The Ambassador Team congratulates Gonink Web Design & Print as the Whitley County Chamber August Business of the Month.  Located just north of downtown Churubusco along U.S. 33, Gonink has been in business since 2005. Gonink was chosen for this honor for its involvement in the community.  Over the last 5 years, Gonink has donated time to several projects and worthwhile organizations. Chris Tomlinson, owner and President of the business, volunteers for the local fire department, as well as created the volunteer fire department’s website, the Churubusco Chamber’s website, and has participated in the annual Day of Caring for the United Way.   In addition, he serves on both the board of directors for the Churubusco and the Whitley County Chambers.

“Our business is always looking to give back when we can,” said Chris Tomlinson, president of Gonink. “We’re also very interested in speaking with other businesses who are just starting up or need a talented marketing firm, to help them with everything from business cards to websites.”

The Whitley County Chamber wishes continued success to Gonink and hopes they enjoy the ice cream cake courtesy of DQ Grill & Chill!

Three New Tech High Schools are set to open this month (August) in Northeast Indiana for the 2010-2011 school year. They will join New Tech Academy (previously Wayne @ New Tech) in Allen County to make a total of four New Tech High Schools now open in the region. The three schools opening this month are Viking New Tech (Huntington, IN), Lakeland’s Leading EDGE (LaGrange, IN), and Adams Central Jet Tech (Monroe, IN).

One additional New Tech-Eagle Tech Academy in Columbia City-also plans to open for the 2011-2012 school year. With the addition of this school, Northeast Indiana will officially have five New Techs-making it the largest concentration of New Tech High Schools in the country.

Since the first New Tech High School was created in Napa, California, in 1996, over 60 New Tech schools have sprung up across the United States. New Tech is a high school where subjects are integrated and all teaching is done in a project-based learning (PBL) format. New Tech High Schools meet or exceed state standards and have an intense focus on developing students’ 21st century skills like oral and written communication, critical thinking, work ethic, collaboration, problem solving, creativity and presentation skills. New Techs may partner with a traditional high school, operate separately in their own building, or become a district’s only high school. New Techs have their own principals, teachers, classrooms and schedule – and the way the students learn is unlike any traditional high school in the region.

In Northeast Indiana, New Tech High Schools have a particular focus on teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while still offering many electives, athletics and advanced placement courses.

“We at the Talent Initiative champion the New Tech model because of its progressive, project-based learning methodologies and emphasis on the 21st century skills that employers in Northeast Indiana are looking for,” said Leonard Helfrich, director of the Talent Initiative, which partially funded the New Tech High Schools. “We are excited about the New Techs succeeding in our region as the model directly aligns with our efforts to promote and further STEM curriculum and STEM-focused careers in Northeast Indiana.”

The first new New Tech to open for the 2010-2011 school year is Viking New Tech in Huntington. Viking New Tech will be located within Huntington North High School building with opening day set for August 12, 2010.

“At Viking New Tech we are excited about the opportunity to bring New Tech to our students and community. Being a small learning community within Huntington North High School, we are able to provide students a choice in their education. We are grateful to our local business leaders who support our efforts. Viking New Tech will provide students with 21st century skills that our local and regional employers value. Without the financial support of the Talent Initiative this opportunity would not be possible for the students of Huntington County,” said Kelly Renier, Director of Viking New Tech.

Opening day for Lakeland’s Leading EDGE is set for August 26, 2010. Lakeland’s New Tech High School will evolve to become a full conversion school. Leading EDGE will start with freshman and sophomore classes in 2010-2011.

“Lakeland High School is excited to offer cutting edge teaching methods and technology in the heart of LaGrange County. Leading EDGE will engage, develop, grow, and help our students excel at Lakeland and prepare them for a world demanding entrepreneurial innovators. Our students will have the edge in any career path they choose,” said Eva Merkel, Director of Leading EDGE.

Adams Central Jet Tech is a full conversion of Adams Central High School located in Monroe, IN and opening day is scheduled for August 16, 2010.

“This will be a fun and exciting year. A year that will stretch our staff to re-think why and how we teach. It will also be a year that changes the way the students will learn and perform in class. For the first time in their school lives, they will be learning and utilizing skills that are used every day in the business world. These skills will give the students an advantage in college and in the work force,” Sean McConnell, Adams Central Jet Tech Director.

New Tech Academy (within Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, IN) will open for its second year as a New Tech High School on August 23, 2010.

“New Tech Academy is again leading the charge in Northeast Indiana as it opens for its second year as a New Tech High School. After a busy summer of construction, training new staff in project-based learning, and putting together the last pieces of a new recording studio, we are excited to greet our 21st Century learners!” said Liz Bryan, Director of New Tech Academy.

FORT WAYNE, IN. (August 12. 2010) – The League for the Blind and Disabled is pleased to announce a community-wide party August 28. The Block party at 5821 South Anthony Blvd. will include food, games, zoo animals, science experiments, Mad Ant, wheel chair basketball, a blood drive, crafts, bingo, clowns, a talent show, snow cones, face painting, cotton candy, and much more!

 The day will begin with a fundraiser for Community Harvest Food Bank; a Pancake Breakfast from 9am-noon hosted by Fort Wayne Central Lions Club. Pancakes with sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee will be served. The cost is a goodwill donation or non-perishable food items.

 A Red Cross blood drive will begin at noon. To schedule a time, contact Diana at The League 441-0551 X 118.

 At 1:00pm the block party begins featuring a hotdog lunch, Science Central demonstrations at 1:30pm and 2:30pm, a wheelchair basketball scrimmage featuring the Turnstone Flyers vs. Mad Ant and his team of volunteers at 3:00pm, school supplies given out to the first 300 school aged children in need, the Zoo Mobile at 4:00pm, and much, much more!

 Parking is available at the Anthony Medical Building at the corner of Anthony Blvd and Paulding Road. The League for the Blind and Disabled and Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their sponsorship: Scott’s, Science Central, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, John Henry Specialty, Fifth Third Bank, MLK Montessori School, Walmart, Mad Ants, Turnstone, South Side Business Group, American Red Cross, Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, Fort Wayne Central Lions Club, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Kroger, Kiwanis International, and PNC.

 For more information contact Diana at The League 441-0551 X 118.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges and Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcus Gatton successfully completed “The Business of Public Safety” series at the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana.

This series was hosted by the High Performance Government Network and designed to provide Northeast Indiana public safety leaders with a forum to learn new skills and tools, share their best practices, and collaborate with their peers.

“Whitley County will benefit from Sheriff Hodges’s and Chief Deputy Sheriff Gatton’s commitment to learning and sharing operational best practices with other public safety leaders,” said Bernie Beier, Director of the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana. “As a region, we must continue to become safer by collaborating and sharing.”

“The Business of Public Safety” series provided public safety and elected leaders from across Northeast Indiana with an overview of private sector tools and lessons learned to improve operational performance of their departments. Speakers at the series included Dr. Frank Straub, Director of the Indianapolis Public Safety Department; Neil Moore, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute; Jim Greeson, Indiana State Fire Marshall; and Chet Epperson, Police Chief for Rockford, Illinois.

This is part of an ongoing “Public Safety Executive Leadership Series” for Northeast Indiana public safety leaders hosted by the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana and the High Performance Government Network. More information is available at www.hpgnetwork.com.

The Jorgensen Family YMCA will be sponsoring a spa day Monday, August 30 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.!

A variety of services will be offered with prices starting at only $8! Space is limited so sign up for your appointment today at the member services desk.

Click here to see a description of the services offered!

CANI (Community Action of Northeast Indiana) announces that three of its Head Start sites − Kendallville, Tmeple, Ligonier − have received accreditation from the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of the Young Child).

This distinction enhances CANI Head Start’s status as a quality child development program. Kendallville: First Presbyterian Church, 201 S. State St.; Achduth Vesholom Temple: 5200 Old Mill Road, Fort Wayne and Noble County: Ligonier United Methodist Church, 466 Townline Road, Ligonier, are among CANI Head Start’s nine sites.

For more than 80 years, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has worked to raise the quality of programs for all children from birth through age eight. A major part of NAEYC’s efforts to improve early childhood education is through different systems of accreditation for programs that are committed to meeting national standards of quality.

The Accreditation of Programs for Young Children has set professional standards for early childhood education programs and helped families identify high-quality programs for their young children. More than 8,000 child care programs, preschools, early learning centers, and other center- or school-based early childhood education programs are currently NAEYC Accredited.

CANI Head Start is a free, comprehensive development program. It meets educational, health, nutritional, and social service needs of low-income preschool children, ages 3 to 5, and their families in Allen, Noble, and Whitley counties.

CANI also announces the addition of three staff members. Patricia (Trish) Lopez, Amy Wicker and Gregory Witter have been hired to work in Community Services. Jose Hernandez has been hired to work in Administration & Development.

CANI helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. For more information about CANI and the services provided, visit the Web site www.canihelp.org.

The benefits of two new Eel River federal grants will flow all the way downriver to the Gulf of Mexico. Both are products of the $1 million Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative.

• $2.9 million over five years for Eel River landowners and agribusinesses in Kosciusko, Wabash and Miami counties to reduce phosphorus, nitrogen and soil runoff.
• $120,000 over two years to remove two Eel River dams, at Liberty Mills and North Manchester

The $2.9 million comes from the Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of the new Mississippi River Basin Initiative to avoid, control and trap nutrient and soil runoff into streams while maintaining agricultural productivity.

The Eel River watershed is one of 41 watersheds in 12 states designated a priority for the funding, primarily because of the volume of data collected by Manchester College scientists and students over the past five years. “Our relationship with the agricultural community and our ability to monitor and detect changes in nutrient export was central to bringing this money to our area” said Jerry Sweeten, associate professor of biology and director of environmental studies.

“Excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) along with sediment entering the Eel River is far-reaching,” said Sweeten. The Eel River flows into the Wabash River, which flows into the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi.

These excess nutrients and soil have created a 6,000-square-mile hypoxic zone (low-dissolved oxygen) in the Gulf of Mexico. “By reducing the nutrient export from the Corn Belt region, it will hopefully reduce the hypoxic zone and improve the water quality of the Eel River,” said Sweeten.

All of the grant will be spent on best management practices initiated voluntarily by Eel River watershed landowners, and appropriated by soil conservation districts and natural resources offices in the three counties. Among possible best practices: cover crops planted in the fall to protect soil over the winter, buffers along streams, fencing livestock away from the river and feeder streams, and restoring wetlands.

A two-year $120,000 grant from the Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will finance removal of two of the six degraded Eel River dams to enhance stream habitat, fish passageways and recreational use.

The dams are no longer functional and are extremely dangerous, said Sweeten. The dams at Liberty Mills and North Manchester are the first significant dams to be removed in Indiana for the National Fish Passageway Program. Scientific studies of the river before and after removal will be conducted by Manchester College scientists and students, Sweeten said. The work may begin as early as this coming winter, by Troy Eads Excavating Inc. of Lagro.

For more about the Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative, visit http://www.manchester.edu/eelriverinitiative/index.htm.

There is still time to sign up for the Whitley County Chamber golf outing on August 26th.

Registration is $400 per team which includes a hole sponsorship.

The outing will begin at 11:30 a.m. for registration and a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the match participants will be treated to a great lunch and asked to take a team photo.

For more information about the outing or sponsorship, contact Michelle Culbertson at 248-8131.

Three local 4-H members made Whitley County proud Saturday evening as they showcased their livestock achievements at the 40th annual Indiana State Fair Sale of Champions.

Katie Barnett , Jackie Leeuw and Jackie St. George bested hundreds of other fair entries in order to participate in the coveted spotlight sale.

This is Katie’s third time in the sale; her first two trips to the sale featured lambs while this year she took home Grand Champion Meat Goat.  The 16-year old Whitko junior  and daughter of Cindy Barnett sold her animal for $3200.

Jackie was a record-breaking name in the sale, as both Leeuw and St. George broke sale records for their respective entries.

St. George, the daughter of Doug and Vicki Western of Larwill, sold her Champion Dairy Steer for $13,000 to a collaboration of buyers.  St. George attends Columbia City High School and plans to attend Black Hawk Community College and Texas A & M upon graduation.

Leeuw sold her Grand Champion Meat Type Chickens for a record $8,000 and briefly stole the spotlight from her birds when she took a moment to wish her mom a happy birthday and thank her for spending many birthdays at the State Fair with her and her brother Josh.    Leeuw will be a sophomore at Columbia City High School and is the daughter of Bill and Lori Leeuw.

All three ladies returned home on Sunday and will soon begin preparing for next year’s 4-H competitions.

An estimated 13 records were broke at Saturday night’s sale, held in the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Katie Barnett (left), Jackie Leeuw (center) & Jacki St. George

Eel River biologists have a pretty good idea of what volunteer cleanup crews will find when they don gloves and boots and hit the waters on Saturday, Sept. 18:

Hot water heaters, large metal boxes, pipes, cement blocks, a bicycle, an old push mower, incredible volumes of broken glass … and many, many tires. All in the waterway on the southeast edge of North Manchester, just downstream from the historic 1872 covered bridge.

“I wanted to cry when I saw how bad it is,” said Terri Michaelis, manager of the Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative that is coordinating the cleanup that will serve a valuable dual purpose of educating people about the trash and debris that mars the waterway. The Sept. 18 cleanup will focus on the water; the riverbanks are another sad story for another project at a later date, perhaps by a volunteer group.

Adult volunteers will gather at the covered bridge at Sycamore and South Mill streets at 8:30 a.m. for the morning task. (Get map.) The initiative will provide gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, snacks and drinking water. Volunteers will want to wear long sleeves, long pants and boots, tennis shoes or waters shoes for protection against poison ivy and stinging nettle. Because of the danger of the unwieldy trash, participants must be at least 18 and must sign a waiver.

This half-mile stretch is the worst of the Eel River when it comes to trash, Michaelis said. The river is shallow right now, so clean-up crews will wade down the river, filling and pulling canoes behind. Miami and Wabash county trucks will be parked downstream at the waste treatment plant for filling and disposal of the trash at the landfill. Additional open-bed trucks are needed, Michaelis said. Much of the metal will be recyclable, should somebody want to collect it.

Volunteer groups, clubs and individuals are invited to pitch in. To register to help, contact Michaelis at 260-982-5101 or tmmichaelis@manchester.edu. Registration and waiver forms also are available on the website of the Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative at www.manchester.edu/eelriverinitiative/index.htm, where visitors can learn more about the $1 million conservation and cleanup initiative of federal, state and local agencies, organizations and individuals.

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (August 2, 2010) – Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, Peak Performance Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy (Peak Performance) owner Sean White and other community leaders gathered today for a groundbreaking ceremony at the company’s new Columbia City location.

“This building project is something I have looked forward to for a number of years,” said Peak Performance owner Sean White, “I am excited about the opportunity to work with Columbia City and the Whitley County EDC to grow Peak Performance at this new location.”

The new building will allow the company to expand its physical therapy practice and offer additional wellness and fitness programs within the community. The 6,000 SF, two-story facility will also include leasable office space for other medical related businesses, which may attract new medical practices to Columbia City.

“I am pleased to see Peak Performance investing and creating jobs in our community,” said Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, “It’s a great day when we join a local entrepreneur like Sean White to celebrate the expansion of his business.”

Peak Performance now has five fulltime employees (including four fulltime therapists) at its Columbia City location and plans to add two additional employees at the new facility. Peak Performance also has a Warsaw office. Earlier this summer, the Columbia City Common Council approved ten-year tax abatement to phase-in new property taxes associated with the project.

Project partners include architect Mike Christoffersen, builder Mike Todoran, First Source Bank, and the Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana.

It’s that time again. Time to register your kids (or maybe yourself) for dance classes.

Center Stage Dance Academy in Churubusco will be holding registration Monday, August 16, Tuesday, August 17, and Wednesday, August 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Center Stage offers a variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, technique, zumba, and more!

Ballroom Dancing will also be offered this year. So find a partner and sign up!

Several students of Center Stage Dance Academy have won scholarships to prestigious dance schools.

Classes begin Monday, August 23.

For more information, contact Center Stage at (260) 693-1057 or visit the website here.

Article Contributed

Tommy Mitchell, M.D., of Answers in Genesis, will speak at Blue River Church of the Brethren, 3040 E 700 North, Columbia City, on August 15-16, 2010.

Tommy, a speaker with Answers in Genesis since mid-2005, has spoken to thousands of adults, youth, and children in a variety of settings, clearly communicating reasons to trust the Bible and the Creator Christ who wrote it. He has written articles for AiG’s website and other publications, and he was the featured speaker during Answers in Genesis’ relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina, resulting in a Telly award-winning DVD, A God of Suffering?

As a scientist, physician, and father, Dr. Mitchell has a burden to provide solid answers from the Bible to equip people to stand in the face of personal tragedy and popular evolutionary misinformation. Using communication skills developed over many years of medical practice, he is able to connect with people at all educational levels and unveil the truth that can change their lives.

Dr. Mitchell graduated with a BA with highest honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1980, with a major in Cell Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. For his superior scholarship during his undergraduate study, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society (the oldest and one of the most-respected honor societies in America). Dr. Mitchell subsequently attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, where he received his medical degree in 1984.

Dr. Mitchell completed his residency at Vanderbilt University Affiliated Hospitals in 1987. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. In 1991, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (F.A.C.P.). Tommy had a thriving medical practice in his hometown of Gallatin, Tennessee, for 20 years, but, in late 2006, he withdrew from medical practice to pursue creation ministry full time.

The tentative schedule is:

Sunday, August 15

9 a.m. Why Can’t a Day Mean a Day?

10 a.m. Why Genesis Matters

7 p.m. Noahs Ark and the Global Flood

Monday, August 16

7 p.m. Jurassic Prank: A Dinosaur Tale

Blue River Church of the Brethren is located on the Noble-Whitley County Line Road, 2 miles west of U.S. 33 and 1.5 miles east of State Road 9. For more information, call 260-691-2605, or see the church’s website at www.blueriverchurch.org.

Adult Department

 CC Tatter Tots

Mondays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 5:30 PM

Learn to create beautiful lace patterns using the needle technique. $13 fee for first time participation only, subsequent classes are free. Registration is required.

 Chloe’s Sewing Circle

Wednesday, August 4 at 2 PM

Work on your own project or begin a Prairie Point Pillow. Bring your own pillow supplies or get a kit from Chloe for $10.00. Registration is required.

 Learn How to Paint in 30 Minutes

Thursday, August 5 at 9 AM, 1 PM or 6 PM

This month’s creation is a Moonlight Silhouette in acrylics. There is a sample on display at the library. The $10.00 fee includes all materials and the canvas without the frame. Registration is required.

 Writers’ Book Discussion

Thursday, August 12 at 6 PM

The selection for the month of August is “Hooked” by Les Edgerton. Walk-ins are always welcome. This is a FREE program.

 Summer Sounds of the City

Saturday, August 14 at 6 PM

Tonight’s performance at the Gazebo on the Courthouse Square is by the Blue River Big Band. All concerts begin at 6:00 PM. Refreshments will be available courtesy of the Friends of Peabody Public Library. In case of rain, the concert will be cancelled. This is a FREE program, presented by Peabody Public Library and sponsored by the Whitley County Community Foundation.

 Modern/Classics Book Club

Tuesday August 17 at Noon

The selection for the month of August is “No! I Don’t Want to Join a Bookclub” by Virginia Ironside. Walk-ins are always welcome. This is a FREE program.

 Dark City Movie Night

Saturday, August 21 at 7 PM

“Strangers on a Train”, starring Robert Walker and Farley Granger, is an Alfred Hitchcock suspense thriller. Refreshments will be available. This is a FREE program.

 Summer Sounds of the City

Saturday, August 28 at 6 PM

Tonight’s performance at the Gazebo on the Courthouse Square is by Dan Heath & the Paradise Band. All concerts begin at 6:00 PM. Refreshments will be available courtesy of the Friends of Peabody Public Library. In case of rain, the concert will be cancelled. This is a FREE program, presented by Peabody Public Library and sponsored by the Whitley County Community Foundation.

 Best Seller Readers Book Club

Monday August 30 at 6 PM

This month’s selection is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Juliet Ashton. Walk-ins are always welcome. This is a FREE program.

 Best Seller Readers Book Club

Tuesday, August 31 Noon

This month’s selection is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Juliet Ashton. Walk-ins are always welcome. This is a FREE program.

 August Events for Young Adults

 Joni Walker’s Art Camp – This week long camp is geared toward children getting ready to enter 2nd grade and up and young adults. Learn drawing techniques from local artist, Joni Walker, as you explore the library’s wetland. Registration requested. A $15 fee will offset the cost of supplies. A sketchbook will be provided for each student. Sign up for Joni’s art camp at the circulation desk.

Cre8tive Kids Art – Wednesday, August 11 at 4:00 PM for grades 6th thru 12th. Get ready for the start of the new school year by creating a beaded lanyard to wear you school ID on. Sign-up requested. Limit of 20 students.

Karaoke Challenge – Thursday, August 12 at 5:00 PM for grades 6th and up. So you think you can sing? Join the Library staff as we sing Karaoke with the Playstation 2.

Craft Saturday – – Make a “Cash Cow” bank. Saturday, August 14 anytime between 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Teen Game Night – Pictionary / Charades – August 19 at 5:00 PM for grades 6th and up. Bring a friend or two and challenge other young adults to see who is the best drawer or best guesser. Food provided! Sign-up requested.

Teen Café Club –Writer’s Group and Book Discussion – Wednesday, August 25 at 5:00 PM. Bring your writing materials and good book to discuss.

Show Me the Movies! “Alice in Wonderland” – Tuesday, August 31 at 6:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. This movie is rated PG.

 August 2010 Children’s Events From the Peabody Public Library

 Joni Walker Summer Art Camp – . This week long camp is geared toward children getting ready to enter 2nd grade and up and young adults. Learn drawing techniques from local artist, Joni Walker, as you explore the library’s wetland. Registration requested. A $15 fee will offset the cost of supplies. A sketchbook will be provided for each student. Sign up for Joni’s art camp at the circulation desk.

 Cre8tive Kids Art – Decorate a canvas pencil case with fabric markers for back to school. Wednesday, August 11, K-2nd grade at 2:00 PM and 3rd-5th grade at 3:00 PM. Limit of 20 per class. Sign-up in the Children’s Department.

 Craft Saturday – Make a “Cash Cow” bank. Saturday, August 14 anytime between 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

 Joni Walker Art Classes – Thursday August 26 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.

The Board of Directors of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Sara Lochner-Goff has been named the new President of the county-wide chamber.

Goff will assume the duties of President August 16. Goff, a resident of Columbia City and formerly South Whitley, will be leaving her position as Executive Director of the Learn More Center in North Manchester, IN. For several years prior, Goff was the Community Representative and Community Development Director in eight northeast Indiana counties for the American Cancer Society.

“We are really excited to bring Sara to the chamber. Her business and fundraising experiences, contacts and outgoing personality will be huge assets to us as we grow county-wide. Sara is really looking forward to getting out and meeting our members at their places of business, as well as introducing herself, and the chamber, to potential new members in the community,” said Chamber Board Chairman Michael DeFreeuw.

FastTrac New Ventures course, business incubation program managers Sharon Sallot and Scot Goskowicz will lead another eleven-week New Ventures program beginning in September 2010.

FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneur’s fine tune the skills needed to create, manage, and grow a successful business. FastTrac participants don’t just learn about business, they live it! They work on their own business ideas or ventures throughout the program – moving their ventures to reality or new levels of growth.

What: FastTrac New Ventures

When: 6:00 – 9:00PM on Tuesdays Beginning September 7, 2010

Where: Whitley County EDC 220 W Van Buren Street, Suite 102 Columbia City, IN

Participants in a FastTrac® program learn to operate their businesses effectively through a certified Kauffman Foundation business planning program using sources of information, and to make decisions based on trust and competence. In this learning -focused environment, participants will:

• Fine tune skills to create and/ or grow a successful business

• Learn from experienced entrepreneur facilitators, business coaches, guest speakers and peers

• Transfer knowledge in a peer-to-peer environment

• Expand their network of community resources

• Work ON their business, not IN it

• Receive continual feedback from experienced entrepreneurs

• Learn a business development and planning process they can use as a tool for the ongoing development of their business

The Whitley County EDC sponsors a services-based business incubation program that now serves twelve client companies from throughout Whitley County. An earlier FastTrac New Ventures course attracted thirteen participants ranging from pre-startup “discovery” stage entrepreneurs to “acceleration” stage growth companies.

The Humane Society of Whitley County will be holding the 1st Annual Canine Carnival Saturday, August 7 from 12 – 6 p.m. at the Mizpah Shrine Grounds (1 mile north of U.S. 30 on St. Rd. 9).

This event is great for dog lovers and dog owners! Bring your dog and enjoy a fun day of events!

Events that will be going on all day include:

• Microchipping
• Personalized bandanas
• Personalized dog tags
• Moonwalk
• Facepainting
• CMoore’s Photography
• Dog wash
• Clay paw prints
• Dog clothes

The schedule of special events is as follows:

1:00 Officer Pitinger & Striker Demo

1:00 – 3:00 Charicuture sketches

2:00 Dog contests

2:00 – 4:00 Balloon clown

3:00 Cornhole tournament starts

3:00 Therapy Dog Demo

3:00 Agility Dog Demo

The band “J Taylors” will also be playing from 1:00 – 3:00 and “Wild Country” will be playing from 3:00 – 6:00. Food and drink will be provided.

Dog contests include:

• Best costume
• Cutest pet
• Ugliest pet
• Pet owner look alike
• Most unique trick (1st 15 to register receive a free doggie goodie bag!)
• Canine car contest (Dress your dog like a car and get gas $ !)

Click here to view  the flyer!

COLUMBIA CITY (July 26, 2010) – The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced today that aerospace and defense industry veteran Bruce Stach is now overseeing the organization’s small business and entrepreneurship initiatives.

“Over the past two years, we have established a strong foundation to support entrepreneurs in Whitley County,” said EDC president Alan Tio, “With Bruce’s guidance we aim to further enhance our capabilities to work with startup and growth oriented companies.”

Stach joins the EDC’s small businesses team that also includes business incubation program managers Sharon Sallot, owner of Sallot Ventures, and Scot Goskowicz, business advisor with the Indiana Small Business Development Center. Sallot and Goskowicz now manage a business incubation program that serves twelve client companies from throughout Whitley County and will soon launch their second FastTrac New Ventures business planning workshop.

“The EDC’s business incubation program provides resources for new and emerging businesses to find success in Whitley County,” said Stach, “We are exceeding our initial goals for the incubation program and are now looking toward serving additional clients at different stages of their entrepreneurial development.”

Stach has been involved in Whitley County’s business incubation program since its inception, most recently serving on the advisory board. He is the owner of Columbia City-based Sigma Systems Development LLC and was previously Director of Business Development at ITT Aerospace/Communications division in Fort Wayne.

The EDC will continue to sponsor the business incubation program and in 2011 will launch pre-startup “discovery” and second-stage “acceleration” programs. The business incubation program is supported by a Rural Capacity Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, matching funds from the Whitley County Community Foundation and the Northeast Indiana Fund, and in-kind contributions from the EDC. The Whitley County EDC is partnering with the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Small Business Development Center to sponsor this countywide program.

Timmy

Dear BuscoVoice.com,

Thanks to you and Fort Financial Credit Union, Timmy has found a wonderful new home with Mindi of Churubusco, who saw him on your Web site. I loved the way you presented him!

Mindi emailed Laura about Timmy on Thursday morning, and was at the shelter when it opened at 2 in order to meet him.

Apparently, a love connection was made because Mindy took him home Thursday afternoon! Thought you would appreciate knowing.

Timmy has been adopted, but we’re still overflowing with kittens.

Thank you so much for helping these little ones find their forever homes!

Dessie

Whitley County Humane Shelter

The Whitley County Farm Bureau, in conjunction with the Indiana Farm Bureau, recently recognized 4-H members at the Whitley County Fair for their exceptional care of their animals. The kids received t-shirts from local Whitley County Young Farmer represented Kevin Ousley, who thanked them for putting their animal’s care first.

Pictured are: front row (l to r): Brad Johnson, Jon Starkey, Nathan Wilz, April Gibson. Second row (l to r): Robby Sheets, Jared Lamle, Megan Schroeder, Ashlyn Wells. Back row: Ashton Jacobi-Barnes.