Greencastle Arts Council is hitting the road for its maiden bus trip to the historic Haan Museum of Indiana Art in Lafayette on May 26. Tickets, including museum admission and roundtrip transportation on a professional, restroom-equipped Turner motor coach, are $40. Seating is limited, so patrons are encouraged to purchase their tickets from a board member by the GAC’s next monthly meeting at the Putnam County Public Library on Monday, May 2.

GAC plans to arrive in Lafayette at approximately 10 a.m. by meeting at 8 a.m. in the Putnam County Museum parking lot at 110 N. Jackson Street in Greencastle and departing Greencastle at 8:30 am. After viewing the exhibits and sculpture garden, next stop will be The Town & Gown Bistro in West Lafayette for a savory lunch and to say hello to owner Matt O’Neill, former chef at The Walden Inn. Cultivated and well-fed, the party will arrive back in Greencastle at about 4 p.m.

The Haan Museum, which is known for an exceptional collection of Hoosier painting and pottery, is housed in a 16,000 square feet mansion, along with a major collection of antique 19th-century American furniture. Originally built to house the Connecticut state pavilion at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the home was modeled to represent a 1760s-gentleman’s country home. It also was designed with the intent of being auctioned off and relocated after the fair. As the buyers were Mr. and Mrs. William Potter, its final destination was Lafayette, where it was known for many years as Potter Mansion.

“The core of the museum’s permanent collection is an impressive body of the best works of T.C. Steele, the Hoosier Group and the Brown County Art Colony, collected over time by Ellie and Bob Haan, who later purchased the mansion from the Potters,” said board member Lane Ralph, coordinator of the trip. “The special show that we’ll be seeing, the ‘Generations: Fine Art Sale and Exhibition,’ is a selection of premier pieces by ten painters currently working in Indiana, some of which also are for sale.”

Ralph continued, “This is the first time the GAC has organized a bus trip, so it is a bit of an experiment to sound out whether there is an audience in Putnam County for occasional cultural excursions like this.”

As seating is limited to 36 passengers, interested individuals are asked to purchase their tickets from a board member by the GAC’s next monthly meeting at the Putnam County Public Library on Monday, May 2. Alternatively, they may mail their payment to the Greencastle Arts Council (P.O. Box 631, Greencastle IN 46135). Enter “Bus Trip” in the memo line of the check. For additional information visit the GAC website (greencastleartscouncil.org) or contact Lane Ralph at lane@greencastleartscouncil.org or (765) 721-1519.

The Putnam County Mural Project recently announced its participation in the CreatINg Places grant through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). This grant will help fund the first-ever Putnam County Mural Festival this fall. In order to receive the $25,000 match through the IHCDA program, the group must first raise $25,000 from the community by the June 5 deadline.

So far, the group has already secured a $10,300 gift from 100 Men of Putnam County and a $500 gift from the Greencastle Civic League. Donations are now being sought from individuals, corporations and other nonprofits to help meet the CreatINg Places match. 

Another condition of the CreatINg Places matching grant is to have as many donors contribute to the campaign as possible. The festival organizers are asking for donations at any amount in order to meet the specific crowdfunding requirements that are necessary for the $25,000 match.

In 2019, the Putnam County Mural Project also received a grant to create one of the state’s largest murals on the silos at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and U.S. Highway 231.

“We are lucky to have a grant like this in Indiana that helps build vibrant communities,” said Chris Flegal, leader of the Putnam County Mural Project. “We wouldn’t be able to have a festival this ambitious without their support. Now, we’re hoping that the community will get as excited as we are about this countywide festival and help us meet our match. We are looking for as many donors as possible to meet the specific campaign requirements–any amount can help us get to our match.”

Donations are being accepted at putnamcountymuralproject.org. Funds raised will go toward prepping the walls and paying artist stipends and materials, as well as a community block party on Sept. 23, 2022.

The application period for artists to submit a proposal to the Putnam County Mural Festival will close on April 24 and the selection process will begin soon. The murals will be started in mid-September and completed by Sept. 23, 2022.

The mural locations will include the Banner-Graphic building and Putnam County Visitors Center in Greencastle, Off the Rails alleyway and Community Park building in Roachdale, as well as Tom’s Cookies in Fillmore.

Putnam County residents have long been able to receive help with their devices at the library. Now they are able to drop-in on Mondays for immediate assistance thanks to a partnership between the Putnam County Public Library and DePauw University.

CTEP is a DePauw-sponsored program that aims to bridge the digital divide in Putnam County by offering workshops and office hours to increase technical literacy. CTEP is now offering office hours on Mondays from 4-6 p.m. at the library.

The library offers additional drop-in technology assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“We are excited to offer additional opportunities for our visitors to interact with new technologies, as well as learning how best to use their current devices,” said Library Director Matt McClelland.

The library continues to offer one-on-one help with technology and devices by appointment. To make an appointment, email atincher@pcpl21.org or call 765-301-7094. 

The 8th annual Putnam County Master Gardener Plant Auction will be held Saturday, April 30th at 10 AM at the Goat Barn at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Preview is set for 9:15 AM with the auction starting at 10 AM. Flowers, ornamentals, trees, bushes and house plants will be auctioned. In addition, we will have donated garden and garden related items at our Garden Shed for sale.

The plants are donated by various local businesses and from the Putnam County Master Gardeners own gardens. If you have any plants you would like to donate to the auction please contact the Purdue Extension office by Wednesday, April 27^th at 765-653-8411.

Many of the plants come from the gardens of our friends and neighbors.  This means that these plants will thrive in this area with our soil and our weather extremes.  With water and a little care, these plants will continue to be successful when they’re transplanted to new local gardens.

In addition, many of the plants at the auction were raised by Putnam County Master Gardeners--folks who are passionate about growing plants and who genuinely love to share their successes with other gardeners.

And finally, the plant auction is for a good cause.  Proceeds from the auction fund scholarships for post-secondary students who plan to major in a horticulture related field of study.

Plan to spend the morning of April 30th with other plant lovers at the 8th Annual Master Gardener Plant Auction.  Come and check out the healthy, hardy and well-loved plants that will be auctioned off.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411. 

Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events:

April 30 – Plant Auction, 10 am start, Fairgrounds

May 3 – Extension Office closed for Election Day

May 18 – African Violets & the Gesneriad Family Webinar, 7 pm, register at
     https://tinyurl.com/afviolet22

May 23 – Container Gardening 101, Roachdale Community & Senior Center, 2 pm, register
                by calling 765-653-8411

May 24 – Turning Your Lawn to Garden webinar, 12 pm, register at
                https://women4theland.org/upcoming-events

A deadline is approaching this weekend for artists to sign up for a mural festival set for September.

A new mural festival, organized by the Putnam County Mural Project, will be held in September, 2022 and it is seeking artists to complete murals at five locations around the county.

Local, regional, and national artists are encouraged to apply by April 24.

The murals will need to be started in mid-September and complete by Sept. 24, 2022. The sizes of the walls range from 100 square feet to nearly 6,500 square feet and include locations in Fillmore, Greencastle and Roachdale. The full call for artists is available at www.putnamcountymuralproject.org. 

A committee will review the artists and chosen artists will be asked to work with the Putnam County Mural Project team in order to produce work that is reflective of and responsive to the Putnam County community.

 “We’re excited to build upon the success of our first project that brought in an internationally-recognized artist, generated national attention, and created a meaningful experience for Putnam County residents,” said Chris Flegal, leader of the volunteer group. “Our new mural festival format will allow us to engage several artists, expand our community-arts assets, and activate spaces around the entire county.”

The mural locations will include the Banner-Graphic building and Putnam County Visitors Center in Greencastle, Off the Rails alleyway and Community Park building in Roachdale, and Tom’s Cookies in Fillmore.

On April 24, Greencastle Cub Scout Pack 99 will be hiking around Greencastle neighborhoods leaving collection bags for nonperishable foods on porches and doorsteps. Citizens can fill the bags with nonperishable shelf-stable food items and put them back on their porch a week later.

On May 1, the same Cub Scouts will be returning to collect the bags of food that have been generously given. They ask the items be in the bags and back on their porches by 2:00 pm.

If you do not receive a bag, misplace a bag, or do not have enough room in the bag, the Cub Scout Pack will accept donated nonperishable food at Greencastle City Hall on May 1 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

These food items will be distributed to several Greencastle food pantries.

Students are in the process of signing up for classes next year at local high schools while college and post high school education option visits have been in full swing for many high school juniors. In 2020, a new program called Purdue Fast Start kicked off that provides a means of guaranteed admissions to Purdue University.

A website https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/purduefaststart/ provides full details of the free program, where promising Indiana students have the opportunity to take first steps toward a Purdue degree with Fast Start. Purdue’s partnership with Modern States, a philanthropy and online learning program for earning college credit, provides free courses and textbooks online in addition to vouchers to pay for credit bearing exams. Passing five courses, the corresponding CLEP exams and meeting Purdue’s standard admissions requirements assures admission into Purdue. The partnership creates new opportunities for Indiana students to take giant leaps in their post high school education plans with a new pathway to Purdue University.

To get started earning admission into Purdue, Indiana students can take the Modern States online courses for free. Those who pass a minimum of five corresponding College Board CLEP exams and meet Purdue’s standard admission requirements, become Klinsky Scholars being assured Purdue admission. Links to Modern States and College Board CLEP exams as well as others are found with the Purdue Fast Start URL previously shared.

What is the impact of completing the free Purdue Fast Start program other than earning assured admission to Purdue University? While completing this in high school, the completion of the Modern States five courses and the College Board CLEP exam equates to 15 credit hours, equivalent to one semester, for free; an $11,000 value for in state students. But wait, there’s more, one can complete up to ten Modern State courses and pass the associated CLEP exams to earn $22,000 of value with 30 credit hours, which is typically two semesters or the entire freshman year at Purdue. Youth who will be entering or are currently in grades 9-11 are strongly encourage to check out the Fast Start program. Visit https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/purduefaststart/ for a list of next steps and FAQ’s with clickable links to take your next giant leap.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. Evening and lunch appointments are available, upon request. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Upcoming Events

April 20-June 8 – A Matter of Balance (Fall Prevention), 8-Wednesdays, 1-3:00 pm,  
   Roachdale Community & Senior Center, free, limited spots, register at
   765-653-8411

April 26 – Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options, virtual program series, 10am-noon, $20, register at https://cvent.me/KR0r5B

April 30 – Plant Auction, 10am start, Fairgrounds

May 3 – Extension Office closed for Election Day

May 18 – African Violets & the Gesneriad Family Webinar, 7pm, register at
     https://tinyurl.com/afviolet22April 14 – Backyard Poultry Biosecurity webinar, 12 Noon, Register at  https://tinyurl.com/WIAPoultry  

Hoosiers wanting to quit tobacco use can now get free nicotine gum, patches or lozenges. In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) campaign, Quit Now Indiana is offering this promotion while supplies last.

The Tips campaign is the nation’s first federally funded national tobacco education campaign. Tips has had significant and sustained impact over the past decade, helping more than 1 million U.S. adults quit smoking and inspiring millions more to try to quit.

“The powerful stories shared in CDC’s Tips campaign, coupled with free evidence-based support services, have proven successful in helping adults quit smoking,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Quit Now Indiana and the Indiana Department of Health are committed to providing Indiana residents the tools they need to prevent smoking-related diseases and disabilities.”

The Quit Now Indiana promotion is available to individuals who enroll in one of Quit Now Indiana’s services, such as phone counseling or Pick Quit, a new individual services program. Once enrolled, participants will receive a free two-week supply of nicotine gum, patches or lozenges.

“People who use tobacco often go through several quit attempts before succeeding, but proven treatments and services are available in Indiana that can improve your chances to quit for good,” said Miranda Spitznagle, director of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at the Indiana Department of Health. “Quitting tobacco is one of the most important decisions people can make to improve their health and the health of their family.”

Take the first step toward a tobacco-free life and get free help from Quit Now Indiana by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, texting READY to 200-400 or visiting QuitNowIndiana.com

Do you know what an invasive plant is?  It is a plant that is not native to our environment, and one that can cause (or is likely to cause) harm to our environment, economy, and/or human health.  There are several different invasive plants currently in Putnam County and the surrounding area including autumn olive, garlic mustard, Japanese honeysuckle, and poison hemlock. Some invasive plants are hard to identify, while others are easy to locate.  Likewise, controlling invasive species can be difficult and time consuming. 

One invasive plant that is actively growing in Putnam County is poison hemlock. Poison hemlock is a biennial plant that can grow up to 10 feet tall during its second year of life.  During year two, it will bloom. The flowers of poison hemlock are small and white and they are found in an umbrella-shaped cluster on top of the plant.  The leaves are fern-like. Blooming typically takes place during June and July. 

Based on the description above, you probably think this sounds a lot like Queen Anne’s lace or wild cow parsnip, which is correct.  Poison hemlock is commonly confused with those two plants.  You can tell it apart from those by looking at the stem.  The stem of poison hemlock will have purple spots on it. It is important to know how to identify poison hemlock because it is highly poisonous and can be fatal to humans and livestock.  Poison hemlock easily invades areas around roads, streams, trails, ditches, forest edges, and waste areas.  It is well established and widely distributed throughout Indiana.

Besides poison hemlock, there are several other invasive plants waking up from their winter dormancy.  Putnam County Remove Invasive Plants (PC RIP), Putnam County SWCD, Purdue Extension, and the Indiana DNR invite you to attend the Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners on April 16, 2022.  This event will take place at Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area from 9:00 – 11:30 am.  We do ask that everyone register by April 14, 2022 to receive the exact location for the event.  Register at https://tinyurl.com/PutInvasive The event will take place outdoors and require a lot of walking (no seats will be available). 

During the Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners participants will hear from Lenny Farlee, Purdue University, and Amber Slaughterbeck, State of Indiana Cooperative Invasive Management.  They will be talking about assessing your invasive plant problem and the three pillars of invasive management. We look forward to an exciting event on April 16^th and hope that everyone registers in advance at https://tinyurl.com/PutInvasive

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local

Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events:

April 14 – Backyard Poultry Biosecurity webinar, 12 Noon, Register at
      https://tinyurl.com/WIAPoultry  

April 14 – Spring Flowers, 2pm, Extension Office, virtual option available upon request,
     free, register at 765-653-8411

April 15 – Extension Office Closed

April 16 – Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners, 9-11:30am, Deer Creek Fish &
     Wildlife Area, register by April 14 at https://tinyurl.com/PutInvasive

April 20-June 8 – A Matter of Balance (Fall Prevention), 8-Wednesdays, 1-3:00pm,  
   Roachdale Community & Senior Center, free, limited spots, register at
   765-653-8411

April 26 – Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options, virtual program series, 10am-noon, $20, register at https://cvent.me/KR0r5B

April 30 – Plant Auction, 10am start, Fairgrounds

May 18 – African Violets & the Gesneriad Family Webinar, 7pm, register at
     https://tinyurl.com/afviolet22

An Easter egg hunt is scheduled for Roachdale Elementary at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 16.

Sponsored by Roachdale in A.C.T.I.O.N. and Roachdale VFW, more than 3,000 eggs will be hidden at Roachdale Elementary for children ages 12 and under.

Volunteers are needed to help stuff candy in 3,000 + Easter Eggs and to help put eggs out on the day of the hunt. Contact Katrina Asher for more information at katrina.roachdale@gmail.com.

Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan reminds Hoosiers that today, Monday, April 4 is the final day to register to vote in Indiana’s 2022 primary election.

“Exercising the right to vote is foundational to our nation’s democracy,” Secretary Sullivan said. “Today is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana’s 2022 primary election. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time to do so online at IndianaVoters.com or by visiting your local election administrator’s office.”

If you still need to register to vote you can register in person at your local county election administrator’s office by the end of the business day or you can register online before midnight at indianavoters.in.gov. 

Most of us have felt "stressed out," from time to time, but when this feeling persists, stress becomes chronic and can negatively impact our careers, quality of life, and our bodies. April is stress awareness month. To manage stress, the first step is to pinpoint your stressors. To identify true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses. Pinpointing stressors may be difficult because some of them may be very subtle. Sometimes we fail to notice our own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Tips to Help Manage Stress:

• Know your limits. It may be surprising to discover the number of stressors that can be reduced and/or eliminated. Learning to say no is an important part of knowing your limits and sticking to them. Whether it is for personal or professional reasons, taking on more than one can handle is a guaranteed recipe for stress. Be mindful of your current schedule and commitments.
• Alter stressful situations. If it's not possible to avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Deal with problems head on and do your best to anticipate and prevent them. Poor time management can cause stress. When you're stretched too thin and behind, it's hard to stay calm and focused. Plan ahead and make sure you don't overextend yourself.
• Try changing the reaction. If changing a stressor is not probable, try changing the reaction to it. Adapting to stressful situations can help regain a sense of control by altering expectations and attitude. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive standpoint. Take perspective of the situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run.
• Nurture yourself for improved health. Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, stress levels can be reduced by nurturing yourself. Set aside time to relax in your daily schedule. Do something enjoyable every day, whether it is playing the piano, dancing, singing, going for a walk, calling a good friend, working on crossword puzzles, or reading a book. Everyone is different, so it's important to discover what is relaxing for you.
• Stop using tobacco and nicotine products. People who use nicotine often refer to it as a stress reliever. Nicotine places more stress on the body by increasing physical arousal, reducing blood flow and slows breathing. Ditch this habit if you are a smoker and reduce your risk for several chronic diseases.
• Increase your resistance to stress. Regular physical activity and healthy eating patterns can help combat stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of activity every day. Find activities that are enjoyable and that can be done with a friend or group to increase accountability. Start your day off with a healthy breakfast and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.

Stress is defined as mental, emotional, or physical tension or strain and too much can negatively impact health. Some ways to lower stress are to make a conscious effort to spend more time in a lower gear, take time in between bursts to rest and recuperate, or learn how to change your point of view and look at the positive rather than the negative aspect of a situation. For more information about stress and wellness resources, check out https://ruralwellness.unl.edu/resources.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. Evening and lunch appointments are available, upon request. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Upcoming Events

April 14 – Spring Flowers, 2pm, Extension Office, virtual option available upon request, free, register by April 8^th at 765-653-8411

April 14 – Backyard Poultry Biosecurity webinar, noon, register at https://tinyurl.com/WIAPoultry  

April 15 – Extension Office Closed

April 16 – Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners, 9-11:30am, Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area, register by April 14 at https://tinyurl.com/PutInvasive

April 26 – Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options, virtual program series, 10am-noon, $20, register at https://cvent.me/KR0r5B

April 30 – Plant Auction, 10am start, Fairgrounds

May 18 – African Violets & the Gesneriad Family Webinar, 7pm, register at https://tinyurl.com/afviolet22