Opportunities for National Volunteer Week at Indiana’s State Parks & Reservoirs

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

From maintaining trails to entering computer data, Hoosiers can celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 6-12, by donating their time and talent to Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs.

"Volunteering gives you a great sense of accomplishment,” said Jody Heaston, volunteer coordinator for DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs. “You know you are helping manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.”

Heaston said she hopes many volunteers from National Volunteer week will “catch the giving-back spirit” and continue to volunteer with Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs.

Information about volunteer events and opportunities at specific properties is available at stateparks.IN.gov/2443.htm or by calling the offices at those properties.

Some examples of upcoming volunteer opportunities are:

— Mounds State Park: Prepare the wildlife viewing area for the recreation season, April 6, 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (765) 649-8128.

— Brookville Lake: Picking up litter, April 6-12. For more information, call (765) 647-2657

— Tippecanoe River State Park: Helping in the horse camp, April 12 at 9 a.m. For more information, call (574) 946-3213.

— O’Bannon Woods State Park: Cleaning up, April 6-11. For more information, call (812) 738-8234.

— Pokagon State Park: Removing invasive plants, April 6 and 12, at 2 p.m. For more information, call (260) 833-2012.

— Summit Lake State Park: Paint trail signs and markers, April 11 and 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (765) 766-5873.

— Harmonie State Park: Spring cleanup, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (812) 682-4821.

— Indiana Dunes State Park: Help with the 18th Annual Friends of Indiana Dunes Plant Sale, April 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (219) 926-1390.

— Ouabache State Parks: Trail maintenance day, April 12 at 10 a.m. For more information, call (260) 824-0926.

— Versailles State Park: Trail maintenance day, April 12 at 10 a.m. For more information, call (812) 689-6424.

— Salamonie Lake: Spruce-Up Salamonie Day, April 12 at 10 a.m. For more information, call (260) 468-2127.

— Turkey Run State Park: Trails spring cleaning, April 12. For more information, call (765) 597-2654.

N-B Feedback: Still hysterical after all these years

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Sometimes a team finds itself on the wrong side of history. Call them Goliath, call them a team from South Bend in the film “Hoosiers,” or call them what they were: the Muncie Central Bearcats, immortalized in arguably the greatest sports story to come out of Indiana.

It’s been 60 years since the Bearcats took the court at what was then Butler Fieldhouse to face Milan, the team from a 161-student school that made an improbable run to the single-class state title game. Central played the foil, the heavy favorite that couldn’t stop the magical season as Bobby Plump’s 14-footer in the waning seconds pushed those teams and that 32-30 game into the realm of lore.

Read more about reflections of the miracle moment in the Friday, March 21, News-Banner, and share your own sports memories in the comments section.

N-B Video: Conquering Cougars come home to celebration

Norwell graduate Jenelle Wilson and her University of Saint Francis teammates returned to Fort Wayne Wednesday evening after going 38-0 in the season and winning the NAIA Division II Women's Tournament Tuesday night at Sioux City, Iowa. Norwell graduates Taylor Wilson and Paige Frisch didn't return with the team. Learn more in the Thursday, March 20, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Jenelle Wilson's family — father Jim, mother Debbie, sister Jordan, brother Bray and nephew Easton Wilson — wait for the team to file through the entrance of the Hutzell Athletic Center at the University of Saint Francis Wednesday night.

State Parks & Reservoirs seeking lifeguards; testing now online

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Lifeguarding tests are now offered online for applicants seeking such positions at Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs facilities.

The test is for first-year applicants only. First-year applicants must pass the test as part of the job application. Candidates who have already worked at a state park or reservoir facility need not take the test again.

The test is 50 questions. Half of the test is about CPR and first aid, and half is about lifeguard training knowledge. The applicant must score at least 70 percent.

A link to the test and information for both first-year and returning candidates on how to apply are available at stateparks.IN.gov/lifeguardtest.

Applicants must already be certified in lifeguarding and CPR for the professional rescuer before taking the test. If an applicant is in a certification class but has yet to finish, he or she may take the test but must complete certification before being hired.

The test serves as a hiring tool and is not a recertification of any type. Guards must recertify on their own through their local Red Cross and YMCAs prior to the swim season.

The swim season generally runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hiring will begin immediately and last until all positions are filled.

Lifeguard positions are available at Brown County, Clifty Falls, Versailles, Spring Mill, Harmonie, O’Bannon Woods, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Mounds, Indiana Dunes, Shakamak and Prophetstown state parks.

N-B Video: Norwell boys win 2014 basketball sectional championship

The News-Banner's Paul Beitler speaks with Norwell player Brent Bales after the Knights defeated Mississinewa 69-44 Saturday, March 8. Learn more in the Monday, March 10, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

N-B Video: Norwell earns "ugly" win to advance to sectional finals

The News-Banner's Paul Beitler talks with Norwell High School senior Drew Shively after the Knights beat Eastbrook by 11 points. Learn more in the Saturday, March 8, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

N-B Video: "Good Norwell basketball" wins first round of 2014 sectional

Norwell High School junior Piercen Harnish talks about Norwell's strategy that defeated the Heritage Patriots Tuesday, March 4, in the first round of the 2014 boys' basketball sectional. Learn more in the Wednesday, March 5, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

Register for “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman”

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Women can choose their own adventure at an outdoor sports workshop with courses ranging from shotgun shooting to canoeing.

The 20th annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is May 2-4 at Ross Camp in West Lafayette. The workshop is open to women ages 18 and older and limited to around 100 participants.

Registration begins March 1 at IndianaBOW.com. The cost for the workshop is $185 and includes all equipment, meals and lodging.

The program is designed for women to learn outdoor skills in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Participants will choose four activities from more than two dozen offerings, including fishing, kayaking, archery, outdoor photography, wild edibles, wildlife tracking, shooting muzzleloader guns and outdoor cooking.

The workshop is for women who have never tried these activities, but have hoped for an opportunity to learn; who have tried them but are beginners hoping to improve; or who know how to do some of the activities, but would like to try new ones.

Women who enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals and who seek time away to reconnect with nature are also prime candidates for BOW.