Stories from Monday, August 19, 2013

The 2013-14 school year has started for most of Indiana's school children. The start of school brings increased bus traffic and children waiting or walking near roadways. The Indiana State Police would like to remind motorists to watch for children in school zones and waiting to board busses, especially in the early morning hours...

The 2013 Greencastle Summer Music Festival concludes its 13-week series of "friends making music for friends" this Wednesday evening, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church. The free concert features the North Carolina-based flutist Akal Dev Sharonne, who has been hailed by the Boston Phoenix for her "superb playing." She will be joined by cellist Eric Edberg, the festival's founder and organizer, and pianist John Clodfelter, both of the DePauw School of Music faculty...

Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department is inviting youth age 17 and younger to learn more about fishing by joining them at Jaycee Park on Sunday, Aug. 25. The 1-5 p.m. "Gone Fishing" program will help answer questions such as: What are the requirements for a fishing license? What bait is used for bluegill, catfish and bass? What size hook should be used in fishing from the bank at Jaycee Park? What type of rod and reel are best?...

Kudos to the efforts of all the Putnam County 4-Hers who participated in the Indiana State Fair (ISF). While the opportunity to learn while doing in the project is of foremost importance, the recognition of achievement is certainly an added bonus to being in the 4-H program. ...

This week's ParkFest will feature a pair of local acoustic acts at the Bob Flanigan Bandshell. Him and Her and Gus Moon will take the stage for the 6:30 p.m. show at Greencastle's Robe-Ann Park. Him and Her features the husband-wife duo of Joel and Tosh Everson. While the Eversons are better known for their work in War Radio, they have a chance to turn down the volume a bit and enjoy making music as a couple in Him and Her...

There was plenty of action at Lincoln Park Speedway Saturday night on both four and two wheels. A large crowd was on hand to witness a great night of racing as the Little Feet Bicycle Challenge was on tap with a record group of nearly 100 youngsters pedaling their way to the checkered flags for the chance at a payday that included brand new bikes as well as cash prizes. For the fans of four-wheel action, Chad Boespflug dominated the sprint car action for the victory...

While the season hasn't yet begun, the excitement from every football game in the county is already in midseason form. It's usual for a team to be excited about the season when it hasn't yet lost, but this year feels different. Greencastle is coming off its first undefeated regular season since 1995 and returns a huge chunk of last season's roster. They're big, tall, fast and skilled...

The Greencastle girls' soccer team participated in a jamboree at Edgewood on Saturday. GHS won both its halves by a combined score of 5-0. The Tiger Cubs open their season on Tuesday at Tri-West at 5:30 p.m. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

ELLETTSVILLE -- As exhibition weekend for the 2013 fall sports season continued into Saturday, the Greencastle boys' soccer team got their first crack at an outside opponent when it traveled to Edgewood to take part in a jamboree. Four teams -- Greencastle, Edgewood, Owen Valley and Brown County -- played in a round-robin style event with each squad playing a 20-minute half against two other opponents...

Friendship Day 2013 is set for Wednesday, Sept. 11. The event, which is being sponsored by Eitel's Florist, Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Asbury Towers Retirement Community, At Home Realty LLC, Bittles & Hurt/Hopkins-Rector Funeral Homes, First National Bank, Ivy Tech Community College, MetroNet and Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, is intended to spread friendship, goodwill and community spirit among Putnam County citizens...

DePauw University will welcome one of the most academically gifted and diverse classes in its history this Saturday, Aug. 24, when the 677 members of the Class of 2017 arrive with their families. "We've spent the summer preparing for this large group, and we're ready and excited to greet them," said Cindy Babington, vice president for student life and dean of students...

The R.Ed.I. Arts and Education Foundation's powerful prevention theater program STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics has two performances set at Parker Auditorium at Greencastle High School for Monday, Aug. 26. Stand up! Change Teen Statistics is a 50-minute live prevention theatre show based on interviews with over 90 teens. STAND UP! is powerful; delivering shocking statistics and information...

Gail J. Lyon, 73, Greencastle, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The Waters of Greencastle. She was born in Cleveland, Tenn., on Oct. 30, 1939, the daughter of John and Virginia Stanfield Baker. She married Jack Lyon and he preceded her in death...

All of the world is a stage for nine year-old actress Olivia McKenna of Roachdale. McKenna will be starring in her "dream" role as Annie Warbucks this coming week at the Meyers Dinner Theatre in Hillsboro. The young McKenna will be taking on the lead role of the young red-headed orphan Annie, growing up in hard knocks Brooklyn until her Daddy Warbucks takes her away. This is a role that McKenna has been dreaming of taking on since she was about two years old...

Ronald Lee Appman, 62, of Greencastle, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 at his residence. Ron was born in Evansville on Aug. 10, 1951, the son of the late Charles H and Gladys Lenore Appman. Mr. Appman was a retired correctional officer with the Indiana Department of Correction after 18 years of service...

Shawn M. Smith, 49, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday. Aug. 16, 2013 at the Putnam County Hospital. She was born on Nov. 16, 1963 to James Bernard and Wanda Lou Martin Smith in Saginaw, Mich. She graduated from Merrill High School in Merrill, Mich...

MONTEZUMA -- The North Putnam volleyball team entered the season with expectations and a relatively comfortable win in their season opener at Riverton Parke seemed to only justify them. With how the Cougars started the night, an eventual three sets to one win, it seemed like it might not come as easy as the girls hoped...