Joel Hittler, held by mother Lindsay Hittler, is all smiles as he pets a camel at the Huntington Branch of the Huntington City-Township Public Library during an appearance at the library by Hoosier Camel Encounter on Wednesday, April 11.

Toddlers through third-graders can visit the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library for a “Kitchen Helpers” play day on Saturday, April 21, at 10:30 a.m.

Activities at the food-themed play time will include chocolate-scented play dough, play kitchen and grocery areas and a food painting craft and snack.

At right, getting ready to place bouquets of flower at the foot of a photo of Helen Purviance are Alice Stickler (second from right), vice regent of the Samuel Huntington branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Elizabeth Howard of the state DAR, during the Helen Purviance Day celebration on Saturday, April 14, at the Huntington County Courthouse. Purviance, a Huntington native, was honored in a centennial celebration for being the World War I "Doughnut Girl" to American soldiers as part of her Salvation Army service.

Nancy Vickery, of Warren, sifts through old family photos she plans to mount and display in a scrapbook at the Paper Artisans Huntington County Extension Homemakers Club Spring Crop on Saturday, April 14, at the First Merchants Heritage Hall.

Jim Hethcote (right), of Warren, takes a spirometry test to determine the capacity of his lungs at the Parkview Huntington Hospital "Healthy Steps" health fair on Saturday, April 14. He is aided by PHH Respiratory Therapist Theresa Cannizzaro.

Dan and Sue Rumple perform a ballroom dance on Friday, April 13, at the first "Step Up to the Mic" Senior talent show at the Huntington Senior Center on Friday night, April 13. The event was put on by the Huntington County Council on Aging.

Gillian Lintz (center), playing Mary Poppins, sings “Spoonful of Sugar” as Rebecca Short (left), playing Jane Banks and David Troyer (right), playing Michael Banks, man the brooms in the kitchen scene of “Mary Poppins,” set to run April 19, 20 and 21, at 7 p.m. each night in the Huntington North High School Auditorium. In the back (from left) Hannah Thomson, as Mrs. Brill and Erica Ashley, as Roberta Ay, watch on as Mary Poppins’ magic ensues. The musical is much different than the movie, with some extra songs added that are in the Broadway musical, but not the movie.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest section of the Erie Rail Trail was held Saturday, April 7, at the trailhead of Gragg Street between College Avenue and Stults Road/200W. The event was one of several local events to celebrate the National Opening Day for Trails.

During National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 15 to 21, Huntington County residents have an opportunity to join a volunteer team that seeks to make a difference in children’s lives around the world in the name of Jesus Christ.

From maintaining trails to helping in a nature center, Hoosiers can celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21, by donating their time and talent to Indiana’s state parks.

“Volunteering gives you a great sense of accomplishment,” said Jody Heaston, volunteer coordinator for DNR Division of State Parks. “You know you are helping manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.”

Heaston said she hopes many volunteers from National Volunteer week will “catch the giving-back spirit” and continue to volunteer with state parks.

Pathfinder Services has announced that Carrie Blackham is now the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the organization. Blackham joined the organization on March 7.

Faith Chapel United Methodist Church is hosting a community breakfast on Saturday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The menu will include biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sausage, fruit and drinks.

The church is located at 2978W-1100N, Huntington. For more information call 344-1466.

A $1,000 scholarship has been awarded to Kayla Farrell, of Roanoke, by the East Central Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Farrell is a junior at Indiana University who maintains a 3.804 grade-point average in dietetics.

Danielle Mach, MS, RD ACSM at IU Athletics says, “Kayla’s creativity, resourcefulness, as well as passion for education provide a solid foundation for her to become an exceptional RD (registered dietitian).”

Vicky Getty from IU adds, “Kayla is an excellent student, strong leader and a delightful, responsible person.”

Bethel United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Riverside Drive and Allen Street, is having a rummage sale on Friday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Items for sale include a refrigerator, ping pong table, choir robes, kitchenware, linens, purses, clothes, books and movies.

Cinnamon rolls and coffee will be offered for sale on Saturday.

Huntington Catholic School presents monthly “Spirit Awards” to students from each grade who display Christ-like behavior. Perseverance was one of the virtues chosen for the month of April and winners were (front row from left) Marisol Velazquez and Channing Olinger, both kindergarten; Emylia Shideler, first grade; Augi Arellano, second grade; and Eric Plascencia, third grade; and (back row from left) Isaac Scheiber, fourth grade; Katie Brown, sixth grade; Landon Martin, seventh grade; and Joshua Plascencia, eighth grade. Not pictured is Katelyn Kaylor, fifth grade.

Huntington Catholic School presents monthly “Spirit Awards” to students from each grade who display Christ-like behavior. Knowledge was one of the virtues chosen for the month of April and winners were (front row from left) Bear Thornton, kindergarten; Anne Bergler, first grade; Steven Ball, second grade; and Jackson Garrott, third grade; and (back row from left) Jayden Smith, fourth grade; Penelope Harrell, fifth grade; Steven Holzinger, seventh grade; and Laura Hartmus, eighth grade. Not pictured is Adam Holzinger, sixth grade.

Representatives from the Roanoke Volunteer Fire Department accept a donation from representatives from the Cottage Event Center on Monday, April 9, at Bippus State Bank, in Roanoke. Pictured are (from left) Ryan Carroll and Layne Neal, firefighters, Roanoke Volunteer Fire Department; and Jim Amstutz and Gale Mann, co-owners, Cottage Event Center. The donated funds were raised at a benefit for the fire department that was held recently at the Cottage Event Center.

Students at Huntington Catholic School celebrated their April birthdays by donating books to the school library, as is customary at the school. Pictured are (from left) Ethan Fowerbaugh, first grade; Jesus Mendoza and Mia Mendoza, both third grade; and Ellen Rorick, sixth grade. The school recognized the students on Friday, April 6, during an all-school liturgy at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

The community is invited to give blood in memory of Heath Bumgarner and William Kane Krinn, two local Norwell High School teens who lost their lives, at a special blood drive held in their honor on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Norwell High School, 1100 U.S.-224, Ossian.

This is the third blood drive held in their memory. The previous drives have brought in more than 150 donations. This upcoming blood drive could add to that number and bring the total donations in their names to over 250.

St. Peter’s First Community Church Men’s Team will have an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday, April 14, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church.

The event is open to the community. A free will offering will be accepted for the meal. Proceeds will benefit the church’s tuck-pointing fund.

The church is located at 206 Etna Ave., Huntington.

The monthly Salamonie Senior Luncheon will be held Monday, May 7, at the Salamonie Lake Interpretive Center. Senior luncheons are open to anyone age 50 or older.

The guest speaker, Simon Brainerd, will present, “Wild Flowers and Edibles.”

The program begins with a carry-in meal at noon.

A sloppy Joe main dish will be provided. Guests should bring a side dish to share, a beverage and their own table service.

A small donation will be accepted.

Reservations can be made by calling 468-2127.

Ecolab, a global provider of water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, announced plans on Tuesday, April 10, to expand its operations, investing $4.5 million at its Huntington plant.

The Minnesota-based company, which manufactures soaps, sanitizers and cleaners in Huntington, will invest in new equipment at its 150,000-square-foot facility at 970 E. Tipton St. Ecolab will upgrade its production machinery, which is scheduled to be operational this month, enabling the company to phase in a new product line.

The public is invited to the Huntington County Council on Aging’s inaugural Senior Talent Show featuring local Huntington talent, on Friday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center, 500 MacGahan St., Huntington.

Master of Ceremonies will be local actor and funny man David Dean Sr. Acts include seniors in high school or college and Senior Citizens.

The Solid Rock United Methodist Church Men’s Fellowship will hold an East of Chicago Pizza fund-raiser in Warren on Tuesday, April 17, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the event, including all tips, will be go toward local mission projects.

East of Chicago Pizza is located at 111 E. 1st St., Warren.

Huntington North High School will once again host its annual Operation Safe Prom, an event designed to remind students about the importance of making safe and responsible decisions.

Operation Safe Prom will be held in the west parking lot on the campus of Huntington North High School on Friday, April 27, at 10:15 a.m.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of the Operation Safe Prom event being dedicated to Buddy Brennan, a strong advocate who dedicated much time and many resources to the Huntington community and its youth.

Huntington County Community Schools administrators and area law enforcement assured more than 100 people on Tuesday night that they are doing their absolute best to protect students in HCCSC schools, and have been doing so for several years now.

Speaking at a school safety town hall meeting at Huntington North High School, administrators and police outlined for the community what they have been doing to protect students in light of several school shootings that have happened throughout the country in recent years.

The Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County has added four new Safe Place sites in Huntington County.

The sites will be located in the county’s four Bippus State Bank locations. Two of the locations are in Huntington while the other two are in Roanoke and Warren, respectively.

“We are excited to be a part of the Safe Place program and offer our assistance to youth in need,” said Adam Fussleman, vice president of Bippus State Bank.

Cheryl Jarrett (standing, at left) and Andy Ambriole (right) of the Huntington County Soil and Water Conservation District, talk to elementary school students about the benefits of soil and the effects of erosion during the county’s annual Ag Day, held at the Huntington County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, April 3. Children moved from station to station as they learned about different aspects of agriculture.

This picture, depicting the “Snow of 1912,” shows a snow-blanketed downtown Huntington on the west side of Jefferson Street between Franklin and Market streets. The photograph was donated to the Huntington County Historical Museum by the late McCabe Day.

Andrews Elementary School has recognized students who achieved perfect attendance during the third quarter of the 2017-18 school year.

They are:

Fifth grade
Bailey Davis, Owen Follis, Jersey Hacker, Luke Helvie, Brooke Hysong, Lillian Schoppman, Katie Shockley, Cydnie Slusser, Autumn Turner and Gracie Zartman.