Clark County REMC — March 2020 Indiana Connection

Your annual meeting is April 4th. We’ll see you there!

Clark County REMC’s

I N D I AN A

CONNECTION

Your 81 Annual Meeting SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH st

SILVER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL SELLERSBURG, INDIANA DOORS OPEN — 4:30 P.M. BUSINESS MEETING — 7:00 P.M.

Look inside for more details!

MARCH 2020

A message from

General Manager David Vince It’s that time of year again. Clark County REMC’s 81st Annual Meeting is right around the corner! I hope you’ll be able to join us on April 4th at Silver Creek High School for an evening of fun activities, great entertainment, meaningful business, and valuable prizes.

Each year we try to make our meeting a little better than the year before,

Meeting Agenda KFC IN CAFETERIA Coupon available on page 30 for KFC dinner.

VOTING FOR DIRECTORS Members can vote for three directors for member representation on the board of directors. Bios for each candidate is located on the back cover.

GIFTS FOR EACH MEMBER $10 bill credit for each voting member. Members who register at the meeting will also receive an umbrella.

KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT Silly Safaris will be on hand for two shows from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to entertain children. Each child will receive a special treat! Children newborn through 18, whose parents or guardians are REMC members, can sign up to win a variety of gifts. Must be present to win. Face painting and balloon animals will also be available.

LIVE LINE DEMO Check out this high-voltage show given by REMC linemen on the main stage from 6:15-6:45 p.m.

and 2020 is no different. You will notice a new postcard in the mail which should arrive the first week of March. We’re sending all of the most important information for this year’s meeting on this postcard, which will serve as both your official notice and your registration card.

Look for it in the mail and bring it with you when you come to the meeting next month to claim your free REMC umbrella.

And while we want to see as many members as possible on April 4th, we know that many peoples’ schedules just won’t allow it. So 2020 will mark the third year for early voting online or by mail. Your postcard will have all of the instructions you need to cast your vote for who will serve on the board of directors. Casting your vote is both simple and powerful. It’s just a few clicks with our online ballot which you can access through SmartHub or with your voting credentials found on your postcard. Or you can vote by mail by calling our office and requesting a paper ballot. Whichever way you choose, every voting member will receive a $10 bill credit (one per household).

See you at the Annual Meeting!

David A. Vince General Manager

Clark County REMC

YOUT H AC T IV IT IE S Silly Safaris will be on hand for two shows from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to entertain children of all ages. Each child will receive a special gift! Children newborn through 18, whose parents or guardians are REMC members, can sign up to win a variety of gifts. Must be present to win. Face painting, balloon animals and much more will be available. The youth area is behind the main gym.

Annual Meeting April 4 at Silver Creek High School.

Clark County REMC’s

from Acorns of

Creativity... pages 20–24

MARCH 2020

from the editor

Art from the heart As someone who spent her school years with paper, pencils, canvases and paint at the ready for whenever inspiration hit, I’m especially excited about this month’s issue. It explores the artistic aspects of the Hoosier state.

I love art. Seeing works by renowned masters like da Vinci, Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse and Rodin in museums around the world are high points of my life.

Although I regretfully haven’t experienced the calming act of sketching in years, I’ll always remember how rewarding it felt to create a personal masterpiece on paper — a drawing that only I could claim.

Art is one of the best ways people of all ages can express themselves. That expression can manifest itself in the artist’s choice of medium, color palette, and subject matter. And each artist sees and presents the world differently. Art is never boring either to the artist or to those who view the finished product.

Creativity has no boundaries. Those who create have access to a special place in their minds where anything is possible. It’s a powerful feeling to go beyond real world restrictions and stretch the limits of reality. All it takes is a pencil or paintbrush or clay or other medium and an active imagination to artistically go where no one has gone before. But creativity can also manifest itself through out-of-the-box problem solving so critical in the scientific and tech worlds.

I encourage everyone to spend some time exploring their artistic sides. I believe the best artwork doesn’t necessarily reside in a museum — it’s what YOU lovingly create from the heart and your imagination.

EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@indianaec.org

Giveaway: Enter to win an Artrageous Prize Pack featuring an

Artrageous T-shirt and sweatshirt, an art portfolio and a sketchbook. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests. Entry deadline for giveaway: March 31.

On the menu: June issue: Cherry recipes, deadline April 1. August

issue: Recipes featuring vinegar, deadline June 1. September issue: 30-minutes or less recipes, deadline June 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

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 indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.

VOLUME 69 • NUMBER 9 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by Indiana Electric Cooperatives Indiana Connection 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 280,000 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 info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS: Walter Hunter President Randy Kleaving Vice President Steve McMichael Secretary/Treasurer John Gasstrom CEO EDITORIAL STAFF: Emily Schilling Editor Richard George Biever Senior Editor Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist Ellie Schuler Senior Creative Services Specialist Taylor Maranion Creative Services Specialist Stacey Holton Creative Services Manager Mandy Barth Communication Manager ADVERTISING: American MainStreet Publications Cheryl Solomon, local ad representative; 512-441-5200; amp.coop Crosshair Media 502-216-8537; crosshairmedia.net Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL: Indiana Connection 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: If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

POSTAGE: Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.

Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

MARCH 2020

3

contents

MARCH

14

17

county

03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric cooperative.

10 ENERGY Helping food keep its cool — even in a power outage.

12 I NSIGHTS 14 COUNTY OF THE MONTH Spotlighting Vigo County.

28

food

diy

16 INDIANA EATS

28 DIY

The Chicken Place: Good to the bone.

Stage your home for a successful sale.

17 FOOD Dippity do: What to dunk those chips and veggies into.

29 SAFETY

20 COVER STORY From acorns of creativity.

26 EVENTS CALENDAR What’s going on around the state.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Indiana Connection

34

Spring into safety on the farm.

30 BACKYARD What’s killing the oak trees?

(Not in all versions)

profile

33 TRAVEL Center founded by Mellencamp diverse in arts programming. (Not in all versions) 34 PROFILE Henry Holcomb: Indiana’s top dog.

32 H OOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS

On the cover Nate Heck may edit episodes of his “Artrageous with Nate” from his nifty backyard treehouse. But the series — comprised of six to nine minute videos available on YouTube — takes the Indianapolis artist and educator around Indiana and the world to explore and inspire art, creativity and innovation.

PHOTO BY RICHARD G. BIEVER

4

MARCH 2020

LOOKING BACK CONTACT US Office: 812-246-3316 / 800-462-6988 Outages: 866-480-REMC Fax: 812-246-3947 To pay your bill by phone or inquire about your account: 877-484-4042

2019 Annual Report

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 411, Sellersburg, IN 47172 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Dieterlen, President Paul Graf, Vice President Candy Meyer, Secretary/Treasurer

Kastensmidt coming on board as

about 2020 and

the IT manager, and Dominic Simms

the opportunities

joining as the field coordinator.

keep serving our members with excellence, it’s

WEBSITE www.theremc.com

STREET ADDRESS 7810 State Road 60, Sellersburg, IN 47172

As excited as I am

REMC has to

EMAIL ccremc@theremc.net

OFFICE HOURS 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday

important to look back from time to time and see where we’ve been. Here are a few of the highlights from 2019.

May 5 POWER COST ADJUSTMENT The power cost adjustment for March billing cycles is -$.003526/kWh or -$3.53 per 1,000 kWh.

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/ClarkCountyREMC Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/ClarkCoREMC Follow us on Pinterest pinterest.com/ ClarkCountyREMC

Bacala worked in our IT department, Madeline Baird helped out in our communications department, and Grant Kalkbrenner served on our that Jared, Martin, Madeline, and Grant were able to stay on as part-

women who serve on the board of

time employees once the internship

directors. It’s the way that co-ops

ended, and we are glad to have them.

work. But that choice had to be made

members to vote early online or by mail. In the first year the results were incredible. But in 2019, they were even better! For the first time in the co-op’s history, we reached 20% voter participation! The right to vote and choose the leaders of your cooperative is powerful. And we believe that the more members who exercise that right, the better we will

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ ClarkCountyREMC

in our engineering department. Martin

members to choose the men and

Beginning in 2018, we’ve allowed

April 14

Gullion, and Tyler Blandford worked

Since 1939, REMC has allowed

John Biesel

March 10

internships. Jared Massengale, Brian

warehouse team. It also worked out

in person at the Annual Meeting.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

We also offered six summer

Record-breaking participation

Joe Basham Robert Kleehamer

co-op news

be.

Commitment to community REMC continues to make an impact in our shared communities. In 2019, we brought free bucket truck rides to hundreds of kids at the Clark County 4-H fair, and we hosted our third annual North Pole event in December, where families could get their picture with Santa and meet a real, live reindeer! We also gave members a chance to meet their director representatives by hosting meet and greet events at local high school basketball games. But REMC

New employees

employees weren’t the only ones

Each year brings change, and

to get involved in the community

2019 was no different. In fact, we

in 2019. By your generosity, we

welcomed many new faces to the

were able to donate $4,000 to the

co-op. We hired six new employees

American Cancer Society through our

for field operations: Nathan Clayton,

community fish fry in May, and we

Dakota Evans, Cody Christianson,

donated more than 7,000 pounds of

Jonathan Gladstein, Jacob Pierce

food to local food banks during the

and Nathan Hall. We also filled

holidays. You’ve shown us that being

several open positions, with Jennifer

part of the community is important to

Fleece becoming our new HR

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

and benefits coordinator, Kevin

MARCH 2020

5

annual report

Treasurer’s report Financial records of your rural electric cooperative are maintained in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. All statements that appear in the Annual Report were prepared in accordance with

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2019 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF REVENUES Operating Revenues

2019

2018

40,242,025 9,963,868 4,542,089 829,978 2,277,555

41,961,695 9,360,630 4,336,168 860,355 2,209,625

$ 60,144,287 $ 61,477,174

Purchased Power Operating Expenses Depreciation Taxes Interest Expense

57,855,515 2,288,772

Total Cost of Electric Service Operating Margins

Hoosier Energy & Other Patronage Allocations Other Income & Deductions

$

Net Margins

58,728,473 2,748,701

1,543,424 244,194

4,076,390 $

1,558,330 245,023

4,552,054

standard accounting procedures from

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

the books of the corporation. In the opinion of your board of directors, the financial statements present fairly and accurately the financial position of Clark County REMC as of Dec. 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations for the years then ended.

Our financial records are audited annually by the accounting firm of LWG CPAs & Advisors. Copies of the reports are filed in the office of the REMC. At the time of the Annual Report printing, the financial statement audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2019 had not been finalized.

CANDY MEYER Secretary-Treasurer Your annua l meeting is

Clark County

April 4. We’ll

see you there!

CONNECTI

Your 81st Annual Meet ing SATUR DAY, APRIL 4 HIGH SCHOOL SELLERSBURG, INDIANA DOORS OPEN — 4:30 P.M. BUSINESS MEETING — 7 P.M.

ON

Look inside for more detai ls!

MARCH 2020

Equities Long-Term Debt Deferred Credits & Other Liabilities Current Liabilities

$

Total Assets

2019 103,870,346 29,374,383 9,839,556

$

2018 100,525,239 28,747,242 9,641,039

$ 143,084,285 $ 138,913,520

Total Equities and Liabilities

77,041,404 54,595,452 1,439,037 10,008,392

$

74,301,045 52,736,322 1,216,992 10,659,161

$ 143,084,285 $ 138,913,520

CLARK COUNTY REMC 2019

2018

SOURCES AND USES OF CASH511,737,016 KWH Purchased SOURCES AND USES OF CASH MARGINS MARGINS523,310,495 FOR KWH Sold FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 490,874,273 31, 2019 505,611,607

Line Loss THE YEAR ENDED Average Number of Consumers SourMiles ces ooff Line Cash Average Consumers per Mile

DEC. 31,4.08% 2019

Received for electric services Borrowings from CFC (financial lenders) Receipt of patronage revenue Received from other sources Receipt of construction advances

24,936 1,842 13.54

3.38% 24,502 1,822 13.45

$

59,355,687 4,200,000 616,346 243,367 242,773

$

64,658,173

$

(50,953,360) (7,880,827) (4,511,550) (1,346,114) (40,477)

Total Uses of Cash

$

(64,732,328)

Net Decrease in Cash

$

(74,155)

Total Sources of Cash Uses of Cash Payments to power supplier and vendors New construction and replacement of utility plant Debt service payments Retirement of patronage capital to membership Member deposits

MARCH 2019

Look for more annual meeting information in this issue’s cover wrap!

6

$

REMC’s

INDIANA

SILVER CREEK

Utility Plant, Net Investments & Other Assets Current Assets

annual report HISTORICAL RESIDENTIAL DATA

AVERAGE MONTHLY BILL

COST PER kWh

(Residential Average)

(Residential Average)

12.79¢

12.76¢

2017

2018

12.78¢

$158.95 2017

2019

$174.73 2018

AVERAGE MONTHLY KWH USED (Residential Average)

$166.83 2019 1,243

1,369

1,305

2017

2018

2019

OF 1,841 MILES ENERGY LINES

NO. 24,936 AVG. COSUMERS

Residential and Farm

79%

CONSUMERS 14 AVG. PER MILE OF LINE

Purchased Power

20% Commercial

67%

Operating Expense

17% 7% Depreciation

WHERE YOUR DOLLAR CAME FROM IN 2019

1%

Other

WHERE YOUR DOLLAR WENT IN 2019

5% Taxes & Interest 4% Operating

Margins

co-op news CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

To honor her years of commitment

a prize, but you’ll feel good knowing

you, so it’s important to us.

to the youth of our communities,

that you had a voice in a very

And, finally…

the board of directors established

important decision that impacts one

the Cindy Hockensmith Memorial

of our most vital resources: electricity.

As much as we would like to avoid change, there are some events we simply can’t stop. One such

Scholarship, which will be awarded to one graduating senior each year,

From the REMC board of directors, and the entire Clark County REMC

event happened in 2019, when

beginning in 2020.

my administrative Assistant, Cindy

In closing, I sincerely hope to see you

Meeting!

Hockensmith, passed away following

April 4 at Silver Creek High School.

an aggressive battle with cancer. We

Not only will you experience an

DAVID A. VINCE

miss her every day, but we are proud

entertaining evening, and maybe win

General Manager

to say that her memory lives on.

team: See you at the Annual

Minutes from the 2019 annual meeting MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLARK COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION HELD ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019, AT 7:00 P.M. (EDT) AT SILVER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED IN CLARK COUNTY, SELLERSBURG, INDIANA The meeting began with the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Brian Omerso, Manager of Marketing and Member Services with Clark County REMC. The 80th Annual Meeting of the membership of Clark County REMC was then called to order by Board President Steve Dieterlen, who welcomed everyone and introduced the Board of Directors.

Secretary-Treasurer Candy Meyer verified the proof of mailing dated March 7, 2019, and announced that there was a quorum present for the meeting. President Dieterlen then declared the meeting a legal Annual Meeting of the members of Clark County REMC. President Dieterlen asked for additions or corrections to the 2018 Annual Meeting minutes, which were included in the March issue of the Electric Consumer for member review prior to the evening’s meeting. Hearing no changes, the minutes were accepted on a motion duly made, seconded and carried. President Dieterlen asked for any old business. There was none.

President Dieterlen asked for any new

8

MARCH 2020

business. There was none.

Earl Ridlen, III, Auditor with London Witte, LLC, presented the 2018 Audit Report.

President Dieterlen introduced System Attorney David Lewis as the meeting’s parliamentarian.

Attorney Lewis stated that the REMC is guided in its conduct of corporate affairs by the Indiana REMC Act, the Cooperative’s Articles of Incorporation, and the Bylaws.

The Bylaws provide that the affairs of the Cooperative be managed by seven directors and for the election of directors in staggered three-year terms.

The eligibility requirements for membership on the Board of Directors were explained by the System Attorney. He stated that District 1 and District 2 were up for election this year.

by the Board of Directors to serve at every meeting of the membership. The C&E Committee is empowered to rule on questions of voting eligibility, validity of petitions of nomination, and eligibility of candidates, as well as verify the voting results. The Committee determined at its January 9, 2019, meeting that all candidates who met the qualifications and eligibility of the Bylaws were placed in nomination.

The System Attorney reported that the Bylaws do not permit nominations from the floor, and that voting had already taken place. The candidates were introduced to the membership.

General Manager David Vince thanked everyone who has been part of our 2019 Annual Meeting and recognized the Special Guests in attendance.

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.06 of the Bylaws, candidates were nominated for the director positions by submitting a written petition signed by a minimum of fifteen (15) members.

Following the vote count, the C&E Committee Chairman Loren Christman announced the following winners of the 2019 election: District 1, Candy Meyer; and District 2, Steve Dieterlen.

Nominated by petition are District 1 incumbent Director, Candy Meyer, running unopposed; and District 2 incumbent Director, Steve Dieterlen, running unopposed. There were no other nominees. The names of the candidates were posted in the REMC Office on January 10, 2019.

Following the recognition of the senior lady and senior gentleman and prize drawings, the meeting was adjourned on a motion duly made, seconded and carried.

System Attorney Lewis reported that the Bylaws provide for the appointment of a Credentials and Election (C&E) Committee

CANDY MEYER 2019 Secretary-Treasurer

More annual meeting information on page 30!

energy

Help food keep its cool — even in a power outage

With winter around

Before an emergency,

to be refrigerated. Doing

the cold temperatures

the corner, weather

put appliance

so will help keep you

to make ice. Fill buckets,

emergencies are bound

thermometers in

out of the refrigerator

empty milk cartons or

to happen — but they

your freezer and

and also provide you

cans with water and

don’t have to reach crisis

refrigerator. Freeze

with a backup food

leave them outside to

status in your household.

containers of water—

source in an extended

freeze. You can then use

If you prepare for power

like milk jugs — to put

blackout.

the homemade ice in

outages before they

in the refrigerator and

occur, you can minimize

help keep food cold

For a prolonged

your worries, especially

longer, but don’t fill

outage, find local

about food safety.

them to the top. Water

stores that sell dry ice

Finally, when the power

your refrigerator, freezer or coolers.

expands as it freezes, so

and block ice. Block

outage is over, don’t

The most important tip

leave some extra space

or dry ice will keep the

take chances if the food

to remember is to keep

in the container.

refrigerator as cold

is questionable. If in

as possible for longer

doubt, throw it out.

your refrigerator and freezer doors closed

If you know in

as much as possible

advance that adverse

during an outage. If

weather conditions

Though some may

electricity is out only for

are imminent, freeze

encourage you to,

a short time and your

leftovers, milk, fresh

don’t bury food in the

refrigerator maintains

meat and poultry that

snow, because this

a temperature of 40 F

you may not need

isn’t a safe alternative.

or below, your food will

immediately. Grouping

Frozen food can thaw

be safe for about four

food together in the

if exposed to the

hours. A full freezer will

refrigerator will help

sun’s rays, even if

stay cold for 48 hours —

items stay cool longer.

temperatures are frigid.

24 hours if it’s half full.

Also, stock up on food

Rather than storing food

supplies that don’t need

outside, consider using

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MARCH 2020

periods of time.

by

Leslie Beard

Director of Marketing and Member Services WIN Energy REMC

insights L ETTE R S TO THE

editor

Off the ‘to do’ list

I’ve had a “to do” item on my list for over a year … so today I am going to “do” it! I’ve long wanted to write you and tell you what a wonderful job you do with the monthly Indiana electric publication!

I’ve been a long time Dubois REC customer. Your contributions to my enjoyment each month have been significant! I know thousands of other Hoosiers have the same experience … but, like me, letting you know can be hard to get off the “to do” list. Thanks … and keep up the good work!

Mike Rendel, Mentor, Indiana

Still time to enter Calendar art contest deadline March 20 Indiana students in grades kindergarten through 12 still have time to enter the Cooperative Calendar of Student Art contest. But the deadline to enter the contest is just weeks away. Artwork must be received at the Indiana Connection office by 5 p.m. on March 20. The address is Indiana Connection, Calendar Art Contest, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

Winning entries will illustrate the 2021 art calendar sponsored by Indiana’s electric cooperatives.

‘For the people’ magazine

A complete set of rules and the required entry form are available at

Just finished reading your editorial in the recent magazine about your tiny house desire (January 2020 issue, page 3).

A first place artist will be selected for each grade and will receive $200.

I love all your articles. They speak to each and every one of us. Your magazine is something I look forward to each month. It is filled with interesting informative articles, chances for opportunities and good homemade recipes and restaurants to try. It also showcases parts of our beautiful state that otherwise might go unnoticed!

Thank you again for a great “for the people” magazine!

Jennifred E. Jones, Wingate, Indiana

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MARCH 2020

www.IndianaConnection.org/for-youth/2021-contest.

The artwork of each grade level winner will illustrate either the cover or one month of the calendar.

Honorable mention award winners will receive $75. Their artwork will appear in a special section of the calendar. An “Artist of the Year” will be selected from among the first place winners and will receive an additional $100. Judges will also select merit winners who will receive certificates.

Contact either Emily Schilling (eschilling@indianaec.org) or Richard G. Biever (rbiever@indianaec.org) at Indiana Connection if you have questions about the art contest.

MARCH 2020

13

county feature

Vigo County Vigo County has been home to a celebrated array of people. But let’s meet three: a songsmith, a saint, and Holocaust survivor.

PAUL DRESSER. Whenever Hoosiers sing about “the moonlight … along the Wabash,” they honor all Indiana homesteads. But really, that home gleaming with candlelight was that of Dresser, a Terre Haute native and songwriter who composed the song in 1897. “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” was officially adopted as the state song in 1913.

y t n u o C acts F FOUNDED: 1818

NAMED FOR: Francis Vigo, an Italian-born fur trader who aided the American forces during the Revolutionary War, most famously as an informant to George Rogers Clark in recapturing the British-held fort at Vincennes.

POPULATION: 107,386 (2018) COUNTY SEAT: Terre Haute NOTED FOR: Vigo County is nationally known as a bellwether for U.S. presidential elections; it has voted for the winning candidate in every election since 1956, and in all but two elections since 1888 (1908 and 1952).

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MARCH 2020

Dresser’s birthplace and boyhood home, a state shrine listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now sits in Terre Haute’s Fairbanks Park, a stone’s throw from the Wabash. Dresser, it should be noted, was born Dreiser and was an older brother to another famous Hoosier, acclaimed writer and social reformer Theodore Dreiser.

SAINT THEODORA GUÉRIN. Long before Dresser wrote about “nature’s school,” a Catholic nun arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a wilderness settlement in northwest Vigo County, in 1840 from France.

Mother Théodore Guérin, aided by several other sisters, advanced education and religious vocation in the region. One school she founded became Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, which continues today as a Roman Catholic liberal arts school open to both women and men.

More than 50 years after she died in 1853, the first considerations began for her sainthood. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her in 2006. Saint Theodora Guérin is the only saint to have served in Indiana.

Eva Kor at the CANDLES museum in Terre Haute. She died unexpectedly on her annual CANDLES trip to Auschwitz July 4, 2019.

EVA MOZES KOR. While the Nazis killed her parents and older sisters during the Holocaust in World War II, young Eva and her twin sister, Miriam, were spared for the sadistic pseudoscientific experiments carried out on twins at the Auschwitz death camp in Germanoccupied Poland.

Though they survived, they suffered physical complications throughout the rest of their lives.

In 1960, she married American Michael Kor, also a Holocaust survivor, and settled in Terre Haute. In 1984, Kor founded CANDLES (an acronym for “Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors”), and, in 1995, opened the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute to educate the public about the Holocaust and the power of forgiveness.

Despite her age, Kor made annual trips to Auschwitz to tell others about her childhood experiences. During last year’s CANDLES trip, she died unexpectedly on July 4 near Auschwitz in Kraków, Poland. She was 85 years old.

This year, CANDLES museum celebrates 25 years and will be hosting programs and initiatives, speakers, events, and activities that carry on Kor’s legacy.

Indiana eats

Good to the bone The Chicken Place is THE place for your fried chicken fix This St. Patrick’s Day take a trip to

keeps the family tradition alive — as

Ireland — Ireland, Indiana, that is.

well as the area’s rich German tradi-

But don’t head to this small town in

tion. German Potato Salad and Ger-

Dubois County for an Irish Stew and

man Fries (potato slices fried with on-

Colcannon dinner. The Hoosier state’s

ions) are menu staples. Chicken can

Ireland is synonymous with fried chick-

be ordered by the piece or as quarter

en from The Chicken Place.

and half chicken portions. Hankering

Yes, this purveyor of good old-fashioned skillet-fried chicken, made fresh to order, is actually called “The Chicken Place.” Make no bones

for livers, gizzards or hearts? They’re on the menu, too. A full order of ’em all is aptly noted as “Organ Trail” in the Appetizers listing.

about what this Ireland institution is

Though fried chicken fanatics from

known for, although its menu includes

across the country have hit the trail

burgers, strip steak, ham, shrimp,

to Ireland, Indiana, locals love the

tenderloins and oysters.

eatery as well. Readers of The Dubois

Four generations of the Leinenbach family have been serving good-tothe-bone chicken using Katie Leinen-

County Herald voted it the “Best Fried Chicken” in the 2019 Best of Dubois County Awards.

bach’s top secret recipe since the

Patrons also love the restaurant’s 20

restaurant opened its doors in 1948

ounce scooners of draft beer which

as Leinenbach Café. The Chicken

are a perfect accompaniment to the

Place’s current owner, Chris Himsel,

crisp chicken.

16

MARCH 2020

THE CHICKEN PLACE 970 W. State Road 56 Ireland, IN 47546

812-482-7600 thechickenplaceireland.com

HOURS: Monday–Tuesday: 4 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday–Friday: 4 to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 3:30 to 9 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

food

Dippity

Do

Take a veggie slice, cracker or chip ... and dip!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Marilles Mauer, Greensburg, Indiana 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened 6-8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 4-6 jalapenos, seeded and chopped 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup diced green onions 1 cup crushed buttery round crackers (about 18) ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese ¼ cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 8-by-8-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Blend cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Combine with bacon, mayonnaise, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and diced green onions in a bowl. Stir well. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish. Spread evenly. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs, parmesan cheese and melted butter.

Sprinkle cracker crumb mixture all over the top of the dip. Bake 20-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Editor’s note: We garnished the dip with finely chopped red and yellow peppers.

food Pizza Dip

Pizza Dip Angela Rouch, Peru, Indiana 1 pkg. 8 oz cream cheese 1 t. Italian seasoning ¼ t. garlic powder 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ¾ cup pizza sauce

½ cup finely chopped green pepper ½ cup finely chopped red pepper ½ cup mini pepperoni slices, optional Tortilla chips, breadsticks, or crackers for dipping

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder; spread on the bottom of a greased pie plate. Combine cheeses; sprinkle half over the cream cheese layer. Top with pizza sauce and peppers; can add pepperoni slices. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, breadsticks, or crackers.

Mexican Cheese Dip

Mexican Cheese Dip Kayla Knepp, Montgomery, Indiana 2 lbs. Queso Blanco - style pasteurized processed cheese ¾ cup milk 1 T. butter 2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chiles ½ t. cumin ½ t. garlic powder ½ t. onion powder ⅛ t. cayenne pepper Place cheese, milk and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Cook until melted. Stir in green chiles, cumin, garlic and onion powders, and cayenne pepper. Serve with chips or over Mexican rice.

Editor’s note: We garnished the dip with chopped green onions and jalapeno slices.

FO O D PREPARED BY I NDI ANA CO NNE CTI O N S TA FF

18

PHO TO S BY TAYLO R MA RA NI O N

MARCH 2020

from Acorns of

Creativity...

by Richard G. Biever Nate Heck works in the world’s greatest office space.

But it’s not the cozy insulated and energized tree house in his backyard. Though editing video beneath a giant live oak limb that passes through definitely makes a unique and awesome studio.

It’s not the New York City museums, industrial plants, or even Holiday World where he’s made episodes of his internet-based educational series, “Artrageous with Nate.” Though visiting these places inspire and fascinate.

And it’s not even the beautiful and historic homes and basilicas in Spain or Italy he’s taken viewers to. Though touring Salvador Dali’s home on the Mediterranean seemed surreal.

No. Nate Heck toils and tarries within a space that embraces all these places — and limitlessly more. His work station is within the imagination.

His mission, the reason he created “Artrageous,” is to share the stories of creative people. The goal is to inspire and invite viewers to revisit their own imagination and creativity, and to project it outward. “Everybody’s creative,” Heck said. “The most fascinating creative people I have ever met are not artists. They’re usually

INDIANAPOLIS

20

MARCH 2020

Nate Heck sits back in his backyard tree house where he edits episodes of “Artrageous with Nate.” Along with a live oak limb running overhead, his workspace includes a loft, where he reads or his kids play, Emmys he’s won, and memorabilia.

PHO TO BY RI CHARD G . BI EVER

I NTERNATI O NAL PH O TO S CO URTE S Y O F ARTRAGE O US WI TH NATE

engineers, designers — people that are just looking at problems differently.”

And, “Wherever you see creativity and innovation,” he says in an introduction video for “Artrageous,” “I’ll be there.”

STORIES TO TELL Heck, 42, is trained as an artist and an educator. From his home on the east side of Indianapolis, he says he’s

PARIS, FRANCE

more of a speaker and a storyteller.

Nate Heck visits the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum.

“I still consider myself an educator.

I love storytelling. Good teaching is

“Art was a way that I didn’t feel

raised a few

good, good storytelling. I love telling

worthless,” he said. “I started doing

eyebrows. Though his students would

other people’s stories.”

local fair competitions … anything just

occasionally bring home a finished

to have a chance to have somebody

product, his classes would spend

see what I was making. Even if I didn’t

months on projects. A fifth grade class

win, I’d get some encouragement.

dissected various elements of the

Heck was the guest speaker at Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ Cooperative Calendar of Student

Sistine Chapel, for instance.

Art reception for the contest winners

“It is important,” he continued. “If it

last year. He’s been invited to be on

weren’t for these art competitions,

Another project had students building

the panel of judges for this year’s

where else are some of these kids

full-size mummies and sarcophagi

contest that concludes later this month

going to get to shine a little bit? It’s not

and turning the hallways outside

(please see page 12 for information

going to be the SAT. They’re not going

the art room into an Egyptian tomb.

about the contest). Winning works

to make the honor roll, per se. They

His students also erected a 30-foot

from the contest in all grades, K-12,

may not be the football star.”

tower of colorfully painted plastic

will illustrate the cover and the months of the 2021 wall calendar that will be made available by participating electric cooperatives around the state in the fall.

Despite his rough early start with academics, Heck went on to earn degrees in art education and telecommunications at Ball State

water bottles that looked like glass, akin to the Dale Chihuly blownglass sculpture at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.

University. He then received a

But some parents would ask, “Where

Thinking back to his talk with the

master’s degree in educational

are the hand turkey things for

winners, Heck noted art contests like

technology from Indiana University.

Thanksgiving?”

After college, he and his wife, Jessica,

“I’m way more fascinated by the

who is a French and Spanish teacher,

process of creativity than I am whether

lived in France for a couple of years.

you make some beautiful painting,” he

In 2005, they returned to the east side

said. “I just wanted to immerse kids in

of Indianapolis where he taught high

experiences.”

the co-ops’ calendar project were important to him growing up. He was not strong in the core subjects, he noted, and even repeated third grade.

But inspired by his grandfather, an artist with The Indianapolis Star, Heck began using his imagination and creating with his hands.

school and elementary art for the next 10 years.

Heck’s unorthodox style of teaching

In the meantime, he had begun using his skills in videography to create

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 MARCH 2020

21

MADRID, SPAIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Nate Heck interviews Oscar Sanz, CEO of Ink and Movement, at its headquarters.

Ink and Movement manages artists and creates art and cultural projects to bring contemporary art to the public. Vinnie Manganello, an Indianapolis based producer and videographer, handles the camera.

teaching resources that would tell the back story of artists and their works,

Then, as budget cuts came to his

measured or appreciated as the

like Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,”

school system, arts education was

courses within the STEM (Science,

or Georges Seurat’s pointillism, for

among the first casualties. Heck saw

Technology, Engineering, and Math)

example. “I couldn’t find anything like

fellow art teachers losing their jobs,

curriculum. “And if we can’t measure

what I wanted,” he said. “I love art

and he was forced to spread his time

it very simply on a test, we devalue

history. I love history, and I did not

thin teaching between two and then

it. Just because we can’t quantify it

like the way it was presented. It just

three schools.

perfectly, then somehow we think,

seemed really dry, and these kids were not connecting to the artists.”

Finally, by 2016, he realized he wasn’t putting into the art classes what he

‘Well, the arts are the first thing if we’ve got to cut.’”

With the help of the PBS station in

should and left teaching to focus strict-

Indianapolis, Heck’s videos became

ly on “Artrageous” to spur creativity

“Artrageous,” short 6- to 9-minute

and the need for the arts. “That’s why I

clips. They were disseminated over

got pretty passionate,” he said.

Heck admits part of the trouble with

The problem with the arts in schools,

general, is how they are presented

the internet and on PBS out of Washington, D.C.

22

MARCH 2020

he said, is that they are not as easily

THEORIES OF RELATIVITY the “arts” in school, and society in and interpreted.

“You can’t say ‘art.’ It just separates,”

it. I’m fascinated by making all of that

Safari theme park in southern Indiana

he said. “It’s a loaded word. I call it the

relatable.”

to talk about roller coaster design

‘un-four letter word.’”

“Artrageous with Nate” bridges that

and engineering. “It was one of my favorites because it was great seeing

He said people will immediately

gap between the art room and what’s

separate between those who have the

beyond it. In the short engaging clips,

skill sets to paint and draw, and those

Heck enthusiastically shows how

who feel they don’t, and, therefore,

creativity, imagination and art combine

couldn’t care less.

with math and engineering to create

Another episode featured an industrial

wonderful human experiences. In

designer at Delta Faucet near

everything from roller coasters to

Indianapolis. It followed her vision for

literally the kitchen sink, Artrageous

a new faucet design, inspired by an

explores the ins and outs of the

old milk bottle, from her sketches to

creative process and innovation

collaboration with engineers through

from the Renaissance to today, from

to a final beautiful functioning faucet.

“Where is it in the process … where is it in middle school or high school that something happens, and we start to think we either have ‘it’ or we don’t?” he said. “People always say ‘I can’t draw a stick person.’ But that’s not really what I’m concerned about. I’m

Indiana to Europe.

more concerned about them not losing

For one episode, Heck and his crew

the belief that they ARE creative. The

ventured to Holiday World/Spashin’

world actually needs more people thinking creatively through problems than making paintings.”

He said being innovative is the number one trait every business

all that come together. Design artists, engineers, the user experience. That was really fun.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 LERMA, SPAIN Nate pauses for a picture beside the Collegiate Church of San Pedro, which was built in the early 1600s, while donkey trekking to a shoot in northwestern Spain near its border with France.

wants. To nurture that, “You need to support the arts. You need to support creative opportunities for kids so they have more time to just experiment.”

Heck said he’d like to see a new emphasis in arts curriculum. Instead of advocating for the addition of “A” for “art” to STEM to create STEAM, he said art — or rather the creativity, innovation and imagination the arts stimulate and strengthen — needs to extend beyond the art room. Those essential skills need to become fused with every STEM subject, too.

“When I speak at art conferences, a really a big question I am asking is: At what point do we stop calling it the ‘art room.’ If we want the arts to survive, I think we’re going to have to stop labeling it like that,” he said. “The only way to do it is to start connecting — by saying what happens in the art room connects to everything outside

MARCH 2020

23

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 With major funding from multiple sources, Heck has produced some

scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians — successful people in all walks — do the same.

100 episodes available on his website

“Imagination is more important than

or YouTube. “I love filming creative

knowledge,” once opined a guy

stories that focus on the relationship

known not as an artist but more for

between designers and engineers,

a few theories he concocted in the

form and function. I not only dig into

STEM line of work. But he added, “I

the culture they grew up in, but also

am enough of the artist to draw freely

into the companies and cultures

upon my imagination … Knowledge

that cultivate this type of innovative

is limited,” he said. “Imagination

thinking,” he noted

encircles the world.”

The show reaches an international

That guy was Albert Einstein.

audience, a little over half from the United States with the rest in Canada, Europe, Australia and India.

ACORNS OF INSPIRATION Acorns fall from the giant oak tree in Heck’s backyard. He hears them toppling onto the tree house roof.

Even after multiple rakings last fall, acorns still cover parts of the yard.

That’s how creativity often comes.

Inspiration doesn’t always come in a brainstorm of fully-blown ideas.

Creativity can come in persistent tapping that builds upon itself. And from those tiny acorns of inspiration, as they say, sprout mighty oaks carrying those ideas upward. They branch out and grow.

Artists nurture and harvest their creativity. Successful

Heck said every field of study is important. “But we must also realize creativity is often the fuel within it all, giving us everything from the lightbulb

NATE HECK,

to the iPhone. Nearly everything we

executive producer and host, Artrageous

wear, ride in, and live in has been touched by not just STEM but also a heavy dose of creativity.”

Research, he said, has proven that one side of the brain doesn’t do all the creative thinking while the other solves math equations. “Researchers are discovering creative thinking happens in multiple areas of the brain, with both hemispheres working together,” Heck said. “If our brains are designed this way, maybe our companies, schools, and industries should be, too.”

Richard G. Biever is senior editor of Indiana Connection.

Guide Cayetano Vinzia describes the history of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Holy Family basilica) for an episode of “Artrageous with Nate.”

MARCH 2020

NATE HECK Age: 42 Family: Jessica Heck, wife Children: Geneva, Phoenix, Zara Home: Indianapolis Education: • Ball State University, degrees in art education and telecommunications • Indiana University, Masters in educational technology Awards: Six Emmy Awards for episodes of “Artrageous with Nate” About 100 episodes produced for both digital and broadcast.

BARCELONA, SPAIN

24

You need to support the arts. You need to support creative opportunities for kids so they have more time to just experiment.

“Artrageous with Nate” is supported by major funding from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

www.ArtrageousWithNate.com

Marketplace Our Marketplace offers maximum exposure for your business or organization at a minimal cost. A limited number of display ads (such as the one to to the right) are available each month.

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calendar NORTHWEST

17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY NIGHTTIME PARADE, Crown Point (Lake), downtown.

The only nighttime parade in Northwest Indiana. Parade at dusk. Free. 219662-3290.

21

TRACK THE PAST MODEL TRAIN SHOW, Rensselaer (Jasper), Rensselaer Public Library. Several different sizes and ages of model trains. Includes layouts that have buttons for the children to push and Thomas.. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Central Time). Free.

219-866-5881. jwilma@myjcpl.org

April

11

EASTER TRAINS, North Judson (Starke), Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Passengers ride in vintage coach or open-air sightseeing cars.

Approximately 12-mile round trip travels to the Kankakee River at English Lake and continues to a park for an Easter Egg Hunt and visit with the Easter Bunny. Purchasing tickets online is recommended as trains have sold out in the past. View train departure times and book tickets at hoosiervalley.org.

Tickets: $9 and up. 574-896-3950. marketing@hoosiervalley.org

CENTRAL

1718 21

DELAWARE COUNTY FARM FESTIVAL, Muncie (Delaware), Delaware County Exposition Center/Fairgrounds. Teaches children and adults about farming and agriculture, past and present, and the importance it plays in today’s society. 8:30 a.m-8 p.m. Joe Scott, 765-760-4443, or Dee Chambers, 765-760-8626. Visit Facebook page or https://www.farmfestival.org/ CHRIS KATTAN AND FRIENDS, Franklin April (Johnson), Beeson Hall. The former Saturday Night Live cast member, performs his stand-up comedy show.

Recommended for 17 and over. Tickets: $20 and $35. 6:30 p.m. https://www.etix. com/ticket/p/8876604/chris-kattanand-friends-in-franklin-franklinbeeson-hall?country=US&partner_ id=240&language=en&cobrand=mhshows

4-5

29TH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL POW-WOW, Lebanon (Boone), Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds. Native American singing, dancing, Red Road specials, vendors and food. Admission charge. 765-453-9025. americanindiancounci. wixsite.com/ americanindiancounci

SOUTHWEST

21

THE LICK CREEK BAND, Mitchell (Lawrence), Mitchell Opera House.

Eclectic acoustic music. 7 p.m. Tickets: Adults, $13; Children 12 and under, $6. Purchase tickets at ACE/Ben Franklin in Mitchell or online at www. mitchelloperahouse.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. 812-8494447. aprince@hoosieruplands.org.

2122

“THE GREAT WAR” WORLD WAR I LIVING HISTORY EVENT, Vincennes (Knox), Indiana Military Museum.

Hundreds of artifacts including artillery, vehicles and living history displays. Battles will be re-enacted both days. Free admission to outdoor events.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 812-882-4316. http://indymilitary.com/events

26

MARCH 2020

April

2

FERDINAND TOWN WIDE YARD SALE, Ferdinand (Dubois), townwide.

Housewares, clothing, home decor, toys, etc. Over 100 sites throughout and around town.

812-367-2041.

MARCH

APRIL

To ensure our readers have sufficient time to plan ahead to attend these events, we have revamped the timeline of our calendar. Our events listing runs from the 15th of the current month to the 15th of the next month. We hope you find this revised schedule helpful.

NORTHEAST

2122

MAPLE SYRUP DAYS, LaGrange (LaGrange), Maple Wood Nature Center.

“All-you-can-eat” pancakes and sausage meal, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Horse drawn wagon rides into the sugar bush and tours of the sugar shack from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sugar making demonstrations, children’s entertainment, maple syrup and maple syrup-flavored food items for sale. All activities are free. The pancake breakfast requires a meal ticket purchased at the event (Adults, $7; Children, $3). 260-854-2225. larnold@lagrangecounty.org. http:// lagrangecountyparks.org/index.php?Itemid=106

28

SHIPSHEWANA STANDARDBRED HORSE SALE, Shipshewana (LaGrange), Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market. Standardbred auction. Preview and driving, 7-9:30 a.m. To consign a horse, call Dale Chupp, 260-499-0093.

9:30 a.m. sale begins. Free. info@shipshewanatradingplace.com. https:// shipshewanatradingplace.com/events/standardbred-horse-sale-auction

April

SPRING CRAFT BAZAAR, Fort Wayne (Allen), Allen County Fairgrounds.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. A food booth will be available the day of the event.

Free. 260-402-1315 or 260-623-3702. momriley5@yahoo.com. http:// allencountyfairgroundsin.com/event/2020-spring-craft-bazaar/

11

SOUTHEAST

27April

18

“FAB FOUR,” Corydon (Harrison), Artisan Center. Beatles themes portrayed by local area artists. Free. Visit https://www.thisisindiana.org/event/fabfour-at-the-artisan-center/ or visit the center’s Facebook page. 812-7382123.

28

METAMORA MANDOLIN GATHERING, Metamora (Franklin), MPA Opry Barn. Full day of workshops, jams and networking. Evening show open to the public. Admission charge. 317-627-1377. https://www.metamorampa. org/metamora-mandolin-gathering

April

FARM CLUB OF SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA SWAP MEET, Osgood (Ripley), Ripley County Fairgrounds. Buy, sell or trade. 8 a.m.-noon. $3 per person.

812-621-8302. chrismaryschmaltz@gmail.com. http://www.farmclubonline. com/id4.html

11

This calendar is published as a service to readers and the communities electric cooperatives serve.

Indiana Connection 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 Indiana Connection strives for accuracy, please note that events, dates and time may change without notice. Indiana Connection 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 indianaconnection.org; or mail your info to: Calendar, Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Please submit info two months before the date of the event.

MARCH 2020

27

do-it-yourself

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER stage your home for a successful sale When selling your home, you want it to look its absolute best

Or attach

for potential buyers. Home staging highlights your home’s

an air

most impressive assets. It can also greatly decrease the time a

freshening

home sits on the market. Follow these suggestions for a cost-

pad to your

effective way to make a big impact.

furnace

DE-PERSONALIZE: Staging helps buyers visualize the property as their own. If they’re distracted by a wall of family photos, a refrigerator covered in magnets and kids’ artwork, or tons of

filter for a fresh scent throughout.

toiletries on a bathroom counter, they’ll miss what’s important.

TOUCH UP AND REFRESH: Once you’ve de-personalized,

Take the personal stuff down and store it in bins with lids

decluttered, and cleaned, you’ll probably notice areas that

while your home is on the market. Replace wall hangings with

could use a little extra help. Nail holes that weren’t reused

neutral pieces so your walls aren’t completely bare. In the

will need some light spackling and touch-up paint. Speaking

bathroom, stow personal items in small bins so you can quickly

of paint, it’s best to neutralize brightly colored walls, another

hide them under the sink or in a linen closet, keeping counters

distraction to buyers. Paint is one of the most noticeable and

clutter free. Small decorative fabric totes corral items neatly on

cost-effective ways to freshen up a space.

open shelving.

Small fixes like a fresh bead of bathtub caulk, updated

DECLUTTER: Clutter takes up space, and space is what sells.

cabinet knobs, or new light switch plates quickly give a more

De-personalizing often takes care of some of the clutter but look around and see what else isn’t needed on a daily basis.

Don’t stash everything in closets, because buyers will look there to see if your home has enough storage space for their belongings. So, it’s a good time to start filling more bins or large sealable storage bags with extra clothing and outerwear

modern appearance. Add more light with brighter LEDs. And remember, a buyer’s first impression begins at the curb and front door. In the winter, make sure walkways are free of snow and ice. Your lawn and landscaping should look tidy and healthy the rest of the year. New mulch and pots of annuals do wonders for curb appeal, not to mention a modern doorknob

that’s out of season. Collectibles and knickknacks should be

on a freshly painted, great looking front door.

put away as well, so stock up on packing boxes, paper and

Visit your local Do it Best store or doitbest.com for thousands

tape.

of the best home improvement products, including storage,

CLEAN UP:

A clean home suggests to buyers that the current

cleaning, and touch up supplies for home staging.

occupants took good care of it. Make sure every area of the house is free of dust, dirt, and soap scum. Have plenty of cleaning supplies on hand to tackle the highly visible areas like countertops, bathrooms, sinks, and windows, as well as more hidden areas like refrigerator shelves. Try Mr. Clean eraser pads to remove scuffs from walls. Get some new reusable or disposable mop heads or Swiffer WetJets to keep kitchen floors shining. Dusters on extendable poles make it easy to

by

Pat Sullivan

Pat Sullivan is the owner of Sullivan Hardware & Garden stores in Indianapolis and is a member-owner of Do it Best Corp., a Fort Wayne-based cooperative of thousands of hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout the US and around the world.

tackle dust and cobwebs on baseboards, ceiling fans, and wall corners. Buyers also judge your home’s cleanliness with their noses. Keep that “freshly cleaned” vibe going by discreetly placing plug-in style or solid air fresheners around the house.

28

MARCH 2020

(This article is for informational purposes only. Indiana Connection and Do it Best Corp. assume no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, or for injuries, property damage, or the outcome of any project.)

safety

Spring into safety on the farm

Spring has sprung in the Hoosier state. It’s planting season for many of the state’s roughly 94,000 farmers. While you prepare to plant the crops that keep the world fed, Indiana’s electric cooperatives remind you to keep safety in mind — especially when working around electricity.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 62 farm workers are electrocuted each year in the U.S. Farm worker deaths and injuries can be prevented by practicing some simple electrical safety measures around farm.

Helpful safety tips for farmers to keep in mind this season: • Make sure farm equipment like planter arms and sprayers safely clear overhead power lines. This tall equipment can easily become entangled in power lines and pose an electrocution risk. Keep

a minimum of 20-foot distance from power lines in all directions.

Consider asking your electric cooperative to move overhead lines around buildings or frequently used pathways. If you’re planning any new construction, consult your cooperative for information on minimum clearances and the location of overhead lines.

• Keep a safe distance from power poles and guy wires when working the land or planting crops.

Contact 911 immediately if your equipment comes into contact with a guy wire or power pole. Do not try to fix it yourself. Leave that to the experts.

• If your farm equipment comes in contact with power lines, call 911 immediately. Keep others away and remain calm. DO NOT try to exit the equipment or touch someone who has had electrical contact. If you must exit the equipment for life-threatening reasons, jump out and away from the equipment and make sure

to land with your feet together and touching. Then, shuffle at least three tractor lengths away with your feet touching. NEVER attempt to get back into or touch equipment that is in contact with a power line.

• If a standby generator is used on a single-phase system, it must be connected to the farm’s wiring system through a double pole, double-throw switch. The switch disconnects the farm’s electrical system from the electric cooperative’s lines during an outage and prevents backfeed – keeping lineworkers safe from the risk of electrocution.

• Finally, make sure full-time and seasonal farm workers are educated to stay safe on the farm.

Each worker should be aware of the dangers and use proper safety procedures.

Indiana’s electric cooperatives stress the importance of staying safe around electricity this planting season. It could save a life.

MARCH 2020

29

annual report

Florence Renn Floyds Knobs 95 years old

Special recognition to senior lady and gentleman present The REMC will honor those attending the Annual Meeting who are 75 years of age or older. A special recognition table will be available to register all of our members that fit into this senior category. This gives us an opportunity to say thank you for coming.

Robert Riall Sellersburg 93 years old

We’ll have a coupon available to these special guests for a FREE KFC meal. The oldest lady and gentleman present will also be honored during the business session of the meeting.

Members who are 75 years and older, look for the registration table next to the cafeteria to receive a FREE KFC meal ticket.

Silver Creek High School Map

P

AUXILIARY GYM

Use this while attending the Clark County REMC Annual Meeting.

ENTRANCE

CANDIDATES’ HALLWAY

CAFETERIA

ENTRANCE

P MAIN GYM

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

COURTYARD

ENTRANCE

The blue box on the map indicates the candidates’ hallway. Registration/voting takes place in the Auxiliary Gym. Follow the yellow arrows to meet the candidates. In order to alleviate congestion at the school entrances, political candidates for public office should remain 50 feet from doors. No public campaigning is allowed inside. Follow the black arrows to bypass the candidates.

ENTRANCE

P

ANNUAL MEETING SPECIAL

2 Pc. Combo 30

MARCH 2020

Offer Includes: ● 2 Pcs. Chicken ● Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy ● Baked Biscuit ● Medium Drink Coupon good only at Clark County REMC Meeting on April 4, 2020.

product recalls

Trek recalls electric bicycles due to fall hazard A wrong-sized bolt has led to a recall of a high-end electric bicycle. This recall involves Trek Super Commuter+ 8S electric bicycles, model years 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Trek has received two reports of the wrong bolt being installed to secure the front fender to the fork crown. This can cause the front fender to fall onto the front wheel and stop the bicycle suddenly, posing a fall hazard to the rider. One injury has been reported, resulting in a vertebrae fracture.

“Trek” is printed on the bicycle’s downtube and the bike has an integrated battery and motor. The bikes were sold at independent bicycle stores nationwide and online from June 2017 through June 2019 for about $5,200.

As a service to our readers and to promote electrical safety, here are some recent recall notices provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Visit www.cpsc. gov/en/recalls for full details of these recalls and for notices of many more.

Call: 800-373-4594; or go online: www.trekbikes.com and click on Safety & Recalls at the bottom of the page.

Don’t make a withdrawal from this power bank

If you have this hammer … stop hammering

The Spare 10,000 mAh Power Banks, used to charge electronic devices, has been recalled. Its lithium-ion battery can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards. The power banks, given to consumers as free promotional products at meetings or events nationwide from July 2019 through September 2019, are white and are decorated with various logos. PO number 1813582 is printed on the back of the power bank. The power banks measure about 5.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide.

A STANLEY® brand 16 oz. wooden handle nailing hammer has been recalled. The molded grip on the hammer can come loose, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

One fire with no injuries has been reported.

Call: 800-860-1555; or go to: www.pcna. com and click on the “Recalls” link at the bottom of the page.

Recalled is model number STHT51454. It’s etched below the STANLEY logo on the steel hammer head. The hammers have a metal head, a natural wood handle with a black over-molded grip.

STANLEY is marked on the wooden handle in black and on the steel hammer head.

The hammer sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide from July 2018 through August 2019 for about $6.

Call: 866-215-1132; or go online: www.stanleytools.com, click on Support, then Safety Notices and Recalls.

Mr. Steak can go up in flames Bass Pro has recalled two models of gas patio grills. The grill’s gas regulator hose with attached fuel gauge can melt if it comes in contact with the bottom of the grill’s firebox creating a fire hazard.

The recall involves MR. STEAK four and five burner models, MS-4B-PG, SKU 2472264 and MS5B-PG, SKU 2472265.

The stainless steel grills have black trim and four or five black and red dials.

Bass Pro has received nine reports of grill fires. No injuries or property damage have been reported. The grills were sold at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and appliance and electronics stores nationwide and online from May 2017 through July 2019 for about $500 for the four burner grill and $600 for the five burner grill.

Call: 1-833-677-8325; or go online: mrsteak.com, and click on “RECALL”; or mrsteak.com/ repairpartskit.

MARCH 2020

31

Hoosier Energy news

Pole-top rescue training focuses on speed, safety Line specialists stay ‘Safe by Choice’ A second-generation line specialist,

our jobs are dangerous, and, at any

Dave Helton once saw his dad’s

time, one of us might require rescuing

friends climbing poles and putting up

off a pole.”

power lines near his workplace.

first step is to call 911, and then

I wanted to be a lineman,” says

assess the situation fully so rescuers

Helton, who has worked for Hoosier

don’t endanger themselves when

Energy almost 27 years. “I’ve never

committing to a pole-top rescue. “We

looked back. I love working with my

climb up in a safe position, tie the

hands, climbing poles, being outside,

correct knot – bowline or three half-

doing hard physical labor.”

hitches – and try to lower them to the

About seven years ago, Helton became a safety and training

Dave Helton stands next to a rescue mannequin used in pole-top rescue training at the English work center.

“

In an emergency, Helton says the

“After I saw that, I knew going forward

ground in a safe and timely manner,” Helton explains.

instructor with one of his primary

Despite the best preparation, rescue

duties being pole-top rescue training.

efforts pose numerous challenges to

According to Helton, this training focuses on speed and safety for both the rescuer and the victim in situations when somebody has been in contact with an energized conductor or has a medical emergency. He says

overcome. Not only is every incident different, so are weather conditions, the poles being climbed and if the conductors are energized or not.

This means rescuers have to adapt procedures to get the person down as quickly and safely as possible.

We do this type of

workers can encounter anything on

training because our

the pole, from a bee sting to a high-

Helton adds that being safe and

voltage shock to any type of medical

training properly are ways for line

emergency or inclement weather,

specialists to take care of themselves

including storms and lightning.

and each other, as well as live out the

jobs are dangerous, and, at any time, one of us might require rescuing off a pole.

”

DAVE HELTON, Hoosier Energy

32

MARCH 2020

“We are trained in ascending the pole, tying a rope with the proper rigging

Hoosier Energy initiative, “Safe by Choice.”

around them, and letting the victim

“We are trained to be our brothers’

down within minutes,” he explains,

keepers,” Helton says. “That’s at

adding that speed is vital to ensure a

all times, not just with this pole-top

better outcome for the person in crisis.

rescue, but in all aspects of our work.”

“We do this type of training because

travel

Art

OASIS OF

Center founded by Mellencamp diverse in arts programming

H

oosier musical artist John Mellencamp has achieved international fame for over 40 years punching out a unique brand of rootsy rock’n’roll.

Mellencamp’s radio-station standards — like “Hurts So Good,” “Jack and Diane,” “Pink Houses,” “Small Town,” and “Rain on the Scarecrow” — have ranged from catchy Top 40 tunes about teenage romance and rebellion to plaintive and provocative broadsides about the struggles of rural and small-town America.

But he’s also an accomplished visual artist. He started painting at an early age, was formally trained in New York. and actually might have pursued art as a career — had a recording contract not found him first.

So, when the Mellencamp family established the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in his hometown of Seymour in 1991, it came as no surprise that it would be an oasis for arts of all sorts — fine, performing, culinary, architectural, literary, and artisan.

The Southern Indiana Center for the Arts is housed in a beautiful 1851 brick mansion sitting upon a hill overlooking the White River. The Center is a notfor-profit organization operated by volunteers and a volunteer board of directors.

While the Center has become a Mecca for Mellencamp fans from as far away as Australia, Europe and South Africa, and his spirit embodies the Center, the Center stands on its own with support from the community.

When asked, Mellencamp does autograph posters and pamphlets for the people who visit the Center. He also allows the Center to have one room reserved to exhibit around six of his works. Prints from three of his paintings, signed and unsigned, also are exclusively sold at the Center as fundraisers.

SICA has two galleries, the Main Gallery and the Front Gallery. Exhibits in the Main and Front galleries rotate approximately every 30 days. Artists can request a oneperson or group show.

Upcoming events at the center include Spring Break Art Camps later this month, two sessions coinciding with the spring break vacations of area schools. The Center also hosts a Summer Art Camp.

Check the Center’s website for updates of exhibitions and performances.

IF YOU GO: Southern Indiana Center for the Arts 2001 N. Ewing St. Seymour, Indiana 47274 Hours: Wednesday-Friday, Noon-5 pm Saturday, 11 am-3 pm (or by appointment)

812 522-2278 soinart.com MARCH 2020

33

profile

INDIANA'S TOP DOG A hot-diggity conversation with Henry Holcomb While Statehouse politics were underway early this year, your Indiana

First Dog Henry

Connection team hounded out a behind-the-scenes interview with a Holcomb administration insider that’s

PHO TO CO URTE S Y O F THE G O VERNO R'S O FFI CE

not just another shaggy-dog story.

What follows is an edited portion of our

HH: We have a lot of really interesting

HH: I’m a huge fan of the Indiana

visitors, but the most famous person

Canine Assistant Network (ICAN),

I’ve gotten to sniff has to be rapper

that trains and places assistance

MC Hammer. He is on the board of

dogs with people with disabilities, and

INDIANA CONNECTION: Tell us

directors of “The Last Mile”, a program

humane societies across the state

about your pedigree. When did you

that prepares incarcerated people to

that help animals like me. This year,

come to live with the Holcombs?

re-enter society through business and

I invited my friend Grady [the mascot

technology training. Dad loves this

from the University of Indianapolis]

program and made Indiana the first

and some dogs from IndyHumane

state outside of California to have the

over to our house to celebrate my 9th

program.

birthday. I’m proud to say that we were

hot-diggity conversation with mover and shaker (especially when he’s wet) Henry Holcomb, First Pooch of Indiana.

HENRY HOLCOMB: I was born in Fort Wayne. I was a part of a litter of five dogs – four girls and yours truly.

I love my sisters, but they were pretty noisy and rambunctious. While they

IC: What’s your most embarrassing

were running, barking and making a

moment as First Dog?

scene when Mom [Janet Holcomb] and Dad [Gov. Eric Holcomb] came to visit to adopt one of us, I crawled right into Dad’s lap, curled up and fell asleep. You could say I snuggled my way into their hearts.

IC: Since you’ve become First Dog, who’s the most famous person you’ve gotten to sniff?

34

MARCH 2020

able to get all five of my friends at IndyHumane adopted within a week!

HH: When Dad first started this job, we visited our new house and well – a

Follow Henry on social media.

certain miniature schnauzer may have

His handle is @FirstDogHenry on

accidentally peed on the curtains …

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;

I’m not proud, but life comes at you

or write to him at Henry Holcomb,

fast.

200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis,

IC: Do you have any special causes you support?

IN 46204, Room 206.

36

FEBRUARY 2019

6 reasons to attend the 2020 annual meeting

Director Elections

Live Line Demo

$1,000 Grand Prize

Registration Gift

Music Entertainment

Kids Activities

Gra nd P rize $1,000 Bill Credit This year, our grand prize will be a $1,000 bill credit to one registered member!

Ot h er p riz es First place prize $500 VISA gift card Second place prize $250 VISA gift card Third place prize $100 VISA gift card

Every voting member at the annual meeting will receive a $10 bill credit and a Clark County REMC umbrella.

eDU CATION

e nt e r ta in m ent Entertainment will be provided by Cornfields and Crossroads, a high energy bluegrass band from 5:15-6:15 p.m.

Enjoy a live line safety demonstration by Clark County REMC linemen from 6:15-6:45 p.m. in the Main Gym.

MEE T YO UR director candidates Exercise one of the greatest benefits of being a member of an electric co-op by voting for the upcoming year’s board of directors. Members can vote online, by mail or in person at the annual meeting. For more information on the candidates visit www.theremc.com/2020-election

DENNY hill

john biesel

Paul Graf

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 6

John Biesel is the incumbent director seeking re-election in district number three and is running unopposed. Biesel retired from Essroc Materials in 1997 and from Earth First in 2017. He is a graduate from Henryville High School and received a two year electrical certificate from U.E.I. and has completed A.M.A. management classes. He successfully completed the requirements for a Board Leadership Certificate and is a Credentialed Cooperative Director. Biesel has served on the board of Henryville Jr. League.

He has coached freshmen basketball and varsity baseball at Henryville High School, and several boys and girls youth teams at the YMCA Leagues. Biesel presently serves on the board at Bluelick Christian Church. He and his wife Deborah have three adult children and have been members of the REMC since 1999.

Paul Graf is the incumbent director seeking re-election in district number six and is running unopposed.

Graf retired from Essroc Cement in 2005 and is currently self-employed with Graf Hauling and Bobcat Service. He is a 1974 graduate of Silver Creek High School. Graf is a member of the Clark County Extension Board and Clark County Ag Advisory Board. He is also a past member of the Clark County 4-H Corporation Board, Clark County Farmer Appreciation Committee, and the Indiana State Fair Board. Graf is a current member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church. He has successfully completed the requirements for a Board Leadership Certificate and is a Credentialed Cooperative Director. He has also earned the Director Gold Certificate. He and his wife Diane have two adult daughters and have been members of the REMC since 1981.

JEFF MYERS

DISTRICT 7

DISTRICT 7

Denny Hill is a candidate for director from district number seven. Hill is the Founder and CEO of Heritage Inland Logistics Lines & Heritage Acquisitions, LLC as well as Dennis Hill Logistics, LLC. He has 50 years of experience in the Marine Transportation Industry with various management positions. He received a certificate from Sullivan University in business management and accounting.

Hill is a board member of the Watson Water Corp, a past commissioner for Clark County, a member of the Clark County Jail Holding Corp., a past trustee of the Greater Clark County School Board of Trustees, and a chairman for Boy Scouts of America Southern Indiana. He is also a worship musician. He and his wife Suzanne have three adult daughters and have been members of the REMC since 1983.

Jeff Myers is a candidate for director from district number seven. Myers is an Engineering and Management Consultant in the electric utility industry.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He is an alumni representative to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology board of trustees and is a member of Eastside Christian Church. He and his wife Kelly have three adult children and have been members of the REMC since 2014.

BILL RUSSO DISTRICT 7

Bill Russo is a candidate for director from district number seven. Russo is retired from Threshold Rehabilitation, Inc. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management graduating Summa Cum Laude from Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. He also received an Associate of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University. He is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children through CASA of Floyd County, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a former District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife, Betty, have three adult children and have been members of the REMC since 2015.