Notes From Nubi - Don't You Just Love The Sun?

While mom has been pretty durn busy the past three weeks, she still had time to cut the grass last Saturday.  Boy, did that make me happy because that stuff was almost up to my tummy in the back yard!

But you know the best thing about the weather being good enough to mow?  It means the sun is out!  When that sun heats up the cement slab in the backyard it is the best thing in the world.  Since my ancestors come from Africa (I'm part Basenji in case you didn't know) I just love basking in the sun.  Matter of fact, this morning mom couldn't get me to come inside when she was ready to go to work, the cement was just too comfortable.

And since mom isn't working this weekend she hopes to trim back some of the bushes around the house and take out some saplings.  That means, if the sun shines, we'll spend some together time out in the backyard - mom cutting away and me sun bathing on the cement.    Mom wants to get the trimming done because the town of North Judson will be picking up brush on May 13th and if she gets it done this week she'll have time to get it into the alley.

So wish us a bright, sunny day on Saturday and good luck trimming back those bushes.

2013 Mint Festival Pageant

The 2013 North Judson Mint Festival Pageant will be held on June 7th at 6 p.m.  This contest is open to all children between the ages of 5 and 19 who attend Starke County Schools.

There is a $20 fundraiser fee to enter and signups will be held at:

North Judson-Wayne Township Library  

Wednesday  -  May 1st from 5-7 p.m.
Saturday  -  May 11th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Monday - May 13th from 5-7 p.m.

Henry F. Schricker Library

Saturday – May 4th from 2-4 p.m.
Friday – May 10th from 3-5 p.m.

For additional information contact:
Michelle @ 574-806-0979
Teresa @ 219-205-2440
Kelly @ 574-896-4005

North Judson Mint Fest Karaoke Contest

Come one, come all and share your talent for singing.  The North Judson Mint Fest Karaoke Contest will be held at St. Peter Lutheran School Gym, Hwy 10, North Judson at 6 p.m. on June 14, 2013.

There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies for ages 1-12, 13-17, and 18-up.

You must register by June 1st , no entries will be taken after that date.  Contact Donna Witten with the song you will be singing at either 574-806-2501 or donnawitten@hotmail.com.

Walking Across the USA (Or At Least Starke County)

The Moving Starke County Forward kickoff for Walking Across The USA will be held at Wythogan Park in Knox at 10 a.m. on May 18th, the first 250 people will receive a free pedometer.  Miles will be tracked from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Starke County Drug Abuse Symposium

By: Ben Haut, WKVI
Published: April 24th, 2013

In partnership with the Moving Starke County Forward Coalition, IU Health Starke Hospital is looking to address a community crisis through a Drug Abuse Symposium in downtown Knox. The problem of illegal drug abuse, including that of methamphetamine and prescription drugs, is a problem that affects numerous communities throughout Indiana and the nation, and these organizations are looking to make a difference.

The symposium will take place on May 3 at 9 a.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox, featuring Attorney General Greg Zoeller as the keynote speaker. Zoeller has undertaken the responsibilities of being at the forefront of lobbying efforts at both the state and federal levels, taking a more aggressive role in the issue and the search for solutions.

Local law enforcement officials say prescription drug abuse in Starke County is greater than the abuse of illegal substances, though methamphetamine and other drugs – such as heroin – get more publicity.

Zoeller will answer questions following his presentation and a local panel of officials actively associated with the impact of drugs on the local community will share information from their perspective before breaking into smaller groups to attempt to provide innovative ways to bring the drug epidemic under control. The meeting will end in the early afternoon after a lunch provided.

To RSVP for the symposium, call Renay Hochstedler at (574) 772-1102 at IU Health Starke Hospital.

Kersting's Annual "Blessing of the Bikes"

Don't miss Kersting’s Annual "Blessing of the Bikes" this Saturday, April 27th, at 8774 W 700 N, Winamac, IN 46996

Blessing @ 1:00 PM ET; Music & Tent Revival hosted by Heartland Biker Church following the "Blessing of the Bikes" Ceremony.

See you there!

5th Annual Tri Ancilla 5/18/2013

Come join us for the 5th Annual Tri Ancilla on May 18th.  The scenic grounds of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry Center, home of Ancilla College, will provide an enjoyable morning of racing for area competitors.  Check out the website at Ancilla College to find out more and to register for the event.

For additional information you may also contact:

Todd Zeltwanger, Race Chairperson
todd.zeltwanger@ancilla.edu
574-936-8898, ext. 345

We hope to see you on May 18th.  Save money by registering early.  See website for fee structure.  Team rates also available!

Second Annual Irish Pub 5K, May 11, 2013

Get ready for to run for a good cause! The Second Annual Irish Pub 5K is coming up on May 11, 2013. The race takes place at the Irish Pub North Judson (706 E. Talmer Ave. North Judson, IN 46366). Registration opens at 8 am and the race itself begins at 10 am.

Cost is $25 for both walkers and runners and you must register by April 27 in order to be guaranteed a shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the first place male and female winners. Participants 21 and older will receive a $2 beer token that can be traded at the Irish Pub for a beer after the race! Note: You must be 21+ to get a beer token, but anyone of any age can participate in the race.

All proceeds go to the Hoosier Burn Camp. Be on the lookout for local firefighters walking the race in full gear. They will be doing this to show their support for the kids, programs, and the progress of the camp.

For more information call 574-896-3488. Check out the Irish Pub North Judson on Facebook!

Click here to get the registration form.

Living History Days at the Old Fort, Fort Wayne - May 18-19, 2013

Hear the cannons thunder and muskets fire.  Experience American frontier life with colonial artisans, battle reenactment, merchants and tours at the Historic Fort in Old Fort Park, Fort Wayne. 

No admission charge, donations accepted.  Limited handicap accessibility.  For more information call 260-437-2836 or visit Historic Fort Wayne.

Mayfest in Shipshewana, May 3-4, 2013

A good old-fashioned, town wide fun way to celebrate spring!

Bluegrass/gospel music, food, entertainment and special games just for kids.  The Grand Mayfest Parade kicks off Saturday at 10:00 a.m.  Downtown activities include a road run, amateur auctioneering contest, pony pull, donkey basketball, lawn tractor pull, and 3-on-3 basketball.  In partnership with the LaGrange County CVB.

No admission charge.  For more information call 260-768-7589 or go to Mayfest in Shipshewana.

Redbud Trail Rendezvous, April 27th & 28th

Sponsored by the Fulton County Historical Society, this pre-1865 event includes programs, Civil War re-enactors, foods over wood fires.  The event was named for the redbud trees along the Tippecanoe River. 

Sat. 10-5 p.m. & Sun. 10-4 p.m.  Admission is charged.  For more information call 574-223-4436.

From WKVI

By: Mary Perren
Published: April 19th, 2013

The annual Redbud Trail Rendezvous in Rochester is always a sure sign that spring has sprung.

This year’s festival is scheduled April 27-29, rain or shine, at the Fulton County Historical Society Living History Village in Rochester. More than 100 historical reenactors set up camps and live outdoors during the three-day event, demonstrating traditional crafts, frontier life ways and pioneer skills like cooking over wood fires, muzzle loading shooting and tomahawk showing. Musical performances will be showcased throughout the weekend, and meals prepared over wood fires Will be served. Several of the craft demonstrators will also be selling their wares, ranging from homespun, woven items to handcrafted grapevine wreaths and baskets.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Fulton County Historical Society. Visit www.fultoncountyhistory.org for more information.

Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival April 19th & 20th

April 19-20 stop at historic downtown Wakarusa for all you can eat! Pancakes/sausage or PTO BBQ meal.  Enjoy free popcorn, parade, entertainment, sugar camp/museum tours and contests with cash prizes, crafts, commercial and food vendors, face painting and carnival/bouncy rides.  Buy fresh maple syrup.  

No admission charge.  For more information call 574-862-4334 or go to Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival.

Starke County Youth Club RadioThon

"You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog" for the Starke County Humane Society

"You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog" Fundraiser on May 4th  held at Grand Central Station Banquet Facility located at 301 Lane St., North Judson, IN 46366

This dinner/silent auction/entertainment event features:

Irv Cass, 2 time World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist
Catering by Bub's BBQ
Silent Auction (A photo album of items will be posted on the Starke County Humane Society Facebook page)
Cash Bar

Doors open at 6 p.m. CST, Dinner at 6:30 p.m. CST, Elvis Show at 8:00 p.m. CST, Silent Auction is from 6-9:00 p.m. CST

Tickets are $ 30.00/per person or $ 50.00 per couple in advance
Tickets are $ 40.00 per person at the door.

All proceeds benefit the Animal Shelter !

(Wish I could go but I don't think they will allow dogs.  I'm gonna send Mom in my place, maybe she'll get lucky and bring me something from the Silent Auction. - Anubis)

Knox Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading Registration

All dates held at the Henry F. Schricker Library, Knox, Indiana

Saturday - April 20th 10 to 1pm
Tuesday - May 21st 4 to 6pm
Saturday - June 22nd 10 to 1pm

If you sign-up costs will be:

1 child=$85 plus $45 for purchase of uniform=$130 Total
2 children= $125 plus $90 for purchase of 2 uniforms= $215 Total
3 children=$150 plus $135 for purchase of 3 uniforms= $285 Total
Payment plans are available, these must be paid in full by 7-8-13 in order for child’s uniform to be ordered.

* Please bring a copy of your child’s original birth certificate

Sign-up on Saturday April 20 & receive $10 OFF for early registration!

St. Peter Lutheran School Hog Roast

St. Peter Lutheran School in North Judson is having a dine-in/carry-out Hog Roast on April 26th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for k-5th grade.  All proceeds will go to the school Computer Fund.

All Saints Catholic Church Pork Chop Dinner

All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre will have a pork chop dinner on April 28th at the Church Hall.  They will be serving from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Dinner consists of a pork chop, baked potato, green beans, applesauce, and dessert.  Tickets per dinner are $8 for 1 chop; $12 for 2 chops; carry outs will be available.

Giving Back to Starke County

Join Jr. & the Igniters and the North Judson Fire Department on Saturday, April 20th, to raise food and funds for Community Services of Starke County and the Starke County Food Pantry.  Everyone will be gathering at the North Judson American Legion Post 92 starting at 7 p.m. and Jr. & the Igniters will take the stage from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

You must be at least 21 to attend.  Cover charge is $5 cash or $5 worth of non-perishable food items.

Broadway: A Musical Review

The North Judson-San Pierre Choral Department will present the Senior members in a special review on April 25th and 27th.  Join them in the high school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. each night; tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students.

Eric Corey Foundation Turkey Tracks

By: Anita Goodan, WKVI
Published: April 17th, 2013

The Turkey Tracks event is April 26-28 in Starke County.

The Eric Corey Foundation will sponsor the hunt designed for handicapped and terminally-ill hunters, giving them a chance to do something they love that they might not otherwise be able to do.

The late Eric Corey first organized the event which allows guides to help handicapped hunters search and harvest turkeys during the three-day excursion. Eric Corey passed away in 2012 after fighting ALS for several years He always said that it’s not about the birds, it’s about the friends you make along the way.

Eric’s parents, Carol and Doug Corey, are honoring his wishes in keeping the event rolling.

This year’s Turkey Tracks hunt will provide more than 30 handicapped hunters with the opportunity to get out in the field.

From the Facebook Event Page:
Our annual turkey hunt is here!! Join us as we celebrate our 5th year! 

Friday, April 26:
12:30pm: Gun sight-in for the hunter with their guide at Washington Twp Community Building. 

5:00pm: Doors open for our hog roast dinner at the community building! There will be a silent auction, 50/50, DNR speaker & a slide show from years' passed. Dinner will include potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans & veggies, along with the hog roast prepared by Allen Cornelius. 

Saturday, April 27: 

4:30am: There will be donuts, coffee & juice at both the hotel (Astoria in Knox) and at Washington Twp Community Building.

11:00am: Doors open at the community building for lunch provided by Mikey's Pizza in Knox. 

6:30pm: Please join us as we pay special attention to all of our adopt a hunters, corporate sponsors, guides & landowners. Without them, our event would not be possible! There will also be a guest speaker, Cameron Tribolet. Join us for a buffet style dinner prepared by the Turkey Tracks Kitchen Chicks! 

Sunday, April 28: 

4:30am: Again, there will be donuts, coffee & juice at both the hotel & the community building.
11am-2:30pm: Lunch will be served at the community building. After lunch, this will conclude our 2013 Turkey Tracks Hunt.

The public is more than welcome to join us during our hunt. Invite all of your friends & family!! This truly is an event you do NOT want to miss!!

April 15th is Tacks Day! - Notes from Nubi

Boy, am I glad that April is almost over!

From the end of December until May, Mom isn’t always in the best mood.  If I understand her correctly it has something to do with tacks, having to wait until the government decides to mail them to the library, hoping they send enough, and having to tell people that there is no time table so the staff has no idea when they will be coming.  According to what I heard on TV, April 15th is tacks day and you’re supposed to mail them to the government or you could get fined.  I don’t know why, if the government wants you to send them back, they send them out in the first place.  Why not just keep the tacks they have and save on the postage?

Matter of fact, there was a tack on the floor in the family room the other day and Daisy & I are just lucky that Mom’s the one who stepped on it and not one of us.  Those things can really hurt our delicate feet!  Hope Mom sent that one back to the government.

So now that tacks day has come and gone, and the weather is getting nicer, maybe Mom won’t be so tired when she comes home and we can go out for a walk.  I think it will do her good and maybe she’ll forget all about those nasty tacks until next January.

Sit Back, Relax, And Enjoy a Wonderful Video Tour of the Starke County Courthouse

On Thursday, April 18th, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. , join Jim Shilling, President, & Ron Vendl, Vice President, of the Starke County Historical Society at the Henry F. Schricker Library for a video tour of the Starke County Courthouse narrated by Ed Hasnerl, State Appointed Starke County Historian.  Learn about the hub of our County in keeping with the library’s theme of how our community matters to us during the celebration of Library Week.

Do you know why the Court House has a “space tree” on its lawn? You will discover things in this video trip that you never heard about even in the physical tour you may have taken.  Come enjoy homemade chocolate chip cookies during the movie - our gift to you because you matter to us!

Please sign up by 4-16-13 at 574-772-7323 so we know how many goodies to plan on.

Quote of the Month - April 2013