Registration open for summer lessons
It’s time to make plans for summer lessons.
Registration is open for summer MusicWorks classes at Arts Place’s Jay County Campus and Blackford County Arts Center.
Classes will run from June 17 through July 26. To register, visit myartsplace.org.
Blackford County Arts Center is also hosting a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday for its “His and Hers” exhibit featuring the work of Vern Bedel and Leslie Newton. The exhibit will be on display through May 29.
Also, Blackford County Arts Center is hosting After School Art Club sessions. Art club offerings include a shrinky dink lab on Thursday, May 9, and a nuts ‘n’ bolts keychain lab on Wednesday, May 22. Each lab will run from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. at the arts center, 107 W. Washington St., Hartford City. The cost for each lab is $5.
For more information, email bcac@myartsplace.org or call (765) 348-4154.
Arts Place will also host the Jack Ronald Spring Paint Out on Saturday, May 4, at the Jay County Campus in Portland. Artists are invited to paint on location during the day, with a dinner, exhibit, sale and awards ceremony in the evening. Artists can register to participate at myartsplace.org.
Wildflower celebration
The flowers will be on full display next weekend.
Red-Tail Land Conservancy will host its Wildflower Celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4 in Phyllis and Frank Yuhas Woods.
The event will offer free guided wildflower tours with a botanical expert at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Woods, 5964 W. 400 South, Farmland. Attendees can also take a self-guided tour.
The Wildflower Celebration marks part of the less than eight hours Yuhas Woods is open to the public each year.
Celebrate Arbor Day
Minnetrista Museum and Gardens of Muncie will host festivities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in celebration of Arbor Day.
The day will include various activities, educational demonstrations and environmental advocacy. The “Run for the Trees: Happy Little Walk/Run 5K” will begin at 1 p.m.
There will also be a sapling giveaway as attendees can take home a White Oak, Overcup Oak, Red Oak, Shumard Oak, Bald Cypress, River Birch or Sycamore sapling.
“We aim to foster a deeper connection between the community and our urban forest,” said James Edwards, associate director of horticulture at Minnetrista, in a press release. “By providing hands-on learning opportunities and access to quality saplings, we hope to empower individuals to become active stewards of our environment and champions for sustainability.”
Take back drugs
Indiana State Police is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as part of the Prescription Drug Take Back initiative.
The program seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs. Prescription pills and liquid medications as well as electronic cigarettes without batteries or cartridges will be accepted.
The service is free and anonymous.
Collection sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Indiana State Police posts in Fort Wayne (5811 Ellison Road) and Pendleton (9022 S. Indiana 67).
Seeking nominees
LifeStream Services is accepting nominations for its Golden Hoosier Award.
The award goes to someone 65 or older who “consistently go above and beyond demonstrating passion and commitment to service in their community.” The award is open to residents of Jay, Randolph, Blackford, Henry, Delaware, Wayne, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Madison, Rush or Union counties.
A committee will choose the top nominees as well as the winner of the LifeStream Golden Hoosier Award. That individual will then be nominate for the state award.
To nominate, visit lifestreaminc.org/goldenhoosier. The deadline is Saturday, April 27.
For more information, email lbray@lifestreaminc.org.
Kite festival scheduled
The Ansel Toney Memorial Kite Festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Academy of Model Aeronautics in Muncie.
Attendees are invited to bring their own kite to fly along with members of the Hoosier Kitefliers Society. Kites for all ages will also be available.
The AMA is located at 5161 E. Memorial Drive, Muncie. Admission is free.
For more information, call Dick Claycomb at (765) 348-6014.
Events scheduled
Red-tail Land Conservancy in Muncie has several events scheduled for the spring and early summer.
The organization, which is based at 125 E. Charles St., Muncie, will hold an Earth Day Tree Planting at McVey Memorial Forest in Randolph County on April 20, a Wildflower Workshop at Phyllis & Frank Yuhas Woods on April 30 and a Wildflower Celebration at Yuhas Woods on May 5, and a Water Ecology and Quality Workshop at Munsee Woods on May 29.
For more information, visit fortheland.org/events.
Seeking samples
Purdue University is looking for farms from which it can take soil samples for the Diverse Corn Belt project.
The project is a five-year effort that will explore impacts of diversified farming systems beyond corn and soybeans in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. it is seeking “concrete options for diversification and understanding the agronomic, economic, social, infrastructure and policy changes that could make them viable.”
Conventionally farmed, no-till and pasture fields are being sought for the research.
For more information, email asangota@purdue.edu.
Exhibit coming
Ball State University’s David Owsley Museum of Art has a selection of paintings and sculptures from the Haukohi family on display.
The family’s collection is the largest of Florentine Baroque art of the late 16th to the early 18th centuries outside of Italy. It features paintings and sculptures depicting allegories, religious narratives, genre scenes, and portraits that display refined sentiments and skillful execution.
“This exhibition offers visitors a rare chance to view impressive works by artists previously only known to specialists, like paintings by Cesare Dandini, Felice Ficherelli, Onorio Marinari and Ottavio Vannini,” said Robert La France, the museum’s director. “Visitors will be impressed by styles that emphasize rich colors and figures that fix their gazes on the viewer, inspiring introspective and emotional responses.”
The exhibit, which is free to view, will be on display through May 19 at the museum, 2021 W. Riverside Ave., inside Ball State’s Fine Arts building.
Offering program
A new program to help develop technology skills is offered for east central Indiana residents.
East Central Indiana Regional Planning District recently announced a partnership with Northstar for the Digital Literacy Program.
The program, which is free through the end of the year, provides lessons on computer basics including email usage, operating systems and software including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Google Docs. There are also modules regarding social media, distance learning and managing your digital footprint.
To access the Digital Literacy Program for free, visit bit.ly/JayCoDLP and click “sign up as a learner.”
Shows scheduled
The next Jay County Fair Cards Coins Comics and Collectibles Show is scheduled for Sept. 14.
The fair board held its first such show in October with a second in December. They featured sports cards, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, coins, Coca-Cola items, NASCAR memorabilia, Funko Pop! items, comic books and vintage toys.
Other 2024 shows are scheduled for Oct. 19 and Nov. 16. All shows will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendor set-up from 7 to 10 a.m.
For more information, contact Jason McGraw at (260) 251-0414.
Expo scheduled for May
LifeStream will host its Healthy Aging Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the First Bank Kuhlman Center in Richmond.
The event will be themed “1950s Sock Hop.” Vendors will be set up to share resources and provide activities.
The event is free and the first 200 attendees will receive a complimentary lunch.
For more information, visit lifestreaminc.org/expo.
Deadline extended
Ball State University has extended its national enrollment confirmation deadline for 2024-25 to June 1.
The university made the change after an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education about a delay in institutions receiving student financial aid information through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It has resulted in financial aid packaged offers being delayed as well, with eBSU planning to send award letters in mid- to late-April.
“Pursuing higher education and achieving a degree can have a transformative impact on one’s life. Therefore, it’s crucial not to rush such a significant decision,” said Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management at Ball State, in a press release. “This extension provides students and their families the opportunity and flexibility to carefully evaluate their financial aid options and make well-informed choices.”
For more information, email askus@bsu.edu.
Camps scheduled
Indiana State Police will host a series of summer camps for students ranging from 11 years old through high school.
There will be a Pioneer Camp for children ages 11 through 14 from June 10 through 13 at Mounds State Park in Anderson. A Law Camp for sixth through eighth graders is set for June 30 through July 3 in Anderson and a Cadet Camp for high school students will be held in Anderson from June 23 through 29.
For more information regarding the camps visit trooper.org, email itysinfo@trooper.org or call (317) 951-3882.
Series set
The schedule has been announced for the Muncie Three Trails Music Series.
The event will feature four free concerts at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie with Josh “the Reverend” Peyton’s Big Damn Band picking off the series on Saturday, July 27.
Other performances will feature Joe Mullins & The Radio Rambles on Saturday, Aug. 10, The Sensational Barnes Brothers on Saturday, Aug. 24, and the string quintet SYBARITES on Saturday, Sept. 14.
All concerts will begin at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit munciethreetrails.com.
Apply for scholarship
Applications are open for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account for the 2024-25 school year.
The account is open to parents of children with disabilities who may be eligible for funding to help customize their education to meet their individual needs. Funding can include options such as private education, at-home learning and other non-public educational settings.
“Having walked this journey with my own family, we know how crucial it is for parents to have options and support to meet their children’s unique education needs that come with disabilities,” said Indiana Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott in a press release.
To apply, visit in.gov/tos/inesa/home. The deadline is Sep. 1.
