Archived News Releases

U.S. News and World Report Names EC One of Nation's Most Innovative Schools

Posted September 10, 2019

Earlham College has earned new recognition from U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation's "Most Innovative Schools."

In the 2020 edition of U.S. News' "Best Colleges" guidebook, Earlham is featured as one of 55 institutions taking a pioneering approach in the areas of academics, campus life, technology or facilities. Earlham stands alongside other leading liberal arts colleges including Bates, Carleton, Oberlin and Amherst, in warranting the recognition.

Earlham also maintains its reputation as a national leader among all liberal arts colleges for academic quality, diversity, and affordability in the popular resource for college-bound students and their families. Earlham ranks 25th on U.S. News' lists for "Best Undergraduate Teaching," 34th for "Best Value," and 7th for the percentage of international students on campus.

"We're thrilled that U.S. News recognizes our innovative spirit and commitment to providing access to the very best that a liberal arts education can offer," Earlham President Anne Houtman says. "We offer funding for every student to pursue their passion and embark on a journey full of unexpected discoveries and learning experiences that transform the way they think about the world around them – and how they can connect with it."

Earlham delivers on an extraordinary, career-discerning liberal arts education through the Earlham Program for an Integrative Curriculum, or EPIC. This four-year journey combines the academicmajor with out-of-the-classroom learning experiences, including research, study abroad, internships, and leadership development, to prepare students exceptionally well for life beyond Earlham.

The EPIC Advantage, an offer of up to $5,000 for every student to embark on these types of experiences, is a signature feature of thatjourney andprovides a level of support that few institutions in the country can match. In fact, The EPIC Advantage was recognized earlier this summer by Insider as one of 13 "out-of-the-ordinary" academic programs for students across the nation.

EPIC funded more than 300 student experiences this past summer. A sampling of those experiences included internships with the United Nations and Ernst & Young, an opportunity to perform a new play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, and research in Tanzania to study animal behavior and conservation.

Closer to home, an interdisciplinary group of students and faculty studied the ways that language and culture relate to immigrants' access to health care. Students gained practice conducting health inventory interviews in Spanish, learned about public policies and medical ethics, and then visited health facilities serving Latinx communities in Indianapolis.

Overall, Earlham ranked 80th among national liberal arts colleges, up from 81st a year ago.

To compile the rankings, U.S. News compared hundreds of bachelor's degree-granting institutions from across the United States on 15 diverse measures of academic quality. These rankings heavily favor schools that are successful at retaining and graduating students while providing them with access to quality, full-time instructors. U.S. News also considers expert opinions, alumni giving, the selectivity of admissions, and the average spending per student on instruction, research and other student services.

To see the full rankings, visit usnews.com/colleges.

East-Central Indiana Businesses Invited to Participate in 2019 Survey

Posted September 10, 2019

Thanks to the tremendous support from the local business communities, economic development corporations and chambers of commerce, we continued to have great success last year for our East-Central Indiana Business Survey. Based on the valuable responses we collected, we had successfully calculated the 2018 value of our IU East Regional Business Confidence Index. Our report had been released on the IU East Business and Economic Research Center (the BERC) website at iue.edu/business/berc.

The BERC of the School of Business and Economics at Indiana University East is again working together with the local economic development corporations/groups or the like and chambers of commerce in conducting the 2019 annual business survey for the East-Central Indiana region.

The survey will be open to businesses/companies in the Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne counties from Monday, September 9, 2019 to Friday, September 20, 2019.

Results of the survey will not only help the BERC maintain the IU East Regional Business Confidence Index to monitor the business sentiment and economic trend in our region, but also assist further the local and regional economic studies conducted by the BERC. In addition, the survey results might aid the aforementioned economic development corporations/groups or the like and chambers of commerce for consideration as part of any future strategic planning and economic development efforts to facilitate a healthy business climate in the region.

Responses to the 10-minute survey will be confidential. Business owners/managers will be asked to provide some general information on their business/company's demography, their opinion of various aspects related to business performance for this year, and their business and economic expectations for next year in their county. While the individual responses to the survey will not be shared, results of the research survey will be made public by the end of 2019.

For more information, contact the director of the Business and Economic Research Center and Associate Professor of Finance Oi Lin (Irene) Cheung at (765) 973-8497 or ocheung@iue.edu.

About the IU East Business and Economic Research Center

The BERC is sponsored by the School of Business and Economics at IU East. The center is designed to assist in capturing and creating economic data that will be useful in supporting the economic vitality of the Eastern Indiana and Western Ohio regions.

Senior Adult Ministry September Meeting

Posted September 18, 2019

The spotlight is on Home Health Care at the September meeting of the Senior Adult Ministry. Sandy Weatherly will speak about her experiences and the many facets of Home Health Care available today. Sandy has more than 30 years of experience in the field and is a certified nursing assistant.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, at First United Methodist Church, 318 National Road West, Richmond, IN. Bring friends and snacks to share. All senior adults are 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 monthly meetings.

For further information, call 765-962-4357.

Woodcut Prints on Exhibit at Reid Health

Posted August 29, 2019

The current exhibit in the MacDowell Gallery at Reid Hospital features woodcut prints by Robin Nicholson, who grew up here in Richmond and works as an art teacher for Richmond Community Schools. Four large, hand-colored prints depict stages of grief over the loss of the artist's mother to cancer. The series was part of Nicholson's senior thesis project for her fine arts degree from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Additional prints in the exhibit feature Quaker Meetinghouses and other historic buildings from the local area.
"Don't Forget Me" Hand-colored woodcut print by Robin Nicholson

Robin Nicholson's love of old buildings and interest in local history is evident in her work. In her artist statement, she writes: "My prints of historic buildings in Richmond as well as of other locations around the country and world are not exact realistic representations of what you would see out your window if you would drive by in the car. They are created from historic photos, contemporary photos, memory, and artistic license. Shrubs, trees, fences, and sidewalks change with time, but what I hope shines through in my prints is the soul of the building, the soul which was created with the sweat, blood, and tears of the craftsmen and artisans who built these magnificent buildings as well as all of those who have loved and looked after them for many years."
2116 East Main Street" Woodcut print by Robin Nicholson

The MacDowell Gallery is located on the second floor of the hospital and the current exhibit will be on display through September 20.

Reid Family Birthing team Among First to Receive 'EMPower' Training

Posted August 26, 2019

The Reid Health Family Birthing Center staff is among the first in the nation to successfully complete the "EMPower Training initiative," a competency training program to advance knowledge and skills in evidence-based maternity practices to promote optimal infant nutrition.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the EMPower Training initiative is committed to safe implementation of maternity care practices to support infant nutrition, including breastfeeding, with a goal of improving public health.

As part of this effort, Reid Health committed to training staff in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) guidance outlined in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, notes the news comes on the third anniversary of the health system's receiving international Baby-Friendly® designation and during National Breastfeeding Awareness month. "This is another example that illustrates our commitment to offering our moms and babies exceptional support and education designed to encourage their best health."

"This education program will help us continue to provide up-to-date information to our families and give them the support they need to be successful in breastfeeding their babies," said Rachele Severance, RN, Nurse Manager of the Family birthing Center. She and Stephanie Field, RN, Service Line Director for Women and Children's Services, said the training, along with the Safe Baby car seat and Safe Sleep initiatives, are instrumental in helping reduce infant mortality in Indiana. "All of these initiatives support state legislation aimed at reducing Indiana's high infant Mortality rates by focusing on support and education for our mothers and families."

With the help of the EMPower Training initiative, the Family Birthing Center is using a more standardized program to equip staff with the skills needed to continue to support mothers in the safe implementation of optimal infant nutrition.

The EMPower Team is led by Abt Associates, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and the Center for Public Health Quality.

IU East's Center for Service-Learning Provides Effective Tutoring Programs

Posted August 26, 2019

Indiana University East's Center for Service-Learning served over 325 students in grades K-12 this year to improve their academic skills, gain confidence in the classroom and to set positive goals for their future. Over half of those students (173) were in grades 6-12 and they were registered in the Indiana Kids program.

Partnerships with Indiana Kids plus the center's Math Counts! Program (funded by the Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation), connected more than 30 IU East students with middle and high school students to provide tutoring and mentoring for math, English, science and social studies.

IU East students attend training sessions to tutor K-12 students in a variety of subjects through the Center for Service-Learning.

Indiana Kids is a collaboration between Indiana University and Serve Indiana providing academic tutoring, mentoring, and workshops for students statewide in grades 6-12. This program, developed through IUPUI, is at all the Indiana University campuses, and the Center for Service-Learning houses the IU East Indiana Kids program in the Campus Library. Indiana Kids and the IU East Center for Service-Learning have collaborated since 2017.

All registered Indiana Kids can access free online tutoring in the evening during program dates, and each IU campus has unique services and workshops. IU East offers on-campus tutoring in the summer and after school during the school year, as well as off-campus tutoring and mentoring at area schools and organizations.

IU East has also been able to offer tutoring to K-5 students, through the Math Counts! program as well as through work-study tutors or volunteers.

Ann Tobin, campus/community service-learning liaison at IU East, said the partnership with Indiana Kids has allowed the center to hire additional tutors to serve more secondary students since tutoring was first offered in summer 2015.

"Indiana Kids also allowed us to introduce mentoring and workshops, which usually involved college readiness," Tobin said.

The third and most recent Indiana Kids college readiness workshop was co-hosted with the IU East women's basketball team on July 18. The program, "Get Your Head in the Game," brought young students and their parents to the campus to focus on growth mindset, how to fund their education, and how to manage their plans for the future. Amy Jarecki, dean of students; Brittany Chesher, associate director of Financial Aid; and Twenty-first Century Scholars representatives, shared their expertise in a program designed by one of the Indiana Kids program coordinators, Cassidy Clouse. Clouse is a 2018 graduate of IU East and will attend the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

IU East student Eric Mejia tutors a student at the Campus Library.

Indiana Kids also allowed the IU East center to expand its services off campus by providing tutoring and mentoring in area schools, including Richmond High School, Hibberd Early College Academy, Test Middle School, Northeastern High School, and Union High School, as well as Girls, Inc. of Wayne County. The locations of this outreach are determined by school request and tutor/mentor availability. It works best for some Red Wolves to work where they live, and oftentimes IU East students are excited to return to their hometown schools as role models to tutor, mentor, and share their recent experiences with students who stand where they once stood. One such IU East Indiana Kids tutor/mentor includes Alexis Williams, who returned to Union High School last year to work with individual students on academics as well as college preparation.

Additionally, the center at IU East recently completed its fifth summer of K-12 tutoring, serving about 30 K-12 students each week for 6 weeks. Fall tutoring programs will begin in September.

"We were able to send our tutors out to schools and organizations to work with students in their summer programs, especially Girls, Inc.," Tobin said. "I could not do the planning and preparation for the summer program, as well as the tracking and reporting, without the help of student coordinators. Eric Mejia has been the primary coordinator. His problem-solving skills, as well as his exceptional ability to relate to and connect with parents/students/teachers are vital to the success of the program."

For spring semester 2019, funding from the Indiana Kids program provided 844 hours of tutoring/mentoring and 1,031 interactions with students in grades 6-12. After each term, assessments of the tutoring program are done by surveying participating students, parents, school site supervisors, and the IU East tutors and mentors.

For spring 2019, more than eighty percent of the parents participating in the assessment, and who brought their child to campus for the after school tutoring program, indicated their child enjoyed school more, did better in classes they found to be difficult, received better grades, showed more interest in completing high school, showed more interest in completing positive goals, worked harder to achieve set goals, showed more confidence in managing difficult situations, became more aware of college opportunities available, had greater awareness of career options after high school and practiced healthy behaviors more often. All parents indicated that they believed the mentor/tutor was a positive influence in their students' learning.

Students who received mentoring and tutoring from IU East students indicated positive outcomes in the assessment as well. All 22 students participating in the assessment felt they improved in math through the help of their tutor. Students indicated that participation in the program made them feel more confident that they could solve difficult problems if they try hard enough, they felt more able to deal with difficult situations, they got better grades, and they were certain that they will finish high school.

Tobin said after school tutoring for this fall will begin September 23 at IU East. Tutoring is held Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. in the Campus Library, located in Hayes Hall. To register for tutoring programs, email Ann Tobin at aktobin@iue.edu or register online at iue.libsurveys.com/tutoringregistration.

Parents or students in grades 6-12 who are interested in tutoring or mentoring at their schools may submit an online application at go.iu.edu/1SV5 and talk with their teacher, counselor, CIS coordinator or principal about receiving tutoring/mentoring services.

Wayne County Foundation Awards $89,885 in Key Initiative Grant Cycle

Posted August 22, 2019

The Wayne County Foundation has awarded $89,885 to six local organizations in support of strategic priorities identified by Forward 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."

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

Cambridge City Main Street $25,000

In support of the development of a flexible use, multi-faceted Arts and Development Center to be situated in the historic canal-era Mathias and Kline buildings located on Main Street in Cambridge City.

Centerville-Abington Schools $8,735

To expand current preschool offerings with the goal of reducing the number of students needing retention in Kindergarten

Earlham College $18,500

In support of the Earlham EPIC Grant Challenge-an incentivized competition structured to develop Earlham-community partnerships that will collaboratively propose solutions to local social and economic problems.

Indiana University East $10,150

In support of a new program called Empower Wayne County. The program will provide exciting learning opportunities for students and a chance for local non-profits to utilize IU East students' expertise and energy to develop new programs or tackle projects that help move these organizations forward.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana $2,500

To expand the career readiness programming for high school seniors in Wayne County

Richmond Neighborhood Restoration $25,000

To increase the capital capacity of Richmond Neighborhood Restoration's Loan Fund for property acquisition.

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.

Women with Purpose Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

Posted August 22, 2019

The Women with Purpose Fund of the Wayne County Foundation – associated with the Women's Leadership Conference - is now accepting grant applications.

You may download the guidelines and application. All the information you should need to submit a grant are answered there but if you have additional questions about this application process, please call or email Rachel Hughes (765.962.1638 or Rachel@waynecountyfoundation.org).

Completed applications are due September 17.

Family R.E.A.D. Program Announced

Posted August 14, 2019

We are pleased to introduce you to a new initiative for youth and families to explore non-fiction books and participate in interactive learning activities with IU East students and faculty.

Family R.E.A.D. – Read, Explore, Ask, Discover! events will be on the second Saturdays throughout Fall, from 10-11:30 a.m., September 14, October 12, and November 9, at the Campus Library in Hayes Hall, on the IU East Campus. All events are free.

The resource guide provides more information: https://iue.libguides.com/FamilyREAD and if you have any questions, call 765.973.8470. We are requesting registration – available through an online link in the guide - so we know how many supplies will be needed.

Junior Red Wolves Recruiting Members

Posted August 14, 2019

The Junior Red Wolves is recruiting new members! More information about that: https://www.iue.edu/JuniorRedWolves. There you will find online and printable registration forms.

Membership is free, and open to youth through grade 6. Benefits include an Official Junior Red Wolves membership card; free admission to all regular season home athletic events; birthday greetings from Rufus, the IU East Red Wolves Mascot; and invitations to Junior Red Wolves special events.

Foundation Opens Application for Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Posted August 13, 2019

The Wayne County Foundation is accepting applications for the 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. All Wayne County high school seniors are encouraged to apply.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is the 'crown jewel' of all of the awards administered by the Foundation. It pays full-tuition, required fees and a book stipend for four years. Recipients may attend any public or private, Indiana four-year college or university, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Recipients must pursue undergraduate study in a baccalaureate program on a full-time basis.

The scholarship will be awarded to two students based on the following criteria: Academic Performance, Statement of Future Plans, Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience, Recommendations, Overcoming Adversity, Community Service, and Financial Need.

All interested individuals should visit the Foundation's website www.waynecountyfoundation.org for a link to the Foundation's online application platform. The deadline to submit an application is by noon on Friday, August 30.

September Medical Monday

Posted September 5, 2019

The September Medical Monday features a representative of an organization that helps people maintain their independence.

Lori S. Joseph, Wellness Educator for LifeStream, the Area Agency on Aging for East Central Indiana, will speak on "Healthy Choices for Healthy Living." LifeStream offers services aimed at helping people maintain their independence by helping with care plans, in-home case management and wellness education.

LifeStream encourages healthy eating, remaining active and offers help with ensuring medications are taken properly.

Medical Monday will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Central United Methodist Church. To attend, please RSVP Sharrie Harlin-Davis at (765) 983-3000, ext. 4676. The church is at 1425 E. Main St. in Richmond.

Medical Monday is supported by Reid Health Community Benefit.

News Releases

2nd Richmond International Food Fest Planned for August 31st

Posted August 19, 2019

Free Community Family Event celebrating Amigos 20th anniversary serving the Richmond Community!

We are celebrating 20 years of serving our beautiful community of Richmond, and we are teaming up with "City Of Richmond" to bring you a super fun event where families can experience international culture!

Our event will feature:
International Food Trucks: Brazil, Venezuela, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, El Salvador, Italian and more!
Beer and Wine by New Boswell

1940's Hangar Dance

In conjunction with the B-17 visit, EAA Chapter 373 will host a 1940's Hangar Dance on Saturday Night, August 24 from 6-9 PM. Dress in 1940's attire and enjoy entertainment by the Ladies for Liberty. A buffet style dinner will be served and raffle tickets for B-17 flights will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the evening will be used for youth aviation scholarships and activities. Tickets at $30 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Please visit EAA Chapter 373 on Facebook or search for B-17 Hangar Dance on Eventbrite for tickets.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - August 2019

Posted July 17, 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!

2nd Richmond International Food Fest Planned for August 31st

Posted August 19, 2019

Free Community Family Event celebrating Amigos 20th anniversary serving the Richmond Community!

We are celebrating 20 years of serving our beautiful community of Richmond, and we are teaming up with "City Of Richmond" to bring you a super fun event where families can experience international culture!

Our event will feature:
International Food Trucks: Brazil, Venezuela, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, El Salvador, Italian and more!
Beer and Wine by New Boswell

1940's Hangar Dance

In conjunction with the B-17 visit, EAA Chapter 373 will host a 1940's Hangar Dance on Saturday Night, August 24 from 6-9 PM. Dress in 1940's attire and enjoy entertainment by the Ladies for Liberty. A buffet style dinner will be served and raffle tickets for B-17 flights will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the evening will be used for youth aviation scholarships and activities. Tickets at $30 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Please visit EAA Chapter 373 on Facebook or search for B-17 Hangar Dance on Eventbrite for tickets.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - August 2019

Posted July 17, 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!

EAA Chapter 373 Brings EAA's B-17 to Richmond Airport and Hosts a 1940's Hangar Dance

Posted July 12, 2019

The local Hagerstown EAA Chapter 373 is sponsoring EAA's B-17 at the Richmond Municipal Airport August 23-25, 2019. Join us for an unforgettable experience aboard one of the few remaining airworthy B-17s in the world. You won't want to miss Aluminum Overcast when it visits Richmond Municipal Airport Aug 23 through 25, 2019. Ground tours and mission flights of the B-17 will take place daily.

Climb aboard this fully restored Boeing B-17 bomber and step back in time to the World War II era. Feel the might of this magnificent flying machine as it soars through the sky on your mission flight where you'll discover why it's called the Flying Fortress. Stand in the footsteps of the bombardier, the navigator, and the waist gunner and relive history by experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly in one of World War II's most vital and magnificent aircraft.

Ground Tours

2-5 p.m. (unless noted), weather permitting
$10: Individual Rate
$20: Family Rate (adults/children up to 17)
Free: Children under 8 (with paying adult)
Free: Veterans / Active Military

Mission Flights (weather permitting)

Advance Purchase
$409 EAA Members
$449 Non Members

Walk Up Purchase

$435 EAA Members
$475 Nonmembers

To book your flight, go to the web site, B17.org, or call EAA at 1-800-359-6217.

ABOUT THE B-17

More than just an airplane, the B-17 is living history that holds a remarkable connection to the past and is the most iconic image of World War II. Today, it serves as a tribute to those known as the greatest generation: the bold men and women who built and served on the heavy bombers in the 1940s. People of all ages will appreciate the history associated with this airplane that helped the Allies achieve victory. We invite families to visit and learn all about our aircraft and our organization. Relive the story. Join the flight.

Revenues from the B-17 tour help cover maintenance and operations costs for the aircraft and aid our ambition to "keep 'em flying" for many years to come. Our tour stops will be hosted by volunteers who are passionate about sharing the B-17's stories.

Senior Adult Ministry August Meeting

Posted August 13, 2019

Alvin and Arlo are special guests at the next meeting of the Senior Adult Ministry at 6 pm on Tuesday, August 27. These doggy ambassadors are "big guys with big reputations" who spend their time making people smile.

The meeting will be held at First United Methodist Church, 318 National Road West, Richmond, IN. Bring friends and snacks to share. All senior adults are 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 monthly meetings.

Come to enjoy friends and food and two special guests. For further information, call 765-962-4357.

Shoes for Kids donates to Reid Health Care Pavilion patients

Posted July 29, 2019

An impromptu distribution of athletic shoes to patients at the Reid Health Care Pavilion in Connersville last week marked another first for the longstanding "Shoes for Kids" program of the Reid Health Foundation.

Shoes for Kids, funded by the annual ReidRide, has provided money over the past 11 years to give out more than 12,000 pairs of shoes to kids in the Reid Health service area. Last Friday -- just three days after Reid Health took over the behavioral health program for kids and youth -- 26 more were added to that list.

"The children were very appreciative of them," said Susan Ream, Administrative Director of Reid Inpatient Psychiatry. "One said, 'This is better than Christmas!" Another patient said the shoes were the nicest ones he'd ever had.

"When we took ownership of the Care Pavilion, we recognized there was a need. It made sense to provide shoes for these kids." -- Justin Burkhardt, Reid Health Foundation

Justin Burkhardt, Foundation Director, said the distribution came about on short notice when Reid Health Care Pavilion staffers noticed patients who didn't have good shoes. "When we took ownership of the Care Pavilion, we recognized there was a need. It made sense to provide shoes for these kids. It isn't normal for us to have shoes on hand, but we happened to have some this time."

ReidRide began in 2009 with less than 200 riders on a rainy morning at Petro truck stop. ReidRide 11 was just held on July 13. Funding from sponsorships and registrations provide the dollars to buy and distribute athletic shoes throughout the region served by Reid Health.

3Rivers Federal Credit Union and West End Bank S.B. Announce Strategic Acquisition

Posted August 1, 2019

Fort Wayne, Indiana and Richmond, Indiana – Three Rivers Federal Credit Union ("3Rivers"), and West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc. ("West End Indiana Bancshares") (OTC: WEIN), the holding company of West End Bank S.B. ("West End Bank"), announced today that they have signed a definitive purchase and assumption agreement whereby 3Rivers, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of West End Bank, headquartered in Richmond, Indiana, in an all-cash transaction. Following the completion of this transaction, West End Indiana Bancshares and West End Bank will settle their remaining obligations and distribute their remaining cash to the West End Indiana Bancshares stockholders. West End Bank operates four bank branches in Richmond, Liberty and Hagerstown, Indiana and had approximately $298.8 million in assets, and 24,000 customers as of March 31, 2019. 3Rivers currently operates 16 branches in a seven-county area in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, and has 82,000 members. This strategic acquisition will increase 3Rivers' total number of branches to 20, members to 106,000, over 400 employees and total assets to approximately $1.4 billion.

West End Indiana Bancshares was created in connection with the 2012 conversion of West End Bank's prior federal mutual holding company from the mutual to the stock form. As a part of such conversion, a liquidation account was created for the benefit of certain depositors of West End Bank. Since the sale of assets and liabilities to a credit union by an institution which had converted from mutual to stock form under the current federal rules has not yet been implemented by any other institution, there are certain uncertainties associated with the treatment of the liquidation account. As a result, we cannot predict at this time whether the organization will be required to distribute the remaining liquidation account to certain depositors of West End Bank, the amount of any such distribution, and the ultimate impact of any required payments on the amount of cash to be received by West End Indiana Bancshares stockholders in this transaction.

Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement, West End Bancshares estimates that its stockholders will receive between $34.91 and $36.81 in cash consideration for each share of West End Indiana Bancshares common stock (the "per share consideration") they own. The amount of the per share consideration is subject to substantial variation based on, among other things, significant uncertainties with respect to the treatment of and costs associated with the liquidation account, West End Bank's equity at closing, the amount of corporate level taxation of such transaction, the amount of cash held by West End Indiana Bancshares at closing, costs related to the dissolution of West End Bank and West End Indiana Bancshares and the distribution of the remaining assets to stockholders and future operating results. Other factors that may cause a reduction in the per share consideration include, among others, costs associated with employee compensation and benefit arrangements and any West End Bank environmental problems with remediation costs over a threshold amount. Accordingly, investors should not assume that the ultimate consideration distributed to stockholders will be within the range set forth above.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of both institutions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions, the approval of West End Indiana Bancshares's stockholders, West End Bank's depositors (if required) and regulatory approvals. The distribution of cash to West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc. stockholders is expected to occur within several months after completion of the sale of assets to 3Rivers.

West End Bank has served its community since 1894. All 4 banking locations will operate as branches of 3Rivers after the sale is finalized. West End Bank customers will become members of 3Rivers with full access to the credit union's wide array of products and services as well as its larger lending limit.

"We are excited to announce the acquisition of West End Bank. We look forward to being a part of the Wayne and Union County communities and welcoming their customers and employees into the 3Rivers family," said Don Cates, 3Rivers' President and CEO. "This acquisition will allow us to expand our footprint to serve more people and communities in Indiana, and it will result in expanded product, service and technology offerings for West End Bank's customers as well. We look forward to getting to know and investing in Wayne and Union Counties, as we begin the transition process. We mutually feel that this is an ideal fit, as we are both deeply engaged in the communities we serve, have a strong organizational culture, and a sincere care for our members' and customers' financial wellness. Additionally, we are committed to working closely together with our West End Bank partners to work towards as smooth a transition as possible." "We are thrilled about our new partnership with 3Rivers Federal Credit Union because of the expanded opportunities it brings to our customers, our employees, and our communities," said Timothy Frame, President & CEO of West End Bank. "3Rivers is a proven leader in providing the highest level of financial services, while also sharing our commitment to strong community support.

"The Board of Directors of West End Bank and West End Indiana Bancshares (WEIN) are excited and pleased with this combination with 3Rivers Federal Credit Union. We believe it continues our commitment to enhance shareholder value. In addition, it will provide a myriad of opportunities to our employees, customers, and the communities that we serve today," said John McBride, Chairman of the Board of West End Bank and West End Indiana Bancshares.

Additional Information:

In connection with the proposed merger, West End Indiana Bancshares will provide its stockholders with a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Stockholders of West End Indiana Bancshares are urged to read the proxy statement and other relevant documents and any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information which should be considered before making any decision regarding the transaction. Stockholders of West End Indiana Bancshares will be able to obtain a copy of the proxy statement, and any other relevant documents, without charge, when they become available, at the Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.sec.gov), on the West End Indiana Bancshares website (ir.westendbank.com) or by directing a request to:
Robin Henry
Executive Vice President/Chief Human Resource Officer
West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc.
34 South 7th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374

The information available through West End Indiana Bancshares' website is not and shall not be deemed part of this press release or incorporated by reference into other filings that West End Indiana Bancshares makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

West End Indiana Bancshares and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of West End Indiana Bancshares in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of West End Indiana Bancshares is set forth in West End Indiana Bancshares's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019, and in the proxy statement for West End Indiana Bancshares's 2019 Annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2019. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants and any other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc. and West End Bank S.B. are being represented in this transaction by Luse Gorman, PC and Keefe, Bruyette and Woods. 3Rivers is being represented by Howard and Howard, PLLC.

About 3Rivers:

Since 1935, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union has been empowering their community to achieve financial wellness by offering personalized service, tools, and education. The member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative has $1.1 billion in assets, more than 80,000 members, 16 branches, and over 340 employees. 3Rivers offers a wide range of financial solutions, in addition to trustworthy, lifelong guidance and relationships. For more information, visit 3riversfcu.org.

About West End Bank S.B.:

West End Bank, S.B. is an Indiana-chartered savings bank headquartered in Richmond, Indiana. West End Bank, S.B. was organized in 1894 under the name West End Building and Loan Association and has operated continuously in Richmond, Indiana since its founding. West End Bank has 4 branch locations which consist of two in Richmond, one in Hagerstown, Indiana and one in Liberty, Indiana. In addition to the four full-service locations, West End Bank also hosts limited service branches in schools within Richmond Community Schools. West End Bank also have a limited service branch and ATM located within Richmond High School. This student-operated branch is available to students and faculty of RCS twice a week. At March 31, 2019, West End Bank had total assets of $ $298.8 million and has 82 employees.

About West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc:

West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc. became the holding company for West End Bank, S.B. upon consummation of the mutual to stock conversion of West End Bank, MHC, the Bank's former mutual holding company on January 10, 2012. Other than owning the Bank and making a loan to the Bank's employee stock ownership plan, the Company has engaged in no material operations to date.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the anticipated closing date of the transaction and anticipated future plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include delays in completing the transaction, uncertainties regarding the proper treatment and calculation of the liquidation account, corporate level tax expenses, transaction expenses, additions to West End Bank's allowance for loan losses, difficulties in integrating West End Bank into 3Rivers, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business in which 3Rivers and West End Bank are engaged, changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties. Except as required by law, none of 3Rivers, West End Bank or West End Indiana Bancshares undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statement is made.

Teen's determination results in low-cost veterinary camp

Posted July 29, 2019

Jasmine Roosa knew when she was a toddler that she wanted to be a "vegetarian." Of course, she meant "veterinarian" -- she was just still too young to pronounce the word.

Today at 16, she hasn't wavered from a plan that began before she was talking clearly. She's worked at a vet clinic since she was 13. She's attended veterinary camps every year since she was in the 7th grade.

Dr. Bhavsar and Jasmine during his demonstration.

And this year - with the help of a host of others including Reid Health's Community Benefit department and the Reid Health Residency Program - she organized a weeklong veterinary camp at her school. It was an amazing feat for someone who is still a couple of years from college. "I decided I wanted to make a veterinary camp here for the kids around this area who are interested in the profession or enjoy working with animals," she says.

So with the help of her stepmom, Kara Roosa, she spent well over 100 hours planning the weeklong camp at Northeastern school for only $50 a participant. She secured the Northeastern FFA as a sponsor. Her principal got involved. She rounded up 10 presenters, including veterinarians and a Reid Health physician. Businesses donated prizes and gifts. Five veterinary colleges helped out.

Roosa called the event the SPARK Jr. Vet Camp, named "for the qualities I believe are important to becoming a strong veterinarian and individual:"

S -- Self. Self-confidence is an important step for anyone in life
P -- Pursue. Being willing to pursue your path or dream.
A -- Achieve. Actively achieving your set goals.
R -- Responsibility. Fulfilling your commitments to school, family and community.
K -- Knowledge.
You have to be willing to gain the knowledge necessary to be a veterinarian and your best self. "So many people, businesses and colleges helped make this camp possible." Her mom Claire Baker was a camp leader and donated supplies. Her dad, Chris Roosa, helped her practice her own presentations. And she made it affordable. For comparison, one of the closest such camps she knows about is two hours away and costs almost $1,000. "I wanted a low-cost camp available to kids in this area."

Reid Health's involvement included Jay Bhavsar, D.O., who led a suturing training session that involved stuffed animals and then a demonstration using a sheep heart. This presentation was special to him -- doing a sheep heart dissection when he was in high school is what sealed his decision to go into medicine. So he knew first-hand the power of impressions and experiences for young minds.

"It touched me, knowing the part that played in my own career choice," says Dr. Bhavsar, who is enrolled in the Reid Health Family Medicine Residency program. "If someone has that moment, like I did, it can be life-changing."

The event in June involved more than 20 Northeastern students grades 6 through 11, over a five day schedule with presentations about animal exams, the costs of owning a pet, pet first aid, equine dentistry, multiple case studies and more.

"Our goal with the camp was that when campers left, they would have a better understanding of the veterinary profession," says Jasmine. "And we 100 percent are planning on doing the camp next year, opening it to students across the county."

Grants: More than $147,000 to promote wellness in Reid Health service area

Posted July 29, 2019

Reid Health Community Benefit is awarding $147,030 in grants for programs designed to promote physical activity, good nutrition and healthy weight.

The grants represent the second 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 and community members 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:

• $1,400 to Amigos Latino Center to fund the Annual Amigos Health Fair.
• $10,775 to Birth to Five to support the Parents as Teachers program.
• $11,800 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County to support Clubfit programming expenses.
• $2,000 to Circle U Help Center for the healthy shelf stable food program.
• $2,225 to Columbia Community Center, Inc., for playground equipment and to create an area encouraging increased physical activity.
• $2,000 to Communities in Schools of Wayne County to fund supplies for physical activity programming at Wayne County schools.
• $35,000 to Connersville Parks & Recreation to renovate and establish tennis and Pickleball courts in Roberts Park to increase access to exercise opportunities.
• $2,115 to Cope Environmental Center tosupport the Hike Yourself Healthy and the Get Outside-Play programs.
• $2,100 to Council on Rural Service Programs to provide Darke County, Ohio, youth with access to fitness opportunities.
• $2,000 to Gateway Hunger Relief Center to support healthy supplies for the child box program.
• $5,000 to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana to support the Produce Hope program in multiple counties in Reid Health service area.
• $2,000 to Hope Center to support the Healthy with Hope program, educating clients on good food choices and providing healthy recipe kits.
• $3,000 to Natco Community Empowerment Center - Love Makes Cents to support the Healthy You, Healthy Me series to educate adults and children about nutrition, physical activity and weight.
• $12,300 to Richmond Farmers Market to support the SNAP Double Dollars Program.
• $4,804 to Richmond Friends School for playground equipment in the back outdoor classroom.
• $2,729 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support the walking club and kids triathlon, part of the "Get Healthy in our Parks" series.
• $3,475 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support the Just Us Kids Outdoors series.
• $13,365 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support revitalization of Middlefork Reservoir, including a boat fleet to create new exercise opportunities.
• $3,300 to the Richmond Youth Football League to fund purchase of new helmets in compliance with concussion safety standards for youth.
• $11,692 to Wayne County Cardinal Greenway to support the walking-running training, and free bike rental programs.
• $2,500 to YMCA of Darke County to support the Diabetes Education and Weight Loss programs.
• $11,450 to the YMCA of Greater Dayton to support the Diabetes Prevention and Livestrong Program.

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.

In addition to grants, the Reid Health Community Benefit sponsors various programs focused on community health, specifically in the areas of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Weight, and Access to Care.

Related link: www.Reidcommunities.org

Al-Anon Meetings

Posted July 22, 2019

Al-Anon offers help and hope for families and friends of problem drinkers. It is an anonymous fellowship and there are no dues or fees. Meetings are held Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. 10 th Street, Richmond, Indiana.

New members are always welcome. For further information, contact us at feelingsoffreedom@outlook.com or call 765-966-4151.

Back to School Bash

Posted August 13, 2019

The Wesleyan Church will be hosting the Back to School Bash on August 18 from 4:00-7:00 pm. This is a free community event, with the only expense being food trucks if attendees would like to purchase food.

There will be live music, inflatables, games, and more – at no cost to you. Plenty of fun for all ages….not just those who are actually going back to school. Bring your family, bring friends….and don't miss this super fun event at Wesleyan Church, 5600 U.S. 27 North, Richmond, IN!

Reid Health Connersville opens July 16

Posted July 16, 2019

Many jobs protected in transition to new ownership

Reid Health is expected to finalize acquisition of the assets of Fayette Regional Health System on July 15, becoming Reid Health Connersville at 12:01 a.m. July 16, officials have announced. Officials also noted that Reid Health has offered positions or is in the process of interviewing almost all Fayette employees still on staff as of July 1.

Last week, the parties agreed to an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA), a legal next step in Reid's pending acquisition of a substantial portion of assets of Fayette Regional Health System in Connersville, Indiana. The transaction is expected to be finalized on July 15 with day one of operations on July 16, 2019.

Reid Health emphasized two areas of its transition efforts over the past several weeks. The first is ongoing work with the FRHS human resource department to facilitate potential employment opportunities at Reid Health Connersville for current FRHS employees. The second is the work to determine and facilitate the services Reid Health intends to offer in Connersville, pending the necessary Court and regulatory approvals, when the transaction closes.

As of July 1, the FRHS employee census was 334. Reid Health Human Resources extended the opportunity for all FRHS employees to apply for positions in Connersville as well as any Reid Health location. Between May 24 and July 10, 333 had submitted an application to Reid Health. As of July 16, the Reid Health Connersville employee census will be 269, with additional offers pending and 40 open positions posted for Connersville locations.

"We expect many of these positions will be filled in the coming weeks. We are pleased to begin welcoming these individuals to the Reid Health caregiver team," said Craig Kinyon, president and CEO of Reid Health. "This critical effort is ongoing, and we expect to extend additional employment opportunities as we work towards finalizing the transaction." While several from FRHS chose this time to retire or seek employment elsewhere, recruitment efforts continue with additional positions posted on Reid's website, ReidHealth.org/careers.

With regard to Reid Health's service-planning work, Kinyon said, "Making sure the services we offer in Connersville are sustainable and available for years to come is a top priority, and our team has identified the services we intend to initially provide when the transaction is finalized. We are committed to building on our decades-long history of providing high-quality care to the people of Connersville, Fayette County and the surrounding area."

Pending legal and regulatory approvals, and in addition to the services Reid Health currently provides in the community, Reid Health intends to offer the following key services:

• 24-7 Emergency Department (ED)
• Laboratory (on-site services to support 24-7 ED, as well as outpatient specimen collection services)
• Radiology (on-site services to support 24-7 ED)
• Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Physical Therapy
• Food and Nutrition Services including Café
• Outpatient Behavioral Health (adolescent and adult including group therapy)
• Inpatient Adolescent Behavioral Health at the Care Pavilion
• Residential Adolescent Behavioral Health at the Care Pavilion
• HealthWorks Fitness Center
• Athletic Training with Fayette County School Corporation
• Primary and Specialty Care Provider Offices

Reid Health is committed to ensuring access to a variety of important high-quality healthcare services in Connersville," said Kinyon, "As we work through legal and regulatory matters to finalize the initial service plans, we are committed to continuing to interview and offer positions to qualified Fayette Regional Health System employees who are interested in future employment opportunities with Reid Health."

Kinyon also pointed to Reid Health's long history of providing high-quality care in the community and said the transaction is a natural next step in that journey.

"Reid Health is deeply committed to increasing our presence over time in the Connersville community through events, sponsorships and programs that focus on the health and well-being of residents," said Kinyon. "We have begun planning toward this important work and will have much more to share about new efforts in the coming weeks and months."

About Reid Health

Reid Health, located in Richmond Indiana, is a 2019 Medicare 5-Star health system serving east central Indiana and west central Ohio. The health system and its physician network, Reid Health Physician Associates, has over 3,000 employees, including more than 200 providers in 88 specialties.

Reid offers a broad range of comprehensive health services including a 221 bed inpatient hospital consisting of 115 acute medical/surgical beds, a 30 bed cardiac and critical care unit, a 20 bed acute rehabilitation unit, a Baby-Friendly designated 14 bed Family Birthing Center, and a 38 bed Gero-psychiatry unit. Additional beds are available for adult psychiatric services and inpatient hospice care.

Reid provides a wide variety of outpatient care to patients needing physical, occupational, or speech therapy, radiation therapy, interventional radiological care, general radiological services, laboratory and pathology services, cardiac diagnostics, cardiac interventions and rehab, pulmonary rehab, nutritional care and all types of infusion therapies. Reid's outpatients visited over 300,000 times in 2018.

Reid Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy (ROSE) provided a wide variety of outpatient surgical and invasive services to over 12,000 patients during 2018.

In 2018, Reid's Level III Trauma Center and Emergency department provided emergency care to more than 41,000 critically ill or injured people including those served by our certified stroke center.

Reid's four (4) Urgent Care locations provided almost 46,000 patients with walk-in, convenient care.

Reid Health Physician Associates includes more than 200 providers in 88 specialties dedicated to treating the sick and maintaining the health and wellness of all our community members. Our experienced and talented physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants provided compassionate in-office or tele-health care to patients over 475,000 times in 2018. Reid Home Care offers specialized care to patients who are unable to venture too far from home.

Reid Hospice offers comprehensive, compassionate, respectful spiritual care to patients and their families as they travel through their end of life journey.

Reid Health-ier Community Day in Connersville Aug. 10

Participants Run with Red Wolves

Posted July 22, 2019

A pack of runners survived temperatures in the mid-80s and humidity to participate in the annual Run with the Wolves 5K on the Indiana University East Cross Country Course on July 20.

IU East cross country coach Adam Mengel was the overall winner of the race with a time of 17:59, which is the third event of eight on the schedule for the Wayne County Challenge.

Adam Mengel participates in IU East's Run with the Wolves 5K on July 20. He was the overall winner of the race. Mengel is the head coach of IU East's cross country teams.

Leah Keesling, who will be a senior at Randolph Southern High School, led the way for the women with a 20:36.

The 2019 IU East Run with the Wolves unofficial results are available.

Key Moments from the Run with the Wolves

• Indiana University East Alumni Association received the proceeds from the Run with the Wolves 5K. Members of the IU East Alumni Association, the Red Wolves athletic department and others volunteered to make the event a success.
• Red Wolf women's basketball players arrived early to assist with preparations, while later competing in the race.
• IU East's cross country athletes helped with the Run with Rufus 1K youth race. There were also other student-athletes from other IU East teams scattered though out the course providing support.

IU East's Run with the Wolves 5K attracted area runners and walkers for the annual race on July 20.

Quotable

"It's definitely and big deal for the campus and the community. It's great to see a lot of the runners and families from the surrounding area come out and run this 5K. It's a fun day for everybody. It was pretty hot and humid. It definitely takes a big toll on everybody and their times. We had great volunteers and help at the water stations with great first responders on site. I do want to thank all of the volunteers and the people who put this race together because they did a fantastic job." - men's overall winner Adam Mengel.

they have been lately, but they actually felt pretty good. I just worked with the (humidity), but everybody is dealing with it. This is something I'm using to get ready for cross country. It was good practice." - women's overall winner Leah Keesling.

"This is a great community event and it's the third race of the Wayne County Challenge. It's kind of fun getting of the road and running on the grass and doing something different. We had about 270 people sign up, so it was a great turnout, especially on a pretty warm day." - Run with the Wolves Race Director Brian Schleeper.

What's Next

The next race in the Wayne County Challenge series is the Hagerstown Heartbreak Hill 5K on August 10. For more information, visit Wayne County Challenge.

Wayne County Foundation Offers Information Meeting for 2019 Challenge Match Program

Posted July 16, 2019

The Wayne County Foundation is announcing the 2019 Challenge Match Program.

The Challenge Match program is an opportunity for participating not-for-profit organizations to cultivate new donors and encourage increased giving from current contributors, especially for general operating support. In the last seven years, the Challenge Match has helped 71 organizations raise over $7.88 million, including $1.46 million from the Foundation.

Qualified charities located in Wayne County and in good standing with the IRS and the Foundation are strongly encouraged to attend an information lunch meeting to learn about the program this year. It will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 25 at the Wayne County Historical Museum's Community Room in Richmond, Indiana.

Reservations are required no later than Monday, July 22. Box lunches are available for $7. Register on the Foundation's website at www.waynecountyfoundation.org or by calling 765-962-1638.

Any charitable not-for-profit organization, school, or government agency in Wayne County that has had a prior application history with the Foundation is eligible to apply.

Groups that are not qualified charities must partner with an organization that is. An online application must be submitted to the Foundation by Friday, August 16. This year, the Challenge Match Program will be held from November 4 to November 12.

Senior Adult Ministry July Meeting

Posted July 22, 2019

Stroll the grounds, view the memorials, and enjoy a pitch-in dinner at Veterans Park at the next meeting of the Senior Adult Ministry at 6 pm on Tuesday, July 30. Highlight of the meeting will be a presentation about the newly-acquired Huey Helicopter. The Park is located at 40 Johnson Street, Richmond, Indiana.

All senior adults are 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 monthly meetings.

Come to enjoy friends and food. For further information, call 765-962-4357.

Register for IU East's Run with the Wolves 5K on July 20

Posted June 5, 2019

Indiana University East's Run with the Wolves 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, July 20. Registration is now open at iue.edu/5k.

IU East will host this year's Run with the Wolves 5K on July 20. The event is part of the Wayne County Challenge Series.

Runners and walkers will join more than 400 other participants for this year's event on the IU East campus and run the Red Wolves' cross country course, located behind Hayes Hall. The event includes a free "Run with Rufus" 1K family run/walk.

All pre-registrants receive a Run with the Wolves race shirt.

This year, first responders can participate in the race at no cost. Last year, so many of our region's first responders came to the campus' aid when two fugitives approached campus attempting to allude law enforcement. Although the manhunt resulted in the cancellation of last year's Run with the Wolves race our campus remained safe because of their service. Inviting first responders to enjoy this year's race (free of charge) is the campus' way of saying thank you for protecting and serving. All first responders who participate will also receive a special t-shirt (see registration form).

Day-of-race registration opens at 7 a.m. on July 20 at the Hayes Hall patio, located on the lower level of the building. The 5K run/walk starts at 8 a.m. followed by the "Run with Rufus" at 9:05 a.m. Awards will be presented at 9:25 a.m. at the Hayes Hall patio.

Run with the Wolves is part of the Wayne County Challenge series.

Register online at iue.edu/5k. The pre-registration cost is $20, and day-of registration is $25. Students in grades K-12 and college can pre-register for $15 or register on race day for $20.

Proceeds from the event will support student scholarship programs funded through the IU East Alumni Association.

For more information, contact Terry Wiesehan, director of Alumni Relations, at (765) 973-8221 or email twiesaha@iue.edu.

Ivy Tech Richmond Welcomes Amigos to Career Summer Camp

Posted July 12, 2019

This week, Ivy Tech Community College's Richmond campus welcomed Amigos students and their parents to campus for a Career Summer Camp with a focus on robotics and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The camp featured 7th-12th graders and kicked off on July 8.

$24 Million Downtown Richmond Improvement Project Officially Open After Ribbon Cutting

Posted July 10, 2019

Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness joined Richmond Mayor Dave Snow and other state and local officials Wednesday at Richmond's Model T Museum to cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the official opening of the $24 million U.S. 27/U.S. 40 improvement project in downtown Richmond. The project was completed as part of Governor Eric Holcomb's Next Level Roads initiative, a 20-year, fully funded plan to build and maintain Indiana's transportation network.

"This transformative project in downtown Richmond goes beyond building new roads—it's about strengthening the entire community," Gov. Holcomb said. "This comprehensive project replaced both concrete and asphalt, along with water and sewer infrastructure to enhance a main thoroughfare that contributes to economic growth and a better quality of life for people who live, work and visit Richmond."

INDOT and its prime contractor Gradex began the major reconstruction project in 2017. Work completed includes:

• Reconstruction of nearly two miles of southbound U.S. 27 and nearly one mile of eastbound U.S. 40
• New water mains
• New drainage and modernized storm sewer
• New curb ramps and sidewalks
• New traffic signals with wireless interconnectivity
• New traffic signs

U.S. 40 between 3rd Street and 11th Street was rebuilt using precast concrete panels, a pavement innovation used for the first time in Indiana. By using precast panels, INDOT reduced pavement depth and potential conflicts with existing underground utilities. These panels are removable and replaceable so the risk of pavement damage is greatly reduced when utility maintenance is needed in the future.. Also, precast panels reduced the construction time, cuts down on future maintenance needs, and extends pavement life.

"Projects that involve highway reconstruction in a historic downtown area present us with opportunities to partner with a community to deliver on a vision that goes beyond simply rebuilding a highway," Joe McGuinness, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation said." By using innovative design and construction approaches and leveraging our strong partnership with the City of Richmond and the downtown community, we were able to deliver a safer, stronger roadway that better meets the needs of drivers, walkers and pedestrians, and will complement a vibrant downtown for decades."

As part of the project, INDOT also partnered with the City of Richmond to replace segments of brick sidewalks in the historic downtown district and made safety improvements by straightening the alignment of southbound U.S. 27 near its intersection with North C Street.

To celebrate the official end to the project, INDOT partnered with the Model T Museum in Richmond to do a ceremonial drive in Model T vehicles on the new segments of road.

Stay informed

Follow @INDOTEast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects and services at alerts.indot.in.gov.

Learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.

Lane closures scheduled on I-70 near Richmond

Posted July 10, 2019

Closures scheduled to start on July 8

RICHMOND, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation will start alternating lane closures on I-70 for patching work on July 8.

Work will be along a one mile stretch of I-70 EB and WB. Lane closures will be between mile markers 155 and 156.

Crews will be working overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from July 8 to July 18. There will always be one lane open in each direction.

INDOT wants to remind drivers to slow down in work zones and drive distraction free.

Stay informed

Follow @INDOTEast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects and services at alerts.indot.in.gov.

Learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.

Singles Interaction Newsletter - July 2019

Posted June 20, 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!

Nettle Creek Players Summer Company Arrives in Hagerstown
National, Regional & Local Theatre Artists Begin Performances July 5

Posted June 19, 2019

Photo Credits: Photo by Darrin Murrell. Featuring (back row from left) Sean Haynes, Jacob Butler, Cody Ricks, Lee Stacey, Jordan Wolfe, Maddy Fenton, Devin Summan, Katie Carfield, Kavin Moore, Logan Moore (middle row from left) Gilda Lewis, Anna Marck, Alison Moore (front row from left) Taylor Hadsell, Alexis Smith, Lily Ballenger, Paige Strothman, Sage Murrell

Nettle Creek Players, a 501c3 not-for-profit arts organization in Hagerstown, Indiana, this week welcomed 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 are living in the community in the homes of local volunteers. 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 a performer for RUMPELSTILTSKIN;

Alexis Smith is a student at Point Park University 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 JOSEPH. 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 long-time director of 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 members include local high school students and 2-year veterans of NCP's Young Actor's Workshop program, Paige Strothman and Sage Murrell, who join 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.

3... 2... 1... Blast off to the Library! This

Posted June 13, 2019

This summer, you and your kiddos can explore the galaxy, and never leave the ground. Experience all the fun as Morrisson-Reeves Library (MRL) kicks off its annual Summer Reading Program "A Universe of Stories" running June – July 27. Patrons can track their reading and activities progress online at MRLinfo.org, as well as earn prizes, play games and learn more about the universe. The summer program is free and open to the public with more details found online at MRLinfo.org/summer.

It's not all about reading books. Participants can also listening to audio books, watch movies participate in library activities and learn about the moon, planets and even aliens. The online tracking system linked on the library's website is an easy way to organize your progress. The library staff is available to assist with tracking your progress. Ask for more details during your next visit the library.

Free Programs Are Out of This World!

The library offers free, signature programs for all ages. Some of the upcoming events are Little Red Riding Hood (with an alien space twist) performed by Minnetrista Theatre Preserves, Storytimes, t-shirt making, hatching alien egg, moon rocks, game nights and more are planned. All events are listed on the library's website at MRLinfo.org/summer.

Studies show that kids who read during the summer maintain reading skills that are critical to future school success. Last year, over a 1,000 children, teens and adults participated in the MRL Summer Reading Program, which includes more than 30 programs to enrich learning, and explore the universe.

This year's premiere sponsor is the Friends of Morrisson-Reeves Library.

Morrisson-Reeves Library has served the people of Richmond, Indiana since 1864. MRL is well known for signature services and programs such as Storytimes, Free Computer Classes, Reading Clubs, Reader's Advisory, Local History, Research, Summer Reading Programs and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The library's Strategic Plan supports the mission of "connecting people to information, inspiration, and infinite opportunities." which positions MRL to respond to areas of urgent need: kids unprepared for kindergarten, third grade reading proficiency, high school graduation, college and career readiness and employment resources. MRL is the community's resource for lifelong learning.

Wayne County Foundation Announces Key Initiative Grant Cycle

Posted June 13, 2019

The Wayne County Foundation is pleased to announce a special round of Key Initiative Grants in support of strategic priorities identified by Forward Wayne County.

Organizations working to advance human capital development and quality of place programs throughout Wayne County are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted between June 14 and July 12 for awards of up to $25,000.

More information can be found on the Foundation's website, www.waynecountyfoundation.org.

Additional information is available by calling the Foundation office at 765-962-1638 or emailing steve@waynecountyfoundation.org.

ReidRide 11 to Roll July 13 with New, Shorter Option

Posted July 10, 2019

When the 11th ReidRide rolls onto Reid Parkway on July 13, hundreds of riders are expected to join in for fun and a good cause as they launch into either the 25-mile or new 14-mile course with family and friends.

Organizers say the true impact and sometimes overwhelming emotion of the annual event comes later, when hundreds of area kids get fitted with a pair of new athletic shoes. "We couldn't provide all these shoes without the support of our generous donors and sponsors of Reid Ride each year," said Justin Burkhardt, Director of Reid Foundation, which puts on the event.

ReidRide has provided funding over 11 years to give out more than 12,000 pairs of shoes to kids across the multi-county region served by Reid Health, Burkhardt said. He said volunteers at the distributions over the years have shared numerous heart-warming stories. Some children have arrived wearing worn out flip flops or shoes with holes in them. Others have arrived in shoes that did not fit properly. Kids leave with a new pair of shoes, properly fitted.

"We are very grateful for all who participate and/or donate to Reid Ride -- they (the donors) truly make this possible."

Burkhardt said the main significant change for 2019 is the addition of a second route, 14 miles in length. At the start, all riders will proceed west on Industries Road. Riders will then merge onto the Cardinal Greenway, then head north, into northwest Wayne County.

Riders who choose the 14-mile route will be guided to turn right from the Cardinal Greenway onto Pleasant Plain Road, then south on Flatley Road, then east on Tingler Road, then joining all riders south on Union Pike, to Industries Road, returning east to the Reid main campus.

Riders who choose the 25-mile route will continue north to the Williamsburg trail head, then east on Fountain City Pike which will take them through the middle of Fountain City and all the way to Arba Pike. Riders will then head south on Arba Pike, turn right onto Martin Road, then left onto Tingler Road. After crossing US 27 riders will continue on Tingler until they reach Union Pike. Riders will continue south on Union Pike until they reach Industries and then they will continue east up the Industries Road hill and end at Reid Health. Maps of both routes can be found at www.ReidRide.org.

When ReidRide began in 2009 with less than 200 riders on a rainy morning at Petro truck stop, Burkhardt said he doesn't think anyone knew just how much the ride would grow over the years. He believes the great organization of the event, the family atmosphere and wonderful volunteers are what keep it popular.

"This is not a race. This is an opportunity to safely see and ride Wayne County. It's a wellness event. And more importantly, this supports a great cause," he said.

Burkhardt is hoping for from 500 to 1000 riders. He said the event has wonderful support from sheriff's, fire and police departments, who help maintain traffic safety. He encourages drivers to keep the ride and route in mind as well.

The ride starts at 7:30 a.m., with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. To sign up for, or to donate to the cause, visit: www.ReidRide.org.

"This is not a race. This is an opportunity to safely see and ride Wayne County. It's a wellness event. And more importantly, this supports a great cause."

Richmond Shakespeare Festival Brings The Tempest and Hamlet to Richmond, IN!

Posted June 25, 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, now through 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 21 st to the July 6 th . Tickets are available online at www.richmondshakes.org, or by calling 765.373.9022.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site to receive Midwest Travel Journalists Association GEMmy Award

Posted June 24, 2019

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site will be honored with a GEMmy Award during a ceremony on June 28.

The award, given by the Midwest Travel Journalists Association, recognizes outstanding travel sites, attractions and experiences that highlight the discovery and education travel can bring. The state historic site was nominated for the GEMmy Award by travel writer Elizabeth Granger of Fishers due to the powerful and emotionally moving story about the Coffins' work with freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, which is presented through interactive experiences and tours of the Coffin home.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site is one of eight locations – and the only destination in Indiana – being honored this summer with a GEMmy, which has been awarded by the organization since 1992.

WHAT: Representatives of the Midwest Travel Journalists Association will present a 2019 GEMmy Award to the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, one of the 12 locations within the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites system, during a ceremony at the location's interpretive center.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to noon, June 28

WHERE: Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, 201 U.S. 27 North, Fountain City, IN 47341

ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalists Announced

Posted Jnue 5, 2019

Wayne Bank and Indiana University East have partnered for the sixth year to bring the ATHENA Leadership Award to Wayne County. The ATHENA Leadership Award® is 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 award recipient will be announced at the celebration dinner on 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Forest Hills Country Club, located at 2169 South 23rd St. in Richmond, Indiana.

The request for nominations went out to the community in March. The three finalists chosen for the ATHENA Leadership Award® are:
ATHENA Leadership Award® finalists are (left to right) Rhonda Duning, Melissa Vance and Jennifer Feaster. Ashley Sieb (far right) is the recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.

Rhonda Duning of Richmond, Indiana, is a realtor at Coldwell Banker Lingle. She has served on Communities in Schools of Wayne County as a founding board member, former president of Richmond Realtors Association, past president of East Central Indiana Workforce Development, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce board, Girls Inc., and she was the first woman to serve on the YMCA board. Duning is a member of PSI-Iota-XI Sorority, Vintage Wheels, First English Lutheran Church and a member of its council and a women's Bible study fellowship. Previously, she was a mentor for the Fairview reading and Study Buddy programs.

Jennifer Feaster of Richmond, Indiana, is the director of Financial Administration for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County. She is currently vice president for the Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club. She is also a board member for Safety Village of Wayne County and the IU East Alumni Association. She is a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a lifetime member of the IU Alumni Association, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Indiana Chapter, and a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Additionally, she serves as a secretary for EAA Chapter 373, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's The Professional Association Indiana Chapter, and as secretary/treasurer of the Hagerstown Indiana RC Club.

Melissa Vance of Richmond, Indiana, is the president and CEO of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. She has served on numerous community boards including Communities in Schools of Wayne County, the Center City Development Corporation, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Vance has served on advisory councils for IU East, Earlham College and Purdue Polytechnic Richmond, and participated on committees for Girls Inc., Downtown Business Group, Depot District and Centerville Main Street. She is also serves on the Greater Connersville Progress Committee.

The recipient for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award is Ashley Sieb of Richmond, Indiana. She is the founder of Ashley Sieb Marketing and she is the marketing strategist and storytelling advocate for Stratavize Consulting. She is a visiting instructor and senior thesis advisor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She is also an instructor for Richmond Social Media and is a member of the board of directors for Birth to Five.

The first ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recipient was Jessie Pilewski in 2018.

Additionally, Wayne Bank and IU East have announced a recipient for the Elysium Award, a special recognition designated by the selection committee this year. According to Greek mythology, those who led righteous lives or performed great deeds spent their eternal afterlife in the beautiful realm of Elysium.

The posthumous recipient is Stacey Steele. Steele lived in Richmond, Indiana. She passed away on December 21, 2018. Steele was the director of the grants and outcomes for the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County. She worked for the Boys & Girls Club for 20 years, previously as the director of education. She was the co-founder of the Richmond chapter of Brianna's Hope and she was the executive director of Drug Free Wayne County. In 2017, she received the HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage) Outstanding Young Professional Community Involvement Award. She was also a member of Christ United Church.

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.

The cost for the dinner is $75. 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.

Hayes Arboretum Receives Grant for New LED Lighting

Posted June 13, 2019

Hayes Arboretum has been awarded $7,719 in funding from Wayne County Foundation to make lighting upgrades to the Arboretum facility as a part of a multi-year energy efficiency project. These upgrades will benefit visitors to the nature center, summer class and workshop participants in the annex classroom, visitors to the administration building including the students in the Third Grade Reading Academy, and parking lot visitors. The lighting will be brighter, more energy efficient, and reduce maintenance and replacement costs of outdated fluorescent tubes and ballasts.

Hayes Arboretum is committed to the ongoing pursuit of environmental sustainability. Hayes' programming, at its very core, teaches the community the value of nature and the delicate balance between human actions and the environment. Due to the historic nature of the property and its buildings, the staff is constantly working to improve the site by addressing structural issues and energy inefficiencies that not only affect the facility's bottom line, but also negatively impact the environment. Receipt of this grant from Wayne County Foundation will go far in helping Hayes achieve this goal.

Over the past 6 years, Hayes Arboretum has developed a plan for energy efficiency improvements including window replacements, HVAC upgrades, lighting upgrades, and the addition of insulation. This Energy Efficiency Upgrade Project is estimated to exceed $21,000 in total cost. The Wayne County Foundation's grant makes an important step possible. Not only will the change from these inefficient bulbs save the Arboretum money within the first month of installation, but it will also dramatically improve safety and the visitor experience.

Hayes Arboretum, knowing that this project was multi-year and significant in size, has worked with Ivy Tech students to make the process a learning experience. The students evaluated the buildings using energy efficiency guidelines and created a list of recommended processes for the staff to follow when considering upgrades.

The value of an efficiently run nature center in the heart of Richmond cannot be understated. From low cost educational programming to free access to healthy lifestyle contributors like trails and green spaces, the Arboretum's ability to meet the community's needs for years to come is important to the quality of life in Richmond and Wayne County. By installing energy efficient LEDs, the Arboretum will be able to divert more funding to community programs while reducing maintenance and utility costs. Well-funded programs mean vibrant experiences for visiting guests and community residents.

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.

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