October 27, 2008

Stucky-Henderson Duo to Perform November 7 at Heritage Hall


The Stucky-Henderson Duo will perform at Heritage Hall on Main Street in Rising Sun on Friday November 7 at 7pm. The program will consist of minstrels, spirituals and ballads. The concert is free.

Mary Henderson , Professor of Voice and head of the Voice Department at the College-Conservatory of Music, CCM, of the University of Cincinnati, studied at the Eastman School of Music and at the University of Cologne. She has sang operatic roles in theaters in Hagen, Germany; in Bern, Switzerland; and in Gent, Belgium. As a recitalist she has appeared at the Cleveland Art Song Festival and at the Syracuse University Summer Program in Switzerland, where she was also a faculty member. She is co-director of the Institute for Advanced Vocal Studies in Paris and has recorded for Centaur records, Vienna Modern Masters and Fleur de Son Classics.

Rodney Stucky, co-director of the Early Music Lab at CCM and head of classical guitar studies in CCM’s Preparatory Department, has performed throughout the United States, Central America, and South America as classical guitarist, baroque guitarist, lutenist and vihuelist. His performances include appearances in New York at the Cloisters with the Dupont Circle Consortium and in Washington D.C. with the Theater Chamber Players, directed by Leon Fleisher. He is also a member of the early music group, “Apollo’s Cabinet.” He studied guitar with Aaron Shearer at the Peabody Conservatory and has been a leading pioneer in guitar education for young children. Mr. Stucky can be heard on Vienna Modern Masters and Fleur de Son Classics.

Since their debut recital in 1991 at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, where they were both faculty members, the Stucky-Henderson Duo has performed often throughout the mid-west and eastern United States. They have also performed at the École Normale de Musique and the Conservatoire Supérieure in Paris, France and at the Caribbean resort, Maroma, in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Their repertoire spans the gamut of 16th century lute and vihuela songs to 20th century music for voice and guitar. They have been active in commissioning and inspiring new works for voice and guitar, one of which was given it’s world premiere at a Guitar Foundation of America International Festival. Mr. Stucky has also published “Five Spirituals” for voice and guitar through Southern Music. They have been featured on WGUC in Cincinnati and KFUO in St. Louis and have recorded for Fleur de Son Classics.

October 7, 2008

Belterra Sponsors "Area's Largest Holiday Party"

"Area's Largest Holiday Party"

$10 Free Slot Play Per Guest Ask for Details
777 Belterra Drive, Florence, Indiana 47020

Date: Friday December 12th
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Dinner: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Entertainment: 8:30pm - 11:00pm

*Entertainment will be a combination of our own “Ladies & Gents” and other outside entertainment with dancing.

Dinner Menu

Salads:
Mixed Field Greens with Chef’s Assortment of Dressings
Baked Potato Salad with Sour Cream, Chives, and Smoked Bacon
Dilled Cucumber Salad with Baby Shrimp

Entrees:
Bourbon and Maple Glazed Yams
Black Pepper Mashed Potatoes and Giblet Gravy
Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions
Oven Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar/Butter
Grilled Chicken Breast with Wild Mushroom Cream
Herb Seared Salmon with Chive Butter
Sliced Roast Sirloin with Cabernet Demi
Roast Honey Baked Ham with Mustards – with Carver

Desserts:
Bananas Foster Action Station
Assorted Homemade Mini Cheesecakes

Individual ticket price:
$45.00 per person inclusive (Cash Bar)
Table of eight:
$320.00 or $40.00 per person inclusive (Cash Bar)

**Special Hotel Rates for Dinner Party Guests**
Deluxe MT $99 * Classic WT $79
(12% Tax not included)

Reservations that are not canceled at least 72 hours in advance will be nonrefundable.

All reservations for dinner and hotel rooms are required to go through Raschel
Bovard. Please call 812-427-7841 or email rabovard@belterracasino.com.

**MUST BE 21 TO PARTICIPATE**

October 3, 2008

Navy Bean Schedule

The following is the complete schedule for the two-day festival:

Friday, October 10

5:30-6:00 p.m. Opening ceremony by American Legion – Riverfront Flag Pole
5:45-6:00 p.m. Presentation of Festival Queen and Courts – Pavilion
6:30-8:00 p.m. Bean Sprout Princess Pageant – Heritage Hall
5:30-9:00 p.m. Kids Zone – Free Activities for children - Pavilion
Ohio County Health Department – “Ducks in the Fountain”
Comedy and balloon art with Chris “The Bassmeister” Strutz
6:00-7:45 p.m. Kristin Leigh (Contemporary Christian music) – Main stage
8:00-10:00 p.m. The Kentucky Headhunters – Main Stage

Saturday, October 11

10:30 a.m. Navy Bean Festival Parade along Main Street & Walnut Streets
11:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony by American Legion – Riverfront Flag Pole
12:00-1:00 p.m. Pumpkin Painting Contest – Riverfront Shelter
Presented by Historic Downtown Program – Call 438-2750
12:00-8:00 p.m. Strolling Accordionist - James Bello Muciarelli
TBA Corn Hole Tournament – Ohio Co. River Cats Booth
Presented by the Ohio Valley River Cats – Call
12:00 Bean-E Baby Contest – Heritage Hall
12:00 p.m. Jamon Zeiler – Main Stage
12:40 p.m. Terry Lee & the Rock-a Boogie Band – Main Stage
1:00-5:00 p.m. Kids Zone – Free Activities by local organizations for Children – Pavilion
Extreme Face Painting-Noon-1:00p.m. and 3:30-4:30p.m.
Extreme Magic Show – 1:15pm
Comedy Show-“The Bassmeister”2:30-3:30p.m.
2:30 p.m. Acoustica – Main Stage
4:00 p.m. Sierra Shame – Main Stage
5:45 p.m. Little Texas – Main Stage
7:30 p.m. Battle of the Bands – Main Stage

September 29, 2008

Generous Donation for Endowment Fund from John Mellencamp (Revised)

National musician/artist/philanthropist John Mellencamp has agreed to donate specially made (each 1 of 1) prints signed by Mr. Mellencamp to the Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund, with the painting to be used as a prize for a fundraising raffle held by the Fund. Mr. Mellencamp’s paintings have been exhibited in numerous galleries and in 1998 he published Mellencamp: Paintings and Reflections, a book of his paintings and photographs (with all profits from the publication donated to charity). The specific painting to be donated to the Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund has not yet been disclosed. The raffle supporting the Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund will be held over the course of two days, October 10 and 11, as part of the Navy Bean Festival in Rising Sun, Indiana.

The Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund was created to honor the life and memory of Vicki Mauricio Dilts, a local teacher and supporter of the fine arts who passed away in 1999. The Fund’s goal is to support the fine arts, with emphasis on early childhood appreciation. The Fund has supported an arts integration program at the Rising Sun Middle School for the past five years, and soon hopes to expand into other areas.

The Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund is administered by the Ohio County Community Foundation (“OCCF”). All contributions to the fund are permanently endowed and invested by OCCF. Only the interest from the funds is distributed, allowing the funds to grow indefinitely. Contributions to the funds increase the capacity for the funds to impact the community through future grant distributions.

Anyone can contribute to funds administered by OCCF by sending a gift to: Ohio County Community Foundation, PO Box 170, Rising Sun, IN 47040. Please identify the fund to which you would like to apply your donation. Gifts may be made in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one. Donations to OCCF-administered funds are tax deductible in most cases.

For more information concerning the Navy Bean Festival, please contact Karrah Miller at the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce at 812-438-3130. For information concerning the Vicki Mauricio Dilts Endowment Fund, please contact the Fund’s advisor, Jeremy Dilts, at 812-322-7334.

August 21, 2008

The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs are coming to Rising Sun!

The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs are coming to Rising Sun! And, on September 5th we'll all be dancing a jig and eatin' apple pie in the streets!

In conjunction with the First Friday Gallery opening at the Pendleton Art Center in Rising Sun, The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs , Cincinnati's premier Jug Band will be performing at the Heritage Hall on Main Street. The Dancing Pigs have been around since the early years of the Rolling Stones, have lasted longer than the Beatles, and have more living members than the Grateful Dead. In the Cincinnati Enquirer, they were once compared to the Julliard String Quartet, although not favorably. They have played at every Tall Stacks, at the Cincinnati Bicentennial Celebration, for the runners in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, many times in the summer concert series in Eden Park, for the Cincinnati Art Museum, for a sit down dinner on the observation deck of the Carew Tower, and in many bars, back yards and living rooms throughout the area.

Band members have also agreed to be judges of our Apple Pie Baking Contest and will participate in a Youth Folk Art Percussion Instrument Workshop at the Pendleton Art Academy that same day. Details below:

Friday, September 5

Folk Art Percussion Instrument Youth Workshop: 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Creation of folk-based musical instruments, such as drums and shakers, taught by Jamon Zeiler, and discussion on how music has influenced our culture and the desire to explore sound. Students will build their own instruments, practice together as a group, then perform a selection later with the Cincinnati Dancing Pigs at the Heritage Hall. Free admission, but space is limited to the first 12 students aged 6-10 who apply.

Apple Pie Baking Contest: 5:00 p.m. Judging
Open to the general public; all entries must be received at the Pendleton Art Center, 201 Main Street, on 9/5 by 3:00 p.m. to be eligible for judging at 5:00 p.m. Members of the Cincinnati Dancing Pigs Jug Band will be judges, with cash prizes awarded by Ohio County Tourism...
$150 for 1st Place, $100 for 2nd Place, and $50 for Third Place.
Official entry forms available at the Tourism Office and at the Pendleton Art Center.

Pendleton Art Center - Town & Country Renditions: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Studios at the Pendleton Art Center are open to the public allowing guests the opportunity to view creative art space and purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from the artists. Free Admission.

Youth Musical Performance: 6:30 p.m.
Students from the earlier Workshop will perform a selection in the Pendleton Art Center Main Gallery, then parade across Main Street to Heritage Hall to join the Cincinnati Dancing Pigs.

Cincinnati Dancing Pigs: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Free performance for the general public in Rising Sun's Heritage Hall on Main Street.

Call Rising Sun Tourism for more information at 812-438-4933 and to get an Apple Pie Contest entry form!

August 5, 2008

Art in the Garden

An introduction to mosaic techniques

Art in the Garden workshop will be held at the Rising Sun Art Academy in the Pendleton Art Center 201 Main Street Rising Sun Indiana August 9 and 16, 10am to 2pm. The class cost is $25.00 plus a $15.00 material cost.


Students will learn the ancient decorative technique of mosaics. We will explore the possibilities of this versatile medium using glass tiles on both two and three dimensional surfaces to create

glistening objects to adorn the garden. The class will focus on the importance of a design plan, color choices and the use of materials that will be durable in an exterior environment.


The projects will include the creation of a 12x12 stepping stone, a flower pot, a sun catcher made form glass block, or a finial that may be used as an architectural element. All materials are included but students may choose to bring an object of their choice for the project. Class size will be limited to twelve students.


This workshop is sponsored by Ohio County Tourism and a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.


Call Ohio County Tourism at 888-776-4786 for more information.

June 24, 2008

Fire in the Dawn Rocks The Riverfront


Rising Sun, Indiana, June 24, 2008 — Dawn Parish and Marvin Parish ("Fire in the Dawn") will perform on the Summer Serenades stage this Saturday Night (June 28, 2008) at 6:30 p.m at the foot of Main Street in Rising Sun.

Bring a lawn chair or soft blanket to enjoy the free concert with the beautiful Ohio River as the backdrop. More info at www.enjoyrisingsun.com.

Summer Serenades is a joint project of the Rising Sun - Ohio County Chamber of Commerce, Rising Sun/Ohio County Tourism, and the Rising Sun Historic Downtown Program. It is sponsored by a grant from the City of Rising Sun. There will be a free concert every Saturday Night from June to September on the river stage at the foot of Main Street.

““The Summer is for Fun in Rising Sun””

June 8, 2008

PUPPET THEATRE PERFORMANCE

YOU ARE INVITED...

There will be a Puppet Theatre performance at the Heritage Hall in Rising Sun on Saturday, June 14th, at 3:00p.m. The children from the Puppet Theatre Workshops at the Pendleton Art Academy will be performing.

Workshop facilitator and teacher, Karie Gipson of Giggle Box Productions, is a passionate child educator with a background in children's puppet theatre and children's education. Karie was an actor/director/ consultant for Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre in Cincinnati; and has a BA in Theater from Wilmington College in Ohio.

And, Saturday, June 14th is Flag Day! So, we're sure to see a creative patriotic rendition to celebrate the day. Children, ages 5-12, from the workshops have written the story, prepared costumes, created puppets, and prepared staging for their one-time performance at Heritage Hall. The renovated former Presbyterian Church on Main Street officially opened in May with a grand gala... and this will be the first public event held at the Heritage Hall. It's a beautiful venue... air conditioned, handicap accessible, and with some of the most beautiful stained glass windows around.

Adult tickets are $4 for the performance. Kids are free. Refreshments will be served. Come with your "red, white, and blue" to show your support!

Sponsored by the Ohio County Tourism and a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Call Ohio County Tourism at 812-438-4933 for more information.
Bailey and Casey Baker, Lucy Carrigan, Katelyn, Krystyn and Kylee Cromer,
Joe Curtsinger, Carissa Griffin, Jenna Nobbe, Sara, Ben, and Sabrina Schnetzer,
Sara and Whitney Smart, Emma Taylor, Justis White; with Karie Gipson

June 4, 2008

JAMON ZEILER HEADLINES SUMMER SERENADES CONCERT SERIES


Rising Sun, Indiana, June 4, 2008 — Jamon Zeiler takes centerstage at Summer Serenades 2008 this Saturday night (June 7, 2008) at 6:30 p.m on the river stage at the foot of Main Street in Rising Sun.

Jamon has been playing music since the age of eight years old. He has traveled near and far in his career bringing his music to whoever would listen. Jim Ed Norman once president of Warner Bros Nashville said" Jamon has soft soothing voice with a strong delivery". His influences are Duane Allman, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor to name a few. He has expanded his music career as well, about sixteen years ago Jamon began building custom acoustic guitars and today makes about Eight custom instruments a year and continues to travel and perform.

Bring a lawn chair or soft blanket to enjoy the free concert with the beautiful Ohio River as the backdrop. More info at www.enjoyrisingsun.com.

Summer Serenades is a joint project of the Rising Sun - Ohio County Chamber of Commerce, Rising Sun/Ohio County Tourism, and the Rising Sun Historic Downtown Program. It is sponsored by a grant from the City of Rising Sun. There will be a free concert every Saturday Night from June to September on the river stage at the foot of Main Street.

““The Summer is for Fun in Rising Sun””

May 29, 2008

It's Time For River Sweep!


Please join the Boy Scouts of America Troop 605, Order of the Arrow Wazi Yata Chapter members and your fellow community members on Saturday, June 21st, in downtown Rising Sun from 8:30 AM to Noon for some sun, fun and fellowship while helping our environment! Participation includes lunch (in Rising Sun) and a T-shirt (while they last).
To sign up, e-mail me at abarce@aep.com or armandarce@hotmail.com. For other areas along the river (such as Aurora, Lawrenceburg, Madison, etc.) call 1-800-359-3977.

River Sweep is a riverbank cleanup of the Ohio River and its tributaries. River Sweep encompasses the entire length of the river, from its origin in at Pittsburgh to its end at Cairo, IL including 1,962 miles of shoreline and many tributaries.

Riversweep is a great tradition. It keeps the area healthy and clean, so get out there and do your part to help the environment!

May 23, 2008

Free Puppet Workshop for kids 5-12 held at Pendleton Art Center

Kids 5-12 years old will have fun at a free puppet workshop conducted by Karie Gipson of Giggle Box in Cincinnati. Two Saturday sessions June 7 and 14 will be held from 9am to 2pm at the new Rising Sun Art Academy in the Pendleton Art Center 201 Main Street Rising Sun.

Workshop teacher Karie Gipson was an actor/director and consultant for Madcap Productions Puppet Theater in Cincinnati Ohio and has a BA in theater from Wilmington College in Ohio.

Participants will create puppets and costumes, write the story for performance, and prepare staging and practice.

There will be a public performance at 3pm in Heritage Hall, Main Street, Rising Sun on June 14. Adult tickets are $4. Kids are free.

Participants should bring a bag lunch/snacks and drink to the workshop. Also, empty paper towel rolls, tissue paper rolls, pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, etc for creating costumes.

Space is limited. To register call Ohio County Tourism at 438-4933.

This program is sponsored by Ohio County Tourism and a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

New Rising Sun Arts Academy Announces Summer Camp for Kids

Summer Art Camp will be held for three weeks in June beginning June 9 culminating in a student art show on June 27th. All classes and the Art Show will be held at the Pendleton Art Center 201 Main Street in Rising Sun. Each week is a different session and students may sign up for 1,2 or 3 weeks. Sessions will be held from 9-11am for students ages 5, 6, and 7 and 1-3:30 pm for ages 8, 9 and 10.

Rising Sun Arts Academy Summer Camp will focus on instruction that builds fundamental skills in the visual arts and fosters creativity in both two and three dimensional art.

Our local professional instructors and interns will teach art and self-expression through a program known as Progressive Skills Building. Classes include drawing, painting and sculpture. The Camp Administrator is local artist Andrea Grimsley.

Classes include
Class Session A: Students 5,6, and 7
June 9-12, 9-11am
Students will work on drawing skills with colored pencil and crayons. Painting with finger paint and tempura to create life sized self portraits and learn color mixing.
June 16-19
Students will work with clay and will make sculptures and mobiles from found objects.
June 23-26
Students will experiment with creating textures through simple printing techniques to create books, hats and puppets with paper.

Class Session B: Students 8, 9 and 10
June 9-12, 1:00-3:30pm
Students will draw, paint and use collage to create a variety of books featuring their art works.
June 16-19
Students will sculpt with clay and recycled materials to create a variety of 3-D works of art.
June 23-26
Students will explore a variety of painting and printing methods to create works of art.

Classes are $25 per week which includes materials and snacks.
There are discounts for multiple week registrations and siblings attending during the same weeks. Some scholarships are available.

This summer camp is the first project of the newly formed Rising Sun Arts Academy. The academy is funded by the Rising Sun Regional Foundation and Ohio County Tourism through a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
For more information please call Ohio County Tourism at 438-4933 or toll free 888-776-4786.

May 21, 2008

STRANGE ON DISPLAY BEGINS SUMMER SERENADES CONCERT SERIES

Rising Sun, Indiana, May 21, 2008 — Summer Serenades 2008 kicks off on Saturday night (May 31, 2008) at 6:30 p.m on the river stage at the foot of Main Street in Rising Sun with the sounds of the Aurora, Indiana based band; Strange on Display. The Band formed in April 2004 when Jimmy Wenstrup, Matt McIntosh, and Mike Dittmer all decided to start a band in the 8th grade at SDMS. They had all been in various bands throughout the years, but they all ended up in the same outfit called Strange On Display and later changed to Sleepyhead and then changed back to Strange On Display. After a few roster changes Strange on Display. was officially born. They quickly became popular playing around the Aurora/Lawrenceburg area with other local favorites Muzzy and Not For Blind Kids. They are currently working on their yet untitled second album. Look for it sometime in the next twenty years. Known for their musicianship and energetic live shows Strange on Display will entertain all five senses at once. If you don't believe this is possible go find out for yourselves..

Bring a lawn chair or soft blanket to enjoy the free concert with the beautiful Ohio River as the backdrop. More info at www.enjoyrisingsun.com.

Summer Serenades is a joint project of the Rising Sun - Ohio County Chamber of Commerce, Rising Sun/Ohio County Tourism, and the Rising Sun Historic Downtown Program. It is sponsored by a grant from the City of Rising Sun. There will a free concert every Saturday Night from June to September on the river stage at the foot of Main Street.

““The Summer is for Fun in Rising Sun””

May 12, 2008

Mixed Media: Not Just Another Colored Pencil Class

Reminder from: risingsunindiana's Calendar
Title: Mixed Media: Not Just Another Colored Pencil Class
Date: Saturday May 17, 2008
Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every day until Sunday May 18, 2008.
Location: Pendleton Art Center
Notes: May 17 & 18
Mixed Media: Not Just Another Colored Pencil Class
Carylynne Hershberger/ Kelli Huff Money

Reminder

Reminder from: risingsunindiana's Calendar
Title: Heritage Hall Gala
Date: Friday May 16, 2008
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Heritage Hall - Main Street
Notes: Celebrate the grand opening of Heritage Hall on Main Street in Rising Sun. Dinner ticket required.

April 28, 2008

Civil War Encampment

May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m.

May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The armies of the Blue and Gray will once again take to the battlefield. Only this time it will be in Rising Sun, Indiana, and the outcome does not matter. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with some of the over 100 re-enactors and ask questions of what life was like over 140 years ago.

The Civil War Encampment is presented by the Ohio County Historical Society and will be held at the Shiner Community Park located behind the Ohio County Elementary Middle School. The event will be held on Saturday May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Sunday May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Both days are packed with activities. Besides the battle there will be cannon firing demonstrations, Union and Confederate drills, and musket firing demonstrations. The camps will be open for viewing to see how they would have looked while the soldiers were in the field. The soldiers are available and willing to answer your questions. There will also be a flag and weapons of the time period display.

Of special interest will be Bob Hartsaw who will set up his field photograph studio. He uses reproduction pieces and those of the time period to create photographs like those during the Civil War. There will be period clothing to wear if you desire to have a photograph made for a fee. Mr. Hartsaw loves to talk about the process of making photographs the old way.

The schedule for the day:

Saturday May 3 Sunday May 4

10:00 Camps open 9:00 Camps open

Cannon Firing Demonstration Cannon Firing Demonstrations

10:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops) 9:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops)

11:30 Musket firing demonstrations 10:30 Musket firing demonstrations

12:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration 11:00 Cannon Firing Demonstrion

12:30 Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln 11:30 Abraham & Mary Todd

presentation presentation

1:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle 12:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle

2:00 Battle 1:00 Battle

3:30 Surgeon display 2:30 Surgeon display

Not-for-profits will be selling food throughout the event to raise money for their organizations. The Historical Society will also have a museum store set up with Civil War and local history related items. For more information call 812-438-4915.

This is a FREE event and is sponsored by Rising Sun/Ohio County Park Board, City of Rising Sun, Ohio County Community Foundation, and Rising/Ohio County Tourism.

The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Indiana, 47040) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11-4 Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens, $1.00 for high school students, and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum please call Bill Dichtl at (812) 438-4915.

April 16, 2008

Studio Tour Set For April 26 and 27 in Ohio and Switzerland Counties

The inaugural Creative Spaces Rural Places Studio Tour is set for April 26th and 27th 2008. Ohio and Switzerland Counties open their studios, galleries and shops for a new event celebrating the arts in rural Indiana. Over 40 different artists will show their work in 31 locations to be reviewed, discussed and purchased. The tour will be from 10am until 6pm both days.

The quaint river towns of Rising Sun and Vevay as well as every crossroads and ridge in between are opening their studio doors just for you. This Free tour offers some new and eclectic art works that touch all mediums. Sculpture, paint, glass, fiber, steel, wood, photography, American crafts and instrument design combine for a fabulous palette of talent that reside in these two Southeastern Indiana counties.

Participating artists in Ohio County include: Vera Curnow, colored pencil; Oscar River, photography; William Rees, harp maker; Marsie Rowan, acrylics; Jodie Cole Mullee, pastels; Debi Black, watercolor; Tim Shirack,acrylic on barn wood; Rachel Slick, paper collage; Herb Herrick, oils; Elaine Hess, colored pencil and fused glass; Andrea Grimsley, acrylics and oils; Jamon Zeiler, instrument making; Megan Reis, stained glass; Debby Abrams, pottery; Rosemary Butterbaugh, monotype and Jan West, eclectic sculpture.

Participating artist in Switzerland County include: John Benzing, paint/quilt; Jim Day, sculpture; John Leatherbury, paint; Martha Bladen, floral/jewelry design; Bill Wiseman, woodworking; Donna Cole, pen & ink; Wayne Springer, photography; Jerry Wallin, woodworking; Rick Starker, woodworking; Sarah Headen, paint; Anthony & Mary Christiani, needlework; Tom Adkin, paint; Bud Acton, photography; Meredith Luhrs, sculpture; Pam Acton, photography; Debbie Foster, dolls/quilts; Tony Catanzaro, sculpture; Ann Farnsley, paint/ceramics; Mike Danner, paint; Melodee Stepleton; Fiber, Vickie Althoff, floral design; Debbie Reisenback, paint/jewelry; Dennis Huffman, paint/wood.

Meet the artists, tour their studios, and experience what art means to them and how it has affected their lives. Ohio and Switzerland Counties have many gifted and unique artists, but only once a year can you see them all in one weekend. Don’t miss this rare opportunity, April 26th and 27th from 10am – 6pm.

The Tour is sponsored by the Ohio and Switzerland County Tourism Bureaus.
For more information visit our website www.creativespacesruralplaces.com or call Ohio County Tourism at 438-4933.

April 4, 2008

I Love America Dinner Program

April 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte Battin Productions presents I Love America! A Patriotic show packed full of United States History featuring: Betsy Ross and the first American Flag, the story of the National Anthem, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, famous Americans and facts, preamble to the Constitution, Uncle Sam, poetry, music, and drama.

Battin Productions has presented Freedom Is My Home one-woman drama about the Underground Railroad at the Historical Society on two occasions including this past February. A few years ago Battin Productions presented for the Historical Society the entertaining An Afternoon With Gracie. This program kept the audience laughing.

After joining in the celebration of the Veterans Tribute Tower the previous weekend come and continue celebrating our patriotic history. Don’t miss out on this unique learning experience for all ages.

Cost for the dinner program is $12.00 for members and $15.00 for nonmembers. If you would like to attend the program only (8:00 p.m.) the cost is $3.00 for members and $4.00 for nonmembers. Payment must be received by April 8.

This program is sponsored by Ohio County Community Foundation and the Indiana Arts Commission.

The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Indiana, 47040) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11-4 Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens, $1.00 for high school students, and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum please call Bill Dichtl at (812) 438-4915.

March 27, 2008

Nation’s First Tribute Bell Tower Honoring Veterans to Be Installed in Rising Sun, Indiana


Heart of America Sets Tone to Honor our Past, Present and Future Military Heroes

RISING SUN, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rising Sun, Indiana may only be a few miles long, but this town of 2,400 is making a grand effort in honor of our nations military. On April 4 and 5, the town celebrates the arrival and installation of the nations first Veterans Tribute Bell Tower including a custom-cast, bronze bell weighing 250 pounds. The bell, a unique way to honor past, present and future veterans, will be poured, cast and installed for the entire community to experience.

The Verdin Company will use its one of a kind Bell Foundry on Wheels, a special on-site casting process in which the community helps create the custom bronze bell. Before the cast is made, more than 900 students from Rising Suns only school will take part in an ingot brigade loading 500 pounds of bronze ingots into the 2200 degree furnace. We hope this event will help our children understand the importance of honoring our military service men and women, says Rising Suns Mayor Bill Marksberry. This bell will be a voice for our community in our tributes to honor past, current and future veterans. This is a historic event for a town already rich in history. Rising Sun, founded in 1814, is located in Ohio County one of the five smallest counties in the United States.

The Verdin Company based in Cincinnati, Ohio was founded in 1842 and is one of the oldest family-owned companies in America, spanning six generations. The Verdin family is committed to helping the military and their families, and created the Veterans Tribute Towers as a way to enable communities across the nation to say thanks to their veterans. For each tower sold, Verdin plans to donate a portion of revenue generated to the Commission on the Future of Americas Veterans, a Washington-based nonprofit formed in June 2006 to address the staggering challenges facing 21st century veterans. The 30-foot tall tower stands as a lasting tribute to veterans, says Jim Verdin, president of The Verdin Company. Its also an opportunity to say thank you to veterans in honor of their selfless service to our nation.

Sammy Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War is one of the honored guests for this event. More than 40 years ago, Davis repeatedly risked his life to save his comrades. He is one of only 105 Medal of Honor recipients still living.

Retired Air Force Col. Kurt Lohide, former commander of the 435th Air Base Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany and Rising Sun native, will also be honored. During Col. Lohides distinguished 28 year career, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while participating in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. As the wing commander in Ramstein, Col. Lohide was involved in the repatriation of journalist Jill Carroll following her release from captivity in Iraq.

The two-day Tribute Bell Tower celebration involves the entire community and includes an ingot parade, loading of the bronze ingots, bell pouring and casting. On Saturday, April 5, the town will watch as the bell mold is broken with a large sledgehammer exposing the customized bronze bell for all to see. The Veterans Tribute Bell Tower is made possible by the city of Rising Sun and the Rising Sun Regional Foundation.

Tribute Bell Tower Installation Timeline:

Friday, April 4, 2008
8 a.m.
Ingot Parade: More than 900 local students and area veterans will load 500 pounds of bronze ingots into furnace
2 p.m.
Stack cores and create bell mold
6 p.m.
Bell pouring and casting






Saturday, April 5, 2008
9 a.m.
Bell breakout, grind and polish
Noon
Placement of wreaths
12:30
Caledonia Bagpipers from Cincinnati perform
2 p.m.
Formal Dedication
2:30 p.m.
Wreath drop from plane
2:45 p.m.
First bell ringing by Indiana Veterans

Bell Facts:

  • The furnace can turn 500 pounds of bronze into molten liquid in two to three hours
  • Each bell weighs 250 pounds
  • The bell will ring with the musical note E
  • Bronze metal is a combination of 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin
  • The largest swinging bell in the world is a Verdin Bellthe World Peace Bell in Newport, Ky. It weighs 66,000 pounds and is 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide.

Rising Sun, Indiana is:

  • 45 minutes from Cincinnati,OH
  • 85 minutes from Louisville, KY
  • 85 minutes from Indianapolis, IN

March 19, 2008

Rising Sun’s Veterans Tribute Tower To Honor American Veterans

Organizations Unite to Raise Funds for Strategic Plan

(RISING SUN, Ind.) — When Rising Sun Mayor Bill Marksberry was growing up, the community used to have a Memorial Service near the Ohio river to honor veterans, followed by a parade march to the county courthouse. Now, Rising Sun’s civic leaders are bringing back a bit of that history with a special, new twist to honor U.S. veterans for many years to come.

On April 4 and 5, the nation’s first Veterans Tribute Tower will be installed in Rising Sun. The Tribute Tower honors all the men and women who serve or who have served our country in the Armed Forces. The Veterans Tribute Tower is a project of the Veterans Coalition, the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans and The Verdin Company. The three organizations are partnering to honor American veterans and to raise funds for a new strategic plan that includes a long-term initiative for the health and well-being of veterans.

“We’re proud to be the first in the U.S. It’s just the right thing to do,” said Marksberry. “The city had no monument or designated area for our veterans. What better way to honor our veterans than to put one up on our beautiful riverfront.”

The Rising Sun, Ind., bell tower is just one of many Veterans Tribute Towers to be installed throughout the United States in the next 18 months. The Verdin Company prefabricates the tower, puts in the clocks and then utilizes its one-of-a kind mobile foundry to build each commemorative bell on site. This Verdin Bell Foundry on Wheels is a special, on-site casting in which the community helps create the custom bronze bell. The two-day Rising Sun community event includes an “ingot parade,” loading of the bronze ingots, bell pouring and casting, breaking of the mold, grinding and polishing the bell, and a formal dedication. Other activities honoring veterans are also scheduled.

One of the unique aspects of the on-site casting is the community participation. More than 900 students from Rising Sun’s schools will participate in an “ingot parade” and help load the ingots into the furnace. “Every child can help make it,” added Marksberry. “We hope this will help them to realize what this is all about. It’s all about liberty.”

The Verdin Company designed the Veterans Tribute Tower. For each Tribute Tower sold, the company is donating a portion of the revenue generated to the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans to help with its strategic initiative. They anticipate donating $2.5 million.

These 30-foot tall bell towers will stand as a lasting tribute to honor the memory of past American veterans, to salute our present veterans and to inspire the future of all veterans. “It stands as a reminder that all communities need to ensure that our veterans receive the treatment they deserve,” said Jim Verdin, Verdin president. “It’s also an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to veterans in honor of their selfless service to our nation.”

The Veterans Coalition is a 501(c)(3) Washington-based organization formed in June 2006 to address the staggering challenges facing the 21st century veterans and the need to develop a comprehensive plan for these veterans. The Coalition founded the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans as an independent, autonomous organization to develop a strategic plan for the Department of Veterans Affairs that will ensure our veterans receive the health care and benefits they have earned in service to our country. They hope to present the strategic plan by early summer 2008.

“America wants to say thanks,” said Harry Walters, CEO of the Veterans Coalition and the managing partner of the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans. Walters is a Cincinnati native whose military career included three years as head of the Veterans Affairs (VA). He is concerned with the ongoing welfare of America’s veterans. While at the VA he and his staff created a slogan that still rings true for him. “The slogan was simple, sincere and true,” said Walters. “America is #1 thanks to our Veterans.”

Those sentiments are echoed by Ed Sullivan, Executive Director of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation, the group that partnered with the city of Rising Sun to provide funding for the Veterans Tower. “We thought it was meaningful to do this,” said Sullivan. “It’s important to have a tribute to veterans. It’s a celebration, not a memorial.”

But honoring veterans was only part of the motivation. The partners also liked the idea of helping veterans by contributing to the commission. “They’re setting some significant goals for health and education,” added Sullivan. “We hope this will help improve services for veterans.

It’s a unique fundraising initiative that can make a lasting impact.

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For more information on the Veterans Coalition and the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans visit www.future4vets.org.

COMMUNITY AWARDS ANNOUNCED

COMMUNITY AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Rising Sun, Indiana, March 17, 2008 — The Rising Sun - Ohio County Chamber of Commerce and Historic Downtown Rising Sun are pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Chamber Recognition Awards.

Bobby Joe Keith is the 2007 Citizen of the Year. This award is given to identify, honor and reinforce the activities of exceptional caring citizens whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in Rising Sun and Ohio County. Bobby Joe is an active volunteer in Rising Sun and Ohio County. He has served as a active member of several boards including the Indiana Assessor Association and the Rising Sun Cemetery Association. He is active in the Rising Sun Church of Christ and teaches Sunday School. He his Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party and has served as Ohio County Assessor for over 40 years.

The Chamber of Commerce bestowed this honor because they believe Bobby Joe’s leadership is a positive force and his caring for the community has been exemplary. Bobby Joe is a quiet man with a kind smile who is always ready to give a helping hand.

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made significant personal and professional contributions to the overall well-being of Ohio County youth as a leader, educator or mentor. This year’s recipient is Janie Eldridge, Director of the Denver Siekman Environmental Park. Janie teaches and provides programs which encourage and prepare our children to be caring and informed citizens about their environment and history. She leads nature hikes, has story times with crafts, and teaches learning tree sessions to third graders. She is a trained instructor for Project Learning Tree, The National Wildlife Federation, The American Red Cross, and adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech. Janie is a member of the Park Board, Citizens for a Drug Free Committee and is on the Organization Committee for Historic Downtown.

Her sincerity, generosity, and passion allows her to take every opportunity she can to do improve the well-being of Ohio County Youth.

The 2007 Business Person of the Year is Dan Beyer of Beyer’s Pharmacy. This award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual to the economic vitality of the Rising Sun and Ohio County community. Dan operates an anchor business on Main Street with dependable hours of business. Dan is soft spoken and a hard worker and willingly deals with insurance companies and physician office staff. He show unending concern and patience with his customers. In his capacity as a small town Pharmacist, he has probably helped every family in town dispensing advice along with medicine. He serves as a role model for other businesses and has an established reputation for being an ethical businessperson.

The award winners will be presented plaques in honor of their achievements and will be recognized at the Preservation Day dinner to be held on May 16, 2008 at the newly remodeled Heritage Hall on Main Street. Tickets for the event are available at the Historic Downtown Rising Sun office. Please call 438-3130 or 438-2750 to RSVP for dinner reservations.

The Rising Sun - Ohio County Chamber of Commerce is associated with Rising Sun’s Historic Downtown Program and represents Ohio County's diverse, dynamic business community. The Chamber is working to maintain a healthy economy by bringing business and industry to the area, helping established firms grow and building the community through outreach and service. For additional information, Contact: Chamber President, Lane Siekman at (812) 438-4072