Above, Red Sox player Danny Bolen, sprints to base as team members look on at the Bristol Little League’s Opening Day Ceremony.

A break in the weather on Sunday April 29th provided the perfect window for the 2012 Opening Ceremony of Bristol Little League.  Marking its 55th season, Bristol Little League is a member of Little League International, and provides organized baseball and softball opportunities to boys and girls ages 4 through 18 living within the Bristol Little League district, which stretches northward into Union Michigan, and southward into part of Jefferson township.

“We made a judgment call on Saturday morning to move the ceremony to Sunday afternoon, and it really paid off for a great day of games and fun for all”, said BLL President Mike Tribble.  ”Our dedicated volunteers of managers, coaches, parents and staff did a phenomenal job of adjusting to the change and pulling off a really great day”, continued Tribble.

The ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the many generous business sponsors who have come through for Bristol Little League and make it possible to offer player scholarships.  “Some of our team sponsors are so loyal that they have been with us for ten years or more”, said Chris Trowbridge, Player Agent and Sponsorship Coordinator.   “We couldn’t field these teams without them”.  Bristol reports they have fourteen teams this year, and 168 players registered.  “That’s more than 15% growth, and we are grateful for it and excited for a new season.  Players wanting to join us next season should register early in January online at bristollittleleague.org, when we offer discounts”, said Trowbridge.

Another highlight of the day was the grand opening of the re-commissioned concession stand.  ”After a few years of outsourcing the concession stand due to a shortage of volunteers, park growth has granted us the opportunity to take back the enterprise and more directly benefit our league”, said Lois Fair, Concession Stand Manager.  “We have an expanded menu and a renovation that allows the customer to come into the building and receive counter service, rather than through a service window”, continued Mrs. Fair.   ”Our concessions are now better positioned compared to other Little League parks in our district and we are very proud of that accomplishment”.

The ceremony was capped off by the throwing-in of the first pitch by players Kellan Becker and Abby McKibbin.  The pitches were caught by Josh Tribble and Sienna Eby.  Bristol Little League invites the community to review the game schedule available at www.bristollittleleague.org and come out an enjoy America’s pastime from now through July.

Below, teams gather as the ceremony begins on Sunday afternoon. (Photos by Amber Raeder)

Lloyd and Judy Miller accompanied by Harley are prepared to help customers select Mother’s Day gifts and flowers. Flowering baskets and plants, decorative lawn and garden pieces and vegetables in season, are just a few of the many items the Millers offer. (Photo by Amber Raeder)

The days leading up to Mother’s Day (which falls on May 13 this year) are always busy for Lloyd and Judy Miller, who own and operate Millers Farm Market and Greenhouse (MFMG), located at 58538 CR 19, just north of the Indiana Toll Road. The greenhouse is filled with a wide assortment of plants, flowers, and hanging baskets.

Flower prices remain at last year’s level. Flower pots, ranging in size from l0” to 28” in diameter, are priced from $11.99 to $39.99. Hanging flower baskets range in price from $10.00 to $49.99. Call 848-4715 for more information or to place special orders. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Even though spring arrived early, sudden changes and cool temperatures can still be harmful to plants grown indoors from seedlings. Lloyd and Judy are eager and willing to advise their customers how to acclimatize greenhouse plants to an outdoor setting.

Visitors to MFMG can expect to be greeted with a friendly bark by Harley, the Millers’ tri red Aussie. The young dog loves people, and she provides an enthusiastic welcome for everyone who stops in.

Lloyd starts planting sweet corn in early spring, and continues to plant as the season progresses. After the first crop comes in (usually by the second week in July), fresh homegrown corn will be available until autumn. Throughout the summer the Millers will also sell many different kinds of vegetables in season, some grown in their own gardens, some brought in from area farms.

The Millers also stock many other products to enhance the porch, yard, or garden. Shoppers will see decorative items from Concrete Creations, many brightly painted by Judy. The selection includes lighthouses, angels, boots, birds, worms, dog-paw stepping stones, hanging beetles, and more.

Ceramic products from Zanesville, Ohio (the “ceramic capital” of the region) include birdbaths in various colors and crocks in different sizes. Metal decorations from Wooden Steel in South Dakota range from birdbaths and rain gauges to solar lamps. Food products, such as salsas, jams, and apple butter, are made by Dutch Kettle in Bremen, Indiana.

While featuring a full line of live bait & fishing tackle everyday (as pictured top with Jack) be sure to attend the 2nd annual fishing tackle garage sale at Jack's Feed Shack on Saturday, May 12th.

Jack Watson, owner of Jack’s Feed Shack (JFS), is inviting spring shoppers to enjoy the convenience of “hometown shopping” this year. He is convinced that his central location, 303 S. Division Street (SR 15 South) in Bristol, will appeal to customers who want to save gas and buy locally.

Seasonal specials include a nice selection of hanging baskets and plants, as well as reasonably priced perennials and annuals. Gardeners will also be interested in the Chef Jeff line of premium and heirloom vegetable and herb plants. The Fertilome brand of lawn products is available for those seeking to improve their turf and control weeds.

JFS continues to carry an assortment of live bait, along with a good selection of competitively priced fishing tackle, including rods and reels.

Deb Welsch is pictured with one of the many beautiful hanging baskets available. (Photos by Amber Raeder)

As a dealer for Kent Feeds, Jack carries a complete line of feed for horses and other large animals, as well as baled hay, straw, and bedding for horses. Pet owners will also find an affordable line of feed for dogs, cats, and other small animals.

Bird watchers can choose from an assortment of bird feeders and bird seed to attract a variety of birds to their backyards.

Hours at Jack’s Feed Shack are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday. JFS will be open on Sundays in May from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The phone number is 848-0600.

Samara’s Nail Salon and Watson Computer Service continue to share the facilities of Jack’s Feed Shack, offering the same convenient location for patrons.

Bessie Hostetter, owner and stylist, attends to one of her clients.

Bessie Hostetter, owner of the pet salon called Dapper Dog & Fancy Feline, Inc. (DDFF), has announced that the business continues to thrive and grow. She thanks all the pet owners who have brought their dogs and cats to DDFF for making 2011 “an absolutely wonderful year.”

The pet salon is located at 54595 CR 17, in the Six Span Crossing commercial development. Pet stylists Christina Gunn and Amanda Wetzel continue to assist Bessie in the grooming of furry clients. Because of the number of animals now being cared for, pet owners are encouraged to call a week ahead of time for an appointment. The phone number is 293-7200.

DDFF is now adding color to dogs’ hair, a feature that is perhaps unique in this area. Last Halloween the pet stylists dyed dogs as zebras, the Cat in the Hat, and more. Other dogs receive feather extensions, pony tails, even Mohawks.

Hours at the salon are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Flexible appointments are available throughout the posted hours by calling the number above. Nail trims are done on a walk-in basis for $7.00, and nail polish is applied upon request for $5.00.

Bessie and her groomers are committed to providing pet styling for all breeds of dogs and cats. She says that “none are too big, none are too small, and none are too difficult for us to try to accommodate.” Patrons with hard-to-handle pets are invited to accept that invitation. With only rare exceptions, Bessie and her colleagues have been able to satisfactorily meet the challenges placed before them.

Dapper Dog & Fancy Feline offers teeth brushing for any of the pets brought to them for grooming, as well as “how to” lessons about proper techniques for brushing and combing animal pets.

Salon quality pet products are on sale, including such items as shampoos, conditioners, and colognes. More information can be gleaned online by consulting Bessie’s page on Facebook.

When the traffic study is completed, possibly within two weeks, officials can proceed with discussions with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regarding Phase 1 of the proposed “Bristol Business Route.” INDOT officials recently held a meeting in Bristol with Ken Jones, town officials, and representatives from the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County (EDC).

As reported in the April 2012 issue of The Bristol Bugle, Phase 1 would involve construction of a new street connecting State Road 15 South with Earthway Drive at Maple Street. The new road would cost about $1.9 million, and would allow traffic to move from the Earthway Industrial Park without having to proceed north on Maple Street through a residential area. The town of Bristol would be expected to pay for this “local portion” of the project.

The possible move of Utilimaster to the former Odyssey building on Earthway Drive is adding impetus to the effort to provide a more efficient way to move hundreds of vehicles per day in and out of this industrial area. In his presentation to the BTC, Jones called the project “a critical path item.” The expected increase in traffic would necessitate a new traffic signal at the intersection of SR 15 and the new street. This would cost an estimated $2 million, which could possibly be paid in part or in full by INDOT.

Since most governmental units are having budget problems because of reduced tax revenues, funding major projects is difficult. Jones said that the town of Bristol would have to commit to at least $500,000 to move forward on Phase 1 and get the county and the state behind the project. During the discussion, Mary Ryman, clerk/treasurer for Bristol, indicated that the town has restricted funds, not available for general fund expenses, that could be applied to an infrastructure project like this.

Jones indicated that Elkhart County might be able to arrange an inter-jurisdictional loan of $1 million for Bristol’s portion of the undertaking, but some questioned how such a loan would be paid off. Jones responded that the money could be loaned on the basis of future funds generated by the growth of the TIF (Tax Incremental Finance) district, which was formed several years ago for the Earthway Industrial Park. New tax revenues from Utilimaster and potential new businesses could be used to repay the loan.

Jones also noted that the owners of the Earthway Industrial Park would eventually pay for Phase 3 of the proposed “business route,” which would extend Earthway Drive west to provide access from State Road 120 several miles west of Bristol.

Phase 2, which would create a truck bypass around downtown Bristol, will cost about $9 million. Federal funds could possibly pay for 80% of this portion, but may require 5 or 6 years to complete. Because no federal funds will be involved in the Phase 1 section, this portion offers the possibility of being completed in a much shorter time span.

The Bristol business route map at left shows the area where phase 1 and 2 would be developed. (Photo by Amber Raeder)