Sept. 11 weekend full of events as Logansport remembers, heals
Sep. 2—The community has come together in a time of suffering and pain. Now, the community begins to heal.
Even though emotions will continue to be on heightened alert — especially with Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez's upcoming services and the 20-year remembrance of the United States' worst terrorist attack on American soil — Logansport's various organizations are planning a weekend of shared hope and faith.
The weekend of Sept. 11 will kick off with the Logansport/Cass County Chamber of Commerce's 55th annual Pancake Day from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Cass County 4-H Fairgrounds. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and free for children younger than 5, and tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event.
Cass County Zero Suicide Task Force will host a Suicide Prevention Walk and Lantern Release from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverside Park and River Bluff Trail.
And from 4 to 8 p.m., Young America's Lion Club on Indiana 18 East will serve a fish fry, with the American Legion on Burlington Avenue hosting the StampedE Band from 7 to 10 p.m.
Walton's Tip Wa Antique Tractor & Engine Club will present its 18th annual tractor show from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12. The communitywide event will be at 402 S. Main St. in Walton.
For those who want to enjoy an evening of fun, food and games, Nikki Malott, of the Youth Services Alliance and Drug-Free Communities project and Local Coordinating Council coordinator, invites people to check out the September Social at Revolution Church, 3930 E. Market St.
Hosted by the Cass County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition through DFC funding, Malott said the free family event from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 12 is about bringing people together to make positive changes.
"We would like to encourage families to come out to events like this, do something together, to really work on that positive community and family interaction," she said.
There will be free food, games, inflatables, a dunk tank and a performance by the Grace Scott Band. Part of the games may include a bounce house for the young ones with an obstacle course for the older kids, said Malott, who is in the process of finalizing the details. Some organizations and businesses will be providing giveaways as well.
And during all of the activities, several businesses, area schools, agencies and organizations will be on site to collect funds for community programs.
The Logansport Police Department will be raising money to help with its yearly "Shop with a Cop" program that provides gifts for children at Christmastime.
Additional nonprofits are encouraged to take part in the day, Malott said. Simply contact her at nikki@ysainc.org.
"The coalition is a community coalition. It takes people from all sectors of the community, including those youth and parent volunteers. We need as many people interested in creating a healthier and safer community involved as possible," said Malott. "We can create the difference we want to see with many people at the table. We need opinions. We need help with the different initiatives we hope to do. If people do not have the time or ability to donate to attending meetings, they can help by spreading the word or encouraging others to join.
"We need more people helping to build up our youth," she continued. "We need a community that really rallies around positivity to make a big change. It's tiring seeing so much negative in the world; it's time to add some positive. Cass County has been given a huge opportunity with the Drug Free Communities funding — we need to take advantage of that opportunity."
Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150
