Observer Extras
The links below will help to make the Observer even more useful to you and your family and friends "Archive" gives you access to about one year of past issues of the Observer. You can catch up on something you missed or check on the details of a previous meeting. "Forward" lets you email the current issue of the Observer to anyone you'd like to share it with. Just click on "forward" and enter the email address.
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The Franklin County Observer is a free email news service. At the Observer, we focus our coverage on events and meetings in Franklin County.
Our volunteer staff writers are all Franklin County residents who are committed to factual, impartial news reporting. To subscribe to the Observer, just click on this link and enter your email address.
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The Observer will also help spread the word about events sponsored by community groups and non-profit organizations. You can email The Observer a brief announcement and we will try to publish it on a timely basis. You can help us spread the word too! Just click the "Forward email" button at the bottom and send this message to the people you think should be reading the Observer.
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Canoefest 2016
It was perfect weather and river conditions for 154 paddlers in 64 canoes/kayaks to compete in the 2016 Canoefest races.
Canoefest Princess contestants started the races at the Brookville Lake Tailwater Area. L-R Miss Congeniality Kylie Lea, Canoefest Princess Bella Monroe, 1st Runner-up Rebekah Tinch and 2nd Runner-up Gracey Massey. Not pictured - Katie Harrelson, Chloe Heffron, Autumn Henson and Isabel Rodriguez.
 People gathered along the riverbank in the Brookville Town Park to cheer their friends and to watch the antics as canoers negotiated the rapids.  
Three-time Olympic competitor Roland Muhlen of Cincinnati, Ohio won the Canoefest traveling trophy with the best time of 1 hour, 26 minutes and 11 seconds in the C-2 standard canoe race. He said, "Canoefest is the favorite race of canoers in the Midwest." Muhlen won this trophy 50 years ago in 1966, when he was a beginning racer at age 23. This year, he won it at age 73 along with teammate Tom Thomas of Jasonville, Indiana. Muhlen encouraged young people "to see how nice a sport canoe racing is." Canoefest's championship races qualify the winners to compete for a spot on the US Olympic canoe team. Jeff Siebert of Brookville ran a solo biathlon race and had the best time of any biathlon competitor at 2 hours, 10 minutes and 39 seconds. Chuck Grimes (in orange hat) and Aaron Grimes won the masters biathlon with a combined time of 4.41.13. Winning the male team biathlon was Mark Sheard and Jake Sheard of Richmond, Indiana in a combined time of 4.29.57. The female biathlon winners were Allison Huelseman and Leah Kaisler with a time of 5.12.36. Dan Mecklenburg won the C-1 canoe race. Alana Schaeffer won the woman's C-2 canoe race. David Jacobs won the long Kayak-1 race and John Baskins took first place in short Kayak-1.
Saturday night saw a large crowd for My Brother's Keeper Band, fried chicken dinners, Kids Fest and free fireworks. Kids Fest Slide Kids Fest trike bikes with bounce houses in the background.
More Canoe Race Photos Reported by Sara Duffy
Photos by Terry & Sara Duffy |
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Huntersville Road Closed in Batesville
On Monday, June 27, C.R. 800 South/Huntersville Road at Interstate 74 will close for bridge repairs northwest of Batesville near the high school. Motorists will be directed around the closure via Pocket Road, State Road 229 and S.R. 46. Traffic count on C.R. 800S is 760 vehicles per day.
Indiana Department of Transportation officials estimate work should take two to three weeks-weather permitting-to complete.
This project includes patching bridge piers that stand adjacent to I-74 lanes at mile marker 147.6. There will be closures of eastbound and westbound I-74 shoulder areas when workers are onsite.
Submitted by Indiana Department of Transportation
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Franklin County FFA
Celebrates a Successful Year
On Saturday, May 7th, the Franklin County FFA hosted their annual recognition banquet, which included a wonderful dinner, awards and the installation of new officers.
Elizabeth Simmermeyer (center) with Mr. and Mrs. Hofer, the sponsors of the Bradley T. Hofer Award.
Elizabeth Simmermeyer was presented with both the DEKALB Award and the Bradley T. Hofer Award. Marilyn Roberts and Jordan Suding were the recipients of the FFA Appreciation Awards. There were 25 Greenhand Degree recipients this year, with Kayla Galyen receiving the Star Greenhand Award. There were four Chapter Degrees awarded this year, with Grace Moster receiving the Star Chapter Member Award. This year there were five Hoosier Degree recipients. They will be receiving them at State Convention this summer. Next, the retiring officers were recognized: Elizabeth Simmermeyer, President; Shelby Kolb, Vice President; Bridget Raible, Secretary; Andrew Herrmann, Treasurer; Grace Moster, Reporter; Luke Stirn, Sentinel; Sam Ludwig, Parliamentarian; Katrina Murray, Historian. The newly installed officers were: Shelby Kolb, President; Andrew Herrmann, Vice President; Grace Moster, Secretary; Ben Ball, Treasurer, Kayla Galyen, Reporter; Sam Ludwig, Sentinel. FFA members are excited to see what the next school year will bring with the help of the new officers and Advisor Katie Schneider. Franklin County FFA Horse & Pony Judging Team Did It Again! On Saturday, May 7th, the Franklin County FFA Horse & Pony judging team competed in the State Horse & Pony Judging Contest. They ranked 8th out of 15 teams. The members of the team were Shelby Kolb, Randi Newton, Angela Doherty, & Grant Suding. Also, a big thank you to Jordan Suding for coaching our Horse & Pony judging team this year!
Submitted by Kayla Galyen, Franklin County FFA Reporter
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Around the County
Go Ivy Day - June 28
Ivy Tech Community College Richmond's final Go Ivy Day will be at the Laurel Library, Tuesday, June 28, 1-4pm. Information about applying for admission and financial aid, using high school dual credits, and enrolling in classes. For additional information, contact Stephanie at 765-966-2656, ext. 1245 or salexand@ivytech.edu.
Submitted by
Stephanie Hill Alexander, MA Ed.
Free Summer Concert - June 29
Join Rockdale United Methodist Church for an evening of fellowship and bluegrass music by My Brother's keeper. Pitch-in dinner at 6:30pm. Music at 7:15pm. Please bring lawn chairs. Located at 1195 Johnson Fork Rd, West Harrison, In 47060.
Submitted by
Savannah Hofer
Dancing in the Streets, Free Concert - July 2
Join the Block Party on Court Street (on the street
between the Pioneer Restaurant and Franklin County Courthouse) 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Outdoor Garden at The Pioneer Restaurant. Entertainment by the Big Band, Squeeze Play. Plan your family reunion and enjoy free entertainment compliments of Main Street Brookville Inc. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes!
Submitted by
Barbara Vonderheide, Main Street Brookville
Metamora Firemen's Festival - July 2
 Live Music by Amy Sailor.
The Metamora Volunteer Fire Department is having a firemen's festival including dinners, beer garden throughout the day (3pm to 3am) and music in the evening. This year's event is at Gateway Park across US 52 from Metamora. Parade starts at 6:00 pm. Line up by 5:30 pm. Food starts at 3 pm with smoked pork chops, burgers, hot dogs & drinks. Door prize, games, pull tabs, bounce house, slides. Great fireworks show at dusk.
Submitted by Steve Collier
Whitewater Valley Railroad Events - July 4
July 4 - The American Limited Civil War Train. July 16 - Overland Limited Wild West Train. Tickets are on online at
Submitted by
William Gray, WVRR
Learn About Open Door Law - July 14
The Indiana Public Access Counselor will give a presentation about the Open Door Law on July 14 at 1:30pm at the Government Center. The meeting is open to the public and to elected officials serving on local boards.
Information provided by John Worth
National Night Out/Free Event - August 2
National Night Out is coming to the Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, August 2, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a free cookout for all ages. We would like to have a great turnout of families and community organizations to show our support for the promotion of positive interaction with law enforcement.
Submitted by
Melinda K. Brown, BA, CPP, Executive Director Stay'in Alive
Chamber's Annual Golf Outing - Aug. 4 Start getting your teams together now. Submitted by Chamber of Commerce
Class of 1961 55th Reunion The 55th reunion of Brookville High School Class of 1961 will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the K of C Hall, Main Street, Brookville. The cost will be $15 per person for the evening. Arrive at 5:30-6pm for meal and visiting. Other optional meeting times and places for Friday through Sunday are being planned. For any questions, please call Charles Volk 336-413-8270 or Ed Roberts 765-647-4504. Submitted by Dotti Roleson
Class of 1966 50th Reunion
Brookville High School Class of 1966 announced their 50th reunion. On Saturday, September 10, there will be tours of the former high school with special focus on the Memorabilia Room at the Government Center, 1010 Franklin Avenue. Dinner will follow at 6:30pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Main Street. On Sunday, September 11, classmates will meet at the Brookville Lake Overlook for a box lunch at 12noon. Cost of $30 covers all events. Invitations have already been mailed. If you have not received yours, please call Chuck Oglesby at 765-647-3623. Submitted by Chuck Oglesby
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