The 108^th annual Bainbridge High School (BHS) Alumni Association banquet is set for Saturday, June 24 in the Bainbridge Community Building.   

The welcome hour will begin at 12 p.m. with the buffet luncheon following at 1 p.m.    

The program will be highlighted by the recognition of the annual Bainbridge High School Alumni $1000 scholarship winners.   Alania Chew, a 2023 North Putnam High School graduate, is the four-year scholarship winner and the daughter of Jason and Alyssa Chew of rural Roachdale.  The technical/vocational scholarship went to Opry Curran, a 2023 North Putnam High School graduate and the daughter of Scott and Kim Curran of rural Coatesville (Heritage Lake.)   

Also featured at the banquet will be a PowerPoint presentation about the cars/vehicles  BHS alumni drove to school and school events back in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s.    It will be scrolling on the big screen in the Community Building during the welcome hour prior to the luncheon banquet and afterward.   

Classes to be honored this year at the banquet include:  1948 (75 years since graduation), 1953 (70 years since graduation), 1958 (65 years since graduation, 1962 (60 years since graduation) and 1968 (55 years since graduation.)    Members of all five classes in attendance will be introduced.  Responding for the class of 1963 will be Louise Buttery Miller of Greencastle. 

Bainbridge High School opened in 1907 and was consolidated into North Putnam High School in the fall of 1969. 

The public may purchase tickets for the banquet until June 10 by contacting treasurer Joe Martin, of Greencastle, at (765) 301-9092. 

All alumni are welcome to bring guests, and anyone who attended BHS or has an interest in the school, is welcome to attend.   

Information is also available on the Bainbridge Alumni website at:  www.bainbridgealumni.webs.com which is maintained by Doyne Priest of Greencastle.

Officers of the Bainbridge High School Alumni Association this year include: Marilyn O’Hair Winters of Greencastle, president; Carol Evens McFarland of Paris, Illinois, vice-president; Pat O’Hair Martin of Pittsboro, recording secretary and Alan Ader of  Rockville,  corresponding secretary.                

Are you currently operating as a home-based vendor, working in food service, or volunteering around food? Indiana passed a new law (HB 1149) which includes changes for home-based vendors in Indiana. One of the major changes in this law is that all home-based vendors must “obtain a food handler certificate from a certificate issuer that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute.” ServSafe Food Handler training fulfills this requirement. This certification is valid for three years.

To fulfil this requirement, you must take a food safety training and exam. There will be an in-person ServSafe Food Handler course offered June 27^th at the Ivy Tech Greencastle campus. The course will be from 1:00-5:00pm. One must register at this link, https://cvent.me/qd97XM, or by calling 765-494-6794 by June 20^th (mention Putnam County ServSafe Food Handler when calling). The cost for this training is $40.

This program focuses on key aspects including basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens, time and temperature, and cleaning and sanitation. After passing the assessment, your Food Handler Certificate of Achievement will be documented with the National Restaurant Association so that you have easy access at any time to look up and prove your training. Please note, this training is NOT the Food Protection Manager course.

If you have any questions about the training, please contact Abbi Smith at 765-653-8411 or asmith22@purdue.edu.

You must provide a copy of the certificate to the local health department in the county where the home-based vendors residence is located.  If you’re a home-based vendor in Putnam County, you can email your food handler certificate Allison McCarty (allison.mccarty@co.putnam.in.us) or Michelle Martin (michelle.martin@co.putnam.in.us) with the Putnam County Health Department.

For additional information regarding the home-based vendor rule and the additional requirements it entails, please visit https://www.in.gov/health/food-protection/guidance-documents/. To learn about what has changed under the new law, please visit this webpage: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/foodsci/home-based-vendors.html.

If you have additional questions, you can contact an Environmental Health Specialist with the Putnam County Health Department at 765-301-7660 or Abbi Smith with the Purdue Extension Office at 765-653-8411.

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:

June 1 – Last Day to sign up for 4-H Roundup

June 19 – Extension Office Closed for Juneteenth Holiday

June 27 – ServSafe Food Handler Course and Exam, 1-5pm, register at https://cvent.me/qd97XM

June 28 – “Men’s Health Month” Bite by Bite podcast episode airs, listen at https://anchor.fm/bitebybite

July 1 – Last day to sign up for state fair livestock exhibition at least entry cost

July 12 – Canning Workshop, Putnam Co. Fairgrounds, 11am-4pm, registration required at 765-653-8411

The Greencastle Aquatic Center opens on Memorial Day, May 29.

The pool will be open seven days a week from 12-7 p.m.

Admission is $5. Pool passes also are available.

To learn more, call 765.653.3395 or visit greencastleparks.com.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags statewide to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon on Monday, May 29.

Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags to half-staff on Monday to commemorate Memorial Day.

It's not just Memorial Day weekend.  In Putnam County, it's graduation weekend.

Greencastle High School will hold its graduation ceremony Friday evening at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the final three Putnam County high schools are scheduled:

North Putnam High School, 11 a.m.

South Putnam High School, 1:30 p.m.

Cloverdale High School, 3 p.m. 

It is that time of the year again -- the Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police's annual fundraising drive. 

The FOP has begun calling residents to solicit donations and will do so until July 14, however, the FOP will not make any in-person visits to ask for donations prior to calling. Upon arrivals, all solicitors will have ID on them and will be wearing FOP shirts. 

Funds raised during the fundraising drive will go towards Shop-with-a-Cop, as well as continued education programs and officer assistance training and equipment.

Donations can be mailed to the Putnam County FOP, P.O. Box 934, Greencastle, IN 46135 or taken to the Greencastle Police Department, 600 N. Jackson St., Greencastle. 

From time-to-time parents comment about the cost of feed for animals or making things for 4-H projects. Sometimes that is followed by a comment “well it is still cheaper than sports” type of comment. Hopefully most are doing 4-H to experience a fun way to learn life, career, and interpersonal skills. But what if you could learn to invest and actually make money via the 4-H program?

Well, that has actually been happening. For the third consecutive year through school programs, youth have had the opportunity to learn experience investing using mutual funds, stocks, bonds, crypto and relative to a traditional savings account. There were 169 Putnam youth who were virtually given initial funds with additional earnings each week to invest. Some students started back in December while others started in early March where they started making trades. These students have seen a lot of market conditions in this very short time.

Students learned about ticker symbols, risk management, diversification, dividends, capital gains, sectors, rule of 72 for doubling funds, realized vs unrealized gains/losses and the grid of capitalization with value to growth focuses. It is so important to understand that placing funds in an account that pays an interest rate of 0.05% when inflation runs 7 percent per year results in a loss of buying power of 6.95% each year. The goal of the program is to help students learn to save and to grow savings wisely through being successful investors. Time is such an important aspect of investing.

Too many are scared of investments due to lack of knowledge. This program gives students knowledge through hands on skill development to become more powerful investors. Future goals include developing a youth investment club that would actually manage real fund dollars.

As of this writing, the top investor gained 34.99% with their account and owned (numbers in ( ) reflects return +/- for specified stock/fund)  Nividia (97%), Tesla (53%), Diageo (4%), Walmart (3%) and Disney (-6%). This student only made seven trades and owned five different stocks and did very well despite owning Disney that had an unrealized loss of 6%. So often, students experience the importance of being engaged with investing compared to not investing at all. There were 72 students who chose to invest in stocks, mutual funds, etc. who did better than simply having funds in a savings account. Conversely, there were 37 youth who invested and did not perform as well as someone who simply held their funds in a savings account. There were eight students with double digit gains, twelve with gains between 5-10 percent during this short period that spanned three to six months. There were only 28 students who experienced a loss. Most were very small under two percent while there were two students who had double digit losses that were roughly 10 percent.

If your class would like to participate in a future event, please contact the Extension office to schedule. Additionally, the goal is to develop a 4-H investment club so please contact Mark Evans at the Extension office if you would like to become involved.

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 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. 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

June 1 – Last Day to sign up for 4-H Roundup

June 5 – ServSafe Food Mangers Course and Exam, 9am-4pm, register at
    https://purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops

July 1 – Last day to sign up for state fair livestock exhibition at least entry cost

Sometimes, historic bridges (pre-1966) cannot be rehabbed to meet current/future traffic, but what happens then?

INDOT's Historic Bridges Program steps in -- we offer the historic bridge to any group/individual that may want to take ownership. These groups may choose to relocate, preserve or repurpose the bridge. Sometimes, bridges have even been removed, dismantled and stored until there is a plan in place.

The bridge pictured is one of our Historic Bridge Program success stories. A Putnam County bridge, originally built in 1913 to span Big Walnut Creek, was removed in 2011, rehabilitated, and transported to Carroll County.

The restored 160-foot iron bridge was installed in Delphi’s Canal Park, where it spans a stretch of the Wabash and Erie Canal and serves as a footbridge linking a Carroll County Historical Society site and the canal interpretive center.

With Memorial Day weekend around the corner, Indiana Conservation Officers remind Hoosiers to make water safety a priority now and throughout the summer.

“We urge all Hoosiers to recognize the danger water poses when on or around our waterways,” said Capt. Jet Quillen of the Department of Natural Resources Division of  Law Enforcement. 

Follow these basic safety tips:

• Discuss the dangers of water with your family and loved ones before going out.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
• Go with a buddy.
• Do not venture around flooded or fast-moving waterways.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Keep an extra watchful eye on children.
• Avoid alcohol.

If you go boating, make sure you know the rules and boat safely. Reduce speed in unfamiliar areas and be aware of unusual water conditions respective to your size and type of boat. These are not only safety tips, but also important environmental considerations, such as preventing beach erosion. Regardless of your boat type, assess water levels before going out and monitor your speed while underway.

Designate a sober boat operator. Alcohol causes impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. Wave action, sun exposure, and wind can magnify these effects. It is illegal to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Indiana while intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs. Indiana law defines intoxication as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater.

Each life jacket should be United States Coast Guard approved, in good working condition, and size appropriate for the wearer. New life jackets are designed to be lighter, less obtrusive, and more comfortable than those of the past. Inflatable life jackets allow mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, or paddling, and can be much cooler in warmer weather than older-style life jackets.

To learn more about boating education and safety, see on.IN.gov/boatered.

American Legion Post 58 is inviting everyone to come out Saturday and come hungry as it is holding a Legionburger fundraiser in honor of Armed Forces Day.

The event will be held at Legion Post 58, 1501 Indianapolis Rd., Greencastle, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Legionburgers and fries will be available for $1.50 each under the canopy. 

The Gleaners food distribution will take place again Saturday at Bainbridge Elementary School, 412 S. Washington St., Bainbridge. 

The distribution will begin at 10 a.m. and lasts until all the food is given away and is open to all. 

Anyone wishing to help with the event is asked to arrive by 9 a.m. to help loading boxed food items. 

State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) visits with fifth-graders from Mollie B. Hoover Elementary School, of Crawfordsville, on Tuesday, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Baird talked about his role as a state representative and answered questions about Indiana's legislative process.

The students also toured the Statehouse and learned about its history. 

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will recognize the marina at Lieber State Recreation Area (SRA) as the newest member of the Indiana Clean Marina Program. 

The Clean Marina Program is voluntary and encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect water quality and habitat by engaging in environmentally sound operating and maintenance practices. 

The Lieber SRA marina is the eighth marina in Indiana to be designated as a Clean Marina.

On Tuesday, May 23, IDEM's Office of Program Support Assistant Commissioner Bob Lugar will present DNR Deputy Director of Community Grants and Trails Dale Brier and Lieber SRA, Cataract Falls SRA, and Cagles Mill Lake Property Manager Lynda Ellington with a flag and certificate.

The presentation will be at the Lieber SRA marina, 1317 W. Lieber Road in Cloverdale.

Inclement weather location will be at the Hilltop Shelter.

Dixie Chopper is hosting a job fair on June 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at their Fillmore location, 2540 East County Road 50 South.

Benefits include a starting pay of $17.50 per hour, a sign-on bonus of up to $1200, 401K matching, educational reimbursement, 10 paid holidays per year, and medical, dental, vision, & life insurance.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is urging people to buckle up ahead of the summer holidays.

Starting May 22, state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming together to increase patrols as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” high-visibility enforcement event. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with grants administered by ICJI.

Officers will be out in full force leading up to the Memorial Day holiday to make sure drivers and passengers are buckled up and children are properly secure. Their goal is to reduce the number of traffic injuries and fatalities from lack of seat belt use.

Data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) shows that unbuckled motorists make up almost 40% of all passenger vehicle deaths in the state. Since the “Click It or Ticket” initiative began more than 20 years ago, seat belt use has gone up over 30% in Indiana to 93%, which remains higher than the national average of 91.6%.

Despite making progress and advances in vehicle safety, in 2022, 236 unbuckled vehicle occupants lost their lives on Indiana roads – the third highest in the past decade. Young drivers, especially males, were the most likely to speed and the least likely to be buckled during a crash.

Nationally, there were 11,813 unbuckled vehicle occupants killed in crashes.

“These numbers are not just statistics, they represent real people and families that have been forever changed by the tragedy of a traffic crash,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Many of the people we lost would still be alive today had they made the decision to buckle up. Seat belts make a difference. They save lives.”

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the safety benefits of seat belts and the dangerous consequences when people choose not to use them. Buckling up can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65%. Without a seat belt fastened, people can be ejected from a vehicle and killed, and that risk increases if the driver is speeding or impaired.

Tragically, vehicle collisions continue to be a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, and NHTSA data shows that approximately 46% of all car seats are being used incorrectly. Parents and caregivers who do not buckle up are more likely to have kids who are improperly restrained.

"The loss of a child due to inadequate vehicle safety measures is a tragedy. However, it is also preventable," said Jim Bryan, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. "We owe it to our children to prioritize their safety and take every necessary precaution when it comes to their well-being.”

Indiana law requires the driver and all passengers to buckle up. Children under age eight must be properly restrained in a child car seat or booster seat according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions.

During the campaign, participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. Drivers can be cited for lack of seat belt use, as well as for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16.

The NHTSA reports that in 2021, 57% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m. - 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing a seatbelt. That’s why one focus of the campaign is nighttime enforcement.

“It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, what type of vehicle you’re driving or the type of road you’re driving on, the best way to stay safe in case of a vehicle crash is to wear your seat belt,” said McDonald.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children are in the right car seat and that it’s used correctly and properly installed. Resources can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat. To schedule an appointment with a certified car seat safety technician at one of Indiana’s 100 fitting stations, visit on.in.gov/SafeKids.

It isn’t uncommon for someone to call the Purdue Extension Office stating they saw something online, but wasn’t sure if it is true. For example, one of the common questions we get is will moth balls prevent the moles digging up my yard? Purdue Extension cannot recommend any home remedies (bubble gum, razor blades, moth balls, lye, mole dances, spinning or electric devices, and flooding tunnels with water or car exhaust, etc.) for mole control because they are not research based. Instead, what is research based is a harpoon trap or a mole bait (special earthworm-like products) containing the active ingredient bromethalin.

This article isn’t intended to educate individuals about how to take care of moles, but to help individuals understand how to weed through the different sources of information available to them on the internet. One way of sorting information is to specify the type of website you want. You can do this by typing site:.XYZ, where the XYZ represents the domain on the internet you want to search. For example, if you want to search for information on fertilizing a lawn, you can type “fertilize lawn site:.edu” and do a focused search for information on fertilizing lawns from university sites on the internet. This technique works in most search engines, including Google, Bing and Safari. By adding the phrase site:.edu or site:.gov to your topic of interest, you sort out a lot of irrelevant information.

Once you have your information, look to see who wrote the article, what their background is, and how old is the information. For instance, if you are looking up something on fertilizing a lawn and it is from 1980, practices have changed since then. Therefore, you need to look for something more recent. Likewise, if you found an article on growing grapes from New Mexico, it may not be relevant for growing grapes in Indiana because our climates are different. 

As always, if you are dealing with a horticulture, agriculture, or natural resource related question, don’t hesitate to contact Jenna Nees (smith535@purdue.edu) with Purdue Extension in Putnam County with your questions. If you need help identifying a plant, insect, or damage from a disease, it is best to attach multiple photos of the item to your email. If you are dealing with something related to health and human sciences, such as food safety and healthy eating, contact Abbi Smith (asmith22@purdue.edu) with Purdue Extension in Putnam County with your questions. You are also welcome to call the Purdue Extension Office directly at 765-653-8411 or visit our office at 152 E Columbia St., Greencastle, IN.

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:

June 1 – Last Day to sign up for 4-H Roundup

June 5 – ServSafe Food Mangers Course and Exam, 9am-4pm, register at
    https://purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops

The bathrooms in Robe Ann Park are closed until further notice.

Portable units are in place for the time being.

The bathrooms will be renovated later this year during the Robe Ann Park Phase Two renovation projects are scheduled for the fall.

Direct questions to the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department office - 

765-653-3395.

A reminder that today, there will be restrictions on U.S. 40 in Putnam County for bridge work, near Stilesville.

The restrictions will be between S.R. 75 and S.R. 240, and are expected to last through late May, weather permitting.

Starting on/after May 17, U.S. 36 will be restricted for bridge maintenance work near Rockville.

U.S. 36 will be down to one lane, with traffic being controlled by temporary signals.

The restrictions are expected to last through the end of May, weather permitting.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in honor and remembrance of the victims of the horrific tragedy in Allen, Texas.

Flags should be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Home canners are encouraged to join Purdue Extension for the Mastering Home Food Preservation training this summer at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, IN. Instructors will teach USDA home food preservation recommended procedures and provide valuable resources and take-home products for participants.

Topics covered throughout the training include food safety, freezing food, boiling water canning, pressure canning, pickling and drying foods, and jams and jellies. The training will be held daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) beginning Monday, June 12 and ending Thursday, June 15 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

The course fee is $275 and includes a Mastering Home Food Preservation notebook. Register online at https://cvent.me/Wnn7mG by June 6. Contact Abbi Smith at asmith22@purdue.edu for more information and accommodations.

There are two other local offerings this summer as well. First, there will be a Home Food Preservation (canning) workshop in Greene County on June 8^th. The cost for this workshop is $10. If anyone is interested in attending this class from 11am-4pm, please call the Greene County Extension Office at 812-659-2122. The second offering will be the same class in Putnam County on July 12^th at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. The cost of this workshop is covered thanks to a sponsorship from the Putnam County Public Library. To register for this class, please call the Putnam County Extension Office at 765-653-8411. In each of these workshops, participants will practice boiling water bath and pressure canning techniques. There are limited spots available for each class, and registration is required!

If you are not interested in a workshop or class, there may be other things the Extension Office can offer you! We provide dial gauge testing for just $5.00. It is recommended by the USDA to get your dial gauge tested for accuracy each year. A great time to do this is before you are ready to load your canner! Please call the Extension Office to schedule an appointment.

Lastly, always make sure that you are using tested and researched-based recipes. If you are finding recipes on the internet, the best website is the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Another option is the USDA Guide to Home Canning book. This book can be purchased online, as well as in-person at the Putnam County Extension Office for $25.

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:

May 15 – All 4-H livestock/animal registrations must be entered in 4honline (firm deadline)

May 15 – Deadline for 4-H Academy & State Jr. Leader Conference

May 15 – Last day sign up for 4-H Camp via 4honline

June 1 – Last Day to sign up for 4-H Roundup

June 5 – ServSafe Food Mangers Course and Exam, 9am-4pm, register at https://purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe?

Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?

This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.

Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer.

While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.

• Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in
the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.

• Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.

• Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighbors- helping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.

• Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. Take a free, private screening at mhascreening.org to help you figure out what is going on and determine next steps.

The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Learn more with Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit, which provides free, practical resources, such as how an individual’s
environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges.

Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.

In Putnam County: U.S. 40 will be restricted between S.R. 243 and S. Co. Rd. 25 E. for bridge work near Putnamville.

It will be down to two lanes through early September, weather permitting.

The open Grief Support Group continues to meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Thursday, May 4, at 7:00pm at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church in the Peace Chapel on the north side of the sanctuary.

You're asked to register at www.dusk-to-dawn.org or call 765-267-1760.

The group meets again on May 18 at 7pm.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary as a non-profit association, the organization helps alleviate the suffering associated with loss and grief by providing free access to support, counseling, education, and resources for anyone in need. These services are made possible through community donations and grants such as the one awarded by the Putnam County Community Foundation.

For 30 years, Robe-Ann Park has been the host for free, live music that is open to the public and it’s all thanks to the Greencastle Civic League.

Robe-Ann Park is "the place to be," on Tuesday nights during this eight-week series, June 6 through July 25, in the new Robe-Ann Park band shell, with the exception of July 4. You will enjoy local musicians, garage bands, high school bands, and solo artists as well as have an opportunity to purchase dinner from some of your favorite food trucks that line the streets surrounding the recently renovated bandshell where the concerts take place. Or you can donate to the Greencastle Civic League to help sustain this event and the nonprofit organization behind it. Bring a blanket or a chair and put yourself on the lawn in front of the stage.

There are many dates set for registrations and sign up for various 4-H activities. While many have flexibility, one that is not flexible is the livestock enrollment deadline and some of the state and national trips.

All 4-H animals and livestock must be entered into 4honline by May 15. When hundreds of people wait until the last minute, sometimes the online portal can be slow. You don’t need to wait until the last day and go ahead and enter your animals/livestock with ID and other info. Pay close attention to page 48 in the Putnam County 4-H handbook with the animal identification requirements. Several species must have DNA hair samples if one wants these animals to be eligible for the Indiana State Fair. Also, save yourself time and remember livestock only needs to be entered once. For example, if you have two 4-Hers in the same family with six head of a species between the two kids, just enter each animal once as siblings can show each other’s animals. Specifically, if 3 barrows are entered under sister and 3 gilts entered under brother, all six animals would be eligible for either sibling to decide to show. When FairEntry.com entries are declared closer to fair all six would be available for the siblings to select from to decide who shows which animal.

The Putnam 4-H Council will pay half of 4-H members registrations for state trips. Out of county 4-H Camp and state trips like 4-H Roundup, 4-H Academy and 4-H Junior Leader conference are due soon (sign up using 4honline events). Here is a rundown:

4-H Academy @ Purdue – Wed, June 7 – Fri, June 9, Purdue University, grades 9-12 completed; 15 career exploration workshops available. Registration deadline May 15. www.bit.ly/in4hacademy

State 4-H Junior Leader Conference – Tues, June 13 - Fri, June 16, DePauw University, grades 9-12 completed; registration due May 15. Facebook: @4HSJLC purdue.ag/4hsjlc

State 4-H Band & Chorus – Sat, June 24 – Mon, June 26, Purdue University; perform during 4-H Round-Up; grades 9-12 completed, registration deadline May 1. http://bit.ly/inband4h                              http://bit.ly/in4hchorus

4-H Round-Up – Mon, June 26 – Wed, June 28, Purdue University, grades 7-9 completed, registration deadline June 1. www.bit.ly/in4hroundup

National 4-H Youth Congress 2023 – Fri, Nov 24 - Tues, Nov 28, Atlanta, Georgia; grades 9+, application due May 1. www.purdue.ag/national4hcongress

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 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. 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

May 15 – All 4-H livestock/animal registrations must be entered in 4honline (firm deadline)

May 15 – Deadline for 4-H Academy & State Jr. Ldr. Conference

May 6 – Extension Homemakers Garage Sale, 8am-2pm, Fairgrounds York Auto Building

May 6 – Plant Auction, Goat Barn, Auction starts at 10 am

May 15 – Last day sign up for 4-H Camp via 4honline

June 1 – Last Day to sign up for 4-H Roundup