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The Paper of Miami County makes debut Christmas trees are lit up in front of the Miami County Courthouse. Photo provided
Drive underway to light up Peru “I hope to make people enjoy Christmas the way I do!” Paul Forman, a citizen of Peru and engineer for Norfolk and Southern railroad, has had a love for Christmas and Christmas lights since he was a young boy. Now he wants to share that love with all who live in or visit Peru. Forman has started a non-profit organization called, “Light Up! Peru.” He, along with other volunteers, are putting together their time and talent to bring exciting events to this area to raise money for the non-profit. Currently, Light Up! Peru is awaiting their 501(c)3 status, but according to Forman, it shouldn’t be long before it is secured. This will allow tax-deductible donations to be made to this organization. The Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF) is currently handling all finances for Light Up! Peru such as paying bills and collecting donations. Although the Paul & Gina Forman 501(c)3 status is not complete, tax-deductible donations can still be made to the organization. What does Forman hope to accomplish through Light Up! Peru? What will your donations help create in this community? A drive-thru, lit up Maconaquah Park. Forman wants to give people the opportunity to see up to 65 separate Christmas displays while driving with family and friends through Peru’s Maconaquah Park. The most expensive part of this endeavor is the infrastructure in the park. Power lines are needed to provide enough electricity to light up the displays. Once that money is raised, Forman said the cost for the displays will run about $3,200 per year. The company providing the displays will take care of everything. They set up the displays, provide the upkeep, and store them. Each year they will rotate the displays with others they have available, so it won’t be the same ones every year. Forman said Peru Utilities has been tremendous to work with and hopes they will play an integral part installing the power lines for the Christmas display. Peru Utilities hangs the wreaths on the poles Continued on page 2
February 12, 2020
Welcome to the first edition of The Paper of Miami County. The Paper of Miami County is the sister paper of the well-known The Paper of Wabash County. Each issue will be filled with local news and local faces. The Paper of Miami County is a part of the Hometown Media Group, which is associated with Hoosier Media Group. That publication group has newspapers in Benton, White, Steuben, Lake and Pulaski MICHELLE BOSWELL counties. “All of our newspapers are hyperlocal,” President Don Hurd said. “We will be featuring stories about the people and places of Miami County that our readers will love.” “I call it refrigerator journalism, because my parents would always cut out articles about their children and post them proudly on their refrigerator for all to see.” Hurd is a 40-year publishing veteran in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. Longtime Miami County resident Michelle Boswell is the editor for The Paper of Miami County, Hurd announced. Boswell was born in Findlay, Ohio, and raised in Peru. She has been in the newspaper business for 25 years. She began her career as a photographer at 15 years of age for the local newspaper. She also served as a news clerk, reporter, page designer, advertising designer, paginator, advertising sales representative and advertising manager. She is involved with her community serving on an 18-member board of directors for Circus City Festival, Inc. She is also looking forward to her 30th year as the first female ringmaster for the Peru Circus. Boswell spearheaded and completed the restoration of one of the oldest brick structures in Peru known as the Toll House to be used for tourism in Miami County. She and her husband, Jim, share three children: Brittainy, Molly and Zak. “I am thrilled to be a part of this new venture in Miami County,” Boswell said. “I believe there is a need for this product in our community and as it grows, I think the readers will love it more and more with each edition.” Check us out and tell us what you want in your newspaper. Information and story ideas may be sent to Boswell at mboswell@thepaperofmiami.com with your suggestions. For advertising information, contact Arlene Long at 260-5638326.
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February 12, 2020
Lighting up Peru throughout downtown and provides the manpower needed to make the downtown look festive for the holidays. “The guys (Peru Utilities workers) are top notch. Who could ask for anything more?” If you attended the lighting of the Christmas trees on the courthouse lawn in 2019, you were able to see something Forman said the community wanted. “People in this community are saying this is what they want. They wanted to have a lighting of the trees on the courthouse lawn. They want to be a part of something they, along with their children and grandchildren will remember for years to come. Their grandchildren will tell their own chil-
dren about the memories they have of the Christmas trees being lit on the courthouse lawn.” Forman said he received messages from people in the community telling him they wanted to see this happen. And so, it became a reality. “I want to give ownership to people on this project,” he said. In keeping with his love for Christmas, Forman is organizing an event he has named “Christmas in July,” to raise money. “I think it’s going to be so much fun for everyone to enjoy,” said Forman. He chose July 25 to host the event because it is exactly 6 months from Christmas Day. There will be a BBQ pit-master challenge for those who are ready to compete for trophies or plaques.
There will be a small fee to enter the contest and they can cook pork, chicken, or brisket. He also plans to have 25 or so vendors selling crafts or services at the event. Those who go to taste the food and pick their favorite pitmaster will pay $10, receive a bracelet and tickets to drop into buckets for their favorite cook. He wants to encourage those who participate as vendors or cooks to decorate their booths in Christmas décor to get into the spirit of the event. And what is a Christmas event without a snowball fight? Well for a July day in Indiana, this could prove to be impossible, so Joe DeRozier, owner of DeRozier’s Bakery,
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Paul Forman shows off some of Peru’s Christmas decorations. Photo provided will provide custardfilled doughballs. Forman said there will be an area blocked off for the doughball fight to try to contain the funfilled mess. He is also planning to have bands and possibly a Santa karaoke/lip sync contest. The event is to be held on East 5th Street, Court Street and the employee parking lot just off Court Street. Forman is awaiting approval for the event location from the Board of Works. Christmas in July isn’t the only event Forman has on his calendar for Light Up! Peru. There will be two dances with one on May 2 and one Dec. 12.
The May 2 dance is called, “The Light of My Life” dance and will be held at the Riverview Event Center, 421 West Canal Street, Peru from 6 to 9 p.m. It resembles the kind of dance many would think of as a Daddy/Daughter dance but is much more inclusive. The couples can be a grandfather and granddaughter, grandmother and grandson, a guardian and their child, dad and daughter, mom and son, an adult with a special child in their life and so on. Forman said this dance is formal and is an opportunity for kids to wear their Easter dresses and suits again. There is an age limit for children, being 4-12. The cost is $40 per couple, but if that family would like to add
another adult or child, it is an extra $10 per person. Each ticket purchase will include a complimentary boutonniere and corsage. Another way this dance is inclusive is if there is a couple who cannot afford the cost, there are people in the community who have committed to help those couples. Forman said he will provide a pasta buffet with his own money and he will also be the DJ, as he owns his own business called Forman Mixers DJ service. The pasta bar will include pasta, salad, breadstick and cheesecake for dessert. Complimentary cookies and punch will be served as well. Harmon Photography will be there to take formal photographs. Couples will receive a
complimentary 4 x 6 photo and they can purchase additional photos. A craft area will be available so guests can make a keepsake for the evening. Garden Gate Greenhouse will be there to help children build a miniature garden for their special adult. There is a limit of 300 attendees, so Forman encourages people to get their tickets as soon as possible. If anyone wants to buy tickets for a couple as a gift, Forman said to contact him at 765-4321052 and he will be glad to help. If anyone wants to attend and can’t afford it, contact Forman and he will make arrangements for assistance. Otherwise, tickets can be purchased on the Facebook page, Light of My Life Continued on page 3
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February 12, 2020
Lighting up Peru Dance. 100 percent of the proceeds will be used to decorate the community for the 2020 Christmas season. Between the Christmas in July and the Light of My Life dance, Forman believes his organization can raise around $7,500, which would more than likely cover the costs for the infrastructure in Maconaquah Park. The Dec. 12 dance will be open to all ages and is a Christmas dance. It will be held at the Milestone Event Center located at 1458 Liberator St., Peru (on Grissom Air Reserve Base). More details will be available closer to the time of the event. Updates for events can be found on the Light Up! Peru Facebook page and lightupperu.com. Forman is seeking corporate sponsors for both dances and Christmas in July. The investment is $250 per sponsor. Although Forman seems to be an unstoppable machine with his endeavors for this new organization, he did have a very personal loss right before the unveiling of the Christmas tree lights on the courthouse lawn. On Nov. 13, 2019, Forman’s father, Del
Forman, passed away unexpectedly. His father was very supportive of his son’s vision and hard work for this community. “Dad made Christmas right,” Foreman said of his father. “It was always over the top. When I was 13 or 14, he let me start decorating our house in Frankfort. He never complained about the electrical bill.” Forman told his Dad he thought it would be “cool” to be Santa. Little did he know his father had a Santa suit, and that’s when Forman decided to take over the role of Santa. “He really loved what we were going to do here in Peru, and he loved the circus, too,” Foreman said. “He tried to come here every year for the parade.” Aside from being the nucleus of the Christmas activity he’s created; Forman is a busy man with other activities. He, along with his wife, Gina, who is a teacher at Peru High School, have overseen the Bengal Backers at PHS since 2015. According to the Facebook page for the Bengal Backers, the objective of the organization is to “promote, both morally and financially, the Peru Athletic Program; to
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develop good sportsmanship and pride in players, fans, student body and officials; to familiarize the fans and members with the rules and strategies of athletics; and to promote goodwill and sociability among the members and the community.” Aside from teaching at PHS, being an engineer on the railroad, planning, organizing and running fundraisers, rocking out wedding
...continued from Page 3 receptions and the like with their DJ service or decorating for special occasions such as weddings, Forman and his wife also own Independence Fireworks located at 23 Broadway Plaza, Peru. He and his wife have a 20-year-old daughter, Paris, who lives in Vincennes. Although Forman was not born and raised here in Miami County, he has passion for this commu-
nity and he loves what he does, especially Light Up! Peru. “Peru has a magical event with the Downtown Christmas Open House,” he said. “I wanted to create that Hallmark moment. Mac Park is the perfect place for lights. We got the buzz going this past Christmas (with the lighting of trees on courthouse lawn). There are a lot of excited people concerning this project!”
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Purdue Extension to host PARP event Feb. 20 Purdue Extension – Miami County is co-hosting a PARP event with Moss Fertilizer Service and the Miami County Soil and Water Conservation Service at the Miami County 4-H Fairground in the Community Building on Feb. 20. It is the winter meeting for farmers to receive PARP, CCH, CCA, Category 14 credits toward licensing they must carry to use pesticides. The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes a pork chop lunch.
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February 12, 2020
Miami County girls bow out in sectional play
Peru’s Cate Wolfe (32) attemps to stop a Benton Central player during Twin Lakes sectional play.
All four Miami County girls basketball teams bowed out in sectional play last week. Oak Hill was the only team that managed two games in the tourney. The Golden Eagles defeated Heritage, 45-33, in opening round action. The team later fell to Bellmont, 44-37, in semifinal play at Mississinewa. Benton Central took down both Maconaquah and Peru in Twin Lakes sectional action. Benton Central defeated Maconaquah, 90-35, in opening round play on Feb. 4. It then defeated Peru, 66-37, in semifinal play on Feb. 7. North Miami lost to Northfield, 63-51, during semi-final play of the sectional it hosted.
North Miami’s Ellie Musselman looks to get around two Northfield defenders during semifinal play of the North Miami sectional.
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2 Peru wrestlers claim regional titles Oak Hill grappler captures title; several advance to semi-state By Eric Christiansen echristiansen@nmpaper.com
Peru’s Trey Sturgill and Zian Constable, and Oak Hill’s Fred Durben. all won championships at the Peru Regional Saturday, Feb. 8. The Tigers will be sending five wrestlers to semistate in Fort Wayne this Saturday while Oak Hill will have seven Golden Eagles competing for a trip to the state finals at Indianapolis. Maconaquah will also have their share of three wrestlers in Fort Wayne Saturday. Peru Sturgill (36-3) won his opening match of the day in the 113 pound weight class with a pin over Kokomo in 53 seconds. He followed that up with a win by pin over Wabash in 1:32 and defeated Western in the championship match 4-1. Constable (35-4) started his day at 182 pounds with a win over Oak Hill by pin in 1:21, followed by a pin over Marion in 1:57 and win over Northwestern in the championship match my major decision 9-1. Placing third for the Tigers was Cooper Baldwin (32-6) at 106 pounds. The freshman won his first match by pin in 2:00 over Marion but lost his semi-final match 5-2 to Kokomo. He bounced back with a win by pin over Oak Hill in 4:45. Also finishing third for Peru was Cole Sailors (1310) at 120 pounds. He won his first match against Oak Hill to advance to semi-state but lost to Western in the semifinals by pin in 46 seconds before rallying for a
Maconaquah’s Alex Ringeisen (right) squares off in his first match of the Peru Regional against eventual 285-pound champion Brayden Erb from Western. Photos by Eric Christiansen win over Marion by pin in 47 seconds. Quinten Brousseau (2512) placed fourth in the 285 pound weight class. The freshman defeated Oak Hill by pin in 44 seconds in his opening match but lost his semifinal match to Manchester by pin in 2:36 and Caston by pin in 1:42. Also competing at regional for the Tigers were David Schulte, Alex Legg, Austin Fletcher, Dakota Scarlett and
Chase Seifert. Oak Hill Oak Hill’s Fred Durben remained undefeated on the season with a 39-0 record to win the 220 pound weight class. The senior beat Lewis Cass by pin in 52 seconds, followed by an injury forfeit by Kokomo, then defeated Wabash in the championship match by pin in 1:45. Finishing second for Oak Hill was Harper Dedman (38-1) in the 126
pound weight class. Dedman beat Rochester by pin in 3:23 in the opener, followed by a 9-5 win over Wabash before losing to Manchester’s undefeated Dylan Stroud by pin in 2:00. Brody Arthur (132)
improved to 36-3 with a runner-up finish. He beat Peru in his first match 62, followed by a 10-0 major decision win over Wabash before losing to Western by major decision 10-0 in the championship match. Tyler Miller (145) moved to 28-6 with a win over Northfield 7-3 and a 5-4 win over Rochester before losing by pin in 3:08 to Eastern. Aidan Hardcastle (152) improved to 37-2 with a second place finish. He beat Southwood by pin in 2:00 in the first round and Wabash 5-4 in the semis. He lost to Tri-Central 4-2 in the championship match. At 170 Jett Thompson finished second after forfeiting by injury in the championship match to Eastern. He won his first match over Wabash 11-5 and his semi-final match 10-3 over Maconaquah. His record stands at 23-5 going into semi-state. Peytonn Bowland (35-6) is the final Oak Hill wrestler to move on placing fourth at 106 pounds. He beat Maconaquah by major decision 12-1 in the first round before losing in the semis to Western by pin in 42 seconds and to Peru by pin in 4:45. Also competing for Oak Hill at regional were Austin Lawrence, Julian Perez, JC Hernandez, Wyatt Strange and Isaiah Drake. Maconaquah Maconaquah will be sending three wrestlers to semi-state this weekend. At 170 pounds, Jared
Blake (27-8) placed third with a win over Western by major decision 14-3 but lost to Oak Hill in the semi-finals 10-4 to Oak Hill 10-4. He bounced back with a 13-0 major decision win over Kokomo in the third-place match. At 152 Aaron McKinley (21-3) won his first match by pin in 2:49 against Maconaquah but lost his next match to Tri-Central by pin in 2:36. He won the third-place match with a 12-4 major decision win over Wabash. At 113 pounds, Blake Kinney (26-7) beat Northwestern in his first match to advance to semistate but finished fourth with losses to Western 110 major decision and Wabash 13-6. Also competing for the Braves were Tyler Stapleton, Wyatt Price, Cory Bockover, Jonah Hollars, Colin Deckard, Mason Taylor, and Alex Ringeisen. North Miami’s only regional qualifier was Spencer Flood who lost his first match at 106 pounds. Semi-state is Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne at 8:30 a.m. Admission is $12. Teams from the Peru, Jay County, Goshen and Carroll (Fort Wayne) will complete for a spot at the state championships. Wrestlers must win two matches to advance.
Peru’s Trey Sturgill (left photo) won the Peru Regional 113 pound weight class Saturday, Feb. 8. Meanwhile, Oak Hill’s JC Hernandez (above right) ended his season with a 30-10 record after regional at 160 pounds.
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February 12, 2020
Police & fire reports Peru Police Department Feb. 6 Alarm at 291 West Main St., Peru. Building and surrounding area checked and found to be secure. Alarm at 315 W Old Key Drive, Suite 140, Peru. False alarm. Complainant at 70 ½ W Second St., Peru, advised his mother was threatened with a lawsuit. He was advised that a record of this complaint would be made with the police department but was not a police matter at that time. Possible heart attack at 407 W 13th St., Peru. Police arrived after Dukes EMS and Peru Fire and call was disregarded. Vehicle slide off reported at Industrial
Parkway and Life Road, Peru. No damage was reported to vehicle. Assistance was given and police stayed while vehicle was pulled from ditch. Funeral service escort was given for 84 West Main St.. Assistance was given for a disabled vehicle at N Broadway and Daniel St.. Possible mail theft was reported at 35 S Broadway, Peru. A problem with a juvenile was reported at S Lafayette St. and W Third St., Peru. Juvenile was reported missing but was found to be at home. A citizen on Boulevard, Peru, requested that old ammunition be removed from her
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basement. Ammunition was brought to the Peru Police Department to be destroyed. Assistance was given to a Wabash County deputy locating a male at S Lafayette and W Third streets, Peru, in reference to an investigation. Traffic stop made at 475 Park Drive, Peru. A vehicle identification number check was requested at 35 S Broadway, Peru. Assistance was given. A two-vehicle accident was reported at 783 N Chili Ave., Peru. Vehicle, property damage was reported, and the collision damage appeared to be un $1,000. Owners advised they would exchange information. Assistance was given at 601 N Broadway, Peru, for a disabled vehicle that had a dead battery. Complainant at 9286 N Old Route 31, Macy, claims former landlord was withholding mail from him. Former landlord was contacted, and issue
was addressed. A controlled substance problem was reported at 930 W Main St., Peru. Assistance was given at 26 E Third St. for a vehicle unlock. Assistance was given at 24 Albert St. for a vehicle lockout. A structure fire was reported at 202 E Second St., Peru. Agency assisted with oven fire. A parking problem was reported at 908 Cherry Lane, Peru. Contact was made with the owner and the issue was resolved. Miami County Sheriff ’s Department Feb. 7 An abandoned vehicle was found near W1400 S/S US Rt 31, Kokomo. Extra patrol was requested for North Elm and East Walnut Street, Bunker Hill. Unwanted guest at 3257 W 500 S, Bunker Hill. Welfare check at 1745 S Lincoln Street, Peru. Traffic accident with property dam-
age at 340 Pearl Street, Bunker Hill. Vehicle slide off on South Strawtown Pike and E 1000 S, Peru. Theft reported at 5596 S US Route 31, Peru. Disabled Vehicle near W Airport Rd and S US Route 31, Peru. Abandoned vehicle near 1313 Donaldson Ave. Vehicle tagged for removal. Attempted warrant service without contact at 2725 Capehart Street, Peru. Abandoned Vehicle and trailer, tagged for removal near Fairchild Ct and Schilling Streets. Vehicle parked on roadway directly in front of stop sign near Dow Ct and Schilling streets. Owner moved vehicle. Domestic Disturbance at 5297 N 100 W, Peru. Parties were separated for the night. Traffic stop near Abraham Lane and S Broadway, Peru, with citations made for no valid license and false and fictitious identification. Phone harassment reported at 3311 S State Road 19, Armour-Eckrich, Peru. Complainant wanted a record on file through the Sheriff ’s office for harassment. Protective order
delivered to 2546 West Third Street, Mexico. Person having convulsions or seizures at 3841 S US Route 31, Peru. Traffic stop made at N State Road 19/E 1400 N, Macy. Traffic stop at 3231 E 1400 N, Roann. Traffic stop at W 1200 N and N Route 31, Macy Verbal warning for speed. Unwanted guest at 1020 E State Road 124. Domestic disturbance at 351 East Main Street, Bunker Hill. Disorderly conduct at 5601 E 1525 N, Roann. Domestic disturbance at 1134 E State Road 124. Feb. 8 Harassment by phone at 1020 E State Road 124. Extra patrol requested at 3963 N Mexico Road, Mexico. Citizen at 5641 E 700 S had question regarding a vehicle loaned to another person. Vehicle slide off near 300 N and Mexico Road. Vehicle was gone on arrival. Traffic accident with injuries and property damage at E 950 S and S State Road 19. Vehicle Identification number check at 2990 S US Route 31, Peru. Vehicle inspection provided. Vehicle
Identification number check at 2551 S Holiday Drive, Peru. Vehicle inspection provided. Suspicious person or vehicle reported near 3712 S 200 W, Peru. Subject noticed footprints around the residence. No indication of entry to buildings. Vehicle Identification Number check at 9693 N 100 W, Macy. Vehicle inspection provided. Traffic hazard reported near W 400 S and S US Route 31, Peru. Welfare check provided for a resident at 2702 N 100 W. Units responded to the area of 100 W and 300 N in reference to a welfare check. A female juvenile was upset and had walked away from her residence. Everything checked out and the girl was returned to her residence. Offender address verification at 2944 W 900 N, Macy. Offender address verification at 1244 Chanute Ave, Peru. Traffic stop at W Hoosier Boulevard and S US Route 31, Peru. Warning was given for speed. Unwanted guest at 2934 S 300 W, Woodland Hills Mobile Home Park, lot 148. Parties agreed to separate for the night.
Macy man charged with child molestation A Macy man faces two felony charges for child molestation. The man, Titan James Kaiser, 25, was arrested by Indiana State Police Trooper Jon Cole and Detective Wendell Beachy on a Miami County Circuit Court warrant. According to Indiana State Police, Beachy started an inves-
tigation in June 2019 after receiving information that a minor girl had possibly been molested at a Miami County home. During the course of the investigation, evidence indicated that Kaiser had allegedly committed sexual acts on the girl.
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Extend life of Valentine’s flowers By Corey Roser Purdue Extension – Miami County
Alumni from the Maconaquah High School band had a reunion on Jan. 31. Photo provided
Maconaquah band alumni have reunion On Friday, Jan. 31, the Maconaqah band alumni met for their 19th annual Alumni Pep Band night. On this night there were 38 band alumni in attendance. They included alumni from the graduating classes of 1975 to 2019. They joined the current Maconaquah High School band members to play during the basketball game. For 19 years band
alumni have come together for this onenight event to not only show they still have what it takes to rock the gym alongside the current MHS band members, but also to encourage the students. They also meet to remind students the “family bonds” that are created as they work together to reach their goals at band competitions never truly die after high
school. They also want to remind students that not only do the “family bonds” continue beyond high school, so does the music. This will always be a part of them no matter what direction life takes them after high school. The Maconaquah band alumni would like to thank the following people: James Bryn, current director of the
Maconaquah bands for hosting the event, Erin Ortel and Hannah Murphy for setting up all the band memorabilia, and the band boosters for providing food for the event. For information on next year’s 20th annual Alumni Pep Band night, contact Anginette (Ankney) Coleman at a.ankney83@gmail.co m.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and many of you will be searching for a special gift for that special someone in your lives. Why not say it with flowers? Nothing conveys your warm valentine feelings like cut flowers. Huge vases of exquisite longstemmed red roses to signify love for a significant other, an urn full of a dazzling display of yellow Gerbera Daisies to convey friendship, or a basket full of varying shades of light and dark pink
COREY ROSER Ranunculus to bespeak your admiration of a co-worker or mentor - whatever the case may be, the downfall with cut flowers is that their elegant beauty fades fast. Fear not, I am here to save the day. As always, I have put
together some tips and tricks to follow that will help stretch your no-doubt hefty investment and ensure you get a long life out of the beauty of the blooms. All flowers have three important characteristics that determine how long they will remain attractive and useful; abundant internal water or high-water content, the need for food, and sensitivity to toxic substances. Certain methods and practices will optimize these three characteristics. The first step in cutflower preservation starts with re-cutting Continued on page 8
This week in the area schools Maconaquah School February 11 6 p.m. – Boys 8th grade Basketball vs. TBD 6 p.m. – Boys Middle School Wrestling at Peru High School 6 p.m. – Boys 7th grade Basketball vs. TBD 6 p.m. – Girls 6th grade Basketball vs. North Miami Middle School 6 p.m. – Coed Middle School Swimming vs. Lewis Cass Jr./Sr. High School 6 p.m. – Girls 7th grade Basketball vs North Miami Middle School 6 p.m. – Girls 8th grade Basketball vs. North Miami Middle School February 12 6-7:30 p.m. – Elementary Dessert Night 6:15 p.m. – Boys Freshman Basketball vs North Miami Middle/High School February 13 6 p.m. – Girls 8th grade Basketball vs Lewis Cass 6 p.m. – Coed Middle School Swimming vs Delphi Community High School 6 p.m. – Girls 6th grade Basketball vs Peru Schools 6 p.m. – Girls 7th grade Basketball vs Lewis Cass February 14 6:15 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball at Southwood Jr./Sr. High School
6:15 p.m. – Boys Freshman Basketball at Southwood Jr./Sr. High School 7:45 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball at Southwood Jr./Sr. High School February 15 9 a.m. – Boys 8th grade Basketball vs RRC at North Miami High School 9 a.m. – Boys 7th grade Basketball vs RRC at North Miami High School 10 a.m. – Girls 7th and 8th grade Basketball at Glenn Middle School Invitational 6 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball at Pioneer Jr./Sr. High School 7:30 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball at Pioneer Jr./Sr. High School February 17 6 p.m. – Girls 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Basketball vs Wabash Schools North Miami Community Schools Feb. 11 5:30 p.m. – 7th grade boys Basketball RRC at North Miami Middle/High School main gym 6 p.m. – Girls 6th and 7th grade Basketball at Maconaquah Middle School 6:30 p.m. – 8th grade boys Basketball RRC at North Miami Middle/High School main gym 7:15 p.m. – Girls 8th grade Basketball at
Maconaquah Middle School Feb. 12 5 to 7 p.m. - District 6 Proficiency judging 5:30 p.m. – Boys 7th grade Basketball RRC at North Miami Middle/High School main gym 6:15 p.m. – Boys C team Basketball at Maconaquah High School February 13 5:30 p.m. – Girls 5th and 6th grade Basketball at Wabash Middle School Feb. 14 6:15 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball at Tippecanoe Valley 7:45 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball at Tippecanoe Valley Feb. 15 10 a.m. – Boys 7th and 8th grade Basketball RRC Final Four at North Miami Middle/High School main gym Feb. 17 President’s Day – No school or events for Elementary, Middle or High School Oak Hill Schools February 12 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. – Art Club A 6 p.m. – Boys Elementary Basketball vs Blackford School February 13 8:10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 7th grade hearing screening – First through Fifth period February 14 All day – Sweetser
Elementary – Valentine’s Day parties All day – Oak Hill Junior High – 7th Science Central Field Trip 8 -9 a.m. – Converse Elementary – Valentine’s Day Party 5 p.m. – Boys Freshman Basketball vs Blackford High School 6:15 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Blackford High School 7:45 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball vs Blackford High School February 17 All day - All Oak Hill School Corporation Schools Continued on page 8
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February 12, 2020
Peru Rotary to host annual Spellathon
Peru Circus to begin season The Peru Circus is ready to begin its 61st season with the theme, “Circus through the decades.” It will be a show celebrating the decades of acts and music that have come and gone in the Peru Circus Arena. Mark Hall, Producer for the upcoming show has been preparing since the last show took a bow in 2019. “I’m very excited about the upcoming season. We have two veteran producers putting together the show with a great staff of trainers who have all been in the show.” Hall said there will be new acts as well as many old favorites for the audiences to enjoy. “There’s an awful lot to be excited about,” said Hall. The circus is comprised of nearly 200 performers as well as a 65-piece circus band that makes this production a hub for volunteers. “The circus has survived its 61 years because of volun-
Schools – Make up day Peru Community Schools February 11 3 to 4 p.m. - Elmwood E.A.G.L.E.S 5:30 p.m. - Boys Seventh and Eighth grade Basketball at Whitko High School 6 p.m. – Boys Seventh and Eighth grade Wrestling vs Maconaquah Middle School 6 p.m. – Girls Seventh and Eighth grade Basketball at Pioneer High School 6 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball at Twin Lakes Senior High School 6 to 8 p.m. - Weather Spotters class in team teaching room at Peru High School
teers, and we are always looking for new people to join us,” Hall said. Dates and activities for circus performers and volunteers to mark on their calendars are as follows: Saturday, February 29 – Circus physicals at the Circus building, 154 North Broadway. Boys are at 8 a.m. Girls begin at 9 a.m. The cost for a physical is $ 20 per performer. Sunday, March 1 – Circus Round-up – 1 p.m. in the Circus Arena. Sign up for circus acts, get practice schedules, meet producers and trainers, signup sheets for volunteers will be available through the Circus Booster Club. Monday, March 9 – First day of Circus practice. Friday, April 3 – First cuts. Friday, April 24 – Final cuts. Clean up day will be announced later Monday, July 6 – 6 p.m. -
Circus Board of Directors meeting. Downtown festival opens and continues through Saturday, July 18 Tuesday, July 7 – 5:30 p.m. Vote for Performance King and Queen. First half of show run thru to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 – 7 p.m. Second half of show run thru. Friday, July 10 - 7 p.m. – Family Night Saturday, July 11 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows Sunday, July 12 – 3 p.m. show Monday, July 13 -Friday, July17th – 7 p.m. shows Saturday, July 18 – 10 a.m. parade in downtown Peru. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows. Sunday, July 19 – Clean-up day If you have any questions about the circus or parade, please call 765-472-3918 and speak to Nancy Weeks.
...continued from Page 7 7:30 – Boys Varsity Basketball at Twin Lakes Senior High School February 12 5:30 p.m. – Girls Sixth grade Basketball at Columbia Middle School 6:15 p.m. - Boys Freshman Basketball vs Manchester Jr/Sr. High School February 13 3-4 p.m. - Elmwood E.A.G.L.E.S. 6 p.m. – Girls Sixth grade Basketball at Maconaquah Middle School February 14 6:15 p.m. - Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Manchester High School 7:45 p.m. – Boys
Varsity Basketball vs Manchester High School February 15 9 a.m. – Boys Seventh and Eighth grade Basketball at North Miami Middle School 9 a.m. – Boys Varsity Wrestling at SemiState 10 a.m. – Girls Varsity Gymnastics at Logansport Invitational 6:15 p.m. – Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Western High School 7:45 p.m. – Boys Varsity Basketball vs Western High School February 17 2:45 p.m. – Good News Club at Elmwood Elementary
An aerialist performs at the 2019 Peru Circus.
Flowers tm absorbs water freely and it is important to cut at a slant to avoid crushing the stem. Never cut a stem horizontally. Remove at least onehalf inch of stem using a sharp knife or shears to expose a fresh surface. Another trick I always tell flower connoisseurs is to remove excess foliage and greenery. While the plethora of Leatherleaf Fern or J a p a n e s e Pittosporum, often used as “filler” in arrangements, may look nice, it sucks much needed nutrients and water from the other flowers in the vase. Submerged
The Peru Rotary Club’s 2020 Spellathon will take place on Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Blair Pointe Elementary School, 300 Blair Pike, Peru. The Spellathon is a fun, low-stress team spelling competition that is open to anyone who is at least 13 years old. Teams are made up of as many as five members. Team members do not have to stand up and spell words aloud in front of an audience. Instead, they agree on the spelling of a word as a group and write it down. The registration fee for a team is $75.00. Businesses and individuals may sponsor letters for $50.00 each. Corporate sponsorships are $250.00 and include one free team registration. To get a registration form, send and email to the Peru Rotary Club at perurotaryclub@yahoo.com. Registration deadline is March 10. If you have any questions about the event, send an email to the same address.
...continued from Page 7 leaves decay and hasten the decline of cut flowers by encouraging microbial growth, so remove the leaves that are under water. Where and when able, take out a few of those extra sprigs of greenery, also. Water is key in floral arrangements. Use warm, salt-free water when filling or re-filling a vase. Flowers usually benefit from water temperatures in the 100-110°F range. Warm water moves into the stems more quickly and easily than cold water. Contaminated water, or water that is high in fluorides or salts, hasten the death of cut flowers. If only
softened water is available, the use of a water filter or distilled water should be considered. Make sure the container is always filled full of water; I cannot stress the importance of this small task. Do not be afraid to use that pesky little packet that comes attached to every floral arrangement. The packet, which contains floral preservative, has a very important use. Besides providing the flowers with food, preservatives inhibit bacteria and fungi from building up in the water and stems. The preservatives also promote water and
nutrient uptake. When the solution gets cloudy, which indicates the presence of microorganisms, you will want to empty the water and provide fresh solution. Contrary to popular belief, many “home remedies” such as placing an aspirin or copper penny in the vase water do not work. However, you can make your own floral preservative solution at home by mixing 2 cups of your favorite lemon-lime carbonated beverage with 2 cups water and a ½ teaspoon of household chlorine bleach. Happy Valentine’s Day!