Showtime! Wells County

Monday, August 24, 2009

Revised September Line-up At Brew Ha!

The Brew Ha! has made some changes to its entertainment schedule for the coming month (yes, its almost September already!). The calendar now reads as follows:

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 - Open mic night from 7 to 9 p.m. (sign up at The Brew Ha! - mic, speaker and mixer/amp available - Musicians and Poets welcome)

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 - Alex Mendez performs from 7 to 9 p.m. Note that this is also the opening night of Ossian Days so you can go to the Revitalization Pork Chop Dinner 4:30 to 7 p.m. then come down and listen to Alex. Pork Chop Tickets are available at The Brew Ha!

Friday, Sept. 18 - Kyle Hinshaw performs his music from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Travel with Wells County resident Paul Sell on "An Alaskan Adventure". Paul will discuss and show a DVD of his recent trip to Alaska. This is one of many trips and Paul is very knowledgeable about the state. He will also be available for book signings.

And don't forget, the Brew Ha! has euchre every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Brew Ha! will be closed on Sunday and Monday Labor Day weekend.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Wells County Candidates Sweep Princess Wildcat Pageant




Candidates from Wells County upstaged their Huntington County rivals in all three age groups of the Princess Wildcat Pageant.

Juliana Small was named "Little Miss Wildcat", while Emily Zeddis took the honors in an all Wells County "Junior Miss Wildcat" division. The "Princess Wildcat" crown for 2009 went to Sarah Spaulding.

Pictured above are Emily, Sarah and Juliana.

Also pictured above is the Little Big Band, which entertained diners as they waited for the official part of Friday evening's program to begin. The theme for this year's festival is "Music Thru the decades", and the Little Big Band provided a taste of the sounds that were popular during the 1940s big band era.

See Saturday's News-Banner for the full roundup from Friday evening.

Strike Up The Band!






Band competition season is almost upon us, and we will be including any information and results involving Wells County bands on our Showtime Web site.

Thanks to Tomi Harrison for these initial photos from the Norwell Summer Band Camp showing Chelly the drum major, the drummers, the color guard and the band. Norwell's full schedule for the compeittion season is as follows:

Sept. 12, 2009 - Ossian Days Parade and Bluffton "On the Banks of the Wabash" Competition
Sept. 19, 2009 - Invitational at DeKalb High School (subject to change)
Sept. 26, 2009 - Norwell Invitational (at Norwell)
Oct. 3, 2009 - District Competition at Homestead High School
Oct. 10, 2009 - Invitational at Plymouth High School (subject to change)
Oct. 17, 2009 - Regional Competition at Chesterton High School (subject to qualification from Oct. 3)
Oct. 24, 2009 - Semi-State Competition at Pike High School (subject to qualification from Oct. 17)
Oct. 31, 2009 - State Competition at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis (subject to qualification from Oct. 24)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Musical Entertainment Schedule for Wildcat Festival

The 2009 Markle Wildcat Festival is subtitled “Music Thru The Decades”, and a wide variety of bands and other musical acts will perform over the course of the weekend - and Friday evening and Saturday in particular.

On Friday evening, from 5:30 p.m., while a pulled pork dinner sponsored by the MarkleBank is being served the Little Big Band will perform sounds of the 1940’s big band music. (Tickets for the dinner can be purchased in advance at MarkleBank, and cost $5.) The band contains four saxophones, two trumpets, two trombones, piano, brass, vocalist and drums, and will play a variety of music from Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie and swing tunes by Louie Prima.

(Don't forget the announcements of the Princess Wildcat pageant winners, along with the naming of the Markle Grouches at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening!)

From 8 p.m., the Bel Airs will present an evening of rock-a-billy music. The five-piece band has been playing steadily for over 20 years and are internationally distributed recording artists on The Mystery train recording label. The style was born out of the 1950s, with originators including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee lewis.

Saturday's musical program commences at noon on the festival stage, and runs through the afternoon and evening as follows:

— From noon the Brown family will perform classic big band songs.

— 1:15 p.m. “Music Americana” (Rich McConnell and Rick Henly) will perform historical music from 1700 to 1865. Formed in 2005, Music Americana has performed across the state for schools, genealogical societies, historical groups, museums, and various festivals. During their performance, McConnell and Henly use period clothing and instruments to enhance the songs and stories.

— 2:30 p.m. Chain-O Lakes Barbershop Chorus will perform.

— 3 p.m. Various guitar studio students will perform, providing a sample of what we will hear musically in future decades.

— 4 p.m. (For a younger audience) Mannequin Angels, comprising Ethan Kattau, Josh Wenning and David Geders will perform.

— 5 p.m. The Todd Harrold Band will perform 70’s style jazz. The Band has been in existence since 1991 and recently won Fort Wayne's "Whatzup" magazine's Whammy Award for Best Jazz Artist for the third year in a row. Performing with Todd will be Matt Collins on keys, Jon Swain on guitar and Will Brown on percussion and vocals.

— 8 p.m. Fatima Washington performs R and B. Washington has performed in France (at the Eiffel Tower in Paris,) Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. On Saturday evening, she adds Markle to her list!

— 9 p.m. Local band The Jones will finish out the evening with classic rock. The band has been together now for almost two years, but the musical experience adds up to over 200 years of playing for the public as band members Alan McCurdy, Bob Manganelli, Charlie Pinkerton, James Helvie, Rick Breemer and Rick Sandshave been playing both individually and as members of numerous other bands over the past 25 years. The Jones are also providing the sound system for the festival.

Throughout the weekend a host of other activities will also be held both at Markle Park and the Markle Pool. Lots for the kids (and adults) to do!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Princess Wildcat Candidates - Sarah Spaulding

Sarah Spaulding competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Sarah is the daughter of Greg and Cheryl Spaulding. She is 18 years old and recently graduated from Southern Wells High School.

Princess Wildcat Contestant - Christa Berry

Christa Berry competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Christa is 16 years old and attends Huntington North High School. She also competed in this pageant last year, and was third runner-up.

Princess Wildcat Contestant - Bethany Smith

Bethany Smith competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Bethany is an eighth grader at Salamonie Middle School in Huntington County. She is 14 years of age.

Princess Wildcat Contestant - Leslie Sagstetter

Leslie Sagstetter competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Leslie is the daughter of James and Brenda Sagstetter. She is 15 years old and attends Norwell High School.

Princess Wildcat Contestant - Elizabeth Small

Elizabeth Small competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Elizabeth is the daughter of James and Melissa Small. She is 14 years old and attends Norwell High School.

Princess Wildcat Contestant - Jessica O'Reilly

Jessica O'Reilly, competes in the Princess Wildcat pageant last Sunday evening.

Jessica is the daughter of Tim and Rhonda O'Reilly. She is 17 years old and attends Norwell High School.

Princess Wildcat Contestants


There are six contestants in this year's Princess Wildcat competition, with four from Wells County.

Pictured, from left, are Jessica O'Reilly (17), Elizabeth Small (14), Leslie Sagstetter (15), Bethany Smith (14), Sarah Spaulding (18) and Christa Berry (16).

Jessica, Elizabeth and Leslie all attend Norwell High School, while Sarah has just graduated from Southern Wells.

Last year's "Princess Wildcat" was Norwell's Mallory Elmore. Christa also contested that event and was third runner-up.

Junior Miss Wildcat Contestant - Chandra Crago

Chandra Crago competes in the Junior Miss Wildcat pageant Sunday evening.

Junior Miss Wildcat Contestant - Emily Zeddis

Emily Zeddis competes in the Junior Miss Wildcat pageant Sunday evening.

Introducing the Junior Miss Wildcat Contestants


There are two contestants in the Junior Miss Wildcat pageant this year. Pictured, from left, they are Chandra Crago and Emily Zeddis. Both are from Wells County.

Chandra, age 11, is the daughter of Chad and Tina Crago. She attends Norwell Middle School. Chandra was first runner-up in this contest last year.

Emily, age 9, is the daughter of Rod and Brenda Zeddis. She attends Lancaster Elementary. Emily was second runner-up in the Little Miss Wildcat division last year.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates - Julianna Small

Juliana Small, age 7, competes in the Little Miss Wildcat pageant Sunday evening.

Julianna is the lone Wells County entrant in this division. She is the daughter of James and Melissa Small and attends Lancaster Elementary.

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates - Madison Herstad

Madison Herstad, age 5, competes in the Little Miss Wildcat pageant last Sunday.

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates - Lily Clanin

Lily Clanin, age 6, competes in the Little Miss Wildcat pageant last Sunday.

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates - Delaney Bates

Delaney Bates, age 8, competes in the Little Miss Wildcat pageant.

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates - Megan Ormiston

Megan Ormiston, aged 5, competes in the Little Miss Wildcat pageant Sunday evening.

Little Miss Wildcat Candidates


There are five contestants in this year's "Little Miss Wildcat" division.

Pictured, from left, are Megan Ormiston (age 5), Delaney Bates (8), Lily Clanin (6), Madison Herstad (5) and Julianna Small (7).

Of the five, only Julianna is from Wells County. She is the daughter of James and Melissa Small, and attends Lancaster Elementary.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Princess Wildcat Scholarship Pageant Signals Start to Wildcat Festival


The opening event for the 2009 Markle Wildcat Festival took the stage Sunday evening at the Markle Church of Christ, as contestants in the Miss Wildcat Pageant strutted their stuff for the judges.

We will feature each of the three age groups as the week progresses. (And also check out some of the musicians performing at the festival).

All 13 contestants are pictured above. Front row, from left, Little Miss Wildat entrants Megan Ormiston, Delaney Bates, Lily Clanin, Madison Herstad and Juliana Small. Middle row, from left, Junior Miss Wildcat entrants Chandra Craigo and Emily Zeddis. Back row, from left, Princess Wildcat contestants Jessica O'Reilly, Elizabeth Small, Leslie Sagstetter, Bethany Smith, Sarah Spaulding and Christa Berry.

The winners in each division will be announced Friday evening (7:30 p.m.) at the official opening of the 2009 Wildcat Festival.

The reigning Princess Wildcat is Mallory Elmore.

Leman Family Display Their Art at Brew Ha!





For the month of August, the Leman family (Jori, Ron and Jaylee - pictured above) are the featured artists. See the News-Banner (Monday, Aug. 17) and also this week's Ossian Journal for the story.

Other events coming up at the Brew Ha! include:

Friday, Aug. 21 - Eric Mendez and Friends perform.
Friday, Aug. 28 - Open Mic Night
Sept. 10-12 - Ossian Days
Friday, Sept. 18 - Kyle Hinshaw performs
Saturday, Sept. 19 - Paul Sell presents an Alaskan Travelog

Monday, August 10, 2009

The Brew Ha! Presents: The Leman Family

In August the Brew Ha! in Ossian will be showing art work from the Leman family: Ron Leman and his two daughters Jaylee and Jori.

Ron has an art degree from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne and has worked as a commercial artist for 25 years; Jaylee is a recent Norwell graduate who uses bold strokes of paint and vibrant colors to create very beautiful paintings; Jori is a junior at Norwell with a talent for painting and photography.

Their work will be on display for the month of August at the Brew Ha! The public is welcome at an open house event at Brew Ha! on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Art work will be for sale at that time.