Civic elects new board members

Jay County Civic Theatre elected three board members at its annual meeting Monday via Zoom.

Re-elected to civic’s board of directors were Bev Wolford for her third three-year term and Greg Rittenhouse for his second three-year term. Newly elected to the board was Reid Knuth.

Other board members are JB Goodrich, Ray Cooney, Jason McGraw, Casi Avery and Lee Osteen.

Leaving the board was Pete Vogler, who was ineligible for re-election as he had served three consecutive three-year terms. Vogler, who has served 15 years on the board in all, was presented with a plaque and gifts in honor of his service.

Also at the meeting, the board announced its awards of the Tom Casey Memorial Scholarship to Jay County High School senior Megan Templeton, the Heather McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship to Coldwater High School senior Diana Rose and the inaugural Jay County Civic Theatre Merit Scholarship to Winchester High School senior Riley McKissick.



Take a pic

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is now accepting submissions for the 13th annual Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest.

Open to Indiana residents, the contest was created to recognize the hard work and contributions of Hoosier farmers, as well as the beauty of the state’s agricultural landscape.

Participants are encouraged to submit photos that reflect the wide array of agriculture. The categories photos can be entered under are:

•Conservation: Highlighting Indiana’s natural beauty with photos of landscapes, water and wildlife.

•Agritourism: This category includes seasonal and agricultural destinations, orchards, wineries, farmers’ markets and produce.

•Faces of Agriculture: Featuring those who grow and produce food, fuel and fiber engaged in farming/agricultural activities.

•On the Farm: Every building, piece of equipment or activity that is a part of life on an Indiana farm can be included.

In total, ten winners will be selected: two from each category and two overall. Winners will be invited to attend a special ceremony at the Indiana State Fair, where they will be recognized and receive certificates from Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler.

Contestants can submit up to five photos in digital format. Photos will be evaluated based on creativity, composition and category representation. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 30..



Seek donations

Friends of the Limberlost is seeking donations to help acquire 10.42 acres of flood-prone land north of the Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve in northern Jay County.

The cost of the acquisition is about $100,000, according to organization treasurer Randy Lehman.

“We were unsuccessful when it was on the market the last time,” Limberlost enthusiast Ken Brunswick told the organization’s members in a recent newsletter. “Now, after nearly six years of continued crop loss, the owner is wanting to get free of this problem property. For us it is a great purchase, and it has been our highest priority area. It gives us a nice wildlife corridor connecting the White Oak (Cemetery) property with the Loblolly Marsh.”

To support the purchase, send donations to Friends of the Limberlost, P.O. Box 571, Geneva, Indiana 46740. “Such opportunities do not happen very often, and when opportunity knocks, we want to answer,” said Lehman.