News Releases

Richmond Shakespeare Festival Brings The Tempest and Hamlet to America's Heartland!

Posted May 30, 2019

The Tempest

"O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!"

The deposed Duke of Milan has been abandoned to a desert island with her only daughter. She shares the island with two magic creatures, Caliban the son of the witch Sycorax, and Ariel, an airy spirit. As luck would have it, he usurping brother's ship draws near the island, and Propsera lures him into her trap of revenge, retaliation and possibly redemption. A magical romp through an enchanged isle that includes a wedding, drunken clowns and magical spirits. What more could you want?

Hamlet

"What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason,
how infinite in faculties, in form and moving,
how express and admirable in action, how like an angel in apprehension,
how like a god!"

Prince Hamlet suspects foul play in the death of his father when he returns to his kingdom to find hi mother married to his father's brother not long after his father's death. He sets a trap to catch King Claudius in is misdeeds, but Claudius is cautious. In the meantime, in a rage, Hamlet mistakenly murders his girlfriend's father and the two young lovers both descend into madness. A classic tale of love, murder, madness and revenge.

The Richmond Shakespeare Festival is a professional Actor's Equity theatre performing in the birthplace of recorded jazz, near downtown Richmond, Indiana. For this summer's season, the Richmond Shakespeare Festival presents The Tempest and Hamlet in rotating repertory, June 21 to July 6 in the Whitewater Gorge State Park in Richmond, Indiana. Performing in a covered outdoor venue in the Whitewater Gorge Park, this year's Festival is part of a growing trend of new Shakespeare Festivals popping up all over the country.

The acting company is comprised of a mix of union and non-union professionals, college-age interns (including students from Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, and Ball State University to name just two), and volunteers sourced from as far away as New York, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and points in between. Directors, designers and crew come from right here in Indiana to all the way from Chicago, Florida, and beyond.

It's all a part of Producing Artistic Director Patrick Flick's plan to bring the best talent possible to the heartland city of Richmond. "We want this to be a destination theatre," says Flick, "and the best way to do that is to develop a reputation for nothing but the finest quality in our productions – from the acting, to the directing, to the costumes, to the scenery, the lighting, and best of all, our unique Elizabethan Stage – you'll find nothing but the best Shakespeare the world has to offer right here in Indiana."

The Festival, now in its sixth season, is a member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA) and operates under an agreement with Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Festival performs in the Starr-Gennett Pavilion in the Whitewater Gorge Park at 201 S. First Street in Richmond Indiana weekends from June 21st to the July 6th. Tickets are available online at www.richmondshakes.org, or by calling 765.373.9022.

Photography of People, Places and Things at Reid Health

Posted May 29, 2019

The current exhibit in the MacDowell Gallery at Reid Hospital is titled "People, Places and Things: Photography by Vicki Vardaman".

Vardaman is a native of Lynn, Indiana and works for the Art Association of Randolph County as the director of the Arts Depot in Union City. She studied fine art and computer graphics at IU East and continues to pursue photography as a primary art interest, focusing on architecture, street scenes, and documenting people and the places they live.

Vardaman has had some of her images projected on the big screen in Times Square and four photos published in the annual Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Library publication "So It Goes." She maintains an active web presence on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumbler, YouTube and Artists Wanted.

The exhibit will remain up through mid-July.

Senior Adult Ministry June Meeting

Posted May 29, 2019

An Earlham student will be the special guest speaker at the next meeting of the Senior Adult Ministry at 6 pm on Tuesday, June 25, at First United Methodist Church, 318 National Road West, Richmond, IN. Please bring snacks to share. Expect to learn about other places and life experiences that will broaden your horizons.

New members are always welcome. Senior Adult Ministry is an active group of seniors over 50 years old open to all regardless of religious affiliation. The group is guided by Pastor Judi Marshall, Clara Bulmer and Beverly Kirby. These three women actively share their gifts of ministry, hospitality and creativity in planning and organizing the meetings.

Future events in 2019 include a picnic at the Veteran's Park in July and "Senior Safety" in September.

For further information, call 765-962-4357.

Wayne County Foundation Awards $195,675 in Spring Grant Cycle

Posted May 28, 2019

The Wayne County Foundation has awarded $195,675 to fourty local organizations in support of programs or projects designed to enhance the spirit of the community and improve the quality of life across Wayne County.

"The wide range of projects and initiatives proposed for this cycle was especially impressive," said Steve Borchers, the Foundation's executive director. "We have no doubt that the ones selected for funding will have a meaningful impact on our community."

All of the Foundation's community grantmaking is made possible by income from unrestricted and endowed field-of-interest funds.

This is the complete list of grant awards approved by the Foundation's Board of Directors at its May meeting:

More information about the Foundation's Challenge Match and Key Initiative grant cycle will be available soon. Please visit the Foundation's Web site (www.waynecountyfoundation.org) or contact Lisa Bates at 962-1638 for additional information.

The Wayne County Foundation exists to foster and encourage private philanthropic giving, to enhance the spirit of community and to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - June 2019

Posted May 22, 2019

If you are 21 years of age or better and single, divorced, widow or widower, Singles' Interaction invites you to join them on Friday nights. Come to the Eagles Lodge, 75 South 12th Street, Richmond (membership not required) and meet other single people in the Richmond area.

Come, socialize, dance, and enjoy yourself!

Lifestream Partners with Local Organizations for Senior Day at the Wayne County 4-H Fair

Posted June 18, 2019

Sponsor tent to host a variety of sponsored activities including music, chair volleyball, snacks and drinks, and more at no cost.

LifeStream invites the community to attend Senior Day at the Wayne County 4-H Fair on Wednesday, June 26. The sponsor tent will host a variety of sponsored activities and refreshments at no cost. The Wayne County 4-H Fairgrounds is located at 861 Salisbury Rd, Richmond, IN 47374.

The schedule of the day includes the following activities:

• 11am to Noon: Wellness checks provided by Rosebud Village.
• Noon: Visit Today's Harvest Farmers Market. LifeStream will also be conducting SFMNP Farmers Market Voucher distribution while supplies last.
• 1pm to 2pm: Enjoy snacks and a cold drink during activities with Ambassador Healthcare.
• 2pm to 3pm: Practice your serve and play chair volleyball with Richmond Club 50.
• 3pm to 4pm: Cool off with an ice cream treat and play a game of cards with Reid Health Alliance Medicare.
• 4pm to 5pm: Play an Activity with the Centerville-Abington Senior Center.
• 5pm to 6pm: Sit back and enjoy banjo music to wrap up the day.

LifeStream Services has partnered with Rosebud Village, Ambassador Healthcare, Richmond Club 50, Reid Health Alliance Medicare, and Centerville-Abington Senior Center to make this event possible. Learn more about Senior Day at the Wayne County 4-H Fair by visiting www.lifestreaminc.org or contact Lori Joseph, Wellness Educator, by calling 765-722-4060 or emailing ljoseph@lifestreaminc.org.

LifeStream is an Area Agency on Aging that works to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence. LifeStream serves over 19,000 seniors and people with disabilities throughout 12 counties in Indiana including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne. Programs and services include care management, transportation, in-home care, Senior Cafes, home-delivered meals, guardianships, caregiver support, home modifications, information and assistance, volunteer opportunities and more. For more about the organization call (800) 589-1121 or visit online at www.lifestreaminc.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifestreamservices.

Little Red Riding Hood - Puppet Play - Set In Outer Space

Posted June 18, 2019

Morrisson-Reeves Library will be offering a live puppet performance on Wednesday, June 19th at 2:00pm. It's free and open to the public. Little Red Riding Hood with a brand new twist… It's set in outer space!

Most folks are familiar with the classic Brothers Grimm story, Little Red Riding Hood. Over the years there have been many reinterpretations of the beloved faerie tale. Minnetrista Theatre Preserves have developed a performance that attempts to understand and harmonize the many different versions that have emerged from a variety of different cultures. Embarking on a journey to deliver canned goods to her grandmother's house, Red meets a writer with a terrible case of writer's block. Together the two of them explore the diverse interpretations of Little Red Riding Hood, including a brand new version set in space!

The production is inspired by the imagination of Elisabeth "Betty" Ball and her historic book collection. Throughout her life, she collected all sorts of different versions of faerie tales from different cultures. She even wrote her own faerie tales, poems, and plays.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/315717779319192/

Nettle Creek Players Summer Stock Tent Theatre Returns in July

Posted April 29, 2019

Nettle Creek Players, a 501c3 not-for-profit arts organization in Hagerstown, Indiana, has announced its 2019 troupe of visiting professional theatre artists who will live in the community for nine weeks as they prepare and present the Nettle Creek Players 2019 Summer Stock Tent Theatre Season featuring productions of JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, GERSHWIN & FRIENDS: A BROADWAY SONGBOOK CABARET, and RUMPELSTILTSKIN, OR THE FAIRIE'S SECRET NAME. Performances of JOESPH will be at 7:30pm on July 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27 & 5:00pm on July 7 with GERSHWIN & FRIENDS at 5:00pm on July 14, 21 & 28 and RUMPELSTILTSIKIN at 11:00am on July 20 & 27. All performances will take place in the Nettle Creek Players Show Tent at 150 N. Plum Street in historic downtown Hagerstown, Indiana.

Tickets for JOSEPH and GERSHWIN & FRIENDS are $15 per person with discounts available for students, children and groups of 10 or more. Tickets for RUMPELSTILTSKIN are $5 per person. Tickets and more information are available at www.nettlecreekplayers.com, at Facebook/NettleCreekPlayers and by phone at 765-312-2722.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

A reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors, Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber & Tim Rice's classic is one of the most enduring Broadway shows of all time. Told entirely through song with the help of the angelic Narrator, the musical follows Jacob's favorite son, Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar's wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph's solution to Egypt's famine elevates him to Pharaoh's right-hand man and reunites him with his family.

"Gershwin & Friends: A Broadway Songbook Cabaret"

This witty and clever walk through the greatest music from Tin Pan Alley to the early days of Broadway features classic songs from George & Ira Gershwin as well as their friends and colleagues including Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Rogers & Hart, Kay Swift and more. More than two dozen songs are connected by humorous, insightful and endearing stories from the lives and careers of these music masters. Jazz Era gowns and tuxedos frame this elegant and entertaining journey through the best songs of the 20th Century including "Stairway to Paradise," "Our Love is Here to Stay," "Night & Day," "My Funny Valentine," and "Blues in the Night."

"Rumpelstiltskin, or The Fairie's Secret Name"

The traditional tale of the girl who made a deal with a devilish little imp who helped her spin straw into gold. The audience helps banish the arrogant elf by shouting his name at just the right moment to save the day in this 40-minute fast-paced comedy crafted for both the youngest audiences as well as the young-at-heart.

The visiting artists will live in the community, most in the homes of local volunteers and some in apartments made available by a local realtor. They will rehearse the shows for 2 ½ weeks and perform for four weekends. Following the season in Hagerstown, performers in GERSHWIN & FRIENDS will take that show on tour, playing a two-week run of shows at the historic Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Indiana from August 3 through August 11.

The eight professional actors and visiting artists-in-residence that will form the 2019 core company include the following:

• Jacob Butler comes from Cincinnati and is a graduate of Ball state University. He has been seen on stage at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, BOBDIREX in Indianapolis and has numerous film credits. Jacob will play the title role in JOSEPH;
• Katie Friedel-Carfield of Richmond, Indiana is a graduate of Ball State University and has performed regionally at the Jenny Wiley Theatre, Kings Island, Cedar Point and Busch Gardens as well as the West End Lounge and Duplex Cabaret in New York City. Ms. Friedel-Carfiled will play the Narrator in JOSEPH;
• Anna Marck lives in Chicago and is a graduate of Oakland University. She has performed with Thunder Bay Theater, Water Works Theatre and Festival 56 among others. She will portray Levi in JOSEPH, be a member of the ensemble of GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;
• Sean Haynes lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and is a graduate of Ball State University. He has performed in multiple seasons of the Richmond Shakespeare Festival, with Actors Theatre of Indiana and at the IndyFringe Festival in Indianapolis and as a singer with Broadway star Sutton Foster and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and at the Columbia Club Cabaret. He will portray Dan and Potiphar in JOSEPH, be a lead emcee and soloist in GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;
• Taylor Hadsell is native of Plano, Texas and recent graduate of Ball State University and an Equity Membership Candidate. Taylor has worked at Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Plano Arts Collective and Ohlook Performing Arts Center. She will play Asher in JOSEPH, be a member of the ensemble of GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and as a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;
• Alexis Smith is a graduate of Point Park University and currently resides in Pittsburgh where she has performed at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Other credits include performances at the Bicentennial Park Theatre and Rialto Square Theatre in her native Joliet, Illinois. She will portray Gad and The Baker in JOSEPH, be a lead emcee and soloist in GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and a serve as a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;
• Maddy Fenton is a native of Yorktown, Indiana and is a Musical Theatre major at Ball State University. She has performed at Muncie Civic Theatre and in several shows at Ball State. Ms. Fenton will play the role of Zebulon in JOSEPH, be a member of the ensemble of GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and a serve as a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;
• Kavin Moore is a Ball State University musical theatre major originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He has performed at Booth Tarkington Theatre, Ethnic Theatre Alliance, Legacy Theatre and Kentucky Shakespeare. Mr. Moore will play Judah in JOSEPH, be a member of the ensemble of GERSHWIN & FRIENDS and a serve as a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;

Five performers who were in the 2018 Nettle Creek Players company are returning for a second season. They include:

• JD Sams is a native of Connersville and studied at both Ball State University and the American Musical & Dramatic Academy. He is the lead singer of popular local band The Smileys, portrayed The Wolfe in NCP's 2018 production of INTO THE WOODS and will play The Pharaoh in JOSEPH;
• Lily Ballenger is from Cambridge City and has performed at Richmond Civic Theatre and was seen as one of the stepsisters in NCP's INTO THE WOODS. Ms. Ballenger will play Reuben in JOSEPH;
• Jordan Paul Wolfe is from Richmond where he studies at Earlham College. A graduate of Lincoln High School in Cambridge City, he has performed at Richmond Civic Theatre and Earlham Theatre Company, was The Steward in NCP's INTO THE WOODS and will play Napthali and The Butler in JOSEPH.
• Craig Underwood is a Chicago-based member of Actors Equity Association, the professional union for actors and stage managers and starred as the Baker in NCP's 2018 production of INTO THE WOODS. He has performed at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, The Mercury & Paramount Theatres in Chicago and will direct & choreograph JOSEPH;
• Dr. Julie Lyn Barber is Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Western Kentucky University and has performed for 10 years in CABARET POE with Q Artistry in Indianapolis, in many shows with American Heritage Theatre Company and Portland Center Stage in Oregon and The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres as well as numerous theatres in her native Canada and the 2018 NCP season where she played The Witch in INTO THE WOODS. Dr. Barber will choreograph GERSHWIN and direct RUMPELSTILTSKIN;

Several local performers will also join the company. They include the following:

• Devin Summan is from Bentonville and graduated from Connersville High School and Ball State University. He is a frequent performer at Richmond Civic Theatre and Muncie Civic Theatre and will play Simeon in JOSEPH;
• Alison Moore is from Richmond and is a graduate of North Park University in Chicago and holds a Master of Music degree from Wichita State University. She has been seen on stage at Richmond Civic Theatre and The Bell Tower Theatre. Ms. Moore will play Issachar and Potiphar's Wife in JOSEPH;
• Lee Stacey is a New Castle native, an NCP alum from the 1980's and a long-time director at the Guyer Opera House in Lewisville, Indiana. He will play Jacob in JOSEPH, a role he first played for NCP in 1988;
• Gilda McClure Lewis is a native of Connersville and NCP alum from the 1980's. She will coordinate costuming for the season and play Jacob's Wife in JOSEPH

Chorus member and company understudy will be local high school student and 2-year veteran of NCP's Young Actor's Workshop program, Paige Strothman, who joins the full company for the first time.

Music Director for the season will be Ball State University accompanist Cody Ricks who led the NCP orchestra in 2017 and music directed in 2018. He is joined for a second year by percussionist Josh Fulford.

Technical Director and Production Stage Manager is Greg Gasman, former Technical Director at Muncie Civic Theatre. He is joined by Assistant Stage Manager Logan Hill, a native of Ridgeway, Ohio and recent graduate of Ohio Northern University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Production Manager will be 3-year NCP veteran Marty Grubbs, former Muncie Civic Theatre director, Losantville native, Ball State graduate and Chicago actor.

The artistic quality of the project is overseen by Executive Artistic Director Darrin Murrell (www.darrinmurrell.com) who has worked as a professional actor, director, producer and educator for over 30 years with theatres across the country. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, the professional union for actors and stage managers. He has developed and managed numerous Young Actors Workshop educational programs in Rome, New York, Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Muncie, Indiana. He is former Executive Director of Muncie Civic Theatre, and has served as President of the Indiana Community Theatre League and Regional Representative to the American Association of Community Theatres. Mr. Murrell will direct GERSHWIN & FRIENDS.

For tickets and information visit www.nettlecreekplayers.com and Facebook/NettleCreekPlayers or call 765-312-2722.

First Bloom and Glow Tickets Are Now Available

Posted May 30, 2019

NOTE:  Due to expected inclement weather on Wednesday, this event has been moved to Thursday, June 6th.

Advanced Tickets only are $25 to enjoy the delicious food provide by various local vendors in the Rose Garden, 2514 East Main Street, Richmond, on June 6th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM.

Balloons will glow around 9PM or at dusk. Tickets can be purchased at the Welcome Center or Wayne County Foundation. Bloom and Glow committee members and Rose Garden Board members also have them for sale.

This event helps the volunteers to maintain the Rose Garden for our community. We hope to see you there!

Reid Health & Fayette Regional Health System Reach Sale Agreement

Posted May 14, 2019

Reid Health to maintain access to care in Fayette County and surrounding region

Officials with Reid Health, a nationally-recognized health system committed to serving communities throughout Indiana and Ohio, and Fayette Memorial Hospital Association announced today they have entered into an agreement for Reid Health to acquire a substantial portion of the assets of Fayette Regional Health System in Connersville, Indiana.

This announcement comes after the decision by Fayette Regional to file for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code in October 2018. The specific terms of the transaction will be disclosed in the Fayette Bankruptcy Case and include a payment of $12.75 million to the bankruptcy estate of Fayette. The proposed transaction requires final Bankruptcy Court and regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized in mid-July 2019.

"We are pleased to have been chosen to support the residents of Fayette County and the surrounding region by maintaining access to high-quality healthcare services," said Craig Kinyon, president and CEO of Reid Health. "Reid Health has proudly served Connersville and the surrounding communities for decades, and we're looking forward to continuing to provide our friends and neighbors with the exceptional care they deserve."

Reid Health currently provides a wide scope of services in Connersville that include primary, specialty and urgent care, lab and radiology.

Randy White, president and CEO of Fayette Regional pledged his support for the transition.

"Reid Health is a known entity in our community, and we look forward to working with them through this transition," White said. "I want to thank our talented team of employees, nurses, and physicians for continuing to provide our patients with an exceptional experience during this time."

Reid Health officials expect to be at Fayette Regional in the coming weeks to discuss details of the transition with leadership and others at Fayette Regional.

"Moving forward, we'll be taking into consideration the unique demographics of Connersville and the surrounding communities, sustainable clinical resources, and the viability of the facilities," Kinyon said. "Ultimately, we're committed to offering high-quality healthcare services in the community."

About Reid Health

Reid Health is a regional health system serving east central Indiana and west central Ohio, with a main hospital campus in Richmond that includes a 221-bed inpatient hospital and 50 satellite locations in nine regional counties. The health system and its physician network, Reid Health Physician Associates, has nearly 3,000 employees, including more than 200 providers in 88 specialties.

About Fayette Regional Health System

Since its founding in 1913, Fayette Regional Health System has been dedicated to the health of the community and a better quality of life for the residents of the Whitewater Valley. The hospital campus and ancillary locations are supported by a team of over 450 employees that offer excellent emergency, family, specialty and behavioral health care.

Deal Advisor Details

H2C Analytics, LLC acted as investment banker to Fayette. Kaufman Hall acted as advisor to Reid.

Classes Offered for Spring Quilt Show

Posted May 8, 2019

The Wayne County EH Biennial Quilt Show "Timeless Treasures" runs from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday, May 24 - 25, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, 861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond, IN. Sponsored by the Wayne County Extension Homemakers, the show will have well over 100 quilts on display. For the first time, classes will be held both days of the event.

A 30-minute class on fabric origami is scheduled for 11 am on Friday and again at 3 pm on Saturday. Susie Q Designs, based in West Manchester, Ohio, will host the class and participants will take home a sample design to use on a pillow or quilt. The cost is $5 per person for the class.

Gloria Stahlhut, owner of Quilted Glo of McCordsville, IN, will teach a one-hour class on paper applique at 1 pm on Friday. Learn the newest trend in quilting and how to use your scraps productively. The cost is $10 per person.

At 3 pm Friday, Jan Livingston Brady will present a free lecture on preserving your textiles. Jan will make suggestions on how to keep your quilts and other textiles in good condition so that they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Deborah Rubles, author of "Quilters Cutting Guide," will conduct a class using her cutting guide to "Cut Less! Quilt More!" Each student will take home a copy of the book. The three-hour class is at 9 am on Saturday. The cost is $40 per person.

Does your fabric fray when you are cutting it? Stahlhut, of Quilted Glo, will introduce you to a new adhesive that makes applique easy. Kits will be provided; the two-hour class begins at 1 pm on Saturday. The cost is $25 per person.

If you would like to exhibit a quilt in our show, get your entries in soon! All quilts, old or new, made by you or someone else are welcomed. We will have a special section for Junior Quilters – those young people 18 and younger who are carrying on this special tradition of quilt making.

Class size is limited and must be prepaid. Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WayneCoINQuiltShow to download signup sheets for both exhibitors and classes, along with a supply list. Registrations should be postmarked by May 15. Call Kathy at (765) 855-5185 for further information.

Run for the Wall (RFW) Has Started a Fourth Route and It Is Named the Sandbox Route

Posted May 7, 2019

RFTW (rftw.us) is sending a reconnaissance group along the planned route from the Vietnam Memorial Wall to the Middle East Conflicts Wall (middleeastconflictswall.org). This route will travel through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Illinois.

Sandbox Recon will be composed of nearly 100 motorcycles and support vehicles. It will have support and escorts from local and state law enforcement agencies. It will make overnight stops in the communities of: St. Clairsville, Ohio and Lafayette, Indiana before reaching its destination at the Middle East Conflicts Wall (MECW) in Marseilles, Illinois. This recon mission is the planning group for next years' estimated contingent of over 600 motorcycles and support vehicles.

RFTW is a non-profit organization that has been undertaking a yearly mission, over the last 31 years, to call for an accounting of all POW/MIA's, to bring honor to those Killed in Action (KIA), to promote healing amongst the veteran community and to be a support system to the families of those KIA. RFTW has, until now, traveled from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. along three routes. It is now including the Sandbox Route as its fourth route. This route will travel from D.C. (and the Vietnam Memorial Wall) to Illinois (and the MECW). This route will focus heavily upon the veterans of the middle east conflicts hence the destination location of the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Illinois and the motto; WALL 2 WALL.

RFTW was founded by Gunnery Sergeant James "Gunny" Gregory, USMC (Ret.). (A link to him explaining how RFTW began is below) In its yearly mission RFTW crosses the country with nearly 2000 motorcycles and support vehicles over three routes. The riders are a mixture of veterans of all eras as well as non-veterans that believe strongly in POW/MIA issues. These routes visit local communities over the 10 day mission including stops at local schools, Veterans Hospitals, various memorials and even the family homes of those MIA and KIA.

Sandbox Route is a furtherance of the RFTW mission. It specifically addresses the issues that face veterans of the Nations' middle east conflicts. This route is planned to take 3 days to cross from D.C. to Illinois. It will make a stop at the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania and place a wreath at the Memorial every year.

Sandbox Route will make an overnight stop in St. Clairsville, OH and will be hosted by North Star Indian, Polaris, Slingshot and meet with community members over dinner. Riders will also make an overnight stop in Lafayette, IN, where they will be hosted by Hunter's Moon Harley Davidson (with dinner provided by Mount Hope Church) and again meet with community members over dinner.

Sandbox Route will make midday stops for lunch in Shellsburg, PA and Union, OH at the VFW posts 9219 and 5434 respectively, a chance to get to know those communities. Sandbox Route will also stop for lunch at American Legion Post 235 in Marseilles, IL before completing its mission at the MECW. Here it will lay a wreath, mission accomplished plaque and spend time with local community members.

Sandbox Route will ride along this planned route for years to come. Much work will go into fostering relationships along this route in an attempt to bring awareness to the issues facing veterans of the middle east conflicts and the families of those that have been lost. This route will join the veterans of previous eras together with current day veterans in this symbolic handshake from Wall 2 Wall. The Vietnam Memorial Wall being a symbol of the nearly fifty-eight thousand lives that were lost in the Vietnam War and the Middle East Conflicts Wall being a symbol of the lives that have been lost in the middle east….a number that continues to grow.

Complete details of the route are included as attachments to this release. It is typical to see interstate overpasses filled with supportive community members waving American flags and veterans rendering salutes as the group passes. Links to examples of this (from the other three routes) are listed below.

Sandbox Route will generally cross along the following Interstates in the States listed:

• Maryland: I-270, I-70 and I-68 (05/26/2019)
• Pennsylvania: I-70 and I-68 (05/26/2019)
• Ohio: I-70 (05/26/2019 and 05/27/2019)
• Indiana: I-70, I-65 and I-57 (05/27/2019 and 05/28/2019)
  Note: Fuel stop planned at Brookville, Ohio, estimated time of departure at 2:07 p.m.
  Fuel stop planned at Greenfield, IN, estimated time of arrival at 3:33 p.m.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - May 2019

Posted April 29, 2019

If you are 21 years of age or better and single, divorced, widow or widower, Singles' Interaction invites you to join them on Friday nights. Come to the Eagles Lodge, 75 South 12th Street, Richmond (membership not required) and meet other single people in the Richmond area.

Come, socialize, dance, and enjoy yourself!

IU East's 48th Commencement Ceremony Will Be Held May 10

Posted April 29, 2019

Indiana University East will host its 48th Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center.

This year, the university will confer 804 baccalaureate degrees and 38 master's degrees.

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie and IU East Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe will preside and address the 842 graduates eligible to receive IU degrees during the ceremony. The figures include degree recipients from December 2018 and candidates for May, June and August 2019.

The Commencement Ceremony will be broadcast via live stream video at iue.edu/live. Live commencement updates and commentary will be available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow or post using the hashtags #iueast and #iue2019. Richmond residents can also watch the ceremony live on WCTV Channel 20.

As part of the ceremony, IU East will award an Indiana University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Craig Kinyon, president/CEO of Reid Health, and Charlie Nelms, Chancellor Emeritus of IU East and a higher education consultant. The honorary degree, the highest academic recognition Indiana University can bestow, is awarded to individuals who demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity and sincere concern for the public good. Kristopher Karanovich of Richmond, Indiana will address fellow classmates during the ceremony as the student speaker. Karanovich, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology, was selected to address the 2019 class.

Breanna Nowak, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is the recipient of the Naomi Osborne Award, an honor given to the graduate with the highest grade point average, and will lead the graduating class during the alumni induction ceremony. Nowak will receive her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She is a member of the women's golf team and a NAIA Division II All-American. She has been accepted to the Indiana University School of Medicine.

IU East will host events and ceremonies leading up to the 48th Commencement Ceremony.

IU East's Second Annual Hooding Ceremony for master's degree candidates will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, in Vivian Auditorium, located in Whitewater Hall. The hooding ceremony signifies a scholarly and personal achievement. This ceremony is by invitation.

Also the day of commencement, the IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences will host its pinning ceremony for nursing graduates at the Ligthhouse Assembly of God, located at 2339 West Cart Road in Richmond. The pinning ceremony begins at 2 p.m. with a slide show followed by the ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Graduates will receive their pin to wear for the Commencement Ceremony and nursing awards will be given to students.

For more information, visit iue.edu/commencement.

Hayes Arboretum Names New Outreach & Education Coordinator

Posted April 29, 2019

In an effort to increase community access and awareness, Hayes Arboretum has named Kate Glen as Outreach & Education Coordinator. This position is a direct positive result of the Arboretum's participation in the Wayne County Foundation 2018 Challenge Match. Hayes Arboretum would like to offer many thanks to the Wayne County Foundation Challenge Match for benefits such as this which it offers our community.

Glen joins Arboretum staff after completing her Masters of Arts in Arts Administration at Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. An educator and entrepreneur, Glen has experience in secondary and adult education and is co-owner of The Two Sisters: Books & More in the Depot District. Her novel, The Misadventures of Martin Hathaway, has recently been adapted for stage by Earlham College Department of Theatre.

Executive Director Stephen Hayes, Jr., noted, "We are thrilled to have Kate as part of the Hayes Arboretum staff. Her educational background, work experience, skills and interests make her a great fit for her role at the Arboretum. Kate has extensive experience and involvement with promoting education both in the classroom and outdoors. I intend to provide her with great opportunities to interact with the community and help extend the mission beyond the Arboretum's borders. It is often commented that the Arboretum is a hidden gem in our community. With Kate's help, the Arboretum will be more of gem and less hidden. Please stop by the Arboretum table at the next community event you attend and say hi to Kate."

Hayes Arboretum is the educational project of S.W. Hayes Research Foundation, Inc. Their mission is to provide nature and recreation related education to its visitors through instruction, experiences and amenities. The arboretum has 466 acres of woodlands, meadows, swamps, and streams and contains 3% of Indiana's old-growth forest.

ARC Center Community Gardens

Posted April 29, 2019

The ARC Center will have a community garden this summer! This summer we will have 15 plots that anyone in the community can sign up to use for their own personal garden. Please comment on our Facebook page if you are interested in having one of our four foot by four foot plots to use for the summer.

The ARC Center Community Garden staff will have a kick-off work day on Saturday, May 18th from 8:00am – noon and will be on site to donate seeds, teach you how to plant, and give you advice on a plan for your plot for the summer. We will come together as a community every Wednesday at 6:00pm to help maintain the garden while regular staff members will water and tend the garden daily.

We will also host monthly classes on cooking, preservation, canning, and nutrition to go along with our community garden. If you are interested in having your own plot or just being a part of the community garden, please come out to our planting celebration on May 18th from 8:00am to noon!

The ARC Center is a community center that is located on the corner of Salisbury and Main St on the west side of Richmond. If you have any question please contact us here on our Facebook page or give us a call at 765-962-4357.

Reid Health to Unveil Newly Remodeled Pediatric Therapy Areas

Posted May 6, 2019

Reid Health Rehabilitation Services will unveil a remodel of its Pediatric Rehab area in an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at 2021 Chester Boulevard.

The newly remodeled pediatric area includes a refurbished lamp post that came from the pediatric rehab area of the old hospital campus.

The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce at 4:30, followed by tours, refreshments and giveaways.

Megan Smith, Pediatric/Speech Therapy Manager, said the remodel was initially prompted when a large musical organ called "Mr. Pipes" could not be repaired or replaced. Mr. Pipes was one example of equipment that predated the new facility because some therapy equipment was moved from the department's former location on the old hospital campus.

The issue with Mr. Pipes is what started discussions about the need to update the facility, which remains the largest freestanding pediatric rehab facility in the region. "We started dreaming about what an amazing pediatric rehab space would look like, what we would want the theme to be, what was currently working and what wasn't," Smith said.

The suspension bridge allows patients to go "fishing."

She said all areas received a face lift with new flooring, paint, color scheme, furniture and added storage. New features include:

• A new ball cage
• A light feature wall
• A tent offering multiple sensory experiences
• A kitchenette for working on feeding skills and meal prep
• A sensory garden offering opportunities for sensory and fine/gross motor play activities

"The most exciting and biggest addition is our sensory garden area," Smith said. "Features include a tree with a squirrel friend, mushroom stools for climbing, a wheelchair accessible sandbox, a suspension bridge, a trampoline, a peg light board, musical flowers, a climbing log tunnel, a balance beam, a flower box and beanbag toss/archery area."

The area makes up most of the south side of the Rehab Center at 2021 Chester Boulevard. The rehab complex was the first major step in Reid Health's relocation more than 10 years ago from its former location at 1401 Chester Boulevard. The $7.6 million, 34,000 square foot facility opened in May of 2004 - four years before the new hospital campus was opened.

The recent remodel was completed for approximately $773,000. The pediatric area serves more than 300 children, many who are seen at least once a week.

2018 East-Central Indiana Business Climate Survey Results Announced

Posted May 1, 2019

The Indiana University East Business and Economic Research Center (the BERC) of the School of Business and Economics surveyed regional businesses to research the business and economic pulse in East-Central Indiana.

The 2018 East-Central Indiana Business Survey was completed by 96 businesses in September-October 2018. In this survey, five East-Central Indiana counties were included to provide an overview of the business climate of the regional economy. Based on the responses from the business executives, the BERC computed the scores of the IU East Regional Business Confidence Index (IUERBCI) that are used to gauge the confidence of East-Central Indiana's knowledgeable business leaders in the future.

The IUERBCI has a gross score of 2,479 for 2018, which is converted to an index value of 106.08. The 2018 IUERBCI has increased approximately 2 percent from 2017. This indicated that, overall, the business community in this region continued to hold an optimistic view about conducting their business activities in the region. However, the rising momentum in their confidence was just about half of the year before. A breakdown of the index into its sub-indexes illustrated that the regional business community was having much higher confidence in the current economic performance of the region for 2018 (as expressed by the 112.43 points from the Present Situation Index) than in the future performance for 2019 (as expressed by the 99.90 points from the Expectation Index).

The survey was sent to 616 business executives in Fayette, Henry, Randolph, Union, and Wayne counties across a wide spectrum of industries including professional services, manufacturing, health care, information technology, retail trade, and banking and financial services. Of the participating businesses surveyed, 56 percent have been in operation in the region for more than 20 years.

The survey was broken down into sections including demographics, performance, expectations, concerns and forecasts for the coming year. A few of the survey highlights indicated that businesses were performing better in 2018 including increases in business output and activity; hiring more employees; increased investment spending; and respondents indicated that their business experienced an increase in profits.

The survey report is available on the BERC website at iue.edu/business/berc/. This project would not have been successful without the support and contribution of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, and the Union County Development Corporation.

For more information, contact the Director of the Business and Economic Research Center and Associate Professor of Finance Oi Lin (Irene) Cheung, Ph.D., at (765) 973-8497 or Associate Professor of Economics and Finance Litao (Lee) Zhong, Ph.D., at (765) 973-8289.

Reid Health, Earlham College partnership launches with Fall course

Posted May 1, 2019

A new partnership between Reid Health and Earlham College further expands the health system's growth as a teaching center.

A new community medicine program will offer Earlham students clinical training and hands-on experience helping treat chronically ill patients in the region. Emily Kraft, M.D., Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services, said the new program resulted as part of the development of Reid's Community Paramedicine Program last year. "Our Community Paramedicine Program is designed to focus on high risk patients with a specific focus on keeping chronically ill patients in better health and reduce their need for emergency visits and readmission to the hospital," Dr. Kraft said.

The program, which is at no charge to the patients, involves paramedics going to patient homes, working with primary and specialty care providers, and assessing risks and barriers to care. A select group of pre-med students at Earlham will be chosen to take the course starting in the Fall semester. Students will have weekly sessions featuring a variety of speakers from the Reid system and community. "Topics will include health coaching, local healthcare connections, nutrition and lifestyle choices, palliative care medicine, mental health and more," Dr. Kraft noted.

In addition to their sessions at Earlham, students will also participate in training on the Reid Health­ campus. When they have completed the semester, they will serve as health coaches for the next year. "They will work in conjunction with the Community Paramedicine team to go in pairs to meet with patients regularly, assess barriers to their care and spend time with them."

Peter Blair, co-director of Earlham's Center for Global Health, said the program is the result of an expanded partnership between Earlham's Center for Global Health and Reid Health.

"This is a win-win-win for Earlham students, Reid Health, and the community," he said. "Our students will receive additional training and clinical experience while building relationships with our neighbors in the region. The community will benefit from well-trained and energetic students who will serve and engage with local citizens to improve health outcomes while working to reduce costly hospital visits."

"These kinds of experiences are critically important for students as they discern future careers, build a strong portfolio, and prepare for admission into graduate and medical school programs," says Michael Deibel, co-director of Earlham's Center for Global Health. "This program also supports the Center for Global Health's mission of producing students and graduates who see themselves as change agents in their local community and the world. We're grateful for the opportunity to expand our partnership with Reid and the Richmond area."

Reid Health partnerships with colleges and universities continue to further establish the health system as a teaching center. A Family Medicine Residency program that began in 2015 will be graduating its second class this summer. A Medical Student Clerkship program, with roots dating back more than a decade, was greatly expanded in 2011 in a partnership with Indiana University East and the IU School of Medicine.

And the IU East and Ivy Tech nursing programs and their partnerships with Reid Health are well established and continue to grow, including the recent addition of a Nurse Practitioner track at IU East.

"Reid Health's stature as a teaching center contributes to our ability to attract and keep caregivers on a highly competitive national stage." - Misti Foust-Cofield, Reid Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer "Reid Health's stature as a teaching center contributes to our ability to attract and keep caregivers on a highly competitive national stage," said Misti Foust-Cofield, Reid Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer. "We appreciate our close relationships with regional educational institutions and look forward to finding even more ways we can work together to improve community health care and community health."

Nominations are being accepted for IU East's Alumni Hall of Fame

Posted May 1, 2019

The Indiana University East Alumni Association invites members of the community and other interested individuals to submit nominations for the Indiana University East Alumni Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the outstanding alumni of IU East.

Inductees to the Hall of Fame are alumni who have typified the IU East tradition of excellence and brought credit to the campus through their personal accomplishments, professional achievement and leadership and humanitarian service and citizenship.

IU East Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at the Chancellor's Medallion Dinner on Friday, November 8, at the Student Events Center located on the campus of IU East.

For a list of Hall of Fame members, visit iue.edu/alumni/awards/dist_alumni.php.

Nominations may be submitted online at iue.edu/alumni/halloffame by September 2, 2019. Selections will be made by committee.

For more information about the IU East Hall of Fame, contact Director of Alumni Relations Terry Wiesehan at (765) 973-8221 or twiesaha@iue.edu.

Ivy Tech Richmond Celebrates Graduates on May 11

Posted May 1, 2019

Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate graduates from its Richmond campus and Connersville site at commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Tiernan Center at Richmond High School (380 Hub Etchison Parkway). Students earned 747 degrees and certificates during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Some highlights of the 2019 ceremony include:

• The presence of more than 30 high school seniors graduating with Ivy Tech credentials under the College's "Start as a Sophomore" program, also known as the Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC). These students will leave high school with 30 credit hours guaranteed to transfer to public four-year colleges in Indiana. They will travel by bus and walk the stage alongside their fellow college grads in full academic regalia. These students are among the largest class of dual credit students in the campus's history. In total, 98 Ivy Tech credentials will be awarded to high school students in the Richmond service area.
• Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann and student Brandi Farmer will be the featured speakers.
• George Mosey and Steve Mosey will receive Honorary Degrees in College and Community Service for their professional success, high moral and ethical standards, and dedication to important civic causes that improve the quality of life in the Richmond community.
• Jessica Huffman and Rhonda Price will receive the President's Award and Adjunct Faculty Award respectively in recognition of their excellence in instruction in Ivy Tech's classrooms.
  • Several outstanding students will be recognized for their work in the classroom and beyond including:
  • Dakota Harrison - School Of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Science
  • Ezra Blue - School Of Information Technology
  • Mary Beth McMurry - School Of Arts, Sciences & Education
  • Cammie Humphries - School Of Health Sciences
  • Tina Marshall - School Of Nursing
• Desiree Polk-Bland will be recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus. Currently, the Executive Dean of Student Affairs at Columbus State Community College in Ohio, Polk-Bland received her Ivy Tech Associate of Science degree in General Studies in 2006 while working at the campus as a full-time employee. She continues to support the College and its students through the ­­­Desiree Polk Endowed Scholarship.

Grants: More than $139,000 for mental health and substance abuse programs

Posted April 29, 2019

Reid Health Community Benefit is awarding $139,349 in grants for programs designed to meet the needs of mental health and/or substance abuse.

The grants represent the first awards of two grant cycles for the year. Grants, along with other specific outreach and requirements to meet the system's not-for-profit status, have put almost $176 million back into the community in the last five years. A committee of Reid Health's governing board reviews grant requests. The grants are awarded as part of the health system's efforts as a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization.

The grants include:

• $2,500 to A Better life - Brianna's Hope to cover supplies for recovery groups and initiatives.
• $11,700 to Birth to Five to help support the Healthy Families program.
• $18,400 to Boys and Girls Club for "Prevention Plus" programming.
• $12,000 to Cross Road Christian Recovery Center foritsTransitional Living program.
• $8,580 to Genesis of Richmond to cover a portion of the personnel cost for a part-time residential manager.
• $5,600 to Independent Living Center for staff and material costs for reusable residential wheelchair ramps.
• $9,876 to JACY House for its "Speak Up Be Safe" program.
• $900 to Monroe Central School Corp. for "Your Life Speaks" presentation for students and staff.
• $6,700 to Northeastern Elementary School to cover training for "Leader in Me" program for all teachers.
• $1,925 to Northeastern Middle School for a set of substance abuse simulation goggles for use in health education.
• $5,600 to SAWS (Servants at Work) for material costs of wooden wheelchair ramps to serve multiple counties in Reid's service area.
• $3,000 to Senior Opportunity Services to support its homemaker/handyman programs.
• $2,000 to Two Twenty Eight Club Inc. to help support its monthly sober events and materials for two new classes.
• $9,368 to Unchained Praises to help support its new Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
• $5,000 to Union County Health Department to help support its Opioid Treatment Program.
• $18,000 to Wayne County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit for a new police K-9 and training.
• $18,200 to Whole Family Community Initiative, House of Ruth for personnel costs for the counselor.

Details, videos

Community benefit is the basis of the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit hospitals. Community benefit is defined as programs or activities that improve access to health services, enhance public health, advance increased general knowledge, and/or relieve the burden of government to improve health. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act added new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals in the areas of community health needs assessment (CHNA), implementation strategy, billing and collections and reporting. In 2014 the IRS issued final rules implementing these requirements. The goals of these provisions are to ensure that tax-exempt hospitals are meeting the health needs of their communities and to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Wayne County Foundation to Present Prestigious Awards and Scholarships

Posted April 24, 2019

On May 17, the Wayne County Foundation will review their year, say goodbye to retiring board members, welcome new board members, and honor five community members at their Annual Celebration and Report to the Community.

Rick Ahaus will be recognized with the Charles A. Rodefeld Award for Leadership in Philanthropy and the Community. The award honors the Foundation's founder, Charles Rodefeld, a person who moved quietly but steadily to help meet community needs. The Rodefeld Award recognizes Wayne County citizens and/or companies who have been there when agencies or organizations most needed them, who served faithfully and well, though without fanfare, and who have provided leadership and significant financial support over the years.

Bill and Marilyn Martus will receive the Ruth J. Wickemeyer Award for Community Service which was named for the Foundation's first staff person and which recognizes paid or volunteer not-for-profit leaders who personify exceptional service to others in the name of community progress. Ruth is perhaps best remembered for maintaining the highest ethical standards and expressing true appreciation for even the smallest contributions and those selected for this award also exhibit those qualities.

Additionally, the Foundation will recognize the 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars – Molly Coomes, daughter of Andy Coomes and Kevin and Renee Westover, a senior at Centerville High School and Joseph Lahmann, son of Margaret Lahmann and Patrick Lahmann, a senior at Seton Catholic High School.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Molly Coomes		Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Joeph Lahmann

The public is invited to attend the celebration which will be held at Cope Environmental Center. Reservations are required by May 10 and may be made by visiting WayneCountyFoundation.org or by calling the Foundation at 765.962.1638. Cost for the event is $35 per person.

Wayne County Highway Issues Notice on Weed Spray and Cutting Programs

Posted April 29, 2019

The Wayne County Highway Department will be continuing its Weed Spray and Brush Cutting programs beginning in May, 2019. It is the intent of these programs to control brush, trees and weeds in the road right-of-ways which narrow driving lanes, limit vision and block signs.

Residents not wishing to have the right-of-way adjoining their property sprayed or brush cut are asked to contact the Wayne County Highway Department at 765-855-5211 between 6:30AM and 3:00PM to register for this program. "DO NOT SPRAY" signs will be provided to be placed at each end of the designated area in such a manner to be visible to Wayne County Highway Department employees.

Residents should exercise methods for controlling the brush and weeds in these areas. If these areas are not properly maintained, Wayne County Highway Department reserves the right to initiate appropriate measures.

For further information, please contact the Wayne County Highway Department.

Quilts Wanted for Spring Show

Posted April 10, 2019

Why leave your grandmother's quilt sitting in a trunk in the attic when you can bring it to be displayed at Richmond's premiere quilt show? The event runs from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, 861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond, IN. Sponsored by the Wayne County Extension Homemakers, the biennial quilt show is expected to have well over 100 quilts on display.

In addition to the quilts, there will be vendors, special exhibit by Junior Quilters, luncheon for purchase, and a "garage sale" table. A silent auction of themed baskets benefits our scholarship fund.

Visit our Facebook page right away to sign up for classes on "Applique using Hotfix" and "Using the Quilter's Cutting Guide" to quickly and efficiently cut your quilt pieces.

Applications are now being accepted for your quilt to be exhibited. There is no charge for displaying a quilt and you can enter as many quilts as you want.

Deadline for applications is May 10.

For more information, contact Jessica at craftevent@hotmail.com or call Kathy at (765) 855-5185. Visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WayneCoINQuiltShow.

28th Annual H.E.L.P. the Animals Pet Walk Scheduled for May 18th

Posted April 23, 2019

Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. for the 28th Annual H.E.L.P. the Animals Pet Walk on May 18th, 2019. There will be a Pet Costume Contest at 10:30 a.m. and the Pet Walk will take place at 11:00 a.m. Pledge to walk for homeless cats and dogs!

Richmond Celebrates Second Solar Park

Posted April 23, 2019

Indiana Municipal Power Agency and Richmond Power and Light Cut the Ribbon

Representatives from the City of Richmond, Richmond Power and Light (RP&L), and the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) cut the ribbon on the new solar park in Richmond on Monday. Mayor Dave Snow, RP&L General Manager Randy Baker, and the Richmond's Utility Service Board Members were on hand to recognize the milestone in the community. They joined with other community representatives and IMPA President and CEO Raj Rao to celebrate the addition of the renewable energy source in the town. Richmond is one of 17 IMPA members communities to have a solar park.

"Richmond was one of the founding members of IMPA, and was also one of the first communities in which IMPA built a solar park. Richmond has always been a valued ally and staunch supporter of our ongoing efforts to provide low-cost, reliable, environmentally-responsible electricity to Indiana's municipal electric communities," commented Rao. "The output of the Richmond 2 Solar Park enables us to continue expanding our diverse portfolio through the addition of solar energy. We are certain that the park will have a lasting impact on the community."

The Richmond 2 Solar Park is located on 58 acres of land and is comprised of approximately 27,000 solar panels. The facility is rated at 7.44 MW and will produce an annual amount of energy to power about 1,190 homes.

Other IMPA communities in which solar parks have been built include Advance, Anderson, Argos, Bainbridge, Crawfordsville, Flora, Frankton, Greenfield, Huntingburg, Pendleton, Peru, Rensselaer, Spiceland, Tell City, Washington and Waynetown. IMPA is currently construction additional solar parks throughout the state.

The Indiana Municipal Power Agency is the not-for-profit wholesale power provider to 61 cities and towns in Indiana an Ohio who own and operate the municipal electric distribution systems in their communities. IMPA

The Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau Celebrates National Tourism Week

Posted April 23, 2019

What started in Cape Cod has spread world wide and has now set some roots in Wayne County, Indiana! The Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau is happy to announce that a community rock garden has blossomed at the Old National Road Welcome Center. The idea is simple: paint inspirational messages on rocks and leave them for others to find.

The rocks will be placed in front of the Welcome Center and available for both locals and tourists. The rocks at the Welcome Center vary from inspirational messages to travel related images and uplifting graphics.

Those who take a Kindness Rock have three options: keep it if you think it's meant for you, give it to a friend or re-hide it somewhere new. The Tourism Bureau only asks that you take a photo and share it online with hashtag #VisitRichmondIN.

The community is invited to paint and hide their very own kindness rocks as part of the annual National Tourism Week Kick Off Celebration on May 4th from 11am – 3pm at the Old National Road Welcome Center, 5701 National Road East, Richmond.

To continue the celebration throughout National Tourism Week (May 5-11), the Tourism Bureau will be hiding special rocks throughout the community with clues posted on social media. Find one of the special rocks and turn it in for a Tourism Week Gift Bag! Special Passports will also be available at the Welcome Center as part of Visit Indiana Week which coincides with National Tourism Week. These passports will provide free admission, coupons, and discounts to a variety of attractions and businesses on designated days!

LifeStream's Annual Healthy Aging Expo Set for May 9

Posted April 9, 2019

LifeStream Services, The Leland Legacy, Kicks96, 101.7 The Point, and The Legend 95.3 invite the public to join us at the annual Healthy Aging Expo on Thursday, May 9. Last year's event welcomed an astounding 300 attendees who enjoyed 70 vendor booths, 6 health demonstrations, and a complimentary lunch.

This year's Healthy Aging Expo will be once again be held at the Kuhlman Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds located at 861 N. Salisbury Rd., Richmond, IN 47374 from 10am- 2pm.

The Expo is free to attend and hosts over 70 informational booths featuring health and wellness, financial services, area activities, and much more. The first 200 attendees will receive a complimentary lunch. There will also be several interactive demonstrations provided by Reid Health Alliance Medicare, YMCA of Richmond, Wayne County Emergency Management, the City of Connersville Police Department, and LifeStream Services.

We are currently accepting sponsorship and vendor reservations through April 24. To reserve a booth or become a sponsor, please contact Hannah Downham, Public Relations Officer, by calling 765-759-3363 or emailing hdownham@lifestreaminc.org. You can also fill out the form by visiting www.lifestreaminc.org/healthyagingexpo.

Special thank you to our current Healthy Aging Expo supporters including Reid Health, Reid Health Alliance Medicare, Connect America Medical Alert, Silver Birch of Muncie, Arbor Trace Senior Living, State of the Heart Care Hospice, Flatrock River Lodge, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Phillips Drugs, University Dermatology Center, Eye Center of Richmond, Wallace Heating and Air, The Gutter Shutter, and many more!

LifeStream is an Area Agency on Aging that works to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence. LifeStream serves over 19,000 seniors and people with disabilities throughout 12 counties in Indiana including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne. Programs and services include care management, transportation, in-home care, Senior Cafes, home-delivered meals, guardianships, caregiver support, home modifications, information and assistance, volunteer opportunities and more. For more about the organization call (800) 589-1121 or visit online at www.lifestreaminc.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifestreamservices.

IU East to Present Honorary Degrees to Craig Kinyon, Charlie Nelms

Posted April 1, 2019,

Indiana University East will present Indiana University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to

Craig Kinyon and Charlie Nelms during its 48th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10.

Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie will confer the honorary degrees at the ceremony.

The honorary degree, the highest academic recognition Indiana University can bestow, is awarded to individuals who demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity and sincere concern for the public good. In addition, candidates for the honorary degree generally have significant ties to the state of Indiana or to Indiana University. Through this high honor, IU seeks to recognize individuals who may serve as role models for students, faculty, alumni and the people of the state of Indiana.

IU East Chancellor Kathy Cruz-Uribe said it will be an honor to present Kinyon and Nelms with the honorary degrees.

"IU East is fortunate to have both Craig and Charlie contribute their expertise and leadership to the campus and region," Cruz-Uribe said. "Both of these men are deserving of the highest honor we can bestow for their individual efforts to improve the quality of life for residents in the region and for students pursuing their academic degrees at IU East."

Kinyon is the president/CEO of Reid Health, the region's largest employer. The hospital provides clinical experiences for IU East nursing students, internship opportunities, is a partner in providing education rotations for IU School of Medicine third- and fourth-year clerkship students. Under Kinyon's leadership, Reid Health has supported numerous campus projects such as the completion of the Student Events and Activities Center as well as the purchase of simulation for the nursing program.

He is an active member of the IU East Board of Advisors. Kinyon serves on the Preble County Development Partnership board as treasurer, Vizient Central board as chair, and he is vice president of the Crossroads Health Services Reciprocal board. He is a board member of the Earlham College Community Partnership, West End Bank, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Tecumseh Health Reciprocal Risk Retention Group. He is also a member of Richmond's Alliance for Strategic Growth, Forward Wayne County, American Hospital Association, Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana Rural Health Association, American Institute of CPAs and Indiana CPA Society.

Kinyon has received honors for his leadership role at Reid Health, including an American Hospital Association's Grassroots Champion Award, which recognizes hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital's vital role in the community. He also received the Indiana Hospital Association's Distinguished Service Award.

Kinyon received his B.A. in Accounting from Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Nelms is Chancellor Emeritus of IU East and has provided years of extensive service to Indiana University. He served IU East as its third chancellor and a professor of education from 1987-1994.

In addition, Nelms served IU for more than 20 years in numerous capacities, including associate dean for academic affairs and chief student affairs officer at IU Northwest, vice president for institutional development and student affairs at IU Bloomington, and professor of higher education.

From 2007 to 2012, he served as the chancellor of North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Currently, Nelms is a higher education consultant who provides expertise in leadership, intuitional effectiveness, strategic planning and diversity and inclusion.

He has also provided tremendous volunteer leadership to local, state and national organizations. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and as a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute STEM Advisory Committee.

Nelms has previously received honorary degrees from Earlham College in 1993 and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2001. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from both Indiana University and the IU School of Education, the State of Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash and the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Delaney Distinguished Leadership Award. In 2012, President Obama honored Nelms with the MLK Drum Major for Service Award for helping to address the most pressing needs of our communities and nation.

Nelms received his Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs and his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from IU. He received his bachelor's degree in agronomy and chemistry from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Richmond Art Museum Students Exhibit at Reid Hospital

Posted April 15, 2019

The current art exhibit in the MacDowell Gallery at Reid Hospital features work by Nancy Foureman and nine local artists who have studied art with her at the Richmond Art Museum, where she has taught classes for more than 20 years.

The exhibit, titled "An Artist's Eye of Personal Space," is located on the second floor of the main building and contains a wide variety of art styles including landscape, still life, figurative and abstract work in oil, acrylic, watercolor and collage.

The artists represented are Kathy Bird, Jenelle Burris, Anita Crull, Angelo Giannitelli, Sally Hughes, Marilyn Nobbe, Patti Starr, Sheryl Thurston and Venna Werner. The exhibit will continue through May 18.

"Kachina" by Anita Crull	"The Chairwoman" by Marilyn Nobbe	"Hibiscus" by Sally Hughes
"Apple Prep" by Sheryl Thurston"	"Honor in Work" by Patti Starr	"Eye to I" by Angelo Giannitelli

Robotic Surgery Technology Is Topic of May Medical Monday

Posted May 8, 2019

When is robotic technology the best option in joint replacement surgeries?

This topic will be addressed by Joel McClurg, M.D., Reid Health orthopedic surgeon, at the monthly Medical Monday, 1 p.m. May 13. Dr. McClurg will share about technologies that are available and when they are the best option when facing joint replacements such as knees or hips.

Mako® Robotic-Arm assisted technology is one of the newest options available at Reid Health. The technology is designed to increase accuracy in surgeries. Reid Health and Reid Orthopedics are among only a handful of facilities with this option for orthopedic patients.

Dr. McClurg has been in orthopedic medicine for more than 20 years and brings extensive experience in robotic surgeries to the orthopedics team.

Medical Monday is a free presentation and will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, at Central United Methodist Church. To attend, please RSVP Sharrie Harlin at (765) 983-3000, ext. 4676. The church is located at 1425 E. Main St. in Richmond. Medical Monday is supported by Reid Health Community Benefit.

Celebrating the Artistry and Talents of Older Adults

Posted March 18, 2019

LifeStream and IU East partnered to host a Senior Art Exhibit and Competition in which older adults from East Central Indiana were invited to submit their work. Fifty-five area artists submitted pieces including ceramic sculptures, charcoal drawings, ceramics, photography, wood work, and much more. The pieces were judged and awarded at a reception on Thursday, March 7 at Room 912 Gallery in Richmond.

The first place winner, Don Pressley, stunned the judges with a charcoal drawing of Willie Nelson. Second place went to Kathryn Bird who painted a beautiful acrylic picture, and third place went to Enola Delaney with an elaborate ceramic sculpture. The full exhibit showcases the many talents of older adults in East Central Indiana.

The LifeStream and IU East Senior Art Exhibit will be on display through Friday, May 3 at Room 912 Gallery located at 912 E. Main St. Richmond, IN 47374. The community can stop in and marvel at the pieces on Tuesdays between 11:30am to 6pm and Wednesday through Friday at 11:30am to 7pm. The Senior Art Exhibit and Competition is an annual partnership between LifeStream Services and Indiana University East. The next Senior Art Exhibit and Competition will be announced January 2020. LifeStream works to improve the quality of life for seniors, people with disabilities, and others at risk.

Involvement in the arts has a number of benefits for older adults including improved communication and socialization, improved cognition skills, increased self-esteem, and much more. LifeStream is an Area Agency on Aging that works to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence. LifeStream serves over 19,000 seniors and people with disabilities throughout 12 counties in Indiana including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne. Programs and services include care management, transportation, in-home care, Senior Cafes, home-delivered meals, guardianships, caregiver support, home modifications, information and assistance, volunteer opportunities and more. For more about the organization call (800) 589-1121 or visit online at www.lifestreaminc.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifestreamservices.

ATHENA Leadership Award®, Young Professional Leadership Award Nominations Accepted Through April 26

Posted March 11, 2019

The deadline to submit nominations for this year's ATHENA Leadership Award® and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

The ATHENA Leadership Award® will be presented to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential. The event recognizes women leaders who motivate, inspire and create positive change in the community. Previous award recipients include Mary Jo Clark, Jackie Carberry, Kim Poinsett, Angie Dickman and Janice Buhl-Macy.

The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award actively supports and celebrates the ATHENA mission of supporting, developing and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential-creating balance in leadership worldwide. ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Nominees are 18-35 years age. Nominees are emerging women leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession. Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community. Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally. The first recipient of the award was Jessie Pilewski.

Nomination forms are available at waynecoathena.com.

The awards will be presented at the annual dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Forest Hills Country Club, located at 2169 South 23rd St. in Richmond, Ind.

Founded in 1982, ATHENA International is a women's leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA's flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program, has honored over 6,250 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception. The program is facilitated locally by Wayne Bank and Indiana University East, licensed ATHENA host organizations. Nominations are sought throughout the community and recipients are selected by a diverse group of community leaders based on the criteria above.

ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award's rich history, international scope and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.

Wayne Bank and IU East are honored to bring this award to Wayne County. ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronze and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA recipients.

Local sponsorship is provided by Wayne Bank and Indiana University East. Event proceeds will equally benefit the Women's Fund of Wayne County and Girls, Inc.

To RSVP, visit waynecoathena.com or contact JoAnn Spurlock, assistant vice president at Wayne Bank, at (765) 259-0209 or jspurlock@waynebnk.com or Paula Kay King, director of Gift Development at IU East, at (765) 973-8331 or pkayking@iue.edu.

Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Disney Institute to Richmond, IN

Posted February 28, 2019, 2019

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development course, Disney's Approach to Business Excellence, to Richmond, IN on Friday, April 26, 2019. Sponsored by the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, the one-day event will help area professionals begin to understand the power of leadership values, discover how customer loyalty can be established, and gain insight into how organizational culture is strengthened. Participants gain an awareness of the systems and processes that can make exceptional customer service achievable and learn how to integrate personal creativity and organizational processes to support continuous improvement within their organization.

"This is an excellent opportunity for area employers to not only examine their own culture and practices, but to sharpen the skills of their employees as well," said Chamber President/CEO Melissa Vance. "Ultimately, this is about raising the bar and helping businesses thrive."

This day of Disney Institute training uses business insights and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance their own customer experience using Disney principles as their guide.

"Anytime we can bring an organization of this caliber to Wayne County, the entire community benefits," said Mary Walker, Executive Director for the Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau.

The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting other surrounding Chambers to join them for this learning opportunity. "It didn't seem right to bring something this extraordinary to the area and keep it to ourselves. We know that if our region takes the principals provided by Disney Institute and applies them, we will become a magnet for a strong workforce. People want to go where good things are happening."

Registration is $499 for Chamber members, $549 for non-Chamber members and includes all course materials as well as lunch, parking, etc. After March 20th registration is $549 for Chamber members, $599 for non-Chamber members. For more information or to register, visit WCAreaChamber.org or call (765) 962-1511.

About Disney Institute

As the trusted, authoritative voice on the Disney approach to customer experience, Disney Institute uses business insights and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance their own customer experience using Disney principles as their guide. For nearly three decades, Disney Institute has helped professionals discover ways to positively impact their organizations and the customer they serve through immersion in leadership, service and employee engagement. Unique to Disney Institute is the opportunity to go behind the scenes in a "living laboratory" to observe firsthand how Disney methodologies are operationalized and how they can be adapted and applied to any work environment.

To learn more, visit www.disneyinstitute.com or call 321-939-4600.

Black and White Ball

Posted March 26, 2019, 2019

Townsend Community Center, Inc. Fundraising Committee is excited to announce our first Black and White Ball to recognize the men and women of the Richmond/Wayne County's Police, Fire Fighter/EMT, and Sheriff Departments! We want to celebrate those of you who faithfully put your lives on the line for us on a daily basis and contributing to the safety of Richmond and the Wayne County residents.

We, the Townsend Community Center, Inc. Board, realized there has not been any such event to recognize your dedication to protect and serve the citizens of our city and our county. So with that being said, we decided to take the challenge to plan and implement such an event, thus, the birth of the "Black and White Ball".

This event will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. at The Leland Legacy, 900 South A Street, Richmond, IN. The cost will be $25.00 per person or $40.00 a couple. The dinner is being donated by O'Charley's.

We look forward in seeing you and your family at this CELEBRATION which celebrates you!! Please RSVP by contacting us at the following email address snuggles1225@aol.com. or call Adria J. Deloney at 765-977-5057 or Dr. Lucinda Wright at 765-373-9012 by March 29, 2019.

Thank you again for your selfless contribution to the community and we look forward to your CELEBRATION.

WCTV's Annual 21 for Fun Casino Night Fundraiser

Posted March 6, 2019

A Magical Night of Las Vegas Style Fun

Whitewater Community Television will host its sixth annual 21 for Fun fundraiser at the Elks Club in Richmond on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm.

WCTV's Board of Directors invites the community to come out and enjoy an exciting night of risk-free Las Vegas style entertainment in support of Wayne County's Public, Education and Government (PEG) access television center. "It's a great opportunity for folks to show their support for community media while doing something fun. There's not another casino night quite like this around Wayne County," said Eric Marsh, WCTV's executive director.

In addition to casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, this year's event will feature special performances by renowned magician Richard Darshwood and live music by the Dan Nix Combo. Guests will also enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and dancing throughout the evening, as well as a silent auction with chances to bid on a unique selection of local goods and big-ticket items.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, April 12, 2019
• Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: Elks Club, 2100 U.S. 27, Richmond, Indiana 47374
• Ticket Information:
  Tickets are $45.00 each and include $200 of play money for use during the event. Additional play money is available for purchase at the door. For tickets, visit www.wctv.info or O'Onda Gallery and Gifts located at 534 East Main Street, Richmond, Indiana 47374.

Northeastern 8th Graders Gain Hands-On Career Experience

Posted April 10, 2019

Reid Health Chef Dugan Wetzel shares about food and catering services with Northeastern students.

Northeastern Middle School 8th graders this week learned about and experienced the variety of careers available in health care in a pilot program designed to teach employability.

The pilot program was the brainchild of Dawn Sonsini, Northeastern Middle School principal and involved more than 100 of the school's 8th grade students. "The kids loved the hands-on experience in the actual setting," Sonsini said.

The students were divided into career fields based on interest and aptitude tests they'd taken ahead of the experience. The areas included multiple departments and career paths at Reid Health including Engineering, Patient Transport, Lab and Pathology, Accounting and Finance, LEAN, Marketing, Human Resources, Patient Resource Services and Employee Assistance Program, Innovation Center, Information Systems, Communications, Emergency Management, Food & Nutrition Services and of course health care fields such as Nursing and Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapies.

"We really focused on employability skills, what makes a good employee, how to get kids to be proactive."

"It gets them to start thinking about different career fields," Sonsini said, noting that state graduation requirements will soon address employability skills. "We really focused on employability skills, what makes a good employee, how to get kids to be proactive."

Sonsini is confident it would have an impact on their planning for future career fields. "I don't think they realized the depth of different employment opportunities at Reid, our largest regional employer."

Angela Cline, with Reid Health Community Benefit, said the department was able to support the camp as a pilot program. "We got great feedback from students," she said, noting that it involved at least 60 Reid Health team members. "Our hope is that students have a better idea of the multiple career options available to them – maybe some they never considered or didn't even know existed. And now they know what education and training it takes to prepare for that career."

The Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library Annual Book Sale with 10,000 Items for Sale!

Posted April 9, 2019

It's our biggest sale of the year!

Books, Movies, Music, and Value Priced Collectable Books

April 24-27, 2019

At Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 North Sixth Street, Richmond, Indiana

The Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library Annual Book Sale is open the last full week of April. The sale is open daily to the public starting at 10 AM from Wednesday, April 24th and runs through Saturday, April 27th. Friday is "Half-Price Sale Day!" and Saturday is "Bag Day!," when a bag of books will cost $3.00. Fill your bag with whatever you like.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2265220930405477/

Donated materials cover subjects including fiction, foreign languages, cooking, computer science, government, history, political science, law, education, fine arts, self-help, reference, business, social sciences, philosophy, and religion.

Friends of MRL Book Sale Price List

• Hardback Books $1.00
• Paperback Books .50 cents
• DVD $2.00
• Book-on-Tape & Music CD $1.00
• Records/Tapes/Videos .50 cents
• Puzzles/Games $1.00
• Magazines .10 cents
• Special Value Items Priced Separately

Browse our children's books, where you'll find many under $1, including picture books, school-age fiction, award winners and books for parents and teachers. All proceeds from this book sale will go toward improving programs and services for Morrisson-Reeves Library. Book Sale stock is replenished throughout the day. This book sale is open to the public.

The Friends of MRL are a non-profit association of people interested in promoting knowledge and interest in the functions, resources, services and needs of the Library. Friends provide time, talents, and funds for services and programs that enrich, educate and entertain the community.

Membership is open to individuals, businesses or groups who wish to join in support of Morrisson-Reeves Library.

If you would like to learn more about the Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library, please call MRL at (765) 966-8291 or visit us at our website: https://mrlinfo.org/friends/

First Bank Richmond Celebrates IU Day with $10,000 Match

Posted April 9, 2019

First Bank Richmond is celebrating IU Day on Wednesday, April 10, with a $10,000 matching gift opportunity for alumni and friends of the campus.

First Bank Richmond will match - up to $500 per donor - up to $10,000 in total giving to the IU East campus.

Now in its fourth year, IU Day is a 24-hour worldwide celebration of Indiana University. IU Day is a social-sharing, IU-wearing, gift-giving day of engagement as students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university come together in celebration of all things IU.

Paula Kay King, director of Gift Development at IU East, said First Bank Richmond has the tradition of celebrating IU Day each year with a matching gift.

"First Bank Richmond had this idea to inspire giving on IU Day with the $10,000 match," King said. "This is the fourth year in a row that First Bank Richmond has participated on IU Day, and their generosity inspires others to give as well."

As another part of IU Day, First Bank Richmond will host a special luncheon for IU East students. During the luncheon IU alumni working at First Bank Richmond connect with the students and share information on the banking industry. Students also have an opportunity to share how their experience at IU East has helped to prepare them for graduate work or profession of choice with the First Bank Richmond team.

This is also Campus Campaign week for the university, the annual fundraising initiative among faculty and staff for important programs and scholarships on the IU East campus.

Gifts can be made at iue.edu/iuday or to the Office of Gift Development at IU East located in Springwood Hall.

Cambridge City Family Medicine to Get New, Larger Home

Posted April 9, 2019

Reid Health's purchase of a long empty space in Cambridge City will eventually be the new home of a longtime community physician practice, allowing it to expand to better meet the health care needs of the area.

The health system recently purchased what's known as the Alco and CVS building at 1122 South State Road 1. "We are excited," says James Bertsch, D.O., who has practiced in the community more than 40 years and will relocate Cambridge City Family Medicine to the space sometime in 2020.

"The existing offices, in one of the city's historic properties, couldn't handle all the things the practice will be in five or ten years," he said.

Craig Kinyon, Reid Health President/CEO, said the expansion reflects the health system's commitment to providing easily accessible care to the region. "This will allow us to meet the growing demand and add services to make it possible for patients to remain in their hometown for care."

The new offices will expand to 18 patient rooms from the current seven, be able to add X-ray and lab services, and also have bays for the Reid Health Ambulance Service now stationed in Cambridge. There will also be room to add more providers, up to six from the two now – Dr. Bertsch and Ramona Orschell, NP.

Rohit Bawa, M.D., who chairs the Reid Health Physician Associates (RHPA) Network Operations Council, said the growing physician network prioritizes providing services in the many regional communities the health system serves. "And part of that is always ensuring we also offer as many services and technologies as we can in these communities."

Kelly Beall, Vice President/Executive Director of RHPA, said her team is excited for what the expansion brings to the Cambridge City area. "The added space will allow for additional services not available at the current location, including a laboratory and other specialists similar to what we offer in other communities."

The 27,000 square foot building houses CVS Pharmacy, which will remain in its space, Reid Health officials said. Reid Health's remodel will use about 18,000 square feet.

"It's a smart move," Dr. Bertsch said, referring to an increasing demand for health care services in the Cambridge City area.

Senior Adult Ministry April Meeting

Posted April 18, 2019

"Of Rocks and Resurrection, an Easter Meditation" is a special program offered at our next meeting at 6 pm on Tuesday, April 30, at First United Methodist Church, 318 National Road West, Richmond, IN.

The program will be offered by Pastor Judi Marshall, who helps guide the Ministry. Please bring finger foods to share.

New members are always welcome. Senior Adult Ministry is an active group of seniors over 50 years old open to all regardless of religious affiliation. The group is also guided by Clara Bulmer and Beverly Kirby. Along with Pastor Marshall, these three women actively share their gifts of ministry, hospitality and creativity in planning and organizing the meetings.

Future meetings in 2019 include "Travel Tales" in June, "Senior Safety" in September, and a picnic at the Veteran's Park in July.

For further information, call 765-962-4357.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - April 2019

Posted March 18, 2019, 2019

If you are 21 years of age or better and single, divorced, widow or widower, Singles' Interaction invites you to join them on Friday nights. Come to the Eagles Lodge, 75 South 12th Street, Richmond (membership not required) and meet other single people in the Richmond area.

Come, socialize, dance, and enjoy yourself!

IU East Presents B.o.B in Concert on April 12

Posted March 4, 2019

B.o.B will be in concert at Indiana University East on Friday, April 12, in the Student Events Center. Doors will open at 7 p.m. followed by the concert at 8 p.m.

The IU East Office of Campus Life and the Student Activity Advisory Team announced the spring concert artist during the Unveiling Party on February 25.

The spring concert is sponsored by First Bank Richmond and G101.3.

Pre-sale tickets cost $25 for the general public. IU East students may purchase one ticket for $20 at the Office of the Bursar. Students must present their CrimsonCard.

If available, the day of the concert tickets will cost $30 for general admission.

Tickets may be purchased online at iue.edu/concert or on campus at the Office of the Bursar, located in Whitewater Hall room 102. The bursar's office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To purchase a ticket, you must be 18 years old. Minors attending the concert must be accompanied by an adult.

Rebeckah Hester, director of Campus Life, said students select the artists for the concert.

"Campus Life and the Student Activity Advisory Team are excited to bring B.o.B to IU East in April," Hester said.

B.o.B continues to push the envelope musically by expanding the depths of his talent, and though he's always been a skilled musician, playing the guitar for years, B.o.B has started producing music more frequently for both himself and his artists under his independent label No Genre.

The last half-decade has seen B.o.B devoted to one mission, to erase genre boundaries while simultaneously expanding the breath and scope of a distinctive creative vision and he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

B.o.B is from Atlanta, Georgia. He released his first mixtape, Cloud Nine, in 2006. The rapper/songwriter has received six Grammy nominations. He has recorded his second album, Strange Clouds, featuring songs "Bombs Away," "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)," "Stan" and "Hard To Breathe." His duet with Lil' Wayne was No. 1 on iTunes. He has also recorded with Taylor Swift on "Both of Us."

He's known for his songs including "Airplanes" featuring Haley Williams of Paramore, and "Nothing on You" featuring Bruno Mars.

In addition to the Grammy's, B.o.B has been recognized by The American Music Awards, BET Awards, MTV Awards and NAACP Image Awards.

For more information, call the Office of Campus Life at (765) 973-8240 or visit iue.edu/concert.

True-Crime Lecture with Author, JT Townsend

Posted April 2, 2019

JT Townsend, true-crime writer, is the author of five novels, the latest of which is, Summer's Almost Gone - The Bricca Family Murders. In this riveting lecture, hosted at Morrisson-Reeves Library on Saturday, April 13th at 1:00pm, learn how this unbelievable crime – hideous, unexpected, and baffling, unravels. A crime destined to become the most notorious and obsessive cold case in Cincinnati history.

With his new book Summer's Almost Gone, JT Townsend exhumes this 52-year-old murder mystery and arrives at the probable truth. The author of Queen City Gothic was given unprecedented access to the Bricca case file and formerly sealed information that never before saw the light of print.

For those who preserved this slaughtered family into a grim memory, it will never be too late to learn that truth. There looms one huge, lasting question? Who killed the Bricca family?

Mr. Townsend is a passionate and dynamic speaker with impressive Power Point imagery and fascinating true crime cases to share with his audience. Based on his experience exhuming unsolved cases and the detectives haunted by them, Townsend explores the most perplexing aspects of a homicide investigation... rumor, coincidence, premonition, and incompetence.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/279747666309553/
Seats will fill quickly. Please arrive early for best seating. Free and open to the public.

Reid Health Gains 5-Star Rating, One of 293 in the United States

Posted March 28, 2019

Reid Health was one of 293 hospitals in the United States and only 13 in Indiana to receive a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in a recent release of data.

CMS released its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings in February, reporting on measures from more than 4,500 hospitals. Star ratings range from one to five, with the majority falling in the three- and four-star range.

Jessica Austerman, Director of Quality & Patient Safety for Reid Health, said the rating process is complex, with some measures carrying more weight than others. The ratings are based on seven areas – mortality, readmission, safety of care, patient experience, efficient use of medical imaging, timeliness of care, and effectiveness of care. Each area has numerous indicators included and scored. According to CMS, the four measures with the most weight are mortality, safety, readmission and patient experience.

Jennifer Bales, M.D., Chief of Reid's Medical Staff, said clinicians, nurses and support staff work together as a team on behalf of patients. "Our goal is always excellence, from routine visits with patients in the office to urgent or emergency care," she said.

Janet Meckley, M.D., chair of the Governing Board Quality Committee, said the board, administration and leadership of the health system realize quality and excellence are achieved moment by moment, day by day, in always striving to reach the highest standards. "This is a great achievement, but we can never stop and say we've arrived. We have to push ourselves each day to go the extra mile in caring for every patient."

Austerman said every Reid Health team member plays a part. "The ratings range from how we handle the high-tech aspects of care like robotics to the basic things we do every day to serve our patients – like practicing diligent hand hygiene, or sharing a kind word or touch, and finding a way to go the extra mile on their behalf."

The Star Rating was launched in July 2016 as a way to summarize quality information in a consumer-friendly format. The measures are reported and explained on Hospital Compare on the CMS web site. Originally the ratings were to be released twice each year, but planned releases in July and December were postponed until recently. It is not clear when ratings will be announced again.

"We are always striving for excellence in every area," said Jennifer Ehlers, Vice President/Chief Quality Officer. "These ratings recognize our dedication and continual efforts to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and their families. "

City of Richmond Receives Community Crossing Grant Award from INDOT

Posted March 27, 2019, 2019

The City of Richmond has received notice from Governor Eric Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner, Joe McGuinness that The City has been awarded $631,479.59 through the 2019-1 Community Crossings Matching Grant Program.

Prior to receiving these funds the City must select a contractor and submit the contract for approval to INDOT. The funds may be used for the funding of 50% of construction of projects or purchase of materials for the projects.

The projects on the docket for the City of Richmond include milling and paving of the following areas, with work anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2019:

1. South 4th Street: South A to South E
2. Harris Street: NW L to NW M
3. Wernle Road: South 13th to South 23rd
4. North 22nd Street: East Main to Grand Boulevard
5. Commerce Drive: US 40 to dead end
6. Southwest G Street: Hub Etchison to College Avenue
7. North 13th Street: East Main to North E Street
8. South 13th Street: South E to South Q Street
9. Elks Road: US 40 to Pinehurst
10. Gravel Pit: US 40 to City Limits
11. North I Street: Chester Boulevard to North 12th Street
12. North 11th Street: North G to North J
13. North D Street: Chester Boulevard to North 15th Street
14. Service Drive: South 5th to South 7th Street
15. Salisbury Road: I-70 to US 35

Questions may be addressed to Greg Stiens, Director of Public Works, at 765.983.7394.

The State of Indiana looks forward to partnering with all Hoosier communities, both urban and rural, to invest in road and bridge infrastructure projects. Improvements to local roads and bridges will bring about economic development, create jobs, and strengthen local transportation networks for all of Indiana.

A Wayne County Marching Band Invited to Perform in the 63rd Annual IPL 500 Festival Parade

Posted March 27, 2019, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS (March 27, 2019) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, has selected 14 marching bands from across the U.S. to perform in the 63rd annual IPL 500 Festival Parade, on Saturday, May 25 in downtown Indianapolis. Invited to perform in the parade was the Centerville High school Blue Regiment.

On the day before the Indianapolis 500, these 14 nationally recognized bands will march the streets of downtown Indianapolis for one of the nation's largest parades, the IPL 500 Festival Parade. The selected marching bands will perform for more than 300,000 spectators lining the 2 mile parade route. An additional one million TV viewers from around the country will tune in to the IPL 500 Festival Parade's national broadcast on NBC Sports and Indianapolis market broadcast on WTHR, Channel 13.

Band Line Up for the 2019 IPL 500 Festival Parade:

• 38th Infantry Division Band, Indiana National Guard
• Centerville Blue Regiment, Centerville High School (Centerville, Ind.)
• Clearfield High School Bison Band, Clearfield High School (Clearfield, Penn.)
• Indiana All-Star Marching Band, National Band Association
• Indianapolis Public Schools All City Marching Band (Indianapolis)
• Lafayette Jefferson Marching Broncos, Lafayette Jefferson High School (Lafayette, Ind.)
• Marching Giants, Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis)
• The Lewis Cass Marching Kings, Lewis Cass High School (Walton, Ind.)
• Whitehall Yearling Marching Ram Band, Whitehall Yearling High School (Whitehall, Oh.)
• "All-American" Marching Band, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• "All-American" Alumni Marching Band, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Speedway 500 Regiment, Speedway High School (Speedway, Ind.)
• The Pride of DeSoto Central, DeSoto Central High School (Southaven, Miss.)
• Fishers High School Tiger Band, Fishers High School (Fishers, Ind.)

"The 500 Festival is excited to showcase these talented bands as a part of the 2019 IPL 500 Festival Parade, a race weekend tradition shared by thousands of families" said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of 500 Festival. "These bands will fill the streets of Indianapolis with music as spectators celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500.

One of the original events produced by the 500 Festival, the IPL 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation's premier parades, alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2019 IPL 500 Festival Parade will be held on Saturday, May 25, the day before the Indianapolis 500, and will be themed Your Tradition Is Waiting In Our Own Brickyard. Spectators will experience the spectacle of the Indy 500 as massive floats and enormous helium balloons light up the skyline of downtown Indianapolis as celebrities, marching bands, patriotic units and specialty units fill the streets to celebrate the world's largest single-day sporting event. The tradition continues with the 33 starting drivers of the Indianapolis 500 riding in traditional rows of three, led by 2019 Grand Marshal is NTT Indy Car team owner and philanthropist, Sam Schmidt.

The 2019 IPL 500 Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, May 25. Parade festivities will start at 11:45 am ET in downtown Indianapolis. IPL 500 Festival Parade tickets are now for sale and can be purchased at 500festival.com/tickets, by calling (317) 614-6400, or at the 500 Festival Ticket Office, located at 21 Virginia Ave. in Downtown Indianapolis. The Ticket Office is open on weekdays from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

For more information about the IPL 500 Festival Parade, please visit 500festival.com/parade or search #IPL500Parade on social media.

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Starr-Gennett Foundation Announces 2019 Music At The Club Dates

Posted March 21, 2019, 2019

The Starr-Gennett Foundation announces the 2019 Music At The Club series of music and dancing events at Forest Hills Country Club in Richmond.

The first event will be held May 17, with a band featuring Frank DeVito on keyboards and vocals, Steve Mathews on bass, Kevin McDonald on drums, and vocalist Lorna Bonner. A highlight of the 2019 season will be the return of Richmond's beloved jazz pianist Carol Lou Woodward on June 21.

All events are open to the public with a $10 cover charge at the door. Food and drinks are available for purchase from Forest Hills. Doors open at 6 PM with music from 7 PM to 9 PM, except on June 21 when doors open at 5 PM with music from 6 PM to 9 PM. Save these dates now: May 17, June 21, July 12, August 16, September 20, and October 18.

Contact 765-962-2860 or starrgennettfoundation@gmail.com with questions.

About Whitewater Community Television:

WCTV has served as Wayne County's PEG access television station since 1988. WCTV produces a wide variety of community, educational and government programming for local residents to enjoy. Our programs are available on Comcast cable throughout most of Wayne County on WCTV Channel 21, WETV Channel 20 and WGTV Channel 11. Online programming is also available for those without access to cable.

• Website: www.wctv.info
• WGTV Online: https://wgtv.viebit.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WCTV112021
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitewaterCommunityTelevision
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCTVinfo

IU East Will Host LGBTQ Events This Spring

Posted February 18, 2019, 2019

Indiana University East will host a series of LGBTQ events this spring to celebrate inclusion and diversity. Events are free and open to the public.

The LGBTQ events are sponsored by the IU East School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of English, Diversity and Mindful Explorations Funds, the Composition Program, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Strategic Investments, Safe Zone, and the Alliance Student Group.

Travis Rountree, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing Program, is organizing the spring events.

"These events are part of an ongoing effort for the campus to reach out to the community and promote diversity and inclusion," Rountree said.

A film series will kick off the spring events on Thursday, February 21, with a showing of the film Southern Comfort. The 2001 documentary YouTube film is about Robert Eads during his last year of life and the transgender community he created in rural Georgia. A second film will be shown on Wednesday, March 20. Love, Simon is a 2018 movie that shares the struggles of coming out in high school.

In March, the series will include an author presentation by Stephen Mills, award-winning LGBTQ poet who is a native of Richmond, Indiana. Rountree said Mills will read some of his poetry that often refers back to the region.

Mills is the author of the Lambda Award-winning book He Do the Gay Man in Different Voices and A History of the Unmarried, both from Sibling Rivalry Press.

He earned his Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University. Mills' work has appeared in The Antioch Review, PANK, The New York Quarterly, The Los Angeles Review, Knockout, The Rumpus, and others. He is the winner of the 2008 Gival Press Oscar Wilde Poetry Award and the 2014 Christopher Hewitt Award for Fiction. His third poetry collection Not Everything Thrown Starts a Revolution is available from Sibling Rivalry Press. Currently, Mills lives in New York City with his partner and two schnauzers.

The spring events will conclude on April 11 with a LGBTQ panel of community members. The panel members will be announced at a later time.

"The Local LGBTQ Community Members Panel will involve community members from Richmond and the surrounding areas to talk about growing up and living here," Rountree said.

During the panel discussion, Rountree is also looking forward to unveiling IU East's first LGBTQ archive. Rountree, along with students in his Argumentative Writing course, his teaching assistant Abbie Sliger, and Beth South, campus archivist for the IU East Library, are collecting and analyzing the materials for the archive.

"Housed at IU East, the archive will be a physical and online resource for those who want to know more about the LGBTQ community in our region," Rountree said. "All of these events hope to encourage a feeling of inclusion and belonging to not only those who identify as LGBTQ, but also those who are allies or would just like to learn more about the community. The archive and these events will hopefully help to unearth and celebrate the untold history of the LGBTQ community in our dynamic region."

For more information, contact Travis Rountree at tarountr@iu.edu.

LGBTQ Spring Events Schedule:

Film Series: Southern Comfort
Thursday, February 21
5:30-7 p.m.
Tom Raper Hall Room 124
Southern Comfort is a Youtube film about a transgender community in rural Georgia. Free pizza will be available at the event.

Author Presentation: Stephen Mills, award winning poet
Wednesday, March 6
5:30-7 p.m., Reception to follow
Whitewater Hall, First Bank Richmond Community Room
Stephen S. Mills is an award-winning LGBTQ poet from Richmond, Indiana. He is the author of the Lambda Award-winning book He Do the Gay Man in Different Voices and A History of the Unmarried.

Film Series: Love, Simon
Wednesday, March 20
5:30-7 p.m.
Tom Raper Hall Room 124
Love, Simon: Film about the struggles of coming out in high school. Free pizza will be available at the event.

Panel of Local LGBTQ community members
Thursday, April 11
5:30-7 p.m., Reception to follow
Tom Raper Hall Room 124
This conversation will engage with the lives of the local LGBTQ community in Richmond, Indiana, and the surrounding areas.

LifeStream's Annual Healthy Aging Expo Set for May 9

Posted February 14, 2019, 2019

An event to provide information for older adults about healthy aging.

LifeStream Services, The Leland Legacy, Kicks96, 101.7 The Point, and The Legend 95.3 invite the public to join us at the annual Healthy Aging Expo on Thursday, May 9. Last year's event welcomed an astounding 300 attendees who enjoyed 70 vendor booths, 6 health demonstrations, and a complimentary lunch.

This year's Healthy Aging Expo will be once again be held at the Kuhlman Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds located at 861 N. Salisbury Rd., Richmond, IN 47374 from 10am- 2pm.

The Expo is free to attend and hosts over 70 informational booths featuring health and wellness, financial services, area activities, and much more. The first 200 attendees will receive a complimentary lunch. There will also be several interactive demonstrations provided by Reid Health Alliance Medicare, YMCA of Richmond, Wayne County Emergency Management, the City of Connersville Police Department, and LifeStream Services.

We are currently accepting sponsorship and vendor reservations through April 24. To reserve a booth or become a sponsor, please contact Hannah Downham, Public Relations Officer, by calling 765-759-3363 or emailing hdownham@lifestreaminc.org. You can also fill out the form by visiting www.lifestreaminc.org/healthyagingexpo.

LifeStream is an Area Agency on Aging that works to improve the quality of life for people at risk of losing their independence. LifeStream serves over 19,000 seniors and people with disabilities throughout 12 counties in Indiana including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne. Programs and services include care management, transportation, in-home care, Senior Cafes, home-delivered meals, guardianships, caregiver support, home modifications, information and assistance, volunteer opportunities and more. For more about the organization call (800) 589-1121 or visit online at www.lifestreaminc.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifestreamservices.

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