District art contest online

Rep. Jim Banks announced this week that due to concerns related to COVID-19, his office is switching to an electronic submission process for the 2020 Congressional Art Competition.

The annual competition is open to all high school students in the 3rd District. The overall winning work in the district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The winning student artist will receive two tickets to Washington, D.C., from Southwest Airlines to attend a reception in June.

The 2020 contest theme is patriotism.

All submissions are due by Friday, May 15, and participants should email their submission to [email protected].

Banks’ office said the email submission should contain the following attachments:

•A clear, high-resolution picture of the students’ artwork uploaded in a PDF, JPEG or PNG file.

•A scanned, signed copy of the Student Information & Release Form, complete to the best of the student’s ability, and uploaded as a PDF.

The subject line of the email should read “2020 Congressional Art Competition Submission.”

The email body should include the student’s name, the name of the school, the art teacher’s name, the student’s grade level, the title of the artwork, the medium used and a description of the work.

The description should express why the student believes the piece encapsulates this year’s theme.



Police pick-up

The Dunkirk Police Department is partnering with Dunkirk Church of the Nazarene’s food pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because many have been without income, the food pantry, which has been in operation for more than seven years, is seeing a jump in traffic.

The food pantry, which is completely free, is open the second Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m.. Those wishing to donate food items can drop the items on their front porch and contact the police department between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

A Dunkirk police officer will then pick up the donations and deliver them to the food pantry.

Doing it this way complies with social distancing guidelines while still helping other Dunkirk citizens, noted Chief Dane Mumbower.



No banquet

Madison School alumni have joined others in canceling this year’s alumni banquet because of the pandemic. The alumni association’s annual scholarships will still be awarded this year through The Portland Foundation.

Those wishing to donate to the scholarship fund should send donations to Dennis Theurer, Scholarship Fund Donation, 14429 E. 196th St., Noblesville, Indiana 46060.



Donations sought

The United Way of Jay County is accepting cash donations for COVID-19 Relief.

Checks should be made payable to the United Way of Jay County.

These funds will go to agencies and organizations who are assisting those who are in need at this time for such things as food, rental assistance and medical assistance.

Donors should please note on the check that this is for COVID-19 Relief.

Donations can be mailed to United Way of Jay County, P O Box 204, Portland, IN 47371. They can also be dropped off at the First Financial Bank’s night deposit box.