Community News

Parke Chamber of Commerce
Directors' Appreciation Awards for 2011



For service to the Chamber of Commerce went to:
Seated (L-R) Meghan Bullington for providing art work for new Chamber window clings and Cindy Hein from the Rockville Public Library for assistance with many Chamber activities. 
In back (L-R) Keith Fischer on behalf of Parke County REMC for their support of the Chamber cobbler shack and golf classic; Dr. Randy Kerkhoff for his service as Chamber president and Debbie Skelton for per past service on the Chamber board and for the office space provided by Old National Bank.  Not available for the photo were:  Marcia Akers for the support of the staff at the Parke County Community Foundation; Mike Sasin for Bill Becker’s and G & M Ace Hardware’s help with the golf classic;  Kristin Clary for office assistance and Jennifer Wakolbinger from the Rockville Public Library for building and maintaining the new Chamber website.

Parke Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Year- 2011



Rockville First United Methodist Church
Recognized for their Kids for Christ program, Buddy Bags children’s nutrition assistance program and Fellowship Diners community meals for the hungry.
Present to accept the award were: (in front L-R) Fred Nuetzel, Judy Nuetzel, Robbin Swinehart, Katie Edington, Darlene Ayres and Linda Spelbring.  In back are (L-R) Mary Marty and Tracy Sasin.

Parke Chamber of Commerce
Organization of the Year- 2011



Rockville Christian Church
Recognized for their production of “Behold Jesus,” TALKS mentoring program and support for the local food pantry.
Present to accept the award were:  (seated) Tina and Kyle Jacks, (1^st row L-R) Judy Ohmit, Alice Hatfield, Micah Jones being held by Melissa Jones, Pat Fahey, Janet Fahey and Debbie Skelton.  In back (L-R) Phillip Ohmit, Don Hatfield and Doron Jones.

Parke Chamber of Commerce
Woman & Man of the Year- 2011

Judy Ohmit  (recognized for her community leadership with the Art Association)
Keith Fischer (recognized as a dedicated community volunteer and youth basketball coach)

Rockville Public Library

Matthew Lacy, Ella Lacy, David Lacy, Reann Neyhart, and Paisley Hartman enjoyed decorating Christmas cookies afterstorytime at Rockville Public Library. Thewere very creative with their designs. Also, some of the frosting didn't make it to the top of the cookies.

Santa was at the Rockville Public Library

Rockville Community Jr-Sr High School student council rounded up Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves to make the trip to Rockville Public Library. Many children had wish lists for Santa while Mrs. Claus and the elves colored Christmas pictures and decorated Christmas cookies. Pictured l to r: Elf, Nate Wake; Mrs. Claus, Katy Lugar; Santa, Matt Wheeler; and Elf, Kyle Wheeler.

Daylen Stevens is keeping an eye on Santa while Santa is holding Daylen's cousin, Aubree Martin. Daylen and Aubree went straight to Rockville Public Library to tell Santa what they want to Christmas.

Eli Michaels isn't quite surewhat he thinks aboutSanta (aka Uncle Matt Wheeler)and the elf (aka Uncle Kyle Wheeler). Eli and his parents, Tyler and Jessica Wheeler Michaels, made a trip to Rockville Public Library to visit with Santa.

Mike Lunsford

Mike Lunsford recently gave a book talk and book signing at Rockville Public Library. His newest book, A Place Near Home, emphasizes Lunsford's main themes of appreciation for place, education, and family. The book is available through his website, www.mikelunsford.com, or in stores in the Wabash Valley.

Queen of Free

This was a great program. Be sure to check out some of Cherie's suggestions.
Cherie Lowe, a.k.a. The Queen of Free, recently spoke about the science and art of holiday shopping at Rockville Public Library. She gave many tips to save money and find good deals. Her Black Friday Strategies suggested looking at the following websites before leaving the house to shop: www.bfads.net, www.black-friday.net, www.blackfridaydeals2011.com, http://bargainbriana.com/black-friday Check out her website at www.queenoffree.net

Sign Language

Lydia New, student of Gallaudet University of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, teaches sign language to students at Rockville Public Library. This is a free program for the public through a grant from Parke County Community Foundation.

Cemetery Walk

Parke County Historian,Randy Wright, recently gave a detailed tour of the old Rockville Cemetery. He told the history of many of the people buried there. Also, Mary Jo Harney, Karin Woodson, and Lynn Lee had much to add. The event was sponsored by Rockville Public Library.

Rockville Public Library

Rockville Public Library recently hosted Rockville Elementary third graders. They listened to Randy Wright, county historian, tell some of the history of Parke County. Also, they were given questions that they had to research in the county history section of the library.

Rockville Public Library

Olivia Hobbs, graduate of Turkey Run High School, junior at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of The Summer of Violet, gave a book talk/signing at Rockville Public Library recently. She was introduced by Janie Russell, retired speech and English teacher at Turkey Run. Mrs. Russell emphasized what an accomplishment this is for Olivia and how inspiring Olivia's efforts are to younger students.

Rockville Public Library

Heather Brown recently gave a book talk and signing at Rockville Public Library. She is the author of Big Crowd at the Crazy House. Heather spoke about being biploar and the struggles she has gone through trying to have a normal life. Her book is available at www.bigcrowdatthecrazyhouse.com . Also, she is available for book talks.

Waltz Chosen as Art Contest Winner

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Rockville, hosted its Young Americans Patriotic Art Contest.
Amanda Waltz, a recent graduate of Rockville Jr. Sr. High School, is shown with her winning colored pencil drawing. Amanda's drawing was chaosen to represent Parke County in the statewide contest made up of other contest winners from counties in Indiana. Her drawing was selected overall as the first place winner at the state level. Amanda is the daughter of Dr. Steven and Elaine Waltz. She is going to attend Hanover College in the fall where she will major in art history with a minor in Chemistry. Her future plans include art restoration.
Amanda is shown receiving the monetary awards for her local and state achievements. Pictured left to right: Mary Byers, chairman of the contest, Amanda, Elaine Waltz, and Rita Jacks, art teacher at Rockville Jr. Sr. High School.

The Bubble Truck

If you didn't make it to Beechwood Park for the Bubble Truck, sponsored by Rockville Public Library, you missed all of the excitement!!! People of all ages enjoyed making all sizes of bubbles. Some were enclosed in a life size bubble!

Rockville Public Library

Silly Safaris' Amazon John appeared at Rockville Public Library. He brought several critters and told many tales.In this photo, he is holding Hoosier the Owl. After the program, the children were able to pet the bunnies, lizards, snake, ferret, dog, owl, and bull frog.

Storytime at Rockville Public Library

Chris McBrien, the Magic Storyteller, entertained at Rockville Public Library's summer storytime. His dragon puppet had many stories to tell, too.

Rockville Public Library

Magic Man Rusty Amerman, puts hismagic rings together butAbigail Nicholas tries to put the magic rings together but just can't seem to do it! Amerman performed at Rockville Public Library as part of the summer story time.

Pulling amagic rabbit from the hat wasn't a problem for Magic Man Rusty Amerman after assistant, Elijah Beach, waved the magic wand. Rockville Public Library was the place to be if you believe in magic.

Learning the value of a dollar was tough for Carly Harrison and Justin McDonald because Magic Man Rusty Amerman did some tricks to make it disappear. The money magically reappeared at Rockville Public Library.

2011 Scholarship Winners

Pictured left to right:
Amanda Millican, North Putnam
Zachary Niehaus, Northview
Christina Wilson, Riverton Parke
Cassandra Warren, South Putnam

Not pictured:
Andrea Wilson – Fountain Central
Angelica Miller – Rockville
MacKenzie Hepburn – Southmont
Delanie Seward – Turkey Run

Rockville Public Library

Danita Slatton and her dog, Reena, recently came to Rockville Public Library to teach children "Safety Around Dogs." This is anAmerican Kennel Club program for kids of all ages. Pictured left to right are: front-Carter Games, Madison Games, Reena,Ty Hartman, Paisley Hartman; back-Danita Slatton.

Storytime at Rockville Public Library

Artist and founder of Fantastic Fables, Addie Hirschten, specializes in children's programs for public libraries and educational settings. In this photo, Addie is telling fairytales to children at Rockville Public Library. Carly Harrison is watching Addie perform.

Storytime at Rockville Public Library was blooming.

The children planted flowers around the flagpole in front of the library. Pictured are l to r:front- Ella Lacy, Reann Nyhart, Tucker Hopkins, Paisley Hartman, Carter Hopkins, Parker Hopkins; back-library director Cindy Hein, David Lacy, Matthew Lacy.

"Trouble" at the Rockville Public Library

If you think you have trouble, Trouble was really at the library this morning. This 1 week old lamb's name is Trouble!! Peggy Brown is Trouble's owner and she wanted to shareTrouble with the kids at storytime.

The children are (l to r) Ella Lacy, David Lacy, Matthew Lacy, Reann Neyhart, and Paisley Hartman.

Author Chat

Toni Cantrell and Violet Ryan recently presented an author chat and book signing at Rockville Public Library. They are both authors that have written on their own as well as co-authored. When they co-author, they write under the name of Voni Ryan. They spoke about the perils and rewards of agents, writing a book with another author and getting a book published.