Boys of Summer

Many children throughout the Lafayette area are wrapping up their baseball and softball seasons. It is a wonderful experience for youngsters being part of a team, as well as spending time with their parents, friends, and coaches. I admire the coaches for all their patience and their willingness to go over and over the basics with young boys and girls learning the game.

Brett started out the season standing at home plate, hitting the ball, then just standing there. It gave the other team plenty of time to field the ball and throw it to first base. Brett was wondering what all the shouting was about and 'what's the hurry?' By the middle of the season, Brett was sprinting toward first base. When ever he arrived on the plate safely, he would just shoot a grin my way, then turn and high-five the coach.
Maybe next season we'll work on catching the ball in the outfield, instead of picking dandelions.

To Greener Pastures

The CHAPS therapeutic horseback riding program is retiring two of its older horses. Black Jack, 28, and Phoebe, 23, are almost inseparable. That's why volunteers wanted the two horses to go to a good home together. One autistic boy, who has been in the program for more than 2 years, has ridden Phoebe and Black Jack a lot. The 6 year old has formed a strong bond with the horses. My story with Matthew O'Conner airs Saturday.

The CHAPS is having a Chairty Golf Outing on July 19th. The shotgun start is at 3:00p.m. at the Ravines Golf Course in West Lafayette. This is a new fundraiser for the program. All proceeds from the golf outing will go toward caring for the horses. Such ocsts include farrier care, vet check ups, procedures, feed, and hay.

For more inforamation you can contact the CHAPS at (765)563-3797 or the Ravines at (765) 497-7888 or 583-1550.

A Brees in Town

NFL Quarterback Drew Brees is in the Lafayette area this week.
Brees is making several appearances, including a talk to students participating in the National Youth Sports Program at Purdue. He told the youngsters gathered at Ross Ade Stadium to concentrate on three things: attitude, commitment and goals. Brees encouraged the children to apply those principles to sports and life.
Brees says he started playing football in the sixth grade. He says many people told him he wasn't big and strong enough to play the game. Brees, who led Purdue to the Rose Bowl, a two time Heisman Trophy finalist and current QB for the New Orleans Saints, has certainly proved them wrong. He says losing to the Chicago Bears in the playoffs has been his motivation to work hard in the off season.
What's so impressive about Drew, is that he always takes time to sign autographs and have his picture taken with fans.

The Brees Dream Foundation and PEFCU are hosting a golf outing Friday to benefit Riley Hospital and Purdue's National Youth Sports Program. Fans are invited to watch Brees and other Purdue greats hit the links. The event starts at 11:00am on Friday.

Care Packages

Here is one way you can show your support to local men and women serving in the military.

Lafayette Savings Bank is heading up the "We Care" program. There are donation boxes at all five branches where you can donate travel-size items for the troops until July 7th.


Here is a list of suggested items. These must be travel size. Home-cooked food cannot be included. Ziplock bags, razors, shave gel, nail clippers, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, first aid supplies, wash clothes, hand sanitizer, body powder, foot powder, inflatable pillow, comb, lip balm, socks (extra cushion), pens, stationery, Q-tips, skin moisturizer, pencils, playing cards, disposable camera, batteries (C & D), fly strips, sewing kits, protein bars, beef jerky, mints, chewing gum, nuts (canned), dried fruits, microwave popcorn, and pretzels (individual packages).

Lafayette Savings Bank is headquartered in downtown Lafayette at 101 Main Street. It also operates branches on Lafayette's north side at 1501 Sagamore Parkway North, east side at 3510 State Road 38 East, on the south side of Lafayette at 833 Twyckenham Blvd., and in West Lafayette at 1020A Sagamore Park Centre.

209th Reunion

This weekend I met up with two soldiers who served in the 209th Quartermaster Company during the 2003-2004 deployment. Frank Rodgers (pictured to my left) is now teaching in Renselear. John Binske joined a supply company in Ohio and is on a short leave from his deployment in Iraq.
It was good to see them again. They reflected on their training days at Fort Knox in April 2003. I remember my visit to the base in Kentucky well too. A videographer and I joined some soldiers for a convoy attack training exercise. I remember hiding in the woods along a road waiting for the trucks to pass by. Within minutes a tick started crawling across my shoes. I was ready to waive the white flag and surrender! After the exercise, the guys in the back of the Humvee with us were sharing numbers. "I got 9." "I had 11." I wondered what they were talking about, until I watched them pass a hat filled with ticks!


What the men say they remember most about their service in Iraq was the wonderful homecoming the community gave them when they arrived back in Lafayette. The streets were lined with hundreds of people. Men, women, and children were cheering and waiving signs and American flags as the unit's bus arrived back at the Reserve Center. The soldiers say that day was one of the happiest days of their lives.

The Taste Is Coming

The Taste of Tippecanoe is coming up this Saturday. The event in downtown Lafayette draws more than 30,000 people and is the primary fundraiser for the Tippecanoe Arts Federation. There will be food from more than 30 different restaurants, music, a play area for the children (on the West Lafayette side), and fireworks (about 10pm).



Organizers have asked me to pass along the need for volunteers. It takes dozens of volunteers to make the event a success. You can send an email to: PlanitEvents@insightbb.com.
There will be volunteer training this Friday @ 5:00pm at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation building located at 638 North St . Volunteers get free entrance into Taste festival as well as a t-shirt.

Fire Safety Fun

Children enjoyed a fun day at the West Point Fire Station on Sunday. The department held a Fire Safety Day. The event included a chance to operate a fire hose, talk on the radio, practice calling 911 and how to stop, drop, and roll. Assistant Fire Chief Ike Cheesman showed Brett how to douse a target, while another firefighter showed his buddy, Mitchell, how to turn on the water and talk on the radio. Deputy Greg Frantz from the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department gave the boys and girls a chance to look inside his squad car, as well as demonstrate why it's important to look both ways crossing a road. Thanks to all the volunteers for making the event happen!

Classroom Feedback

I received a packet of Thank You notes from third grade students at Vinton Elementary School. I talked to the students about television news earlier this year. I thought I'd share some of their comments.

"Last night I watched your show. I saw you were wearing the same outfit. That's how I knew it was you." Miranda

"You're a cool lady and also my aunt told me your old a nough to be a grandma." Dustin

"When I grow up I want you job like yours. It is not because I want to be on TV. I just want to read the news. Your job is the first I will apply for." Cierra

"I think you are the prettiest woman in the whole world and you smell good." Alex

"Miss Scott, do you really ride a horse every day. I hop you don't foll off the horse." Manuel

"I like the part when Travis, me and Marisa were doing the news broadcast (they read a mock newscast) and the part you gave us autograph." Adrian

Special Report

A local soldier is helping to train members of the Iraqi Army. Tonight's special report includes an over-the-phone interview from Kirkush, Iraq with Elliott Gaskins. Gaskins was a Purdue student before his Lafayette-based Army Reserve Unit was called to active duty. This is his second deployment to Iraq. Elliott is the only member of the 209th to be a part of this special assignment. I am thrilled he offered to share his story with us.

Bowling Buzz

Congratulations to our receptionist Michelle Kidder for capturing the high roller trophy during the WLFI bowling party on Saturday. Our production crew member Kim DeLaCroix for the best golf score. The station will be pitching in to buy her bowling lessons. And a bottle of Tums went to production member Baron Brendel for wining the meatball eating contest. As you can see the kids had fun. With the help of bumpers, Brett bowled a 99. Each child received a beach pail filled with goodies (a Nemo toy, gummy worms, sunglasses and bubbles).

I didn't roll any big games, so I tried wearing the sunglasses. That didn't help either. But, at least we all had a good time!