What's Up! Wells County

Loblolly Wildflower Safari May 18

Loblolly Wildflower Safari will be held Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve at 8323N 250W. Cost is $3 per person.

Join a naturalist for a stroll along the Loblolly Marsh trails focusing on the beautiful and varied spring wildflowers – what they are and the many incredible ways man and animal use them.  For more information call 260-368-7428 cburnette@indianamuseum.org. 

Veterans program at Wells Historical Museum May 19

Wells County Historical Society will be honoring the WWII veterans on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at the museum, 420 West Market St, in Bluffton. All veterans are welcome to attend. 

The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. A short history of the “What Caused the War” will be presented by Connie Brubaker followed by a short history of the “Women who Served” by Bernice Klausky. 

 World War II vets will share their experiences while serving our great country. Refreshments will follow.

On display for this month is Bob Harter’s collection of model airplanes from several countries involved in the war. His collection contains over 100 different planes. Bob has spent several hours, days and weeks assembling  the planes. Bob will be at the museum on this Sunday for a question and answers time. The program is free and open to the public. Summer hours for the museum are Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and beginning Wednesday June 5, 1-4 p.m. Always free with donations accepted.

Senior Luncheon in Berne May 22

The monthly Senior Luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 22 at noon at the South Adams Senior Center at 825 Hendricks Street in Decatur. Entertainment will be provided by Carolyn Fletcher. The cost is $6 per person. The menu will include the following: beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, California blend, assorted pies, roll with butter,  coffee and punch.

Please call the Senior Center at 589-8078 no later than Monday, May 20.

Stars in the Park contest July 18 & 25

Stars in the Park is a five evening event planned by the Jay County Chamber of Commerce for the summer of 2013.  The concept is much like the television show America’s Got Talent.

 To register visit www.starsinthepark.com. Print out and complete an audition form and mail with registration fee to 118 S. Meridian Street, Portland, IN 47371 by May 31. Those participating will be contacted for an audtion time. Auditions will be held at the Jay Community Center on East Water Street in Portland during the last week of June. 

Peformance dates are July 18 and July 25 and Aug. 1 and 8.

Semifinals and finals date is  Friday, Aug. 16 at Hudson Family Park Amphitheater, South Wayne Street, Portland. Finalists will be selected and prizes wil be awarded.

Admission to the performances is $5 per person per session for each quarterfinal event, and the semifinal-final event. Children 12 and under are free. A season pass good for all five events is $20

 Votes for contestants are $1 each. Voting will take place at each quarter-final, the semi-finals and the finals.  $5 admission ticket price includes three votes. 

There will be three to four professional judges. The judges votes will account for 50 percent of the total votes and the audience will account for 50 percent of the total vote.  Three finalists will be selected each quarter final event and three finalists will be named in semifinal. The final performance will determine grand prize ($1,250), first runner-up ($500) and second runner-up ($250).

For audtition forms visit the website: www.starsinthepark.com.

For more information contact Vicki Tague, Executive Director, Jay County Chamber of Commerceat 260-726-4481.