Meet Jennifer Weinert

Name: Jennifer Norae Weinert

Occupation: Art Instructor/Program Director for the Logansport Art Association

Favorite movie: I enjoy movies that comfort me, movies about enduring friendships, movies where the main character has discovered something new about themselves, or when the hero ends up being the everyday you and me because they simply did the right thing. Of course it helps to experience some tearjerker parts and the “Ahhhhh, that’s nice” ending. A variety of my favorites are “Beaches,” “The Spitfire Grill,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Signs.”

Favorite musician: I can’t say I have one favorite musician. Like most, I like music. I was born in the 70s, danced through the 80s and was deciding my next move after college in the 90s, so I still enjoy catching the songs from those decades on the radio and reminiscing. I even went through a country phase in my life. Now my radio blasts praise and worship music.

Title of the last book you read: Last weekend I went to visit a friend out of town, browsing her bookshelf for a book to read before bed, I found “Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks. I ended up taking it home and finishing it just last week. My taste in books is as varied as my taste in music and movies. I read Dean Koontz when I can but sometimes life calls for a Beverly Lewis book.

(It’s hard for me to state favorites. I enjoy a variety of things. After all, this great big world has a lot to offer, how could I not enjoy!)

Five things about the Logansport area that you would tell a tourist about: Being a tourist myself, seeing that I work in Logansport and live in Fulton County, I have some places I like to spend my time. The Logansport Art Association, of course! With art exhibits changing monthly, visitors have many opportunities throughout the year to experience local art and culture in Logansport. The area has wonderful parks for recreational activities and leisurely walks. I have an out-of-town family member who visits every year and takes his sons to play Frisbee golf at France Park. And I think we all need to invite family to town for the annual Family Arts Festival. It’s a fun time for all.

Currently, the Logansport Art Association (LAA) along with Teri Partridge from the Pear Tree Gallery and many other volunteers from the community are laying the groundwork for an Art Walk to take place October 12 and 13. And if you are looking to start a new tradition for visiting family around the holidays, why not visit the LAA for it’s annual showing of the Hoosier Salon in November and December? The exhibit showcases selected works from artists around the state of Indiana. The art center annually schedules an elegant luncheon and cookie walk in conjunction with the show.

What are some things you would do to improve the area? I love the mural on Third Street in town, and would love to see some more permanent city-sponsored art in and around Logansport. It would be nice to put the vacant buildings to some creative uses.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be? Just me! I have no hopes of experiencing someone else’s life. I enjoy what I do. I know the span of my outreach is small compared to most but I am certain I have a purpose in all of this and am determined to learn what I can, and then share it with others.

If you had a million dollars and could buy only one thing, what would it be? Use a million dollars to buy just one thing! Only one thing?! Thinking, ummmmm! It seems funny to spend that much on one thing. Maybe a project. My husband and I love thinking of ways vacant spaces can be used. So if I had that much, perhaps if the opportunity arose to make a vacant area useful to the community again, I’d invest the money there.

Favorite ice cream flavor? If it has chocolate in it, I’m happy.

Do you have a favorite quote? I like this one, “Don’t let your throat tighten with fear. Take sips of breath all day and night, before death closes your mouth.” — Poet, Rumi. My interpretation: enjoy life without fear and a good deep breath anytime can get you back on track.

If you could travel anywhere on the planet and money was no object, where would you go? India.

If you had $1,000 to give away, who would you give it to? I’d give it to an organization reaching our area youth. Working with youth most of my career, I have seen the positive impact a variety of youth programs have in the lives of our children. There are a lot of wonderful organizations in Logansport seeking to offer the same quality youth programming locally, that youth in larger cities have more access to. Any support to organizations serving youth is a grand investment to the future of Logansport as they learn to use their skills and talents productively in the community. And I also know the giving of one’s time is worth just as much as any monetary gift. Volunteering and sharing your talents or experiences with local youth is priceless. Volunteering time gives you the same satisfied feeling as having the money to give.

What was your first job as a teenager? I was hired as a cashier in the early 90s for a store with a wonderful new concept: everything you needed to purchase under one roof. It had groceries, electronics, garden, clothes, a bank, restaurant and more! Sound familiar? The store was called Auchan, it was located in a south suburb of Chicago. It closed after 4 or 5 years.

Would you rather race a car or fly a plane? Fly a plane. I must admit this is really something I would like to learn to do.

When “lost” do you stop and ask for directions? YES!

If you could ask anyone to dinner one night, who would it be and what would you discuss? I have pondered about this, and I really can’t narrow it down. There are so many people I want to know so much more about, and the question for all seems to be “Why?”

In your opinion, how could the world be a better place? I believe in the power of one. Any one of us could enhance the world we live in or destroy it. So each one of us has a responsibility to each other. It is better that we share our experiences than keep them, and far better to be here for each other than to be against each other.



Q&A; is a feature intended to give readers a closer look at the local personalities behind the news. You might see their names in news stories, but you don't really know who they are. If you have a candidate for Q&A;, call Melissa Soria at (574) 732-5143, or send an e-mail to melissa.soria@pharostribune.com

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