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We are excited to be celebrating another year as “HSJ Online” at beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 1 in the delightful setting of WILLow LeaVes  and ending around 8 p.m. The cost is $15 (cash only) with WILLow LeaVes generously returning a portion of the proceeds to HSJ. Please call WILLow Leaves at 812-341-7251, Stephanie Shoaf at 812-374-6524, or David Webster at 812- 390-6550 to make reservations. A delicious chicken and noodle dinner will be served by the ladies of WILLow LeaVes as Sally Webster and Cage Elliott provide music. There may be a Christmas song or two since there will be a Christmas atmosphere due to lots of decorating for the season and many items available to purchase during what promises to be a memorable evening.

Jessica Deckard, HSJ Town Crier, will get the formal part of the evening started. Michelle Pruitt will lead the crowd in the National Anthem.

Michael Cartwright, keynote speaker, will then present some extremely interesting information from the Dixon family and their years of operating “The Hope Star-Journal.” Michelle and Sally will follow with “A Little Good News” and “Little Bitty.” Jenn Guthrie, HSJ Content Coordinator, will share why she is so proud of and inspired by the Hope Community's long history of supporting a local newspaper, “The Hope Star-Journal” from 1912 to 2014 and “HSJ Online” from 2015 to present and beyond.

Afterward, Carol Ashbrook recently won a poetry contest and gained a book publishing contract with Sue Breeding, and Sue will share one of many of Carol's poems to soon be published. Then, Sue will share an original poem. David Webster will recognize Joe “Chopper” Baute as well as the Swope and Zollman families for inspiring a highly viewed article. Sally will do “Germs” for the kids.

Todd Grimes will share from his article “What Really Matters” and why he suggested the HSJ Hope Run before recognizing Erica Raisor and the Volleyball Program as well as Ben Finke and the Cross Country Program for being instrumental in making the fifth run the best. Terri Young will recognize Shawn Thayer for supporting the HSJ Mum Drive as well as Scott Mings, Pam Anderson for Lida Webster, Jenni Richards, Howard Zachariah, and Betsy Downey. Two team awards will be presented by David Webster to Pastor Warren Kirk and Jennifer Villiger. Then, David will discuss the interview with Rob Critney and “be,” and Rob will follow with his “Happy Song.”

Pastor Warren Kirk will talk a little about working for a newspaper years ago and why he is so supportive of HSJ. Don Hewitt, HSJ President, will briefly discuss the HSJ Online Foundation and how the team is committed in continuing a local media source. The evening will wrap up with fun jingles about WILLow LeaVes, HSJ, the Strietelmeier Corn Dog Stand, and then the classic song “Forever Young” by a couple of home grown Hauser boys.

HSJ Donation Forms/Envelopes and the 2025 HSJ General Budget will be on each table. Checks should be made out to HSJ Online. Your contribution will be a key to our continuing to provide a news source for our remarkable community. Please feel free to donate before or after Saturday, November 1 via mail to: Stephanie Shoaf; HSJ Online; Post Office Box 21; Hope, IN 47246.

With much thanks and appreciation: HSJ Team Members Michael Dean, Jessica Deckard, Bud Herron, President Don Hewitt, Pastor Warren Kirk, Scott Strietelmeier, Jennifer Villiger, David Webster, Terri Young, and Howard Zachariah as well as Content Coordinator Jenn Guthrie and Business Coordinator Stephanie Shoaf