Get ready for summer

GET READY FOR

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SUMMER

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THE NEWS SUN

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Get Ready For Summer

kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.

It’s time to look forward to the coming of summer and all that northeast Indiana has to offer with its many lakes, streams and festivals.

Northeast Indiana is a good place to be if you want to be outdoors, with hundreds of lakes, many pristine streams and rivers, beautiful parks with rolling hills and wooded areas, numerous golf courses, plus exciting events.

Folks throughout our four-county area work hard to bring together a

102 N. Main Street, Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-0400

Terry G. Housholder thousholder@kpcmedia.com President/Publisher

Randy Mitchell randymitchell@kpcnews.com

April 22, 2016

Welcome

variety of entertainment and festivals, from music to the celebration of the automobile and its rich heritage in our area, especially in DeKalb County.

Whether your summer fun is based at the lake, in a city or state park, or in your own backyard, we hope you find this section helpful as you try to make the best of the coming warm weather with family and friends.

We welcome your feedback and

ideas for future articles on the topic of summer fun in beautiful northeast Indiana.

This section is also available at kpcnews.com.

The cover photo, by Mike Marturello, features Nick McClain, left, and Cole Rosswurm, employees of Clear Lake Marina, preparing a boat for launching for the warmer months ahead. A story about avoiding common boat launching mistakes appears inside.

Safeguard yourself from summertime ailments and accidents

Chief Executive Officer

S. Rick Mitchell rmitchell@kpcnews.com

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Chief Financial Officer

Michael Swann mswann@kpcmedia.com Advertising Director

Ann Saggars asaggars@kpcmedia.com Creative Manager

Tracey Robideau trobideau@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Graphic Designer

Mike Marturello mmarturello@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Editor

Jennifer Decker jdecker@kpcmedia.com Reporter

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Jenny Ernsberger Cindy Miller Terri Myers Michelle Trowbridge Machele Waid The News Sun, The Herald Republican and The Star are publications of KPC Media Group Inc. ©2016 All rights reserved

Summer is often marked by vacations, recreational events and relaxing moments spent by the pool or on the beach. But when the weather heats up, so can potential health hazards that can ruin all of the fun. The following are some of the more common summertime ailments and how to avoid them.

• Lawn and garden injuries: Lawn and garden injuries may not be common, but men, women and children should exercise caution when using lawn and garden equipment. Wear protective shoes and gloves and safety goggles. Remember to turn off any motorized tools before attempting to repair or unclog the blades.

• Swimmer’s ear: Water that remains in the ear canal after swimming can make the ear a breeding ground for swimmer’s ear, which is a bacterial infection. If water remains in your ear for more than one night, visit an ear, nose and throat specialist.

• Insect bites and stings: Insects return when temperatures rise. Mosquitoes may be the biggest nuisance, but biting flies and wasps also make formidable foes. Use

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Bug repellents help to keep the bugs away.

insect repellent to keep the bugs away.

Wear long pants and check for ticks after hiking.

• Boating accidents: Many boating accidents can be attributed to inexperience with the vessel and failure to take proper safety precautions on the water. Make sure everyone on the boat wears a life jacket, and follow proper boating protocol

throughout your trip.

• Dehydration: The body needs extra water on hot days, especially when spending ample time outdoors. Dehydration can cause dizziness and dry mouth and may make you feel faint. Always drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, which can contribute to dehydration when consumed in excess.

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Thrivent Financial representatives and employees cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial representative, and as appropriate, your attorney and/or tax professional for additional information. Investing in securities involves risks such as fluctuating principal, and they may lose value. CDs offer a fixed rate of return. The value of a CD is guaranteed up to $100,000 per depositor by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), an agency of the federal government. Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

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April 22, 2016

Get Ready For Summer

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Eight spring boat spring launching goof-ups many have made KPC NEWS SERVICE

We’ve all heard about the guy who forgot to put a plug in a boat, promptly filling it water as soon as the craft was launched. Or, there wasn’t gas in the tank, and so on.

The crewmembers of the nation’s largest boater advocacy, safety and services group, BoatUS, offered up some of the classic mistakes they have made over the years.

Like most boaters, they aren’t perfect.

They make mistakes and learn from them, too. With boat yards, back yards, marinas and clubs now coming to life, spring commissioning time has arrived.

Here are eight spring commissioning mistakes that the employees of BoatUS have made over the years that could save you a lot of aggravation, or your life.

• The battery goof-up No. 1: “When reconnecting my batteries I missed one of the ground wires that had slipped down behind the battery box. I noticed something was wrong when the trim/ tilt worked fine but the motor would not start. With so many cables going to multiple batteries, I’m taking a photo this year of how things are properly attached so next spring things go as planned.” – Mike in BoatUS Marine Insurance • The safety gear goof-up: “We remove a lot of gear to store inside each winter, but realized after leaving the dock not all had made it back aboard. Now I download a checklist of required safety equipment and inventory everything to ensure it gets put back on the boat before launch day. I also check the dates on my flares and ensure my extinguisher is in the green zone.” – Margaret in BoatUS Executive Office • The boat trailer goof-up: “Winter plays havoc on boat trailers and I once departed the parking lot without checking my trailer lights. Thankfully, just a short distance away another motorist advised me of the issue. Now I make sure all is well before departing and also check tires and inspect the bearings and brakes.” – Ted in BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and

MIKE MARTURELLO

Jeff Ridenour, a mechanic at Clear Lake Marina, works on getting a Ski Tique ready for the season in this April 14 photo.

Clean Water • The call for help goof-up: “On sailboats with mast-top VHF radio antennas, a common problem on older boats is a rotted antenna coax cable near the mast base. I found this out when I went to use my VHF radio and no one could hear me. Replace the cable now, and if your VHF has DSC or Digital Selective Calling with a one-button mayday feature, be sure the radio is connected to the GPS or chartplotter.” – Scott in BoatUS Public Affairs • The dinghy goof-up: “Sailors need to remember to check their dinghy – it’s often overlooked and winter might have been hard on it with missing pieces, critters inside, etc. Don’t forget to service the dinghy’s motor too. If you don’t, you’re going to be sorry just like I was when it sputtered just as I left the boat.” – Charles in BoatUS Consumer Affairs and Seaworthy Magazine • The transom drain plug goof-up: “If you have a trailerable boat with a transom drain plug, take the plug now and attach it to the boat’s throttle control or steering wheel so it will be See BOAT page 4

3630 Goshen Rd. Fort Wayne, IN

13350 State Street Grabill, IN

www.bobcatoffortwayne.net/260.489.5511

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Get Ready For Summer

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BOAT From page 3

impossible for you not to notice to install it before launching. Yes, this does happen. I know. Nothing gets your attention more than a little water around your ankles.” – Chris in BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water • The bottom paint goof-up: “When putting on my bottom paint I used a cheap paint roller and soon found out why it was so cheap — it was shedding a fuzz in every pass I made. I also made the mistake of not saving a little extra paint to finish under the jackstands or trailer rollers just before launching.“ – Ted in BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water • The rushing to get it done goof-up: “Every spring, boat sinking claims start to come in. Nearly always you can chalk it up to rushing to get it done. I take my time inspecting engine hoses and hoses clamps, the bilge pump, stern-drive boot, clean out scuppers and double check the through-hulls and sea strainer.

I once found a plastic through-hull for a sink drain at the waterline that initially looked fine, but it was only until I took the time for a closer inspection that I found it was cracked nearly in half on the inside.” – Scott in BoatUS Public Affairs And here’s two “bonus” goof-ups: • The battery goof-up No. 2: “While this did not happen to me personally, it’s something we see in the claims department every spring: hooking up the battery backwards, causing reverse polarity and a massive electrical short or fire.” – Kerry in BoatUS Marine Insurance BoatUS has a no cost Spring Fitting Out Safety Checklist ready to print at BoatUS.com/springchecklist and comes with the BoatUS towing app that includes tips for a range of boat types.

• The be prepared goof-up: “My neighbor went out for the first trip of the season and his engine died and needed help to get back in. He suspected fuel issues. Having spare filters aboard or keeping an eye on the fuel-water separator helps.” – Dennis in the BoatUS Membership Department

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April 22, 2016

KPC NEWS PHOTO

A 1935 Auburn 812 Supercharged Cabriolet crosses the block at Auctions America’s Auburn Fall Event in this Sept. 5, 2015 file photo. The car sold for $127,500. The event is coincides with the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival held at Auburn Auction Park.

Area Activities

DeKalb County

• June 12 — If These Cars Could Talk Series, noon, Packard 12 convertible Victoria, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum.

• June 15 — Strawberries in the Park, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., DeKalb County Courthouse, Auburn.

• June 16 — Cruise-In, 6-8 p.m., Auburn.

• June 25-26 — Poco Loco 400, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Joe Valley Conservation Club, St. Joe. • July 4 — Garrett Heritage Days, entertainment, car show, contests.

• July 4 — free admission to museums for all active service men/women and all veterans with refreshments, National Military History Center, Auburn.

• July 21-23 — St. Joe Pickle Festival, St. Joe.

• Aug. 5-6 — Ashley-Hudson Festival in Ashley-Hudson, pancake/sausage breakfast, entertainment, crafts, food and street dance.

• Aug. 11-14 — Butler Days, 175th birthday.

• Aug. 20 — Barn None Saddle Club Fun Horse Show, 9 a.m., DeKalb County Fairgrounds.

• Aug. 20 — Spencerville Supper on the Bridge, 5 p.m.

• Sept. 1-6 — Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, multiple sites throughout the Auburn area.

LaGrange County • May 3-4 — Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market opens, Shipshewana.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday through Oct. 1.

See EVENTS page 5

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April 22, 2016

Get Ready For Summer

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KPC NEWS PHOTO

A Topeka/Honeyville Quilt Show & Sale volunteer shows off one of the quilts for the 2014 event. This year’s show will be June 21-24.

Area Activities • May 6-7 — Shipshewana MayFest, downtown Shipshewana.

• May 10 — Cruise-In at the Hostetler Hudson Museum and Shipshewana Event Center opens, Shipshewana. Every Tuesday through September.

• May 27-28 — Haiti Benefit Auction, Shipshewana Trading Place Antique Auction Building, 345 S. Van Buren St. Shipshewana.

• June 4 — Antique Market, Shipshewana Antique, Gallery, Shipshewana.

• June 18 — Pumpkinvine Trail Bike Ride, Shipshewana and Goshen.

• June 18 — Newbury Square Swap Meet & Flea Market, Newbury Square, Shipshewana.

• June 18 — Cook’s Bison Ranch Calf Celebration Days, Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville.

• June 21-24 — 42nd annual Topeka Quilt Show and Sale, Eden Worship Center, Topeka.

• June 22-25 — Shipshewana Quilt

Festival, throughout LaGrange County.

• July 1-2 — 23rd annual Horse Progress Days, Michiana Event Center, Howe.

• July 9-16 — LaGrange County 4-H Fair, LaGrange Fairgrounds, LaGrange.

• July 15-16 — Reminiscences of Shipshewana, downtown Shipshewana.

• July 30 — Amishland and Lakes, Howe Military Academy, Howe.

• Aug. 5 — LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity Benefit Auction, Shipshewana Auction Barn, Shipshewana.

• Aug. 11-14 — 35th annual Steam and Gas Show, LaGrange County 4-H Fairgrounds, LaGrange.

• Aug. 27 — David Rogers Country Fair and National Day of the Cowboy, David Rogers Memorial Park, 2355 W. C.R. 550S, Wolcottville.

Noble County • May 8 — Kite Festival, Mid-America

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April 22, 2016

Area Activities Vi Wysong, at 347-0400, Ext. 161, kidcity@kpcmedia.com.

• Aug. 6 and Aug. 13-14 — Chautauqua Days, Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site.

• Sept. 1-4 — Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association Tri-State Fall Bluegrass Festival, Noble County Fairgrounds.

• Ligonier Marshmallow Festival — Labor Day Weekend Sept. 3-5, downtown Ligonier.

Steuben County

KPC NEWS PHOTO

The Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association’s Tri-State Bluegrass Festival is held in Kendallville each Memorial Day weekend and again in the fall at the Noble County Fairgrounds.

Windmill Museum.

• May 21 — Noble County Relay for Life, Noble County Courthouse Square.

• May 26-29 — Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association Tri-State Bluegrass Spring Festival, Noble County Fairgrounds.

• June 23-25 — Avilla Freedom Festival.

• June 25 — Noble County All-IN Block Party, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Noble County Courthouse square.

• July 2 — fireworks (rain date July

on 425 acre Lake Pleasant

7 miles west of I-69 or 4 miles east of Orland off Hwy. 120

FAMILY CAMPING AT LAKE PLEASANT • Swimming • Fishing • Skiing • Boating • 320 Wooded Campsites • Cabins • Wireless Internet • Close to Shipshewana Flea Market • Woodall’s ★★★★ Rating (260) 833-3902 • www.manapogo.com 5495 W 760 N, Orland,IN 46776 • Steuben County

3), dusk on the Central Noble campus and Sylvan Lake.

• July 9-16 — Noble County Community Fair, Noble County Fairgrounds.

• July 15-17 — Cromwell Days.

• July 16 — KPC Sprint Distance Triathlon For Newspapers In Education, 7:30 a.m., Bixler Lake Park. Contact KPC Media Group, Vi Wysong, at 347-0400, Ext. 161, kpctriathlon.com.

• July 29 — Albion-opoly, Noble County Courthouse square.

• July 30 — Nobleman Triathlon, Chain O’ Lakes State Park. Olympic and sprint distances.

• Kendallville Main Street Car Show — Date to be determined, usually late July.

• Onion Days Festival — Early August.

• Aug. 6 — Kid City, Noble County Fairgrounds. Contact KPC Media Group,

• May 6 — Historic Preservation Commission architectural tour, meets at City Hall, 210 N. Public Square, Angola, 7 p.m.

• May 14 — Bike 101 Lakes, 8 a.m., starts at Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber. Benefits Arts & Humanities Fund at Steuben County Community Foundation.

• May 17 — Orland Cruise-In, 5 p.m. every third Tuesday in downtown Orland, May-October.

• May 21 — 10th annual Pokagon Triathlon, sponsored by KPC Media Group, starts at 9 a.m. at Pokagon’s CCC Shelter.

Register at pokagontriathlon.com.

• June 3 — Music on the Square, southeast quadrant, Public Square, Angola, 6 p.m.

• June 4 — Run to Recovery, 9 a.m. at Trine State Recreation Area, benefits Women in Transition.

• June 7 — Rollin’ Relics Cruise-In, 5-7 p.m., downtown Angola, continues through Sept. 6, first Tuesday of the month.

• June 11 — Town-wide garage sales, more than 75 sales throughout Hamilton, Hamilton Lake and Ball Lake.

• June 11-12 — Enchanted Lakes Renaissance Faire and Marketplace, jousting, musical acts, comedy and handcrafted items.

• June 29 — Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops concert, free concert on the Potawatomi Inn lawn at Pokagon State Park.

• July 2 — Hamilton Fourth of July celebration, noon downtown parade, Hog Hill fireworks at dusk.

• July 2 — Hamilton Lake Road Classic, 2-mile health walk, 5K, pee-wee fun run,

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April 22, 2016

Get Ready For Summer

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KPC NEWS PHOTO

Balloons prepare to land in a field off of C.R. 400S in rural Angola during the media ride during Angola Balloons Aloft in this July 10, 2015, file photo. This

year’s Balloons Aloft will be held July 8-9 at Angola High School.

Area Activities register at sites.google.com/site/hamiltonlakeroadclassic.

• July 2 — Clear Lake and Lake James fireworks.

• July 3 — Music Americana, patriotic concert featuring local talent at the T. Furth Center for the Performing Arts, Trine University.

• July 4 — Independence Day celebration, Angola’s parade begins at 11 a.m., followed by activities at Commons Park and fireworks at dusk.

• July 4 — Hamilton Fourth of July Parade, the parade begins at noon.

• July 4 — Crooked Lake fireworks.

• July 8-9 — Angola Balloons Aloft, Angola High School, hot air balloon competition with paid tethered rides.

• July 8-9 — Fremont Musicfest, Friday night entertainment plus Saturday parade and musical acts.

• July 15-21 — Steuben County 4-H Fair, truck pull, rodeo, animal judging at Crooked Lake fairgrounds.

• July 16 — Art Is Art Festival, Public

Square, downtown Angola, 10 a.m., followed by Music on the Square, southeast quadrant, Public Square, Angola, 6 p.m.

• July 30 — Vermont Settlement Festival, Orland celebrates with a parade, primitive village, mud volleyball tournament, food and games.

• July 30 — Old Mill Shoppes Art Festival, jewelry, paintings and pottery along with music.

• July 30 — Sand sculptures, Pokagon State Park beach.

• July 30 — Antique & Classic Boat and Antique Car Show, Lake James/Jimmerson Lake bridge.

• Aug. 5 — Historic Preservation Commission architectural tour, meets at City Hall, 210 N. Public Square, Angola, 7 p.m.

• Aug. 12 — Music on the Square, southeast quadrant, Public Square, Angola, 6 p.m.

• Aug. 27 — Summer Festival In Hamilton, road race, arts and crafts, car show and evening street dance.

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Where to golf in the four-county area DeKalb County • Bridgewater Golf Club, 1818 Morningstar Road, Auburn • Garrett Country Club, 401 Walsh St., Garrett

• Limberlost Golf Course, 3204 E. C.R. 900N, Rome City • Noble Hawk Golf Links, 3005 Noble Hawk Drive, Kendallville

• Cedar Lake Golf Course, 3355 E. C.R. 700N, Howe • Heron Creek Golf Club, 615 W. C.R. 50N, LaGrange Noble County • Augusta Hills, 2080 W. C.R. 300N, Albion • Cobblestone Golf Course, 2702 Cobblestone Lane, Kendallville • Kendallville Golf Club, 120 S. Weston Ave., Kendallville

Here are nine tips to improve your golf game METRO CREATIVE CREATIONS

Steuben County LaGrange County

April 22, 2016

• Bledsoe’s Lakeview Golf Course, 60 Lane 470 Lake James, Angola • Cold Springs Resort, 260 Lane 120 Hamilton Lake, Hamilton • Country Meadows Golf Course, 102 W. S.R. 120, Fremont • Glendarin Hills Golf Club, 3333 Glendarin Way, Angola • Hidden Valley Golf Course, 5370 E. Metz Road, Angola • Lake James Golf Club, 1445 W. C.R. 275N, Angola • Zollner Golf Course, 1 University Ave., Angola

Warmer weather sends scores of golfers to their favorite courses each and every day. Golf is a challenging pastime, but a few pointers can help golfers hone their short games, long games and everything in between.

• Choose the right clubs. There is more to selecting clubs than pulling any old iron out of your golf bag and whacking away.

Wind, hazards and obstructions in landing areas should influence your decision of which club to use. Novice golfers may want to rely on their caddies to make club recommendations, and as they become more confident in their abilities they can start to make their own choices.

• Anchor your feet. Anchor your foot behind the ball to drive the ball further.

Right-handed players will keep the right foot anchored, and lefties will do the opposite. Do not lift your foot prematurely; otherwise, you can lose power and distance.

• Identify your weaknesses. As with any hobby, identifying those areas that need the most work can help you become a better golfer. Keep track of each shot you take, and then look at the results to see which areas of your game need the most work.

• Fix your alignment. Align your shots by assessing the target from behind the ball. Then set the clubface behind the golf ball and align it with the target before you enter your stance.

• Use your torso for power. The torso is essential to a solid swing. Practice rotating from your core to control your backswing and then maintain the same spine angle and posture on the downswing.

• Use the wind. Not every golf game will be played in perfect weather. A good player knows how to make adjustments for the wind depending on the shot. Use the wind to your advantage when you can, and adjust your swing when hitting into the wind.

• Become a better chipper. Many players put so much emphasis on their backswings and putt shots that they fail to devote any practice to chips. All shots are

JOE STEIGMEYER

Garrett High School’s Lucas Pfeiffer rolls in a putt on the first green during a recent golf match against DeKalb High School. While high school golfers are in full swing now, the courses across northeast Indiana will be frequented by recreational golfers in the coming spring and summer months.

important for golfers trying to shed strokes off of their scores.

• Keep fit. Maintaining or improving your physical strength and overall health can help your golf game. Exercise and eat right, and you will have more endurance on the links.

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

April 22, 2016

Get Ready For Summer

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Sturgis Journal …JUST MINUTES AWAY !

SHOP COLDWATER

MARIE LAUDEMAN

People from throughout the tri-state area attend a Family Learn to Fish Workshop April 16 at Trine State Recreation Area in Steuben County, near Pokagon State Park. Parents and children age 6 and older were invited to learn some fish biology, gain basic fishing skills and go fishing. Indiana’s next free fishing day will be May 21. More details can be found at in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3598.htm. The Pokagon State Park Nature Center will host free fishing programs for visitors to use their bait and poles on those days as well.

Here’s where you can catch dinner KPC NEWS SERVICE

If you’ve been looking for a place to catch some dinner, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ fisheries biologists have compiled a list of the best panfishing lakes throughout Indiana. Here are their picks for northeast Indiana, which were part of a top-15 lakes list for all of Indiana:

Sylvan Lake Sylvan Lake is a 669-acre man-made reservoir near Rome City. It is best known for its bluegill fishing with some reaching 9 inches. About one-third of the adult bluegill population are 7 inches or larger. The best places to catch bluegill are the Cain Basin at the east end of the lake and along the 8- to 10-foot dropoffs in the western basin. Redworms, flies and crickets are the most effective baits.

Skinner Lake Skinner Lake is a 125-acre natural lake near Albion. The lake is known for crappie fishing for both black and white crappies.

Most crappies are in the 8- to 9-inch range, with some reaching 16 inches long. Don’t expect to catch lots of big crappies, but

you can expect to catch plenty that are keeper-size. The best crappie fishing is in May over developing lily pads in the four corners of the lake. Live minnows and small white jigs are the most effective baits.

Clear Lake Clear Lake is an 800-acre, natural lake in Steuben County. This is a quality bluegill fishery, not quantity. Bluegill harvested average 8.5 inches with fish up to 10.5 inches observed.

Shipshewana Lake Shipshewana Lake is a 200-acre lake in LaGrange County. Bluegill fishing is very good. This shallow lake is very productive and produces good bluegill year after year.

It also has a quality crappie and largemouth bass fishing.

Big Long Lake Big Long Lake is a 365-acre lake in LaGrange County. It has some of the best bluegill fishing in northeastern Indiana.

Bluegill average 8 inches in length with some bluegill over 10 inches.

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April 22, 2016

Enjoy fishing, but be kind to ecosystems

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Be mindful of your fishing practices to protect coastal ecosystems and waterways.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Warm weather has arrived, and the welcoming temperatures are once again beckoning people to the great outdoors.

Fishing is a popular warm weather pastime, and it’s important to take an environmentally responsible approach when fishing.

According to “Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them,”

by Ted Danson, in just 55 years, humans have been able to eradicate about 90 percent of the ocean’s top predators. These include animals like sharks, marlin, king mackerel, and bluefin tuna. Smaller species also are being wiped out at alarming rates because fishing nets capture far more than is intended, and today’s fishing vessels can zero in on large schools of fish relatively easily. Thanks to global positioning technology and sonar capabilities, there’s no longer too much surprise in the chase.

Commercial fishing may do the brunt of the damage, but amateurs also can contribute to the contamination of waterways and decimation of fish species. For example, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game says more than 500,000 bass die each year due to improper handling in Massachusetts alone. People of different cultures have fished sustainably for decades, and most anyone can follow their guidelines — and some others — to help keep ocean life healthy.

• Disturb wildlife as little as possible.

When traveling into delicate ecosystems, such as those that primarily surround the water’s edge, do so with care. Operating a boat in shallow regions can chop up underwater vegetation or harm fish that live in the shallows. Don’t remove crustaceans or take plants or other wildlife out of the area.

• Keep track of gear. Discarded or lost fishing gear can prove harmful to wildlife.

It’s easy for fish or other marine animals to get tangled in fishing line and hooks that were left behind by fishermen. Sinkers and other weights may be mistaken for food and injure unsuspecting animals. Even animals like ducks and other birds can swallow fishing tackle, which can lead to illness or starvation.

Don’t just abandon gear.

• Fish specific species at different times.

Fishing specific species helps maintain different stocks of fish at various times of the year. Plus, you’ll help guarantee that one species will not be over-fished, potentially leading to underpopulation or extinction.

• Avoid the use of cast nets or dragnets.

Cast nets or dragnets can capture too many fish, including ones that you did not intend to take in.

Responsible fishing can help maintain water ecosystems and protect the surrounding environment.

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April 22, 2016

As summer approaches, homeowners should prepare their air conditioning units for the busy months ahead.

Prepare cooling systems for warm weather

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BIXLER LAKE • KENDALLVILLE

Ke

can collect dirt, even when filters are maintained. Dirty coils are less efficient at absorbing heat, so periodically remove the dirt. Outdoor coils can be kept cleaner by cutting back foliage from the unit to allow better air flow.

• Inspect condensate drains. Energy. gov also suggests making sure condensate drains, which take moisture pulled from the air away, are functioning properly. If they’re clogged, they may not be effective at reducing humidity in a home, and they may even leak.

• Clear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant material from condenser units and fan blades. Obstructed components can cause the system to retain heat, compromising its ability to work effectively.

Some homeowners prefer to cover their condensers at the end of the cooling season to keep leaves and dirt out of the unit.

• Check window unit seals. When installing window units, make sure all seals around the air conditioner are in place to prevent cool-air loss.

• Hire a technician. Air conditioner technicians can be very helpful and will know how to prepare a system for hot weather. Technicians typically conduct multipoint inspections and measure such things as refrigerant levels and duct leakage. Airflow through the evaporator coil also may be checked. If a homeowner suspects the thermostat is not working N E properly, a technician can verify if that is true and even install a new one ifNIE necessary.

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SATURDAY, JULY 16

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

One springtime task on homeowners’ to-do lists is checking cooling systems to ensure they are ready for summer. Proper maintenance of cooling systems is essential to saving energy and keeping utility costs down. Fortunately, homeowners need not be certified HVAC technicians to maintain their cooling units.

• Clean filters. Whether a home is kept cool by a whole-house central air conditioning system or window units, clean filters are necessary to keep the units working efficiently. Routinely replacing or cleaning filters is one of the most important maintenance tasks to improve airflow and increase efficiency. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy says replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air conditioner’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.

• Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling system, have an understanding of the size of your home (or room if installing an window unit).

Determine the area of the home so you buy a unit that suits your needs. Air conditioners use BTUs (British Thermal Units) to define cooling power. The more BTUs, the larger the space that can be cooled. However, homeowners do not want to exceed the necessary cooling power.

This leads to energy waste. EnergyStar. gov can help homeowners find the right cooling system for their needs.

• Inspect system coils. The evaporator and condenser coils on air conditioners

Get Ready For Summer

allvill , Indi e

a

THE CITY OF

Kendallville

For sponsor information, call Vi Wysong at 260-347-0400 x 1161 or email vwysong@kpcmedia.com

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Get Ready For Summer

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April 22, 2016

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