Cycle rally may return

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Remember that huge motorcycle rally — the largest in Decatur's history — on June 7 last year? Well, the city could see a repeat next summer....

Busy time at ag event

Decatur Daily Democrat:

There was a lot going on at the third annual Ag Extravaganza, held on Thursday night in Decatur by three organizations: Adams County Farm Bureau, Adams County Pork Producers, and Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District....

Selking Seeks New Term

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Lynn Selking, a Democratic member of the Adams County Council, has filed his candidacyto seek that party's nomination in the May 5 primary election for a second four-year term as the District One representative.
Selking, a farmer in rural Decatur, pointed out in making the announcement that District One covers everything north of State Rd...

Northwest perfect, wins award

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Going four for four sounds like an athletic achievement, but what Northwest Elementary School of Decatur did, in partnership with the Boys' and Girls' Club of Adams County, was an academic accomplishment...

Area Things to See and Do

FW HEARTLAND SINGS
LINCOLN CELEBRATION
A LINCOLN CELEBRATION—Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m., University of Saint Francis North Campus Auditorium. Tickets $19 and $24. A multimedia performance. To arrange for tickets call 260-436-8080, 866-745-7013 with more information at www.HeartlandChorale.org

BRYANT
GOODTIMES THEATRE AT BEARCREEK FARMS
SANDY PATTY—Sunday, June 13, 2 & 4:30 p.m., tickets go on sale on Feb. 1.
Schedule of Shower of Stars available at www.bearcreekfarms.com For more information and reservations call 260-997-6822 or check out www.bearcreekfarms.com

FORT WAYNE’S CIVIC THEATRE
The Civic Theatre’s 2009-1010 season has been announced and includes: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, March 5-12; The Road to Mecca, April 2-18; Studs Terkel Working, May 7-16; and Playwright Contest, June 4-13. For more information call 260-422-8641 or check out www.fwcivic.org

FW PHILHARMONIC CONCERTS
MASTERWORKS CONCERT—Saturday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Dvorak’s New World Symphony.
POPS CONCERT—Friday & Saturday, Feb. 27 & 28, 8 p.m., Cirque De La Symphonie.
MASTERWORKS CONCERT—Saturday, March 6, 8 p.m., Brahms concert.
HEATHER HEADLEY & PHILHARMONIC—Friday, March 12, 8 p.m., $32 to $100.
For more information call 260-456-2224 or visit www.fortwaynephilharmonic.com Tickets at 260-481-0777.

FW’S SCIENCE CENTRAL EVENTS
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for all except free to those 3 and under. More information at 260-424-2400 or at www.sciencecentral.org

FORT WAYNE COLISEUM EVENTS
THREE DAYS GRACE, BRAKING BENJAMIN, FLYLEAF—Saturday, Jan. 30, $39.75.
SHINEDOWN, PUDDLE OF MUDD, SKILLET—Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., $29,50 or $35 day of show.
MARTINA MCBRIDE & TRACE ADKINS—Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., $49.75 & $59.75.
WINTERJAM—Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m., $10. (NewSong, Newboys, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North)
CARRIE UNDERWOOD—Monday, April 12, also Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office 1-800-745-3000.

Kuntzman to seek new term

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Wes Kunrzman of Monroe, executive director of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, has announced that he will seek another four-year term on the nonpartisan Adams Central school board in the May 5 primary election.
Kuntzman represents District Four on the AC board and was first elected in 1998. During his time on the board, he has been its...

AC tech panel begins process

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The eight-member Technical Review Committee (TRC) appointed by the Adams Central School Bboard for the preliminary process of a design-build construction and/or remodeling project at AC held its first meeting late Tuesday afternoon.

EMA gets cot grant

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

The Commission approved a request by Karla Marbaugh, administrative assistant for the Emergency Management Department. She requested the commissioners approve a grant to get 106 cots for emergency preparedness in Adams County. Marbaugh stated these cots would be given to the Red Cross which was planning on getting an enclosed trailer for storage and transportation of these cots.

Saint Francis to hold workshop

The School of Creative Arts at the University of Saint Francis will host a workshop for regional high school art, music and communication students Friday, Feb. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center off Leesburg Road in Fort Wayne.
Each student will participate in one of 11 workshops with a full-time faculty member. The workshops include: Computer Animation, Drawing, Art History, Music Technology, Comics to Film, Public Relations, Illustration, Sculpture, Ceramics, Graphic Design and Photography.
The school is also offering workshops for high school teachers, free of charge, in Mixed Media Mono Prints and Music Technology. Workshops are followed by a portfolio review for interested individuals.
For more information call 260-399-7700, ext. 8001.

Area Things to See and Do

FW HEARTLAND SINGS—LINCOLN
CELEBRATION
A LINCOLN CELEBRATION—Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m., University of Saint Francis North Camnpus Auditorium. Tickets $19 and $24. A multimedia performance. To arrange for tickets call 260-436-8080, 866-745-7013 with more information at www.HeartlandChorale.org

VAN WERT, OHIO
NISWONGER ARTS CENTER ENTERTAINMENT
THE CANADIAN BRASS—Friday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m., $22.
OHIO HAS TALENT—Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
MAD SCIENCE PRESENTS CSI: LIVE—Friday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.
PORGY & BESS—Thursday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.
LE GRAND CIRQUE—Saturday, March 13, 3 & 7:30 p.m.
NEW YORK BALLET THEATRE—Life of Agnes DeMille, Saturday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in Van Wert, more information at 419-238-6722 or at www.npacvw.org

PORTLAND
ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS & THEIR FINE GROUP—Saturday, Feb. 13, $16 adults and $8 children.
VISHTEN—Friday, March 12.
THODOS DANCE CHICAGO—Saturday, April 12.
JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT—March 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 & 25.
ALISON BROWN QUARTET—Saturday, Oct. 9.
RANI ARBO & DAISY MAYHEM—Saturday, Nov. 13.
EXHIBIT—Gwen Gutwein Barns, Jan. 22 to Geb. 22.
Arts Place is located at 131 East Walnut St., Portland. 260-726-4809 or www.artsland.org

FORT WAYNE COLISEUM EVENTS
THREE DAYS GRACE, BRAKING BENJAMIN, FLYLEAF—Saturday, Jan. 30, $39.75.
SHINEDOWN, PUDDLE OF MUDD, SKILLET—Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., $29,50 or $35 day of show.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office 1-800-745-3000.

“God confirmed my trip home,” says Amstutz

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Former southern Adams County resident Leon Amstutz admitted in a Sunday interview that he had mixed feelings about returning from Haiti this past week.
Amstutz, a Taylor University educator who was using vacation time to work on a Christian radio station near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was asked to return to the United States, due to certain liabilities....

County jobess rate inches up

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Figures released Friday by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development show the unemployment rate in Adams County inched slightly higher during December, ending a string of four consecutive months in which the local rate had gone down....

Plenty of praise for Decatur

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The City of Decatur received as much praise as the award winners during Thursday night's 79th annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce banquet, which drew some 250 people to the reception hall at Grey Goose Golf Club....

Adams Central finalizes design-build decision

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


The Adams Central School Board met in a special session last night to finalize the decision to use the design-build method in the planned upcoming construction project at the school.
The board unanimously approved a resolution to use this method, also approving the proposal presented to them by Dan Rawlins of the architectural firm of InterDesign.

AC moves ahead on project

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Formalities were followed on Tuesday night at a special meeting of the Adams Central School Board as members passed a resolution and signed a contract for a construction and renovation project that could cost up to $10 million....

Sewer board begins

Decatur Daily Democrat:

The Adams County Regional Sewer District Board is operating.
The first meeting of the board was held on Tuesday, with an eye toward beginning a a cleanup of rural sewage disposal problems...

My Penguin Osbert program Jan. 26 and 28 at Huntington

Huntington City-Twp. Public Library invites children ages preschool to age eight and their parents to attend the “My Penguin Osbert” programs at the Main Library. Two sessions will be offered: the first at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, and the second at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Both of these events will include Story Time sessions, penguin songs and crafts, a mini-booklet of coloring and activities to take home, and a special treat. The programs are free, and the public is invited to attend. Registration is appreciated, but not required.
This year’s program is based on the storybook My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, published in 2004 by Candlewick Press, and nominated for the Young Hoosier Book Award in 2006. Fabulously illustrated by H. B. Lewis, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel’s hilarious romp through the land of be-careful-what-you-wish-for offers a whole year’s worth of holiday fun magic.
About the book: Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they’ve had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one -- but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants -- and on Christmas morning, guess what’s waiting for him under the tree! Santa has brought him a living, breathing, black-and-white penguin named Osbert. Will anything in Joe’s life ever be the same?
This program was designed to meet more than twenty of the academic standards in music, art, and reading that are recommended by the Indiana State Department of Education for children in first grade. At the end of the program, each child will be given an mini-booklet of activities that also fit many of these standards. Anyone who would like more information about the program, or the academic standards used to design it, is encouraged to contact Kay Stine, head of the Library’s Children’s Department, by phone at 260-356-0824, or by email at kstine@huntingtonpub.lib.in.us.

Geneva continues to prosper in spite of economic woes

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


Geneva Clerk/Treasurer Bill Warren told those attending last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting in the Town Hall that, thanks to volunteerism and donations, many good things were still happening around town, in spite economic hard times.
Warren noted that such entities as Geneva Proud, Limberlost Land Association, Adams County Library (Geneva branch), South Adams Trails, and Gene Stratton Porter involvements had contributed in a healthy way to activities of 2009....

Lehman: Township bill's future uncertain

Decatur Daily Democrat:

State Rep. Matt Lehman did not vote in favor of a bill, approved last week in the Indiana House of Representatives, that would allow individual township voters to dissolve their local board of trustees and advisory panels. The measure, he said during a town...

Holdman: Education must take turn cutting

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Education reforms was among the topics discussed at length Monday morning as State Sen. Travis Holdman and State Rep. Matt Lehman met with a dozen constituents in Berne.

Area Things to See and Do

FW’S EMBASSY
THEATRE EVENTS
CAMELOT—Monday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., $32 to $52.
CELTIC WOMAN—Thursday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., $38.75 and $62.75. Discounts for groups of 10 or more.
DISNEY’S ‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’—Monday and Tuesday, April 5 & 6, 7:30 p.m., $29 to $60.
LISA WILLIAMS—Saturday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., $45.50 to $65.50. (Medium and clairvoyant as seen on Oprah.)
AVENUE Q—Monday, May 3, 7:30 p.m., $27 to $52.
Ticket information at 260-424-1811 or through Ticketmaster. For groups of 20 or more call 260-420-3344.

BRAD STINE COMEDY AT 1ST ASSEMBLY OF GOD
BRAD STINE COMEDY—Saturday March 6, 7 p.m., Fist Assembly of God, 1400 West Washington Center Rd., FW, $12 or $15 at the door.
SELAH AT FW’S 1ST ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Saturday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., First Assembly of God, 1400 West Washington Center Rd., FW., $15 or $20 at the door. 260-284-1029.

WABASH
HONEYWELL CENTER
PASTORS PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN—Friday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 to $50.
MAD SCIENCE PRESENTS CSI: LIVE—Friday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., $5 kids and $15 adults.
JODEE MESSINA—Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., $19 to $75.
GERSHWIN ‘PORGY & BESS’—Thursday, Feb.. 18, 7:30 p.m., $20 to $40.
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE BAND—Sunday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., free concert

Zurcher understands quake’s dynamics

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Local businessman Deryll Zurcher spent much of his childhood in Haiti. His parents, John and Bernadine Zurcher, were Missionary Church missionaries, located on a mission compound about 90 miles from the city of Port-au-Prince....

To honor Sr. Margaret Rose

Decatur Daily Democrat:


A special honor, the Humanitarian Award, will be presented at this year's annual dinner meeting of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce.
The award will be given to Sister Margaret Rose Donnelly, who has been a nun in the Catholic faith since 1964 and has served...

Area Things to See and Do

FORT WAYNE
COLISEUM EVENTS
THREE DAYS GRACE, BRAKING BENJAMIN, FLYLEAF—Saturday, Jan. 30, $39.75.
SHINEDOWN, PUDDLE OF MUDD, SKILLET—Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., $29,50 or $35 day of show.
MARTINA MCBRIDE & TRACE ADKINS—Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., $49.75 & $59.75.
WINTERJAM—Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m., $10. (NewSong, Newboys, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North)
CARRIE UNDERWOOD—Monday, April 12, also Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia.
Tickets via Ticketmaster, Coliseum box office 1-800-745-3000.

FW’S EMBASSY
THEATRE EVENTS
‘MENOPAUSE’—Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., the musical, tickets $41.75 and $47.75.
THE UNDERGROUND REVIVAL—Friday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., (Darius McCrary, Angie Stone, Clifton Powell, Michael Colyar and Robert Wilson). $27.75 to $52.75.
ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE—Friday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m., $25.

Riverside Cemetery surrounded by natural beauty and history

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

Riverside Cemetery, located approximately a mile east of Geneva, just beyond the bend in Indiana 116, is not only one of the most picturesque settings in the county for a graveyard, it is literally surrounded by history and evidence of pioneers settling in the area.
Approximately a half mile to the west, is the large body of water that has settled into what was once the Moeschberger Stone Quarry. These days, the remains of the quarry look like a frozen northern lake, surrounded by cliffs and frozen embankments.

Area Things to See and Do

Visit the Creative Arts Council’s Balentine Gallery at the Arts, Commerce & Visitors Centre, 211 West Water Street, Bluffton, Indiana 46714. (260)-824-5222 or wellscocreativearts.com Find event & membership information, view exhibits, purchase tickets, take classes, or volunteer.
HOURS—Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or by arrangement; open weekends for events. Group tour or weekend visit may be arranged.
IN THE BALENTINE GALLERY
‘NATURAL INTERVENTIONS’—Jan. 4-15, a tribute to the works of Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude. Free admission. Display on loan from the FW Museum of Art. Lecture about these works Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m., free.
‘SUSPENDED’—Jan. 18-Feb. 26, works by Sayaka Ganz and paintings by Adams Parsons and Angela Leed. An exhibit not to be missed for its green impact and energetic, lively impact. Admission free. See online at www.sayakaganz.com
PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW—March 1-April 15, photography by Deb Perry.
TRI KAPPA HIGH SCHOOL ARTS EXHIBIT—April 20-May 22, sponsored by the Beta Phi chapter of Tri Kappa with reception on Sunday, April 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
SCHOOL OF BALLET
Classes now in session. Christmas break starts Dec. 14.
NOW ENROLLING
YOUNG ADULT CLASS—begins Tuesday, Feb. 12, 5:15 p.m.
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS—Feb. 1-March 18, for ages 3 1/2 and 4 from 4:30 to 5 p.m., registration forms available by calling (260) 824-5222.
EVENTS
PUBLIC ART—lecture about the projects of Christo and Jeanne-Claude with Megan Mirro from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, Balentine Gallery, free event.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON—Friday, Jan. 15, noon. For volunteers and their guests with special appearance by Vickie Kibellus portraying her “Favorite Things.” Reserve by Jan. 13th.
Travelogue Series—Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. with Sandy Mortimer’s program “Yellowstone Tales and Trails” adults and $3 student, Goodwin Memorial Chapel sponsoring.. Next travelogue on Thursday, Feb. 11th, Iran Then and Now, with Buddy Hatton sponsored by National Oil & Gas.
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER & CONCERT—Saturday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., requires reservation by Feb. 8th, $25. (Tables for 8 may be reserved.) Part of the CAC’s Series on the Ouabache and sponsored by General Manufacturing Co. Reservation deadline Feb. 8th.
LEARNING EVENTS
TODDLER MUSIC—”Jungle Jazz” with Cindy Lemmen, beginning Jan. 11 for 8 Mondays from 10 to 10:45 a.m., $64 for new families and $5 discount for returning families.
YOGA SERIES—begins Jan. 11, 6:15 p.m., for seven Mondays with Susie Jones. Registration closed, with waiting list.
NEW MANAGEMENT SERIES FOR ARTISTS—Monday, Jan. 11, Session I, Navigating the Art World: Discovering the Systems within the system. (Use west entrance door.)
PHOTOGRAPHERS FORUM— Thursday, Jan. 28, “Assess Your Photo” with photojournalist Cathie Rowand, 6:30 to 8 p.m., all photographers welcome to attend with photo in print or on laptops, $5. Open to all photographers with registration needed by Jan. 26th.
PASTEL WORKSHOP—Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Lisa Ransom Smith. Learn the method of Degas, Cassatt and Whistler. $60 plus supplies. Registration by Jan. 20th.
GROUPS
CAC—Board of Directors, Monday, Jan, 18 at 5:15 p.m., Lynn Elliott presiding.
READER’S CIRCLE—Tuesday, Jan. 19, noon, planning session for 2010 with brown bag lunch.
Artists in Action—paint (or other medium) on Fridays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Studio B by arrangement.
SAVE THE DATE!
March 1-April 15—”Un-Scene” exhibit of photos by Deb Perry, Wells County’s Hidden sites.
BENEFIT AUCTION DINNER—Friday, April 23.

Wellness Pavilion targets kids’ health with educational program

Berne Tri-Weekly News:


Berne resident Natalie Macdonald is very thankful for the benefits that her daughter received in the “Super Kids Dare to be Healthy” program at the Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion.
“The think that it benefited the most was her self-esteem,” said Macdonald. “She would come home from school and her self-esteem would be down. She got a lot of help from this program.
“It taught her effective strategies in how to deal with her feelings in that area. She would come home and tell me how she was learning from those who worked with her,” added Macdonald.
This Monday, January 11, another eight week series addressing nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral health will begin at the Wellness Pavilion. The session will meet on Monday and Thursday through March 8 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Deep freeze is next

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Having accomplished much of the digging out on Thursday, Decatur and Adams County residents were completing the task this morning while facing the next blast from Mother Nature: frigid temperatures.
Decatur was hit with a four and one-half inch snowfall on Thursday, according to officials at the city weather station....

Monroe marshall buys a TASER

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Monroe Marshall "Dio" Hernandez and Deputy Marshall Kevin McIntosh made a "shocking" announcement to the Monroe Town Council on Thursday night....

S. Adams to seek federal funds

Decatur Daily Democrat:


South Adams Schools Superintendent Cathy Egolf and school board President Tony Mellencamp have signed an agreement with the Indiana Department of Education that will enable the school district to share in federal funds available through President Barack...

United Way drive past halfway mark

Decatur Daily Democrat:


The 2009 United Way of Adams County drive is well past the halfway point on its run to a goal of $202,010.
The United Way staff announced this week that almost $115,000 has been received.
Following is the latest divisional breakdown of the UWAC effort:

Crying fowl

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Ducks for bucks. That’s what’s in Adams County’s future, according to a report to the commissioners by county building and zoning director Neil Ogg....

Briggs named to seat on state banking panel

Decatur Daily Democrat:


Andrew J. Briggs, president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Geneva has been selected as one of three regional directors from northeast Indiana to serve on the Indiana Bankers Association’s board of directors....

Firefighters are honored

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Several Decatur firefighters were recently honored for excellence in the performance of their duties, including two who received state honors....

Ulman credited with saving a life

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Among the Decatur firefighters recently honored in a ceremony at the local fire station was Tim Ulman. His actions, however, did not involve a fire.
Instead, Ulman provided assistance to a young man injured in a traffic accident in November of 2008, assistance which the young...

Sea turtles become celebrities for SA Middle School students

Berne Tri-Weekly News:



Pacifica and Bree Varda have become famous among South Adams Middle School students this fall and winter.
Through the efforts of librarian, Gwen Habegger, the sea turtles have been adopted by the local school and are keeping in touch with local students through special tracking devices that were placed on them.