In Case You Missed it…

In case you haven’t heard:

Gary and Susan Brown

The Annual Starke County Historical Society meeting was held at the Knox High School Cafeteria on Thursday, November 17th with over 100 people attending. After the dinner and business meeting, Gary & Susan Brown, from Valparaiso, provided the program. Since 2011 is the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Browns presented a musical program of songs of that period in our nation’s history. They are accomplished musicians. Susan performs on fretted dulcimer, guitar, zither, autoharp, piano, penny whistle, recorder and various rhythm instruments. She is known for expressive vocals; from ethereal Celtic tunes to hard-hitting country songs and has performed for hundreds of audiences all over the Midwest. -submitted by Jim Shilling. 
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Jeff Allen

Jeff Allen performed in front of a full house at the North Judson-San Pierre High School auditorium on Friday, November 11th. People gathered to enjoy the humor and testimony of comedian Jeff Allen. Sponsored by Love INC supporters, it was a fantastic evening out for Starke County neighbors and others from as far as Indianapolis.

The evening was not only filled with laughter but with inspiration as Jeff shared his life’s story of being raised an atheist, becoming a broke alcoholic, then by the grace of God, a Bible believing Christian. He presented the perfect balance of humor and his testimony of becoming a transformed life in Christ. Not only did the audience roar with laughter at his perfectly timed humor, but equally connected with his powerful story of his battle with atheism and alcohol abuse.

The evening ended with Director Deb Wappel and Pastor Brian Pinson sharing powerful examples of what Love INC is doing to assist people with legitimate, specific needs in order to help transform lives in Starke County.

The evening was made possible thanks to a group of generous local donors who underwrote costs and made it possible for this to be a fundraiser for Love INC.

Director Deb Wappel says the board was thrilled with the turnout and the opportunity to provide laughter in these hard times. “We will definitely try to do
this again in the near future”. -submitted by Deb Wappel.
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Front Row: Amanda Rodriguez, Kylie Cavender ; Second Row: Rhiannon Millard, Allyssa Thompson, Samii Amrine ; Back Row: Jacob Kieszkowski, Steven Miller, Jonathon Hileman

Answering questions about The Age of Imperialism, the North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon Team finished in second place in the Northwest Hoosier Academic Conference Decathlon competition at Kankakee Valley High School on Saturday, November 19th. The team placed fourth in the Oral Super Quiz, and second in Overall Super Quiz.

Individual ribbon winners were Jonathan Hileman with second place in Music and Economics and third place in Language & Literature, Art, and Interview; Jacob Kieszkowski with first place in Super Quiz, Science, and Mathematics, second in Essay, and third in Interview; Steven Miller with first place in Music, second in Mathematics, and third in Science and Economics; Allyssa Thompson with a second place in Science; and Kulie Cavender with a second place in Essay.

Jonathon Hileman led the team with 5,746.4 points. First place Overall Individual honors went o Jacob Kieszkowski with 5,417.4 points and third place Overall Individual honors went to Jonathon Hileman in the Honors Division.

The Blue Jay Academic Decathlon team will compete again on January 21st at Kankakee Valley High School in the Area competition, the qualifier for the State Decathlon at Purdue in February. -submitted by Sheila Akers
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NJ-SP All District Band; Ishbah Cox, guest conductor from Purdue University, Austin Stacy, Jessica Beverly, Rachel Brent, Carter Tucker, and band director Matthew Hibbets

Several North Judson-San Pierre High School Band students recently participated in the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-District Band. Austin Stacy, Jessica Beverly, Rachel Brent, Carter Tucker were among 98 band members throughout Northern and Northwest Indiana the state who participated in the band. The All-District Band Weekend took place November 12th and 13th at North Judson-San Pierre High School.

NJ-SP All Region Band members: Jarrod Jones, Caitlyn Barnes, Lexi Miller, and Summer Bennett

Jarrod Jones, Caitlyn Barnes, Lexi Miller, and Summer Bennett were among 100 other band students from this area’s 20 schools who participated in the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Band this past weekend at Kankakee Valley High School. -submitted by Band Director, Matthew Hibbets.

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Winamac 3rd grade students on a visit to the Panhandle Pathway. Photo by Tom Anspach

The Winamac Town Council and the Friends of the Panhandle Pathway (FPP) are actively working to make the Panhandle trail accessible to the residents of Winamac. At the November 14th Town Council meeting, the FPP and members of the Winamac Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Task Force discussed the extension of the Panhandle Pathway north into Winamac to connect to Superior Street. Superior is an important connector between the trail and the school campus to the east. This portion of the Panhandle will initially be paved with stone so it can be opened as soon as possible. The trail will eventually be paved with asphalt when funding becomes available.
The Winamac SRTS Task Force is in the process of identifying current and future safe routes to school. The Task Force is also planning safe walking and biking activities and upcoming training opportunities. The dates for the training and activities will be announced soon.

The Winamac SRTS task force recently approved the design of SRTS signs that will be posted along designated routes. Look for the signs to be posted around town by next spring. If you are interested in becoming involved or would like additional information, please contact SRTS Task Force Chair Dave Bennett at (574) 946-3343. -submitted by Dave Bennett.