WARSAW — Take two bands with some 80 years of combined music experience who actually seem to like each other, throw them on stage under perfectly pleasant summer conditions, and you have a recipe for a great night of country music.

That was the case Friday night in Warsaw at the County Concert for St Jude featuring Confederate Railroad and the Kentucky Headhunters, both of which had their share of huge hits in the 80s.

[caption id="attachment_114780" align="alignright" width="280"] Confederate Railroad's Mo Thaxton unexpectedly came on stage to provide backing vocals for a song early on The Kentucky Headhunters' show. At right is Fred Young. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer said before the show that she noticed how easygoing the bands interacted and how both groups seemed to enjoy being around each other.

That spilled over moments later on stage. Confederate Railroad opened up the night of music. They performed for an hour, then signed autographs backstage and intermingled with fans before singer and guitarist Mo Thaxton unexpectedly came on stage to provide backing vocals for a song early on the Headhunters' show. 

Both bands highlighted their classics: “Elvis and Andy,’ “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind," and “Trashy Women” by Confederate Railroad, and "Dumas Walker," "Oh Lonesome Me," and "Ragtop" for the Headhunters.

But both topped off their shows, reaching back into the 1960s for some antique wonders of music. 

Confederate, which repeatedly paid homage to country music legends throughout the show, spiced up their performance with a countrified version of Dr. Hook’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone,” and the Headhunters changed things up at the end by closing with the Beatles ‘Don’t Let Me Down” and "Hey Jude.”

The doubleheader night of country music attracted a bigger-than-normal audience in Central Park, and organizers get credit for pulling together a memorable night of free entertainment in an era that makes it challenging to do so, given financial constraints found in today's concert industry.

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WARSAW — This week's In the Know — the public affairs show that can be heard on Kensington Digital Media radio stations — will feature three people who are behind some of the biggest recreational activities each year in Kosciusko County.

The show will include interviews with Stephanie Schaefer, director of recreation for Warsaw Parks and Recreation, Jeff Owens, one of the chairmen behind the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club's annual triathlon, and Holly Hummitch, parks director for Winona Lake.

The triathlon is June 22 in Winona Lake and Owens talks about how the town is such a good fit for the event.

Schaefer discusses the upcoming classic rock concert which will feature Everclear on June 21 (just a week away!).

Hummitch talks about Winona Lake's upcoming Fourth of July celebration and how the trails in Winona Lake have become a big part of recreational programming in the town.

Hummitch also provided an update on the completion of the final phase of the Limitless Park project (it's almost done!)

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

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WARSAW — If you think the popularity of pickleball has maxed out, think again.

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WARSAW -- The city of Warsaw will use some of its remaining American Rescue Plan money to significantly boost park activities this year.

The city received upward of $3.1 million in emergency COVID money and has spent a little more than half of that so far and has a few more years to do so.

Officials agreed to provide $25,000 for the endeavor and about $19,000 will be used this year.

On Tuesday, the park board and city council OK'd detailed plans to upgrade Mantis skate park and establish numerous new and expanded programs

That includes $7,500 for upgrades at Mantis Skate Park that will open the door for bicycles use at the park during certain hours

Much of the other money will go toward supplies.

Recreational director Stephanie Schaefer detailed a long list of new programs with an emphasis on serving teens and senior citizens.

She said her plan is to start small and see how it goes. She also wants to provide programming that can continue with federal money is no longer available..

Other highlights:

• A new mommy-son dance
• A new mommy-son nerf battle
• Senior citizen paint class
• The hiring of a pickleball instructor

Existing programs such as the Family Carnival, Fall Family Fun and Santa’s workshop will all be expanded.

City councilwoman Diance Quance, who sits on the city’s ARPA committee, said she helped get the ball rolling by working with Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer and Shaefer.

 From there, Schaefer began brainstorming a list that was then trimmed down and presented to the park board.

 Shaefer said she’s not overwhelmed by the large expansion of programs and is excited to provide residents with new opportunities in the city parks.

 Below are documents outlining the plans.

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