The White House on Park Avenue

Backyard snow

Hi, everyone! It won’t be long now – Super Bowl weekend is coming soon. We have a special package for out-of-towners looking for a relaxing place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Indianapolis area. Go to www.whitehouseonpark.com and click “Find out more about our 2012 Super Bowl XLVI Package.”

Here’s what’s happening locally in Rensselaer:

* Thurs – Sat, Jan 26 – 28: 8P – Saint Joseph’s College presents the winter play “Almost, Main” by John Cariani in the Theatre, Evans Arts & Science Building. Public is welcome! Admission is $5.

* Prairie Arts Council hosts “Triple Vision” artistic exhibit at the Lilian Fendig Gallery, Carnegie Center. Open M – F 9a-2p. Closed Wed.

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD:

* Wed, Feb 1: 6P – The Rensselaer Public Library hosts “Underground Railroad” presented by Merrie Etta Stowers. She’ll be sharing her experiences from a bus trip through Indiana & Ohio learning about the passage of slaves through the area.

* Tues, Feb 7 at 1p and 6p: Learn How to Use Overdrive -Rensselaer Public Library now offers “Overdrive” program for e-book reading service compatible with Nook, Kindle and a variety of other mobile devices. All ages are invited to attend a session to learn how Overdrive works and how to apply this new service to your own mobile device or e-reader!

* Fri, Feb 10 – Family Fun Night sponsored by PTA of Rensselaer Central Elementary Schools

* Mon, Feb 13: 6P – KICKOFF PARTY: American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE for all Jasper & Newton County teams at Jasper County REMC, 208 E. Wood St, Rensselaer.

* Thurs, Feb 16 – Saint Joseph’s College. Join the Puma basketball excitement for the (5:30p) women’s and (7:30p) men’s games against.

* Sat, Feb 18 – Saint Joseph’s College hosts the Regional Science Olympiad! Open to the public!

* Sat, Mar 10: Carnegie Players host TRIVIA NIGHT!

Fall at The White House On Park Avenue b&b

Chilly nights, brisk mornings, bright days. That’s fall in northern Indiana as we wrap up September and move into October. It’s been a busy summer at The White House on Park Avenue bed & breakfast. As I mentioned earlier – we’ve set records for occupancy this summer and fall – that’s a good thing in this economy!

This weekend we welcome Saint Joseph’s College alumni back for homecoming. We’re hosting alums from the class of ‘66 and ‘71. Fun times!

Here’s a look at activities in and around town for the next few weeks. Plan your fall getaways now – come see the sandhill cranes at nearby Jasper-Pulaski State Wildlife area!

Mon, Oct 3 – Sat, Oct 8: 40th Anniversary Smith Farm Barn: Stop-in and join the celebration!

Wed, Oct 5: 6:30P – Prairie Arts Council presents Nath Jones reading from her published stories: City Offices & Pub. Free event. Dining room opens at 5:30 for serving. Questions? John Groppe: 866-7604

Fri, Oct 7: 9A-6P – St. Augustine Fall Rummage Sale
5 – 8P – VFW Post 1279 Fish Fry: Dine-In or Carry-Out. 866-7845
6:30-8:30P – Jasper County Art League hosts opening reception for “Trees” exhibit.
Carnegie Center. Public welcome. Exhibit runs thru Nov 4.

Sat, Oct 8: 9A-Noon – Final Day of St. Augustine Fall Rummage Sale
2 -4P – Rensselaer Public Library hosts “Pretty In Pink”. Free event to raise Breast Cancer awareness. Reservations are required: 866-5881.

Sat, Oct 15: 2P – Faith Tabernacle hosts: Tree Talk & Walk at Wellsprings Gardens

Oct 20-21-22 at 7:30P: St. Joseph College presents “You Can’t Take It With You”. Tickets: $5
Evans Arts & Science Building Theatre

Hello, readers!

It’s been a busy summer at The White House on Park Avenue Bed & Breakfast. We’ve surpassed past July and August in room nights occupied, and fall traditionally is our busiest season! We’ve had cyclists on cross-country rides, reunions, wedding guests (including brides & grooms) and couples looking for a quiet weekend. Be sure to book now for a quick get-away, a visit to see the Sandhill Cranes at nearby Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife area, or a trip to Fair Oaks Dairy Experience.

We’re booked full for Saint Joseph’s College homecoming in a few weeks, but you can get on a wait list if you’re interested.

Enjoy the cooler weather!

Cups awaiting guests at The White House on Park Avenue

Here are some of the local happenings this month…
Fri, Sept 9, Noon – Little Cousin Jasper Festival begins at Courthouse
4P -Fall Festival begins at Jasper County Fairgrounds

Tues, Sept 13 – 10:30A: Rensselaer Library Movie Time: The Lincoln Conspiracy rated PG-13 (free)

6P – Faith Tabernacle hosts Fundamentals of Health

Friday, Sept 16, 6:30-8:30P: Prairie Arts Council presents the Artists Reception: In Harmony with Nature. Carnegie Center, Lilian Fendig Gallery.

Tues, Sept 20 – 6P: the Rensselaer Public Library hosts a Memorial Tree Walk

Wed, Sept 21 & Thurs, Sept 22, 9A-4P: Rensselaer Urban Forest Council presents Tree Steward workshop. $30/per person. Register by 9-14: Jody 866-8008 ext 3

Wed, Sept 21, 6P: Rensselaer Public Library presents: A Grave Matter in Indiana by Indiana Dept of Natural Resources.

The White House on Park Avenue souvenir mug

Here are more local goings-on near The White House on Park Avenue Bed & Breakfast, courtesy of the Greater Rensselaer Chamber of Commerce …

Fri & Sat, Aug 18-19: Sidewalk Sales around town. Participating businesses include: Steffens Jewelry, Stunt Dawg Studio: Screen printing & Embroidery, Willow Switch, Long’s Gifts, Needles Point, Prairie’s Edge, Foxy’s Hair Salon, Big Dog Rentals (located at 208 W. Washington), Brookside Florist, Bags, Bangles & Baskets, JC Penney Direct Merchant

Fri, Aug 19th, 7P: RCHS hosts KV for the Cracker Barrel football battle.

Sat, Aug 20, 7:30-11:30A: Farmers Market on South side of Courthouse. Homegrown, home-baked, handmade selections!

Tues, Aug 23, 4-6p: Tuesday Farmers Market will include dulcimer music by the “Strings of Comfort”. South side of Courthouse. Fresh veggies, fruits, baked goods, hot food from the grill!

Fri, Aug 26, 1-3P at the Gazebo: 175th celebration of the founding of City of Rensselaer. Come and be a part! Cake, punch and entertainment!

Fri-Sat-Sun, Sept 9-10-11: 35th Little Cousin Jasper Festival on the Courthouse Square! Lots of activities, music, booths, yard sale, parade, walk/run …and more! Check website: www.littlecousinjasper.com for up-to-date schedule and all applications. Fun in downtown Rensselaer!

It’s that time of year – the annual two-week retreat at Fountain Park Chautauqua. Since 1895, visitors have been coming to the Chautauqua grounds just north of Remington, Indiana. The hotel is one of the oldest wooden, continuously operated hotels in the nation! The hotel fills up fast, and we often welcome “overflow” guests here at The White House on Park Avenue bed & breakfast.

Fountain Park runs from July 23-August 7, and has an extensive schedule: visit www.fountain-park.org.

Fountain Park Chautauqua

I thought I’d share a couple of “Top” lists from our experiences as innkeepers. These are what our guests say and do while staying at The White House on Park Avenue Bed & Breakfast.

TOP RESTAURANTS:

* City Office & Pub
* Ayda’s
* Rico’s
* Devon’s

TOP ATTRACTIONS:

* Saint Joseph’s College
* Fair Oaks Dairy Experience
* Jasper-Pulaski State Wildlife Area
* Indiana Beach Resort

Recently we welcomed Stuart and Caren, cross-country cyclists. They stayed at The White House on Park Avenue Bed and Breakfast as part of their trip from West to East. We enjoyed hearing about their adventures, and they left on their tandem two-wheeler on a beautiful morning. We can follow their adventures at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/4900

Stuart & Caren at The White House on Park Avenue

Garden flowers at The White House on Park Avenue

Happy Beginning of Summer! Here are some exciting events in the Rensselaer area, courtesy of our friends at the Chamber of Commerce:

June 24th and 25th: 1st Trust Credit Union staff will be hosting bake sales. Proceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network. The office opens at 10A on Fri and 9A on Saturday.

June 25th: Taste of Rensselaer begins at 4P at the Carnegie Center, 301 N. VanRensselaer St.

Saturday, June 25th: Retail Merchants will be offering their festival SPUDS and ICED COFFEE at the Taste of Rensselaer this year. Be certain to look for them! Serving begins at 4P.

Tuesday, June 28th 1ST SOURCE ASSET ADVISORS is hosting Unprecedented Markets: Historic Opportunities, featuring Doug Macomber, at Rico’s. 6P to 8P [dinner served]. Please RSVP by June 24th at 219-866-3036 or Vickie.Bower@lpl.com.

Friday, July 1st: Wesley Manor Retirement Community, 1555 N. Main St., Frankfort, IN, celebrates Community Appreciation Day & 50 years of Ministry! Festivities begin at 4:30p with wheelchair & bed races, 6p Singing Saints, 7p Lafayette Vintage Brass Band. Games, prizes, reminiscing, hot dogs, drinks, ice cream & popcorn! All times are Eastern. Please bring your own lawn chair.

Saturday, July 9th: EAA GROUP at JASPER COUNTY AIRPORT is hosting a FLY-IN. Pork Chop dinner will be served 11A to 3P
And also: JC CRUISERS are hosting the Car Show and Judging this same day. Brookside Park, enter off Clark Street (hwy 114 West). Registration 8A to 1P. Awards 4P. Public invited to bring canned goods for Good Samaritan Food Pantry when they come to view cars on display. Cruise: begins at 6P.

It’s been a stormy spring here in Indiana, but not as bad as some in the southern part of the Midwest. Prayers are with everyone as they survive the spring thaw and storms. It’s also been a few weeks since we’ve blogged, and we apologize to our local fans (you know who you are!) However, much has been going on at The White House on Park Avenue since our last post!

We’ve welcomed another grandchild on March 1 – a boy, Lucas Paul, born to my son and daughter-in-law. He joins his brother Jeffery. My daughter and her husband expecting in October to join grand-daughter Annie!

We’re booking rooms for graduation at Saint Joseph’s College – don’t delay if you are wanting to stay walking distance from the College.

We’ll leave you with a picture of some food at a reception we hosted recently…

Reception