Heckard signs with Bethel College

Berne Tri Weekly News:

Sam Heckard, a 2010 graduate of South Adams, signed his letter of intent to run cross country and track for Bethel College during a ceremony at the high school Monday afternoon. Heckard is a four-year letter winner in both cross country and track, and helped the Starfires to two ACAC championships during his high school cross country career. He earned second team All-ACAC honors twice in cross country, and was also an Academic All-ACAC selection in both track and cross country....

Geocaching event co-sponsored by Indiana State Parks

Indiana DNR Release:

Anyone with a trail GPS unit can compete in the Indiana Epic State Park Challenge until May 2011, with a chance to win prizes.

The challenge involves finding a GPS hidden treasure box, called a geocache, in each of 22 possible Indiana State Parks. The contest allows Indiana residents and non-residents to enjoy the hidden treasures that Indiana has tucked away in all corners of the state.

As co-sponsor, the Indiana DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs is giving away two 2011 DNR Annual Passes. Cabela’s Outfitters is giving away two $25 gift cards in a drawing of those who complete the challenge by April 30, 2011.

To register to compete, visit www.geocaching.com and search for “Indiana Epic State Park Challenge” or GC code “GC26VN9” if you have a free user account. To complete the challenge, a competitor (or “geocacher”) must find an already existing geocache in at least 22 state parks to be eligible to find the challenge geocache.

The challenge geocache is located in central Indiana, within 15 miles of downtown Indianapolis. Upon completion, each successful competitor must provide verification of his or her finds to each respective cache owner. Several ways to verify finds are listed on the Geocache Challenge Web page, in addition to exact GPS coordinates to the final location.

Prizes come from the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, Cabela’s Outfitters of Hammond, and Indiana geocacher “IndyLovelace.”

While it’s free to play, regular State Parks and Reservoirs entrance fees apply: $5 for Indiana residents and $7 for out-of-state residents ($10 out-of-state at Indiana Dunes State Park). Annual Entrance Passes are also available.

Visitors can also apply to place a geocache on State Parks and Reservoir properties by visiting the appropriate park office and consulting the IDNR geocaching policy found at http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2390.htm.

New option for giving the gift of hunting, trapping and fishing, or donating

Indiana DNR Release:

A new way of gift giving is available to please the hunter, trapper, angler or general lover of the outdoors with the DNR’s new option of purchasing licenses for others. Making donations to various outdoor funds while buying such licenses is also a new convenient option.

Gift certificates are available for purchase online (www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov) or at a DNR property that sells hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, and are only valid for those types of licenses. Individuals can buy a gift certificate while purchasing their own hunting, fishing, or trapping license either online or at a DNR property by choosing that new option . For buying only a gift certificate, users should click on the gift certificate link at the same Web address.

People purchasing such licenses now also have the automatic option of donating to four different funds as part of the process. The Natural Resources Foundation helps buy land and restore habitat for recreation. The Sportman’s Benevolence Fund helps provide meals to Indiana’s less fortunate. The Non-game Fund helps Indiana's endangered and nongame wildlife. TIP (Turn in a Poacher Fund) helps fight poaching and environmental crimes in the state.

To make only a donation (and not purchase a license) see http://www.in.gov/dnr/5766.htm.

Bluffton Farm League Tournament

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler was there for the start of the 2010 Bluffton Farm League Tournament Tuesday evening at Roush Park. Parlor City Trophy & Apparel battled Standard Plastic in Game 1.
Here is some first inning action:

Racing at Baer Field

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler visited Baer Field Speedway on Saturday for some racing action.

Beitler shot video of the heat races just prior to the main event. Check out his story and photos in today's News-Banner, page 6.

Bluffton Farm League Baseball

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler captured some early action in Bluffton Farm League baseball Thursday night at Roush Park.
As it turned out MarkleBank went on to defeat PNC Bank, 10-6.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Kaylee Imel wins golf tournament
Kaylee Imel won a collegiate golf series tournament Thursday at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio. The Western Michigan University sophomore from Bluffton shot a 4-over-par 148 on the par-72 (36-36) course. She finished with a 36-hole score of 148 (75-73).

Tigers youth football camp coming
The Bluffton Tigers Football Summer Youth Camp for students in grades 5-8 (2010-11) is scheduled for July 12-14 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Bluffton High School practice facility. Cost is $10. Registration forms are being mailed to students or may be picked up the first day of the camp.

Norwell Middle School runners
invited to conditioning
Norwell Middle School girls or boys interested in joining the cross country team next fall are invited to conditioning on the following Tuesday and Thursday evenings, July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, at 7 p.m. Please meet with coach Bob Dahl at the track. Parents interested in joining the group also are invited. Runners should have a physical form filled out and signed. A link to the physical form can be found at http://www.teacherweb.com/IN/NorwellHighSchool/NHSGirlsCC/links1.aspx.
For more information please contact Bob Dahl at bdahl@onlyinternet.net.

Upward Soccer evaluations set
Upward Soccer will be back in action this fall at Hope Missionary Church. Evaluations are coming up and will be held outside or due to bad weather in the Family Center gym. No cleated shoes should be worn. For more information call the church office at 260-824-1844. The church is located at 429 E. Dustman Road (CR 100N), east of Ind. 1.
Evaluation schedule is as follows: Pre-kindergarten to kindergarten, Monday, July 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Grades -3, Tuesday, July 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Grades 4-6th, Thursday, July 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
First practice starts the week of Monday, Aug. 9. First games are Saturday, Aug. 21 and the last games are Oct. 16. Cost is $50.

Norwell football golf outing slated
The Norwell Football Club’s 11th golf outing is scheduled for Aug. 14 at Bluffton’s Timber Ridge Golf Course. Cost of the 18-hole Florida Scramble is $60 per person. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Hole sponsorships are available for $100 for each hole. For registration or more information, contact Tom or Jon Neuenschwander at 260-622-4169 or e-mail at tom754@comcast.net.

Bluffton Regional Medical Center
wins girls’ softball game
Bluffton Regional Medical Center defeated First Bank of Berne/Peyton’s Northern 22-11 Thursday in a Wells County Girls’ Fastpitch Softball Junior League game at Roush Park.
Rachel Harvey led Bluffton Regional Medical Center with four hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Mackenzie Hoffacker had three hits and scored three runs.
Kenlee Stoppenhagen had two hits and scored a run for First Bank of Berne/Peyton’s Northern.

Pizza Hut routs AdamsWells
Pizza Hut scored seven runs in the fourth inning to secure a 14-6 victory over AdamsWells Internet on Wednesday in a Bluffton Junior League baseball game.
Reggie Garrett was the winning pitcher and Phillip Pearson took the loss.
Dillon McAdoo doubled and singled twice to lead Pizza Hut’s 14-hit attack. Devin Shannon doubled twice. Garrett also doubled and singled. Dylan Heckman, Caleb Steiner and Bubba Applegate each had two singles.
AdamsWells Internet had 11 hits. Nate Flatt doubled twice. Desmond Carter doubled and singled. Hayden Valentine and Orion Lewis each had two singles. Chance Anderson, Trevor Norman and Pearson each singled.

Les Gerber Insurance posts victory
Les Gerber Insurance defeated Nodine Dentistry 11-1 on Wednesday in a Wells County Girls’ Softball game. Kaitlyn Lovel was the winning pitcher and struck out eight batters. Meghan Yencer stole six bases and scored two runs. Megan Hobson singled to drive in a run.

Bluffton Regional overruns
F.O.F./Pretzels
Bluffton Regional crushed Bluffton F.O.F./Pretzels 25-8 on Tuesday in a Wells County Girls’ Fastpitch Softball Junior League contest.
Rachel Harvey led Bluffton Regional with three hits, includind a triple, and scored two runs. Alexcis Allen hit a home run.
Cassie McFarren had two hits, including a home run, and scored three runs to lead F.O.F./Pretzels. Faith Wolfenberger led her team in fielding.

Indiana Physical Therapy wins
Indiana Physical Therapy defeated Moser & Sons 22-12 on Tuesday in a Wells County Girls’ Fastpitch Softball Junior League game.

Parlor City Trophy & Apparel
shuts out National Oil
Parlor City Trophy & Apparel blanked National Oil 5-0 on Wednesday in a Bluffton Farm League baseball game.
Max Corle was the winning pitcher. Colton Paxson led Parlor City Trophy & Apparel with two hits. Kolton Moore and Corle each singled.
Matt Yonker and Kyle Stacey each had a hit for National Oil, while Stacey was the losing pitcher.

T-Ball scores reported
The following Bluffton T-Ball League baseball scores were reported: Dairy Queen 21, BKM Real Estate 16; Apache Propane 17, Hot Cakes 10.