For the 80th consecutive year, millions of youths, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from October 1-7.

This year's theme, I  4-H, is a theme that will bring awareness that 4-H provides a place for all youth to feel valued, heard and connected in a safe environment with a caring adult to build life skills.Youth success time and again has as a number one criterion for youth to have a caring adult who continually invests in their livelihood. In 4-H we believe in the power of youth and see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to thrive in the world around us. Our 4-H volunteers, in some cases, may be the primary caring adult for a child empowering the child to have awareness of their value, strengths and influence.

4-H was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own course, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities.

Once again, the 4-H enrollment window for all of Indiana’s grade 3-12 youth will occur between now and January 15 to assure the availability of all project activities. One may enroll by going to https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-inand additional information will be posted during the month on the local Purdue Extension Putnam County website. Specific exhibit details will be provided by January. Additionally, Extension staff plan to conduct school visits to all third-grade classrooms throughout the county in October and November.

Also, in conjunction with National 4-H Week, like all Tractor Supply Stores (TSC), locally the TSC store will host the Fall Paper Clover event in the store and online during October 4 - October 15. The Putnam 4-H program thanks the local store management for this ongoing promotion since 2010 and the funds that support local 4-H youth. Customers for $1 may purchase a paper clover and place names, etc. on the clover to be posted in the store. As a reminder, 90% of the funds raised are returned to the local 4-H program to support youth/teen participation in leadership or camping opportunities. These include Teens as Teacher training, 4-H Camp, 4-H Roundup, 4-H Academy and other statewide 4-H activities and can include transportation expenses.

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

Oct. 9 – Extension Office Closed, County Holiday

Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 – Dining with Diabetes, 12 pm, Virtual, Register at 765-653-8411

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If you are a water customer of the City of Greencastle, the city needs your help. 

Town officials have mailed a survey to every water customer with the hope of developing an inventory of drinking water service lines in the city. 

The measure is due to a government requirement from both IDEM and the United States EPA. 

As a result, the city's water department will have to list the materials on the utility owned part of the service line, which is a pipe that runs water from the city water main to a residence or business. 

The purpose of the survey is to ask property owners and businesses to list materials on the service line between the meter and residence or business. 

The deadline to complete the survey is nearing, as the city would like them back by Sept. 29. The survey can be done by the website on the survey, scanning the QR code on the survey or bringing it back to city hall. 

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A day of lane restrictions is coming up early next month between Bellmore and Bainbridge,

Lane restrictions are expected to start on or after October 2 on U.S. 36 between S.R. 59 and U.S. 231. The right lane will be temporarily restricted with traffic control services onsite. This is so drill crews can gather pavement samples for future improvements.

The restrictions are expected to last for one day but are weather permitting. 

State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) is seeking interns to join him at the Statehouse during the 2024 legislative session.

He said House interns will be paid $900 bi-weekly as they work in downtown Indianapolis during session, which starts in January and concludes mid-March.

"There aren't many internships like this one where you can meet officials and industry leaders from across the state," Baird said. "So many have used this experience to learn about potential careers and meet employers."

Baird said internships are open to college students and recent graduates of all majors. The paid, spring-semester intern positions are full time, Monday through Friday, and include free parking, career and professional development assistance, enrollment access to an Indiana government class, and opportunities to earn academic credits through the student's college or university. Interns are also eligible to apply for a competitive $3,000 scholarship to use toward undergraduate and graduate expenses.

Baird said students can apply for internships in a variety of departments related to their field of study, including legislative operations, policy, and communications and media relations.  

Applications are available online at indianahouserepublicans.com/internship and are due by Oct. 31.

The DePauw University theatre and music programs will present four performances of The Addams Family, Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, in Moore Theatre at the Green Center for the Performing Arts located on the DePauw campus.

A musical comedy based on the familiar characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams, originally for The New Yorker and later the iconic ’60s television series, The Addams Family follows the plight of daughter Wednesday, who has fallen in love with Lucas, a boy from a “normal” family. Things explode when Lucas’s parents come to dinner at the creepy Addams mansion and meet the family—including their ghostly ancestors—who must help Uncle Fester in his efforts to give the young couple a happy ending.

Photo: by Ha Chu

Double Trouble: The part of Morticia Addams, which is double cast in the DePauw production of The Addams Family, will be played by Elise Martinez (Thursday and Saturday) and Zoe Kales (Friday and Sunday).The role of Gomez, originally created by Nathan Lane, will be sung by baritone Grant Jackson. 

Featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the musical adaptation of The Addams Family opened on Broadway in April 2010 and was nominated for two Tony Awards. The DePauw production is directed by Susan Anthony with music direction by Orcenith Smith and choreography by Deborah Grammel.

Show times are Thursday–Saturday, Sept. 28–30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets, which are $10 for adults and free to all students, can be obtained online at dpugreencenter.eventbrite.com, or in person at the Green Center box office, beginning 60 minutes prior to any ticketed performance.

Come join this spooky esprit de corpseas they try to pull off “one normal night” for Wednesday and the prospective in-laws!

On Thursday, the Putnam County Highway Department will be closing Manhattan Road to seal it.

The work is to start on the south end and work north. Due to not knowing where and when each section will be closed, area drivers are advised to take an alternate route.

Work will start around 7:30 - 8 a.m.

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This fall, over 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across six continents will gather in cinemas, museums, libraries, and universities for one purpose...to view and vote on the Finalists' Films in the 26th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. Putnam County Public Library will host the festival locally, showcasing ten short films that attendees will be able to view and vote on.

WHAT IS MANHATTAN SHORT?

MANHATTAN SHORT is not a touring festival; rather, it is an instantaneous celebration that occurs simultaneously across the globe, bringing great films to great venues and allowing the audiences to select their favorites.

If the Film Festival experience truly is about getting great works in front of as many eyes as possible, MANHATTAN SHORT offers the ultimate platform -- one that sees its films screened in Sydney, Mumbai, Moscow, Vienna, Cape Town to cinemas in all fifty states of the United States and beyond.

WHEN IS MANHATTAN SHORT?

The MSFF will span three days, with showings of the ten short films available each day. All showings will take place in the PCPL Kiwanis Room.

Showings:

• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4  |  5-8 P.M.
• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5  |  5-8 P.M.
• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6  |  1:30-5 P.M.

Showings will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 and Thursday, October 5 and 2 p.m. on Friday, October 6. Please arrive early to allow time to get seated and to receive voting cards.

All ten films will be shown at each showing. Each date is a repeat showing of the following films:

SUNLESS

Synopsis: As they pilot their submarine down into the world's deepest point, two researchers must debate pressing on when a crack in their window port grows.

VOICE ACTIVATED

Synopsis: A florist with a stutter is forced to cooperate with a voice-activated car on the way to an important delivery.

YELLOW

Synopsis: In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a woman walks into a chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full-body veil and face an uncertain future.

TUULIKKI

Synopsis: When a young woman, dominated by an over-protective mother plots her escape, their relationship dissolves into one of mutual suspicion.

THE FAMILY CIRCUS

Synopsis: A Vietnamese-American family's plan to cover up a drunk-driving incident begins to unravel when their emotional baggage spills out in front of the police.

CAREER DAY

Synopsis: A once promising 90's pop star and his aging boy band reunite for his daughter's elementary school Career Day. They go viral.

SNAIL

Synopsis: A loving mother strives to make her young son's singing dreams come true but an audition takes a dramatic, unforeseen turn.

THE RECORD

Synopsis: An antique musical instrument dealer obsessively plays a magical vinyl record that “reads your mind and plays your lost memories.” Even the forgotten ones.

THE STUPID BOY

Synopsis: In London, a broken man groomed for a terrorist attack is confronted by a local lad who sees things differently. But seeing things differently can be dangerous.

SOLEIL DE NUIT

Synopsis: While training for a moon landing, a group of Canadian astronauts are tasked with an added mission by a Native American elder.

For more information about library services, programs, and collections, please call us at 765-653-2755 or visit pcpl21.org.

The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9-8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 9-5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs the public’s help to update The Big Tree Registry, a list of the largest known specimen of each native tree species in Indiana.
“Indiana’s currently tallest recorded tree is a 152-foot-tall bitternut hickory, and our widest tree circumference is a silver maple at more than 361 inches,” said Jacob Roos, DNR urban forestry director. “We need help getting out across the state to find our new record-setting trees.”
That means it’s time to review the recently updated champions list and start looking for new candidates to nominate for the list, which is maintained by DNR’s Division of Forestry.
Three measurements are required:

• trunk circumference, in inches, at 4 1/2 feet above the ground;
• total height, in feet;
• and average crown spread, in feet.

The total size of each tree nominated is calculated by adding the circumference and height to a quarter of the average crown spread.
The individual tree of each Indiana native tree species with the highest total points will be that species’ Big Tree champion. All nominations are reviewed, but only those with the highest scores will be verified.
To review the updated Big Tree Registry, view detailed measurement instructions and nominate, see on.IN.gov/big-tree.

Over the last several months the Putnam County Community Foundation has heard from hundreds of community members in interviews, focus groups and through the online survey about what matters most to the public and how the foundation can best support the community’s needs in the future.

The Putnam County Community Foundation wants to say “thank you” by offering a free community meal at Myers’ Market on September 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for its fall cookout. Community members will receive a free ribeye sandwich as a “thank you” to the community for its support and feedback in the Community Needs Assessment this year.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage.

Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals.Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and donations in affected areas.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give nowto ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care. 

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and causedhundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitingRedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give through September 18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Due to cooler temperatures and despite passing the most recent water test, the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department is choosing to close the Greencastle Splash Park for the season.

The department feels purchasing additional chemicals to keep it open would be an inappropriate use of department funds.

Thank you for your consideration as well as your participation this year at the Greencastle Aquatic Center. 

September is National Preparedness Month.

The goal of this month is to encourage individuals, families and communities to take proactive steps in preparing for various emergencies and disasters. House fires, tornadoes, winter weather and power outages are just a few emergencies that can affect Hoosiers.

Each member of your family needs to know their role and what to do for each emergency. That includes the older members of your family. The focus of 2023’s National Preparedness Month is preparing for older adults.

"Just like every member of your family, older adults face great risks when it comes to emergencies, especially if they are living alone, have a disability or live in rural areas. We need to check in on our family members and neighbors before, during and after a crisis to make sure they have the support they need," said IDHS Emergency Management and Preparedness Director Mary Moran. 

This focus underscores the necessity of creating inclusive emergency plans that consider factors like mobility challenges, medical needs and social isolation, which can significantly impact the well-being of older individuals during crises.

Tips for planning for elderly adults in an emergency include:

• Plan how you will communicate with older adults if you have a communications need.
• Plan for food, water and essentials they will need.
• Plan ahead for transportation if they need help evacuating.
• Include items that meet their individual needs, such as medicines, medical supplies, batteries and chargers, in their emergency supply kit.

You can learn more about creating emergency kits and plans on the Get Prepared webpage.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced State Road 42 will temporarily close on Wednesday, September 6, for a pipe replacement project near Center Point.

It will be closed between S.R. 59 and N. County Road 300 W. through the end of the day Thursday, September 7, weather permitting.

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