Ball State announces video board for last football home game

From Ball State University:

Ball State athletics has secured a video board for its final home football game of the season Wed., Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. vs. Ohio, and one lucky fan will receive a car courtesy of Stoops Automotive Group in Muncie.

"We are excited to be able to bring a video board to Scheumann Stadium for the first time in school history, and offer a fan the chance to drive away in a new car," Ball State athletics director Bill Scholl says. "The video board will be a great addition to the facility for the Ohio game and help our fans to be able to interact throughout the game. We play a very exciting brand of college football and have the No. 1 offense in the Mid-American Conference. This video board will enhance the experience for our fans at the game. We have some great relationships with corporate sponsors who have made the video board and car giveaway a reality. It should be a great night of football in Muncie, Ind."

The video board was made possible through corporate sponsors MutualBank, Tom Raper RVs and The Grove, while the Grand Prize giveaway is courtesy of Stoops Automotive Group.

In addition, the Ball State game vs. the Bobcats will be a "Black Out". All fans are encouraged to wear black, and the football team will showcase black jerseys for the first time in school history. Ball State athletics will be giving out glowsticks to the fans.

Among the numerous game promotions for the contest, one fan is guaranteed to win a new GMC Terrain from Stoops Buick GMC on the night of the game. The winner will receive a two-year lease on the 2013 vehicle and must be in attendance to win.

"It has been an exciting season so far and the support from the university community has been terrific," Ball State head football coach Pete Lembo says. "We hope everyone will come out to Scheumann Stadium on Nov. 14, and see our team one last time in an important MAC matchup against preseason favorite Ohio."

The game will also be Senior Night, Employee Appreciation Night and Military Appreciation Night. Ball State will honor the senior members of the 2012 football team prior to the game. All Ball State employees can purchase general admission tickets at the reduced rate of $7 up to a maximum of four tickets per employee. The first 20 employees who call and order four tickets can have two kids participate in the fan tunnel before the game. Anyone presenting a military identification card to the ticket office can receive one free ticket to the game.

Ball State's Student Government Association and Cardinal Wings have teamed up to present a t-shirt exchange. When someone turns in a t-shirt from another university or a high school at the Scramble Light on the Ball State campus Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. they will receive a black Ball State t-shirt in return for the "Black Out" game. All donated shirts will be given to the Muncie Mission.

Outdoor Indiana magazine features calendar and birds

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Outdoor Indiana magazine’s November-December issue features a removable 2013 wall calendar and an article on Indiana’s participation in the Christmas Bird Count, a worldwide event.

The calendar, sold separately for $10 but included in the price of a subscription, features exclusive photos from all over the state: Turkey Run, Brown County, Falls of the Ohio, Chain O’Lakes and Indiana Dunes state parks; Tippecanoe and Parke counties; the town of Metamora, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Patoka Lake, and Wabashiki and Goose Pond fish & wildlife areas. Photo subjects feature birds, butterflies, fishing, wildlife, storms, hiking and more.

Each issue also includes “Hoosier DNR,” an interview with a longtime DNR employee who works directly with the public. This issue it’s Fred Wooley, the park interpreter at Pokagon State Park. To watch an interview with Wooley, see
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCUPnu6rbUT-q2m-dxUjIasfcEXZXQbfo

Outdoor Indiana is available now at most Barnes & Noble stores. Save 33 percent off the cover price when you buy a one-year, six-issue subscription for $12.

To subscribe online or read excerpts, go to OutdoorIndiana.org. Subscriptions and calendars can also be purchased by calling (317) 233-3046.

Baer Field Speedway to hold auction

Baer Field Speedway will hold an equipment auction on Saturday, Oct. 27. Click here to learn more.

Parkview Field in calendar contest

From the Fort Wayne TinCaps:

Parkview Field, home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, is in the running to appear in Baseball America's 2013 Great Parks Calendar. The national publication is hosting a head-to-head vote on its Facebook page, with Parkview Field squaring off against Dow Diamond, the home of the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League. Fans can go to Facebook.com/BaseballAmericaMag to submit their vote today. The contest runs through the end of this week, with the winner receiving a spot in the 2013 Great Parks Calendar.

Parkview Field, which opened in 2009, was selected as the number one Minor League Baseball experience in 2011 by Stadium Journey, a national magazine that reviews sporting venues. Although the TinCaps and Loons won't meet on the field until 2013, fans can help Fort Wayne score an early victory by voting each day this week.

For more information about this event please contact the Fort Wayne TinCaps at (260) 482-6400.

Pokagon SP gearing up for winter, help wanted

Pokagon State Park is looking to fill several positions to prepare for and work through its busy winter season.

While winter might seem a long way off, the toboggan run is due to open in just over a month, and the ski rental will open as soon as there is enough snow.

The toboggan run has the greatest need for labor, but employees may also fill in at the ski rental, front gate and housekeeping.

For information, call the park office at (260) 833-2012.

Pokagon State Park is at 450 Lane 100 Lake James, Angola, 46703.

Wells County Extension calendar

• October 23 — Extension Homemakers International Night presents "A Look at the Culture of Mexico." There will be a $3 charge at door for refreshments. Call to pre-register, 824-6412
• October 27 — Wells County Health Fair, Lancaster Elementary School, 7-11 a.m.
• November 1 — State Conference: Council on Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching, Beck Center, West Lafayette, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• November 5 — Extension Homemakers Executive Council, 12:30 p.m., Community Center Extension Homemakers Presidents' Council, 1:30 p.m., Community Center
• November 6 — Election Day. County Offices Closed
• November 10 — Indiana 4-H Congress, State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• November 12 — Northeast Indiana 4-H & FFA Forestry, Entomology and Crops Career Development Contest, Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds, Columbia City, 5:30 p.m.
• December 13 — Ag Outlook Breakfast / Program, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 a.m. No fee. Register to attend: 824-6412
• December 13 — Private Pesticide Applicator Training, community Center, 4-H Park, 9:30 a.m. $10 fee. Register by calling: 824-6412

DNR starts YouTube channel

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

With Indiana DNR’s new YouTube channel, Hoosiers can experience the outdoors at the click of a button.

The channel is available on DNR’s website, at dnr.IN.gov/7426.htm

Forty-five videos are already featured on the channel. Viewers can learn about Monument City, a former town normally submerged under Salamonie Lake during the summer and exposed in this year’s drought. They can watch Gov. Mitch Daniels commemorate the groundbreaking of a visitors center at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, learn how to fillet a crappie, or take in a time-lapse recording of the Perseid meteor shower over Lake Michigan.

A video that features DNR biologist Chad Stewart discussing changes to deer hunting regulations has been seen nearly 6,000 times.

The videos on the YouTube channel are produced by videographer Michael Carney, who joined DNR this year for the second time, having worked previously as a seasonal naturalist at Brown County State Park.

“Video adds a powerful tool for telling the DNR story, and YouTube gives us the forum to share those stories with a broader audience,” DNR communications director Phil Bloom said. “Despite little fanfare about our videos, the viewing numbers we have seen so far tell us we are on the right track.”

Salamonie Preschool to offer two classes, Oct. 17

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Preschool-age children and their parents and guardians are invited to learn about owls at Salamonie Preschool, Oct. 17, at the Salamonie Interpretive Center.

The class will be offered from 10-11:30 a.m., and again from 12:30-2 p.m.

Each Salamonie Preschool program has a nature theme and is designed to enhance the preschooler’s basic education. Activities include learning the alphabet, crafts, social interaction and time outdoors.

The program fee is $2 per child.

Registration in advance is appreciated. To register, call Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at (260) 468-2127.

Salamonie Interpretive Center is in Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area.

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

Ouabache to hold Fall Festival

Fall into fall at the Ouabache State Park. Click here to learn more.

Trick-or-Treat with Johnny and the TinCaps

From the Fort Wayne TinCaps:

Once again, Johnny TinCap is getting excited. He wants to go trick-or treating with you!

Apple Corps kids 12 years old and younger have an opportunity to have Johnny, the TinCaps mascot, accompany their family and friends as they trick-or-treat. Each child who would like to be considered for this must be a member of the TinCaps Apple Corps Kids Club (free to join at TinCaps.com) and must work with their family to design a TinCaps pumpkin. The pumpkin can be painted or carved, but must have a TinCaps theme to it. 

Photos of the pumpkin design can be sent to Johnny@tincaps.com or mailed to:

Fort Wayne TinCaps
Attn: Johnny TinCap
1301 Ewing Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Photos can also be dropped off at the TinCaps Administrative offices at Parkview Field, located at 1301 Ewing Street, during regular business hours of 9am-5pm. All entries must be received by October 26th at 5pm. 

Each entry will be judged by Johnny and the TinCaps staff. The winning entrant will receive a TinCaps prize pack and will have Johnny accompany him or her while trick-or-treating on October 31 from 6-7pm! 

All entries will be displayed on the TinCaps Facebook page at Facebook.com/TinCaps. More information is available by calling the TinCaps at (260) 482-6400.

TinCaps launch speakers bureau

From the Fort Wayne TinCaps

 

The Fort Wayne TinCaps Speakers Bureau is back for the 2012-2013 off-season. Serving Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio, the Speakers Bureau will provide free talks featuring information about the TinCaps, the business of Minor League Baseball, and the rich history of baseball in Fort Wayne, dating back to the 19th century.

 

Mike Couzens, the play-by-play broadcaster for the TinCaps, is available to serve as a guest or keynote speaker to service clubs, civic organizations, business functions, and other groups that host regular events. He will provide insightful commentary and entertaining stories about the franchise and life in Minor League Baseball. He is also available to speak at school career days about getting a job in sports. Mike has motivational stories to share with your students on how to set and achieve goals.

If you'd like to learn more about what the TinCaps Speakers Bureau has to offer, please contact Mike at Couzens@TinCaps.com or by calling 260-482-6400.

Indiana Dunes State Park hosts Northwest Indiana Storytelling Festival, Oct. 13

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Join the Friends of Indiana Dunes group and the Northwest Indiana Storytelling Guild for the 23rd annual Northwest Indiana Storytellers Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Storytellers will stretch imaginations at the nature center, with sessions focusing on different storytelling themes and an open-microphone time slot.

Saturday night will also include a time for ghost stories, with a session for young children at 5:30 p.m. and another for older children and adults at 7 p.m. in the Wilson Shelter.

All activities are free after the standard $5 per in-state vehicle and $10 per out-of-state vehicle gate fee. Program support is made possible by the Friends of Indiana Dunes group.

For more information, call (219) 926-1390.

Indiana Dunes State Park is at 1600 North 25 E. Chesterton, 46304.