Fall Festival ... Corn Country Fun

Wholesome fun. That’s what the annual Francesville Fall Festival is all about as it draws families and friends together to celebrate pride in their community.

As always, blue skies and autumn sunshine prevailed as festival visitors enjoyed the three-day event, featuring pancake, pork chop and chicken dinners, plus a baked goods contest, talent show,cornhole tournaments, a parade and fireworks. In addition there were craft booths and carnival foods and games, plus street dancing, a car show and a variety of performed entertainment.

The good times and memories make the year-long planning and hard work worth it all. The first Fall Festival was held in 1967. All proceeds are used to fund the next year’s festival and for other community development projects.

To learn more about the the festival, visit the festival’s website at www.francesvillefallfestival.com.

 

FRANCESVILLE FALL FESTIVAL GRAND MARSHALS

Kenneth and Jeanetta Davis

MASTER KRACKER JACK & MISS KANDY KORN

Kyle Gibson and Bailey Jo Fleming

 

PARADE WINNERS

Antique car - Ed Gutwein
Motorized Unit – Kersting’s Motorcycle Museum
Holiday Theme - Class of 1971
Judge’s Choice - Ralph Tanner’s Dump truck
Novelty – Feugway Sprint Car
Commercial- NV Salon- Francesville
Patriotic - American Legion
Agriculture - Richard Lowry
Corn Theme - PulaskiPost.com
Religious – St. John’s United Church of Christ-Medaryville
Marching Unit – Boy Scouts
GRAND CHAMPION: Nate Gutwein
 
CHICKEN BINGO WINNERS
Kyle Gibson – Medaryville
Mark Haring –Francesville
Charmi Bishop- Francesville
Kathy Bisping- Joliet, Illinois
Sandy Conroy – Monon
 

"FRANCESVILLE'S GOT TALENT" WINNERS

Youth: (all of these winners are students of Tammy Craig of Studio 425 of Monon)
First Place: (group of three sixth-graders from North White - Carly Conwell, Marena Garrett and Sidnie Lewis)  performed song and dance routine - Rocky Top.
Second Place: NeVaeh VanVoorst- third grader at Monon Elementary.  She performed Spoonful of Sugar.
Third Place: Brandt Carmichael - sixth-grader at North White - piano and vocal Let it Be.

Adult:
First Place: sisters Alyssa and Lindsey Braun, both gradutes of West Central  vocal duet.
Second Place: Amber Quaife--Senior at North Judson H.S. Vocal solo - Cowboy Cassanova.
Third Place: Tylor Pack and Tyler Nedza - students at West Central H.S.  Guitar and vocal duet - Never Shout Never.

 

FALL FESTIVAL VEGETABLE CONTEST

Squash: 1st - Vivian Hibbs, 2nd - Margaret Gudeman

Watermelon: 1st - Donna Putt 25 lbs., 2nd Sarah Johns 20 lbs.

Corn: Longest Ear - 1st Nathan Thompson 10-5/8 inches, 2nd Jaden Erb 10-1/8 inches; Most Rows - 1st Jaden Erb 20, 2nd Scott Thompson 18

Popcorn: 1st Maddox-Landon-Kelsy Gutwein 9 inches, 2nd Kate Federer 8-1/4 inches

Onions: 1st Margarent Gudeman

Peppers: Banana - 1st Bryce Treadway, Cayenne -  2nd Bryce Treadway

Green Peppers: 1st Donna Putt, 2nd Catherine Hahn

Sweet Potatoes: 1st Catherine Hahn 2 lbs, 2nd Bryce Treadway 14 oz.

Okra: 1st Leona Utterback

Sunflower Heads: 1st Bryce Treadway 17, 2nd NathanThompson 16

Sunflower Stalks: 1st Nathan Thompson 13'9", 2nd Bryce Treadway 11 '5"

Indian Corn: 1st Nathan Thompson, 2nd Alex & Carter Lewark

 

FESTIVAL RAFFLE WINNERS

Raffle gift items were generously donated to the Festival as a fund-raiser are as follows:

John Deere Clock, donated by David Parish, won by Donna Luse of Monon.

John Deere toy tractor, donated by David Parish, won by Don Johns, Jr.

Beauty Basket, donated by Lori Miller, JV Salon, Beyond Hair, New Attitudes, Nuttin but Nails, Fagen’s Pharmacy.

Ice Cream parlor set, donated by Schlatters, Inc., won by Norma Smidler of Monticello.

Turner Doll, donated by Virginia Ehrlich Turner, won by Nina Davis.

Fall Harvest Lamp, donated by CD Embroidery, won by Judy Gerard of Lafayette.

Hooded Sweatshirt donated by CD Embroidery, won by Joyce Mullins of Medaryville.

Popcorn Basket, donated by Gutwein Popcorn Inc., won by Cathy Disinger.

Gas Cards, donated by Family Express, won by Jody Flotow, Francesville; Andy Mendoza of Merrillville; A. Strole, Rensselaer; Joyce Mullina, Medaryville.

  

 

 

  
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Local News Briefs

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours May 7 in Medaryville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County May 7, in Medaryville.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in May to assist constituents with casework questions.

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

  

Indiana News

Indiana State Parks offer free admission May 4 for ‘Welcome Weekend’

INDIANAPOLIS - Celebrate the start of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties Sunday, May 4, the second day of “Welcome Weekend” and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.

Find an Indiana State Parks property and what’s new there at on.IN.gov/stateparks. If you’ve never visited, on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome offers helpful tips. 

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546. 

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker