FROM THE EDITOR

Blocking ‘the block’

Here’s the thing about being a writer in a deadline-oriented job: Sometimes your deadlines and your brain don’t see eye to eye. Words don’t always travel from the cortex to the fingertips and finally to the computer screen as quickly as I’d like. (Hello, writer’s block!)

Sometimes I waste precious time staring out the window waiting for inspiration to hit. Then, confident that I’ve discovered my “a-ha” moment, start expounding on a train of thought that ultimately leads nowhere. Too often, I don’t realize my ideas are hitting a dead end until I read over my carefully wordsmithed paragraphs with fresh eyes the next day and end up nixing all of them. Thank goodness for the clarity new days bring!

But when words do flow freely, there’s nothing like a well-turned phrase and a point that can be made succinctly and cleverly thanks to an ample vocabulary and a mind that is usually editing what I write before I press the keys. I enjoy the writing process immensely when that happens.

I am sometimes asked where I find ideas to write about. The answer: Anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes I read articles that enlighten or amuse me, and I can’t help but comment on the content. I might have some thoughts about an event occurring that month or things happening in my life that you might relate to. Often, I wonder if I should amp up the adventure in my life to give me more fodder for my columns. That thought is actually kind of funny: shouldn’t living life more fully be enough of a goal itself? Why am I more concerned about writing aboutit?

That’s easy to answer. I’ll do whatever it takes to create topics to avoid writer’s block. Well, anything within reason!

EMILY SCHILLING

Editor

eschilling@indianaec.org

On the menu: February issue: crescent roll recipes, deadline Dec. 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.

Giveaway: You could win an art-themed gift bundle featuring these socks inspired by Van Gogh and Munch masterpieces. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address above. The deadline to enter is Nov. 30.

VOLUME 72 • NUMBER 5 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 304,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. Member’s cost per issue is approximately 32 cents, plus postage.

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NOVEMBER

10

energy

03 FROM THE EDITOR

05 CO-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric cooperative.

10 ENERGY What to consider when adding a battery system in your home.

14

food

11 INSIGHTS

12 COUNTY OF THE MONTH Spotlighting Daviess County.

14 FOOD Nice and easy does it with your slow cooker.

18

cover story

18 COVER STORY Co-op calendar serves up 25 years of student art.

23 BACKYARD Ask Rosie about gardening concerns.

24 HOOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS

25

outdoors

25 OUTDOORS Turkeys Aweigh: Return of wild turkeys to Indiana took a Naval approach. (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS.)

26 SAFETY Holiday food prep: Ingredients for safety. (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS.)

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On the cover

For Andrew Zink, November means his dad’s Thanksgiving apple pie. And so, the Winona Lake student shared a slice with us all in his 11th grade entry in the 2023 Cooperative Calendar of Student Art contest. The work not only won his grade division but also won Best of Show.

ARTWORK BY ANDREW ZINK