the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana Beacon Oct 2017 | Page 20

Page 20 AURORA By Fred Schmits Community Correspondent [email protected] Hi Neighbors! As this summer draws to a close, the residents of Aurora have expressed some thoughts about the weather. Most have commented that summer has been very differ- ent this year. Normal days of hot, dry, blazing sun didn’t occur this year. We had few days like that, but most were comfortable. The growing season for gardens and yards was different. Flowers were plentiful all around town. Some of the flowers were from “Mother Nature” while some were nurtured by the Aurora Garden Club. The Aurora Garden Club began in 2007 when a few individuals at Main Street Aurora were contemplat- ing how to “beautify the Town”. The idea of decorat- ing the city with flowers by people with the talent to do so gave birth to the Club. Residents with similar interests meet every other Saturday at different places to discuss ideas and tend to current projects. Margaret Drury, Kathy Witham, Jenny Boyer, Beth Sut- ton, Charlotte Hastings, Cindy Rottinghaus, Em- ily Beckman, Lynn West- meier, Clara Weber, Neysa Lambert, Sharon Wood- all, Gail Slayback, Carol Green, Nadine Newberry, and Laura Wiggins have contributed to the club’s O projects. Examples of their success- ful efforts are maintaining flowers at Third and Main; placing and maintaining flower pots all around; decorating Veraestau before the “Derby Party” and at Christmas time; and erect- ing a Christmas tree in our library using natural deco- rations. They protect the Ad- irondack chair at the corner of Importing and Judiciary Streets as wll as planting and caring for the flower box at that location. As a result of discussions about beautifying Aurora, some residents thought up an idea to encourage more people to get involved. They are hosting a contest called “FALL in Love with Au- rora”. Included in this edi- tion of the BEACON is an application with information about this contest. The goal is to dress up Aurora for fall and create an annual com- petition. Three categories in which residents can partici- pate are: (1) planted areas in town decorated by groups or individuals, (2) businesses who decorate their windows with Fall related themes, and (3) individual homes in the historic district. Prizes will be awarded in each of these three categories on Oct. 19. Applications an- nouncing the furnished dis- plays must be completed by Sept. 30 to be considered. Let’s all look forward to the residents’ efforts!! (Please see application and ad on this page.) Well, that’s it except did you ever wonder……how you would act if faced with a catastrophe?? Let me hear from you. THE BEACON October 2017 ur Communities MANCHESTER By Leona Houchens Community Correspondent [email protected] Local kids got to play in the Gus Macker tournament! “For over forty years, the Gus Macker organization has hosted 3-on-3 basket- ball tournaments for players of all ages and skill levels, partnering with community organizations to provide fun, family-oriented programs, while also raising money for local nonprofits.” During the July 29 weekend, Carson Da- vidson, Mason Hamlett, and Izaak Lozier took part in the Gus Macker tournament in Indianapolis. The boys were thrilled to get to represent South Dearborn and shoot hoops for a good cause with four hundred, 3-person teams. Another great opportunity for Manchester youth is 4-H. “In Dearborn County, 82, 4-H volunteers help youth ‘learn by doing’ through club and project activities. Dear- born County has over one hundred project areas from aerospace to woodworking, helping youth gain knowl- edge and develop life skills,” said Liz Beiersdorfer, 4-H Youth Development Educa- tor. The Dearborn County 4-H Program is calling out to all youth grades K-12 to begin online enrollment October 1. If you want to be part of the Manchester Rowdies just visit, https://in.4honline.com or call Liz Beiersdorfer at 812-926-1189 for more in- formation. I spent eight years MES Staff wear their Lumberjack Dash shirts in support of TEAM BEAM! 1st Row(L to R): Brenda Selmeyer, Leona Houchens, Jodie Hopper, Brenda Peters, Kathy Ickenroth, Hannah Weismiller; 2nd Row: Judy March, Kizzandra Becker, Kim Chalk, Amy Beam, Jen Warren, Tammy Wohlfrom, Bridget Davis, Sally Teke. in 4-H and consider it the greatest confidence-builder of my youth. Losing a loved one can be absolutely devastating. One year ago, Manchester Elementary’s fourth-grade teacher Amy Beam lost her husband, Josh, in a logging accident. It has been a very hard year, but Mrs. Beam has fought back the constant grief with a project of love in memory of Josh. She created and organized a 5K fundraiser called the "Lumberjack Dash" in honor of her husband's hard work and caring heart. This year’s race was held on Aug. 12. Many Manches- ter residents donned their red lumberjack shirts and began hiking and running the course through Milan’s Darren Baker Memorial Park. The race was a great success with 370 people registering; 200 racers finished in Milan; and 100 Pike Lumber Co. employees raced in Akron, Ohio. All of the money raised was donated to the Moyer Founda- tion dedicated to helping send kids to Camp Erin, a weekend Carson Davidson, Izaak Lozier, and Mason Hamlett represented South Dearborn at the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis this July. camp for children ages 6-17 who have lost a loved one. Mrs. Beam said, "Grief is hard to deal with at any age, and I hope by raising this money we are helping kids learn how to cope with their own grief and let them know they are not alone." Mrs. Beam would like to thank all the sponsors, donations, and race participants for raising $8000 that will help sixteen children deal with their grief. Please save the date for next year's race on Aug. 11, 2018. OUR ADVERTISERS ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS. SHOP LOCAL AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THEIR ADS IN THE BEACON.