Extension Calendar

• November 4: Wells County Extension Advisory Board, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 p.m.
• November 5: Wells County 4-H Council, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 p.m.
• November 11: Northeast IN 4-H & FFA Crops, Forestry, & Entomology Judging, Whitley Co. 4-H Fairgrounds, Columbia City, Registration 5-5:30 p.m., Contests 5:30 p.m.
• November 14: Area Purdue Council on Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching, Allen Co. Extension Office, Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
• November 16: Indiana 4-H Congress, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Registration 8:45-9:15 a.m., Program 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
• November 18: Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton 7 p.m.
• November 19: Agriculture Outlook Breakfast, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 a.m., Call 824-6412 for meal reservations (free)
• November 19: Private Applicator Recertification Program (PARP), Wells Co. Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 9:30 a.m., $10 fee for PARP credit. Bring applicator license number. Call 824-6412 to reserve a seat.
• November 19: Fall Program Fair, Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton. 3-4 p.m. Diabetic Cooking; 4:30-5:30 p.m. Slow Cooking at its Best. Each program has a $2 sampling fee. Call 824-6412 to register.
• November 20: Area 4-H Jr. Leader Planning Committee, Ossian Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• November 21: Wells County Career Expo, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 8:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

Salamonie Interpretive Center announces winter hours

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Winter business hours at Salamonie Interpretive Center in Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area will take effect Nov. 1 and last through March 31.

Those business hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, when the center will be closed.

Indiana Annual Entrance Passes for 2014 are now available. The pass features a bald eagle photo taken by local photographer Mike Millspaugh.

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (dnr.IN.gov/uwis) is at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, 46702.

N-B Video: Bluffton, Norwell boys and girls compete in cross country semi-state

Learn more in the Monday, Oct. 28, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

N-B Video: Knights, Tigers compete at cross country regionals

Bluffton High School junior Kevin Moser and Norwell High School senior Jessie Best talk after the IHSAA boys' and girls' cross country regionals Saturday, Oct. 19. Learn more in the Monday, Oct. 21, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

N-B Video: Knights advance to runners' regionals

Norwell’s and Bluffton’s boys’ teams and Norwell’s girls’ team advanced out of the Bellmont cross-country sectional Tuesday night and will run Saturday at the Marion regional. Learn more in the Wednesday, Oct. 16, News-Banner. (Video by Dave Schultz)

N-B Video: Norwell girl hits the gridiron

Norwell Middle School seventh-grade student Calista Gerard wanted to push herself, so she decided to play football this season. The seventh-grade Crusaders finished the season Tuesday 5-2 with a 24-12 win over DeKalb in Auburn. They finished third in the 10-team Northeast Hoosier Middle Level Conference. Learn more in the Oct. 16 News-Banner.

Salamonie preschool to offer “Not-So-Spooky Bats,” Oct. 16

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Preschool-age children and their adults are invited to Salamonie Preschool’s “Not-So-Spooky Bats” on Oct. 16.

The class will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Salamonie Interpretive Center in Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area in Andrews.

Each program is designed to enhance the preschooler’s basic education and includes learning the alphabet, building a craft, social interaction and time spent outdoors, always with a nature-related theme.

The program fee per child is $2. Advance registration is appreciated. Register by calling Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at (260) 468-2127.

For more information on other UWIS programs, see dnr.IN.gov/uwis or facebook.com/upperwabash, or call (260) 468-2127.

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (dnr.IN.gov/uwis) is at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, 46702.

All state parks and reservoirs remain open

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Although national parks and national wildlife refuges are closed because of the federal government shutdown, Indiana’s 24 state parks and eight reservoir properties remain open for business as usual—if you call the burst of fall colors usual.

There is an Indiana state park or reservoir property within a one-hour drive of every Hoosier.

The properties offer an array of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, boating, canoe and kayaking, mountain biking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

Daily gate fees for in-state residents are only $5 per carload at most properties. Those who want to stay overnight will probably need to do some planning. October is one of the most popular camping months of the year, with autumn- and Halloween-themed events happening at many properties. Reservations can be made at camp.IN.gov or 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746).

“October has become like the busy month of July for our parks and reservoirs,” said Ginger Murphy of the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs. “If weekends are full at your favorite state park or reservoir, camping on weekdays during your fall break is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.”

Information on state parks and reservoirs is at stateparks.IN.gov. Information on programs and special events is at InterpretiveServices.IN.gov.

Information on all DNR properties, all of which remain open during the federal government shutdown, is at dnr.IN.gov/5280.htm.