What's Up in Wells County

Learn cheerleading at Boys & Girls Club
Do you want to learn how to do stunts for cheerleading? The Wells Community Boys and Girls Club will have a stunting program available for kids to learn to do pyramids, tosses, lifts and much more. Girls will be taught by a high school cheerleader. For more information call Shaun Gray at 824-5070.

Boys & Girls Club has a website
The Wells Community Boys and Girls Club now has a website to check out to see what the club offers area youth. The website is: www.wellsbgc.com.
In addition the club will be closed on the following dates: Dec. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 2008, Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2009
For more information call 824-5070.

Good used books wanted for library book sale
Clean out those closets and attics and donate your good used books, music, records, videos and magazines to the Friends of the Library’s Winter Used Books Sale at the Wells County Public Library. Your donations benefit library programs and services. No encyclopedia sets or damp or ruined materials please.
Bring in your items now to the main branch. The used books sale at the main library is Feb. 11 through Feb. 14. The Friends-Only Pre-Sale is Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Not a Friend? Join now and be eligible for the pre-sale. For more information, contact the Wells County Public Library at 260-824-1612.

Exploring Engineering and Architecture at Science Central
Visitors to Science Central will explore the world of engineering with a new temporary exhibit, Mission E: Exploring Engineering and Architecture from now through May of 2009.
The exhibit features over 20 interactive stations that will allow visitors to explore the basic concepts of engineering with real world examples within architecture and construction.
Science Central is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 or adults and students. Children under age three are free. For more information call 2600-424-2400 or visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Sign up for the WCPL Winter Reading Program in February
The 2009 Winter Reading Program at the Wells County Public Library runs through the month of February and it’s never been more fun to meet the challenges.
There are two programs available this year: “Your library: More than just books” is the theme for individuals ages 12 through adult, and; “Family Reading” is for families who want to work together as a team. Register anytime in February at the main library or Ossian Branch.
“Your library: More than just books” – This new challenge is for individuals ages 12 through adult. The challenge is set up like a bingo card with activities in each square. Complete all the easy activities in one row – vertical, horizontal, diagonal or four corners – and win. Select a free book for yourself or to donate to one of the Wells County elementary schools.
Everyone who registers receives a library coupon to pay fines, rent videos, buy used books. Each person who successfully completes the program qualifies for a drawing to win a cozy winter gift basket. The drawing will be held March 4, 2009.
Family Reading – Any family with at least one child in grade six or under can work as a team. Receive a free package of hot chocolate when you register. Then read to earn a family story book that is great for your home library.
All reading and challenges must be completed during the month of February, 2009. Completed forms due by March 2, 2009. Forms and rules available at the main library and Ossian Branch. For more information, call 260-824-1612 or 260-622-4691.

Girl Scouts collecting cookie donations to send to troops
Girl Scout Troop 20687 is collecting Girl Scout cookie donations as well as monetary donations to send cookies to our U.S. military troops serving in Iraq.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can call Melissa Tolson at 260-417-4895 until March 15, 2009.

Free admission with an 'A' on report card
During the entire montho f February students can bring their first semester report card that shows and 'A' in math or science and get a free admission to Science Central. Free admission is for the student only.
For more information call 260-424-2400 or log onto: www.sciencecentral.org.

Model building a popular 4-H project
The 4-H Models Project continues to be a popular 4-H project in Wells County.
Participants can start off simple with their favorite kit that matches their age and skill level. As they improve their skills and become older they are encouraged to expand and try various techniques with painting, special glues or build their own model.
Exhibits at the 4-H Fair judging are divided into the following grade levels: Level 1, grades 3 ñ 5; Level 2, grades 6 ñ 8; and Level 3, grades 9 ñ 12.
Two models are selected each year at the county level to advance to the Indiana State Fair where they will complete with other 4-H exhibitors from across Indiana.
Youth may become 4-H members when they are in third grade and may continue their membership through grade 12 for a maximum of 10 years. (Mini 4-H members may join when they are in grades 1 & 2.)
4-H enrollment forms will be available at the 4-H Open House, Saturday, February 28, 8 AM ñ 12 Noon, 4-H Park, Bluffton.
For more information about 4-H, contact the Purdue Extension Service ñ Wells County Office, 824-6412, or rsherer@purdue.edu

Railroad operating classes begin Feb. 7
The Whitewater Valley Railroad at Connersville will conduct Operating Classes for brakeman, conductor, fireman, engineer, agent and operator. The classes will be held each Saturday at 9 a.m. beginning Feb. 7 and continuing through March 28.
Classes include classroom instruction and hands-on practice in train operations, signaling and switching and an introduction to diesel and steam locomotive operation.
The Whitewater Valley Railroad is a non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers. All volunteers are qualified only for the Whitewater Valley Railroad by attending our training school. The classes are open to the general public. A $20 donation is requested to help cover the cost of class materials.
For more information call 765-825-2054 or visit www.whitewatervalleyrr.org.

Liver and Onion supper Feb. 7
An all-you-can-eat liver and onion supper will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Petroleum United Methodist Church.
Served will be mashed potatoes, noodles, vegetable, salad, dessert, drink and of course all the liver and onions you can eat.
A free will donation will be accepted during the event.

Fireproof to be shown Feb. 7 at Zanesville
Members of Zanesville United Methodist Church will show the movie Fireproof Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Free Admission and childcare will be provided for all ages.
From the makers of Facing the Giants, this movie will have you laughing, crying and being pulled toward the edge of your seats as you are drawn into the world of a firefighter, his wife and a marriage worth rescuing. People have said that this movie either saved their marriage or improved it.
For more information call Bonnie Blaising at 260-403-8973.

Tajci's “I Do Believe” concert Feb. 8 at St. Joe Catholic Church
Tajci's “I Do Believe” Concert (a Christian concert), will be held Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bluffton at 1300 N. Main Street.
A free will donation will be accepted. Babysitting will be available during the concert. Food and fellowship will follow the concert.
During the hour and a half event, Tajci will tell her story of living in Communism, learning about the healing power of music, becoming a teenage pop music superstar and leaving it all behind to find a great purpose in life, all through beautifully arranged music supporting Tajci's expressive and powerful voice.
Tajci will perform on keyboards. She will be backed by electronic instrumentalist Mark Johnson and guest instrumentalist Eileen Bird.

Run It, Walk It for Chris Brown Feb. 8
The Three Rivers Running Company will sponsor the second annual Run it, Walk it for Chris Brown event to benefit the Chris Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 at 1 p.m.
It is a 5k run or walk where runners and walkers will predict their finish time for a complete campus course. The top five closest individuals to their own predicted time will receive awards. The overall male and female winner will each receive a free pair of Aasics running shoes.
Registration will be at IPFW Hillard Gates Sports Center at 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event will start at 1 p.m. There will be food, drink and live music from 1:15 to 3 p.m.
Registration cost is $15 per person. There will be t-shirts for the first 200 registrants.
There will also be a silent auction at 11:30 a.m. at the IPFW Hilliard Gates Sports Center.
To participate make checks payable to: IP Foundation, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46806. For more information call 260-481-6647 or 260-496-8000.

Adult Valentine Luncheon Feb. 9
The Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department will be host an Adult Valentine Luncheon at Mother’s Kitchen on Monday, Feb. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are now available in the City Clerk’s office in the city hall building. Cost is $6 per person.
The meal will include chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, ice tea or lemonade and red velvet cake.
We will also be playing a special bingo game for prizes. Deadline to purchase your tickets is Wednesday February 4, 2009. For more information, call 824-6069.

Valentine Banquet Feb. 9
The public is invited to attend a Valentine Banquet and Benefit Auction sponsored by Forgotten Children International (FCI).
The banquet is being held at the Wells County 4-H Community Building Monday, Feb. 9. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with a catered meal served at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy live harpist Erica Yaste and peruse the silent and public items up for auction. The cost is $12.50 per person or $25 per couple. Make your reservation today by calling Hope Missionary Church at (260) 824-1844.
FCI provides housing and clothing for children in need across the globe and the proceeds from this auction will go to further this cause.

Man-to-Man to meet Feb. 9
Wells County Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer support group will meet Monday Feb. 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Wells County Center on Aging, 225 West Water St. in Bluffton.
This will be an open meeting in which attendees may bring up items pertaining to Cancer and treatment for comment and discussion and ask questions. All Prostate cancer survivors, newly diagnosed, interested parties, and significant others are welcome to attend.

Young writers' workshop Feb. 9
Huntington City-Twp. Public Library is sponsoring a young writers’ workshop for kids in grades kindergarten through third grade at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 at the Main Library.
The workshop will focus on ideas and tips to help children create their own story and illustrations for submission to the PBS/Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, running from now until March 16th at both HCTPL library locations.
This workshop is free and open to children in grades K-3 and their parents.
To register for the workshop, or to get more information stop by the Main Library, 200 W. Market St., Huntington, or the Markle Branch, 197 E. Morse St., Markle, or call the Children’s Department at 260-356-2900.

Chess begins Feb. 10 at Huntington Library
The Huntington City Twp. Public Library invites kids in grades 6-12 to come to Chess Time with instructor Jack Oberholtzer, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10th at the HCTPL Main Library, 200 West Market Street, Huntington.
Teens can learn to play chess, build their strategy skills, and play practice games. The program is open to everyone, and no chess experience is required. Snacks will be provided, and there is no charge to attend. Registration is a MUST – call the Main Library at 356-2900 if you’d like to participate!

Zanesville CCG Fellowship Supper Feb. 11
Fellowship Supper will be held at Zanesville Community Church of God on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The menu includes soup, salad, brownies and ice cream. Cost is a free will donation which is the best deal in town. Call Pastor Steve Whetstone, 452-8601, or Lois Swihart, 622-4276, with any questions.

Registration begins for Story Time! at Markle Library
Pre-registration is currently underway for “On the Road to Story Time!” sessions at Huntington City-Twp. Public Library in Markle.
Weekly Story Time sessions will be offered to children ages two to seven years on Thursdays at the Markle Branch Library beginning on Feb. 12.
Story Time introduces the child to children's literature and provides a group experience for the young child, while encouraging listening skills and the development of lifelong reading interests.
Programs will include picture books, rhymes, flannelboard stories, fingerplays, songs, and puppets. Weekly Story Time themes are featured, with complementary stories, songs and activities offered each week to highlight that week's chosen theme.
This program is offered at no charge, but pre-registration is required. Parents may come to the Library or call to sign their children up for the weekly Story Time session of their choice. Call the Markle Branch at 260-758-3332. The Markle Branch Library is located at 197 E. Morse Street in Markle.

Rails to Romance tickets on sale now
The Whitewater Valley Railroad are now selling tickets for the annual Rails to Romance train to dinner.
The train will depart from Grand Central Station in downtown Connorsville Friday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. Guests will travel to Laurel where dinner will be served at the Laurel Hotel Restaurant.
Cost is $39 per person. Fare includes round trip train ticket, meal, dessert, drink, tax and tip. Reservations and meal selections are required in advance by calling 765-825-2054 or log onto: www.whitewatervalleyrr.org.

La Vie D'Amour Valentine Dinner Show Feb. 14
A La Vie D'Amour Valentine Dinner and Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center of Wells County. Cost is $20 per person.
Calling all sweethearts to La Vie D’Amour Valentine Dinner Show at the CAC on Saturday, Feb. 14 beginning at 7 p.m.
Musical entertainers for the evening are Dennis and Susan Wood. Enjoy a Parisian style evening filled with music, delicious food and romantic French songs, like a dreamy stroll in Paris. Come celebrate with some of the best talent in Wells County!
For more information log onto: cac@adamswells.com-www.wellscocreativearts.com or call 260-824-5222.

Daddy/Daughter Dance Feb. 15
The Bluffton Parks Department’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance is Sunday, Feb. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wells County 4-H building. Tickets are on sale now in the City Clerk Treasurer's office.
Enjoy a rocking 50’s sock hop, refreshments, door prizes, photos and treat bags! Cost is $10 per couple and $3 for each additional daughter. Escorts may be fathers or other significant adult role models.
Dress for this event is dressy or theme based. This event does sell-out, so buy your ticket early!

“New” Soft Boiled Mystery Book Club to meet Feb. 17
Do you like to read “cozy” mystery books? Join the mystery book discussion group at the Wells County Public Library. This new club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Discussion for the first meeting on Feb. 17 will be on the book of your choice by an author you have never read before.
This is a great way to make new friends while enjoying some exciting new books.
Registration is encouraged but not required. For more information or to register, call the library at 260-824-1612.

Preschooler program at Salamonie Feb. 18, 19
Enjoy learning about nature in an active way with your child or grandchild. Register them for the Otter program designed for youth ages two through five on Wednesday, Feb. 18 or Thursday, Feb. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Salamonie Interpretive Center.
During the one and a half hour program, children and their parent or caregiver will enjoy activities and crafts focused around otters. No matter the weather the program is planned for both indoors and out beginning at the Salamonie Interpretive Center.
There is a $2 fee per child for the program. Property entrance fee is waived for program attendees. Participants can choose to bring their lunch to eat together after the event. For more information cll 260-468-2127 or log onto: www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis.

Antique Arms Show Feb. 21
Conner Longrifles will present the 26th annual Antique Arms Show Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibition Center in Noblesville, just west of Highway 37 on Pleasant Street. Admission is $5.
For more information call Heber Cassidy at 317-773-8690.

Hunter Education Course starts Feb. 23
Indiana Hunter Education course will be offered at no charge Feb. 23, 25 and 26, 2009 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the 4-H Community Building in Bluffton.
Instructors will be ICO Kenny Wireman, Darrell Reynolds, Mike and Jodi Pinkerton, Rich Falk, Rick Bergman and Tracy Myers. The sponsor is the DNR.
For pre-registration and more information call 260-824-0692.
Those under age 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. Attendance at all classes is required for certification.

Indiana Beekeepers school Feb. 28
The Indiana Beekeepers' Association will hold its Indiana Bee School VII in Indianapolis Saturday, Feb. 28 at Southport Presbyterian Church at 7525 McFarland Blvd.
Randy Oliver, a commercial migratory beekeeper from Grass Valley, Calif. will be the keynote speaker. He writes for Bee Culture and American Bee Journal and maintains the website: www.scientificbeekeeping.com.
There will be four breakout sessions with each session having five different topics to choose from including introductory beekeeping tools and techniques as well as learning opportunities for the more advanced beekeeper.
There will be a raffle, an auction and vendor displays.
On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. The program will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Registration fee is $25 per person or $35 per family with lunch included. To guarantee a spot register by Feb. 20, 2009 by calling 317-485-5593 or email: jsdoty@indy.net or www.indianabeekeeper.goshen.edu.

Mt. Calvary Fish & Chicken Strips Dinner March 7
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1819 Reservation Dr., off Bluffton Rd. in Waynedale is hosting a Fish & Chicken Strips Dinner prepared by Country Chef on Saturday, March 7, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. This “plated dinner” includes a generous serving of fish and/or chicken strips, potato wedges, applesauce or coleslaw, rolls, drinks, and a variety of desserts. Cost is $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for children 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under. Carryout dinners also available at $8.50 each. Tickets are available at the church office, 747-4121 x0, and also at the door.

Watercolor Painting Workshop begins March 7
A Watercolor Painting Workshop will be held March 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center of Wells County. Cost is $85 per person.
Mark Polomchak is back and taking enrollments for his newest watercolor class! Polomchak is a 1975 graduate in Fine Art at Indiana University.
His heartwarming instruction style is achieved through the simplicity and grace of his paintings of images from the serene lifestyle of the Amish. His subject matter also includes contemporary florals, abstracts, and wildlife. Call for enrollment. Price includes supplies.
For more information log onto: cac@adamswells.com-www.wellscocreativearts.com or call 260-824-5222.

USS Maddox Destroyer Reunion Sept. 9-13
The USS Maddox Destroyer Assoc. Reunion (DD-168, DD-622 and DD731) will be held Sept. 9 through Sept. 13, 2009 at Phoenix, Ariz.
For more information call Cliff Gillespie at 2118 Hines Road, Jennings, LA 70546 or call 337-616-8450 or email: cwgilles45@aol.com.

Walking exercise at Ossian Church
Ossian United Methodist Church will be open for walking exercise from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Public is welcome.

Perk Up Petroleum Meets on Tuesdays
Each Tuesday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. the Petroleum Church will be open serving coffee and snacks.
This is a time for friends and neighbors to relax and visit. The public is welcome to attend the weekly event.

Moms' Morning Out Each Thursday
Moms' Morning Out is for all mothers of infants and toddlers that is held each Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Bluffton Regional Center's North Building (behind Walgreen's). Those attending need to enter on the north side of the building. There is no charge no is there any reservation needed.
This is a program designed and facilitated by Lynn Apple, BA, IBCLC with discussions about child discipline coping skills, breast feeding, health tips and any other subject that a mom might need to talk about. There is organized play and physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers thanks to many volunteers.
For more information call Lynne at 260-565-4543.

Entertainment books for sale
The 2009 Entertainment books are available for purchase from Zanesville Lions club members. Cost is $20 each. The coupons and savings are good through November 2009. For more information or to purchase a book call 260-638-4237.
Proceeds go to the annual Zanesville Lions Christmas lighting prizes.