chad Nicodemus gives the thumbs up sign after winning $500 cash in Saturday night's raffle drawing at the Turtle Days Festival.

The winners of the Turtle Days Grand Prize raffle drawing included:

  • $750 cash – Ken Clifton
  • $500 – Chad Nicodemus
  • $250 – E. Serves

Still to come: winners of the Cornhole, BBQ Cookoff, 5K, Turtle Race, Karaoke, Dance Contest, Turtle Days Pageant, Car Show, and much more!

In the meantime, enjoy some good old fashioned belly dancing …

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Kids Day in the Park offers variety of fun

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Ooh, that looks nice!
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TURTLE DAYS FESTIVAL – KIDS’ DAY IN THE PARK, SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010

Hosted by the Churubusco United Methodist Church

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Oh my gosh - that's a big bird!
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Almost there ...
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The watermelon juice flies as contestants do their best to devour it in one chomp.
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Top ten junior karaoke finalists will face off Saturday night

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CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (June 17, 2010) DAY 2 TURTLE DAYS FESTIVAL — The top ten junior karaoke finalists will face off in the final competition Saturday night at this year’s Turtle Days Festival. They are:

  • Brianna Daily
  • Alyssa Moschel
  • Donavan Geiger
  • Beau Barkley
  • Makayla
  • Caitlyn Young
  • Jenica Johnson
  • Haley Zorn
  • Braylon McCoy
  • Molly Blake

Enjoy our gallery of Thursday night photos. See anyone you know?

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Friends
Haley Zorn
Haley wows the crowd.
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"Come on, Mom!"
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The Caboose Smokehouse
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We're almost there!
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Break dancing
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Young love ...
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Calling bingo
tracey selling ticketsrouletterick pinkiered black dancer
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Jenica belts out a number
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Karaoke judges
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Cousins AND Friends.
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Jade, a first grader at Coesse Elementary School, sings for the crowd.

Join the BBQ Cook Off at this year’s Turtle Days Festival!

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Turtle BBQThe BBQ Cook Off is among other events that will be making their return to the Turtle Days Festival this year, so grab your apron and your cooking gear and get ready!

The BBQ Cook Off will take place Saturday, June 19 at the National City Bank at 102 N. Line Street with a cook’s meeting at 8:45 a.m. and the judging taking place at 1:00 p.m.

Various beers, including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, & Budweiser will be on sale from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as well!

To view the flier and print an entry form, click here!

RULES

A $10.00 entry fee per team is required.

Cook’s meeting is mandatory.  Judging containers will be distributed at this time.

It is the responsibility of the chief cook that all members abide by the rules of this event.  Failure to comply may result in immediate disqualification.

Decisions of the Judges are final.

EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Teams must furnish all equipment and supplies required.

Wood or charcoal BBQ pits only.  No gas or electric pits will be allowed.  All fires must be in containers and elevated off the ground.

MEAT PREPARATION

A minimum of three (3) pounds of beef, pork, or poultry is required.

All meats must be thawed and raw upon check in.

All meat will be cooked on site.

Cooking will start at 9:00 AM.

Meats may be cooked with sauces and/or seasonings but once cooking is complete additional sauces and/or seasonings cannot be added.

For additional information contact:

Mark Bianski 260-610-0928

Early entries may be mailed.

Conrow’s donation will light up the sky

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Turtle Days Board President Kirk Gray (left), accepts a check from Sara and Dick Conrow, owners of C & A Tool, for $4,000 for this year's festival fireworks.
CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (May 31, 2010) – Dick and Sara Conrow, owners of C & A Tool, just transformed the green money meter on the Turtle Days Festival Buy-A-Boom fireworks display sign in front of National City Bank.  Their recent donation of $4,000 turned the money indicator bright green almost all the way to the top!

“We still need about 10 percent to hit the top,” said Vince McEntee, festival treasurer, “but this certainly helped!”

The festival committee plans to orchestrate a bigger and even better – if that’s possible – fireworks display than last year’s, according to festival board president, Kirk Gray.

This year’s fireworks display will be held at the park at the conclusion of Turtle Days on Saturday, June 19 at dusk. The festival begins Wednesday, June 16.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their blankets and enjoy the dazzling show – all choreographed to music that will be broadcast through a local radio channel and through speakers at the park. The fireworks will be shot off in the soccer field adjacent to the park, so those who take their lawn chairs and blankets to the nearby ball diamonds will have a front row seat.

The Conrows made a generous donation to last year’s fireworks, as well. “This year, we kept watching the (money indicator) on the sign downtown,” Sara Conrow said. “When we saw that the Turtle Days Festival was halfway there, we decided to pitch in and donate the rest.”

Turtle Days Board President, Kirk Gray, was more than pleased with the Conrow’s donation.

“This is great!” he said. “Dick and Sara have always been very generous with Turtle Days. We certainly appreciate their community spirit and we plan to give them their money’s worth with a fantastic show.”

Register now for the Turtle Days’ motorcycle poker run

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CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (May 23, 2010) — The Turtle Days Association is sponsoring a Poker Run Saturday, June 19, on the last day of the Turtle Days Festival, which will be held June 16-19. The theme of Turtle Days this year is “Wild, Wild West.”

Cost of the poker run is $15 each to play; $5 for an extra rider, and a cash prize for the top hand. A high card draw will break all ties.

Riders will begin at C&A Tool, 4100 U.S. 33, Churubusco, (Located on US 33 between Star Bank and EAGLE Do It Best). Riders are encouraged to come early and enjoy the Turtle Classic Car Truck & Bike Show, also on C & A Tool grounds.

  • 9-11 a.m. Registration
  • 11 a.m. – First Out
  • 4 p.m. – Last In

The poker run will include stops at:

    • Kavito’s / Avilla
    • Sunset Grill / Angola
    • Coody Brown’s /Wolcottville
    • Mr. Ed’s / Topeka
    • Double D’s / Goshen
    • Area 33 / Churubusco

    All proceeds will benefit the community. To register or for more information go to the Turtle Days official Web site.

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    Mark your calendars! 2010 Turtle Days Schedule available

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    Turtle Days 7Turtle Days is just around the corner which means it is just about time to bust out the lawn chairs for the parade or maybe your apron and tongs for the BBQ Cookoff.

    The Turtle Days Board has plenty of fun events scheduled for this year’s festival and BuscoVoice wants to bring you the schedule  so you don’t miss any of the fun!

    Some of this year’s events include a BBQ Cookoff, Cornhole Tournament, Bingo, Beer Tent, Karoake Competitions, a 5K run, Royalty Competition, and more!

    Click here to view the schedule of events for the 2010 Turtle Days.

    Turtle Days Royalty Competition seeking competitors

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    Turtle Days 7

    royalty-kennedy
    Could your child be the next Little Miss Turtle?
    WANTED!  All Boys and Girls ages 0-14 years … We are looking for you!!!

    CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – Calling all Smith-Green Township children – from infants through age 14. Are you interested in winning valuable merchandise, prizes and gift certificates by being a part of the 2nd Annual Turtle Days Royalty competition? If so, get those applications in (or have mom and dad do it!) no later than June 4.

    The judging is based on a point system, and there are several ways to earn points.  A completed application will earn points, and turning the form in early will result in bonus points.

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    Interested participants should fill out the registration form and send it to:

    Churubusco Turtle Days Association

    P.O. 187, Churubusco, In 46723

    Or go to www.turtledays.com and register online.

    Click here to print a registration form.

    Participants are required to make a “money jar” with a 5” X 7” sheet of paper that includes a photo, as well as information about the contestant.  The jars will be located at the Turtle Days Information booth on the fairgrounds during the festival June 16-19 at the Churubusco Community Park.

    Family and friends may make donations or “votes” to the contestant of their choice. The contestants with the most votes (money) will be announced during the parade Saturday, June 19, at 6 p.m.  All contestants will ride the pageant float, and this year’s winners will be asked to return next year to crown the new royalty court. All contestants will be introduced during the opening ceremony on Wednesday, June 16th at 6 p.m. at the entertainment tent and stage in the park.Tiara

    Monies raised by the pageant go to the Turtle Days Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to Smith-Green High School seniors (the first one to be given away this month).

    Categories include:

    Girls:

    • Baby Oscar Girl (0-24 months)
    • Little Miss Turtle (3-6
    • Turtle Princess (7-10)
    • Turtle Queen (11-14)

    Boys:

    • Baby Oscar Boy (0-24 months)
    • Little Mr. Turtle (3-6)
    • Turtle Prince (7-10)
    • Turtle King (11-14)

    For more information on the pageant, call Tracey Bultemeier at 260-705-8950 or go to www.turtledays.com.

    Register now for the 2010 Turtle Run 5K to be held during Turtle Days

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    Turtle Days 3CHURUBUSCO, Ind. — The 2010 Turtle Run 5K will be held during the Annual Turtle Days Festival in Churubusco on Saturday June 19, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The race will begin promptly at 8 a.m.

    Participants will meet and register in the front parking lot of Churubusco High School, located between Washington and Tulley streets, west of Main Street (U.S. 33).

    Registration is $12 and those who pre-register by June 5 will receive a Turtle Run T-shirt, and be eligible for a drawing to win door prizes.

    For those who register the day of the race, the cost will be $15.  A special family rate of $10 each is available for those with three or more participating family members.

    Divisions include: male and female, age 12 and under, and ages 13-19; 20-29; 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. The top three finishers and a walker also will be recognized.Turtle Days 4

     For more information contact Jon Pelz at 260-433-6993 (leave a message if needed with a callback number).

     All proceeds will benefit the Churubusco Youth for Christ and Turtle Days Association. Extra donations are welcome.

    For registration form, click here.

     To register, send name, address, contact info, age group, T-shirt size and  a check payable to Youth For Christ to:

    YOUTH FOR CHRIST

    Turtle Run

    2845 HILLIGAS RD

    FORT WAYNE, IN 46808

    Still time to register for the Tom Fletcher Golf Tourney and Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney May 8

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    Tom Fletcher

    CHURUBUSCO EEL RIVER GOLF COURSE – (May 2, 2010) — The 1st Annual Tom Fletcher Memorial Golf Outing & Texas Hold Em’ event will be held Saturday, May 8, at Eel River Golf Course.

    The Florida Scramble golf tourney will begin at 1 p.m. with registration at 12:30 p.m. Cost to participate in the golf tourney is $65 per person, or in the Texas Hold ‘Em tourney, $50 per person. Or, save money by signing up for both events for $100!

    The golf registration fee includes:

    • 18 holes of golf;
    • cart;
    • lunch;
    • one 6-pack per cart;
    • 50/50 drawing;
    • closest to pin, long drive, putting and SKINS contests;
    • payout for top three teams.

    The Texas Hold ‘Em registration will begin after the golf tourney at approximately 5:30 p.m. Included in the registration fee:

    • Payout for top five at final table – 20, 15, 10, 8 and 5 percent of total entries;
    • Side games will be available.

    Food and beverages will be available during the all-day events.

    The two events are fundraisers for the Inaugural Tom Fletcher Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Churubusco Turtle Days Association. Fletcher was a dedicated member of the Churubusco Turtle Days Association. He died unexpectedly earlier this year in January.  This is the first year that a scholarship to be offered to one female and one male from Churubusco High School in Fletcher’s name.

    Hurry! There’s still time to register. Send an e-mail to Eanorris1@hotmail.com with all the information need below and send payment to address below.

    Mail entry forms along with full payment to: Turtle Days Association, P.O. Box 187, Churubusco, 46723

    Questions? Please Call Elisha Norris @ 260-615-4499

    NAME (please print clearly) (Include # for Golf and Cards, Fee, Phone or Email for contacting)

    1.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    2.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    3.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    4.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

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    TRIBUTE: Tom Fletcher – rich in family and friends

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    Thomas “Tom” L. Fletcher, Nov. 23, 1952 – Jan. 13, 2010

    Today, on Sunday, January 17, 2010, many of Tom Fletcher’s friends and family members normally would be playing poker and sharing good conversation and comraderie from noon until early evening – sometimes late evening.

    But today, instead, we gather for Tom’s funeral.

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    Tom Fletcher enjoys himself at the 2009 Turtle Days Festival Cornhole Tournament, which Tom founded.

    Today, we mourn.

    * * *

    Thomas “Tom” L. Fletcher was born on November 23, 1952 in Fort Wayne, to Jasper S. “Pete” and Mary T. (Gadomski) Fletcher. The family resided in Churubusco.

    Tom grew up with two brothers, Jerry and Dan, and four sisters, Cindy, Cathy, Dee Dee and Missy. His family has a lot of fond memories of the Fletcher siblings – fishing, playing games, swimming, wrestling, hanging out – in general, just enjoying each other’s company. From the time he was a toddler, Tom was ornery, but good-natured, according to his siblings.

    In high school, Tom and his then girlfriend and future wife, Cheryl, sometimes skipped school together. They would go to a friend’s house where they participated in Hookey Ping Pong. Tom would write the absence excuse for the two of them and then turn them into the principal’s office. The principal at that time, Jake Delegrange, one day noticed that the handwriting and notebook paper were exactly the same. He carefully placed the ragged edges of both notes together and they fit perfectly.

    Busted!

    Tom and Cheryl both got three extra days off from school – as Tom later told the story.

    The Fletchers were well-known to most people in Churubusco mostly because, it seemed there there were just a whole lot of ‘em. The Fletcher boys were close in age, looked alike and were often mistaken for one another.

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    Tom with his two oldest daughters, Tonya and Tracey.

    * * *

    Tom graduated from Churubusco High School in 1972, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He never talked about his military experiences, only to say that he never wanted to experience it again. When the Marine Corps recruiter approached Tom at the end of his enlistment period and tried to encourage him to reenlist, Tom was jovial, but unflinching.

    “No,” he told them. “I’m done. I’m going home … to Churubusco, Indiana.”

    Tom and Cheryl had two daughters, Tonya and Tracey, before they eventually parted ways. His first daughter, Tonya, was born in October 1972, followed by Tracey a year later. Tonya and Tracey both remember getting letters from their dad when he was in the service.

    When the girls were in second and third grade, Tom married Anita, who also had two daughters, Shane and Stacy. Tom and Anita eventually had a daughter together in 1981, and named her Crystal.

    Several years after that, Tom and Anita divorced and Tom took on the responsibility of raising all five daughters on his own.

    “Five girls and one bathroom,” Tracey remembers. “Dad was a saint!”

    He cared for and supported them and never differentiated between his daughters and his stepdaughters – he considered all of them “his girls.” When a close friend asked Tom why he was taking on the huge responsibility of raising girls that were not his “real”daughters, he frowned and replied simply, “Someone has got to love those kids.” And that was the end of it.

    And love them he did. As far as they were concerned – he was their father. And later – their children were his grandchildren. At the time of his death, Tom had ten grandchildren that were the pride of his life.

    His mother, Mary, summed it up, “In the Fletcher family, there was divorce, but we never really let it bother us or end our relationships – for the kids sake, we always tried to stay close and on friendly terms (with the exes).”

    Tom got a job as a sheet metal worker at Schust Engineering in Fort Wayne, where he stayed for 25 years. At the time of his death, he was serving as a mentor to his nephew, who was an apprentice in the metal works trade. His widowed mother and another nephew lived with Tom at his home on Mulberry Street.

    Tom sometimes liked to act gruff and he barked a lot, but everyone could see right through it – there was no bite at all – Tom’s heart was bigger than life.

    Mary said she fixed her son dinner every night and every night without fail – even if it was a baloney sandwich – Tom would finish eating, get up, push his chair back up to the table and thank his mother for the great meal.

    Tom doted on his grandchildren.

    “We broke him into ‘Grandpahood’ very quickly,” said Tracey. “Shane, Stacy and I were all pregnant at the same time and due within two weeks of one another. Dad joked that he should be the one getting the hospital room.”

    From the day his first grandchildren were born and seven grandchildren later, Tom’s life revolved around his grandchildren. He enjoyed nothing more than attending the grandkids’ sporting events, football, baseball and soccer games, as well as dance recitals.

    * * *

    Tom was kicked more than a few times in life – yet he never became bitter.

    There was never a person in need – family, friends, co-workers or even strangers – who came to Tom that he did not offer his help and hospitality. If Tom had only five dollars in his wallet, he would undoubtedly hand it over to anyone in need – no questions asked.

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    Tom, back, center, with his siblings and mother. From left: Cathy, Cindy, Missy, his mother, Mary, and Dee Dee; in back with Tom are his brothers, Jerry and Dan.

    And that’s not counting the times he unwillingly gave it away at the poker table.

    His generous heart was doubly so for his family, of whom he was very proud. It was obvious whenever he spoke of his mother, his sisters and brothers, his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

    Tom’s passions included playing cards, gambling, ‘Busco High School football and the Indianapolis Colts.

    One of Tom’s best friends, Bob Sade, said they grew up together and he has a lot of “Bob and Tom” stories, but he can’t tell them, as he is not quite sure if the statute of limitations has expired.

    Tom would talk while playing cards with his friends and family – mostly about how every time he had a hand full of aces, and bet the max, someone – usually Pierre – would be holding a royal flush. Tom would get fed up when he was losing, take a long walk, come back, rejoin the game and say, “I can’t believe I lost with four aces. I’m back to lose some more money that I don’t have. Pierre, isn’t it time for you to go home?”

    The group talked about many things while playing poker, unless the Colts were playing, and then no idle chatter was allowed. Otherwise the conversation covered the gamut: politics on a global scale – the Colts – family – politics on a local scale – Busco Eagles’ football – getting older – complaining of numerous body ailments because of getting older – the Colts – family – Busco Eagles’ football – corporate corruption, crime and greed – the Colts …

    Tom Fletcher and his daughter, Tracey Bultemeier, both Turtle Days Board members, were kept busy attending to registration, ticket sales, the  poker run, beer tent and raffle tickets.
    Tom Fletcher and his daughter, Tracey Bultemeier, both Turtle Days Board members, worked together at the 2008 and 2009 festivals.
    Once, when the conversation focused on public officials in general – Tom immediately brought up his costly water bill and said he wish he knew someone on the Churubusco Town Council that had the guts to lower the rates, all the while looking meaningfully in the direction of another player, who was a member of the council.

    About three years ago, Tom mentioned something that he thought should be done at the Churubusco Park. Tom was quickly persuaded to join the park board,  since there happened to be an opening.

    And, just like that, he became a public official and the target of the group’s political banter and razzing. Tom always joked that it was not so much about being a public servant but more about “all the graft,” one friend joked.

    But it soon became very obvious that Tom Fletcher turned out to be a great selection … maybe one of the best ever.

    * * *

    Tom rarely – if ever – missed a meeting. He was full of ideas, but more than that, he was often seen working hands-on in the park right alongside Rick Krider, the park superintendent, on a project that he wanted to see completed.

    So, officials did what they always do with anyone willing to serve and do it so magnanimously – they asked Tom to be on another board. He became a member of the Turtle Days Association Board of Directors and that group too, was blown away – and outdone – by Tom’s enthusiasm and work ethic.

    For the first time in many years, the Turtle Days Festival made a profit and it was no coincidence that it was the same year Tom became a board member and Master Ticket Salesman Extraordinaire. The raffle ticket sale is one of the main fundraisers of the festival, and wherever anyone looked, there was Tom Fletcher carrying a stack of tickets and hawking them to the crowd. He sold thousands of tickets – all on his own.

    Last year, board members were all sitting around the table, mulling over who should be named grand marshal of Turtle Days. It was the 60th anniversary of The Hunt for Oscar, and several local names were thrown into the hat, but none of them seemed like a good fit.

    Tom said matter-of-factly, “Surely, you know who should be Grand Marshal?” And, when no one replied, he shouted, “Oscar!”

    The others all looked at each other, stupefied. Not one of them had thought of the most logical name of all. It was a “duh” moment, and Tom could

    Tom Dan Jerry
    Tom, at right, gets together with his brothers Jerry and Dan to croon a tune.
    not help the wry smile that spread across his face.

    Tom started the Turtle Days Annual Horseshoe & Cornhole Tournament, which grew rapidly in popularity in just two years. Now, it will become the Tom Fletcher Memorial Horseshoe & Cornhole Tournament.

    * * *

    His family has lost a beloved family member. Turtle Days has lost a great board member. The town and the park have lost a great advocate and a person willing to work hard to make the community a better place. His workplace has lost a great employee. The rest of us have lost a great friend.

    Everyone who got to know Tom, could not help but smile. Tom’s grin was infectious. It was impossible not to like him.

    As his brother Dan said when Tom was in the hospital, given little chance for recovery, “He’s not just my brother, he’s my best friend.”

    And that’s the legacy he leaves, a hard-working man with a heart of gold that would have – and did – sacrificed everything for his family. And in the end, that’s all that really matters – the love of family and friends.

    Tom was rich in both.

    This year’s Turtle Days Parade will go from the south end aaaallllllll the way to the north end of Main Street

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    These girls wait patiently on their float for the parade to start Saturday.
    Pretty girls and Oscar the turtle were one of the floats in the parade in last year's Turtle Days parade..
    CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (March 17, 2010) — The Churubusco Town Council tonight approved a recommendation by the Turtle Days Festival committee to extend the length of the annual summer festival’s parade route.

    Turtle Days will be held June 16-19, with the parade held on Saturday, June 19, at 6 p.m. – the last night of the festival.

    Chad Fulkerson, town marshal, told council members Frank Kessler and Vivian Sade that switching the parade route to encompass all of Main Street “would not be a problem.” Third council member John Hart was on vacation and not present at the meeting.

    Fulkerson said he had investigated the request and the local police department, with the help of deputies and reserve officers from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, were ready and willing to help man the necessary detours for the two-hour parade. The parade will being at the old Mahle (now C & A Tool) and BRC parking lots and head north on Main, traveling all the way to Clingerman Avenue and the north entrance to the park.

    Fulkerson said there would be at least 13 officers manning six detour points, and rerouting traffic on S.R. 205 and U.S. 33.

    “I think we owe it to the Turtle Days board to try  this,” Fulkerson said. “They’ve done a lot to grow this festival and add new  and better events in the past few years.”

    Kessler and Sade agreed to revisit the issue for 2011 after the festival, when Fulkerson will give a post-parade report.

    Festival officials Kirk Gray and Vince and Betsy McEntee, also a board member attended the meeting. They thanked the council and said they were very pleased with the decision.

    Register now for the Tom Fletcher Memorial Golf outing & Texas hold ‘em event

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    Oscar
    Oscar
    The first annual Tom Fletcher Memorial Golf Outing & Texas hold ‘em Event will be Saturday, May 8, 2010, at the Eel River Golf Course and Clubhouse. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., with the golf tourney starting at 1 p.m.

    The Florida Scramble golf and Texas hold ‘em tournament is $65 per person for the golf portion; $50 per person for the poker tournament.

    The registration fee includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch and a 6-pack (per cart).

    Events include:

    • tom fletcher laughing
      Tom Fletcher having a good time at last year's Turtle Days Festival.
      Long Drive contest – First 100 players signed and paid;
    • Closest to the Pin contest  – Payout for top 5 at final table;
    • 50/50 Drawing – 20, 15, 10, 8 and 5 percent of total entries;
    • Putting contest – Skins Side games available;
    • Payout for top 3 teams;
    • All games must be finished by midnight.

    Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the golf tournament and during the hold ‘em tournament. The hold ‘em tournament will start around 5:30 p.m. There is a discounted rate of $100 for participants who register for both events.

    The event is a fundraiser for the inaugural Tom Fletcher Memorial scholarship fund and the Churubusco Turtle Days Festival Association.

    Tom Fletcher – who died January 13 at the age of 57 – was a dedicated member of the Churubusco Turtle Days Association and a huge fan of Churubusco Eagles football.

    This tourney is the start of an annual scholarship foundation that will be offered to a Churubusco High School student, and will be based on community service.

    For more information, call Elisha Norris at 260-615-4499.

    REGISTRATION FORM

    NAME     (please print clearly)_____________________________________________________

    Phone ________________________________________

    Email ________________________________________tom fletcher head

    Team names:

    1.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    2.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    3.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    4.________________________ _____ _____ ____ _____ __________ ___________________

    How many playing golf? _____________ How many playing Texas hold ‘em? _________________

    Fee for $___________ is enclosed.

    To register download this form and return entries by April 24, 2010 to: Turtle Days Association, P.O. Box 187, Churubusco, 46723

    Oscar to celebrate the ‘Wild, Wild West’ at 2010 Turtle Days Festival

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    TD group 1
    Wow ... does this look like a fun group or what? 2010 Churubusco Turtle Days Association members: front and center, President Kirk Gray; Front row, from left: Julie McCartney, Kathy Gilpin, Greg Barkley, Kay Lawrence, Christy Wood, Amber Talbot, Vince McEntee, Terry Miller; Middle row (sitting), Elisha Norris, Mark Bianski, Robin Ramsey, Tracey Bultemeier, Deb Sievers, Betsy McEntee, Kevin Shull; Standing, far left, Don Hyatt, at right, Rick Krider, Mike Smith, Mark Heckber and Brian Graham. Committee members and reserve officers not shown: Holly Guiff, Diane Blessing, Jeff Bonar, Shelley Hansen, Cathy Oberholtzer, Pam Waterman, Kevin Shull, Mark Pepple, Lee Prescott, Toni Wilkins and Viv Sade.

    CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – The Churubusco Turtle Days Festival Committee has grown so large that they had to find new meeting quarters! A great problem to have, according to President Kirk Gray.

    Churubusco Turtle Days Festival will be held June 16-19 and will go out with a bang – a big bang!

    The festival committee is busy raising money to produce the greatest fireworks ever on Saturday night at the close of the festival. Last year’s fireworks were great, but this year’s will be even better, Gray said.

    “We plan to do a bigger and better show, although last year’s was fantastic by all accounts,” Gray said. “This year, we will have speakers in the park so that the people watching the fireworks will be able to listen to the music (to which the fireworks are choreographed). It’s really a fireworks show set to music.”

    The theme for this year’s Turtle Days Festival is “Oscar celebrates the Wild Wild West,” so grab your guns and horses and Old West saloon attire and get ready for some fun.

    In addition to the annual parade at 6 p.m. on Saturday night – the route is still up for debate – the last night of the festival – watch for these exciting events as well:

    • Beer Tent (new location)
    • Car, Truck & Bike Show
    • Garden Tractor Pull
    • Skeet Shoot
    • BBQ Cookoff
    • Live Entertainment Nightly
    • Fireworks
    • Carnival & Midway Every Night 5-10 in the Park
    • Skateboard Competition
    • Horseshoe and Cornhole Tournaments
    • Turtle Races
    • Kid’s Day in the Park
    • Food and Craft Vendors
    • Chamber of Commerce Merchant’s Tent & More!

    There will be a Tom Fletcher Turtle Days Memorial Golf Tourney and Texas hold ‘Em Tourney May 8 at Eel River Golf Course beginning at 2 p.m. The poker tournament will be held at the Eel River Clubhouse after the outing at 6 p.m.

    Watch this Web site for more details.

    TD officers 10
    The 2010 Turtle Festival Board Executive Committee, from left, President Kirk Gray, Vice President Robin Ramsey, Secretary Tracey Bultemeier and Treasurer Vince McEntee.

    For more information or to register for any event go to the Turtle Days Web site or contact one of the committee chairs listed below:

    • Kirk Gray, president – 260-452-8903

    Sponsorship, Vendors

    • Robin Ramsey, vice president – 260-433-6250

    Parade, Poker Run, Vendors

    • Tracey Bultemeier, secretary – 260-705-8950

    Fireworks, Royalty Competition, Scholarships. Entertainment, Tournaments

    • Vince McEntee, treasurer – 260-438-2034

    Vendors, Facilities, Entertainment

    • Greg Barkley  – 260-229-0006

    Entertainment, Parade

    • Mark Bianski – 260-610-0928

    Tournaments, Horseshoe/Cornhole

    • Brian Graham – 260-693-2473

    Marching Bands

    • Holly Guiff – 260-446-1247

    Tournaments

    • Don Hiatt – 260-415-1886

    Special Events

    • Rick Krider – 260-433-6213

    Facilities

    • Elisha Norris 260-615-4499

    Gaming

    • Viv Sade 260-241-7737

    Publicity, Skateboard Contest

    • Mike Smith – 260-750-0102

    Facilities

    • Christi Wood – 260-402-6794

    Sponsorship, Skateboard Contest

    • Diane Blessing – 260-704-1408

    Car, Truck, Bike Show

    • Jeff Bonar and
    • Shelly Hansen – 260-348-0308

    Poker Run

    • Julie McCartney – 260-693-8189

    Crafts

    Should Annual Turtle Days parade be extended to all of Main Street?

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    CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – Several members of the Turtle Days Festival Board of Directors were present at Wednesday night’s council meeting to recommend that the Town approve a new parade route beginning this year on Saturday, June 19, the last day of the 4-day festival.

    Two year’s ago, the parade route was moved from its long-time route on South Main Street (from Mahle parking lot north to the school parking lot) to North Main Street (Churubusco United Methodist Church parking lot south to the school parking lot).

    parade-fire-color-guard
    The Fire Department Color Guard command respect during the Turtle Days Annual Parade on South Main Street in 2009. (Buscovoice.com photo)

    Turtle Days Festival Board President Kirk Gray presented the 3-member council with a recent petition from Main Street residents.

    Forty-five residents signed the petition, Gray said.

    “Three voted for option 2 – going back to the old route on South Main Street,” Gray said. “Only one favored the current route on North Main Street, and a whopping 41 favored extending the parade route from South Main Street (the old Dana/Mahle building-now C & A Tool), north all the way along Main Street to the United Methodist Church at 750 North Main Street.”

    Council member John Hart, who was Town Marshal at the time the new route was approved two years ago, said he is against extending the parade route to include all of Main Street. “There’s a definite safety hazard, and we would need additional manpower (law officers) to stand by and direct and re-direct traffic at the detour points,” Hart said. “Then there’s the question of getting emergency vehicles out and into town in the event of an emergency.”

    He presented the festival board members with a map showing the routes traffic would be diverted to if all of Main Street (U.S. 33) and Whitley Street (SR 205) within the town limits were to be closed for 2 hours. “Motorists would have to go out of their way for miles and many of them, especially in Allen County on those gravel roads, get lost,” Hart said

    Churubusco Town Marshal Chad Fulkerson said he was sure he could find enough sheriff reserve officers to help direct traffic and man the needed posts during the parade.

    “They’ve just hired 24 new reserves, I’m sure we can find enough officers,” Fulkerson said.

    Fulkerson agreed to research the options and give a report at the next council meeting to Hart, Frank Kessler and Vivian Sade. The council will make a decision after hearing Fulkerson’s recommendation.

    The council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 17 at the Town Hall.

    Got an opinion on where the parade route should be – North Main Street? South Main Street? All of Main Street? Post your comments below.

    Legion donates to festival in memory of former Turtle Days, Legion member

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    legion-kirk-jay-markCHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Jan., 2010) — Thursday night, Jan. 21, the Churubusco Turtle Days Association received two donations from the Churubusco American Legion Gilbert-Davis Post 157.

    A check in the amount of $250 was presented to the Association in memory of Tom Fletcher, who was a member of both the Legion and the Turtle Days Association. Fletcher died unexpectedly on January 13 at the age of 57.

    An additional $250 check was also presented by American Legion Commander Jay Hilliard to Turtle Days Association representatives, Kirk Gray and Mark Bianski.

    The Turtle Days Association has stipulated the Tom Fletcher donation be used towards purchasing a permanent stone bench, to be located in Churubusco Community Park, and bear Fletcher’s name.

    In the photo at right, American Legion Commander Jay Hilliard (center) presents two monetary donations to Turtle Days Association President Kirk Gray (left) and board member Mark Bianski.

    (Photo by V. Sade)

    Tom Fletcher and his daughter, Tracey Bultemeier, both Turtle Days Board members, were kept busy attending to registration, ticket sales, the  poker run, beer tent and raffle tickets.
    Tom Fletcher and his daughter, Tracey Bultemeier, both Turtle Days Board members, are shown working at last year's festival. (BuscoVoice.com file photo)