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Beef and dairy cattle producers are invited to attend Purdue Extension’s Calving Academy. This hands-on event will cover topics including cow restraint, calf manipulation, and triaging the neonatal calf. Dr. Bethany Funnell (DVM, DACT), clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine is the program instructor. Cost to attend is $50 per person. Attendance with a set of OB chains and handles is $200. Attendance with a stainless-steel bucket, cup and beta dine scrub is $150.

There are four locations to participate in a Calving Academy. The closest location to Washington County is:
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the Feldun Purdue Ag. Center (1117 State Road 458, Bedford, IN 47421) from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Other locations include:
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the Don Strauss Animal Center at Huntingburg University in Huntington, IN from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Decatur County Extension Office (545 S. County Road 200 W., Greensburg, IN 47240) from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Purina Pavilion in Creighton Hall at Purdue University (270 S. Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47907) from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Registration is required before Thursday, December 5, 2024 via https://web.cvent.com/event/cb611d3b-9f26-4ab1-8641-861acf9df1aa/summary.

For more information contact Nick Minton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 765-494-8179.

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Grants totaling over $55,000.00 were awarded to non-profit organizations serving Washington County by the generous donors of the Washington County Community Foundation for the Fall 2024 grant cycle. Grants are awarded from the Foundation’s Touch Tomorrow Funds, which were established by several outstanding donors.

Washington County Helping Hands was awarded a $3455 to assist in purchasing a new HVAC system to replace the extremely outdated system at the Helping Hands House.

Dare to Care will once again be filling school pantries thanks to a $10,000 grant to provide needy students necessary nourishment.

Small Group Tutoring will be available through CAST thanks to a $7580 grant to hire six individuals to provide the tutoring to students that are struggling with reading and math.

A $10,345 grant has been awarded to Washington County Historical Society which will enable them to update technology and digitize historical documents including old newspapers, genealogical research records, and books.

Jackson Township VFD has been awarded a $13,594.71 grant to purchase rope and water rescue equipment to be used throughout Washington County and surrounding areas.

A $6,225.00 grant has been awarded to The Warming Station in order for them to receive their 501c3 nonprofit status as well as providing needed supplies to the center as well as patrons of the center.

Washington County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1993 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership to improve Washington County forever

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The Washington County Community Foundation recently presented a grant check for the Washington County Historical Society at its Annual Meeting of the Membership this past Saturday, Nov. 9.

On Oct. 22, the Washington County Historical Society was announced as one of the grantee's for the WCCF's 2024 Fall Grant Cycle. This grant awarded  $10,345.00 for the Digitization Initiative, which will allow for the purchase of updated computers, laptops, scanners, archival materials, and software to begin the digitization of the incredible records stored at the Stevens Memorial Museum Genealogical Library. There is an array of bound newspapers, scrapbooks, photographs and more that will be further protected by being digitized. This will allow better access to materials when assisting visitors with genealogical research.

The historical society staff is grateful to the Washington County Community Foundation for the grant, and they are very excited to get the process underway. It is hoped the initiative will  inspire the community to get involved with the digitization process. There are plans to accept new volunteers, have training sessions, and "Scan-a-thons." The community is asked to watch the group's social posts and website for more information as the project gets underway.

Kaylee Seabolt, office manager and librarian at The John Hay Center, also thanks the public and members for donations to the project.

• Pekin Eastern High School
• Awards & Recognition
• Special Events

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Eastern High School teacher Mark Olesh was presented the Caleb Mills Indiana History Teacher of the Year Award on Saturday, Nov. 9. The award presentation by the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) took place at the John Hay Center in Salem.

The Caleb Mills Indiana History Teacher of the Year Award, named in honor of Caleb Mills, the father of Indiana's common schools, is made annually to a teacher (teaching grades 4-12) currently teaching American or Indiana history and recognized by his or her colleagues as making a significant contribution to the understanding of these two fields by his or her students.

In addition to teaching English, U.S. History and Government at Eastern High School,  Olesh is also an accomplished cross country and track coach, as he is always incredibly involved in his school. 

Olesh has a bachelor's degree in both History and Criminal Justice from Indiana University. He recently worked towards his master's degree in History and wrote his thesis on local newspaper coverage of the Civil War. He has interest in obtaining his PhD.

He is planning to conduct more local research on some not well-known topics, including doing a story covering the Poor Farm in Washington County.

IHS recognizes outstanding individuals whose efforts have enriched the lives of others by conveying awareness and appreciation of Indiana's history on local, regional and statewide levels.
 
“Many Hoosiers have been inspired by these individuals and organizations and their dedication to history, as they share their knowledge and work throughout their communities and across the state,” said Jody Blankenship, president and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society. “We’re thrilled to present these awards in person to each of our winners, celebrating their contributions and recognizing the tremendous value they bring to keep Indiana history alive in our communities.”

For more information about the Indiana Historical Society, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

Tamara Hemmerlein discussed Mark Olesh's influence in promoting history prior to presenting him with the History Teacher of the Year award.