Jay County REMC — June 2018 Electric Consumer by IndianaConnection

Jay county REMC

YOUR INDIANA COOPERATIVE COMPANION

T he Best

of Indiana

Readers rave about their faves

J UN E 2018

Readers’ Choice for Indiana’s ‘Claim to Fame’ … The Indianapolis 500

A family affair Medler’s Furniture: a Portland institution

from the editor

Garfield hits 40 It’s fitting that in this issue — which celebrates the Best of Indiana — I acknowledge the 40th birthday of a true Hoosier icon: Garfield the Cat. The original “grumpy cat,” who loves lasagna and lounging around as much as he loves terrorizing Odie the dog, was created by Indiana’s own Jim Davis, a native of Marion and alumnus of Ball State University. I actually met Jim Davis when the Garfield comic strip was barely past its “kitten” years and I was attending college. Davis was living and drawing near the Ball State campus. I met with him about speaking at a meeting I was organizing. The event, held at the Teacher’s College building, was well-attended and featured Davis, with flip chart paper and Sharpie in hand, deftly sketching the finicky feline and talking about his cartooning career. Little did those of us in attendance know that just a few years later, Garfield would have his own TV special, be featured in a series of books, and even have his own iconic plush toy that millions of fans suction-cupped to car windows in the 1980s. Garfield’s premiere appearance in a comic strip was June 19, 1978. Though a 40-year-old cat would be pushing 200 years old in human years, in his fourth decade, Garfield is as spry and relevant as the day he was first drawn. And he still has a huge fan base — and not just in Indiana or the U.S. In Australia, “Garfield: A Musical with Cattitude” recently completed a 10-day run to celebrate its star’s birthday. And Singapore of all places will host a 40th Anniversary Carnival to honor Garfield June 8-10, complete with games, meet-andgreets, photo booths and limited edition merchandise. Happy Birthday, Garfield! And to think I knew you when!

VOLUME 67 • NUMBER 12 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by:

ELECTRIC CONSUMER is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers: use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 272,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. CONTACT US: 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600 Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606 317-487-2220 ec@ElectricConsumer.org ElectricConsumer.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS Gary Gerlach President Walter Hunter Vice President Randy Kleaving Secretary/Treasurer Tom VanParis Chief Executive Officer EDITORIAL STAFF Emily Schilling Editor Richard George Biever Senior Editor Holly Huffman Member Relations/ Advertising Manager Ellie Schuler Senior Communications Specialist ADVERTISING Crosshair Media, 502-216-8537; crosshairmedia.net

EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@electricconsumer.org

On the menu: September issue — “Heirloom” recipes (that have been in the family for ages): deadline June 11. October — Pizza recipes: July 16. If we publish your recipe on our food page, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Reader Submissions page: September — “Heirloom” photos

(Your personal photos from “the good old days”): deadline June 11. October issue — Photos of your favorite carved pumpkins: deadline July 16.

Giveaway: We’re giving away to a randomly selected entrant an overnight stay from French Lick Resorts, our Best of Indiana Girls’ Weekend Getaway winner. See page 20 for details about French Lick. To enter, send us your contact information along with the name of your co-op. Put “June Giveaway” in the title. The deadline to submit your entry is June 15.

Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, event listings, letters and

entries for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website ElectricConsumer.org; email ec@ElectricConsumer.org; or send to Electric Consumer, PO Box 24517, Indianapolis, IN 46224.

GLM Communications, Inc., 212-929-1300; glmcommunications.com Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication. UNSOLICITED MATERIAL: Electric Consumer does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safe‑keeping or return of unsolicited material. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $12 for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Readers who receive Electric Consumer through their electric co-op membership should report address changes to their local co-op. POSTAGE: Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Electric Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606. Include key number. No portion of Electric Consumer may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

JUNE 2018

contents

JUNE

indiana eats 03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric co-op. 10 ENERGY 12 INSIGHTS 14 PRODUCT PICKS Summer is a go-go-go time. Here are ways to take your electronics with you.

food

16 INDIANA EATS Corndance Tavern in Mishawaka is a farm-totable twist on fine dining.

means to rural Hoosiers. 26 EVENTS CALENDAR

19 COVER STORY Readers share more of their favorite things in our annual “Best of Indiana” survey.

28 OUTDOORS 29 SAFETY Share electric rules with kids (not in all editions).

feature

30 BACKYARD (not in all editions) 32 H OOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS 33 PROFILE Though he’s not made a bucket since 1992, legendary basketball star Larry Bird remains close to Hoosier hoops … and the hearts of our readers.

On the Cover The roar of 350,000 fans can’t compete with the roar of 33 race cars burning down

Find us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/Electriconsumer

the front straightaway at 230 mph.

Spectacle in Racing” — the Indianapolis 500

Electric Consumer readers said the “Greatest — is still our state’s best claim to fame. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

cover story 22 FEATURE Sen. Todd Young and an FCC commissioner see firsthand what broadband

17 FOOD Strawberry recipes — a sweet taste of June.

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ElectricConsumer

JUNE 2018

co-op news CONTACT US Office: 260-726-7121 / 800-835-7362

What’s wrong with this picture? During National Safety Month — or any time for that matter — do not text and drive.

WEBSITE www.jayremc.com EMAIL remc@jayremc.com OFFICE HOURS 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday STREET ADDRESS 484 S. 200 W. Portland, IN 47371 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 904 Portland, IN 47371 POWER OUTAGES To report a power outage, call 260-726-7121 or 800-835-7362, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Addington Kenneth Denton Kent Homan Klint Moser Michael Ninde Steven D. Ritchie Diane Schrock, Secretary Ronald Smithson Tom Zimmerman, Chairman STAFF Mark Arnold President/CEO Becky Napert Business Manager Dwayne Muhlenkamp Operations Superintendent Jeff Myers Assistant Operations Superintendent Cindy Denney Director of Marketing and Customer Services

Dry efficiently Use rubber or wool dryer balls, which help separate clothing in the cycle, providing better airflow and a shorter drying time. Wool dryer balls can help absorb moisture, which also reduces drying time. — ENERGY.GOV

Safety is no accident June is National Safety Month. Jay County REMC and the National Safety Council encourage you to practice safety in all aspects of your life. “No 1 Gets Hurt” is the overall theme as a reminder to keep safety at the forefront. Each week in June highlights a different safety topic for you to consider and put into place. The topics are: Week 1: Prepare for the Unexpected. Plan for possible emergencies. Make sure your home emergency kit is accessible and everyone knows its location. Make sure you have an emergency kit for your car as well. Week 2: Prioritize Your Wellness. Focus on wellness each day. Get plenty of sleep and exercise. Week 3: Take Steps to Prevent Falls. Be sure to remove clutter in, and around, your home. Put down the cell phone when walking. Make sure your ladder is stable when doing homeimprovement work. Week 4: Avoid Dangerous Driving Behaviors. Don’t use your cell phone when behind the wheel and make sure everyone wears their seatbelt. Or, in the case of

“

Safety is no accident. It’s a choice we need to make throughout every aspect of our lives.

”

young children, make sure they are properly strapped into a car seat designed for their age/weight. Use your vehicle's safety features correctly and don’t rely on safety features to replace you as the driver. Safety is no accident. It’s a choice we need to make throughout every aspect of our lives. Have a safe and fun summer from Jay County REMC and the National Safety Council.

APRIL JUNE 2018

co-op news

Sidelines

What’s happening in your community

• June 2: Loblolly Wildflower Safari. Limberlost State Historic Site. 10 a.m. -noon. $4/person. 260-3687428. • June 2-3 and 16-17: Museum of the Soldier Open House. Noon-5 p.m. Jim, 260-726-7017, or museum@ bright.net. • June 7-9: The United English Breeders & Fanciers Association’s English Days. Jay County Fairgrounds. Matt, 260-849-2196.

• June 9-10: 15th Annual Gathering of Great Lakes Nations Pow Wow Celebration of Great Lakes Culture. Tri-State Gas Engine & Tractor Grounds. Admission charge. Kay Neumayr, 765-426-3022, or kay. neumayr@ncglnac.com. Limited number of free tickets available at Jay County REMC. • June 14: Arby’s Cruise-In. Portland. 5-8 p.m.

• June 8: Matt Aker Memorial Golf Outing. Limberlost Golf Course. 1 p.m.

• June 16-17: Jay County Historical Museum Open House (Portland Alumni). Free. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 260-7267168.

• June 7, 14, 21, and 28: Stars in the Park Quaterfinal Shows. Hudson Family Park. 6:30 p.m. Jay County Chamber, 260-726-4481. Finals on July 11 at the Jay County Fair.

• June 19-23: Pennville Lions Fair. Pennville Park. Free nightly entertainment, animal shows. Saturday, parade at 3 p.m. Cindy, 260-7313221.

• June 9: Strawberry Fest. Asbury United Methodist Church. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• June 22-24: Midwest Diesel Truck, BBQ & Vintage Camper Rally. Jay County Fairgrounds. Blackstacks

Win a $50 bill credit Follow these simple steps for your chance to win $50 in electricity. Clip the coupon below. Complete and return the form to the office with your monthly payment before the last working day of the month. APRIL'S WINNER: Dennis C. from Adams County

NAME: ACCOUNT NO.: PHONE NO.:

6 8

MAY 2018 APRIL 2018

Diesel Truck Show, central Indiana vintage camper rally, swap meet, and BBQ food vendors. 260-7263366. • June 23: Jay County Walk Against Cancer. Jay County High School. Activities include balloon launch, Survivors’ Dinner, and themed laps. Bev, 260-729-2430. • June 25-26: National Run for the Fallen. Arrives Monday at 4:30 p.m. and leaving Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. from Freedom Park. Don Gillespie, 260-251-8860. • June 26: Jay County Historical Society Monthly Program. 7 p.m. Free. 260-726-7168. • June 30: Dunkirk 4th of July Celebration. Dunkirk City Park. 3-on-3 baskball tournament. Oma Scruggs, 765-768-6877. — Sidelines information courtesy of Jay County Chamber of Commerce.

DRAWING WINNER Raymond H. from Jay County won the $50 gift certificate from Shawn’s Auto Service.

FLAG DAY Jay County REMC wishes everyone a happy Flag Day on June 14. The day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which took place on June 14, 1777.

co-op news

Fair to feature local ‘The Voice’ runner-up Addison Agen, a singer and songwriter from Fort Wayne, will be entertaining the crowd of fairgoers at the Jay County Fair on Thursday, July 12. Agen finished second on Season 13 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Agen played her first piano recital at age 2 and braved her first open-mic night at age 9. She performed regularly with her family’s band and was the first artist to appear on a small stage her father, Morrison Agen, constructed in his Fort Wayne record store, Neat Neat Neat. One lucky member has a chance to win two tickets to see Agen at the fair by filling out the entry form at right.

Win tickets for Addison Agen! Name: ___________________________________________________________ Account number: ___________________________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________________________ Complete this form for a chance to win two tickets to see Addison Agen at the Jay County Fair on Thursday, July 12. Mail entry to Jay County REMC, P.O. Box 904, Portland, IN 47371. You may also call 800-835-7362, ext. 225, or drop off your entry at the REMC office. Entries can be emailed to denneyc@ jayremc.com. Drawing will be held June 28 at 4:30 p.m.

Meter replacements underway Advancements and improvements in

service will not be affected, and there is

is how well you use the

meter technology and software have

no cost to you for this replacement.

power going through

rendered our current metering system obsolete. Jay County REMC is taking a proactive approach and replacing its meters before they have an opportunity

At the Jay County REMC Annual Meeting in April, several members inquired about the meter numbers. The

the meter at this precise point in time.

new meters are digital, and continuously

05:

scroll every five seconds. During that

Instantaneous

We will personally attempt to notify

time, numbers from 01 to 07 will display

Demand. That is

someone at your home or business

at the top of the meter. Each of those

what you are using

prior to changing the meter. It is not

numbers represent different forms of

right now. This is the

necessary for you to be present for this

data that assist with billing, reliability

power going through your

exchange. However, should your meter

and status. Here is a breakdown of the

meter at this precise point in time.

be obstructed in any manner, we ask

numbers, 01-07:

to disturb power reliability.

you remove the obstruction prior to the exchange as we will need full access to your meter. Jay County REMC employees began the process last September. It is expected to take 18 months to change out all the meters served by Jay County REMC. Replacing your meter will only take a few minutes. You may notice a brief interruption in power during the exchange. Reliability and electrical

01: kWh (kilowatt-hours). This is how much energy is being used over a period of time, or, as we call it, the meter reading. 02: kW (kilowatt). This is another way to measure power.

06: Voltage. The difference in electric potential between two points. 07: Switch status. The status of the switch at a particular point in time. The new meters provide the same information as the old meters except now there is a digital display screen that

03: KVAR (Kilovolt-Ampere Reactive).

allows you and line crews to visually see

KVar is active power and reactive power.

the information.

This is for three-phase power. 04: Instantaneous Power Factor. This

Should you have any questions, please contact us at 800-835-7362.

JUNE 2018

co-op news

Mike and Sue Medler speak with a customer at Medler's Furniture in Portland.

BY CINDY DENNEY In 1944, Fred Medler and Company was founded by Fred and Deloris Medler in Portland. The store has been at the same location (524 N. Meridian St.) for nearly 75 years. It was originally a filling station where they sold oil, coal and appliances. Furniture was introduced at the store in 1960, but was sold out of a warehouse down the street. A new building addition, and renovations in 1965, initiated the change to a retail furniture and carpet store. The third-generation family establishment stands today as Medler’s Furniture. Jay County REMC member Neil Medler took over the reins from his father, Fred. Neil, in turn, has handed the family business over to his son, Mike. Medler’s Furniture is home to numerous brands of quality furniture including, but not limited to, La-Z-Boy, England, Vaughn-Bassett and Riverside. Having a great product is just part of the equation of its success. Affordable prices and friendly customer service make Medler’s Furniture the perfect place to purchase your next piece of furniture. “If you come to our 20,000 square-foot store and see a piece of furniture you like, but it is not the color you want, we

JUNE 2018

A family affair may have it in our warehouse. We also custom order to the specifications of our customers,” said Mike. “Another thing that people don’t realize is that we service what we sell.” Medler’s Furniture is currently looking at a new product line from Poly Furniture USA. The line is durable Polywood outdoor furniture that carries a lifetime warranty. The business is hoping to display the new line at the Jay County Fair next month. As a participant in the Co-op Connections Card program, you can save 10 percent on Medler’s Furniture's already low prices. Business hours are Monday, Tuesday,

Thursday and Friday from 9 a,m, to 5 p,m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. It is closed on Sundays. Visit Medler’s Furniture in person, online at www.medlersfurniture.com, or by calling 260-726-4570. You can also check them out on Facebook at facebook.com/ MedlersFurniture. Don’t forget Father’s Day is coming soon. Medler’s Furniture is offering a great Spring Inventory Reduction Sale through the end of June. Cindy Denney is director of marketing and customer services for Jay County REMC.

Win a $50 gift certificate to Medler’s Furniture Name: ___________________________________________________________ Account number: ___________________________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________________________ Complete this form for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Medler’s Furniture and Jay County REMC. Mail entry to Jay County REMC, P.O. Box 904, Portland, IN 47371. You may also call 800-835-7362, ext. 225, or drop off your entry at the REMC office. Entries can be emailed to denneyc@jayremc.com. Drawing will be held June 29 at 4:30 p.m.

g n i h t u e l s y g Ener energy

WHAT A HOME ENERGY AUDIT CAN REVEAL

Spending a few hundred dollars on

and high-tech tools to provide a thorough

but there are usually larger and less

an energy audit now could save you

report of your home’s challenges and

obvious sources. A blower door test

thousands of dollars over time.

opportunities. A professional audit

measures how airtight your home is

can range from a quick, visual walk-

and identifies where the air leaks are.

A home energy audit is a detailed assessment of your home that can give you a roadmap for future energy-related investments: • What efficiency investments will be

through to a more comprehensive, more informative — but more expensive —

• Duct blaster: Ducts move the warm and cool air around your home; duct

assessment.

testing can measure whether your

Energy audits require an examination of

ducts are leaking.

most effective in reducing your energy

the building envelope (attic, floor, and

• Thermographic imaging: This is one

bills?

exterior walls) and the energy systems

way to identify where more insulation

in the home, such as the water heater,

is needed. Infrared images show “cold”

air conditioner and furnace. Follow the

or “hot” spots in a home’s envelope.

auditor during the inspection, and ask

Identifying where more insulation is

questions so you can understand where

needed is a key component in energy

the problems are, what you can address

audits — too little insulation will make

yourself and where you may need further

you use more energy than needed.

professional help.

Adding more can provide a quick

• Why might some areas of your home be too hot or too cold at times? • Would a new furnace, air conditioner and/or rooftop solar system be appropriate? If so, what size? And what complementary measures will help these large investments work most efficiently?

The auditor may analyze your recent

Online audit tools can give you a basic understanding of how your home compares to similar ones. However, a qualified and professional home energy auditor can use his or her experience

return on investment.

energy bills to determine what your

Following the assessment of your home,

energy is used for and if use has

the auditor will analyze the information

recently changed. Finally, the auditor will

and make recommendations on what

ask about the energy use behaviors of

systems could be upgraded or what

those who live in the home.

behavior changes you can make

For example, is someone home all day, or does everyone leave for work and school? A resident’s habits can make a big impact on the energy bill. If you go

to reduce energy use and improve comfort. If you follow your auditor’s recommendations, you could lower your energy bill 5 to 30 percent, or more!

from being a household with two working

Your electric co-op can help you get

adults to one with a new baby and an

started with your audit. Most co-ops offer

adult home most of the day, your energy

audits or will provide a list of qualified

use is going to go up.

energy auditors in the area. Being home

An auditor may do some or all of the following tests: • Blower door test: Windows are often the suspected cause for air leaks,

during the audit is a great opportunity to learn what makes your home tick and how you can make it even better. For more information, please visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.

On a warm day, an infrared sensor shows heat gain up to 98 F around poorly-insulated canned ceiling lights above (the red blobs on the sensor’s display). The temperature at the red laser point reads 82.2 F. FILE P H OTO ILLU STRATI O N BY RI CHARD G . BI EVER

JUNE 2018

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Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping” you’re lucky if you can figure out where you are. Plus, you are constantly worrying about viruses and freeze-ups. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you. There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally

puts the world at your fingertips. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the

wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and you’ll find out why tens of thousands of satisfied seniors are now enjoying their WOW Computers, emailing their grandchildren, and experiencing everything the Internet has to offer. Call today! • Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games Online: Hundreds to choose from! Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer. Mention promotional code 109265 for special introductory pricing.

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“I love this computer! It is easy to read and to use! I get photo updates from my children and grandchildren all the time.” – Janet F.

insights

Electric Consumer

RE LO CATES OFFIC ES

Effective June 4, Electric Consumer has a new home base. The electric cooperative magazine, along with its publisher, Indiana Electric Cooperatives, is now located on Indianapolis’ northeast side near the Keystone at the Crossing shopping complex.

Search on for historic farm buildings AWARD TO BE PRESENTED AT STATE FAIR Does your farm property include a

The award winner will receive an

historic farmhouse, barn, agricultural

outdoor marker, a vehicle pass to

outbuilding or landscape element? If

the Indiana State Fair, and overnight

so, consider applying for the 2018 John

accommodations in Indianapolis for the

Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. The

formal presentation.

award, to be presented at the Indiana State Fair by Indiana Landmarks and the Indiana Farm Bureau, recognizes the

The magazine, which will begin its

preservation and continued agricultural

68th year of publication next month,

use of historic farm buildings in Indiana.

was headquartered on the westside of Indianapolis since 1974. Prior to that, its offices were in downtown Indianapolis. Electric Consumer is mailed out to consumers of 28 electric cooperatives. Over 275,000 copies of the magazine are distributed each month. Indiana Electric Cooperatives is the service association for 38 member-owned electric cooperatives throughout the state. The new address is 8888 Keystone Ave., Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240. You

Indiana Landmarks named the award in memory of John Arnold (1955-1991), a Rush County farmer who successfully combined progressive architectural practices with a deep respect for the

Anyone, including farm owners, can

natural and historic features of the rural

submit a nomination for the award. The

landscape. The John Arnold Award

nomination asks for:

honors those who share a similar

• A brief history of the farm and a description of its significant historic structures and features. • A description of how the farm’s

commitment to preserving the landmarks and landscape of rural Indiana. The award’s nomination form is available at bit.ly/ArnoldAward18 or by contacting

historic agricultural structures

Tommy Kleckner at Indiana Landmarks

are used in day-to-day farming

at 812-232-4534 or tkleckner@

operations, and how they have been

indianalandmarks.org. Deadline for

preserved or adapted.

nominations is June 15 at 5 p.m.

• High-res digital photographs of

can continue to email Electric Consumer

the farm and its preserved historic

staff at ec@electricconsumer.org.

features.

New Indiana school focuses on agricultural training Online students in Indiana are about to get their hands dirty. Indiana Agriculture & Technology School (IATS) is a new tuition-free charter school that couples online learning with labs and project-based activities down on the farm. Enrollment is now open to Indiana residents, grades 7-12. Online coursework is offered for Core 40, Core 40 Honors, and Core 40 Technical Honors diploma programs. AP opportunities are also provided. Enrollment is capped at 160 students per grade level. In addition to coursework, on-campus lab work will be offered at the school’s 600+ acre farm in Morgan County. The school is also working to establish a network of corporate and farming partners throughout the state to provide student internships and jobs.

JUNE 2018

To learn more about Indiana Agriculture & Technology School, visit www.indiana.ag. Classes start July 30.

product picks

Takin’ it with you For most people, summer is go-go-go time. And when you’re on the move, you need electronics that will move with

you. Here are a few that may

1 2

POWER TO GO When stormy weather is on the horizon or hits, grab the Best Emergency Radio/ Charger. Get NOAA alerts, listen to the radio and charge your devices as you weather the storm. It’s a powerful flashlight, too. $100. 800-321-1484; hammacher.com

JUNE 2018

BY JAYNE CANNON

make your days a bit sunnier.

TALKING DIRTY

PARLEZ-VOUS?

You take your phone everywhere ... which means it picks up grime and germs. Clean it up with the PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer. Insert phone, close the lid and in about 10 minutes, your device is germ-free and ready for duty. $60. 888-365-0056; uncommongoods.com

No matter where you roam, you’ll speak the local language with the Live Conversation Speaking Translator. The handheld device translates your words into any of 12 languages or will translate what’s said to you into English. $350. 800-321-1484; hammacher.com

ROLL WITH MUSIC

LIGHT READING

THINLY SLICED

It’s not a day at the beach without your playlists, but why risk turning your smartphone into a sandy, soggy mess? Enter the Drifter Action Speaker. Download your favorites and jam for eight hours on a single charge. $200. 888-365-0056; uncommongoods.com

You love to read at the beach, beside the pool or in the tub, but books get heavy — especially when waterlogged! Take your library with you on the Kindle Oasis that will let you listen to books as well as read them. And it’s waterproof. From $250. 888-280-4331; amazon.com

Apple’s mini 4 is the slimmest iPad yet, but it has a girth of features: a crisp, 7.9-inch Retina Display; 8MP camera; 1080p HD video recording; and a speedy A8 processor. It’s your perfectly portable digital media center. From $399. 800-692–7753; apple.com

TAVERN TAKES FINE DINING UP A NOTCH Looking for a creative twist to a fine dining experience? Corndance Tavern in Mishawaka, a farm-to-table favorite of foodies in northern Indiana, is renowned not only for specialities like bison and elote corn (fire roasted with lime juice, mayo, ancho chile, cilantro and cotija cheese) but for its even more unusual fare. Take the restaurant’s signature dish: the aptly named “Sword of John Adams.” An ample selection of steak, chicken, sausages or prawns (choice of meats varies) is impressively skewered on, yes, a sword, and presented to the, hopefully, hungry diner with steakhouse sides. Unusual culinary presentations are the norm at Corndance. Lobster and Shrimp Rigatoni is served in a collectible mason jar and the popular Birramisu dessert, a unique take on tiramisu, is prepared and served in a beer can. Corndance Tavern is just one of owner George Pesek’s forays into food — and drink. Corndance — named for the region’s native Potawatomi Indians’ rituals to thank their gods for bountiful harvests — is the dinnertime dining option featuring an extensive menu of dry-aged meats, some seafood, sausages and even frankfurters. Bourbon and Butcher, a combo butcher shop/informal eatery is open from 11 am-3 pm. Pesek’s Evil Czech Brewery serves up innovative craft beers along with upscale bar food from

Corndance Tavern

mid-day to late evening. (With names like “Vladimir Poutine” and the “Fungus Amongus” burger noted on the menu,

4725 Grape Road

Mishawaka, Indiana

who wouldn’t be intrigued with the Evil

574-217-7584

Czech’s offerings?) For those wanting to take Corndance brats, burgers, dogs

Hours

or sausages with them during tailgating

Mon.-Sat.: 5-10 pm Sun.: 5-9 pm

season, they can order online at www.

Website

corndance.com/tailgate-packages/

corndance.com

PHO TO CO URTESY O F CO RNDANCE TAVERN

food Grab some some fresh or frozen strawberries to prepare these readers’ recipes.

Strawberry SWEETS

Easy Strawberry Soup by Eileen Fisse, Greensburg 2 cups vanilla yogurt ½ cup orange juice 8 cups fresh, sliced strawberries ½ cup sugar In a blender, combine yogurt, juice, strawberries and sugar in batches. Cover and process until smooth. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. To serve, you can garnish with fresh strawberry slices and a spoonful of yogurt. (We garnished with mint leaves.) Cook’s notes: It’s an easy, quick soup in the hot summertime! I won first place in the soup class at our county fair last year.

Grandma Lewis’ Baked Strawberry Pie by Lois Lewis, Henryville 1½ lbs. (24-oz. frozen) strawberries ½ to ¾ cup sugar 2-4 T. cornstarch (heaping scoops) 2 unbaked pie crusts (1 for top) Place 1 pie crust in pie plate. Cook strawberries, sugar and cornstarch until it thickens like syrup. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Cover with top crust. Pinch sides and slit top. Bake at 360 F for approximately 50–60 minutes. Cook’s notes: This recipe was passed down to me from my mother-in-law several years ago. All the family requests it at gatherings. I didn’t get one made this year for Christmas, and I was informed it was missing.

JUNE 2018

food FO O D PREPARED BY ELECTRI C CO NS UME R S TA FF PHO TO S BY RI CHA RD G . B I E V E R

Baskin-Robbins Cake by Shirley Bickel, Freedom CRUST: 1½ cups flour ¼ cup powdered sugar Dash of salt ¾ cup butter or margarine, softened ½ cup finely chopped pecans Combine flour, ¼ cup powdered sugar and a dash of salt. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Pat mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 F for 1012 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely. FILLING: 2 (10-oz.) bags frozen strawberries, thawed ½ cup strawberry juice 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 (8-oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed Thaw strawberries. Remove ½ cup juice; place in a small saucepan.

Marshmallow Strawberry Cake

Sprinkle gelatin over juice. Heat over

by Kerri Ladeburg, Romney

low heat to melt gelatin. Pour over strawberries. Stir and set aside.

2 cups mini marshmallows

In a small bowl, mix thawed

Beat softened cream cheese and

2 (10-oz.) packages

strawberries and gelatin together;

frozen strawberries

set aside.

powdered sugar until fluffy. By hand, stir in strawberry mixture and thawed whipped topping, combining well. Pour into cooled crust and freeze. Remove from freezer and let rest 20-30 minutes before serving. Cut in squares. Top with additional whipped topping and fresh strawberries, if desired.

JUNE 2018

1 (3-oz.) box strawberry gelatin 1 box yellow cake mix, plus required ingredients Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Spread 2

Mix cake as directed. Then, pour over marshmallows. Add strawberries and gelatin mixture over cake batter.

cups mini marshmallows in bottom

Bake at 350 F for 45–50 minutes.

of pan.

Marshmallows will come to the top to form a crust. Serve warm or cold.

T he Best

of Indiana Readers rave about their faves BY EMI LY SC H ILLING

ith summer just a few weeks away, now’s the perfect time to add new places to your Hoosier bucket lists.

Electric Consumer readers have been providing their picks of places to check out since we announced in March that our “Readers’ Choice Awards” would be back. After sharing their favorites in four categories — Best Fried Chicken, Best Antique Store, Best Girls’ Getaway and Best Guys’ Getaway — they cast their votes in the most competitive categories: Famous Hoosier and Claim to Fame (which could literally be anything: what defines being a Hoosier, what makes our state unique, a renowned place or event, etc.). Did your favorites match up to other readers’ picks? Turn the page to see what ... or who ... has been chosen as this year’s Best of Indiana.

JUNE 2018

BEST ANTIQUE STORE BEST FRIED CHICKEN

The Chicken House 7180 Highway 111 Sellersburg, Indiana 47172 812-246-9485 thechickenhouseonline.com The Chicken House’s no-nonsense, no-frills name pretty much sums up why folks flock to this old white building off St. Joe’s Road in Sellersburg: its fried chicken. Oh, there’s other stuff on the menu — pork chops, steak, ham, oysters, fish and shrimp — but chicken

Red Barn Antique Mall

add to your collection: furniture, quilts,

215 Highway 62 W. Corydon, IN 47112 812-738-6000 www.redbarnantiquemall.com

embroidered linens, glassware, books,

The painted signage on the Red Barn

and Kentucky Derby glasses will want to

Antique Mall mimics those Mail Pouch

check out the selection at the Red Barn.

Tobacco barns of yesteryear— right down

Paintings and handcrafted items from

to the tag line: “Treat Yourself to the Best.”

local artisans are also available at the mall.

baskets, jewelry and so much more, all on three floors. Collectors of regional goodies like Corydon’s own Zimmerman Art Glass, M.A. Hadley pottery, Louisville Stoneware

Red Barn is open seven days a week.

The best is, in fact, what antique lovers will find in this huge browsers’

Keep an eye out for the store’s lovable

paradise on Highway 62 in Corydon.

kitty mascot who can usually be found

No matter what you’re searching for,

nestled on a quilt or blanket, waiting to

there will surely be something you can

be petted.

is the star attraction (although the homemade yeast rolls are fan favorites in their supporting roles). Restaurant regulars liken this home-cooking haven to the “Cheers” bar from the TV show “where everybody knows your name.” As that family-friendly vibe suggests, there’s no need to get fancied-up before heading to dinner at The Chicken House. Just bring an “A game” appetite. The generous dinners include salad, potato, two veggies and a roll.

Win a night at French Lick Electric Consumer is giving away an overnight stay at the French Lick Springs Hotel. Deadline to enter is June 15. Please see page 5 for details.

Giveaway GETAWAY

Since everything is cooked to

patrons, enjoy an ice cold beer, and

French Lick Resorts

get psyched up for some crispy, tender

www.visitFrenchLickWestBaden.com

chicken, just like Electric Consumer readers like it. And, if you like a deal,

Last year’s Readers’ Choice for Best

bring a hungry friend with you to

Weekend Getaway is this year’s pick for

dinner. The Chicken House has a

Best Getaway for gal pals.

“Buy one, get one half off” special on

The historic and luxurious French

chicken dinners, Monday-Thursday

Lick Resorts offer everything a girl could

from 4-7:30 pm and Friday-Saturday,

want: beautiful, comfortable rooms; fine

4-9 pm.

food; activities like golf and gambling; and two full-service spas at its two hotels:

JUNE 2018

PHO TO CO URTESY O F FRENCH LI CK RE S O RTS

BEST GIRLS’ GETAWAY

order, expect a bit of a wait. You’ll have plenty of time to chat with other

The Relaxation Room at the French Lick Springs Hotel.

the West Baden Springs Hotel and the French Lick Springs Hotel. Those in need of intensive pampering can choose from an extensive menu of spa services like facials, manicures, pedicures, scrubs, wraps, massages and French Lick’s famous mineral baths. Once you’re sufficiently destressed, travel by trolley between hotels or just wander the grounds and take in the scenery. Or, visit the area’s quaint shops, antique stores and wineries.

FAMOUS HOOSIER

Larry Bird “Larry Legend” was the overwhelming choice for favorite Famous Hoosier, surpassing Vice President Mike Pence, John Mellencamp and James Whitcomb Riley. To learn more about Larry Bird, please turn to our Profile page — PHO TO S BY I STO CK/ G ETTY I M AG ES PLUS

BEST GUYS’ GETAWAY

Indiana lakes

bluegill and crappie fishing; and Cecil

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3077.htm You can lead a guy to water ... and when you do, according to Electric Consumer readers, he’ll be sure to cast his fishing pole. Our readers’ top pick for a guys’ trip was to one of Indiana’s many lakes to go fishing. Patoka Lake, spread across Dubois, Crawford and Orange counties in southern Indiana, was the favorite fishing spot. Indiana’s second largest lake at 8,800 acres is a prime spot to catch bass, stripers, sunfish, catfish and crappie. Lake Monroe, the state’s largest lake, is home to carp, catfish, bass, crappie and walleye; West Boggs Lake, good for largemouth bass, bream,

M. Harden Lake (Raccoon Lake), home to largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, walleye and white bass, also received votes. For those who have yet to catch the fishing bug, take advantage of two “Free Fishing Days” this month (June 2-3) when you don’t need a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp to fish the state’s public waters. For information on purchasing a fishing license, visit https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/52330.htm or call 317-232-4200. By the way, quite a few readers cast votes for French Lick Resorts, which was named Best Girls’ Getaway. It just goes to prove, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!

CLAIM TO FAME

Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 4790 W. 16th St. Indianapolis, IN 46222 317-492-8500 www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com Electric Consumer readers love the Hoosier state for so many reasons. Some liked the friendly people. Others enjoyed the State Fair or high school basketball. Farmers markets, community festivals, and the beautiful scenery were all cited for making our state special. But most folks noted that the quintessential Hoosier experience

happens each year on the day before Memorial Day on a 2.5 mile racetrack in Speedway, Indiana. The Indianapolis 500, an internationally known tradition of fast cars, famed drivers, pit stops and ladies and gentlemen starting their engines was the readers’ choice for Indiana’s claim to fame. The 500, which just celebrated its 102nd running on May 27, draws approximately 300,000 race fans each year to the track. Billed and (trademarked) as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” it is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Not only that, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest

coincidentally but appropriately — page number 33.

‘Best of INDIANA’ at a GLANCE 1 BEST FRIED CHICKEN: The Chicken House, Sellersburg Close second: Stone’s Family Restaurant, Milhousen

4 2 BEST ANTIQUE 4 3 STORE: 1 4 2 Red Barn Antique Mall, Corydon Close second: Picker’s Paradise, Columbus 3 BEST GIRLS’ GETAWAY: French Lick Resorts (includes both the historic French Lick Springs and West Baden Springs hotels) 4 BEST GUYS’ GETAWAY: Indiana lakes — Monroe, Patoka, West Boggs and Harden (Raccoon) 5 BEST INDIANA CLAIM TO FAME: Indianapolis 500 6 BEST FAMOUS HOOSIER: Larry Bird

$50 WINNERS Electric Consumer thanks all who took time to offer opinions by filling out and mailing in the published ballot or by going online. The three ballots randomly drawn for $50 participation prizes belonged to: • Brandi Summers, Attica, member of Tipmont REMC; • Amy Simpson, Tell City, member of Southern Indiana Power; • Ross Carothers, Elizabethtown, member of Bartholomew County REMC.

sporting facility in terms of capacity.

JUNE 2018

legislative

d e t c e n n Co Hometown Living in a

Rural Hoosiers say access to broadband is a vital thread to survival and growth S T ORY A ND P HO T O S BY RIC H A RD G . B IE V E R

hen Chris Muegge went off to college in 2007, he thought his days working with his dad

on the family farm were done. Leveraging his education in animal/

feedlot nutrition from Oklahoma State University and then Purdue to come back to his parents’ 1,200-acre grain and livestock farm in southeast Hancock County seemed economically improbable. “I still wanted to be able to work on the farm,” he said. “But just like any kids my age coming out of college, it’s really hard to go back to the farm. You’ve got to have another source of income.” Fortunately, their electric and

JUNE 2018

telecommunications cooperative,

about herds, weight gain and nutrition

NineStar Connect, had run high-speed

and assess videos sent to him digitally.

broadband fiber optic lines into the

“We can be out in the shop working

rural countryside and past their farm a

on a piece of equipment,” Chris said. “If

few years earlier. The Greenfield-based

I get an email from someone that says,

cooperative, which was created in 2011

‘Hey, these cattle aren’t performing very

by the unique consolidation of the area’s

well.’ I may say, ‘Send me a picture of

REMC and telephone co-op, serves their

them. Send me a video.’

farm and home. Today, Chris, who turns 30 this month, still assists his dad on the farm, while pursuing his own career via high-

“I can start my computer while I’m changing a tire or swapping out disk blades.” Chris can diagnose problems or

speed internet as a nutritionist for Great

recommend adjustments in the feed to

Plains Livestock Consulting, based in

help the client ... “and I’m still able to be

tiny Eagle, Nebraska.

involved on the farm,” he said.

The speedy broadband is crucial; he

“We were just tickled to death out

connects daily with clients at farms and

here when NineStar brought broadband

mills from New Mexico to Minnesota. He

fiber optics. It made a difference,” said

even has a client in Costa Rica. He needs

Linda Muegge, Chris’ mother. “All of our

to be able to quickly access spreadsheets

kids have had opportunities to do other

Chris Muegge, right, talks about his experiences coming home to work on his family’s rural southeast Hancock County farm while maintaining his consulting job in animal nutrition that has clients as far away at Costa Rica. Sitting with him for the discussion on how fiber optic connectivity has made his dual roles possible are, from left, Brendan Carr, a member of the Federal Communications Commission; Indiana Sen. Todd Young; Michael Burrow, CEO of NineStar Connect, Muegge’s local electric and telecom cooperative that installed the fiber; and his mother, Linda, who also spoke about the benefits high-speed broadband has brought to their farm and to the Hancock County community at large.

Broadband in Indiana

BY THE NUMBERS

there that we can access,” Chris Muegge told Young and Carr when it comes to improving most any aspect of agriculture and agribusiness. “It’s just having the ability to access it.” Young and Carr began the day at the Hancock Wellness Center in things — live out of state and this or that

McCordsville with a demonstration of

— and they’ve all chosen to be here.”

how high-speed fiber is essential in

Sitting across the kitchen table as

another field of rural health and wellness.

the Muegges talked about what high-

This one had nothing to do with

speed fiber has meant to the family

livestock; rather, it has everything to do

and their farm on this particular day in

with the lives of rural residents.

May were Indiana Sen. Todd Young and

Dr. Michael Fletcher, chief medical

Brendan Carr, a member of the Federal

officer at Hancock Regional Hospital,

Communications Commission. Joining

demonstrated how he and a neurologist

them was Michael Burrow, CEO of

at the Greenfield-based hospital, could

NineStar Connect.

link up in real time using GoToMeeting

The Muegge farm was a stop for Young and Carr as they toured Indiana early last month to see firsthand how

available. From McCordsville, Fletcher was able to discuss CT scan results and

and how Washington, D.C., can ensure

treatment options. Though they were

rural Hoosiers receive a fair share when

less than 20 miles from one another in

it comes to the investment in broadband

this case, telemedicine via high-speed

infrastructure and connectivity.

internet allows the same virtual faceto-face discussions between a family

day, the senator and the commissioner

physician and a medical specialist

were told that the advances in

looking at the same test results at the

technology in agriculture, medicine

same time even when they may be

and workforce development do no good

hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

unless everyday Hoosiers — including

That’s critical in the medically under-

rural Hoosiers — are able to access that

served rural areas that have only become

technology via the internet. The day-

more isolated from quality health care

long trip also included stops at Ivy Tech

even as their population ages.

in Indianapolis and Purdue University in

electric cooperatives in Indiana now offer or are about to offer high-speed internet services to their consumers.

software and the fiber NineStar made

technology is changing the landscape —

All along the “connectivity tour” that

Further, Fletcher said the virtual

out of Indiana’s 92 counties are expecting to see population losses over the next 35 years.

West Lafayette. “There’s a lot of technology out

PLEASE TURN TO THE NEXT PAGE JUNE 2018

George Plisinski, manager of telecom operations at NineStar, right, shows Sen. Todd Young, left, and Brendan Carr, an FCC member, a fiber optic strand. Plisinski demonstrated how the line is spliced together in the back of a van along a highway where crews were installing it underground.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE two-way highway allows better communication between him and patients, especially those with transportation or physical mobility challenges. “We want to make sure all Hoosiers, all Americans, regardless of their circumstances, including their geographic circumstances, have a fair shot at success,” Young said in opening remarks during the visit. “Though I am a conservative

“

sure all Hoosiers …

on their core business, they need to figure

regardless of their

services in rural areas,” he added.

circumstances, including their geographic

characterize myself as a Whig,” Young

fair shot at success.

internal improvements. And one of the essential roles of our federal government is to bind together different geographies by making critical investments so that our economy can grow and people can thrive.” NineStar’s Burrow emphasized that

“If rural co-ops are going to be around and relevant and be able to deliver

circumstances, have a

that believed in the American system of

Burrow told Young and Carr.

We want to make

Republican, I also from time-to-time added. “A Whig is that now-defunct party

point, you almost get into a death spiral,”

”

SEN. TODD YOUNG

out a way to provide these much-needed A recent report by IU’s Kelley School of Business noted that between the aging population and outward migration, 59 of Indiana’s 92 counties are expected to see population losses over the next 35 years. It’s a somber and sobering toll. NineStar had a head start with broadband, given its unique pedigree as both an electric and telecom co-op. But three other Indiana REMCs — Jackson County, South Central Indiana, and Tipmont — have started or announced projects to bring high-speed internet to their consumers. A fourth is to announce its broadband plan early this month.

access to high-speed internet will be

As Young and Carr’s visit began

broadband infrastructure investment

crucial, too: for smart meters, smart

faces the same hurdles in rural areas

wrapping up, Linda Muegge, speaking

consumer appliances, real-time pricing

that electrification did 80 years ago.

for all rural communities, left the two

and other innovations. But rural areas

“We know that fiber optic connects

with a plea for high-speed access to take

often lack the density — the people

rural communities and their residents

back to Washington. “You need to say,

— to spread the cost of infrastructure

and businesses to the greater world —

‘they need it,’” she told them. “There are

investment around. And areas without

allowing them to be able to compete

so many things it touches that it’s really

these engines and amenities of economic

and be a part of that larger global

important. There are so many good

growth, lose even more people. That

community,” he said.

things that it brings.”

forces businesses and industry to leave,

With the changing technology on the consumer end of the electric lines,

JUNE 2018

driving up the costs even more for all the services for those who remain. “At some

RICHARD G. BIEVER is senior editor of Electric Consumer.

calendar NORTHWEST

NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY OPEN HOUSE, Chesterton (Porter), Dunes Learning Center. Join naturalists and National Park Service rangers for a day of guided activities and adventures. Free. Online registration requested. 11 am-3 pm. 219-395-9555. duneslearningcenter.org

LIBRARY CONCERT SERIES, Monticello (White), MonticelloUnion Township Library. An evening with the Moon Cats band at Constitution Plaza. 6 pm. Free. 574-583-2665, ext. 3307. adult@monticello.lib. in.us. monticello.lib.in.us

ART IN THE STREET, Plymouth (Marshall), Downtown. Enjoy art, entertainment, kids’ activities, food and more. Free. 10 am-3 pm. 574-274-4376. shelleyheiden@heidencreative. com. heartlandartgallery.com

CENTRAL

1-2

BANKS OF THE WABASH FESTIVAL, Terre Haute (Vigo). Fairbanks Park. Live music, food, crafters, midway rides and games nightly. Free. 812-232-2727. terrehaute.in.gov/parks

1316

KNIGHTSTOWN JUBILEE DAYS, Knightstown (Henry), Town Square. Carnival rides, games, queen contest, parade, chamber fish wagon, and more. Rain or shine. Free. 800-668-1895. knightstownchamber.org

TENDERLOIN THROWDOWN, Greensburg (Decatur), Downtown Square. This food competition names the best pork tenderloin sandwich in the state. Four categories, craft beer, wine, kids’ fun, shopping. Free. 812-222-0037. mainstreetgreensburg.com.

SOUTHWEST

BRUTALLY HANDSOME, Mitchell (Lawrence), Mitchell Opera House. Brutally Handsome is a group that celebrates the music of the Eagles. 7 pm. Tickets: $15, adults; $6, kids 12 and under. 812-849-4447. aprince@hoosieruplands.org. mitchelloperahouse.com

1516

FERDINAND HEIMATFEST, Ferdinand (Dubois), 18th Street Park. Live entertainment, kids area, food, games. 5K Walk/ Run. Admission charge. Fri: 5 pm-1 am, Sat: 8 am-1 am. $4 for beer garden. 812-6612711. nweyer1490@gmail.com. ferdinandheimatfest.com

JUNE 2018

2930

LIMESTONE HERITAGE FESTIVAL, Bedford (Lawrence), Downtown Square. Music, food, limestone carving exhibit, bike show, parade, fireworks and more. Free. 812-329-4221. downtown bedford.org

June NORTHEAST

CHAMBER CLASSIC GOLF OUTING, Portland (Jay), Portland Golf Club. Outing will feature scramble format and golf clinic. Registration, 9 am. Shotgun start, 10 am. 260-726-4481. membership@ jaycountychamber.com. www.jaycountychamber.com

1922

44TH ANNUAL QUILT SHOW & SALE, Topeka (LaGrange), Eden Worship Center. One of the premier quilt shows in northeastern Indiana. 9 am-4 pm. Cost: $5. 260-4990149. edenwc@hotmail.com. edenworshipcenter.com/ quiltshow

WINE IN THE PINES & ANIMAL ART AUCTION, Albion (Noble), Black Pine Animal Sanctuary. Adults-only evening with the animals. Explore, view animal artists, sample wines and appetizers. 5:30-9 pm. Cost: $40-$50. 260-636-7383. lori@ blackpine.org. blackpine.org

SOUTHEAST

13 PHOTO CREDIT: HAMILTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

910

CAMPBELLSBURG COUNTRY FESTIVAL, Campbellsburg (Washington), Campbellsburg Park. Music, vendors, contests, truck and tractor pulls, parade, kids’ games and activities. Free. 812-896-7979. campbellsburgcountryfestival.com. ART ON THE PARISH GREEN, New Albany (Floyd), Downtown. Festival showcasing over 90 artists. Music, children’s art activities, food and more. Sat: 10 am-6 pm, Sun: 11:30-5 pm. Free. 812-944-0413. info@ artontheparishgreen.com. artontheparishgreen.org.

2223

BLUEGRASS ON THE SQUARE, Corydon (Harrison), Downtown Square. Enjoy bluegrass music as Corydon comes alive this summer! Bring your lawn chairs or blanket. 4-8 pm. Free. 888-738-2137. thisisindiana. org

This calendar is published as a service to readers and the communities electric cooperatives serve. Electric Consumer publishes events free of charge as space allows, giving preference to free community festival and events in and around areas served by subscribing REMCs/RECs. While Electric Consumer strives for accuracy, please note that events, dates and time may change without notice. Electric Consumer advises using contact phone numbers or internet sites to check times and dates of events before making plans. To add events to Calendar, please use the “Submit and Event” form under the “Talk to Us” or “Calendar” buttons at electricconsumer.org; or mail your info to: Calendar, Electric Consumer, P.O. Box 24517, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Please submit info two months before the date of the event.

JUNE 2018

Where asparagus once grew wild

outdoors

B Y JACK S PAU L D IN G

When one of us spied our prized quarry,

kle them with sea salt. About 15 minutes

we would holler … Mom would stop the

or so in the oven at 350 F produces an

old Ford, and we would scramble out of

amazing side dish for any meal.

ne of my fond experiences as a child came with the first warming days of spring. Prior

to cultivated side ditches, mowed fence rows and the liberal use of herbicides, wild asparagus proliferated in the side

the car and into the side ditch to gather the stalks. As the warm spring weather continued, the stalks of asparagus became more mature and taller.

ditches along the county roads. And it

At this point, we stopped using the par-

was free for the picking!

ing knife and opted to simply bend the

The sporadic patches took root from stray seeds dropped by birds feeding on the seeds from nearby gardens. Once sprouted, the hearty plant would mature

stalk to snap the top off. When the tops are snapped off like this, it guarantees a soft, chewable spear when the asparagus hits the plate.

and seed and produce more plants in a

On a good run, we might fill two large

growing cluster.

paper grocery bags with the succulent

I remember loading up with Mom and

stalks. What a haul!

my sister Mary in the old family station

Usually the spears were boiled in salted

wagon armed with paper grocery bags

water, drained and liberally coated

and paring knives.

with butter when prepared for the ta-

Once we were out of town, the hunt would begin. Mom would slowly idle the old Ford down the county roads at a

ble. Truth be known: As a boy, I appreciated the hunt a whole lot more than actually eating the asparagus.

snail’s pace while my sister and I stuck

A few years ago, I spotted a lone

our heads out of the car windows and

patch of the velvety looking ma-

scanned the ditches for the dark green

ture plants along a county road

spears of asparagus.

near home. I hadn’t seen any wild

“

On a good run, we might fill two large paper grocery bags with the succulent stalks. What a haul!

JUNE 2018

”

asparagus in years. I made a mental note to come back the following spring to see if I could pick just a few spears. The next year, I was disappointed to find even the last patch had disappeared under the onslaught of a tractor mounted mower. My wife and I have a favorite recipe for our garden asparagus. We wash and dry the stalks, lay them on a cookie sheet, drizzle the stalks with a little virgin olive oil and sprin-

I can’t help but wonder, though, how wild asparagus would taste if fixed this way. JACK SPAULDING is a state outdoors writer and a consumer of RushShelby Energy living along the Flatrock River in Moscow. Readers with questions or comments can write to him in care of Electric Consumer or email jackspaulding@hughes.net.

safety

Electrical rules TO SHARE WITH KIDS

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT DANGERS OF ELECTRICITY Born with a natural curiosity, children are always exploring, asking questions and trying new things to understand the world around them. Unfortunately, that curiosity can be dangerous – and even deadly – when it comes to electricity. “There are 400 deaths and 4,400 injuries from electrical hazards each year,” said Tom VanParis, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Education and adult supervision are the main ways to help reduce your child’s risk of an electrical accident.” With summer break just beginning, children of all ages will spend the next few months entertaining themselves. Whether they are keeping cool inside or soaking up some vitamin D outside, they are bound to run into trouble. Your cooperative, though, wants to be sure they are safe from electrical hazards. Keep your children safe by teaching them the rules of outdoor and indoor electrical safety.

OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES: • Do not climb trees near power lines or climb utility poles, transmission towers or fences around electrical substations. • Keep electrical cords away from water. • Never touch an electrical pole or wire that has fallen to the ground. • Watch out for thunderstorms! If you

It is also important for children to know how to avoid electrical dangers, but also how to respond to an electrical injury. The most important rule is to never touch a victim who is still connected to a power source. The same current could travel to their bodies and injure

can hear thunder, you can be struck by

them as well. If they can,

lightning.

either unplug or turn off

INDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES: • Do not overload an extension cord with too many plugs. • Teach older kids how to safely plug in and unplug cords. • Remind children that water and electricity do not mix. • For younger children, install safety caps on outlets.

Do you have young children at home? Install safety caps on outlets.

the switch to the power supply. Inform children to never touch a live wire, even if it does not look dangerous. Lastly, be sure they know how to call 911 in an emergency if they ever need help. If you have questions about keeping your family safe from electrical hazards, contact your electric cooperative. Help keep your children safe, wherever they are, by applying a few safety rules to their summer routine. JU NE 2 018

co-op news

‘Stars in the Park’ is back! Talent competitions such as “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and “America’s Got Talent” have captured the attention, interest and engagement of the American public. Over the last five years, the Jay County Chamber of Commerce has showcased regional talent with its “Stars in the Park” talent competition. The event continues to gain popularity and will make its return for a sixth

nalists who will compete for the 2018 event title.

of Commerce at 260-726-4481 or visit the “Stars in the Park” Facebook page.

Advance purchase quarterfinal season passes are now on sale at a reduced

One lucky member will win two quarterfinal season passes to see the shows

price from the Jay County Chamber of Commerce at 118 S. Meridian Street in

on June 7, 14, 21 and 28 at Hudson Family Park in Portland from the Jay

Portland. For more information about the 2018 Stars in the Park Talent Com-

County Chamber by filling out the entry form below.

petition, call the Jay County Chamber

season this year. The talent competition is held over the months of June and July. Quarterfinal shows are held on consecutive Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on June 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Hudson Family Park Amphitheatre located at 509 S. Wayne St., Portland. Advancing quarterfinalists will perform in the finals held in the grandstands of the Jay County Fair at 7 p.m. on July 11. Contestants from Jay County and from as far away as Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Richmond, and Dayton, Ohio, comprise the quarterfi-

Win tickets to ‘Stars in the Park’! Name: ___________________________________________________________ Account number: ___________________________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________________________________ Complete this form for a chance to win tickets to “Stars in the Park” courtest of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce. Mail entry to Jay County REMC, P.O. Box 904, Portland, IN 47371. You may also call 800-835-7362, ext. 225, or drop off your entry at the REMC office. Entries can be emailed to denneyc@jayremc.com. Drawing will be held June 11 at 4:30 p.m.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY: THINK OUTSIDE THE HOME Dusting off outdoor cleaning tools and getting ready to give some much-needed TLC to your home and yard? Learn how to stay electrically safe outdoors. When starting project that require power tools, always ensure your outdoor outlets are up to standards and include ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If you’re using an extension cord, do not use unless it is labeled “for outdoor use.”

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•

Inspect power tools before and after each use.

•

Replace or repair worn or defective equipment immediately.

•

Keep tools and the area you’re working on clean to avoid fire hazards, and always store them in a dry place.

•

Never use electric tools or mowers in wet areas.

New Arthritis Painkiller Works on Contact and Numbs the Pain in Minutes New cream works faster and is more targeted than oral medications. Key ingredients penetrate the skin within minutes to relieve joint arthritis pain. Users report significant immediate relief. By Robert Ward Associated Health Press BOSTON – Innovus Pharmaceuticals has introduced a new arthritis pain relief treatment that works in minutes. Sold under the brand name Apeaz™, the new pain relief cream numbs the nerves right below the skin. When applied to an arthritic joint, or a painful area on the body, it delivers immediate relief that lasts for hours and hours. The powerful painkilling effect is created by the creams active ingredients, three special medical compounds. Anesthetics are used in hospitals during surgery. They block nerve signals from the brain so that patients don’t feel pain and they work fast. The anesthetic found in Apeaz™ is the strongest available without a prescription. The cream form allows users to directly target their area of pain. It works where it is applied. The company says this is why the product is so effective and fast acting. “Users can expect to start feeling relief immediately after applying,” explains Dr. Bassam Damaj, President of Innovus Pharmaceuticals. “There will be a pleasant warming sensation that is followed by a cool, soothing one. This is how you know that the active ingredients have reached the affected joint and tissue.”

Those with terrible arthritis in their hands and fingers, love how easy Apeaz™ is to open. The jar fits in the palm of the hand, which makes it much easier to use.

Instant Pain Relief Without a Prescription Many Apeaz™ users report significant improvements in daily aches and pain. Many more report increased flexibility and less stiffness. They are moving with less pain for the first time in years, like Henry Esber, an early user of Apeaz™. “I’ve tried more pills than I can count. I’ve also had a handful of cortisone shots. Nothing is as effective as this product. With Apeaz™, I get relief right away. I rub a little on my hands. It keeps the pain away. It also prevents the pain from getting really bad. It’s completely changed my life.”

Apeaz™ is an FDA drug with approved claims for the pain relief of the following conditions: • Arthritis pain • Simple back pain • Strains • Sprains • Athletic injuries • Muscle stiffness/ pain • Wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, muscle or joint pain

Works In Minutes

How It Works

For arthritis suffers, Apeaz offers impressive advantages over traditional medications. The most obvious is how quickly it relieves pain discomfort. The cream contains the maximum approved OTC dose of a top anesthetic, which penetrates the skin in a matter of minutes to numb the area that’s in pain. This relief lasts for several hours. Published pre-clinical animal studies have shown that the ingredients in Apeaz™ can also prevent further bone and cartilage destruction. There are also no negative side effects like from oral medication. Apeaz™ delivers its ingredients through the skin. Oral medications are absorbed in the digestive tract. Overtime, the chemicals in pills can tear the delicate lining of the stomach, causing ulcers and bleeding. When compared to other arthritis medications, Apeaz™ is a fraction of the cost. At less than $2 a day, the cream quickly is becoming a household name.

Apeaz contains the highest, non-prescription OTC dose of a medical compound that fights pain on contact. When applied to the skin it goes to work within minutes by penetrating right to the source of your pain, numbing the nerve endings. “This is why Apeaz™ is so effective for people with arthritis pain. It reduces pain while adding an additional potential layer of joint support,” explains Damaj.

™

A New Way to Treat Pain Although Dr. Damaj and his team say that their cream is the fastest and most effective way to relieve arthritis pain, they believe there is still a reason to take joint pills. The most effective are those which help to further lubricate, strengthen and support the joints. That’s why every container of Apeaz™ comes with ArthriVarx™, a breakthrough supplement that’s taking on joint support in an entirely new way.

Apeaz™: Quick Acting Pain and Arthritis Cream is Now Available Without a Prescription

ArthriVarx™ works on your joints, making it the perfect companion to Apeaz™. “ArthriVarx™ contains special compounds published to lubricate the joints and connective tissues that surrounds them. With daily use, they improve joint health and can give an extra cushion,” explains Dr. Damaj. “When combined with Apeaz™, it becomes the perfect system to tackle arthritis. While the anesthetic component of Apeaz™ is working on the outside, relieving pain on contact, ArthriVarx™ is working on the inside, adding cushioning to the joints”’

A Powerful Combination For Arthritis and Joint Pain With daily use, Apeaz™ plus ArthriVarx™ helps users live a more vital, pain free life without any of the negative side effects or interactions associated with oral drugs. By delivering fast, long-lasting, and targeted relief from joint pain and supporting longterm joint health, Apeaz™ and ArthriVarx™ is the newest, most effective way to tackle your arthritis pain. You can now enjoy an entirely new level of comfort that’s both safe and affordable. It is also extremely effective, especially if nothing else has worked well for you.

How to Get Apeaz™ This is the first official public release of Apeaz™. In order to get the word out about Apeaz™, the manufacturer, Innovus Pharmaceuticals, is offering special introductory discounts while supplies last. A special phone hotline has been set up to take advantage of deep discounts during this ordering opportunity. The discounts will automatically be applied to all callers. Your Toll-Free Hotline number is 1-800-451-7702 and will only be open while supplies last. Experience the guaranteed Apeaz™ relief already enjoyed by thousands of consumers. Don’t miss out, call 1-800-451-7702 today.

APEAZ IS AN FDA OTC COMPLIANT DRUG NDC # 57483-001-04 APPROVED FOR THE RELIEF OF PAIN FROM MUSCLES AND JOINTS INCLUDING ARTHRITIS PAIN. ARTHRIVARX STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA. ARTHRIVARX IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE AND IS NOT A DRUG. RESULTS MAY VARY. OFFER NOT AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF IOWA.

Wabash Valley Power news

Keep cool and save! The summer sun quickly drives up outdoor temperatures — and energy bills with it! Rather than perpetually running your air conditioner, some strategic planning can save you energy, leading to lower electric use. Steps you can take to reduce your energy costs are to: 1. Open the windows on cool summer evenings and nights. A cool breeze in the evening and overnight can keep you comfortable without the need for turning on the air conditioner. 2. During the day, use window treatments such as awnings and blinds to help reduce heat caused by the summer sun — particularly among south-facing windows. Reducing the sun’s heat will reduce the energy needed to cool your home. 3. Turning on fans in your house can reduce energy needed to maintain comfort. The Department of Energy reports that a ceiling fan in the room will allow you to raise the thermostat up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining the same level of comfort. But turn the fan off when you are done! The couch doesn’t need to be kept cool after you leave the room. Treat fans just like lights — be sure

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to turn the fan off when you leave the room. 4. Routine maintenance schedules will ensure efficiency! Schedule an annual inspection and maintenance to get the most out of your home’s heating and cooling systems. Also, be sure to regularly replace your furnace filter — this single step can ensure your system runs efficiently, minimizing energy waste and saving you money. 5. Set a routine schedule for your programmable thermostat to prevent wasting energy. Constantly changing the temperature settings on your thermostat can cause your air conditioner to work much more than needed — wasting energy and costing you money! Newer “smart” thermostats, such as the Nest and Ecobee thermostats, include tools such as energy reports and smart phone controls to help you use your HVAC system as efficiently as possible. 6. Seal. Insulate. Equip. Three keys to maximizing your efficiency! Start by sealing any air leaks in your house to prevent your chilled air from escaping — and hot air from seeping indoors. From

there, ensure your home is properly insulated, which will help maintain your home’s temperature. Finally, if your house is properly sealed and insulated, you may need to look into updating your HVAC system. You can even receive a POWER MOVES® rebate to help offset the cost of upgrading to a qualifying energy efficient system! By ensuring your house is properly sealed and insulated, you may find that a smaller piece of equipment will keep you comfortable. 7. Contact your local electric co-op to schedule an energy audit. This is a great way to learn about your home’s efficiency. Your local cooperative will have a list of contractors conducting energy audits in your area; your co-op may even provide the audit for you. An energy audit will include a thorough review and testing of electricity use in your home, along with recommendations on how to improve your home’s efficiency. Taking a few extra steps can save you money by reducing your energy use during the summer — and even year-round. To learn more energy-saving tips, visit www.PowerMoves.com.

Bird’vsiew eye

profile

n Indiana, a land where annual obsessions called March Madness and Hoosier Hysteria thankfully bring us

nothing but net, it comes as no surprise that Electric Consumer readers’ pick for favorite Famous Hoosier would be a king of the basketball court. Larry Bird, the “Hick from French Lick,” who rose from humble beginnings to college and pro basketball superstardom, is not only a sports icon; he’s a true example of the Hoosier work ethic. “I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end,” he once said. For Bird, now 61, that theory helped put him in NBA record books. He’s the only person in professional basketball history to be named Rookie of the Year (197980, Boston Celtics), Regular Season MVP (three times between 1983 and 1986), Finals MVP (1984 and 1986), Coach of the Year (1997-98, Indiana Pacers) and Executive of the Year (2011-12, Indiana Pacers). As a player, he led the Indiana State University Sycamores to the final game of the 1979 NCAA championship and then, as a professional, led the Boston Celtics to two NBA championships. He played on the celebrated 1992 Olympic gold-medal-winning “Dream Team.” As a coach, he steered the Indiana Pacers to a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. He retired from the coaching position after the end of the 2000 season, returning as the Pacers’ president of basketball operations in 2003. In 2012, Bird left the Pacers, only to return a year later as president of basketball operations. He served in that capacity until May 2017, and now

P HO TO CO URTESY O F THE I NDI ANA PACERS

PLEASE TURN TO THE NEXT PAGE JUNE 2018

profile CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE maintains an advisory role within the Pacers organization. We asked Bird about his Electric Consumer honor, his roots, his career and the game that has been his life. See what “Larry Legend” had to say.

Q: Electric Consumer readers from

Are you surprised by the changes and growth in the area over the past 20 years?

A: I’m really surprised. It’s beautiful in Southern Indiana and the changes the state — have been for the good and, hopefully, will continue.

Q: What exactly is your role as advisor

favorite “Famous Hoosier.” Why do you

to the president of basketball operations

think your fellow Hoosiers so easily

for the Indiana Pacers?

identify with you and “root” for you?

A: I do scouting, discuss direction of

I grew up in a small town in South-

you do anything differently?

A: I would not have tried to play through so many injuries. I would have had them taken care of.

— helping one of the poorest parts of

across Indiana chose you as their

Q: Looking back on your career, would

team of team and stay in touch with

Q: What’s left on your bucket list? A: Seeing the Pacers win a championship, whether I’m involved or not.

Q: What’s the best advice you were ever given?

A: As for basketball, no matter how much or how long you practice, no mat-

ern Indiana. After my background

(President of Basketball Operations)Kevin

ter how many shots you put up, someone

was written about during my career at

(Pritchard). He makes all the decisions.

is doing more.

we had there and the school not being a

Q: You’ve been a college and pro

basketball power, and the state’s love of

basketball standout, an Olympian, a

Q: What’s the best advice you ever

basketball, I think it all came together.

coach and a Pacers executive. What has

Indiana State, along with the success

Then when I came back to coach the Pacers and then to run the basketball side, it kind of stacked up on top of my early career.

Q: How does growing up in rural Indiana play a part in your daily life?

A: It keeps you humble. I loved growing up there and think about it often.

Q: Your hometown of French Lick and its neighbor West Baden have continually been recognized because of the resorts and the golf courses and nearby Patoka Lake for recreation.

FUN FACTS ABOUT LARRY BIRD • The bright blue Twitter logo is named “Larry” after Larry Bird. Turns out

been the highlight of your career? Why?

A: Winning championships, competing these things, to win.

Q: If you were 40 years younger, playing college or pro basketball now, do you think you’d be as successful — or more successful? Would you want to be playing ball now?

A: That’s hard to say, but I think I would

Q: The Pacers had a fabulous season this year, making it to the playoffs. What’s been your takeaway from this season?

A: It was very pleasing. I liked how the team stayed together, I liked the leadership from a number of our guys and I liked how they competed every night.

succeed.

on the Broadway stage in the play

talking; one of his early jobs was picking

“Magic/Bird.” The play failed to attract

up trash back home in French Lick.

acclaim or an audience. It ran for just

Back in 1974, after dropping out of

one month in the spring 2012.

Indiana University and West Baden’s

canceled, Bird was named NBA

led the Boston Celtics to two NBA

Executive of the Year. He was the first

championships.

person to win NBA’s Triple Crown: best

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should be listening.

for the game and I put in the work to

Boston and he grew up when Bird

used it: Don’t always be talking when you

be successful because I did have talent

• Four days after “Magic/Bird” was

Bird and Magic Johnson was captured

A: I was told this when I was 10, but I’ve

for championships. That’s why you do

Twitter’s co-founder Biz Stone is from

• The rivalry and friendship between

gave?

player, coach and executive. • Not only is Bird known for his trash

Northwood Institute, Bird got a job with his hometown’s street department, driving a garbage truck and doing maintenance and road repair work. He did that for nine months before returning to college, this time Indiana State University. The rest is history.