June 2014

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2 | Cass County INfo: | June 2014

Your local elected officials are making some big decisions. This may be the last season for the Tower Park Pool and the members of the Logansport Parks Board (who are appointed to their positions) are hoping the Logansport City Council will come through with some financial assistance that will help them demolish the pool and start looking at what will replace it in the future. The majority of the council, meanwhile, is banking heavily on an economic development project that they say could result in millions of dollars in revenue for the city each year if it happens. That project is a new power plant — which has been talked about for a year and a half. As of this writing, the Michelle DIALS Editor/publisher development agreement that outlines specific details about the plant has yet to be made public, but officials have supported an agreement to purchase power from the company that the INFO is a free, monthly newspaper serving Cass County, Indiana and city is counting on to build its facility here. The the surrounding areas. It is part of mayor says the Cass County Fire District could the Cass County Communication Network, published by save a bunch of money by contracting with Existential Media LLC. the Logansport Fire Department. And county Published by Calendar Items officials have their own struggles — half-way Existential Media LLC Community events that are open P.O. Box 314 to the public and have a specific into the month, two people have resigned as Logansport, IN 46947 date, time and location can be superintendent of France Park.

Editor/Publisher submitted FREE to Michelle Dials CassCountyCalendar.com.

This doesn’t sound as upbeat as my columns (574) 721-4636 Use the submit link on the website (michelle@ or e-mail details to normally do, does it? Stay with me ... existentialmedia.com) contact@cassnetwork.com.

What concerns me is some of the Cover Photo We reserve the right to select Michelle Dials specific events to feature on our commentary I’m hearing surrounding these Facebook page, in e-mail One copy of INfo: is free. newsletters, in Cass County INFO issues when we post these stories on Additional copies are or in other community updates. $.50 each.

CassCountyOnline.com and link to them via The views expressed CAUGHT ON CAMERA our Facebook page. For the most part, people by our Photos posted on our Facebook writers are not seem to think they don’t have a voice in the fan pages may be selected, at necessarily those of our discretion, to be published in Existential Media LLC. matter. But, when I’m in public meetings, I INFO. Photos can also be For advertising e-mailed to contact@cassnetwork. consistently hear from elected officials that information, com. contact they wish more members of the public would Phill Dials (574) 721-4635 Advertising information attend and make their opinions known. (phill@ The Cass County Communication cassnetwork.com) Network offers print, web and Budget time is coming up and that’s going to mobile advertising solutions. For directly affect the amount that local residents information about advertising, e-mail contact@cassnetwork.com. pay in property taxes. Your elected officials discuss all of that in public meetings – and Editorial Information they bring in each department and tell them Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect what they will and will not fund. Is it boring? the position of the Cass County Communication Network or its parent company, Existential Media LLC. Our publications provide information Sometimes. But, if you follow along, you won’t about events and activities happening in or near Cass County, Indiana.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Local school corporations receive funds for safety

The 3rd Street Bridge (State Road 17) over the Eel River in Logansport is closed through December as crews repair the historic bridge, which was built in 1918. The bridge is located between Eel River Avenue/High Street and Linden Avenue.

PHOTO BY PHILL DIALS

Up to $93,000 in community grants available from CCCF this year The Cass County Community Foundation has up to $93,000 available to Cass County non-profits for the 2014 Competitive Community Grant process.

“Our growth has been substantial over the last decade increasing our grant money from approximately $19,000 just 10 years ago to $93,000 this year!” CCCF president Deanna Crispen said. “Our board has continued to work diligently to grow our funds so that every year we can offer more back to the community for important projects. This year’s $93,000 pool marks the ninth consecutive year that the Foundation has increased the amount available.”

Thanks to generous donations from Cass County citizens, as well as effective stewardship and financial management of unrestricted funds, CCCF has continued to consistently meet the community’s needs through awarding grants. Non-profit, 501(c) (3) organizations serving Cass County are encouraged to apply for grants designed for projects which benefit the community and improve the quality of life in Cass County.

A FREE grant-writing workshop will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 at the CLEDO Community Room, 310 Pearl Street, downtown Logansport and will last less than one hour. The workshop is free to new applicants as well as to those who have received funding in the past from CCCF. Those planning to attend must call CCCF at 574-7222200 for reservations.

Crispen stressed that there are several changes to the application and process this year and added, “while it is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for all non-profit organizations who intend to apply to have a representative at the workshop. The application has changed, some of the required elements have changed and timelines have changed.”

Grant applications may be picked up at the CCCF office, 417 North Street, downtown Logansport, or downloaded from the Foundation website (www.casscountycf.org) after the workshop. The deadline to return completed grant applications is by 5:00p.m. on July 30, 2014. For information contact the CCCF office at 574-722-2200.

Logansport, Pioneer and Southeastern School corporations are among more than 250 schools and corporations in Indiana that will receive funding through the Secured School Safety Grant program. This is the second time Secured School Safety grants have been awarded. The first awards, announced November 1, 2013, also totaled more than $9 million.

Logansport Community School Corporation was awarded $50,000 to employ an SRO and for equipment.

Pioneer Regional School Corporation was awarded $22,000 for equipment.

Southeastern School Corporation was awarded $40,800 to employ an SRO and for equipment.

Changes to recycling program

The Cass County Solid Waste Management District Board will now collect fluorescent tubes (lights) from businesses and non-profits. For businesses, there will be a small fee, per tube, that will simply help cover the district’s costs to have the tubes recycled.

Cass County residents can still dispose of them for free. To make an appointment to bring the fluorescent tubes in, just contact the- office at 574-732-9253.

• The collection of used motor oil at the selfservice collection behind the Benjamin Long Center has been discontinued. They’ll still collect used motor oil from Cass County residents during the Household Hazardous Waste Day on October 25, or there are a number of facilities, including some auto parts stores, that will accept used motor oil free.

• Appointments are also being accepted from Cass County residents for the annual used tire collection. To date, almost two semi loads have been collected. To schedule an appointment call (574) 732-9253.

June 2014 | Cass County INfo: | 3

Logan native wins acting award

BY SARAH CAHALAN Logansport native Danni Smith was named Best Actress in a Principal Role (Musical) at the Jeff Awards June 2 in Chicago.

Smith was nominated for her portrayal of Fosca in the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical Passion, produced this spring at the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre.

Due to its challenging content, Passion is among the least produced of Sondheim’s plays – a canon that includes such works as Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods. “It’s a gorgeous gem of a show,” Smith says, “but it’s very intense, and I think the material may scare some companies away.”

When auditions began for the production, Smith saw the chance to play the role of Fosca – a lead character that Smith says can be “quite unsympathetic” – as a unique opportunity.

“A role that demands so much doesn’t come along very often,” Smith said.

The production, hailed for its “fullness” and “heart” by the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones, won big at the awards ceremony on June 2.

Passion was nominated for six Jeff Awards in the musicals category and took home four, including those for best production, best music direction and best supporting actress, along with Smith’s award for lead actress. Smith was also asked to perform a song from Passion at the ceremony.

This is Smith’s fourth nomination and second win at the Jeff Awards, held annually to recognize excellence in Chicago-area theatre.

Smith was nominated in 2010 and 2012 for her work in the musicals The Glorious Ones and Pump Boys and Dinettes, respectively. Last year, she won the Jeff Award for Actress in a Supporting Role (Musical) for her performance in See What I Wanna See. This is the first year that Smith has been recognized by the Jeff Awards for PHOTO PROVIDED her work in a principal role.

“Working on Passion was such an incredible experience in so many ways,” Smith says.

“Being awarded the Jeff was really just the cherry on top.”

Smith, whom Logansport audiences may remember for such roles as Peter Pan and The King and I’s Anna in Logansport High School and Logansport Junior Civic Theatre productions, has a full load of new roles lined up now that the curtain has closed on Passion. She will appear in Twelfth Night and Richard III this summer with the Lakeside Shakespeare company and is slated to play the role of Queenie this fall in Bailiwick Chicago’s production of Wild Party. Also coming soon is Smith’s first feature film, an independent film called Curtain that wraps post-production this summer.

Schwartz assumes command at Grissom Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Barnson, 4th Air Force vice commander, presents the 434th Air Refueling Wing flag to Col. Douglas Schwartz as the colonel assumes command of the wing at Grissom Air Reserve, Base, Ind., June 8, 2014. Also pictured is Chief Master Sgt. Michael Bowden, 434th ARW interim command chief, who took part in the ceremony. Schwartz, who is a native Hoosier and graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., previously served at Grissom from 1992 to 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner )

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Calendar

June 20-21 and June 27-28 The Sound of Music

Civic Players of Logansport presents the much-loved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music,” directed by Ted Denton and produced by Dr. Ralph Anderson. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday June 20, Saturday June 21, Friday June 27 and Saturday June 28. All tickets are $15. Advance tickets available by calling 574-722-3000; box office opens one hour before show time each night. All shows are at the McHale Performing Arts Center, on the Logansport High School campus.

June 20 Pasture Walk

Purdue Extension and Soil and Water Conservation Districts will hold a Pasture Walk on June 20, 2014 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Ronnie Manning’s Farm outside of Macy, IN in Miami County. The Pasture Walk will give livestock and forage producers the opportunity to talk with experts about various pasture management and livestock watering system issues. The pasture walk is free, and water and snacks will be provided. The Manning Farm is located at 14720 North 25 East, Macy, Indiana. Follow the signs for parking. Register by calling Purdue Extension Cass County at 574-753-7750 or emailing Tamara Ogle at togle@purdue.edu.

June 27 Palmer Amaranth Field Day The Purdue Crop Diagnostic Training & Research Center will hold a Palmer Amaranth Field Day at Twelve Mile in Cass County on Friday, June 27. Palmer Amaranth is an aggressive weed in the pigweed family which has infested millions of crop acres in the southern U.S. As of fall 2013, Palmer Amaranth had been confirmed in 27 Indiana counties.

This field day is geared towards corn and soybean producers who could be severely impacted if Palmer Amaranth is found and not controlled on their own farms. The field day will be from 8:30 a.m.-12:45p.m. with registration begin-

ning at 8 am. Lunch is included. The cost of the program is $25. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For a registration form go to https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/dtc or call the Purdue Extension Cass County Office at 574753-7750. CEUs for Certified Crop Advisors and CCHs are available.

Sundown Summer Music continues Sunday nights The Logansport Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with the Cass County Arts Alliance, Regions Insurance, Leeman Law Office and the Logansport Parks Department to bring the Sundown Summer Music Series to Little Turtle Waterway once again this summer.

Each Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, local musical talent will perform for one hour at 7 p.m. The audience is welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, refreshments, cameras, blankets and family members.

Regions Insurance is also sponsoring a bicycle give-away to those people who have attended the Sundown Summer Music Series. Each Sunday, participants 18 years and older will receive a ticket to be able to enter their name in the drawing. The drawing will be held on the last Sunday on Labor Day Weekend.

Here’s the schedule for the rest of the summer: June 22: Matt Barnett & Sparrow 5 June 29: Barn Star Sharks July 6: The Extended Family of Sarah & Pete Walthery July 13: Brandt Carmichael w/ Wrong Way July 20: Stacey Kistler July 27: Eric Rogers August 3: Cyndi Fisher August 10: Steve Michaels August 17: Jason McKeever August 24: Barn Star Sharks August 31: Finale TBD

Ready for the fair?

Fair time will be here before we know it! The Cass County 4-H Fair runs July 6 through 12. Miss Cass County 2014 will be crowned during the annual pageant on Sunday, July 6.

We’ll have a complete schedule of fair events on CassCountyCalendar.com.

June 28 Airport Fly-In/Drive In EAA Chapter 1471 invites you to come out to the Logansport/Cass County Airport on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. for a day of flying, food and fun for the whole family.

This years event features: - Huey 803/Warrior II which saw service in Vietnam as a gunship - Purdue University Professional Flight Program Aircraft - EAA Chapter 1471 airplane rides - AT-6 Texan display and rides - Kids Zone Play Area (bounce houses and Logansport Fire Dept. Smoke House) - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs available from 11:00am to 3:00pm

July 12 Race for Grace Mark your calendar to run or walk in the 17th annual Race for Grace. Starting time is 8 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church near downtown Logansport. Following hte race, participants are welcome to enjoy refreshments in Bigler Hall.

The goal of the event is to raise funds to assist in the activities of the Logansport Great Banquet.

Registration prior to July 12 is $12. Registration the day of the race is $15.

These are just a handful of the hundreds of events listed on CassCountyCalendar.com and new events are added daily, so check back often to make sure you don’t miss a thing! It’s FREE to list your event, so if you’re having an event that’s open to the public, make sure to add the details by heading to www. casscountycalendar.com and clicking submit.

Make sure you check Google Play or the iTunes store to download the new Logansport Parks app!

June 2014 | Cass County INfo: | 5

7.4.14

Celebrations TWELVE MILE: Pre-4th of July Festival & Fireworks in Plank Hill Park: Basketball tournament starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, followed by variety show/karaoke. Fireworks at dusk. Free refreshments from Corinth Church.

Twelve Mile 500 Parade at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 4 Admission to Twelve Mile 500 Lawnmower Race is $5 for adults and $1 for kids. Little Firecracker Race at 2:30 for kids ages 9-12. Call Mark Lowe at 765-475-2172 or 765-4690888 for info about events.

WALTON: Fourth of July Talent Show: Auditions will be Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at the Walton Lions Den. Open to all Southeastern School Corporation students who live in the corporation.

Wounded Warrior Run - registration from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at the Walton Legion. Proceeds for this year’s race will go to the Homes for Wounded Warriors program, a local charity providing specially designed homes to meet the needs of Indiana veterans who were seriously wounded in Iraqi or Enduring Freedom. $15 per participant on or before June 30. $20 per participant on or after July 1. www.walton5k.com for more info.

Vendor and merchandise booth space still available by contacting Sharon at 574-809-8559. Parade begins at 2 p.m.

Walton Fire Dept. Car Show at 4 p.m. with Fish Fry from 4 until gone. Fireworks begin at dusk. For more info: 765-432-0945.

LOGANSPORT: Numerous activities will be taking place throughout the day at Riverside Park, culminating with fireworks at the end of the day. Free admission and water carnival at Tower Park from noon to 6 p.m. on July 4. Complete schedule will be posted on www.casscountycalendar.com.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 I’m not asking you to attend every meeting. I’m just suggesting that you pay attention to what’s happening around you. If you want a fancy new water park, the money for that has to come from somewhere, and the answer most likely is that the money comes from you, as a taxpayer.

In almost every case, it’s your money that’s being spent. So if you’re cool with that, let your elected officials know. Give them a call. Send them an email. Speak up during the public comment portion of a meeting. If you’re not cool with a certain way they’re considering spending your money, same deal. And remember that those same dollars fund lots of other things, too — police and fire protection, trash pickup, etc.

The elected officials are there because they were elected. They had the courage to put their name on the ballot and to sit in the seats making decisions that are sometimes very difficult. So, speak up. Sometimes it’s also nice to hear when you’re doing something right.

With that in mind, enjoy the summer and maybe I’ll see you at a meeting, a festival or the next parade.

Know the fireworks laws

Consumer fireworks may only be used, ignited or discharged within the corporate limits of the City of Logansport during the following times in observance of Independence Day: Between the hours of 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29-30 and July 1-3 and 5-9 Between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4 The use, ignition or discharge of consumer fireworks other than during the above time periods shall constitute an infraction and shall be subject to a fine of $100. Ordinance 2007-38 regulates the use of consumer fireworks within city limits.

Indiana fireworks law stipulates the following: • Only individuals over the age of 18 can purchase fireworks.

• A person 18 years of age or older has to be present when anyone younger than 18 is using or possessing fireworks.

• Fireworks can only be used on the user’s property, the property of someone who granted permission for fireworks to be discharged, or a place designated by the Indiana State Fire Marshal for the discharge of consumer fireworks.

• Fireworks can only be discharged between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. any day except on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and New Years Eve when the times are 9 a.m. to midnight. It is important to check with local officials, as local ordinances may restrict or increase the days and hours fireworks can be used.

A person who violates this law can be charged with a class C infraction.

If a person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally uses fireworks and the violation causes property damage they can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. If there is bodily injury it is enhanced to a class D felony, and if there is death a class C felony.

Adults are encouraged to constantly monitor children who use fireworks. In the past, children have suffered needless burns on their arms and hands as a result of improperly using bottle rockets, fire crackers, and sparklers. All fireworks have the potential to be dangerous when used improperly. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure we have a safe holiday.

Summer food programs offer free meals for kids When school is out for summer vacation, millions of children across the nation lose access to the free and reduced-price meals they receive during the school year. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Education, aims to fill that gap, providing children with free, healthy meals during the summer months when school is not in session and when many children often face missing meals and lack of proper nutrition. Now in its fourth year at Food Finders, the Summer Food Service Program aims to help the over 23%, or roughly 2,300, children in Cass County who are unsure of when or where their next meal will come from.

The site in Cass County is located at River of Life Christian Church on Mall Road and will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. through August 1. (Meals will not be served July 4).

Free breakfast is also served in the Columbia Middle School cafeteria Monday through Friday from 9 to 9:20 a.m.

Lunch is served from 11:45 to 12:10 p.m.

It’s open to kids up to age 18 and runs through July 3

Want to know what’s going on in our community? Find more local news and information online at CassCountyOnline.com.

Time for summer reading!

Summer reading programs for kids are underway at the Logansport-Cass County Public Library and the Walton-Tipton Township Public Library. In addition to prizes for students who meet the reading requirements, both locations have a variety of summer programs. They’re listed on www.casscountycalendar.com so be sure to check each week to see what’s happening!

United Way seeking Live United Day projects United Way of Cass County has scheduled Live United Day for September 19 for the Logansport, Pioneer, and Southeastern School Districts and September 20, 2014, for Caston School district. Live United Day is a day of action when people volunteer to help local individuals and nonprofit organizations. Past projects have included installing wheel chair ramps at the homes of senior citizens, playground equipment at local schools, landscaping for nonprofits, and hosting food drives for local relief agencies.

Anyone interested in submitting a project may contact their Live United Day Town Chair: Caston: Paul Ulerick, paululerick@hotmail.com Logansport: Scott Kraud, skraud@casstitle.com Pioneer: Diane Sedam & Caleb Sedam _sedamjd@aol.com Southeastern: Josh Johnson, josh.johnson@syngenta.com

6TH, 7TH, 8TH YOUR SUMMER WILL BE GREAT Free memberships to current 6th, 7th and 8th graders through August 10 Stop by the Cass County Family YMCA to learn more!

June 18-20 The Smurfs 2 (PG) June 25-27 Cloudy w/a Chance of Meatballs 2 (PG) July 2-4 Arthur Christmas (PG) July 9-11 Hotel Transylvania (PG) July 16-18 Despicable Me 2 (PG) July 23-25 Turbo (PG)

Cass County Family YMCA 905 E Broadway Logansport www.casscountyymca.org 574-753-5141

July 30- Aug. 1 The Croods (PG) Aug. 6-8 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (PG)

June 2014 | Cass County INfo: | 7

Ivy Tech offers new programs

A SUCCESS i am

Enrolling now for fall!

Classes begin

Aug. 25.

Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Region will be offering three new programs this fall as part of the College’s new School of Computing and Informatics. The programs were recently approved by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education and the new school directly links to the College’s new academic division structure of providing focused workforce-relevant career pathways for students.

Jan Bailey, dean of the School of Business for Kokomo Region, has also been named to head the new school for the region.

“We are very excited to bring these new programs to Kokomo,” Bailey said. “This is a great opportunity for students to prepare for high-demand, well-paying careers in the computing and informatics industries.”

The three new programs being offered by Kokomo Region include Cyber Security-Information Assurance, Software Development and Information Technology Support.

“The field of informatics looks at how information science and technology impacts the lives of people at work and play,” Bailey said. “It involves studying how people interact with computers, data and other technologies to increase productivity and improve communication.

Students will study topics in information technology and information systems and how they can be applied to areas like health sciences, criminal justice, accounting and social sciences.”

Classes in the new programs will begin this fall. For more information, call Lou Ann Stroup at 765-459-0561, ext. 397, or email at lstroup4@ivytech.edu.

FOR SALE BY OWNER

3 BEDROOM HOUSE • $78,000

2427 NORTH STREET • LOGANSPORT Tri-Level Home (Living room on main level; 3 bedrooms and bath upstairs, kitchen, laundry room & half bath downstairs)

• Ready to move in • New high-efficiency furnace •1 Car Garage • Large yard

• Refrigerator, electric stove, window A/C included • Great neighborhood near park and trail

574-721-4636

for more info or to schedule an appointment to see this home. | 574-753-5101 8 | IvyTech.edu/apply-now Cass County INfo: | June 2014

No, but seriously ...

Memorial Day Weekend was one for the record books! Was it because of the beautiful weather?

Nope. Was it because we celebrated my daughter, Gretchen’s 8th birthday? Nope. Was it because the officials at the 500 threw a black flag guaranteeing us a finish for the ages? Nope. Was it because Ryan Hunter-Reay held off Helio Castroneves in one of the most thrilling and awesome finishes ever at the Indianapolis 500? Nope.

Was it because I nearly took my foot off with my lawnmower? WE HAVE A WINNER! It all went down like this ... After a very busy Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, I decided that it was time to clean up and mow my yard. My father-in-law came over first thing Monday morning and we unloaded

three truckloads of gravel for my driveway. After that was finished, I decided to start work on my lawn. I got it all mowed, weed whacked what needed whacking, and edged what needed edging. After that was all done, I blew off what needed blown with my blower.

While I was in the middle of this very difficult and labor intensive day, I noticed something interesting. My next door neighbor was trying to mow her lawn as well. BUT there are two things you must keep in mind.

One — Her yard was roughly 2.5 months past needing a good mowing.

Two — She was trying to do it with a 1922 manual push mower.

To say that she was struggling with it is a bit of an understatement. Now, my first thought was to do the neighborly thing, of course, and make fun of her...

“HEY....PRESIDENT TAFT’S LANDSCAPERS WANT THEIR MOWER BACK!!”

However, I didn’t say that because I’m socially awkward and I’m never really sure how well President-based sarcasm will go over. So then I made a mental note that when I was done with my yard, I could mow hers and it would take me roughly five minutes to do it.

Michelle Dials is always harping about DO SOMETHING NICE, so I thought I would.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

June 2014 | Cass County INfo: | 9

Continued from page 9 Plus, the Good Book tells me that I should be a good neighbor, so why not?

And that’s when things went downhill....

Except for my kids, they were happily playing in the water sprinkler.

Anyway, I got the neighbor’s backyard done, the side of their house done, and then it was on to the front. In front of the house is a little retaining wall that separates their grass from the the sidewalk and the easement leading to the street. I was mowing the easement, and I was going backward when I tripped over the retaining wall.

The thing is, ever since I began to walk several years ago, I learned that falling down pretty much sucks. In those early days, I learned fairly quickly that if I was falling down, I could try to grab something and not let go, thus hopefully preventing any untoward injury.

In this case, unfortunately, the thing I was holding on to — and not letting go of — was a push mower equipped with a 3hp Briggs and Stratton engine and mulching blades spinning underneath. As I stumbled backwards, I brought the mower up and over my left foot. See, when you fall, your instinct isn’t

10 | Cass County INfo: | June 2014

to let go, it’s to hold on. My instincts were certainly up for the challenge...

At first it felt like a rock hit me and I thought, “REGIS PHILBIN, THAT HURT!” It sorta felt like I stubbed my toe on the coffee table in the middle of the night. Really hard.

Then I noticed that my foot had disappeared under the mower deck. After throwing the mower as far as I could, I then noticed the giant chunk of my shoe that was now gone.

At this point, panic started to settle in. After I looked through the hole in my shoe, and saw my big toe, I went in to full blown shock.

Somehow I made it back up to my own front porch where I barked at my daughter, “GO GET MOMMY, RIGHT NOW!!” I took my shoe and sock off, grabbed my son’s Superman towel, wrapped my foot in it, and applied what pressure I could stand on my toe. Several minutes later after the kids got dried off and put different clothes on, we were off to the ER! Basically, what happened was the top bone above the joint in my left big toe was obliterated. I had to have emergency surgery to clean out all the bone fragments that remained.

In the meantime, my biggest enemy is infection. I’m under strict orders to put no weight on my left foot, nor can I get it wet. So here it is, summertime, and I can’t go swimming, I can’t go for walks or play outside with my kids. I certainly can’t mow the yard.

More importantly, since I have to stay inside and be pretty much useless, I’m not contributing to my household in any way. My wife, though, has been awesome. Anything I’ve needed, she’s been right there. This has been quite the challenge for her, because she now has to take care of the kids with no meaningful help from me, and make sure that I’m okay as well.

So, as we get into the summer months, please remember me as you’re doing chores around the house and around the yard. Bad stuff can happen in an instant, and while I’m not trying to get a pity party, forcibly losing part of your body kinda stinks. Be careful out there..

And finally, a big thank you to the doctors and nurses at Logansport Memorial Hospital!

Matthew Paul Mix 102 Morning Guy, Director of Operations WLHM/WSAL/WHZR

Caught on

Logansport native Berkley Conner received the James Marine Scholarship, awarded to the outstanding junior at Ball State University. The award and scholarship recognizes and supports leadership and academic excellence. She is pictured with BSU president JoAnn Gora. PHOTO SHARED BY DAWN CONNER-KRAUD

This month, we celebrate the achievements of area students.

The Logansport High School Fine Arts Super Bowl Team qualified for state in 7th place and placed 5th in the state. Team members were: Avery Penn, Kayla Mullins, and Gabby Howell.

Avery Penn was captain and also the recipient of the Joseph Weaver Award for outstanding academic achievement while on a variety of academic teams for Logansport High School.

SHARED BY LORESE SHARP

The 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists were recognized at a dinner presented by the Cass County Community Foundation in June. They are, from left to right, Derek Berkshire, Cooper Kinnaman, Lari Rutschmann, Emma Groff, Alex Calisto and Brock Reish. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS

Area high schools held commencement ceremonies June 1 and June 8. The photos were shared by family members on our Facebook page. Clockwise from top right: Ian Anthony Smith, shared by Donald Conn; LHS valedictorian Alex Calisto and his parents, shared by Cynthia Hallam; cousins Guy Minks and Emily Shilling, shared

by Polly Shilling; Emily Ervin shared by Todd Ervin; Shared by Annette Munguia; Shared by Kelly Bird Dodrill

June 2014 | Cass County INfo: | 11

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