Did YOUR members of Congress sign the “Defund ObamaCare” letter? Find out here…

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Affordable Care Act, Dan Coats, Defund Obamacare, Jackie Walorski, Joe Donnelly, Marlin Stutzman, OBAMACARE, Senate, U.S. House of Representatives

The Continuing Resolution (CR) that allows funding for the federal government expires on September 30th. It must be renewed in order for the doors to stay open in Washington. The CR is the best chance we will get to withdraw funds from ObamaCare. This can be done by attaching bills by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) or Congressman Tom Graves (R-GA) to the CR, which will totally defund ObamaCare.

But for the Cruz/Graves effort to have teeth, Republicans in both chambers of Congress must all be committed to absolutely refusing to vote for any spending bill that contains funding for ObamaCare.  Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) are leading the charge to get their colleagues to commit to this approach, by putting their signatures to a letter affirming that they will refuse to vote for a CR that contains ObamaCare funding.

Support for the Cruz/Graves bills is absolutely meaningless without ALSO SIGNING THE LEE/MEADOWS LETTER. Harry Reid and his Democrats will have no incentive to compromise unless they know the Republicans are willing to take a hard stance – even allowing the government to be shut down, if necessary – in order to stop the catastrophically unworkable and unaffordable health care law from taking effect this January.

Unless you want Obamacare, it is ESSENTIAL that you call Congress Members that are posturing a  lot, but actually doing NOTHING to PREVENT Obamacare from going into effect. TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Don’t put off calling your elected representative because you think your voice doesn’t matter. The onslaught of calls over Syria, probably more than ANYTHING ELSE, stopped Obama from taking us into a war that could have led us into another Middle East quagmire or worse.

Click HERE to READ MORE and to see where your Congress members REALLY stand on Obamacare. (SPOILER: BOTH Jackie Walorski AND Marlin Stutzman not only signed Meadows’ letter, they co-sponsored Graves’ bill — kudos to Jackie and Marlin. As for our Senators, ahem!)

If you want Obamacare gone or at least delayed…

Contact Senator Dan Coats: (202) 224-5623
Contact Senator Joe Donnelly: (202) 224-4814

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Jackie Walorski’s Staff Coming to YOUR Community in Sept.

Tags

Casework, Constituent Concerns, Convenient Lawmaker Access, Indiana, Jackie Walorski, Knox, LaPorte, Official Business, Peru, Plymouth, Rochester, Syracuse, U.S. Congressional House Representative, Wabash, Winamac

Jackie’s staff will be in YOUR community soon to assist constituents with casework, official business, needs or concerns.

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s staff will be holding upcoming office hours to assist constituents with casework and official business.

Whatever your concern, having a member of our elected lawmaker’s staff is a convenience residents of Indiana’s District 2, should use. My husband and I met with a member of Jackie’s staff when he was in Syracuse. The staff member was courteous and helpful and my problem was resolved before the week was out.

Residents who cannot attend the listed office hours are encouraged to contact (574) 204-2645 to schedule an appointment.

Congresswoman Walorski’s Rochester District Office, located at 709 Main Street, is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST.  Please stop by or call 574-780-1330 to schedule an appointment.

Wednesday, September 11th
LaPorte Mayor’s Office
County Council Chambers
801 Michigan Ave.
La Porte, IN 46350
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST

Monday, September 30th
Starke County Courthouse
Commissioner’s Office, first floor
53 East Washington Street
Knox, Indiana
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

Winamac Municipal Utility Complex
623 West 11th Street
Winamac, Indiana
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

Wednesday, September 25th
Syracuse Town Hall
310 N Huntington Street
Syracuse, Indiana
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Plymouth Council Chamber
124 N Michigan Street
Plymouth, Indiana
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Thursday, September 26th
Rochester District Office
709 Main Street
Rochester, Indiana
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

Friday, September 27th
Wabash City Hall (2nd floor Small Conference Room)
202 S Wabash Street
Wabash, Indiana
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST

Board of Works Room (2nd floor)
35 S Broadway
Peru, Indiana
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

Indiana lawmakers want YOUR input on Syria…also find out where THEY stand

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Al Qaeda, Assad, Boots on the Ground, Central Banks, Chemicals, China, Contact your Representative, Dan Coats, Dan Coats' Stand, Imperialist, Iran, Israel, Jackie Walorski, Jackie Walorski's Stand, Joe Donnelly, Joe Donnelly's Stand, Marlin Stutzman, Marlin Stutzman's Stand, Military Intervention, Natural Gas, Petrodollar, Pipeline, Qatar, Resources, Russia, Syria, Syrian Army, Syrian Rebels, Syrian Strike, War, War Drums, WMD

Congressman Marlin Stutzman doesn’t sound too keen on taking military action against Syria

from Marlin Stutzman’s facebook Page

“I am deeply skeptical of American military involvement in Syria. After ignoring his own ‘red line’ in recent days, President Obama again outlined no clear strategy or objective today should we take military action.

“The American people deserve to have their voices heard regarding whether the United States takes military action in this volatile region and I look forward to hearing the thoughts of Hoosiers as well as the analysis of our intelligence community, and the strategy of this Administration in the coming days.”

To contact U.S. Congressional Representative Marlin Stutzman:
PHONE:
Washington: (202) 225-4436
Winona Lake Distict: (574) 269-1940
Ft. Wayne District:(260) 424-3041
Marlin Stutzman’s Facebook Page: CLICK HERE to leave a message for Marlin on his facebook page
Tweet: @RepStutzman

Tweets and comments to U.S. Congressional Representative Stutzman…

Update on the Situation in Syria

from Jackie Walorski’s Newsletter

“President Obama announced that he would seek a congressional vote to authorize military action in Syria. I respect this decision, because the American people deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard in Congress regarding this difficult situation.

“I urge Congress to return to Washington immediately so that President Obama can make the case to lawmakers and the American people as to how military action could fulfill a comprehensive strategy to protect our national interests and shield our allies.

“The president’s red line was already crossed, yet it still remains unclear how his recent consideration for a ‘limited, narrow act’ will deter the Assad regime, and I look forward to hearing the Administration’s specific plan.

“When the House reconvenes, I look forward to participating in a robust debate with my colleagues before any final decisions are made.”

To contact U.S. Congress Representative Jackie Walorski:
PHONE:
Washington Office:(202) 225-3915
Mishawaka District Office:(574) 204-2645
Rochester District Office: (574) 780-1330
E-mail: Click HERE to e-mail Jackie Walorski
Jackie’s Facebook Page: Leave Jackie a message on her facebook page by clicking HERE
Send Jackie a tweet: @RepWalorski

Tweets and comments to U.S. Congressional Representative Walorski…

Senator Dan Coats talks to 21 Alive in Fort Wayne

“Indiana Senator Dan Coats told Fort Wayne television station, 21 Alive that he’s working to gain more information to make sure if aid, or weapons are provided that they won’t be used against America.

“Still the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria is something that’s alarming to Senator Coats, and makes him think the U.S. should do something to stop that from happening.

“The Senator says he isn’t against intervening if it will be beneficial to Syria, but he’s concerned about starting another war in the middle east.”

To contact Senator Dan Coats (It is my personal opinion, that Senator Coats is confused and needs to hear from more people to get past his indecision):
PHONE:
Washington:(202) 224-5623
Fort Wayne District Office:(260) 426-3151
Indianapolis District Office: (317) 554-0750
Dan Coats’ Facebook Page: Leave Dan a facebook message by CLICKING HERE
E-mail: CLICK HERE to e-mail Senator Dan Coats
Tweet Senator Dan Coats: @SenDanCoats

Tweets and comments to Senator Coats…

Sen. Joe Donnelly Says U.S. Should Take Action in Syria

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly visited Evansville’s AmeriQual plant and Eyewitness News got his thoughts about Syria. Donnelly tells us he believes the U.S. should take action there. But stops short of saying what.

“What we see in Syria is a very, very dangerous situation,” said Donnelly, “that we’re trying to go make sure doesn’t spread, number one, anywhere else- and, number two, that within Syria, can be controlled and can be turned into a better situation.  And the reason why is the expansion of what is going on in Syria can set the entire Middle East in flames.”

Senator Donnelly says he has faith the U.S. is using what he calls a measured, common sense approach to deciding what action should be taken. Donnelly was visiting AmeriQual as part of his “Serving Those who Serve” defense jobs tour.

To contact Senator Joe Donnelly (Senator Donnelly isn’t the least bit confused but I think he is wrong. If you also think Senator Donnelly is wrong and don’t want the U.S. getting into the Syrian conflict, Senator Donnelly REALLY, REALLY, REALLY needs to hear from you.)
PHONE:
Washington:(202) 224-4814
Indianapolis Office:(317) 226-5555
South Bend District: (574) 288-2780
Evansville District: (812)-425-5862
Hammond District: (219) 852-0089
Senator Joe Donnelly’s facebook: CLICK HERE to leave a message on Joe Donnelly’s facebook page
Tweet Joe Donnelly: @SenDonnelly

Tweets and comments to Senator Donnelly…

NOTE: As far as Indiana constituents are concerned, according to Facebook, twitter, newspaper comment sections and political forums, ALL are opposed, VERY OPPOSED, to intervention in Syria. WILL OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES LISTEN OR CARE?

They better.

Justin Amash, U.S. Congressional Representative from Michigan says it all with less than 140 characters.

CLICK HERE, HERE and HERE to see where your lawmakers are standing on military intervention in Syria.

Geocel, a local Sherwin-Williams company, helps Elkhart County residents

Tags

Aid, Church Community Services, Civic Engagement, Civic Service, Empowering Women, Food Pantry, Helping Neighbors, Love, Need, Service, Soup of Success, Volunteer

Elkhart County’s Church Community Services quickly found ways for Geocel employee volunteers to assist them in serving the Elkhart County area.

Last Wednesday, 9 employees from Geocel assisted Elkhart County’s Church Community Services in a variety of ways. From 12:30 – 2:30, one group helped the Food Bank of Elkhart County sort hundreds of pounds of food, while the other group helped Soup of Success by assembling over 150 ‘No Worry Vegetable Curry’ soups.

The Sherwin-Williams Company often encourages their employees to find ways to give back to their own communities. So recently Sherwin-Williams contacted Church Community Services in the hopes that they could connect with Geocel, a local Sherwin-Williams company that specializes in sealants and adhesives. The goal was to determine if the Geocel leadership team might be able to engage their employees in the Elkhart community in a sustainable, meaningful way.  Because of the large demand for help throughout Church Community Services’ organization right now, they quickly found work them to do.

Continue reading HERE.

To donate to Church Community Services, visit their website or Facebook page and click on the donation button! Or call (574) 295-3673. So far, 14,787 families have been helped by Church Community Services in 2013

CHURCH COMMUNITY SERVICES

NEEDS WOOL SWEATERS!

If you come across wool sweaters in a thrift store or in the depths of your basement, attic or closet, Church Community Services would love to have them! The mittens being made from them are gorgeous and help empower women.

Growing Peaches in Elkhart County: the Challenges and Rewards

Tags

cobbler, Cooking, Country, dessert, Dinner, Eat, farm life, Food, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Garden, Gardening, healthy, Insect, Japanese Beetles, Kitchen, Life, Memories, Nature, Organic, Peaches, Pests, Recipe, rural, Self-Sufficient

This was our best year ever for peaches.

Peaches! I am so excited!

Bad frosts and windstorms have taken our peaches before they reached marble size in previous years. But, this year our peaches are turning golden, pink and red. I’m dreaming of peach jams, cobblers, pies and crisps.

All summer I’ve been checking the fruit daily, feeling the peaches to see if they’ve softened. As the summer days lengthened, our tree, heavily laden with fruit, has become as gorgeous and fragrant as any flower.

I swear, I can smell the peaches ripening. Evidently so can Japanese Beetles.

Yesterday disaster struck.

Japanese beetles devouring a ‘ripe’ peach.

Some peaches were ripe.

BUT, every “ripe” peach was swarming with and being devoured by Japanese beetles. Only the ripe peaches, mind you. The hard peaches, they left alone

My husband and I grabbed ladders and sacks and began picking. We picked every peach we could. After soaking them to get rid of any insects I set them out on my counter as recommended HERE.

Some food experts recommend putting peaches into a paper bag to ripen. Others swear that the only way to have good ripe peaches is to only pick them at the moment of peak ripeness.

How to tell if peaches are ripe:

• Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn’t ripe!
• Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can’t use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
• Softness: Unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little “give” when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won’t ripen very much after picking!
• Odor: The peaches should smell sweet and ripe

Old Fashioned Southern Peach Cobbler

After a couple of days covered on the counter, the peaches, saved from the beetles, are ripe and ready. I have enough to make a peach cobbler and a peach pie, plus some for the freezer.

I love pies and crisps, BUT nothing pairs up so well freshly ripened organic peaches as a homemade cobbler crust. This dessert is one of my favorites. Especially topped with vanilla ice cream.

   Getting ready to make peach cobbler.

SOUTHERN PEACH COBBLER FOR TWO

(Can be doubled)

FILLING:

2 cups peaches

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tsp. cornstarch

TOPPING:

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons flour

2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg

1 tablespoon butter cut into pieces

2 tablespoons whipping cream

                 DIRECTIONS:

Grease small casserole dish with butter. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel & cut up peaches. Mix peaches and lemon juice. Mix cornstarch, brown sugar and cinnamon with peaches and put peaches into greased casserole dish.

In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add the cream and toss with flour mixture just until the dough is combined.

Turn the dough out onto a flour surface and knead a few times to smooth it. Then roll it out into the shape of the casserole dish. Place the dough over the filling and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. of sugar. Bake until the top is golden and the juices are bubbling. 25 to 30 minutes.

Warm cobbler…what a great reward for all the previous hard work.

What we can learn from our Amish neighbors about staying healthy.

You don’t have to give up rich homemade desserts, like peach pie or peach cobbler to stay slim and healthy. Studies have shown that although the Amish eat a diet that includes plenty of sugar and is fairly high in fat – including saturated fat – from sources such as meat and eggs, their obesity rate is low. As a group they are healthier than most Americans. I’m sure this can be attributed to the Amish people raising their own food and performing physical labor throughout much of their day. ….Growing your own, also, gets you out in the fresh air, with free vitamin D from the sunlight at no extra charge.

Best of all…home-grown fruit is yummy!

The Debate Raging Over Common Core is Enough to Make One’s Head Spin!

Tags

Arne Duncan, Common Core, Glenn Beck, Hillary Clinton, Lt. Governor Dan Forest, Mitch Daniels, Parents, Race to the Top, Schools. Local School Board, Tony Bennett

The debate raging in Indiana over the implementation of Common Core is enough to make one’s head spin!

It’s a Democrat imperative at the Federal level which recycles a decades-old, top-down approach to education. Its roots are in a letter sent to Hillary Clinton by Marc Tucker, president of the National Center on Education and the Economy, after Bill Clinton’s presidential victory in 1992. The letter laid out a plan “to remold the entire American system” into a centralized one where curriculum and “job matching” will be handled by government functionaries. Introduced by Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, in a 2009 speech to the National Press Club, Common Core  was quickly adopted by Republican Governors, like Mitch Daniels, at the State levels. Historically, and based on the two parties’ platforms, the two should never come together. Why then is Common Core their “common core?”

Republicans have always promoted smaller government and local control. Common Core offers neither. Democrats have historically promoted social equality and equal access. Common Core offers neither.

President Barack Obama and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, announce Race-to-the-Top, an education reform backed by historic levels of financial support — $4.35 billion in discretionary funds.

One could understand that cash-strapped states had no choice but to try to win Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s Race-to-the-Top, with the funds promised to pour into state education coffers upon successfully agreeing to all of its stipulations. But that does not account for the relish and rigor with which Republicans Daniels and Tony Bennet, Indiana School Superintendent, (and their Doppelgangers in other states) embraced Common Core. Tony Bennett was literally salivating at the prospect of winning a spot in Race-to-the-Top.  He demanded that the Indiana State Teacher’s Association immediately support five key principles of Indiana’s Race-to-the-Top application which created a highly public feud between Bennett and Indiana’s teachers’ unions.

Bennett and Daniels, as well as the other Republican governors across the country, broke from traditional Republican ideology to accept Common Core which an article in The New American magazine, “Common Core: A Scheme to Rewrite Education” describes as “being foisted on state governments all across the country with a combination of taxpayer-funded bribes and outright deception”. Another article by Ann Kline in American Thinker titled “Everything You Wanted to Ask About Common Core and More”, explains how Common Core utilizes intrusive student data-mining and that the educational reformers pushing Common Core, including both Democrats and Republicans — thank you, Jeb Bush — are lying when they say that the standards are state-based, state-led, and voluntary. In this article, Kline speaks of Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest of North Carolina. Mr. Forest wrote well-researched questions about Common Core to his state’s Department of Public Instruction….200 of them! (Read Lt. Governor’s letter to the North Carolina Department of Education, HERE.) Lt. Governor Forest also questioned the premise of Common Core at a press conference. Then, there is Glenn Beck’s coming out against Common Core on his radio program, his television program and in his writings.

In short, we have state level Republicans, going against their party’s ingrained ideology by accepting Common Core, which is a Federal level Democrat imperative that will negate traditional Democrat ideology. So, blind allegiance to ideology doesn’t explain why Common Core is crashing in on us. None of the people who are pushing it at the Federal or State levels are truly educators, so it’s not for educational purposes that it is being foisted on us. That also makes it impossible to believe that it is for the “Good of the children.”

So, why are we labeled “Conspiracy Theorists” because we believe there are selfish, power-grabbing, and, most likely, financial reasons that Common Core is being pushed upon us?

Related articles

• Should local education be turned over to the feds?
• Indiana Superintendent: Obama Administration Nationalized Common Core Standards
• Education chief put on the spot
• Another Hoosier Mom says NO to ‘Common Core’

Friday night at New Paris’ 2nd Friday Festival

Tags

2nd Friday, Bingo, Boy Scouts, Community, Corn Hole Contest, Family Fun, Fellowship, Fun, Good Times, Ice Cream, Music, New Paris, New Paris Firefighters, Round Ball Racing, Sunnyside Park Food Booth, Water Ball Contest

What better way to spend a last summer weekend than at the New Paris’ last 2nd Friday Festival of 2013.

There was something for everyone.

New Paris is the ONLY place in Indiana to hold Round Boat races.

WINNERS OF New Paris Round Boat Race…

$1st Place – $100 prize:

Parker and Nathan Hart took 1st place in the New Paris Round Boat Race.

Round Boat Race 2nd Place Winners

The 2nd place winners, Nick Harris and Andy Dixon, were in great spirits. They had come close to taking the first place prize.

Bingo, fellowship with friends, and great food!

New Paris friends get together for Bingo and fellowship. It takes time to make the best food choice because EVERYTHING at the Sunnyside Park ‘Food Booth’ is SO GOOD.

The Water Ball Contest, compliments of the New Paris Fire Department, is a huge hit!

The Water Ball Contest goes on full blast as Nathan and Parker Hart take on their fellow New Paris Boy Scouts.

Who has the OLDEST TREE IN NEW PARIS?

A white oak tree very much like the one that is New Paris’ oldest tree.

Kirby Meyers has the OLDEST TREE in New Paris. His white oak tree, located in Matthew’s woods, is estimated to be 309 years old. In 1704 when the Americas were still in early stages of settlement, Meyers’ tree was just a seedling. White oak trees can grow to a massive size — up to 150 feet with an 80-foot spread. 800-year-old white oak trees have been known to exist.

Congratulations Kirby! You had a LOT of competition, but we are proud to have such a distinguished tree, which has lived through so MUCH HISTORY as part of our community.

51st Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival

Tags

Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival, Amish Exhibits, Art, Crafts, Educational Exhibits, Elkhart County, Family Fun, Indiana, Local Craftsmen, Nappanee

Nappanee, IN – Amish Acres Historic Farm & Heritage Resort will host the 51st annual Arts & Crafts Festival August 1 through August 4, 2013. For the fifth time, Amish Acres has been selected by the American Bus Association (ABA)as a TOP 100 event in North America solidifying the festival’s standing in the top echelon of America’s festivals dedicated to the creative arts. In addition, the Arts and Crafts Festival was recognized for the first time as a top ten event in the state of Indiana by AmericaTheBeautiful.com and Top Events USA.

The event’s 2014 “Proud as a Peacock’s Plumage: The Colorful World of Art” theme is derived from the new “It’s A-Peeling” apple art, an Interactive outdoor art exhibit placing four foot high fiberglass apples designed and painted by local artists around Nappanee and funded through individual and corporate sponsorships. Amish Acres apple features a peacock in full plumage promoting Amish Acres historic Kuhn’s Apple Cider Mill, ranked one of the Top 10 Cider Mills in America.

Over 300 artists and crafter’s from 35 States, surround Amish Acres pond to ply their trade and sell their wares. The event brings to this northern Indiana historic farm a marketplace filled with the creations of artists and artisans from every corner of the country. Nearly 60,000 visitors, many representing third generations, descend on the farm annually for the celebration that includes live strolling musicians and entertainment on four stages throughout the day, festive food from apple pie to zucchini bread, and $5,000 in cash prizes awarded by professional judges from 900 entries in the competition tent.

The fourth generation of the founding family is now involved in the festival’s

The cider mill stood in two locations before being moved to the Amish Acre location in the early 1900s. It was used each fall to press cider from the orchands of neighboring Amish farmers. The press has a listed capacity of 3,000 gallons per day. It was powered by a steam engine. The stone grist mill was added by Amish Acres.

planning and production. Richard Pletcher, founder of the festival and Amish Acres, remains CEO and Jennifer Pletcher Wysong is the festival director. The event started as a clothes line show in downtown Nappanee during sidewalk days in 1962. Amish Acres was created and grew out of the demand from the early festival’s visitors for Amish related experiences and products.

Over $250,000 in cash prizes have been awarded over the last five decades. The Best of Show collection is on permanent display in the new Arts & Crafts Best of Show Museum located in the Barn Loft Wine Room of Amish Acres Restaurant.

Festival hours & Admission Prices are:

• Thursday-Saturday (August 1-3) 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday (August 4) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission price is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (60 & older), active military, and students 12 – 17 and free for children under age 12.
• Round Barn Theater Curtain Times 7:30pm
• Parking is free with several parking areas and six entrances for visitors’ convenience.

Amish Acres is located on U.S. Highway 6, one mile west of downtown Nappanee.  Pre-event tickets and four-day passes can be purchased online. More information on Amish Acres, the Arts and Crafts Festival, and The Round Barn Theatre can be obtained online at AmishAcres.com

Date Set for Goshen’s 4th of July Fireworks

Tags

2013, 4th of July, Celebrate America, Community, Elkhart County, Elkhart County Indiana, Family Fun, Fireworks, Fireworks Display, Indiana, July, Music

Goshen’s Celebrate America recently held its kick-off meeting at First Baptist Church in Goshen, Indiana.  Celebrate America’s 2013 fireworks display and  patriotic program will be held Sunday, July 7th, at Black Squirrel Golf Course. Two musical groups, Exalt Brass and Gold will perform during the evening.

The patriotic program will begin at about 8:00 PM and the fireworks will go off at dark (about 10:00 PM). There is no charge for admission and free parking will be available at the First Baptist Church of Goshen, or Goshen Middle School. Both are on the corner of Plymouth and Indiana Ave. and are just a short walk from the Golf Course. Handicapped parking is available at the Golf Course. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs, lawn games, and picnic for a relaxing and fun family friendly evening! Concessions will be available.

According to Goshen Celebrate America’s president, Greg Lanzen, Celebrate America’s annual firework display is just the icing on the cake.  “We celebrate with a party,” Lanzen said, “but the rest of the year we are busy overseeing different parts of Celebrate America with a patriotism education program at Goshen’s middle and elementary schools and with our veterans program.”

As part of the veteran’s program, Goshen’s Celebrate America partners with local veterans organizations to help send WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C. to tour the city and Washington D.C.’s military memorials.”

Here is a video of Goshen’s VFW Post’s 2009 trip. Maybe you’ll see yourself or someone you know on this video:

Elkhart Citizen proud to help his Elkhart County neighbors

Tags

Appreciation, Church Community Serices, Civic Engagement, Civic Service, Community, Community Engagement, Dave Hochstetler, Donation, Elkhart County, Elkhart County Indiana, Feed, Food bank, Food Pantry, Franklin Citgo, Fresh Garden Vegetables, Garden Crops, Generosity, Grateful, Green Beans, Harvest, Harvests, Helping Neighbors, Mr. Singh, Need, Neighbors, Ron Robinson, Seed to Feed, Tomatoes, Volunteering

“This a testament to the reach of hunger and the plight of people in need. What an excellent expression of Elkhart…. ” said Rob Robinson, executive director of Church Community Services in response to Mr. Singh of Franklin’s Citgo’s generous donation.

“Elkhart as been good to me and my family. I want to give something back to this community.” Mr. Singh, owner of Franklin’s Citgo, said his generous gift to Elkhart families in need was  his way of giving back to Elkhart County.

Thank you, Mr. Singh, for the financial gift you brought to us from your business. You’re helping us extend hope to lots of your neighbors. What a pleasure to meet you,” Rod Roberson, executive director of Church Community Services, is most appreciative of the support Church Community Services has received from businesses like Mr. Singhs and from much of the Elkhart Community.

The results of some of ‘Seed to Feed’s” first harvest. I can hardly believe the summer and food picking season is almost over.

Church Community Service’s Weekly ‘Seed to Feed’ Update…

Hi Everyone,
As summer is coming to a close, so will our gardens. But, we still have
some good harvests left to pick. We will go back to our regular schedule:
the Bullard Garden on CR17 will be picked on Monday, Sept 10th at 6:00 p.m.
This will probably be about our last picking. We might have one more on the
17th of Sept, but we will let you know.

The Goshen Garden on CR 36 will be picked on Tuesday, Sept 11, at
6:00 p.m. and we should have a “stellar” harvest of tomatoes and peppers. The
green beans are just about finished, but we still might get some this next
week.

The potato field will be tentatively be ready to pick up next Friday,
Sept.14. The field will be “turned” and then we have a 24 hr window to
pick up the potatoes before they turn green which is not good. We will need
about 50 volunteers with 5 gal buckets to pick them up and load them into
the containers that will then be loaded onto the semi. Date and details to
follow next early next week.

And finally, I’d like to thank the 7th grade class of St. Thomas School
for their wonderful support of the Seed to Feed program. They came to CCS
yesterday along with their teachers and mothers, took a tour of CCS to see
what happens on a daily basis at the Food Bank and then came to the Bullard
Garden to pick beans. The students, 50 in total, along with their teachers
and mothers all got down in the dirt and picked 430 lbs of green beans in
2 hrs. It was a good learning experience for the kids and what a wonderful
blessing for the Food Bank and the people they serve. Thank You kids,
teachers and mothers for your wonderful support!!!
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you at the gardens as we close out
the harvests over the next few weeks, and don’t forget the potato field.
Details will follow next week.

Blessings
Dave Hochstetler
Coordinator of the ‘Feed to Seed’ Program

Related articles

• We ARE our brother’s keeper: Elkhart County works together to assist neighbors in need (elkhartcountygrassrootshub.wordpress.com)
• Help Labor of Love fill Elkhart County’s food pantries (elkhartcountygrassrootshub.wordpress.com)
• How to get emergency assistance in Elkhart County for utility bills (elkhartcountygrassrootshub.wordpress.com)