Ouabache to host hike New Year's Day

Start the New Year off right with a hike. Ouabache State Park will host one of the statewide Indiana Department of Natural Resources First Day Hikes Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 11 am beginning at the Bison Pen Shelter. Join Property Manager Scott Crossley on a short stroll to learn about one of the main features at Ouabache: the American bison. Enjoy a warm drink provided by the Friends of Ouabache State Park while you hike.

Happy New Year — with the state parks

Don't have plans for the New Year's holiday? Don't worry. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources does.  

• Begin 2013 with a New Year’s Day hike at Salamonie River State Forest.
  Hikers should meet at Hominy Ridge Shelter at 10 a.m. for a brisk walk through the gentle landscape and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Pets on leashes are welcome.
  The hike is sponsored by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services.
  Advance registration is appreciated. Register at (260) 468-2127.
  For more information on other UWIS programs, see dnr.IN.gov/uwis or Facebook.com/UpperWabash. 

• Experience winter’s beauty and the romantic glow of a candlelit path at the Chain O’Lakes State Park sunset luminary walk on New Year’s Day.
  The easy, half-mile walk on Trail 3 will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Campground General Store.
  Participants can enjoy complimentary hot cocoa while supplies last.
  The luminary walk and park admission are both free.
  Chain O’Lakes State Park is at 2355 E. 75 South, Albion, 46701. 

N-B Video: Boys and girls diving — Bluffton vs. NorwellN-B Video: Boys and girls diving — Bluffton vs. Norwell

Learn more in the Wednesday, Dec. 12, News-Banner. (Video by Paul Beitler)

4-H to offer scholarships

4-H members have an opportunity to learn about the scholarships available through 4-H at a special workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park in Bluffton. Reservations are not needed.

The application process for the 4-H Club and 4-H Foundation Scholarships will be reviewed.

Information will also be shared on the 4-H Accomplishment Scholarship Resume. This form uses information in the 4-H member record book such as projects, life skills, things you have done in 4-H and related activities.

Completed applications are to be submitted electronically in MS Word or compatible format by email to rsherer@purdue.edu or delivered to the Wells County Extension Office on an electronic storage media device (flash drive). All forms are available at: www.four-h.purdue.edu

Scholarship forms are due January 15, 2013, at the Extension Office.

For more information about the workshop, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Extension Service, 260-824-6412 or rsherer@purdue.edu

Wells County Extension Service calendar

• December 9: Wells County 4-H Jr. Leaders, Wal-Mart and 4-H Park, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• December 10: Wells County 4-H Association, Council, Leaders & Livestock Superintendents, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, Carry In Supper, 6 p.m.
• December 11: Extension Homemakers Holiday Luncheon, 11 a.m.
• December 11: 4-H Scholarship Workshop, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 to 8 p.m.
• December 12: 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders Meeting, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 p.m.
• December 13: Ag Outlook Breakfast / Program, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 a.m. No fee. Register by calling 824-6412
• December 13: Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Community Center, 4-H Park, 9:30 a.m. $10 fee. Register by calling 824-6412
• December 24: County Offices Closed for Christmas Holiday
• December 25: County Offices Closed for Christmas Holiday
• January 1: County Offices Closed for New Year's Day
• January 15: 4-H Scholarship Forms Due at County Extension Office
• January 15-17: Fort Wayne Farm Show

Winners announced in December Dash and Jingle Bell Jog

The Bluffton Parks Department recently announced the winners in its inaugural December Dash 5K run and One-Mile Jingle Bell Jog Saturday in front of the City Hall.

December Dash 5K Top Finishers
• Female Open Winners:
1 KARA SEFFERNECK 19:16
2 KRISTEN GLEN 22:48
3 JENNIFER KLUG 23:26.
• Female Masters Winners:
1 CHRISTINE ZADYLAK
2 TERI HUFFMAN
3 MARILYN BRADFORD.
• Female 10 to 14:
1 MALLORY AKER
2 BAILLI STULLER
3 ABIGAIL REDICK.
• Female 15 to 19:
1 HANNAH MOORE
2 ALYSSA HUNTER
3 MORGNA NAPIER
• Female 20 to 29:
1 MADISON MOORE
2 ALLISON LIECHTY
• Female 30 to 39:
1 JENNIFER MANNS
2 TERESA SHELLEY
3 HEATHER DRUMMOND.
• Female 40 to 49:
1 MEGHANN FARLOW
2 KARNA CALVISKY
3 DORIS PROUGH
• Female 50 to 59:
1 TINA CRAGO
2 JOY BROWN
3 MARSHA GEHRING.
• Female 60 and Over:
1 BARBIE SCROGHAM
2 LINDA SMITH
3 SANDY FIECHTER.

• Male Open Winners:
1 TRENT PROUGH 17:23.4
2 DAMON KUHLENBECK 18:49.2
3 CHUCK BROWN 19:45
• Male Masters Winners:
1 ED REINHARD
2 DOUGLAS SUNDLING
3 JEFF LANDERS.
• Male 10 to 14:
1 BRIAN HUBBLE
2 KORBIN CONNELLY
3 ETHAN PROUGH
• Male 15 to 19:
1 JESSE FREDERICK
• Male 20 to 29:
1 ALLEN BRICKER
2 ADAM GROVER
• Male 30-39:
1 ALLAN BURRIS
2 AARON CLARK
3 SCOTT HANNI
• Male 40 to 49:
1 WILLIAM TOLIVER
2 STEVE STULLER
3 DYLAN MCINTOSH
• Male 50 to 59:
1 CHUCK PUTTERBAUGH
2 ROBERT SCHURR
3 DANA BUDD.

1 Mile Jingle Bell Jog Top Finishers
Boys: Samuel Baumgartner. Girls: Olivia Johnson

N-B Slideshow: 2012 Southern Wells Homecoming

Watch our latest slideshow at www.news-banner.com. (Photos by Glen Werling)

Salamonie Interpretive Center to host overnight kids camp, Dec. 28-29

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is inviting kids ages 7 to 11 to an overnight camp at Salamonie Interpretive Center, Dec. 28-29, to explore the winter night sky.

Camp will begin at 1 p.m., Dec. 28, with pick-up at 9 a.m. the next day.

Activities include constellation stories around the fire, a night hike, star gazing and more. Camp also includes an evening meal and nighttime snack on Dec. 28, and breakfast on Dec. 29.

Cost is $30 per child. Those who can’t spend the night are invited to attend Dec. 28, from 1 to 9 p.m. for $20 per child.
Registration is required. Call (260) 468-2127 to register or for more information.

The center is located at Salamonie Lake’s Lost Bridge West Recreation Area, off Highway 105, in western Huntington County.