Ouabache State Park Events

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
1:30 p.m. - Our Masked Bandit. Meet at Trails End Shelter to join Naturalist Kate as she takes introduces you to the Masked Bandit that roams the campgrounds!
7:30 p.m. - Life in a Box. This little critter spends his whole life living in a box he carries on his back. Come to Rustic Oak Shelter to find out more about the eastern box turtle and the conservation efforts being made to prevent the further decline of this population.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4
1:30 p.m. - Howl at the Moon. Have you heard yipping and howling late at night and wondered what animal was making all that noise? Join Naturalist Kate at the Campview Shelter to find out more about the coyote!
7:30 p.m. - Happenin' Herons. These majestic birds grace the shores of Ouabache's Kunkle Lake. Come to Lakeside Shelter to learn more about the herons found here.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5
1:30 p.m. - Plant's Anatomy. Join the drama at Trails End Shelter as we learn what makes a plant tick.
7:30 p.m. - Fish of Kunkel Lake. Indiana's Free Fishing weekend starts tomorrow. Get ready by learning about some of the fish you might catch this weekend. Meet at Lakeside Shelter.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6
9:00 a.m. - Youth Fishing Derby Registration Begins. Kids ages 2-15 get in line at the Boat House early to register to be a part of the Youth Fishing Derby. Please bring your own pole. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
9:15-10:30 a.m. - Youth Fishing Derby. Grab your pole and start fishing for the big one! Prizes will be awarded for the biggest, smallest, and most fish caught in each of the three age classes! This event was co-sponsored by the Bluffton Optimist Club. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended.
11-11:30 a.m. - Hoosier Quest. Connect! Discover! Explore! Learn more about the patch program at the Boat House. After a brief introduction, we'll break up into groups to start working on the requirements. Scouts and other groups are you interested in earning a patch? See the Naturalist to learn about the Hoosier Pathfinder program.
1:45 - Pool Break Creature Feature. Join Naturalist Kate on the pool lawn to try your hand at fish printing during the pool's safety check. Bring a light colored T-shirt or you can make one on paper. Swimmers, make sure to get your hand stamped before you leave the bath house, so you may re-enter the pool!
7:30 p.m. - Fabulous Frogs. Meet at the Boat House for a stroll around the lake to learn about the fab frogs we have at Ouabache State Park.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7
9:30 a.m. - Worship Services. Join us at Campview Shelter for an inspirational service in the beauty of nature.
11-11:30 a.m. - Hoosier Quest. See Saturday for details.
1:45 a.m. - Pool Break Quickie Craft. Come out to the pool lawn to decorate a fish to take home during today's pool safety check. Swimmers, make sure to get your hand stamped before you leave the bath house, so you may re-enter the pool!

COMING SOON!
June 20-21: Rendezvous on the Ouabache.
July 4: Natural Beauty Art Show. Artists, if you are interested in showing or selling your artwork during the show, contact the Interpretive Naturalist.

Call 824-0926 or e-mail ouabacheinterp@dnr.in.gov

Yencer defends small schools

"Small schools are under attack!" said Southern Wells Principal Chad Yencer at Friday's Academic Awards program. He had a few choice words for those who are doing the attacking and he let the 2009 graduates know their alma mater was not going anywhere.

International Exchange Program visits Bluffton

Sixteen students and 10 adults from Poland visited Wells County 4-H Park for the International Exchange Program on Thursday. The visitors will be in northeast Indiana for approximately two weeks.

LCES kindergarten graduates

I happened to be at Lancaster Central Elementary School this afternoon to watch the kindergarten graduate.
The kids sang a few songs, then took the stage one class (and one student) at a time to collect their diplomas from Principal Steve Darnell.

Disclaimer: Yes, my daughter is up on that stage, but really, they were so darn cute I had to post this video. If you shot something cool at your kids graduation, feel free to send it to me and I'll gladly post it here too.
jerryb@news-banner.com

Ron DeWitt Memorial Scholarship Winners

Noticed this photo wasn't in the spread yesterday so I've added it here.

Bluffton Seniors Caylynne Johnson and Matt Gerber were the recipients of the 2009 Ron DeWitt Memorial Scholarship.

Ron DeWitt spent 39 years with the Bluffton-Harrison school system as a teacher, coach and athletic director. He died in a traffic accident in Huntington County in 2006.

You can read Joe Smekens original article about the tragic loss of DeWitt and his impact on the community here.

Bluffton Grads Celebrate Early

It was Class Day at Bluffton High School on Tuesday, as academic awards were handed out and students posed for a multitude of photographs from family, friends and of course, the local newspaper reporter.

Publisher Mark Miller made certain we had the Grads on page 1 of today's paper. You can also check out our new color graduation tab at News-Banner.com

Memorial Day Ceremony

Bluffton Police Department controlled traffic for visitors to Veteran's Park for the Memorial Day service and for members of the American Legion Honor Guard.