Bloomfield News Blog

Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Plans are under way and deadlines are approaching for this year’s Jasonville High School-Shakamak High School Homecoming, which will take place Sept. 24-26.

The alumni softball tournament, which will take place Sept. 25-26, is a popular event of the annual celebration.

The alumni softball tournament began in 1983. Every year, each graduating class forms a team to enter into the tournament. If someone has been out of school for more than 20 years and wants to play but their class doesn’t have enough players for a team, they can join the old-timers team.

JHS-SHS Alumni Association President Nancy Enstrom said teams for this year’s tournament must be formed by Sept. 13. A $15 entry fee is required for each player. …<more>

Monday, August 23, 2010
Greene County Daily World

A 1990 Shakamak High School graduate has written her first children’s book which is now available for purchase.

Tracy (Dickerson) Snellenberger originally penned her idea for “Tyler the Toddler Feeds the Cows” just for fun.

The book is based around her son, Tyler, and his experience with feeding his grandparents’ cows. …<more>

Look for the fish tales to fly at an upcoming fishing tournament that’s aimed at getting retired folks outdoors.

A simple fishing trip for a few residents of the Shakamak Good Samaritan Retirement Community has grown into a little competition among local nursing homes.

“Our fishing expedition grew and now we’re having a tournament,” explained Candace Templeton, who serves as the social services director at the Shakamak retirement community.

“We called up other nursing homes to see if they were interested and they were,” she said. “It’s us against Glenburn Home and Linton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center… and of course we have the home court advantage.”

The tournament is slated for July 8 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Shakamak State Park.

“Four residents from each (home) will participate and we’ll have the DNR come and measure the fish. We want to be fair, no horsing around,” Templeton said. “I will try to get trophies for the longest (fish) and most fish caught.”

In May, some Shakamak Good Samaritan residents along with staff headed to Shakamak State Park to fish and picnic. …<more>

Monday, June 21, 2010
Greene County Daily World

In honor of Mike Stevenson’s last MSD Shakamak board meeting, board president James Yeryar presented Stevenson with a plaque in appreciation of the two years he served as trustee.

In expressing his appreciation for Stevenson’s years on the board, Superintendent Mike Mogan said, “I appreciate all of your hard work, and I appreciate working with you.”

The four members that were present (Brian Stockrahm was absent) also thanked Stevenson for his dedication and hard work and noted that it takes a lot of dedication to drive six hours for a school board meeting. Board members Jeff Miller, John Gambill and Yeryar also noted that Stevenson always had kids first in his heart.

Stevenson said, “I’m thankful I had the opportunity to serve. It was an enjoyable experience.” …<more>

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Greene County Daily World

The possibilities were limitless for Shakamak sixth graders who took part in Career Day on Tuesday.

Several students heard presentations from a variety of local folks who have careers in the medical field, banking, law enforcement, media, cosmetology, politics and more.

One sixth grader, Mariah Sweet, said she was surprised to learn that cosmetology involves a lot more than hair.

“With cosmetology you can do lots of things. There’s make-up, fashion, hair or nails,” Sweet said, later adding she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

Abby Auterson isn’t sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but learned a lot from Career Day.

“I’ve learned that leaders of our country sometimes start out being lawyers,” Auterson said.

Daniel Rader learned that a career with the Division of Natural Resources isn’t what he thought it was.

“The DNR isn’t so much what I wanted to be. It takes four years of college and a degree,” he explained. “I also learned that the Armed Forces doesn’t involve as much fighting as you see on TV.” …<more>

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Greene County Daily World

JASONVILLE — Three top students at MSD of Shakamak are in the race for valedictorian and salutatorian of the 2010 graduating class on Saturday.

Sydney Weinzapfel, Amanda Gilbert, and Eric Salter will not know who has the honors until the day before graduation when all grades are computed.

As of this writing, Weinzapfel holds a 3.986 GPA, which is slightly higher than Gilbert and Salter who are both neck-and-neck with a GPA of 3.978.

All three are excellent students of which Shakamak can be proud.

Weinzapfel, the daughter of Steven and Jennifer Weinzapfel, says she wasn’t pushed by her parents but always wanted to make good grades.

“I plan to go to Ball State in the fall,” Weinzapfel said. “My dad went there, and it is close-by. Everyone who talks about it says they like it.”

While at Ball State, Weinzapfel says she will major in visual communications, graphic and Web design. …<more>

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Rolland Abraham of Westfield, Ind., is the new MSD of Shakamak junior/senior high school principal.

Chosen from 25 applicants, Shakamak Superintendent Mike Mogan said Abraham came to Shakamak with excellent qualifications.

He received a BA degree in science education 5-12 (Magna Cum Laude) from Anderson University and a MA from the University of Indianapolis in curriculum and instruction. He holds an administrative certification from Indiana University and is presently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Purdue University.

During his career, he has taught science and math at an Alternative Education Program in Perry Township, Lawrence North High School and Perry Meridian High School. While at Perry Meridian High School, Abraham also served as dean of students.

For three years, Abraham was headmaster of Legacy Christian School and was recently a long-term math substitute at Perry Pathways to Excellence in Indianapolis.

After being appointed at the recent Shakamak School Board meeting, Abraham said he was looking forward to working with the Shakamak community. …<more>

Thursday, April 29, 2010
Greene County Daily World

Vincent E. House and Michael Stevenson are running for the seat in District 1 in the upcoming Metropolitan School District of Shakamak’s School Board election.

Stevenson has held the position for four years and says he has learned a lot in those years and hopes to be even more productive in the next four years.

House noted that he is running for the position because he — and others to whom he has talked — is not satisfied with some of the decisions that the board (MSD of Shakamak) has made and feels it is time for a change.

Both House and Stevenson say that students’ needs are top priority for them.

“It is all about kids getting a quality education,” noted Stevenson, “and I think we do that.”

House noted that students’ education is also his highest concern.

Monday, March 22, 2010
By Jo Chiparo, Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

Monday, March 1, 2010
By Timberly Ferree Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World