Storm Spotter Training Classes Scheduled
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
If threatening weather was heading our way, would you be prepared? What would you do to keep your family safe?
March 17, 2008
January 26, 2008
Ice bowling competition planned for Sunday at Little Cedar Lake in northern Whitley County
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
This will certainly be the weekend to celebrate winter in Whitley County!
In addition to what we already know will be an exciting, inspiring Fire & Ice Festival in downtown Columbia City, a lesser known event will take place in the northern reaches of our county – another event only possible in the coldest of months, taking what would otherwise be just another cold day and transforming it into something more.
Residents sounding Little Cedar Lake at Tri Lakes will come out of the cozy cottages to rub elbows with the neighbors and display their talents at ice bowling!
On Sunday afternoon, spectators brave enough to bundle up are invited to not only watch the activities, but potentially participate in knocking out a few pins using bowling balls and ice filled detergent containers. “Basically, whatever you want to use to wing it down there,” said Kevin Sherrick, who has a cottage near where the competition will take place.
Sherrick has been participating in the even for several years now, an event planned each year by lake residents Cliff and Jeanette Crance of Stalf Road.
“It’s a seven or eight year tradition I believe,” Sherrick said.
Festivities are slated to begin at noon.
“We have a lot of kids come out and it’s a good time,” he said.
Two bowling lanes are fashioned for the competition, which will continue throughout the afternoon.
“It’s just something for the kids on the lake in winter,” he added. But, it's not just for the kids...adults will be participating too.
Two sets of bowling pins were donated by Main Bowl in downtown Columbia City for use in the competition.
For those worried about how much ice separates you from water, Sherrick feels assured that as cold as it has been lately, there should be up to five or six inches of ice on local lakes.
The event is open to anyone interested in watching or playing – just look for the crowd.
It’s only too bad that your best lucky bowling shirt probably has short sleeves!
Interesting Irony: half of entries in chili cookoff event are from members of Young Adults in Action
(Talk of The Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Chili cookoff contestant Eddie Beagles, also a member of YAIA, shops for key ingredients for his chili recipe on Saturday afternoon.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
There is an interesting irony that has become apparent with regards to the chili cookoff slated for Sunday from noon-3 p.m. on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn. 
Of the ten entrants in the event, pitting chili chef against chili chef, at least five are members of Young Adults in Action, a group of energetic young adults between the ages of 21-40 with an interest in making Whitley County a better place. The five entrants include: Kelley Sheiss, Eddie Beagles, Amanda Banks, Drew Wilks and Jennifer Zartman Romano.
Why is this ironic?
The chili cookoff is a fundraising event spearheaded by the Whitley County Council on Aging for the purpose of raising funds to build a new senior center facility.
Although the organization planned to provide volunteers for the Fire & Ice Festival, YAIA did not discuss participation or entry in the chili cookoff contest and the discovery of so many YAIA members having entered the contest independently was not discovered until Monday of this week, after the registration deadline had passed.
Fire & Ice Festival taking shape in downtown Columbia City
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Walking out of the theatre Friday evening, the excitement of the weekend’s festivities were framed perfectly by the picturesque downfall of snow.
The annual Columbia City Chamber of Commerce’s Ice Carving Festival and the Whitley County Council on Aging’s – now married in the Fire & Ice Festival Saturday and Sunday on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn.
The first suggestion – bundle up and grab a warm beverage or a tasty snack from one of the many vendors, including much-loved tenderloin sandwiches from Gaerte’s or barbecue from Columbia Locker. Volunteers from Relay for Life will be selling beverages to warm you from the inside in and Leadership Whitley County is selling handwarmers to warm you from the outside in.
Skilled carvers will convene on the courthouse lawn beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, with their work eventually displayed around the square. Saturday’s work will include various pieces commissioned by local businesses and organizations.
Watch the snow fly as the ice carving competition is held from noon-3 p.m. on Sunday on the courthouse lawn. Attendees will be invited to select a people's choice winner.
Also on Sunday, from noon-3 p.m., the community is invited to attend the chili cookoff in a toasty tent on the courthouse lawn. For a $5 per person charge, attendees can sample the various chili recipes created by local residents competing for prizes.
Continue to check Talk of The Town throughout the weekend for photographs and coverage of the events.
January 25, 2008
Father & Daughter Dance tickets now on sale, selling briskly
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
For many fathers and daughters, the first time they get dressed up and dance together is in celebration of the daughter’s wedding. Why shouldn’t they make a point of dressing up and dancing every year – when she’s still a little girl?Indeed, there is an opportunity in Whitley County for fathers and daughters to celebrate their bond of love and admiration annually.
The Columbia City Parks Department is once again holding their wildly popular Father & Daughter Dance on February 1 from 6-10 p.m. Held at The Eagle’s Nest Event Center, The event will feature dinner, followed by an evening of entertainment.DJ Kenny K will provide the music and Chippy The Clown will offer balloon animals.
A limited number of tickets are available.According to Beth Moore of the Columbia City Parks Department, only 325 tickets will be sold this year and traditionally, they have sold out quickly. “Tickets are going fast,” Moore said.
Tickets are $20 per father and daughter and $5 for each additional daughter. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Columbia City Parks Department office in Morsches Park during business hours or at City Hall in downtown Columbia City.
January 23, 2008
Cooks around the county gear up for Fire & Ice Festival Chili Cookoff
(Talk of The Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Kelley Sheiss of Etna Troy Township and her son, Dillon, carefully select ingredients for their top secret chili recipe Wednesday afternoon at Krider's Meat Market in Columbia City. Sheiss is preparing one of ten entries in the Whitley County Council on Aging's Chili Cookoff slated for Sunday, January 27 on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the cookoff will be open to the community in a large heated tent. Visitors will pay a $5 entrance fee to sample chili until their guts burst -- ok, actually they can sample a little bit of each chili available...no one should eat that much chili! From noon-1:30 p.m., visitors may vote for their favorite recipe and a People's Choice award will be given. Additional prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. All proceeds raised from the chili cookoff will support the Senior Center building project.
January 22, 2008
YAIA hosts first monthly social event at Portside Pizza
November 27, 2007
YAIA Gearing Up for Change In Whitley County
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Several young adults discuss their perspectives on building a better future for Whitley County during the first social gathering of YAIA members. The purpose of the event was not only to socialize, but to exchange ideas and gather input as the newly-forming organization moves forward.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano A sizeable gathering of like-minded twenty- and thirty-somethings gathered Nov. 16 at the Whitley County Historical Society to begin an exchange of dialog and what many hope is a step in a new direction.
Citing the many things they’d like to see changed or improved in Whitley County, visitors to the first-ever Young Adults in Action event talked openly about their dreams for the future of our community. Those dreams included an enhanced business community, a need for positive social and networking opportunities for young adults as well as ideas about unique, often family-oriented events in the county’s downtown areas.
The event drew several attendees from South Whitley, including Drew and Meagan Wilks. Wilks, assistant manager of Heyerly’s, was excited about the possibility he sees in the newly-formed organization that hopes to provide meaningful networking and social opportunities as well as professional development to those between the ages of 20 and 40.
“I’m hoping to get involved with the community and see if there are changes I can help make,” Wilks said.
“It’s an opportunity for me to get involved with the community I live in,” he added.
An open meeting is planned for the group at 7:30 p.m. on November 28 at the Whitley County Government Building. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to attend.
For more information on Young Adults in Action, contact Jorell Tucker at 609-1818, Erik Fearnow at 248-2677, Ingrid McClain at 720-252-6212, Eddie Beagles at 609-8642 or Jennifer Zartman Romano at 610-1873 or send an e-mail to jbzr@earthlink.net.