Stories from Monday, August 20, 2012

A visit by the Indianapolis Colts traveling "Colts in Motion" experience Saturday helped the Greencastle McDonald's celebrate the opening of its newly remodeled and expanded restaurant and facilities.

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. In the event of a farm emergency, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is an old, but appropriate adage. By being prepared ahead of time in case something does happen, you will minimize your risk...

McCloud Nature Park will be hosting a free astronomy program on Saturday, Aug 25 at 8 p.m. Expert sky watchers from the Indiana Astronomical Society will partner with Hendricks County Parks & Recreation naturalists at McCloud Nature Park for its monthly astronomy program at McCloud...

Two upcoming local Drive for the Kids fundraiser events, sponsored by York Automotive, are scheduled to help raise money for Putnam County schools. Any licensed driver, age 18 or over, can earn $10 for their school by taking a test drive in the Chrysler's award-winning 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan...

Local residents are invited to help support their community by participating in the United Way of Putnam County's 32nd annual golf scramble on Friday, Sept. 14 at Clover Meadows Golf Course. A scramble entry includes golf and cart, lunch, door prizes and trophies to top three teams. The format is a four-person scramble...

With the latest research showing "if you don't use it, you lose it" when it comes to brain function, Mental Health America of Putnam County is presenting the Mind Fit 4 Life seminar on Thursday, Aug. 30. The session is a mental fitness class designed to keep the brain in its best condition. The seminar will take place at 2 p.m. at the Putnam County Public Library...

Saturday emerged as a history lesson, a step back in time and a glimpse at the future all rolled into one. From the Civil War monument at Forest Hill Cemetery to the tour of the immaculately restored Dr. Clinton Zaring House, local residents saw both the need for historic preservation and its incredible results...

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Midwest Sprint Car Series was on hand at Lincoln Park Speedway Saturday night and provided a large crowd with an outstanding show as Kyle Cummins held off a late charge from Robert Ballou and Jon Stanbrough to pick up a victory. The finishing order should serve to tighten the series point standings even more as Stanbrough came in as the points leader ahead of Ballou with Cummins in third heading into the visit to LPS. ...

VEEDERSBURG -- Fighting against 19 teams and 91 runners, the Greencastle girls' cross country team placed fourth overall at the Fountain Central Grand Prix Saturday. The course was a mixture of flat grassy areas, narrow tree rooted turns and twists, a small creek and ended with a trek up a steep hill of 250 meters...

VEEDERSBURG --After conditioning all summer the Greencastle boys' cross country team was tested at one of the state's top three hardest courses at Twin Lakes in the Fountain Central Grand Prix. There were 19 teams present and 97 athletes competing in the varsity race. Greencastle's Taylor Secrest was the top runner for GHS finishing fifth overall and only five seconds off his personal record, with a time of 17:41...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Offense is supposed to be the strength of the Greencastle High School football team this season. But it was the defense that stood out Saturday in the Tiger Cubs' season-opening victory in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Greencastle shut out Monrovia's Bulldogs for three quarters and gave up just one first down and 37 yards of total offense in the second half of the 21-7 West Central Conference win...

INDIANAPOLIS -- On Saturday, the North Putnam Cougars walked into a familiar place, but came away with a decidedly different outcome. Two years ago, North Putnam lost in the state championship game under the roof of Lucas Oil Saturday. But on Saturday the retractable roof was open, sunlight graced the field and the Cougars opened their 2012 season with a convincing 21-0 win over Edgewood. ...

BAINBRIDGE -- The 2012 school year began with a new set of challenges for North Putnam and many were discussed at the school board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 16. Enrollment is down almost four percent and school buses have been forced to alter routes at the last minute after several bridges in the district were ruled unsafe for them to cross...

After receiving the official "release of funds" from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (IOCRA), the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission has given Advanced Restoration the green light to begin façade work in the downtown. Over the next several months 14 independent, historic structures will be receiving their individualized "makeover."...

We've all heard the stories. People rummaging around in their attics or cleaning out basements and stumbling upon relics of the past or priceless artifacts or heirlooms. TV programs would make you believe stuff like that happens every day ... it just never happens to us...

The 2012 Taste of Putnam County is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Dixie Chopper Business Center. The third annual Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce event is set for 4-8 p.m. at the business center at the Putnam County Airport on Ballard Lane in Greencastle...

By ERIC BERNSEE Editor What began three years ago as a day of music and fun to celebrate Almost Home's 20th anniversary has grown into a community event now billed as the Greencastle Music Fest. The third annual program is scheduled for 3-11 p.m. Saturday on the north and east sides of the courthouse square in Greencastle...