What's Up! Thursday, June 5, 2014

Penny French Exhibit going on now

The Portland Center of Arts Place is displaying the works of artist Penny French. The display is going on now through June 27. The Portland Center of Arts Place is located at 131 E. Walnut St., Portland.  

Penny French-Deal grew up on a farm in Wabash County, Indiana. It was life on the farm that began a life-long journey to capture the essence of her surroundings. For more information about this exhibit and other exhibits of Arts Place Inc., contact Lauren Lane at 260-726-4809, ext 230. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mississinewa Outdoor Adventure Showcase, June 7

The Mississinewa Outdoor Adventure Showcase will be held on Saturday, June 7. The Outdoor Vendor Extravaganza will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with RVs, campers, mountain bikes, outdoor equipment, water safety and more. The band, Pottsie’s Pasttimes, will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. All events will take place at Mississinewa Beach, Miami State Recreation Area. Most activities are free with paid admission at the gate.

Indiana State Park and Reservoir gate fees are $5 per in-state vehicle, $7 per out-of-state vehicle. 

For more information log onto: stateparks.IN.gov/2955.htm. The park is located at 4673S-625E Peru, 46970.

Hoosier Harmony at Sauder Village June 8

The annual Gospel Music Concert will be held on Sunday, June 8 at Sauder Village. During the afternoon concert Hoosier Harmony, Sojourner Quartet and pianist Jim Stewart take the stage at 4 p.m. in Founder’s Hall.

Historic Sauder Village is open this summer Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Village is closed on Mondays, except holidays. Admission is $16 for adults, $10 for students (6-16) and free for members and children 5 and under. Active duty military personnel and their families are also free through Labor Day. Again this year, children 16 and under are free every Sunday this season – including for the Gospel Music Concert. 

For more details call 800-590-9755, visit www.saudervillage.org.                     

Jay County Pow Wow June 7 & 8

The 11th Annual Gathering of Great Lakes Nations Pow Wow, hosted by National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture, will be held June 7 and 8 at the Tri-State Antique Gas Engine Association Grounds at 1010 Morton St. in Portland.

The 11th Annual Gathering of Great Lakes Nations Pow Wow is a celebration of the Great Lakes Native Americans and their culture.  It features Native American drums, singers and dancers 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday June 8, from  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be native American foods, a pre-1840 re-enactment camp complete with atlatl and tomahawk demonstrations, artisan demonstrations, and children’s activities.  

Friends of Shelter meeting June 9

Friends of the Shelter, the organization that provides support for the Bluffton/Wells County Animal Shelter, will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 9 in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall at 128 E. Market St.

Items on the agenda include shelter operations and update on new dog park and future events.

The meeting is open to the public. Call 273-1742 for more information.

Women Ministries Flea Market June 7

Women’s Ministries of Trinity Life Chapel will sponsor their annual Flea Market Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church is located on Hwy. 27 between Berne and Geneva. Vendors are welcome. Spots are $10 each. Call 260-450-4647.

Free Agriculture Lecture June 9 at Sauder Village

Sauder Village is hosting a free Agricultural Lecture Series at the Heritage Inn this season in conjunction with the renovation of the historic Grist Mill. Todd Price, Founding Director of Historic Wagner Farm, will present a lecture on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. entitled “The Dawn of the Golden Age of Agriculture – Early 20th Century Farming in the Heartland.” For more details call 800-590-9755.

Christ Child Society Garage & Bake Sale June 12 & 13

The Christ Child Society of Fort Wayne will be holding their annual Garage & Bake Sale to benefit children in need in the Fort Wayne area. 

The sale will be held Thursday, June 12 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Queen of Angels Activity Center located at 1500 West State Street.

All proceeds of the sale will be used to fund the programs of the Christ Child Society operating to improve the lives of local children in need.  Vvisit www.christchildfw.org.

Sign Up for Summer Music Lessons

Arts Place is currently accepting registrations for summer MusicWorks instruction at its Portland Center. Adults and students may enroll in individual instruction. Lessons begin June 16 and continue through July 23.  Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 11.  After that date, students will be accepted on a space-available basis.  Instruction will be held at Arts Place, 131 East Walnut Street in Portland, Indiana.

Call 260-726-4809, email artsland@artsland.org, or visit the website atwww.artsland.org.

Redesign T-shirt Class June 12

The Parks and Recreation Department Designer shirt, No Sew Purse and Headband class  will be held Thursday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at Washington Park. 

This class is for girls ages 8–18 years old. It will show them how to change old shirts into new creations. 

Each participant needs to bring four too big t-shirts 50/50 blend and $1 to the class. Space is limited and you MUST PRE-REGISTER BY CALLING 824-6069.

Mini Basketball Camp June 11-13

The Parks and Recreation Department is offering another Mini Basketball Camp since the first camp was filled.

The camp is for children ages 5 to 7 years June 11 through 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Bluffton City Gym. 

There are eight openings left. Call the park office at 824-6069. This is a FREE program.