Enrollment now open for 4-H

It’s that time of year.

Enrollment is now open for the upcoming 4-H year.

Children in third through 12th grades are welcome to join 4-H. Mini 4-H is also offered to kindergarteners through second graders. 

The youth development program started more than 100 years back offers a variety of clubs and hands-on experiences for children to learn about their community and world. Jay County Purdue Extension Office advises children to sign up by Jan. 15 for the full experience. Enroll at v2.4honline.com. To learn more, call (260) 726-4707.

Dancing lessons

Square dancing introductory lessons continue today at Jay County Campus of Arts Place.

The class starts at 6 p.m. It costs $5 per person to join.

For more information, contact John Cook at (765) 768-6329 or (765) 215-5924 or email [email protected].

Flu-Lapalooza

It’s flu season.

Meridian Health Services is hosting its annual Flu-Lapalooza event from 1 to 6 p.m. today.

Flu-Lapalooza features free flu shots at Meridian location. Shots are available to anyone 6 months and older. Meridian will offer the shots at the MeridianMD locations at 406 W. Votaw St., Portland, and 1150 S. Main St., Dunkirk.

Lecture tonight

The Winchester Foundation will host a special lecture tonight to honor the anniversary of the death of its founder.

Leslie Lenkowsky, an Indiana University professor emeritus and former president of the Hudson Institute, will present “American Exceptionalism — The View from the Midwest” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at First Presbyterian Church in Winchester.

Lenkowsky served as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, appointed by President George W. Bush, from 2001 to 2004. He is a graduate of Franklin College and Harvard University.

The event is being held in honor of Pierre F. Goodrich, who died Oct. 25, 1973. Goodrich established The Winchester Foundation in 1945. Lenkowsky’s presentation at the church, 201 E. Franklin St., is free.

Auditions upcoming

Creative Arts Theater of Wells County will hold auditions for its production of “White Christmas” Friday and Saturday.

Auditions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Creative Arts Council, 428 S. Oak St., Bluffton. They are open to ages 12 and older.

Those interested in auditioning are urged to pre-register at wellscocreativearts.com/holiday-production.

Performances will be Dec. 7, 8 and 9. For more information, call (260) 824-5222.

Red Cross donations

The American Red Cross has a blood and platelet shortage.

In order to incentivize blood donations, the Red Cross is offering $15 Amazon.com gift cards to those who donate between Oct. 1 and 20.

Red Cross blood drives are scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. today at CrownPointe Assisted Living, 745 Patriot Drive, Portland. Schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross app or calling (800) 733-2767. Other blood drives in the area include 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at First Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Dustman Road, Bluffton; 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at Lehman Park Pavilion, 212 Park Ave., Berne; and noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at South Adams Senior Center, 825 Hendrick St., Berne.