What's Up

Car Show at Hardee's July 1
A Hot Wheels car, truck and bike show will be held Friday, July 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hardee's Restaurant in Bluffton on Ind. 1.

There will be a DJ, games, contests, raffles and more.

Cardboard Boat Race July 23
Families build a boat using only cardboard and duct tape that two people can ride in and enter the 2011 Cardboard Boat Race held July 23.

Official rules are at the Park office and you must call 824-6069 to register by July 18th. Spectator admission is $2.

What's Up

Belly Dance Lessons begin July 7
Belly Dance lessons will begin Thursday, July 7, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the city gym. This is a seven-week class where students will learn two Middle Eastern rhythms, proper belly dance posture, basic movements that go with the rhythms, veil work, stretching, isolations and some basic choreography.

Cost is $35 for seven weeks; call 824-6069 for more details.

Craft Club begins July 13
Stop by the second floor of City Hall every third Wednesday of the month for crafts and social time. Past crafts have included crackle painting, decoupage trays, designer votives and more. For information, call 824-6069.

VBS at Montpelier July 11-15
A community vacation Bible school will be held in Montpelier July 11 through July 15 at the First Baptist Church at 113 E. Huntington Street in Montpelier (the church across from the Indian.) The VBS will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each evening. It is open to children ages four through sixth grade. For more information call 765-728-5804.

Boot Camp Week begins July 25
Students who have completed grades five and six may register by calling 824-6069 before July 3 for the annual Boot Camp planned for July 25 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. each day.

Enrollment limited to the first 32 students. Students will learn respect for the American flag, physical fitness, bike safety, water safety, self discipline and much more.

Cost is $10, and scholarships are available.

What's Up

Little Miss Swiss Days Pageant Deadline Extended to July 1:
The deadline for submitting entry forms to the Little Miss Swiss Days Pageant and $25 registration fee has been extended to July 1.

The pageant will be held Thursday, July 28, at 8 p.m. on the downtown stage. Girls between the ages of five and 10 are encouraged can participate.

Each participant should be ready to model on the stage and needs to be wearing a dress. Contestants will be judged on their poise, confidence and stage presence. Individuals aged five to seven will also be required to perform a talent from the most popular activities in Switzerland. Girls eight to 10 will need to complete a question and answer component.

Registration forms are located at the Berne Chamber of Commerce. For additional information contact Sarah Ellenberger at littlemissswissdays@hotmail.com or call 260-589-3158.

Free Friday Movies in July at Kehoe Park
Movie starts at dusk, 8:45 p.m. Bring your own blankets and bug spray.
Movie listings and dates are as follow:
July 1: Megamind
July 8:Despicable Me
July 15: Yogi Bear
July 22: Little Giants
July 29: Karate Kid

These movies were fully funded by a grant from Wells County Foundation

Wet Wacky Wednesday July 6
The pool will be open for evening family swim the first Wednesday during the summer months. Pool hours are 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the cost is $1 per person over age 5.

Freedom Festival at Abundant Life July 4
Abundant Life Christian Center will host its sixth-annual Freedom Festival Monday, July 4, from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at the church, located on the south side of Bluffton across from the 4-H Park.

This event is open to everyone. It includes free games including Disney Princess moonwalk, Wall-E moonwalk, Batter Up Baseball, the Wrecking Ball, the Undersea Maze. Face painting, clown shows and balloon animals for the kids will also be hosted along with concessions. Parking is free.

Bring chairs and listen to live music while waiting for the city fireworks to light up the night sky.
For more information visit www.alcconline.com. or call 260-824-2000.

Parks Department offers Zumba Special July 7
Stop by the city gym July 7 at 5:30 p.m. to purchase a $10 punch card for five classes.

No limit to the number of cards purchased, but they do expire two months from the purchase date. For more information call 824-6069.

What's Up

Blue ribbon pie contest June 30
Ossian Health Care is sponsoring a blue ribbon pie contest during the Ossian Freedom Fest Thursday, June 30. The winning entry will receive a blue ribbon and a $50 cash award. Drop off pies between 5 p.m. and 5:30. Judging will begin at 6 p.m. Call Ossian Health Care at 622-7821 for more information.

Club Calendar

Monday, June 27

• Swiss Stitchers Quilt Guilt — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Debbie Smith of Frankfort will present a program titled “Magical Quilt Blocks.” Visitors are welcome. Show and tell if time permits. Don’t forget your donations for the silent auction baskets and magazine sales table. To learn about what items to bring, call 368-9889.

Saturday, July 2

• River Terrace Estates — Chet Baumgartner singing; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, July 3

• River Terrace Estates — Banjo Stan playing banjo; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.

What's Up

Beeks Family Reunion July 30:
The Beeks Family Reunion will be held July 30 at 11 a.m. at Ouabache State Park.

People with the Beeks names in their family lines can attend the event. The family is trying to find missing links in the seven different Beeks lines in America.

Contact Dawn Beeks at dawnbeeks@msn.com or 520-249-5595 to learn more.

Ohio’s Country Concert ’11 festival July 7-9:
The three-day Country Concert ’11 music festival will be held at Fort Loramie, Ohio, July 7-9.

Entertainment on the main stage on Thursday, July 7, will include Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert. On Friday, July 8, the lineup will include Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Thompson and JaneDear Girls. On Saturday, July 9, the groups will include Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Justin Moore, Steel Magnolia, Colt Ford and The McClymonts.

On the Country Club Saloon Stage, the entertainers will be Craig Campbell on Thursday, Kip Moore on Friday, and Tyler Farr and Bush Hawg on Saturday.

A variety of ticket prices and options are available. For more information, call 937-295-3000 or go to www.countryconcert.com.

What's Up

Montpelier Historical Membership Drive:
A membership drive for the Montpelier Historical Society has begun. Cost is $10 per person or $100 for a life membership.

Those interested do not have to live in or be from Montpelier. They just need to be interested in the city and its history.

Make checks out to Montpelier Historical Society and mail them to Box 8, Montpelier, IN 46759.

The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Building at 109 W. Huntington Street in Montpelier.

Dane Bailey to perform June 23 in Berne
Dane Bailey, the Singing Auctioneer, will perform Thursday, June 23, at 7 p.m. at the South Adams Senior Center at 825 Hendricks Street in Berne. The event is free.

Public Genealogy Workshop offered at WCPL June 25
The Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution will sponsor a Public Genealogy Workshop Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wells County Public Library in Bluffton.

Do you have a Revolutionary War ancestor?
Specific information and assistance will be provided to assist you in proving your ancestry as required to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

For more information, please contact JoAn Nichols at joanichols@Juno.com. Reservations are not required.

Zanesville Lions annual 5K run slated June 25
Zanesville Lions Club's annual 5K run will be held Saturday, June 25, at the Zanesville United Methodist Church.

Schedule includes a one-mile fun run for kids 12 and under at 8 a.m., 5K run/walk at 8:15, and awards at 9 a.m.

Send pre-race registration by June 24 to Zanesville Lions Club, PO Box 361, 3088 W. Vanhorn, Zanesville, IN 46799.

Race day registration will be held from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

For more information call Ken Edwards at 638-4327 or Richard Berry at 758-8323 for registration fees.

Five Points School breakfast June 25
There will be a pancake and sausage breakfast held Saturday, June 25, from 7 to 11 a.m. at Five Points School located at 1100S. and Jeff Road.

A freewill offering will be accepted during the event.

The Marlins in concert June 28 at Gas City
The Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gas City Park and Recreation will sponsor Concerts in the Park this summer on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Eugene Linn Band Shell in the Gas City Park.

Performing June 28 will be The Marlins and their variety show.

Concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and even a picnic.

For more information call 765-674-7545 or log onto www.gascity.com. Rain location will be Gas City East School Gym at 400 E. South “A” in Gas City.

What's Up

Fiddler's Gathering June 24-26:
The 39th annual Indiana Fiddlers Gathering will be held June 24 through June 26 at the Tippecanoe Battlefield Park in Battle Ground. This is a three-day acoustic music festival featuring old-time, bluegrass, Irish and folk musicians on one stage.

Call 765-742-1419 or log onto www.indianafiddlersgathering.org.

Vacation Bible School June 26-30:
A Vacation Bible School will be held June 26 through June 30 at 6:30 p.m. each evening at First Presbyterian Church at 123 S. Jefferson Street in Ossian. Call 260-622-7178 for more information.

Celina garage sale June 23-28:
A six-day garage sale, sponsored by the Mercer County Council on Aging, will be held June 23-28 at the Senior Citizen Center in Celina. Weekday sale hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is located at 217 Riley Street. Call 419-586-1644 for more information.

What's Up

Children's Garage Sale June 18
Call 824-6069 to register your child in the annual garage sale held at the Washington Main commons during the touch a truck event from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sale items can be toys, books, puzzles, movies, sports equipment etc. No clothing or lemonade stands allowed. Cost is $2.

Gershwin under the Stars and Jazz June 19
Gershwin Under the Stars and Jazz will be held Sunday, June 19, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Creative Arts Council at 211 W. Water Street in Bluffton.

The event is free. The ensemble will include Kevin Piekarski on bass, Jim Steele on keyboard, Doug Laughlin on drums and Rick Brown on saxophone.

Available for purchase will be soft drinks, wine, beer, cheese and fruit plates, root beer floats, animal crackers and fruit.

For more information call 824-5222 or email CAC@adamswells.com.

Tab Beechler to sing June 19
Tab Beecher will join the Six Mile Church congregation for Father's Day for a special performance Sunday at 10 a.m. at the church.

He is a pianist, vocalist and lyricist who incorporates a blend of contemporary praise/worship, country gospel and traditional hymns.

For more information call 260-334-5059 or email tabwho@hotmail.com.

What's Up

Flea Market at Trinity Life June 18
Women's Ministries of Trinity Life Chapel will sponsor their annual flea market Saturday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The church is located on U.S. 27 between Berne and Geneva. Vendors are welcome. Spots are available for a $10 fee. For more information call 260-346-2831 or 260-450-4647.

Taco Heaven opens June 18
Taco Heaven will serve its taco salads and taco potatos on Saturday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. behind King's Highway Tabernacle at 1210 W. Central Street in Bluffton.

Children's Father's Day Project June 18
The Master Gardeners will sponsor a children's Father's Day project Saturday, June 18, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The group will help the children make a "Grass Hair Man" project. The event is free. Please contact the Wells County Public Library at 824-1612 for more information or to register.

Rick Shane to sing June 19
Rick Shane will perform a solo concert Sunday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Mulberry Street Wesleyan Church at 917 S. Mulberry Street in Bluffton. For more information call 824-1564.

Shade N Shannon in concert June 21
The Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gas City Park and Recreation will sponsor Concerts in the Park this summer on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Eugene Linn Band Shell in the Gas City Park.

Performing June 21 will be Shade N Shannon with Kenny Taylor. They will play a variety of music, including country.

Concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and even a picnic. For more information call 765-674-7545 or log onto www.gascity.com. Rain location will be Gas City East School Gym at 400 E. South “A” in Gas City.

What's Up

The Posse in concert June 14 at Gas City

The Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gas City Park and Recreation will sponsor Concerts in the Park this summer on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Eugene Linn Band Shell in the Gas City Park.

Performing June 14 will be The Posse. They will play a variety of music. Concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Food is also allowed.

For more information call 765-674-7545 or go to www.gascity.com. Rain location will be Gas City East School Gym at 400 E. South “A” in Gas City.

Xander Powers Bake Sale benefit June 16-18

A bake sale fundraiser will be held for Xander Powers Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17, from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at 918 S. Mulberry Street by Jefferson Park in Bluffton.

Xander is two months old and has been diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). His parents are Zach and Meghan Powers of Ossian. Proceeds will go toward medical expenses.

Inaugural Renaissance Faire June 17-19

The Enchanted Lakes Renaissance Faire and Marketplace, the first large-scale Renaissance Faire in northeast Indiana, will be held at Buck Lake Ranch Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19.
For more information, visit www.enchantedlakesfaire.com.

SA Senior Center Bear Creek Farms June 17

South Adams Senior Center will hold a trip to Bearcreek Farms Friday, June 17. Meet at Bearcreek at 11:30 a.m. and be served the smorgasbord at noon.

At 2 p.m. those attending will see the show "Red, Hot, and Blue."

Cost of the event is $22 per person, which includes the full smorgasbord and the show. This does not include a tip for the meal.

Call the Senior Center at 260-589-8877 to sign up.

Bake Sale at Six Mile Church June 17
Six Mile Church will sponsor a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the MarkleBank South Branch in Bluffton. Proceeds to benefit Relay For Life.

Fulton County Historical Power Show June 17-19
The Fulton County Historical Power Show will be held June 17-19 on Fulton County Historical Society grounds in Rochester, which is four miles north of Rochester on U.S. 31 and County Road 375 N. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information call 574-223-4436, e-mail fchs@rtcol.com or go to www.fultoncountyhistory.org, for more information. The museum is open year round Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed holidays.

Flea Market at Trinity Life June 18
Women's Ministries of Trinity Life Chapel will sponsor its annual flea market Saturday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The church is located on Hwy. 27 between Berne and Geneva.

Vendors are welcome. Spots are a $10 donation.

For more information call 260-316-2831 or 260-450-4647.

What's Up

Bluffton Parks Dept Touch a Truck Event June 18th
From 9 a.m. to noon, let your child experience what big trucks are really like. Vehicles will be on display at Washington Main Commons. Trucks may include a dump truck, concrete mixer, ambulance, fire truck, police car and more. This event is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In case of unfavorable weather, this event will be canceled.

Children's Garage Sale at Touch a Truck event June 18th
Teach your children the value of a dollar and get them to clean their rooms. Call 824-6069 to register your child in our annual garage sale held at the Washington Main commons during the touch a truck event from 9am-noon. Sale items can be toys, books, puzzles, movies, sports equipment etc. No clothing or lemonade stands allowed. Cost is $2

Club Calendar

Monday, June 13

• Widowed to Widowed — Corner Depot; 6 p.m.
• Wells County Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group — Wells County Council on Aging at 225 W. Water St.; 4-5:30 p.m. All men and other interested persons are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, June 14

• Homemaker's Club — Corner Depot; 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, June 15

• O.D.O. Club — Home of Delores Borton; 7 p.m.
• Kitco Retirees — Corner Depot; 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, June 18

• River Terrace Estates — Hannah Rauch playing harp; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, June 19

• River Terrace Estates — Tim Mann; 2:30 p.m. in ALD

CAC Summer Arts Academy coming

Kids age 8 to 18 who enjoy art have the chance to spend the week of June 13-17 learning the lives and practices of four American artists at the Summer Arts Academy, sponsored by the Creative Arts Council of Wells County.

All of the informative sessions will be held at the Arts Commerce & Visitors Centre on 211 Water St., Bluffton.

Camp Director Hallie Koenig has planned informative sessions about artists Chuck Close, Annie Liebovitz, Louise Nevelson and Andrew Wyeth.

Students will arrive at 10:30 a.m. and depart at 2:30 p.m. with their own packed lunches for a day working on projects with the famous artists’ styles—found object assemblages, realistic portraits, watercolor landscapes and digital photography.

An arrangement for camera sharing may be made for those who do not own a digital camera. A list of common, affordable supplies will be provided to those who enroll and many supplies will be provided. Fee for the week long camp is $100 per student with a sibling discount available. Students will display their works on Friday, June 17 for a gallery talk for their families and guests at the close of the camp.

Camp Director Koenig studied studio art at Vincennes University before completing her BA in Art History at IU. She attended graduate school at Northern Illinois University. She has taught at Killeen, TX and Arlington, VA before taking her current job as Norwell Middle School’s art teacher. She has served on the board of the Coupeville, WA arts group and as Arts Commissioner for the City of Oak Harbor, WA. She currently is a board member of the Creative Arts Council of Wells County.

Download information and enroll in the Summer Arts Academy online at www.wellscocreativearts.com or a request a registration form by calling 824-5222.

What's Up

Strawberry Fling cancelled
St. Mark’s UMC Strawberry Fling has been canceled due to the uncertainty of strawberries with poor growing season this year. The church looks forward to hosting the event in 2012.

June is National Adopt a Shelter cat
June is the National Adopt a Shelter cat month. The Bluffton-Wells County Animal Shelter is having a half off of cat adoptions again this year.

There are also several cats and kittens that are already spayed and neutered available for the adoption price of $10. For more information call 260-824-6063.

Adams County Holiness Camp this week
The Adams County Holiness Camp will start today and run through Sunday, June 12 ,at 7 p.m. each night and at 6 p.m. Sunday at the campground located at the south end of Keller Street in Monroe.

Travis Johnson from Frankfort will be the featured evangelist. Song evangelists will be the Travis Hatfield family from Greenville, Ohio. There will be a missions service by Evangelistic Faith Missions Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. For more information call John Myers at 260-525-1997.

This one’s for the girls: Upcoming outdoor event for women June 11
The Three Rivers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host a Women in the Outdoors event on June 11 at Izaak Walton League in Huntertown from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

This program is about encouraging women to try new outdoor activities in a safe environment that makes them feel at ease. For more information contact Charita Niedermeyer at 260-484-6041, thehuntress98@hotmail.com or (800) THE-NWTF, www.womenintheoutdoors.org, www.nwtf.org.

Creative Arts Council Events

IN THE BALENTINE GALLERY:

• SPECIAL EXHIBIT — May 19-31, “Echoes of the Civil War” on loan from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art with black and white imagery compiled by photographer Robert Morris. Wells County memorabilia on display courtesy of Lynn Elliott.
• ABOUT FACE — Portraits for exhibit June 1-15. Meet the artists on Sunday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m.

EVENTS:

• JAZZ ON THE PATIO — Sunday, June 19, 7 to 9 p.m., free. Featuring Kevin Piekarski, bass; Jim Steele, keyboard; Doug Laughlin, drums and Rick Brown, sax. Food and beverages for sale on site.
• POPS CONCERT AT OUABACHE — Thursday, June 30, 7:30 p.m., with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Free concert, gate fee charged, take own lawn seating.
• KEHOE PARK CONCERTS — Concert season opens on Sunday, July 10, with Spike and the Bulldogs. Free concerts thanks to donors and sponsors now sending in their funding support to cover the costs of the summer series.

Club Calendar

Saturday, June 4:

• River Terrace Estates — Brandy's Studio of Dance will perform; 10 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, June 5:

• River Terrace Estates — Bluegrass Gospel quartet plus guitar, banjo and violin playing and singing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.

Monday, June 6:

• Bluffton Lions Club — Corner Depot; 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday, June 7:

• Creative Quilters Quilt Guild — Country Creations Quilt Shop at 5342N. 400W., Decatur; 6:30 p.m. The program will be a demonstration of the “Twister” ruler presented by Carol Malone. General business meeting, show and tell, door prizes and a discussion of the Callithumpian Quilt Show. Anyone with an interest in quilting may attend.