Cass County Info January 2011

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JANUARY 17 — FEBRUARY 18, 2011

LOGANSPORT | INDIANA

L o g a n s p o r t ’s F R E E C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r

Welcome Got something “This town needs more jobs.” to say?

Read what people are saying or post your own topics on the Cass County Calendar Facebook page discussion tab. Connect with over 1900 other fans! Find us at www.facebook.com/ casscountyinfo or www.facebook.com/ casscountycalendar INfo: is a monthly newspaper serving Logansport and Cass County, Indiana and the surrounding areas.

All content is copyright Existential Media LLC, 2010 and may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

Published by Existential Media LLC 206 Fourth St. P.O. Box 314 Logansport, IN 46947 Editor/Publisher Michelle Laird (574) 721-4636 (michelle@ existentialmedia.com) Photography Phill Dials (574) 721-4635 (phill@ existentialmedia.com) Advertising Sales Tony Dyer (765) 430-4896 tony@cassnetwork.com Creative Director Melissa Laird (melissa@ melissalaird.com) One copy of INfo: is free.

Additional copies are $.50 each. or multiple copy distribution, call (574) 721-4635 The views expressed by our writers are not necessarily those of Existential Media LLC.

One of the songs from a community prayer vigil held last week has been running through my mind.

“Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in this city.”

Every new year brings the promise of change. This year, I’ll Michelle Laird DIALS be more organized. I’ll work out Editor/publisher more. I made a big list the other day, because putting it in writing helps me see things better.

Each morning, ideas run through my head about what I could write in this column.

The key words here, I believe, are “what I could.”

In recent weeks, I’ve found myself growing more and more frustrated with refrains that I’ve heard repeated countless times.

“This town needs more jobs.”

So I did what’s become common place when we want to find an answer to a question. I googled the word “jobs.”

This is what I found: The principal activity in your life that you do to earn money. Got that? The activity in YOUR life that YOU do to earn money.

My job wasn’t here when I moved back to Logansport 10 years ago with a journalism. There weren’t many job

Caught on Camera Rodney Ervin posted this photo of a bald eagle on the CassCountyCalendar Facebook page. We love seeing and sharing photos from our fans!

If you’ve snapped a photo that you’d like to share, you can post it on our Facebook page (facebook.com/casscountycalendar) or use the submit link on Cass County Online. Your photo might be featured in an upcoming issue of Cass County INFO! By submitting your photos, you are granting Existential Media LLC the right to use them, with credit and without compensation, in Cass County Communication Network publications.

2 >> Cass County INfo: >> January 2011

openings for that. But when I listened to what people were saying, there was a need for a product that didn’t exist at that time — a way to communicate news and information to our community’s growing Spanish-speaking population. In October 2002, we printed the first issue of “Aqui y Ahora” and suddenly I was a business owner.

And as I kept listening, there were more and more products that didn’t exist.

When I would look up events for the paper, I found myself going to seven or eight different websites. If only there was a one-stop shop where you could find out what was going on in our community. That’s how Cass County Calendar came to be.

I worked at the radio station and friends in the school corporation started asking me to text them if there was a delay. That’s where the idea for CASSINFO mobile alerts came from.

It’s easy to hold onto what we know. And, what our community has known for a very long time is manufacturing. But manufacturing doesn’t top the list of any of the growing career fields. Indiana’s hottest jobs of the future? Computer software engineer. Network systems and data communications analyst. Accountant.

Licensed practical nurse. Educator. There’s a list of 50 of them at hoosierhot50jobs.com. Now to me, all of those sound like jobs that could be available in our community.

See “Jobs,” page 4

The Depot REMINDERS / UPDATES / OPPORTUNITIES

Need to renew your license plates? It’s all done by mail now.

Registration stickers and license plates are no longer available at any license branch or self-service terminal. You can renew your registration online at myBMV.com, by phone at 888-692-6841 or by mail using a new postage-paid envelope enclosed with the registration renewal reminder. You can still order a plate or renew your registration at the branch, but license plates and registration cards/stickers will be mailed from the central facility within 14 business days. Indiana’s BMV commissioner says the change allows staff to focus on more complex services, like driver’s licenses and vehicle titles.

Travel plans? Planning a trip outside the country? Mission work? Or perhaps a spring or summer vacation? The Logansport Post Office will be accepting passport applications on Saturday, January 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. The “passport fairs” are being held on the weekend to assist people whose hectic schedules make it difficult to complete this task during the week. New passport forms will be available beginning February 1, 2011. Before February 1, submit your passport application using the current forms. The new forms should be used for all applications submitted on or after February 1. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

Want to know what’s going on?

Sign up for the Cass County Communication Network’s text alerts.

Text the word CASSINFO to 46786 for periodic news alerts, deals from local businesses and other local information.

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Text CASSINFO to 46786 to sign up for text message alerts and deals from the Cass County Communication Network.

OUR COMMUNITY

Responding to tragedy Local churches come together for prayer vigil

PHOTO BY TONY DYER

in the know

Have something to share?

Share your news — press releases, personal milestones and more — on our website, http://www.casscountyonline.com Just click SUBMIT and then select the type of info you want to share!

When word spread through the community that a 19-year-old Logansport man had died from stab wounds and a 15-year-old juvenile was arrested on Wednesday, January 13, Riverview Wesleyan Church moved quickly to organize a prayer vigil. Representatives from Espiritual y Fuego Iglesia, Rehoboth Chrisian Center and Iglesia Centro de Alabanza joined Riverview Wesleyan pastor Brooks Sayer for the bilingual candlelight service on Friday, January 15.

Community members gathered to pray for the family and friends of Zachery Franklin, for stronger families, for the community’s wholeness, for Logansport’s churches and for peace.

A photo gallery from the vigil can be found on the Cass County Online page on Facebook.

Let’s Rally! Time is running out to help our community win up to $40,000 for a community project! Go to wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com and enter your zip code to cheer. You can click cheer the cheer button ten times per day, and when you do so, you’re also entered to win a $35,000 road trip across the U.S. Keep cheering, through February 7, 2011!

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Milestones

When we launched Cass County Online on July 1, 2010, we included a way for people with a Cass County connection to share their personal news. If you click on the milestones tab, you’ll find birth, engagement, and wedding announcements, birthdays, obituaries and achievements. If you have news you’d like to share, visit casscountyonline. com and click the “Submit” link at the top, then choose the appropriate form for the information you want to share. We’ll also publish achievements in Cass County INfo as space permits!

BIRTHS

Colton Popejoy of Star City - pictured with mom Sara, dad Steven and sister Sadie was the first baby of 2011 at Logansport Memorial Hospital. Born at 4:26 a.m. on January 2, Colton weighted 7 lbs 9 oz and was 21 inches long.

He was delivered by Dr. Bruce Murray. Colton’s mom and dad were overwhelmed and grateful for the gifts presented by local merchants to make the birth of the first baby of 2011 even more special.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Logansport Memorial Hospital collected more than 61 jars of peanut butter for Pioneer, 48 cans of chicken or tuna and boxes of Chicken or Tuna Helper for Caston and 225 boxes of pasta and cans of spaghetti sauce for Logansport schools during their food drive to supplement the Cass County School Backpack Programs over the holidays.

Nolan “Skip” Kuker, President of the LogansportCass County Economic Development Foundation (LEDF) recently earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Logansport Mayor Mike Fincher was awarded a bronze certificate in City Leadership from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) and IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs (IU SPEA) Mayors Institute.

The Logansport High School Speech Team claimed third place at the Valparaiso Invitational on Saturday, January 8 and took home first place at the Frankfort Meet on January 15. Their next meet is at Oak Hill on January 22.

Rocky Buffum reached a milestone during the American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Logansport Mall on January 13 — he has donated one gallon of blood in his lifetime. Buffum is a regular donor and plans to continue to donate. He has been with the Red Cross since 2007 and Executive Director for the Cass County Chapter since June of 2009.

The first official day to file a declaration of candidacy for the May primary is January 19, but a number of candidates have already announced their intentions.

Mayor Mike Fincher, a Democrat, will seek a third term. He’ll face City Councilman Charlie Hastings who will also be seeking the Democratic party’s nomination for mayor. County treasurer Dawn Conner-Kraud will be seeking the Republican party’s nomination for Clerk Treasurer for the city of Logansport. Political newcomer Chris Martin will be seeking an at-large city council seat on the Republican ticket. Teresa Popejoy, assistant controller for the Logansport Community School Corporation, will be seeking the Republican nomination for the 5th ward seat. February 18 at noon is the deadline for those seeking to run in the May primary.

news

events directory

frequently asked questions

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casscountyonline.com

“JOBS,” from page 2 We may have to re-educate ourselves to be able to take advantage of them, but that’s the nature of the world today.

My journalism degree didn’t come with knowledge of how to build websites or use Facebook. I got a C on one of my final research papers because I compared broadcast news with reality tv and my professor disagreed. Who could have predicted that I’d be shaken out of bed one morning and get an answer about an earthquake from Twitter, on my phone, almost half an hour before the tv news stations had anything?

So back to that initial definition of jobs.

The activity in your life that you do to earn money. What could you do? If there isn’t a job, you could make one. If you don’t have the skills a particular job requires, you could work to obtain them.

“Greater things have yet to come.

Greater things are still to be done in this city.”

What can you do?

Depot Your ad could be here.

It’s Tax Time!

Put your ad in your customer’s pocket with mobile alerts from the

For more information, call (574) 721-4636 or e-mail tony@cassnetwork.com

Tar makes your

lungs black.

The evidence is clear; cigarettes are full of tar. Each time you inhale, tobacco smoke condenses in your lungs and forms black tar. Tobacco tar contains benzo pyrene, which damages an important gene that protects the lungs. One damaged cell is all it takes to start lung cancer. Cigarettes are full of benzo pyrene; the sooner you quit the better off you’ll be.

Tobacco is a leading killer of Latinos Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Latino men and second among Latina women. Almost one in five Latino deaths is attributable to cancer. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of cancer and is responsible for 87 percent of all lung cancer deaths in the United States. For more information visit www.QuitNowIndiana.com.

www.QuitNowIndiana.com

Taxpayers have until Monday, April 18 to file their tax 2010 returns and pay any tax due because Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15.

Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file their 2010 tax returns.

For most taxpayers, the 2011 tax filing season starts on schedule. However, tax law changes enacted by Congress and signed by President Obama in December mean some people need to wait until mid- to late February to file their tax returns in order to give the IRS time to reprogram its processing systems.

Some taxpayers – including those who itemize deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A – will need to wait to file: • Taxpayers Claiming Itemized Deductions on Schedule A. Itemized deductions include mortgage interest, charitable deductions, medical and dental expenses as well as state and local taxes.

• Taxpayers Claiming the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. This deduction for parents and students – covering up to $4,000 of tuition and fees paid to a post-secondary institution – is claimed on Form 8917. However, the IRS emphasized that there will be no delays for millions of parents and students who claim other education credits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit extended last month and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

• Taxpayers Claiming the Educator Expense Deduction. This deduction is for kindergarten through grade 12 educators with out-of-pocket classroom expenses of up to $250. The educator expense deduction is claimed on Form 1040, Line 23 and Form 1040A, Line 16.

The IRS will announce a specific date in the near future when it can start processing tax returns impacted by the recent tax law changes.In the interim, taxpayers affected by these tax law changes can start working on their tax returns, but they should not submit their returns until IRS systems are ready to process the new tax law changes. Additional information will be available at www.IRS.gov. . Except for those facing a delay, the IRS began accepting e-file and Free File returns on Jan. 14.

Everyone will breathe easier.

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Calendar

See what’s going on in Logansport & Cass County

January 18

January 21

SCRAPBOOKING CLUB: The Scrapbooking

VACCINE CLINIC:

Club is a group of people who enjoy the opportunity to get out and work on their scrapbooks with like-minded friends.

The public is invited. Refreshments are usually served. 5-9 p.m., Walton Library Community Room.

January 19

BLOOD DRIVE: 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Logansport Memorial Hospital in Conference Rooms A & B, Please call 7531381 to schedule your blood donation appointment. Donors will be entered into a weekly region-wide drawing for a $250 Visa gift card! In addition, all donors will receive a coupon for a free donut from Dunkin’ Donuts (while supplies last).

The Cass County Health Department will hold a free walk-in immunization clinic for Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine for family members or caregivers of a child under 12 months and emergency, healthcare, sanitation, school or daycare personnel. There is no longer an age restriction to receive Tdap vaccine. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Cass County Health Department, 512 High St.

FUNDRAISER: Senator

Randy Head, Principal Adam Strasser and Paige Bowditch will be among the celebrities participating in Caston High School’s annual Buckey Donkey Basketball game. 7:30 p.m. in the Caston HS Gym. Pre-sale tickets $6, available at the bookstore. $8 at the door.

TEEN NIGHT: Monthly middle school night at the Cass

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!

Girl Scout Cookies will be on sale through March 14. This year, new carmelflavored “Shoutouts” join favorites Thin Mints, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Patties®, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Caramel deLites®, Thanks-A-Lot™ and Lemonades™.

Keep an eye on www.casscountycalendar.com for the latest info about Cookie Booth locations. For more info, call Girl Scouts at (574) 722-4464.

County Family YMCA! Winter party bash complete with a dance with Kyle Smith as DJ! Grades 5 - 9! Gym, activity center, swimming and dodgeball!

Pizza and popcorn!

8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Cost is $5.

MINI-REUNION:

The Lewis Cass Class of 1979 will host a meet for their monthly mini-reunion at the Walton American Legion starting at 6:30 p.m.

Alumni and their guests may order from the menu or just come to visit. Former teachers and alumni from other classes are welcome to attend - the event is very informal.

For questions, please contact Deb Hickey at 626-2573 or Dawn Sailors Fisher at 753-6301.

how to crochet. Third grade through adult. The class will take place in the Logansport library’s meeting room at 1 p.m.

The library is also looking for experienced crocheters to be mentors. If interested, please call the library (753-6383 ext.

415).

PASSPORT FAIR: The Logansport

backpacks that children in grades K-3 can take home on the weekend so their family will have food. Cost is $9 for adults, $4.50 for children and includes white fish, fries, slaw, roll, and drink. 4-7:30 p.m. at the Walton Lions’ Den on Depot St. Tickets available at: Anoka Methodist Church, Walton Methodist Church, Shiloh Lutheran Church, Upper Deer Creek Church, Cornerstone

DANCE WITH DAD

Make your reservations now for the Logansport Parks & Recreation Dept.’s annual Daddy/ Daughter Valentine Dance! It’s scheduled for Thursday, February 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Memorial Home, 706 E. Market. The evenings activities include cookies & punch, dancing with Dad and creating a Valentine craft. Professional photos of Dad and daughter(s) will be taken by Diana Wilson, of Diana’s Photography. As always, personal cameras are welcome. The reservation deadline is February 4, but space is limited and reservations for this popular event go quickly! Call (574) 753-7388 to reserve your spot. There will also be a cancellation list. Registration fee is $15 per couple, plus $4 for each additional daughter.,For more info, contact Vicki Ward at (574) 753-7388 or e-mail at vickiw. logansportparks@frontier.com

January 21

CROCHET CLASS:

A Crochet Class will be offered for anyone interested in learning

Post Office will be accepting passport applications from 9 a.m. to noon.

FISH FRY: The Walton Lions’ Club is hosting a Snowman Fish Fry to raise money for the Thompson Tote Backpack Program, which provides

Church, Thompson Educational Center and the Walton Public Library.

January 23

FUNDRAISER: Clymers

UMC Church will hold a fundraiser to help send campers to

camp. All-you-can eat brunch, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. $4.50, Includes meal, dessert and drink. Menu includes Biscuits and gravy, Sausage links, Donuts, Ham Slices, Ham and beans and Corn bread. 4003 W. 400 S. in Clymers.

January 24

FLU VACCINES: The Cass County Health Department will be offering free seasonal flu vaccines to children 6 months to 18 years of age by appointment only today. Flu vaccine is free for children through the VFC (vaccines for children) program. The Cass County Health Department is located at 512 High Street. Call 574-753-7760 for an appointment.

January 26

CHILI SUPPER: Galveston’s

New Voice is hosting a chili supper from 6-9 p.m. at the Galveston Elementary School located at 401 South Maple Street, Galveston.

Free will donation accepted.

The entire community is invited to attend, and meet and greet Galveston Town Board candidates.

Join us to discuss any questions you may have as well as to share your vision to improve Galveston.

January 29

BOOK SALE:

The Logansport Cass County Public Library. book sale is open to library card holders from 9 a.m – noon. and to everyone from noon - 5:45 p.m. Prices for most items will be 50 cents each or $5.00 a bagful. For more information, please call the library at 753-6383.

January 30

BOOK SALE: Book Sale takes place in the meeting room at the Logansport Cass County Public Library. The sale is open to library card holders on Saturday from 9 am – Noon. The sale is open to everyone on Saturday from Noon - 5:45 pm, and on Sunday from 1 - 5:45 pm.

Prices for most items will be 50 cents each or $5.00 a bagful. On Sunday, prices will be 25 cents each or $3.00 a bagful. For more information, please call the library at 753-6383.

February 3 CONCERT: Logansport High School Band

Solo & Ensembles Recital.

7:30 p.m.., McHale Performing Arts Center.

February 10

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 10 is the

deadline to register or be a shirt sponsor for the 2011 Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cass County. Call (574) 722-2222 for more information. The 80s themed event happens on March 5. This is the 20th anniversary.

ART RECEPTION: Join the Logansport Art Association for the Black & White Reception celebrating the LAA’s 100th birthday.

Chances to win great prizes. Refreshments, live music, collectable and commemorative cancellation stamp design will be revealed.

5;30-7 p.m., 424 Front St. All donations and proceeds from this reception will go toward Youth Art Shows in the spring. Please dress in black and white; formal dress is not required.

DANCE: The Logansport Parks

& Recreation Department’s annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance, for girls 5-12 yrs., will be held Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Cass County Memorial Home, 706 E. Market Street, from 6-7:30 pm.

Reservations required. See page 6 for details.

February 12

DONUTS: The Walton Lions’

Club will be making their donuts from 7:30-10:30 a.m. 104 Depot St., Walton. $5 per dozen.

February 18

MINI-REUNION: The Lewis

Cass Class of 1979 will host a meet for their monthly minireunion at the Walton American Legion. Alumni and their guests may order from the menu or just come to visit. Former teachers and alumni from other classes are welcome to attend - the event is very informal. For questions, please contact Deb Hickey at 626-2573 or Dawn Sailors Fisher at 753-6301.

February 17-19 The LHS Performing Arts Department presents the Thornton Wilder classic drama OUR TOWN directed by Ms. Ann Lines. The show is always done with a bare stage and minimal sets or props. For this production, the audience will share the stage with the cast in a 3/4 round set up. Ticket prices will be announced at a later date. 7;30 p.m. at McHale Performing Arts Center.

We choose the events to feature in INFO from Cass County Calendar. We invite organizations to submit their events directly on the website.

What kinds of events can go on Cass County Calendar? Sporting events, real estate open houses, church events, concerts, live music, fundraisers, sales— basically, if it has a date, time and place and is open to the public, or is something that Cass County residents would be interested in attending, it can go on Cass County Calendar. Once you submit an event, we’ll approve it and then it’ll appear on the calendar.

We also promote calendar events on Facebook and on Mix 102 at 7:10 on Thursday mornings. If you have questions, call Michelle at (574) 721-4636 or email contact@ cassnetwork.com.

Flashback: 1986 When we heard that 2011 was the 25th anniversary of Bowl for Kids Sake in Cass County, we immediately needed to put that in context. Here’s a look at some of the other things that happened in 1986:

Scholarship applications available Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarship Applications are now available in the guidance office of any Cass County high school. Completed applications must be received by LMHF no later than Friday April 1, 2011.

Only graduating Cass County seniors pursuing careers in health care are eligible to apply. The signature of a guidance counselor is required. Each completed application must include a recent high school transcript and a copy of the applicant’s letter of acceptance to the university or college of his or her choice.

Applications received without a transcript or letter of acceptance will automatically be disqualified. Candidates are also required to submit three letters of reference from individuals, other than parents or relatives, who have known the student for at least four years.

At least one reference letter must be from a source outside of school or school related activities. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation considers it a great honor to present Community Education Scholarships to outstanding Cass County students pursuing careers in a field related to medicine. It is our hope that upon completion of their education, these students will return to our rural community and enjoy successful careers. For questions or additional information call LMHF at 574.753.1595

January 20, 1986 — First observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 26, 1986 — The Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots each made their first Super Bowl appearance. Chicago defeated New England 46-10 in Super Bowl XX and wouldn’t return to the championship game until 2007, when they were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts.

January 28, 1986 — STS-51L — Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after its 11:38 a.m. launch, claiming the life of the seven astronauts on board. The cause of explosion was determined to be an O-ring failure in the right solid rocket booster. Cold weather was determined to be a contributing factor.

April 26, 1986 — The worst nuclear disaster in history occurs at Chernobyl in the Ukraine.

July 4, 1986 — The Statue of Liberty’s 100th birthday is observed.

September 8, 1986 — First national broadcast of the Oprah Winfrey Show. The show will conclude its 25 year run on September 9, 2011.

November 22, 1986 — 20-year-old Mike Tyson becomes boxing’s heavyweight champion.

Some top songs in 1986 — Say You, Say Me, by Lionel Richie; Papa Don’t Preach, by Madonna, True Colors, by Cyndi Lauper, Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles.

Ronald Reagan, the man who led the nation through 1986 and through much of the 1980s as our 40th president, would have turned 100 on February 6, 2011.

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Each year, Diversity Dynamics invites Cass County fourth graders to share their views on diversity as part of the “I Have A Dream” essay contest. The winning essays were selected by a committee whose members include Lauren Canady (United Way) , Michelle Laird Dials (Cass County Communication Network), Kevin Lilly (Pharos-Tribune) and Nikki Reed (Reading Railroad).

The winning authors and their families will be invited to visit the Mayor’s Office before being honored at the February 7 city council meeting.

Each winner will also receive a savings bond. Security Federal and the Mayor’s Office are also partners in this annual event.

I have the same dream Martin Luther King Jr. has. I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. did his purpose on earth. Now it’s time to do ours. The fight between blacks and whites is over when we say it’s over, and that should be today. We are all creations of God, and he wants us to share this world equally.

I will help forward Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea he just wanted peace on earth. We may have different interest, but we are all just one big family. I dream that if we stick together we can carry on his dream! So let us unite as one big family!

Scarlett Gonzalez Franklin Elementary Mrs. Slaughter

2011 marks holiday’s 25th anniversary

Well, I would help diversity by being friends with different cultures because I wouldn’t be mean. I’m friends with a lot of different people. And I’m nice to them. I’m definitely not mean to them. I think it’s important for diverse people to get along so they don’t fight or hurt each other. I would not like the other person to get bullied by the other. Because that would not be good to watch. I would help by trying to help them be friends.

I would try to help diversity grow by keeping them together in harmony. So they won’t start to fight. Because I would probably start crying if I saw that. I will help them keep being friends.

Claire Miller Columbia Elementary Mrs. Weaver

In 1983, legislation was signed marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a federal holiday. The holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on,not a day off.” People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to serve on King Day, and to make the day the beginning of an ongoing commitment to a cause that is meaningful to them and addresses a need in their communities. For more information, visit MLKDay.gov.

I have a dream that one day this world will be peaceful, with no more war, no more crime, no more sadness. That everyone will be treated equally, not by their color.

That white and colored may go wherever they want and not be made fun of. I have a dream that everyone will be friends with each other because of who they are not what they have, and that people will not have to beg for food, water or shelter. I have a dream that white and black children can wake up each morning and go to school and not be afraid that someone will make fun of them or abuse them. I have a dream that the world and everyone and everything in it could join hands in friendship and be thankful for everything God has given them. I have a dream that the world will seek peace, kindness and friendship, and that war, crime and sadness will be no more. That people from all over the world can have the freedom to go anywhere they want without other people judging you by the color of skin you have. But my dream is for the world to become peaceful and joyful, no more suffering and no more sadness. So dream your wildest dreams and hope beyond where the world can see and someday your dream will come true.

Taylor Pasquale All Saints Catholic School Mrs. Zech

Hi, I’m Uriah Riemenschneider. I’m going to tell you what diversity means. Diversity means difference. Like where you’re from and the color of skin.

Diversity means to me difference and excitement!

Difference is good. If we were all the same, there would be no excitement in the world! In my school there are disabled kids and most Thursdays I give up my recess to play with them so they can learn to do things by their self and help them move better. That’s a diversity between me and them. And it doesn’t mean I’m better or they’re better than anyone.

Why do I think diversity is important to me? I think it’s because it would be boring. We would all look the same, think the same and maybe even talk the same.

Today, there are a lot of prejudice people in the world.

That’s not what diversity means. Diversity is about being different, not about being prejudice. Just because you’re different doesn’t mean you’re better or worse. And if you think so you’re wrong.

It’s about being different like Martin Luther King Jr. believed that there shouldn’t be slavery.

Well, that’s what diversity means. And that diversity is stupendous! Good bye.

Uriah Riemenschneider Fairview Elementary Ms. Moore

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