Locally:

Starting tomorrow, First Bank, in partnership with RMD Patti Insurance and the Wayne County Foundation, will be taking donations for the Red Cross Diasaster Relief Fund for Oklahoma.  If you would like to make a donation, you can visit any of the First Bank branches in Wayne County and Shelbyville.  All monies collected will be given to the Red Cross to aid in relief to Oklahoma.

Nationally:

The Salvation Army is organizing mobile kitchens capable of serving 2,500 people a day and sending them into the hardest-hit areas in central Oklahoma. You can make a donation here, or make a $10 donation using your phone by texting STORM to 80888.

The American Red Cross has set up shelters in communities across The Plains. You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster relief fund here, or make a $10 donation using your phone by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

If you’re searching for a missing friend or relative or are within the disaster region and want to let folks know you’re OK, visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site.

Again, if you are aware of other efforts locally or nationally to help with the disaster relief in Oklahoma, please comment below.

GoWayneCounty.com, family.

Richmond, Indiana - Tourism and Hospitality industry representatives are invited to attend a formidable one-day Tourism Conference on Thursday, May 16,  2013 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Richmond, Indiana.  The Conference is open to tourism and hospitality professionals in the Indiana/Ohio regional area.

The focus for this year’s conference is connecting and establishing unique and creative partnerships. Conference attendees participating in breakout sessions, one-on-one consultations and networking will learn more about:  creating partnerships, marketing, social media, using local resources, green initiatives, and business strategies.

Every speaker, presentation and networking event has been selected to help local and regional tourism industry partners walk away with skills and connections they need to take their organization to the next level. A special working luncheon will allow attendees to step out of the box and connect with someone new.

An artistic pre-conference event will take place Wednesday night May 15^th in the historic Depot District for an additional $25 per person, guests are welcomed. Space is limited. You must register for this event on the main registration page www.ConnectForSuccess.info/ by selecting the appropriate box when you are purchasing your conference ticket.

Details:

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Location: Holiday Inn Conference Center, 6000 National Road East, Richmond, Indiana.

Cost: $25 conference, $25 pre-conference event

Time: Registration opens 7:30am, Conference Kick-Off 8:30am, Event wrap up at 3:30pm.

To register please visit www.ConnectForSuccess.info/

Viking Fest:  Just the Facts

Important to RSVP!  Click to tell us you’re coming!

When:  Saturday May 11th, 4-10pm (4-6pm kid friendly)

Where:  J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

3415 National Road West (Get Directions)

Admission:  Free!

Dealing With A Monk (c) J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

Viking Factoid:  Vikings didn’t wear helmets with horns on them.  This myth was popularized by Wagner’s operas.  Horns would have gotten in the way while fighting and pillaging and just weren’t practical.  Vikings did, however, drink their mead from horns.

Freyja and Odin With “Woofs” (c) J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

Vikings Loved Good Mead

And Big Dawg Brewhaus is the only place in the midwest you can get, on this day only, a whole selection of authentically brewed Viking meads.  Including a rare batch of Oak Mead that probably won’t last the day!

Viking Lovers Love Good Beer

And there will be plenty of locally-brewed craft beer at the Festival.  (See poster below for all the selections!)  You won’t normally have the range of beers available at one time in one place that will be on tap at Viking Fest.

Viking Mead and Horn (c)  J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

Vikings Loved Music

Performers at Viking Fest will include Blackthorn’s Bards, a local Celtic and Irish band starting at around 7:30 pm.

What To Wear to a Viking Fest

Let Freyja and Odin here help you with ideas.  What they’re wearing is more closely matched to traditional Viking garb than what you see on “Vikings” the TV series.  You can find detailed Viking wear ideas on the event page with links to Vikings of North America’s guide to Viking dress.

But, if your best Viking outfit is at the cleaners, or your chain mail is a bit rusty, don’t fret.  Come as you are!

Odin and Freyja (c) J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

Vikings Were Fearsome Fighters

Fighting starts at 4:30pm with the Viking group Mojlnir (Thor’s Hammer) providing battle for your pleasure.  Also in attendance will be an Indianapolis contingent of Vikings North America providing ambiance and Viking men and women in proper dress.

Viking Fest Fare

Warriors tend not to like rabbit food after battle.  Big Dawg Brewhaus will see to it that the Vikings and the onlookers will have plenty of protein.

• Smoked Turkey Legs
• Scotch Eggs
• Brats drowned in Big Dawg Dry Irish Stout

(c) J&J Winery and Big Dawg Brewhaus

Don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook!  Click for more info and to see if any friends or family have already signed in!

If you want to treat your mother, grandmother, friend, or yourself to a wonderful show of art and love- don’t miss this exhibit! It is truly moving.

June

1st –   Wreck it Ralph @ Vaile -Arrive at 8:30 –

3rd-12th –JUKO

4th – July 11th- Art in the Park and Talented Tykes

8th – City Fit @ Glen Miller -9:00am-2:00pm-

15th –  Amazing Race Walk @ The Municipal Pool -Registration Starts at 3:30-

22nd-  Hook a Kid on Fishing @ Middlefork Reservoir -10:00 to 1:00-

22nd –  Madagascar 3 @ Westview -Arrive at 8:30-

29th –  Hotel Transylvania @ Fairview -Arrive at 8:30-

July

6th –   Ghostbutsers @ Glen Miller - Arrive at 8:30-

11th –  Father-Daughter take a walk @ Glen Miller Golf Course -6:00 pm to 8:00pm-

13th –  Men in Black 3 @ Glen Miller -Arrive at 8:30-

20th –  The Lion King @ Glen Miller -Arrive at 8:30 -

22nd- Aug 2nd- – LIL JUKO

27th –  The Hunger Games @ Glen Miller -Arrive at 8:30-

August

2nd –  Sweet Beats @ Glen Miller -Starts at 8:00pm-

8th – Back to School Splash Bash @ The Municipal Pool

10th –   Lil’ Frank and the Premiers @ Glen Miller -Starts at 8:00pm-

17th –  Parrots of the Caribbean @ Glen Miller - Starts at 8:00pm-

24th –  After Midnight @ Glen Miller - Starts at 8:00pm-

31st -   Local Musician Showcase @ Glen Miller -Starts at 6:00pm-

September

7th –  Walk of Fame @ The Gorge - 1:00pm to 6:00pm-

21st – Family Fun Fest @ 10th Street Park - 11:00am to 1:00pm-

Digging in the snow at Townsend 2013- no snow tomorrow!

Sprout of Control- building community gardens will have their Big Dig event at all three community garden locations tomorrow starting at 8:00 a.m.

Townsend Center Garden- home of the “Children’s Garden” and plots for community gardening as well, will be bustling with plenty for the avid gardener or beginning gardener to lend a hand with tomorrow.  Also, at Townsend is the last Winter Garden from 10 – 2 p.m.  and the pitch in at 1:00 p.m. (just bring a dish to share and a drink to particpate in the pitch-in).

Also part of the Big Dig is the Historic Depot District Garden under the billboard and the Sylvan Nook garden.  All community garden spots will need help with digging and planting.  Come when you can and stay as long as you are able.  If you have garden tools like shovels, hoes, and hand trowels feel free to bring them or anything else you think will be useful. 

It should be a great day for gardening tomorrow.  If you haven’t signed up for your own plot yet, you can do that as well tomorrow at any of the three community spaces.  Or you can get your name on a list for a pallet to make a raised garden or do pallet gardening.

See you at the gardens!

Digging in earlier this year

hydroponic tomatoes

Come to the Market to enjoy your favorite fresh vegetables, cake pops, homemade breads, local honey and more.  And then at 1:00 p.m. you can particpate in the potluck- just bring a dish to share and a drink to participate.  (bringing your own plates and utensils will help minimize trash as well).

The Summer Market will begin on May 4, 2013 in the Morrisson Reeves parking lot.  (the picture at right is an innovative way to grow tomatoes all year round).

Check back in to the Gowaynecounty.com site for updates to summer events.  And remember to check our calendar regularly as it is often updated.  We have also added a calendar just for concerts and live music where you can submit your own upcoming musical events.

There will be games, live music, foods, gifts for the children, activities, pinatas, and much more- all FREE.  (there will be some food available for purchase and crafts as well).  See below for more details: