4-H Extension calendar

• June 2: Go Fishing Day, Oubache State Park, 8:30-10:30 AM
• June 2: 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, Wells County Gun Club, Ossian, 9-11 AM
• June 4: 4-H Horse & Pony Advisory Board, 4-H Park, 7 PM
• June 4: Hurryin' Harrisons 4-H Club, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
• June 4: Wells County 4-H Foundation, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
• June 5: Wells County 4-H Club Leaders Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 PM
• June 5: 4-H Archery Club, 4-H Park Quonset, Bluffton, 6:30-8 PM
• June 5: 4-H Pistol Safety Club, 4-H Park Quonset, 6:30 PM
• June 7: Mini 4-H Night, 4-H Park, 5:30 PM Registration; 6 PM Program
• June 9: 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, Wells County Gun Club, Ossian, 9-11 AM
• June 11: 4-H Camp Registration due at Extension Office
• June 12: 4-H Swine PQA Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 PM
• June 12: 4-H Archery Club, 4-H Park Quonset, Bluffton, 6:30-8 PM
• June 13: 4-H Cat Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM

Kokomo Opalescent Glass at Salamonie Lake senior lunch, June 4

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

People age 50 or older are invited to the Salamonie Interpretive Center to learn about the historic Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company on June 4.

The program begins with lunch at 12:30 p.m. The meat dish will be provided by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (UWIS). Seniors should bring a dish to pass, their own table service and $1 donation to help defray the cost of the provided meat dish.

To help the planners determine the correct amount of meat to request, those interested should register by calling (260) 468-2127, or visiting the interpretive center, 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews 46702.

Cindy Locke, retail manager of The Op Shop, Retail Division of Kokomo Opalescent Glass, will talk about the company’s beginnings and explain how the glass is made.

The interpretive center and gift shop’s hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This barrier-free building features exhibits, floor-to-ceiling windows in the wildlife viewing area, and staff to answer questions.

The center is in Lost Bridge West Recreation Area, Highway 105, in western Huntington County. There is no fee to enter the property at this time.

For more information on other UWIS programs, see dnr.IN.gov/uwis or visit UWIS on Facebook at facebook.com/upperwabash.

Baer Field Speedway allowing fans on the track

From Baer Field Speedway:

FORT WAYNE — Baer Field Speedway will admit all passengers into the track for $20 on Saturday, May 26, for racing action including all five divisions.

NAPA Late Models and Modifieds will race on the half-mile track, while Street Stocks, Afdent Mini Stocks and Front Wheel Drives will compete on the 3/8th-mile short-track.

The night will also feature one-on-one spectator races. Hayrides will be available for children with an appearance by Fort Wayne Komets assistant coach Gary Graham.

Gates will open at 2 p.m., with qualifying at 5; racecar rides at 7; and racing at 7:30.
Single adult admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children 8-12.

On Sunday, May 27, the speedway will host a family-fun event in support of the Community Harvest Food Bank, featuring live music from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be bounce houses for children. Members of theFort Wayne Komets and Icy D. Eagle will be present. There also will be a $500-to-win go-kart race and an hour-long fireworks show at dusk.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is a canned good or cash donation for the Community Harvest Food Bank. The speedway will have food, drink and beer concessions. The go-kart pits open at 2 p.m., with practice at 3, and races at 5. Admission to the go-kart pits is $10.

The speedway is located on the south side of Fort Wayne International Airport, which is west of Ind. 1 on Winters Road. For information call 478-7223 or visit the website at www.baerfieldspeedway.net.

TinCaps honored for third consecutive season

From Anderson Speedway:

In his first start at Anderson Speedway in the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models, Eddie Van Meter turned in a stellar performance during the Hoosier Park Spring Championships at Anderson Speedway.

Van Meter set fast time Saturday and led all 40 laps to record the feature win. With Van Meter in control of the top spot, Josh Poore and Brandon Phillips battled for the second spot through the early stages of the race.

The driver on the move was Greg VanAlst, who spun on the third lap on the front straight and battled his way back to fifth with three laps remaining. Trying to get inside of John Heck for fourth entering turn three the two drivers made contact causing Heck to spin.

Both drivers were sent to the tail of the field, which moved Ronnie Rose and Fred Hopkins into the top five. Hopkins started from the tail of the 18-car field for missing his heat race.

On the final restart Van Meter again pulled away from Poore and the rest of the field. Brandon Phillips came home third followed by Rose and Hopkins.

“The car was good all night,” Van Meter said. “This is my son’s car (Billy) and he let me race it tonight.”

The terrible luck to start the 2012 season for defending champion Terry Cater continued as he was collected in a four-car incident in turn three on the second circuit.

Josh Poore got the jump on a restart with 12 laps remaining to take the lead from Calvin Parham to record his first victory of the year in the EDCO Welding Street Stocks.

Parham, who was the fast qualifier, grabbed the early lead but was chased by Poore for the first 23 laps until the caution waved when Billy VanMeter spun.

Parham has used up his tires and was unable to hold off Poore. Parham held on for second followed by Ricky Tharp.

Josh Myers and Jimmy Crabtree used the outside groove to slip around Ronnie Rose for the third and fourth positions on consecutive laps.

Defending WMDH ThunderCar champion Hannah Lundy recorded her first feature win, pulling away from Rob Allman following a lap 11 restart.

Lundy set fast time during qualifications and opened up a sizeable lead over Allman before the caution flag waved when Pam Neal and Travis Burge got together on the back straight while battling for position.

Lundy had to go to the infield grass to avoid the incident and on the restart was able to retain the top spot, but Allman remained in close contact to the finish.

Frankie Oakes finished third followed by Burge, making a nice recovery after being sent to the tail, with first time competitor Trent Gossar rounding out the top five.


Jerry Dane recorded his third feature win of the year in the G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive oval action, but he had to hold off a determined Don Gallaher for the entire race distance.

“I like racing against him (Gallaher),” Dane said. “It was pretty tough.”

Ron Phipps, Marshall Clark Jr. and Paul Phipps rounded out the top five.

Elliott McKinney scored a clean sweep in Figure-8 action for the G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive division by setting fast time, winning his heat race and led the entire distance to win the feature.

McKinney was hounded for the first 11 laps by Kevin Henson, who was forced to retire. On a restart with three laps remaining McKinney was able to hold off Donnie Ellis Jr.SA

Pay Less Little 500 week kicks off on Wednesday, May 23 with the TRUFUEL Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series presented by Biobased.US (MSRXSS) featured in the Must See Racing 60 presented by Sam Pierce Chevrolet. The Mel Kenyon Midgets will also be part of the racing program.

First round qualifications for the 64th Pay Less Little 500 will take place on Thursday, May 24, beginning at 1:30 p.m. with the 33-car field set during second round of qualifications on Friday afternoon. On Friday Night, The Ohio Express concert will be showcased at 7:30 pm. The 64th Pay Less Little 500 goes green approximately at 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

Tickets are available for the historic 64th Pay Less Little 500 at $28 for reserved seating. For more information, contact the Anderson Speedway Ticket Office at (765) 642-0206.

Sap-sucking bugs mar state tree

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Indiana’s state tree is a mess.

Homeowners with tulip poplar trees are finding and reporting that they are “raining” a mysterious film on their cars, homes and landscape plants.

The culprit—the tulip tree scale insect—is tiny, thirsty and sticky. The bug attaches to twigs and sucks the trees’ sap, leaving a sticky wake.

Tulip poplar, also called yellow poplar, was declared the state tree of Indiana in 1931. The tree is well-regarded and widely planted because of its beautiful flowers, form, the shade it provides, and rapid growth.

The tree’s sap is its life blood, carrying vital nutrients. The insect’s meals stress the tree and lead to its decline and, if untreated, potential death. Although tulip trees tend to be the scale’s favorite, the bug can also be found on basswood, persimmon, magnolia, catalpa, redbud and walnut trees.

“Depending on the condition of the tree today and any other stressors that may occur, the scale can result in the death of the tree, which may occur this year or in the future,” said Phil Marshall, director of the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology. “If the scale continues at heavy levels on the tree in 2013, the chance of tree death increases.

“Homeowners need to consider the hazard that tree creates to their property and decide if they should treat the tree or remove and replace it.”

The bug is a particular problem this year because the warm winter allowed a greater number of scales to survive, particularly in the southern part of the state.

As the bug feeds, it excretes a sticky waste product called “honeydew.” Honeydew is eaten by other insects, as well as by a fungus called sooty mold, which grows on the honeydew. The fungus often gives vegetation under infested trees a black moldy appearance, but is primarily an aesthetic problem.

Marshall said certain insecticide treatments can help control the scale, but if improperly applied can cause problems with other insects.

Right now, it may be too late treat with a soil-applied systemic insecticide, which takes two-to-three weeks before it moves up to the feeding site of the scale. Such treatment tends to be more effective in the fall or next spring, Marshall said.

“Tulip tree scale is in the crawler stage in late July and August and is most susceptible to a foliage-applied systemic insecticide at that time” Marshall said. “This treatment would need to be done by an arborist who has the equipment and knowledge to spray to the top of the tree.”

The cost for such treatment could range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 per tree, based on size and difficulty of reaching the proper area with a spray.

“Another option to manage the scale is applying horticultural oil in the spring to smother the sedentary insects,” Marshall said.

During summer, the leaves, twigs and branches of affected trees will turn black from the growth of the sooty mold.

“Although it will cover the leaf and look bad, there is no need to take any action,” Marshall said. “By the time this happens, the tree has done most of its growing so the black color adds limited stress to the tree.

For more information call the Indiana DNR toll-free at 1-866-NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684) or their Purdue County Extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636) from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

NRC extends "one-buck rule" for deer hunting

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

JASONVILLE —The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday approved an indefinite extension of what’s commonly referred to as the “one-buck rule” for deer hunting.

The decision to extend the rule removes the expiration date on a 10-year-old regulation that limits a hunter to taking no more than one antlered deer during the regular archery, firearms and muzzleloader hunting seasons.

The “one-buck rule” was first applied in 2002 for a five-year period. The Commission approved an extension in 2007 with an expiration date of Sept. 1, 2012.

This year, the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife proposed extending the rule indefinitely, stating that limiting deer hunters to only one buck per year is not needed to manage the deer herd. The DNR considers it a social issue, not a biological issue.

In other actions, the NRC:

–Approved the permanent appointment of three assistant property managers: Mike Miller at Ouabache State Park; Matt Wronowicz at Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex; and Lynda Ellington at Shakamak State Park.

–Granted nature preserve status to three properties: Elliott Woods in Vigo County; Section Six Flatwoods Addition in Posey County; and Glacial Esker at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Noble County.

–Authorized the Division of State Parks & Reservoirs and State Park Inns to conduct negotiations with a potential vendor for a restaurant and other operations at the Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion.

The Commission gave final approval to the following:

–Amendments that govern aquatic vegetation control permits (312 IAC 9-10-3).

–Amendments that govern entomology and plant pathology (312 IAC 18).

The Commission gave preliminary approval to:

–Amendments to fish and wildlife rules that include clarifying requirements for chasing wild animals with dogs during the hunting season, removing restrictions and handgun license requirements when chasing raccoons, adding the late season for taking lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese, adding the monk parakeet as an exempted species of bird that can be taken at any time, adding the use of bowfishing equipment and crossbows for taking Asian carp and other specified fish on rivers and streams, adding the rayed bean as an endangered species of mussel, and removing application deadlines and other changes to the special disability permit for hunters.

–Amendments to Indiana Administrative Code 312 IAC 9 governing commercial fishing, fishing guide licenses, and establishment of the new roe harvesters and dealers licenses.

–A rule to provide administrative review of testing results and continuing education credits required of individuals obtaining certain permits administered by the DNR.

Hoosier Park Spring championships featured at Anderson Speedway on Saturday night

From the Anderson Speedway:

Racing action returns to Anderson Speedway on Saturday, May 19 with Hoosier Park Spring Championships featured on the quarter-mile oval. Divisions in action include McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models, EDCO Welding Street Stocks, WMDH ThunderCars along with G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 action.

Rob Allman paces the MEP Late Models with a 12-point lead over Ronnie Rose in the point standings. Both drivers have collected two top-five finishes to kick start their seasons. Third is Josh Cave with former track champions Josh Poore and Fred Hopkins filling out the top five.

Josh Myers has begun the 2012 EDCO Welding Street Stock season on tear, winning three of the opening four events. He has constructed a 32-point margin over Rickie Tharp with opening night winner Jimmy Kirby ranked in third position. Fourth is Tyler Marsh with Frankie Oakes rounding out the top five.

In the WMDH ThunderCar division, Rob Allman holds a 10 point cushion over defending champion Hannah Lundy. Third is Rob Wyman with Frankie Oakes and Earl Adams ll completing the top five.

Ron Phipps sits atop the G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive Oval division. Chris Jennings is second only 12 markers behind first place. Joseph Jennings is third in the points rundown with Marshall Clark Jr. and Paul Phipps completing the list of the top performers.

New track record holder Mike Alley leads the G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 standings with Donnie Ellis Jr. in second spot. Kevin Henson is third with Elliott McKinney in fourth and Harry Lashure in fifth position.

On Saturday, May 19, spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the racing beginning at 8. Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.

4-H Extension calendar

• May 18-19 — Master Gardener Plant Sale, 4-H Park, Friday 8 AM-5 PM; Saturday, 8 AM-Noon
• May 19 — 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, Wells County Gun Club, Ossian, 9-11 AM
• May 21 — 4-H Dog Obedience Club, 4-H Park Livestock Arena, Bluffton, 6:30-8 PM
• May 22 — 4-H Pistol Safety Club, 4-H Park Quonset, 6:30 PM
• May 22 — 4-H Archery Club, 4-H Park Quonset, Bluffton, 6:30-8 PM
• May 21 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton
• May 24 — 4-H Sewing Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 PM
• May 28 — Memorial Day-County Offices Closed
• May 29 — 4-H Pistol Safety Club, 4-H Park Quonset, 6:30 PM
• May 29 — 4-H Archery Club, 4-H Park Quonset, Bluffton, 6:30-8 PM
• May 31 — 4-H Swine PQA Plus Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 1 PM
• May 31 — 4-H Basket Making Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6 PM
• June 2 — 4-H Shot Gun Safety Club, Wells County Gun Club, Ossian, 9-11 AM
• June 4 — Hurryiní Harrisons 4-H Club, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM
• June 4 Wells County 4-H Foundation, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 PM

Indiana muskie guide business growing

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

A growing industry has emerged in northeast Indiana to help anglers catch muskies, and the local economy is benefiting.

About 10-15 professional muskie fishing guides now operate in northeastern Indiana—a direct result of Indiana’s successful muskie stocking program, according to DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson.

Combined, those guides generate about $150,000 in annual income. Indirect spending, such as travel, food and lodging add another $20,000 to $25,000 dollars of economic value annually from guided muskie trips.

“Although these figures are low compared to traditional muskie states, Indiana’s muskie guiding business is only 10 years old,” Pearson said,

The DNR, began stocking muskies in various waters in the late 1970s to offer anglers a new fishing opportunity in Indiana. As the DNR muskie program developed, angler interest in Indiana muskies gradually grew. Entrepreneurial anglers saw a business opportunity and eventually a professional muskie fishing guide industry arose.

Muskies are stocked annually now in six northeast Indiana lakes The DNR estimates anglers make about 15,000 Indiana muskie fishing trips a year.

About 300 to 400 of those are through professional guides, with anglers paying about $325 per trip.

In Indiana, anyone who takes a person fishing for hire must first be licensed by the DNR.

Guides are also required to submit to the DNR daily logs that detail the location, hours fished, and fish caught by their customers. Biologists use these records to help monitor changes in muskie fishing and success of the stocking program.

From 2001 through 2011, muskie anglers booked 2,900 fishing trips. Fifty-six percent were at Lake Webster in Kosciusko County. Another 21 percent were at nearby Lake Tippecanoe, and 17 percent were at the Barbee Lakes. Guided muskie trips were also taken at Loon, Skinner, and Upper Long lakes.

“We saw an exponential rate of growth of guided muskie fishing from 2001 through 2008,” Pearson said. “Trip numbers fell in recent years, most likely due to the slow economy, but we think they will rebound.”

Despite fluctuations in the number of trips per year, guided anglers have caught an average of 300 muskies annually at these six lakes during the last eight years.

Atkinson wins wild CRA late model sportsman race

From Anderson Speedway:

New Castle’s Jason Atkinson took advantage of a restart with three laps remaining to get outside of Greg VanAlst to win the Champion Racing Association Sportsman feature at Anderson Speedway on Saturday.

Tommy Cook took the lead on lap 26 when early leader John Heck spun on the front straight. From that point Cook was chased by KC Spillers, VanAlst and Atkinson.

Heck took the lead at the start and swapped the lead following the first caution on lap five for debris on the track. Heck took command on lap eight and led until he spun entering turn one following contact with Cook.

VanAlst made the move of the race on lap 56 when Spillers and Atkinson went high on the front straight and VanAlst dived to the low side to claim the second spot.

VanAlst closed on the rear bumper of Cook with Atkinson and Eldon Wright closing on the leaders. Just when it looked like Cook was going to make it two Sportsman wins in a row, VanAlst tapped his rear bumper on the front straight.

With Cook cutting through the infield that gave VanAlst the lead followed by Atkinson on lap 73. At the same time the sixth and final caution flag waved for a multiple car incident in turn three.

On the final restart Atkinson got the jump on the front straight and completed the pass in turn one. Wright was able to get around Cook in the final laps.

Following Atkinson to the checkers was VanAlst, Wright, Cook and Terry Jones. There were six lead changes among four drivers.

Atkinson started 11th in the 18-car starting field. It was his third CRA win at Anderson Speedway and the second of the 2012 season, winning the opener at Plymouth Speedway.

“I was trying to save the tires for the end,” Atkinson said.

Anderson’s Josh “Country” Myers started eighth in the 28-car starting field for the CRA Street Stock 75-lap feature, but it only took him 22 laps to move to the front.

Myers used the high groove following a restart on lap 20 to race side-by-side with early leader Rickie Tharp and then took control of the race.

It was Myers third straight win at Anderson Speedway in the Street Stock Division.

Although he led the final 53 laps, Myers was not able to shake a determined effort from Tharp, who closed within striking distance with eight laps remaining as the front-runners encountered lapped traffic.

Tharp and pole sitter Eddie Wolf swapped the lead three times over the first 16 laps with the driver on the outside line having the advantage.

After being passed by Tharp and Myers, Wolf was battling with Josh Poore for the third spot on lap 40, getting loose on the front straight and regaining control in turn one after losing several positions.

Following Myers and Tharp to the checkers were Poore, Ronnie Rose and J.J. Schafer.

“The car was on a rail,” Myers said. “I’ve gotten off to a good start to the season, guess I’ll have to try and win another next week.”

Fast qualifier Calvin Parham only made it to lap seven before a mechanical problem sent him to the sidelines. Local favorite Jimmy Kirby was taken out in a four-car incident in turn three on the second lap.

Mike Alley inherited the lead on the next to last lap in G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive Figure-8 action when Elliott McKinney made contact with leader Donnie Ellis Jr. coming to the crossover. Ellis spun toward the front straight wall. Following the caution both Ellis and McKinney were sent to the rear of the field.

But that was only the start of the action.

On the restart Alley went high in turn two which gave the lead temporarily to Trevon Henson. Entering turn three Henson went three-wide in turn three with McKinney and Ellis. The three cars bounced off each other with McKinney hitting the turn four wall.

Ellis recovered to pass Henson on the back straight to record the victory followed by Henson and Alley.

Early in the race Ellis opened a sizeable lead over Alley, but when McKinney had a problem in turn three on lap seven it brought out the first of the caution flags.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Saturday, May 19 with Hoosier Park Spring Championships. Featured divisions include McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models, EDCO Welding Street Stocks, WMDH ThunderCars along with G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drives (Oval and Figure 8’s).

Basketball camp held

Bluffton High School basketball program held an elementary basketball camp for students in kindergarten through grade 2 this. Pictures here are participants in the camp.

CRA late model sportsman and street stocks return to Anderson Speedway on Saturday night

From Anderson Speedway:

Racing action returns to Anderson Speedway on Saturday, May 12 with 75-lap events from the CRA Late Model Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks. The G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s will also be in action on the quarter-mile oval.

The CRA Late Model Sportsman will compete in their third event of the season on Saturday night. Fort Wayne’s Tommy Cook won the feature last weekend at Winchester Speedway with New Castle’s Jason Atkinson earning the series opener at Plymouth.

The competitors in the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models will do battle against the traveling CRA racers. Rob Allman leads the early season point standings with Ronnie Rose ranked in the second position. The remainder of the top five includes John Cave, 2011 EDCO Welding Street Stock Champion Josh Poore and Fred Hopkins.

Anderson marks the second event in 2012 for the CRA Street Stocks. Brian Hopkins captured the victory in the opening race at Plymouth Speedway in April. He finished ahead of J.J. Shafer and Eddie Wolf. The EDCO Welding Street Stocks will be part of the event marking their third event of the season. Jimmy Kirby won the opener with Josh Myers claiming two consecutive feature victories.

Mike Alley has constructed a 23 point lead over Elliott McKinney in the G.W. Pierce Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 division. Third is Trevin Henson with opening night winner Donnie Ellis Jr. in fourth and Harry Lashure listed in fifth position.

On Saturday, May 12, spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the racing beginning at 8. Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.

Nabors will sing "Indiana" despite missing 2012 Indianapolis 500

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedways:

Beloved actor-entertainer Jim Nabors will not attend the 96th Indianapolis 500 due to heart-valve replacement surgery scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, but he will continue his tradition of singing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" during pre-race ceremonies.

A film crew will travel to Nabors' home in Hawaii this month to record him singing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" to be played on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Public Address and video boards Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"I am very disappointed that I will not be at this year's Indianapolis 500," Nabors said. "I have attended nearly 40 races and been honored to sing 'Back Home Again.' There is no place I would rather be on Memorial Day weekend than with my family of Indianapolis 500 fans. I am looking forward to returning and singing in person once again in 2013."

Nabors has performed "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" during pre-race ceremonies 33 times since 1972, creating an indelible pre-race tradition. He has sung every year since 1987 except for 2007, when he missed the race due to illness.

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is disappointed to confirm that Jim Nabors will not be able to attend the 2012 Indianapolis 500 and perform his much cherished version of '(Back Home Again in) Indiana,'" said Jeff Belskus, IMS president and chief executive officer. "Jim's performance and appearance have been a tradition at the Indianapolis 500 and one that our fans worldwide have embraced. For a moment, Jim is able to make everyone, no matter where they live or where they are from, feel as if they are Hoosiers.

"On behalf of IMS and our fans, we offer our prayers and best wishes to Jim for a speedy recovery and are looking forward to his return to the Indianapolis 500 next year."

Parnelli to celebrate 150mph Pole

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Parnelli Jones will celebrate the 50th anniversary of breaking the 150-mph barrier in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 by driving the No. 98 Agajanian Willard Battery Watson-Offy roadster on Pole Day, Saturday, May 19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Jones is scheduled to turn laps in the famous car, nicknamed “Calhoun,” at approximately 4 p.m. Jones won the pole for the 1962 Indianapolis 500 in the car with a four-lap average speed of 150.370 mph. The IMS Hall of Fame Museum now owns the car.

It’s the second consecutive year Jones will drive a historical car at IMS. Last May he drove the Marmon “Wasp,” which Ray Harroun guided to victory in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

“Last May it was an honor to drive the Marmon ‘Wasp’ around Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the Centennial Celebration – not for just one lap but for three laps,” Jones said. “This year to drive in ‘Calhoun,’ the car that was such an important part of my Indianapolis career, it will be like getting together with an old pal. We’ve seen lots of good and bad times together.

“It will be fun to drive around the Speedway again. That’s always fun, especially in a car that means so much to me. We’ve been through it all! What if I want to stay out on the track and keep driving? Who’s going to make me pull in?”

General admission on Pole Day is $15, with children 12 and under admitted free.

N-B Video: Southern Wells defeats South Adams at Parkview Field

Celebrate with the Southern Wells boys baseball team as they defeat South Adams 3-2 at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne Thursday, May 3. (Video by Paul Beitler)

DNR seeks input on fish, hunt, trap regulations

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife wants to hear your ideas on fishing, hunting and trapping regulations in Indiana, and it doesn’t require attending a meeting to give your input.

Call it a “virtual” open house.

From May 15 to June 1, the public will be able to use a convenient online form to contribute ideas and suggestions as well as provide input on issues the DNR has identified for consideration.

To find the online form, go to wildlife.IN.gov and click on the “Got INput?” box near the middle of the page. The form will be available for use beginning May 15.

“This is an opportunity for people to let us know what changes they would like us to consider,” said Gregg McCollam, assistant director of the Division of Fish & Wildlife. “This process also allows us to get much needed feedback on issues that the division is in interested in moving forward.”

The online form allows people to comment quickly and enables DFW staff to organize the public input into categories.

Input on fishing, hunting and trapping regulations also can be mailed to:

DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife
Attn: Proposed Regulatory Changes
402 W. Washington St., Room W 273
Indianapolis, IN 46204

After compiling the input, DFW staff will evaluate the comments and suggestions and come back in mid-summer with a second round of feedback both online and at open house meetings before proposing rules to the Natural Resources Commission.

N-B Video: NWCS board recognizes 2012 boys basketball team

The board congratulates the seniors on the team for their state runner-up title. (Video by Chet Baumgartner)

World of Outlaws sprint points race heads into weekend

From Eldora Speedway:

ROSSBURG, Ohio — A hotly contested points chase within the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series could get even more intense when the traveling tour invades Eldora Speedway Friday and Saturday for the Outlaw Thunder by Goodyear weekend. Four of the top five drivers in the 2012 cumulative points chase have combined for a total of 67 feature wins on the .500 mile clay oval since the series made its debut in 1978, to account for 48 percent of the 137 completed events.

Seven times this season the WoO points chase has swapped hands and going into Friday’s Eldora chase Sammy Swindell, an 18 time Eldora winner heads up the current tally, with that much of a margin – seven – over Donny Schatz, who has prevailed at Eldora four times. Joey Saldana, with 10 Eldora triumphs, sits in third, 25 markers behind Swindell, while Steve Kinser, the leading Eldora winner at 35 checkered flags, holds down fourth, 57 points behind the leader, and son Kraig Kinser, still seeking his first Eldora win, is one more point behind his father.

Swindell, a three-time WoO champion, is coming off his third victory of the season as he enters the Eldora weekend in pursuit of his first victory there since 2006. That is a long dry spell by Swindell standards and with his confidence level running high, it could leave the balance of the field chasing for runner-up honors.

Also experiencing Eldora dry spells are Schatz and Steve Kinser, who look back at their Kings Royal victories in 2009 and 2010 respectively as their last visits to the hallowed Eldora victory stage. Meanwhile, Saldana is coming into the Goodyear sponsored weekend with two Eldora WoO wins in 2011, including the season opener and closer. It was the season closing win in September that was a confidence boost for Saldana. He had crashed badly during the Kings Royal with injuries that took him off the tour and a possible chase for the championship. He returned to racing two days prior to the September Four Crown win and won with vengeance.

Hoping to crack into the top five during the Eldora WoO doubleheader weekend is Craig Dollansky. Dollansky is the quickest driver to ever have toured the Eldora high-banks, with a clocking of 12.707 seconds in 2002, and he has registered feature wins four times. But it has been since 2008 that he has tasted victory there. He finds himself sitting 7th in the WoO points chase going into Friday, only 45 points out of the top five.

While those six drivers will be competing in their own race within a race, the balance of the field will be chasing the checkered flag each night as well, in search of a coveted win and a position in Eldora Speedway history.

A complete program of WoO Sprint Car racing will take place Friday and Saturday in the Goodyear sponsored weekend, with Eldora’s Stock Cars rounding out the doubleheader program on Friday night and the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds on Saturday night. The event will be another flame, firework and pyrotechnic-filled weekend of sensory overloading excitement, mixed with unleashed horsepower.

Tickets for the Outlaw Thunder by Goodyear, the Kings Royal weekend, and all other Eldora events are available through the track office at (937) 338-3815 or online 24 hours a day at www.EldoraSpeedway.com. Like us at www.Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway or catch all the behind-the-scenes preparation for the event on Twitter @EldoraSpeedway.