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December 7, 2012 — January 11, 2013
I’m excited about 2013. There’s still nearly a whole month of 2012 left, so I don’t want to rush it, but I’m still excited. Putting together the last issue of Cass County INFO for the Michelle Laird DIALS year gives me a chance Editor/publisher to look back through all the great memories from the current year, but it’s also a chance to think about what’s ahead. In recent weeks, city and county officials have announced some pretty ambitious projects that they say could shape the future of our community for years to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing how those stories unfold over the coming year(s). Next year, the city of Logansport will also celebrate a major milestone — the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as a
When the weather looks like this ... PHOTO BY RICK WOODALL
CASSINFO MOBILE ALERTS
city. I’ve been part of the planning process for a year-long celebration that’s in the works — in fact, I designed the logo that you’ll see accompanying 175th promotions throughout the year — and I’m excited to see how those ideas will take shape. The new year brings new opportunities. Maybe you’ve resolved to get more involved in the community. There are literally dozens of local organizations that would love to have you spend some time helping them to do the good work they do every day. There are boards on which you can serve and there are projects that need people to complete them. If you hear about a local organization whose work sounds interesting, don’t hestitate to give them a call, send them an email or connect with them on Facebook. Back when our only publication was this monthly newspaper, I used to end my column with “Merry Christmas! See you next year!” but that doesn’t work now. Cass County Communication Network is a 24/7 operation, 365 days a year. So, I’m signing off for the last time in print in 2012, but in the meantime, between now and the next issue of INFO, I’ll be posting events on Cass County Calendar, sharing local news on Cass County Online, sending CASSINFO mobile alerts via text message and chatting with our fans on Facebook. (CassCountyCalendar. com has reached 3,000 likes!) If you have a suggestion for ways we can make Cass County Communication Network more useful to you, I’d love to hear from you! Merry Christmas!
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Published by Existential Media LLC 206 Fourth St. P.O. Box 314 Logansport, IN 46947 Editor/Publisher Michelle Laird Dials (574) 721-4636 (michelle@ existentialmedia.com) Cover Photo Kevin Leszcynski One copy of INfo: is free. Additional copies are $.50 each. The views expressed by our writers are not necessarily those of Existential Media LLC. For advertising information, contact Phill Dials (574) 721-4635 (phill@ cassnetwork.com)
INFO is a free, monthly newspaper serving Cass County, Indiana and the surrounding areas. It is part of the Cass County Communication Network, published by Existential Media LLC. Calendar Items Community events that are open to the public and have a specific date, time and location can be submitted FREE to CassCountyCalendar.com. Use the submit link on the website or e-mail details to contact@cassnetwork.com. We reserve the right to select specific events to feature on our Facebook page, in e-mail newsletters, in Cass County INFO or in other community updates. CAUGHT ON CAMERA Photos posted on our Facebook fan pages may be selected, at our discretion, to be published in INFO. Photos can also be e-mailed to contact@cassnetwork. com. Advertising information The Cass County Communication Network offers print, web and mobile advertising solutions. For information about advertising, e-mail contact@cassnetwork.com or call (574) 721-4635.
Editorial Information Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Cass County Communication Network or its parent company, Existential Media LLC. Our publications provide information about events and activities happening in or near Cass County, Indiana. The information is provided by Existential Media LLC for general information purposes only. We strive to keep the information up-to-date and correct, however we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in our publications for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will Existential Media LLC be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of our publications.
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LMU seeks proposals for new electric generating plant powered by trash Logansport Mayor Ted Franklin and Lopower plant too costly,” said LMU Superintengansport Municipal Utilities Superintendent dent Paul Hartman. “To remain an Paul Hartman hope that the city could have a independent local electrical utility and provide new electric generating plant powered by pellets low-cost electricity means that we have to find produced creative from solutions. houseExpandhold ing our waste by capacity 2016. by using Since RDF the pellets to summer provide of 2011, clean LMU has energy invested is a costA rendering of the facility proposed by the consulting team who created the “Affordable Energy more than effective $330,000 from Renewable Fuel” report. The full report can be downloaded at www.casscountyonline.com. and enviin studronmenies for solutions, and the Utility Service Board tally beneficial approach. Any proposal will have hopes it has found one with the “Affordable to pass rigorous environmental and community Energy from Renewable Fuel” report produced scrutiny to move forward, and we hope that as by a team of consultants assembled by William- many viable proposals as possible are submitted Lynn-James. for consideration.” The Utilities Service Board voted on Proposals are due at 1 p.m. on January 11, November 27 to request proposals from private 2013. You can download the report and the sector firms to repower the existing 38 MW request for proposals on our website, power plant operated by LMU and to build a casscountyonline.com, or at new power plant that will bring LMU’s total logansportutilities.com and cityoflogansport.org. generating capacity to 300 MW. The projThe consultants were available for a two-hour ect would be financed by private sector firms; question and answer session with the public on LMU would operate and purchase the facilities Nov. 28. through a lease to purchase arrangement using Franklin told the city council on Dec. 3 electrical power sales to pay the costs. Proposals that there has already been an “overwhelming must be able to generate electricity at a target response from potential bidders all over North cost to LMU of no greater than 5.5 cents per America.” kilowatt hour, and the primary fuel source must The Utility Service Board generally meets on be clean-burning refuse derived fuel (RDF) in the LMU board room on the third floor of pellets. “ the Logansport City Building at 7 p.m. on the “LMU is at a crossroads. Our demand for fourth Tuesday of the month, but due to the power is going up, but new environmental regu- holiday, their next meeting will be Tuesday, lations will make burning coal in the existing Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
Postage costs to increase The price for First-Class Mail single-piece letters will increase by just a penny when prices change in January. The new 46 cent Forever stamps will allow customers to mail letters to any location in the United States. Postcards will also see a 1-cent increase, to 33 cents. There will also be new domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products. Beginning early next year, the Postal Service will also introduce a First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp that will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10. The increases are effective January 27, 2013.
Indiana taxpayers will get $111 credit Indiana taxpayers will see automatic taxpayer refunds next year, Governor Mitch Daniels announced in November. Hoosiers who file individual returns next year will receive a credit of $111 and joint filers will receive a credit of $222 because of the state’s automatic taxpayer refund (ATR). The credit will be applied when taxpayers fill out their 2012 income tax forms in 2013. Indiana closed the 2012 Fiscal Year with reserves of $2.155 billion or 15 percent of the state’s budget. In 2011, the Indiana General Assembly approved the governor’s plan for an automatic taxpayer refund if the state’s reserves exceeded 10 percent at the end of the budget year that ended on June 30.
December 2012 | Cass County INfo: | 3
Calendar
Keep up with Santa!
We’ve tried to be really good this year so that Santa will keep us posted on his whereabouts. Some of Santa’s stops are listed on Cass County Calendar, but we’ve also got the scoop on how you can chat with him. Indiana’s Best Radio will host Santa’s Hotline to the Cody met up with Santa when he was in town North Pole starting for Winterfest at the Cass County Carousel earlier this month. Keep track of when Santa will be in December 10. Call town next at www.casscountycalendar.com. PHOTO SHARED BY ELENA DOKE (574) 739-1023 or (574) 739-1230 between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Dec. 21 and they’ll connect you with Santa. You can listen on Mix 102, WSAL or Hoosier Country 103.7 or online at indianasbestradio.com. One of our own holiday traditions is tracking Santa on Christmas Eve. We love following along with NORAD, who’s been tracking Santa’s flights since 1958. Between now and Christmas Eve, noradsanta.org has all kinds of Santa-related activities. The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 3:00a.m. MST on December 24. You can call 877 HI-NORAD (877-446-6723) to talk directly to a NORAD staff member who will be able to tell you Santa’s exact location. Operators are available until 3 a.m. on Dec. 25 to answer your calls! On Christmas Even, you can also send an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook. com. A NORAD staff member will give you Santa’s last known location in a return email. There’s also a Windows 8 app so you can track Santa on your mobile phone, and you can even chat live with a NORAD operator to find out Santa’s location! We know Santa will be making stops at the Logansport Mall, Twelve Mile Pageant, North Pole Wonderland, and Walton Christian Church this month, but if you know of other places he’ll be, help him out and submit the details at www.casscountycalendar.com so we can help spread the word! Merry Christmas! 4 | Cass County INfo: | December 2012
We invite churches to post Worship Service times on Cass County Calendar throughout the year, but especially at the holidays. If your church is having a special event, make sure to share that, but weekly worship service times are welcome as well. Just head to www.casscountycalendar.com and click submit.
Civic Players Auditions Friday, Dec. 7, Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 Auditions for “Quiet Man” will be held Friday December 7 from 6-8 p.m., Saturday December 8 from 6-8 p.m., and Sunday December 9 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Civic Players building at 1115 Erie Avenue in Logansport. The story revolves around an Irish-born American who travels to Ireland to reclaim his family’s farm. Roles being cast include 8-11 men age 25 and older, and two women: one age 25 and older, and one age 35 and older. Performances will be March 8, 9, and 10 at McHale Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact the director, David Quigney, at 574-516-1158 or angusoneil@aol.com Children’s Flu Shot Clinic Wednesday, Dec. 12 The Cass County Health Department will be offering free seasonal flu vaccines to children by appointment only. This clinic is only for children ages 6 months to 18 years of age who have Medicaid, no health insurance or have health insurance that does not cover flu vaccine. The Cass County Health Department is located at 512 High Street. Call 574-753-7760 for an appointment. “Books for More” Book Fair Friday, Dec. 14 The Logansport Memorial Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary will sponsor a “Books for More” Book Fair from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Conference Room A/B at the hospital. All proceeds from the Book Fair will benefit the patients of Logansport Memorial Hospital. The public is welcome. For more information about the Book Fair or the Volunteer Auxiliary, call 753-1304.
Logansport Children’s Choir 25th Annual Winter Concert Tuesday, Dec. 18 The 25th annual Winter Concert of the Logansport Children’s Choir will take place at 7 p.m. in McHale PAC. The concert will feature favorite LCC repertoire from the past 25 years as well as an adult choir which will sing with the children. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students in grades K-12. Have an event you’d like to include? Submit it at www.casscountycalendar.com. 1st Annual Run For the Home 5K Monday, Dec. 31 A 5K Run is planned ffor 9 a.m. to bring about public awareness of the Emmaus Mission Center and to raise needed funds for the Homeless Shelter, Food Pantry and Thrift Store. Pre-race registration is $20, day of race is $25, first 100 entrants will receive a long-sleeved T. The course is a modified Race for Grace course starting near the Emmaus Mission center, 805 Spencer Street, out Spear Street to 24th and back to the mission. Registration forms may be picked up at the mission and returned there or to Run coordinator Jim Austen at 201 S. 3rd Street. Angel Snow Ball - New Year’s Eve Semi-Formal Monday, Dec. 31 The Royal Center United Methodist Church will host a Christian New Year’s Eve Semi-Formal featuring food, music and dancing. Couples $40, Individuals $20. All Proceed go to The Angel Academy Before and After Program, a NEW childrens ministry of the Royal Center United Methodist Church! For more Information and to make reservations please call the church office 574-643-9300.
Looking for holiday events? Check out our list on the page 7 for more info, or head to www.casscountycalendar.com as new events are added daily! If you have an upcoming event you’d like us to feature, submit the details at www.casscountycalendar. com. Events may be featured in Cass County INFO as space permits.
From our family to yours ....
'Tis the Season! If you love the holidays, here are a few of the local events you won’t want to miss. Check casscountycalendar.com often as new events are added daily!
Saturday, Dec. 8 Holiday Open House The Hoosier Strings will perform at the Walton Library’s open house at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, Dec. 8 Christmas in the Park The Galveston Heritage Society will host “Christmas in the Park” on from 6-9 p.m. at the Galveston Community Center. Children will be able to make a variety of crafts including cookie, card, and ornament decorating, making a bird feeder, and reindeer food. Storytelling will take place at various times during the evening, and children will also to visit with Santa Claus! Raffle items, carriage rides, treats and beverages, and other surprises.
Saturday, Dec. 8 & Sunday, Dec. 9 Twelve Mile Pageant The Christmas Story unfolds before your eyes as you drive
through Plank Hill Park. The Pageant celebrates its 42nd anniversary this year. Outside the park, visit with Santa, see the elves at work in their workshop, and enjoy a performance by carolers. Drive into the park and see scenes from the story of Jesus’ birth. 6:30-8:30 p.m. both nights.
Sunday, Dec. 9 North Pole Wonderland Ride the North Pole Carriage Express to the North Pole Wonderland at Dykeman Park. Take your pictures with Santa Claus, make Christmas ornaments arts & crafts, listen to holiday stories, and have a treat of hot chocolate & cookies. Presented by Logansport Parks & Recreation Department.
Saturday, Dec.15 Snacks with Santa There will be snacks, crafts, story time, a bake sale & a visit with Santa. 9-11 a.m. at Walton Christian Church.
Saturday, Dec.15 Walton Small Town Christmas Children will have the opportunity to decorate cookies and make crafts. Some of the crafts could be used as Christmas presents by the children. Santa is scheduled to appear and the Lewis Cass Show Choir often appears to sing. Refreshments will be served. 3 p.m. at the Lions Den on Depot St.
Monday, Dec.17 Christmas at the Y Games, crafts, bounce house, face painting and more. Free to the community. 5-7 p.m.
Wishing you many blessings this Christmas season and the coming new year.
Monday, Dec. 17 Christmas at the Museum Cass County Historical Society Open House from 7 to 9 p.m. Logansport. Light refreshments, music, and caroling with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Nothing feels more like Christmas time than being in the beautiful Victorian Jerolaman-Long home, 1004 E. Market St.
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Dec. 14, 15 and 16 Live Nativity 6-8 p.m. at the Bob-O-Link, 223 S. Chicago St. in Royal Center.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Every year, we round up the dates when your favorite holiday classics will air and post them on Cass County Calendar. Even if you own them all on DVD, there’s still something magical about gathering around the TV to watch them! We’ll also be including Bowl Games, so make sure to head to www.casscountycalendar.com and click on the Holiday Favorites icon to find YOUR favorites.
327 S. 3rd St. • Logansport (574) 753-2317 fast and easy phone apps
December 2012 | Cass County INfo: | 5
looking back
2012
As the year draws to a close, join Cass County Communication Network for a look back at some of the memories from 2012 and a look at what’s in store for 2013. PHOTOS BY PHILL & MICHELLE DIALS Ted Franklin was sworn into office as Logansport’s 50th mayor on January 1, 2012.
The Class of 2012 left its mark when members arranged to have the Mr. Happy Burger icon moved from the west side restaurant to the Berry Bowl to greet students as they arrived on the last day of school. 6 | Cass County INfo: | December 2012
At left: Mayor Ted Franklin took a special guest from China on a tour of the city a few days before Senator
Randy Head joined state officials on an economic development trip to China. Below left: Logan’s Landing unveiled “The Dancers” in downtown Logansport.
Above: Songwriter and Logansport native Dan Couch was honored with a surprise party at Mid-America Radio Group of Logansport for his work on the #1 country song “Somethin’ bout a truck.”
looking ahead Logansport will celebrate the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as a city in 2013. Plans are in the works for a year-long celebration and the entire community is invited to take part. We’ll be taking photos throughout the year, but we invite our readers to help us catch the celebration on camera. Look for special 175th promotions and events throughout the coming year! The Berries played in the Super Ball Invitational at Bankers Life Fieldhouse when Indianapolis hosted Super Bowl XLVI and many local residents made the trek to Indy to take part in the festivities. In May, Logansport dairyman Dave Forgey had the honor of handing the famed “Bottle of Milk” to Dario Franchitti, winner of the Indianapolis 500.
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PHOTO BY JUDI BARR
Cass County Communication Network offers winter weather updates While we haven’t seen this scene yet (knock on wood) and winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21, we’re ready when the snow and ice do arrive. Keep these numbers • On Cass County handy, and turn to Online, we’ve Cass County put together Communication a “Winter Network when winter Weather weather strikes! LMU (574) 753-6231 Preparedness (574) 753-6236 Guide” that after hours includes links to NIPSCO (800) 464-7726 area forecasts, information on how to report an outage to area utility companies, road conditions and county travel status maps, in addition to safety tips. • CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS We post closings and cancellations on Cass County Online. If your business or organization is having an event that is affected by inclement weather, please notify us by calling (574) 721-4636 and we’ll make We’ve partnered with Cass County Emergency Management as one way to make sure local information is delivered as quickly as possible sure to include it on our list. 8 | Cass County INfo: | December 2012
• CASSINFO mobile alerts Subscribers receive local information like road closures and weather alerts from Cass County Communication Network via text message. You’ll stay on top of what’s happening in Cass County (and get great deals from local businesses who Quickly & Conveniently! make it all possible!) It’s a free service, Morning and Evening Classes but message and data rates from your • GED online courses carrier may ap• GED and ESL Courses ply. To sign up text • Free Practice Test to Students CASSINFO to 46786 or • Classes are FREE see casscountyonline.com/ site/mobilealerts for more info. • FACEBOOK We’ll continue to post updates on our Facebook pages (/casscountycalendar and CLEAR /casscountyonline). Cass Logan Educational Attainment Resource We encourage you to 2815 E. Market • Logansport • 574-722-5209 monitor all local media
Give yourself the gift of a GED!
Orientations will be held in December for January classes.
What will happen on 12/21/12? Is the end of the world upon us? NASA says no: “Dec. 21, 2012, won’t be the end of the world as we know, however, it will be another winter solstice.” In fact, according to the The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the earliest winter since 1896 will arrive with the solstice at 6:12 a.m. on December 21 (EST). “ Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012,” NASA explains. “This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then -- just as your calendar begins again on January 1 -- another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar.” A cookbook publisher suggests that instead of dreading the impending “end of the world” predicted by the Mayan calendar, you could plan a party to celebrate, instead. Here’s a recipe for an appetizer from Flavors of Belize: The Cookbook. Find more information at www.flavorsofbelize.com.
Panades
1½ pounds corn masa or 2 cups Quaker® Masa Harina de Maiz mix 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon red recado paste (see below) ¼ cup water 1½ cups fish filet, cooked, flaked Vegetable oil for frying Tortilla press RED RECADO PASTE 5 tablespoons annatto seeds 6 to 7 allspice seeds ¼ teaspoon whole cloves ¼ cup sour orange ¼ cup vinegar DIRECTIONS Grind annatto seeds, allspice seeds and whole cloves to a powder. Combine annatto powder with sour orange and ¼ cup of vinegar and process to a paste. May add more sour orange and vinegar if necessary to achieve a thick paste. Store in refrigerator.
DIRECTIONS: Place fish, epazote and cilantro in a pot with enough water to cover, boil until fish is cooked. Approximately 15 minutes Remove fish from pot and cool. Flake fish, combine with salt, black pepper, onion and garlic.
FISH FILLING 2 pounds fish filet 6 epazote leaves, minced 2 to 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, minced 1½ teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons onion, minced 1 teaspoon garlic, minced HOT PEPPER ONION SAUCE INGREDIENTS 2 cups onions, minced 2 habanero peppers, deseeded, sliced 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced 6 allspice seeds 1½ cups vinegar ½ cup water 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients and marinate for 2 hours or overnight. Will keep for several weeks in refrigerator.
Mix masa, baking powder and salt. Dissolve recado in water and add to masa until soft and masa holds. If using Masa harina, follow instructions on package. Form into 1½ inch balls. Place ball of masa in-between 2 sheets of parchment paper in the center of a tortilla press and flatten. Place approximately 1 teaspoon of fish in the middle and fold over to form a patty, press edges to seal. Do not overfill. Heat oil in a large frying pan and fry panades until it floats, turn and cook until slightly crisp. Serve with hot pepper onion sauce. Serves 4 to 6. May also fill with refried beans. When using refried beans, eliminate red recado paste from the recipe.
Caught on Camera
Caught on Each month, we select photos for our “Caught on Camera” pages from those that our fans have posted on our Facebook pages or submitted online, as well as those that we’ve captured through our own lenses at various community events. To submit a photo, post it on our wall at facebook.com/casscountycalendar.
ABOVE: The cast and crew of the Logansport High School Winter Fantasy production of “Oklahoma!” The show was presented Nov. 16, 17 and 18 at McHale Performing Arts Center. PHOTO BY PHILL DIALS
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TOP LEFT: The Banter family after the Veterans Day parade. TOP RIGHT: Cass County’s oldest veteran, Bernie Lowes, served as grand marshal for the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 12. He also celebrated his 100th birthday that day. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS
TOP LEFT: Representatives from The Salvation Army, Emmaus Mission Center and the Cass County Humane Society with donations collected during Logan’s Landing’s downtown Christmas Open House on Nov. 29. PHOTO SHARED BY BECKI HARRIS TOP RIGHT: Santa and his reindeer at Judy’s GoodLife Emporium, which won Logan’s Landing’s “Spirit of Christmas Award” during the Downtown Christmas Open House. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DIALS LEFT: The annual Cass County Carousel WinterFest was held on Dec. 2 and was sponsored by Myers Spring. Rick Woodall, pictured with Santa, is usually behind the camera, but he writes: “I had a special meeting with the Kringles and all at Cass County Communication Network are in the Nice Book.... Congratulations.” PHOTOS SHARED BY ELENA DOKE and RICK WOODALL FAR LEFT: The Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District and Special Olympics of Cass County pose for group photos with their floats before the Light Up Logansport Parade on Nov. 23. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE DIALS
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