FEBRUARY MEETING REPORT – 53 people were in attendance. Topics reviewed included Kathy Bachman giving a detailed report about the Museum Day and what would be featured and what promotion opportunities would be available. Denise Buechler reported that raffle tickets were now available. Dorothy Rasche and Fr. Boeglin were on hand to discuss the 20 or so Germans who were coming. Joyce Hulsman reported sponsorship response has been very strong with over a month left for responses. Trophies and prizes guidelines were discussed. The 175th is going to have several hot air balloons on Saturday for tethered rides to look over the fest grounds and then at dark there will be a balloon glow where they will pass over the fest. The upcoming February Legacy Night was discussed and promotional plans were made. A thorough review of the schedule was done with a few minor changes agreed to by event chairpersons.

CELESTINE MUSEUM DAY: Join us on Sunday, April 8 from 1 to 4pm at the Dubois County Museum for a day celebrating the history and culture of the Celestine Community. There will be over 40 displays, exhibits and speakers celebrating Celestine’s 175 years. Admission is $5 Adults; $3 High School age; $2 Middle School, & Elementary age; 4 and under free. Contact Kathy Bachman 812-482-2074 or Iris Gadlage 812-389-2328 for more details or to volunteer.

APRIL LEGACY NIGHT – “OUR PRIESTS”: St. Celestine Church will continue celebrating its 175 years on Sunday, April 22 with an event titled “Legacy Night: Our Priests.” The event will take place in church from 6:00 to 8:30pm. Dr. Mark Ginter will portray Celestine founder Fr. Joseph Kundeck. There will be presentations about the priests who have served the Church in the past along with details about those from the area who have become Priests. Also the mystery of the impostor Priest will be discussed!

GRAPHIC DESIGN HELP NEEDED: Do you have experience and skills in doing graphic design? We need volunteers to help us make up promotional graphics for our website & social media, signs and other materials. Please email info@celestineindiana.com to offer your help.

CELESTINE 175 CAR SHOW: Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Celestine (Jaycee) Park: 90 N Celestine Rd S, Celestine, IN 47521. Registration from 8 A.M. to noon, entry fee is $15 per vehicle. Dash plaques for the first 100 entrees! Trophies will be given to: Top 5 2008 & newer, Top 30 2007 & older, Top Unfinished/Rat Rod, Best Ford, GM, & Mopar, People’s Choice. Awards to be given out at approximately 2:30 PM EST. Food & refreshments will be available all day. Call or text Allen for more information at (812) 827-3400. Not responsible for accidents. Flyer available at CelestineIndiana.com

CELESTINE 175 CAR CRUISE: Saturday, June 23, 2018. Celestine (Jaycee) Park: 90 N Celestine Rd S, Celestine, IN 47521. Register at the park at 1 PM EST, leave the park at 2 PM EST, return to the park at approximately 6 PM EST. Route features all paved roads. Food and refreshments will be available before and after the cruise. $10 per person. All cars, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and any other type of road legal vehicle welcome. We will be giving a ticket to each paying rider for a chance for prizes at the end of the cruise. A HAY RIDE will be leaving from the Celestine Park at 7 PM EST. Call or text Allen for more information at (812) 827-3400. Not responsible for accidents. Flyer available at CelestineIndiana.com

175 QUILT RAFFLE: At the 175th there will be quilts raffled off using a wheel (License #146092), like at the St. Isidore Shoot. We are seeking donations of quilts to raffle off. The deadline to submit quilts is March 1. The quilts may be taken to the parish center office. Please include a note if it is in memory or honor of someone. Also, give exactly how you want the names of the donors recorded. An applique will be put on the quilt with this information. If you have questions, call Angie Hochgesang at 812-634-1565.

BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH: BOTB will be meeting Wednesday March 7th at 7pm at the Celestine Community Club - food/meal & drink will be available. The meeting is optional and not required for someone to be entered in the competition. There currently are 126 people registered. It is NOT too late to participate - contact Todd Goepfrich at 812-631-0848 or Jeff Sander 812-631-4289 to pay your $10 registration fee and show them you are clean shaven. Additionally, you can order a BOTB T-shirt for $10. Prizes will be award for four categories: best groomed, bushiest, longest and most unique. Next meeting will be April 4th.

CELESTINE 175 CASH RAFFLE: Tickets are now available for the Celestine 175 cash raffle. Grand prize will be $5000 with another $5000 available in 14 other smaller amounts. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets!. They are available at all Fest planning meetings (1st Thurs of the month), at all 175th events or by contacting Denise Buechler at dmbuechler@gmail.com or @CelestineIndiana on Facebook.

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM: We are in need of several Facebook or Instagram loving people to assist with administering the Celestine Facebook & Instagram page. You would help with posting updates, responding to comments/messages, posting pictures, etc., to keep the page active. The weekend of the 175th there will be tons of things going on, and we will need several people to keep the updates flowing! Please contact the Celestine IN Facebook page, Tony Buechler, or email info@celestineindiana.com.

BABY & TODDLER PHOTO CONTEST: The Celestine Elementary PTO is offering a photo contest for babies and toddlers. The entry fee is $20, entries must be received by June 14th. To enter, mail a 5x7 photo with parents names, child's name, address, email address, and phone number written on back of photo to chairperson Stacy Brosmer - 988 N Robert Dr - Celestine IN 47521. The categories are: 0-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years. Prizes will be awarded to the child with the most votes in each category. Photos will not be returned. Voting will take place at the Celestine 175th.

DODGEBALL TOURNEY: Start gathering your teams for the Celestine 175 Dodgeball Tourney! It will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018, first game begins at 7:00 EST at the Celestine Elementary Tennis Courts. 6 people per team with a $30 entry fee per team for the double elimination tourney. Team must include at least one player from the opposite sex. Cash prize awarded to the 1st and 2nd place teams in each division, which are “12 and under” and “13 and up.” Deadline to enter is by 5:30 pm on Friday, June 29. To register please call/text Teresa Betz 812-827-3366 or Cheryl Mehringer 812-630-1354. Each participant is required to sign a waiver of liability before competing.

CELESTINE 175 SPONSORSHIPS - PERSONAL SPONSORSHIPS ENCOURAGED: - DEADLINE MARCH 15th! We are seeking sponsors to help offset the costs of running a huge multi day festival. Profits will be reinvested into the community! We are extremely thankful for all of the wonderful businesses an ongoing basis and more recently on an annual basis with donations for the Streetfest. Because we are taking the offerings of our fest to a new level to live up to the celebration Celestine’s 175h birthday deserves, we have established five different sponsorship levels, with the top two targeted to larger organizations.

Given this is a milestone year, we have heard that many families would like the opportunity to contribute as a sponsor. If you are interested in being a personal or corporate sponsor please contact Joyce Hulsman at (812) 639-9441 or joycehulsman@yahoo.com. We are beginning to print promotional materials, the sooner you get your sponsorship in the better to be listed on all materials.  Deadline for all donations is March 15th! Thanks in advance for any and all support! *Diamond Sponsor* -- $1,000.00+, *Platinum Sponsor* -- $500.00, *Gold Sponsor* -- $250.00, *Silver Sponsor* -- $100.00, *Bronze Sponsor* -- $50.00.

FASHIONS OF YESTERYEAR: If you are interested in learning more about the Fashions of Yesteryear please contact Breanne Hasenour at (812) 639-0412 or Kara Glendening at (812) 639-4567. Come join us in celebrating fashions from 175 years ago on Thursday, June 28, 2018 7:30pm on the Main Stage Categories:  Little Tikes- Ages 0-7, Lads & Lassies- Ages 8-15, Worker’s Attire, Sunday Best, Family Album

BUNTING & BOW PRE-ORDERS: Pre-orders are being accepted for bows and bunting. Bow - $10.25, Large Half-Round Bunting - 60 1/2" x 31 1/4" - $40, Small Half-Round Bunting - 30" x 17" - $25. You can see pictures on the Merchandise page of CelestineIndiana.com

Please contact Renee Merkel at 812.661.0204 or email 2467merkeren@gmail.com to place your order. The plan is for these items to go up around the community in April. The color scheme of the 175th is muted red, white & blue. These items will work as decorations for years to come around the 4th of July holiday.

GRAND MARSHAL NOMINATIONS + OLDEST RESIDENTS + LONGEST MARRIED COUPLES: Nominations are open for the Celestine 175 Grand Marshal! This can be an individual, a couple, or a family. Please get nominations in by April 1. Additionally, we want to recognize the Oldest Celestine Residents and Longest Married Couple. Names may be submitted on the Grand Marshall Nomination form. Copies of the form are available at Fest meetings, at the carport entrance of St. Celestine Church, on Celestine Indiana Facebook, and on CelestineIndiana.com

QUEEN, JUNIOR QUEEN, LITTLE MISTER & LITTLE MISS PAGEANTS: All boys and girls ages 5-9, junior girls 10-14, and young ladies 15-19 (ages as of June 24, 2018) living in the community of Celestine are invited to participate in Celestine’s 175th Celebration Pageants to be held on Sunday, June 24th. This is a fabulous opportunity to build confidence and friendships. Applications and more information will be available starting March 24th. Contact Ashley Seger at ashley.seger25@gmail.com if you have any questions. Minimal entry fee.

SENIOR KING & QUEEN: Any senior man or woman who is 75 or older from the community of Celestine is eligible. Nominations will be accepted from February 1 to March 31 by Alicia or Janice Betz,7721 E 100 S, Schnellville, IN 47580. You can drop them in the Church collection marked Senior King and Queen Contest, turned in at a Celestine 175th meeting, or emailed to jbetz@evdio.org. The winner will be selected with $1 votes from the public, beginning in early April. Voting slips can be obtained at the entrances of St. Celestine Church, from the parish office, at Annette’s Hair Design by Annette Tuell, and at several events leading up to the celebration in June.

BAKE OFF: Free to enter! Adult Categories (age 15+) include Yeast Bread & Rolls, Cakes & Cupcakes, Cookies & Bars, and Pies. Kids’ Categories (ages 3-14) include Cakes & Cupcakes, Cookies & Bars. Entries must be made from scratch and include a short description (i.e. brownies with nuts). Judging will be based on appearance, flavor, and texture. All entries are to be turned in at the Celestine Elementary kitchen on Wednesday, June 27, between 5 and 8pm. Questions? Call Helen Beyke at (812) 678-2434.

CRAFT FAIR: Event to be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, June 30th! We are currently seeking vendors of handmade crafts, food, jewelry, paintings, etc. Showcase your talents at this one day, crowd-filled event! Details are being finalized. If interested, contact Dawn Schaefer for more information. Cell: 812.639.1048 or Email: dawnrenee_1976@yahoo.com.

PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED: The Celestine 175th is in need of volunteer photographers to document all events of our 175th and to deliver their pictures and video to our social media team. With so many events, we need several photographers! If you are interested and have professional camera gear and a little experience, email us at info@celestineindiana.com or contact Tony Buechler or Chad Schnell.

175TH ENTERTAINMENT: We have dozens of activities, events, demonstrations, and two parades during the week of our celebration. Friday’s headline entertainment includes the top national AC/DC tribute band Dirty Deeds USA, Evansville singer/songwriter Troy Miller, and local singer/songwriter Bobby Reutman. Saturday features the Cincinnati Circus Company with three shows, Party DJ'ing by Boogie Tunes, and the local rock band Fire & Ice.

175 MERCHANDISE: Items available include the brand new canes, license plates, glassware, apparel, hats, Christmas ornaments and more! Preorders for bunting, bows, vests, and suspenders are also being accepted. Items area available for purchase by calling Joan Steffe at 812-482-6051. View the complete selection at www.celestineindiana.com.

TIME TO VOLUNTEER: An event of this size needs the help of EVERYONE who is able to help. You can state your preference by filling out the form at www.celestineindiana.com/volunteer-sign-up. You will also be able to sign up at the Legacy Nights and Museum Day.

JOIN THE CELESTINE INDIANA EMAIL MAILINGLIST: Visit www.celestineindiana.com/mailinglist to sign up for the official Celestine Indiana email mailinglist. We will send out this newsletter and other important updates on a very occasional basis.

BARTENDERS NEEDED: If you are willing to bartend a shift at the fest and have your license, or are willing to get your license, please contact Ryan Hasenour at 812-630-4210.

LIKE & SHARE ON FACEBOOK: It is a huge help to the community if, when you see the Celestine, Indiana, postings on Facebook, you would "like" them and share them with your friends. The more people who do that, the more people Facebook shows the update!

GERMAN FAMILIES COMING: Plans are in progress in our Sister City of Wagshurst for 19 German guests to be with us for our 175th celebration. Thanks to those who have already responded, we may have enough host families. However, if anyone else is still considering offering to host several German guests, or if you have already offered and didn't hear back, please contact Dorothy Rasche. It would be good to have a few additional potential host families available. If you'd like to help in any way, please contact dorothy.rasche@alumni.iu.edu or 812-678-3001.

SEND US HISTORICAL PHOTOS: Leading up to the 175th, we want to post historical photos of people and places in the Celestine area. If you have something like that, snap a picture of it and post it to Facebook and message us about it or email it to us at info@celestineindiana.com. The Church is especially interested in displaying older pictures of Celestine and St. Celestine churches during the Legacy Night, and they will be carefully protected!