"Staycation" special at Indiana State Park Inns ends Sept. 2

Indiana DNR Release:

With the start of school quickly approaching, it’s time to pack up the family car and explore Indiana State Parks. To make that more affordable, now through Sept. 2, guests can enjoy two nights at either Spring Mill Inn at Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell, or at Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park in Spencer, and get the second night at half price.

Spring Mill State Park’s amenities include daily activities at historic Pioneer Village, where staff interprets life in 1863, and the newly renovated Grissom Memorial, honoring the second man in space, Mitchell’s own Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom. From freshly ground cornmeal at the 1817 Grist Mill to the Unsinkable Molly Brown Space Capsule, Spring Mill State Park has something for everyone. Spring Mill Inn also features one of Indiana's only indoor/outdoor swimming pools.

McCormick’s Creek’s amenities include more than 10 miles of scenic hiking trails, waterfall vistas, and a beautiful outdoor pool. The nature center offers daily activities, including the opportunity to help the naturalist feed the center’s snakes and turtles. Guests can also climb one of just a few of Indiana's remaining fire towers for a birds-eye view of Indiana's first state park. Canyon Inn also features a wonderful bird-viewing area through the windows of its dining room.

The offer is valid Sunday through Thursday for new reservations only.

Call 1.877.LODGES-1 for reservations and ask for the Summer Staycation rate
or make your reservations at IndianaInns.com and use the rate code SUMMER.

Southern Wells Football Practice

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler made a trip down to Southern Wells for their pre-season practice on Monday.

Sothern Wells pre-practice warm-up drills.


Southern Wells running back drill w/ Coach Mark Lefebvre.


Southern Wells running back drill.

Bluffton Football Practice

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler attended pre-season football practice at Bluffton High School on Monday and returned with this cool video:

BHS punting practice


BHS offensive line drill


BHS punting and coverage drill

Ossian Conservation Club Events!!

Ossian Conservation Club Inc., a not for profit corporation, located at 9950 N. 100 E., Ossian, Indiana, has announced the following August 2010 events, for more information call 622-4712 or 622-6810 or click here.

August 7th, Saturday, the Ossian Conservation Club will host the Indiana Bowhunter Association’s Ray Minton Memorial Youth Camp for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. This will be the 8th year the O.C.C has hosted this event and will be held 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

August 13th thu 15th , Friday thru Sunday, – Ossian Conservation Club will be at the Wheels of Yesteryear Antique Power Show & Festival at the 4–H Park Grounds in Bluffton selling Old Style Sugar Corn. We also will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a chainsaw carved Bear by Sid King. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. There is an optional cash prize of $250. The drawing will be at the OCC meeting Oct.1st 2010. You need not be present to win. Proceeds will go to the new furnace and siding fund. For tickets or more information call, Dave Saalfrank at 622-7107 or Rose Barrick at 622-4733.

August 14th, Saturday, the Ossian Conservation Club will be at New Hope Lutheran Church in Ossian. We will be selling Sugar Corn and Raffle Tickets at their Car Show.

August 15th, Sunday, Ossian Conservation Club Shotgun Shooter’s informal Shotgun Shoot, regular clays, middies, Minnies and rabbit targets. 12:00 p.m. till 4:30 p.m. Bring the whole Family. Public is welcome.

August 22nd , Sunday, the Ouabache Archers will have a Bow shoot at Ossian Conservation Club. Several new Rinehart 3-D Targets! 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All are welcome.

August 27th thu 29th , Friday thru Sunday, – Ossian Conservation Club will be at the Markle Wildcat Festival selling Old Style Sugar Corn. We also will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a chainsaw carved Bear by Sid King. Proceeds will go to the new furnace and siding fund. For tickets or more information call, Dave Saalfrank at 622-7107 or Rose Barrick at 622-4733.

Volunteers needed for Fall Festival Weekend, Oct 29-30, at Ouabache SP

Indiana DNR Release:

Volunteers age 16 and older are needed to assist with Ouabache State Park’s Fall Festival Weekend, Oct 29-30.

Ouabache’s Fall Festival is an opportunity for families to enjoy the fall weather and participate in a variety of events in a safe environment. Individuals are needed to assist with making the pot luck soup, decorating Campview Shelter and playing games during the Fall Festival Fair. Other volunteer opportunities also exist.

Volunteers will receive a free evening meal along with being presented with a certificate of thanks after the festival. Letters documenting volunteer time will also be provided for individuals requesting one for work or school purposes.

To volunteer or for more information about the event or interpretive services contact the interpretive naturalist at (260) 824-0926 during office hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or at OuabacheInterp@dnr.IN.gov.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Bluffton volleyball
tryouts slated
Bluffton High School volleyball tryouts will be Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 2-3 from 6-8 p.m. Girls in grades 9-12 are encouraged to tryout. If you have any questions, please call varsity coach Robert Ochoa 260-710-1317 or junior varsity coach Ashley Messmer 260-494-7417.

SW Junior High
cross country to start
Southern Wells Jr. High School cross country will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 6-7 p.m. All runners must have their physical on file in the high school office before the first practice.

Sign up for
Parlor City Trot races
Runners may register for the 36th Parlor City Trot presented by Bluffton Regional Medical Center. Race date is Saturday, Sept. 4. Starting time is 7:30 a.m. Participants may choose between three events: a half-marathon (13.1 miles), a 10-mile run or a 10-kilometer run.
Registration may be completed on-line at runrace.net or forms may be picked up at FPC and YMCA in Bluffton for mail-in registration. Any questions may be addressed to Mac at 260-450-1071 or e-mail at macmcavoy@gmail.com.

Sign up for
Bluffton golf outing
Golfers are invited to register for the second Bluffton Athletic Boosters golf outing on Aug. 14 at Green Valley Golf Club in Bluffton. There will be a hot picnic lunch and free beverages. Individual entry fee is $40, while the fee for foursomes is $160. Individual or corporate hole sponsorship is $35. Door prize sponsors also are needed. For a registration brochure or more information, contact Bill McKinley at 273-2155 or mckinleybill@lve.com; Cheri Zeis at 273-7823 or zeis@mchsi.com; or Dan Geimer at 824-8543 or djgeimer@sbcglobal.net.

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.

Food for Thought programs at Potato Creek, Aug. 7

Indiana DNR Release:

The Friends of Potato Creek State Park group will present “Food for Thought” programs during the state park’s annual Tater Traditions on Aug. 7.

The programs will explore how food ways and customs have changed over the years in Indiana.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Food for Thought programs will be held in the nature center’s auditorium. Participants will have the opportunity to pack jars of pickles and mash sauerkraut at one station. At the herb table, guests can try their hand at grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, and make an insect repellant potpourri sachet. Laney Honey of North Liberty will also be on hand to discuss honey techniques and provide samples of some honey varieties. There will also be a display focusing on canning techniques.

To finish the day, "The Northern Hoosier Hearth" will be presented at 7 p.m. by Angela Quinn. This will be a look at northern Indiana's culture and food traditions from the 1830s-1950s. This family-friendly program will look at cooking implements, garden and farming practices, groceries and markets, and recipes used by early Indiana residents, in the days before cereal came in a box or milk arrived in cartons.

The state park's interpretive service will also conduct an afternoon of special programs from 1-4 p.m. focusing on the rural lifestyle of the mid-1900s at the nature center. Activities will include contests such as cornhole, corn husking and potato races, games and various crafts. There will be a $1 charge for materials for the craft programs that will include simple wooden jewelry, candle dipping and making butter.

No advance registration is required. and the activities will be open to all. The normal park gate fee of $5 for Indiana vehicles and $7 for out-of-state cars will be charged. For more information, call (574) 656-8186.

The Food for Thought programs have been made possible in part by support from the Indiana Humanities Council in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Indiana Humanities Council.