SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2013
GRANGER does it
Life & culture in Granger
Real Witchcraft in Michiana
10 R
Exotic Pets
The
word
Behind the scenes with a
Michiana Psychic page 6
New Features . . . 4
THROUGH THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT “Saying goodbye to the best friend I’ve ever had.”
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“RETARD” IS MORE THAN A WORD
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A BRIEF GUIDE TO EXOTIC PETS
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THE SEARCH FOR MICHIANA’S LONG LOST LAGER Originally brewed in South Bend, Drewrys
Standing up for people with intellectual disabilities is the right thing to do, plain and simple. And Michiana is leading by example. Discover how one of the world’s strongest efforts to this end began right here in your community.
Are you a dog or cat lover? How about a kinkajou lover? With the right precautions and proper care, these 10 exotic animals can make great family pets!
Lager has long since disappeared from the local menus. And the quest to bring this classic beer back to the taps has been no easy feat.
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REAL WITCHCRAFT IN MICHIANA
Forget what you see on TV. Real witchcraft is an ancient religion that continues to grow each year... even right here in Michiana.
Cover Story 6
TALKING TO THE DEAD: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH A PROFESSIONAL PSYCHIC
Rick Bunch’s full time job is communicating with the dead, providing psychic readings, and performing exorcisms for homes and businesses throughout the Midwest. Learn what it’s like to be a professional psychic as he takes you behind the scenes... and into the world of the paranormal.
CONTACT US Advertising Inquiries media@grangerdoesit.com Comments and Feedback info@grangerdoesit.com www.GrangerDoesIt.com www.Facebook.com/GrangerDoesIt All content herein is produced by Granger does it staff or used with permission from the original artists. Copyright 2013 by Granger does it
A hidden side of Michiana “T
here is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge.” Remember that? The great Rod Serling narrated those cryptic lines to help prepare you as you crossed over to… The Twilight Zone. This extraordinary T.V. show (1959 – 1965) might be American pop culture’s best portrayal of what has come to be known as the occult – a broad term that includes the paranormal, supernatural and unexplainable. Pop culture’s most widespread depiction of the occult is, of course, Halloween. Nowadays you’re lucky if you make it past
the first week of September before images like green witches, jack-o-lanterns, black cats, ghosts and goblins start popping up in stores. Most of us understand that this imagery is harmless fun. Its depiction of the occult might best be described as caricatures. But what about the real occult? The word itself comes from the Latin occultus, which means hidden or secret. Essentially, the occult can include any practice or phenomena that can’t be explained by science or reason, including: astrology, psychic ability, alchemy, clairvoyance, divination, tarot card reading, witchcraft and numerology, to name a few. With Halloween approaching, it seems like a good time to take a detour around pop culture and explore the real world of occultism. We made some calls and did some digging. And with an introduction much less poetic than Rod Serling’s, we at Granger does it are excited to welcome you to a side of Michiana you probably haven’t seen. Find out more on pages 6 and 26...
Through the darkness and the light Dear Duke, As I sit here thinking about what to write, the first thing that comes to mind is how different the apartment feels. I look beside me where you usually lie while I work, and I don’t see you. I stand up and peek over the edge of the couch, and it’s empty. And when I call your name, hoping to see you mosey out from the bedroom with your bone, nothing happens. I had planned on writing a complaint to the manager of the universe. That may sound silly, but one of the hardest things about dealing with your passing is the fact that I have nobody to blame. You were just about to celebrate your 2nd birthday, and it makes me angry that you didn’t get to live a full life. You were cheated. It isn’t fair, Duke. Not at all. So I figured if there is anyone to blame, it must be the manager of the universe, so to speak. I had planned on writing a formal letter of complaint to let the manager know that if he or she had done a better job, you would still be with me. I decided to write to you instead. You didn’t have an inkling of negativity in your body. And I know, wherever you are, you don’t want me to waste my time being angry or even sad. When I drove to Indianapolis last year to adopt you from the shelter, I had no idea I was making the best decision I would make in my 34 years alive. I remember seeing the ad online about a 1-year-old French Bulldog who needed a home. Five minutes later, I called the phone number. The next day, I was in Indy. A week later, you were my roommate. My life hasn’t been the same since.
Even though we only had one year together, you taught me a lot. You showed me what it really means to have a true companion. You brought out a side of me I didn’t know existed. You gave me a reason to want to come home every day. I miss opening the door and seeing you staring at me, your big eyes glowing. No matter what was going on in the world or what kind of day I was having, your top priority was to hang out with me. I was your best friend. And you were mine. I miss relaxing on the back porch together, me in the chair and you right beside me, your leash tied around the pillar so you wouldn’t see a squirrel and dart after it. Remember that time you got loose and went to the pound? I spent three days posting “missing dog” flyers all over town, driving around day and night, calling your name as loud as I could without the slightest care of who I might be disturbing. All I cared about was you. I know you remember the day I came to the Humane Society after I got the phone call saying they had found you. It broke my heart to walk past all those lost and homeless doggies, all barking at the tops of their lungs, and seeing you inside the very last cage, staring silently up at me, thinking, “Dad, can we go home now?” Damn right, we can. I love how more people in our apartment complex knew you than knew me. You had tons of friends. Whenever I saw someone and you
weren’t with me, they would ask, “Where’s your buddy?” I’d smile and say, “He’s at home relaxing, waiting for me to get back.” Now when they ask, the answer is different. I think about you a lot, Duke. I want to be as altruistic as you were. I know many people, myself included, who take life for granted every now and then. We get bored and find things to complain about to pass the time. You never did that. When you were bored, you’d come sit beside me and be perfectly content. It was as though you knew your time was limited. You wanted to make the best of it by spending it close to me, your best friend. Maybe that’s why you’d sometimes lay across my lap with your chicken legs dangling back and your big head buried into the crook of my arm. You were a heavy little pork chop, and I know there were more comfortable positions you could’ve chosen, but you wanted to be close. I miss that, Duke.
sitting on the carpet beside me with one leg kicked out, or sleeping on the couch with your head on the pillow, or chewing your bone in the bedroom, but you’re here. I feel your spirit with me. And wherever I go, whatever I do, you will always be with me. I love you, little duder. I’m at peace knowing that one day we’ll be able to hang out and play again. Love and treats forever, Your best friend, Ryan
You did a lot of things that made me smile, and I can sum them all up in one sentence: you were always there for me, through the darkness and the light. And from this point on I will try harder to do the same; to show the people and things that I love how much they mean to me. You made me a better man, Duke. I want to make sure you know that. I sit here typing away, as I’ve done a thousand times with you by my side, and I’m heartbroken to not see you. But that doesn’t mean you’re not here. You might not be
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Granger does it | September - October 2013
Talking to the dead Behind the scenes with a professional psychic
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here are two kinds of psychics: the fake and the real. By fake, we mean scammers. By real, we don’t mean people who, as a matter of fact, possess a psychic ability. That may be impossible to prove. Rather, we mean people who honestly and truly believe they have the ability to perceive information through extrasensory perception.
Rick Bunch, Psychic Medium Rick Bunch makes a living by contacting the dead. People pay him to communicate with the souls of people in their lives who have passed on. He refers to himself as a medium. “Not all psychics are mediums, but all mediums are psychics,” he explains. “Psychic readings are about what is happening in your life right now and what will happen in the future. My particular gift is the ability to connect to the afterlife, if you want to call it that. I’m a medium to those who have passed on.”
We wanted to speak with a serious psychic. And although we couldn’t find one in Granger, we did find one in South Bend. Last year he performed more than 480 readings for people all over the Midwest. We figured anyone successful enough So who pays Rick to contact the to earn a living as a full time psychic deceased? A lot of people. “I get qualified as “serious.” visits from people of all types of backgrounds, ethnicities and Best of all, he was kind enough to education levels, from blue collar reveal some things about himself that workers to doctors and business he rarely discusses. executives. I’ve even given readings
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to several pastors. Some people want to know where a deceased family member is or how they’re doing. Some want to tell their friend or family member something that they never did while the person was alive. Others just want approval for a decision they’ve either made or are about to make. Everyone has a different reason.”
The process If you’ve ever been curious about what it would be like to visit a psychic, you’re about find out. This isn’t to say that a visit with another psychic won’t be different. But if you want Rick Bunch to contact a dead friend or relative, this is how it works: First, to book a reading with Rick, you’ll fill out the brief form on his
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website, located at RickBunch.com. His assistant Lydia will then call you to confirm your appointment. For those of you thinking this is the part where Lydia cleverly obtains information from you that Rick will later use to surprise you, it’s not. Actually, Rick doesn’t want to know anything personal about you. “I can’t know anything prior to the reading because it will get in the way of the energy. To get a good reading, my connection with Spirit needs to be unfiltered. The less I know, the better.” Your reading will take place at Rick’s home in South Bend. His house looks pretty much like the other houses on the block. That’s to say, there’s nothing in the yard that screams: “PSYCHIC LIVES HERE!” Inside, it’s not much different. After offering you a bottled water, he
Granger does it | September - October 2013
leads you down the stairs to a clean, furnished basement. The lighting is soft and the décor seems Easterninfluenced, but not over-the-top. We asked Rick to break down a regular reading for us, and although he emphasizes that every reading is different, he pinpointed four main steps to his process:
Tips for a good reading Rick only has one request for people who come to him: acknowledge the basic tips for a good reading. When you schedule your appointment, his assistant emails you a short guide to ensuring the best reading. There are five or six tips, but after carefully reading over them, they seem to boil down to only two: 1) keep an open mind, and 2) let the
process work. These might even be the same tip, just rephrased. If not, they certainly go hand-inhand. After talking with Rick about preparing for a good reading, it seems to us that connecting with Spirit might best be compared to falling asleep. You have to let yourself. If you’re lying there singing songs in your head, worrying about work problems or just thinking too much, you won’t fall asleep. Connecting with Spirit is similar. And since Rick serves as a medium between you and Spirit, you have to let the process work too. If you come to a reading having already decided it’s a scam, it’s not going to work. If you have no intention of taking it seriously or shrug off the experience as a laugh, it’s not going to work. Rick emphasizes that this isn’t a trick to give himself a way out if the reading doesn’t produce results. “I always want to provide the best reading I can,” he says. “Sometimes people are going through emotional pain when they visit me. I owe them the best of my ability. And if someone does come in with heavy skepticism and the reading is blocked, I don’t charge them.”
Break the ice Next, Rick relaxes the mood with a little friendly chit-chat. “If it’s your first time getting a reading, you might be a little nervous and not know what to expect. So I like to break the ice. It seems to help put people at ease, which leads to a better reading.”
Prayer of intention Before connecting with Spirit, Rick offers a nondenominational prayer of intention in which he thanks God and asks Him to bless and allow the reading to take place.
Connection with Spirit Finally, Rick asks Spirit to communicate with him. “Spirit is an energy that I can feel. It comes to me in various forms and allows me to communicate with the souls of people I’ve never met.” As he explained to us, this communication is not like a verbal conversation between friends. He doesn’t hear a little voice in his ear telling him answers to questions. Instead, it’s more obscure. “I usually get a mental impression of something. For example, an image of a wedding cake might come
September - October 2013 | Granger does it 9
“I perform six to eight exorcisms a year throughout the Midwest.” to me, so I’ll ask the person if someone close to them is getting married or having an anniversary. Sometimes I’ll get a physical pain, like a headache. I usually know then that there was some kind of accident. As I get these impressions, I tell the person exactly what they are without any filtering or interpretation. They usually will know exactly what it means, and I’ll use that information to communicate with Spirit further. The deeper we go, the stronger the reading.”
Exorcisms Most people who call Rick want answers to questions about someone who has passed away. But Rick also performs other psychic services, including exorcisms. “I perform six to eight exorcisms a year throughout the Midwest,” he says. “Most of them take place in homes or businesses.” One of the last exorcisms Rick performed was at a restaurant in this region. He didn’t reveal the name of the business out of respect for their privacy. “The manager explained that the staff had been hearing noises in the kitchen, like pots and pans clanging. Then, one day, they all ran out of the restaurant and the owner was forced to shut down. Apparently, they
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had witnessed actual pots and pans being thrown against each other by themselves. The owner contacted a metro paranormal investigative team that inspected the site. The team then called me and asked if I would perform an exorcism. So I went there and cleansed the restaurant with a series of rituals. Since then, there has been no more reported paranormal activity in the restaurant.”
A psychic’s day-to-day life Before we left, we wanted to ask Rick one more thing: what does a psychic do for fun? After a laugh, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I think I live a pretty normal life outside my work. I love cookouts with my friends, gardening, photography, horseback riding. I like to watch The History Channel and Discovery Channel. And I love relaxing at home.” And where does Spirit fit into these recreational activities? “People ask me all the time if I get bombarded with information about strangers whenever I go out in public. It’s not like that. I’ve learned to turn Spirit off, so to speak. No matter what your calling is in life, you have to maintain a balance. When I’m with my friends or relaxing at home, I’m not Rick the Psychic. I’m just Rick.”
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T
he green foam nose. Chances are, you know what it symbolizes in this region. It’s just one of many successful ways that LOGAN Center has helped raise money and awareness for people with intellectual disabilities. With creative campaigns and events like the Annual Great LOGAN NoseOn, LOGAN has established itself as a beloved, compassionate organization devoted to a great cause. What you might not know is that this organization wasn’t always called LOGAN Center. In the 1950s, when a few local families formed their own school for children who would otherwise be institutionalized, they named it The LOGAN School for Retarded Children.
Back then, there was nothing offensive about the words retard or retarded. “If you were born with a disability like autism or Down Syndrome during that time," explains Ann Lagomarcino, Director of Marketing for LOGAN Community Resources, “you were diagnosed as mentally retarded. That was the clinical definition.” Perhaps more important than the particular nomenclature of the time is the public attitude that went with it. People with intellectual disabilities were deemed unfit to live in society. Sending your “retarded” child to an institution was actually advised as the humane thing to do; even though many institutions back then were anything but humane (for an in-depth account
d r o w a n a h t E R O is M
“More than 250 colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the globe have embraced the campaign.” of the abuse that people with intellectual disabilities sometimes endured while living in institutions, check out Pride Against Prejudice: Transforming Attitudes to Disability by Jenny Morris). As with many words, the meaning and use of the word retard has changed over time. It’s no longer a clinical term. Today, intellectual disabilities is most widely used when referring to a person with autism, Down Syndrome or another cognitive disability. And there’s a good reason why.
Spread the word to end the word Some people think that replacing the word retard with a person with an intellectual disability is an arbitrary act of political correctness. Former Notre Dame student Soeren Palumbo and Special Olympics Chairman & CEO Timothy Shriver both disagree. As the founders of the international Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, they make the following argument: The R-word, "retard," is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard." When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful. Because of this, Special Olympics, Best Buddies and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people
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and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes. As language has evolved, Special Olympics and Best Buddies have updated their official terminology to use standard, people-first language that is more acceptable to constituents. Soeren, who has a sister with Down Syndrome, helped spark a national discussion of the use of the r-word after the speech he gave during his high school graduation ceremony in 2007 went viral on YouTube. The following is a transcript of an excerpt: By no fault of her own, [Olivia] will spend her entire life being stared at and judged. Despite the fact that she will never hate, never judge, never make fun of, never hurt, she will never be accepted. That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I don't think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don't realize that you hate. But that's what is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them, your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it's nothing but another form of hate. To further this conversation, Soeren co-founded
Spread the Word to End the Word as a junior at Notre Dame. The campaign simply asks people to pledge their protest against the use of the word retard, and more importantly, the derogative connotations that come with it. It’s safe to say he was on to something. Since then, more than 250 colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the globe have embraced the campaign, drawing more than 10 million pledges.
Out of sight, out of mind Right or wrong, it’s much easier to ignore this entire topic altogether unless you know someone affected by it. That’s why it’s important for organizations like LOGAN to host events such as the Great Annual LOGAN Nose-On and LOGAN’s Run. Events like these help keep the community thinking about people with intellectual disabilities, which is what it’s going to take to reach the point where people with autism, Down Syndrome and other similar disabilities are fully embraced as equal members of society. This isn’t to say that we haven’t
come a long way. In the 1950s and earlier, people with intellectual disabilities were essentially considered useless. It’s taken more than half a decade for the general public to realize this view is wrong. Simply because a person lives with autism doesn’t mean he or she is incapable of enjoying a productive, meaningful life. Just ask Jamie McGraw of South Bend. Jamie may have Down Syndrome, but he hasn’t let that stop him making a difference in the lives of 1,000s of people with intellectual disabilities. For the past 10 years, he’s served as the co-director for LOGAN’s Run, a 10K and 5K run/walk on the campus of Notre Dame that raises money for the organization. This summer, he raised more than $13,000 for people with intellectual disabilities with Jamie’s Challenge, his own 5K run that took place in downtown South Bend. In addition to his work with LOGAN, Jamie is employed at the South Bend Medical Foundation blood bank. He successfully lobbied the blood bank to donate $5
to LOGAN Center for every donor who gave the code “Jamie” when they donated blood during the months of July and August – all this from a person who would’ve likely spent his entire life in an institution because of the fallacy that people with disabilities somehow burden society. As it turns out, Jaime has made this community better.
Getting to the root of the problem Unfortunately, all these wonderful efforts cannot alone create a society in which people with intellectual disabilities are by and large treated as equals. In order to fully succeed, we as a community need to work harder to raise our children to become more accepting of this particular form of diversity. “Children form their ideas of what is normal at a very early age,” says Heather O’Laughlin, Resource Teacher and Site Coordinator at Growing Together Preschool at LaSalle Elementary in Mishawaka. O’Laughlin oversees all teaching and curriculum for children ages 2-5 with intellectual disabilities at
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the preschool. “One of the most important parts of our program is making sure that both children with and without intellectual disabilities spend time together in the classroom.” Each week during the school year, O’Laughlin divides her time between five classrooms of children. She spends a half-day in each class, giving about thirty minutes of one-on-one attention to each child with a developmental disability.
help children without disabilities become more tolerant and accepting of others who learn at a slower rate. The more we can do to raise children to understand that people with intellectual disabilities are equal, the more likely this will become the norm in our society as time passes.”
Growing Together Preschool, which includes six sites located at elementary schools in both the Penn and Mishawaka district, also provides one classroom teacher and two aides who work with children while Heather rotates among classrooms. Students with disabilities receive special education, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy primarily within the general education classroom with their peers.
The staff at Granger does it has no doubt that we as a community are capable of reaching the point where all people, regardless of their ability, are by and large treated as equals. But we can’t wait for it to happen. We have to make it happen. We must raise our children to accept people who are not just physically different, but intellectually different as well. We must remind ourselves and each other that people with intellectual disabilities are equal members of our community, even when they are out of sight. We must, in general, become a more compassionate and tolerant society. Will you help?
“Our goal is not only to provide children with developmental delays the early intervention tools that are proven to help,” explains O’Laughlin, “but also to
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No doubt about it
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A brief guide to exotic pets
t's a classic The Far Side comic by Gary Larson. One man greets a visitor at his front door who stares nervously at the 10-foot squid in the room. The caption reads: “Oh, no, he’s quite harmless … Just don’t show any fear … Squids can sense fear." Larson’s comic, aside from being simply hilarious, brings up a good topic: exotic pets. Maybe 10-footsquids are a stretch, but in a world with more than
50,000 species of animals (not including insects), there are bound to be a few that make good pets. Besides cats and dogs, that is. “There’s a lot of misinformation about owning an exotic pet,” says Austin Kuhl, owner of The Blue Zoo, an exotic pet store in Roseland. “When you take the proper precautions and know how to care for them, an exotic animal can be a safe, lovable pet.”
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Hedgehog The African Pygmy is the most common pet hedgehog. Although the sharp quills covering their backs resemble those of a porcupine, hedgehogs are a different species altogether. Quiet and easy to care for, hedgehogs are a great alternative for those familiar with ferrets and guinea pigs. Adult hedgehogs grow 6 to 9 inches and live up to 8 years.
Sugar Glider
Fennec Fox
This tree-dwelling marsupial gets its name from its love for sweet foods and its awesome ability to glide through the air like a flying squirrel. Sugar gliders are social creatures by nature, and are much happier with a partner. These funny little animals are sure to make you laugh with their playful personalities. Most adult sugar gliders grow 5 to 6 inches in length and live 12 to 14 years.
The fennec fox is native to North Africa. As a member of the canine family, this little animal has enormous ears and a cute, lovable face. Fennec foxes are often compared to dogs because of the way they bond with their owners and crave attention. Most grow to weigh 2 to 4 pounds and live 13 years on average.
Kinkajou Also called Sugar Bears, kinkajous are small rainforest animals that are native to Central and South America. Adult kinkajous weigh 4 to 7 pounds and have a long tail that it uses to hang from branches. They are mildtempered, playful and affectionate, which makes them a great family pet. Kinkajous can live up to 25 years.
Pot-bellied Pig Most people associate pigs with filth. On the contrary, pot-bellied pigs are clean, odor-free animals. They’re also very intelligent and easily trainable. For this reason, pot-bellied pigs are a popular choice among exotic pet owners. Pot-bellied pigs usually grow to weigh 130 to 160 pound and live up to 18 years.
Small Spotted Genet Related to the African civit, the small spotted genet makes an affectionate pet when raised with the proper attention. They are quick, playful and curious. Sometimes they love to perch on their owner’s shoulder and observe their surroundings. Small spotted genets grow to weigh 2 to 8 pounds and live up to 20 years.
Bush Baby These small, nocturnal primates grow about 12 inches in length. Bush babies live in complex social structures in the wild, so they require a good amount of attention when raised at home. But with the proper love and care, bush babies make adorable pets that are sure to entertain your entire family! The average life span for a bush baby is about 10 years.
Hermit Crab This interesting creature is popular among children. Unlike other crabs, the hermit crab has an exposed abdomen. To protect itself, it finds an empty snail shell and “wears” it wherever it goes. They are fun to watch, inexpensive and simple to care for, which makes them a great choice for kids. Hermit crabs live 5 to 15 years.
Chinchilla Native to South America, the chinchilla is a furry little animal often compared to a squirrel. They are active and playful, and become quite trusting when raised with affection. They can live happily in a decentsized cage as long as they can spend time bonding with their owners. Adult chinchillas are about 12 inches in length with a 5- to 6-inch tail. They have an average life span of 15 to 20 years.
Bearded Dragon If you’ve always been fascinated by reptiles, the bearded dragon may be the perfect exotic pet for you. Native to Australia, this lizard distinguishes itself with the rows of spikes around its head that resemble a beard. Although they look intimidating, bearded dragons are gentle, loving creatures. They grow 12 to 24 inches in length and live on average 8 to 12 years.
The proper precautions The most important thing to know about exotic pets is that they are, in fact, wild animals. Unlike cats and dogs, these animals haven’t been domesticated for 1,000s of years. This means they still have strong survival instincts. “Exotic pets come from the wild, and you have to respect that,” says Austin. “Always do your homework and research the particular animal you’re interested in. The more you know about its individual temperament, behavior, what kind of living conditions are appropriate, the proper vaccinations it will need, and so forth, the more prepared you will be.” Austin says the best way to learn how to care for an exotic pet is to collect information from a variety of sources. “Don’t just Google ‘chinchillas’ and read through the first website that pops up. Read through several. Responsible breeders of the particular pet you want to learn about are usually a great resource too. You can find them online. They’re usually more than happy to help you understand what you need to know to safely care for the pet at home.”
Another thing to consider before welcoming an exotic pet into your home is that not all veterinary practices provide medical care for exotic animals. “Every animal clinic is different,” says Austin. “Part of your research should include calling around and finding out where the closest vet is that will treat your exotic pet. That way you’ll know exactly where to go should your pet need medical attention.”
Legal requirements Last, but certainly not least, are the legal requirements. Some exotic pets, like the fennec fox, require a wild life permit. Others, like the pot-bellied pig, are only permitted if you have the proper acreage. “Each state regulates pet ownership of exotic animals,” writes the Avian Exotic Animal Clinic on its website. “Indiana’s laws are relatively lenient, considering some states even ban ownership of pets such as the ferret. Indiana has no laws regulating ownership of common exotic animals, such as pet birds, domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rodents.” To find out the precise legal requirements for owning an exotic pet, contact The Humane Society of St. Joseph County. They’ll provide the most upto-date regulations, if any, about the exotic animal you’re interested in.
Where to get exotic animals It’s surprisingly easy to purchase an exotic pet, but Austin advises you to be cautious. “You want to make sure you’re purchasing a pet from a responsible breeder or pet store,” he says. “For example, some stores sell dogs that were bred in puppy mills, which is inhumane. Exotic pets are the same way. If you’re buying an animal online, make sure there’s a phone number that you can call to find out where the animal comes from. If the breeder is reluctant to give you information, walk away. And if you aren’t sure which questions to ask, I’ll be happy to help. Even if I don’t carry the particular pet you’re looking for, I’ll be glad to help you find a reputable place to get it.” If you have a question about an exotic animal, feel free to give Austin a call at 574-243-2800. The Blue Zoo is located at 401 Dixieway Highway in Roseland. Good luck in your search for an exotic pet!
10% off Breakfast à la Granger I
n celebration of our 1-year anniversary in Granger, Copper Creek Cafe is taking 10% off your total bill during your next visit with us! As the only family-owned pancake house in the heart of Granger, Copper Creek Cafe combines artisan culinary dishes with a casual environment. No jacket or tie required here. Just bring your appetite and this coupon, and enjoy 10% off! Experience breakfast à la Granger!
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The search for Michiana’s long lost lager It was gone. Almost like it never even existed. And Frank Manzo III was about to give up searching for it.
If
you drank beer in Michiana during the 50s, 60s and 70s, chances are you remember Drewrys Lager.
Street. Just like that, a thriving 300+ man operation became yet another abandoned building in South Bend’s extensive collection. Lifelong employees were suddenly out of For nearly 40 years this crisp beer work. And Drewrys disappeared was brewed in the original Muessel from the local menus. Brewing complex on South Bend’s northwest side. During its peak, Though it was still produced in Drewrys Lager commanded huge Evansville for a time, Dreweys sales in the upper Midwest, even never again achieved the status and rivaling Anheuser. You could find it recognition it had in the old days. on tap almost anywhere. And eventually, the brand faded away completely. As did its value. But like many other regional beers of that era, Drewrys Lager fell victim to One step forward, three steps the massive brewery consolidation backward of the 1970s. G. Heileman Brewing Company bought the brand in Frank Manzo III, a retro-brand the spring of ‘72, and shut down entrepreneur, was determined to the old brick brewery on Elwood bring this classic lager back to life.
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“There was just one little problem: nobody seemed to have the original recipe.”
And he was off to a better-thanexpected start. In 2011, he was able purchase the Drewrys trademark for almost nothing.
So Manzo dug deeper. He located several former employees at the South Bend plant, and more clues began to come in. “Apparently, only one or two people ever knew the entire formula at any given time. We were able to get a rough idea from the various bits and pieces that some of the employees were able to remember.” Testimony of alkaline adjuncts, hopping techniques and an intense clarification process started to paint a clearer picture of the Drewrys Lager recipe.
There was just one little problem: nobody seemed to have the original recipe. G. Heileman Co. had no record of the formula. Nor did Pittsburgh Brewing Co., which bought Drewrys in 1997 but never produced it. It seemed to have vanished from existence altogether. And without the recipe to Drewrys Lager, the trademark was pretty much meaningless. Still, it wasn’t enough. “We could have just gone with a rough rendition Gambling with hope and thrown any old American Adjunct style brew into the kegs,” Still, Manzo remained confident. He Manzo says. “I just wanted to get a joined forces with Ugly Dog Media, product out there. But deep down I a local marketing firm, and began knew it had to be legitimate.” promoting the comeback of Drewrys Lager, banking on the hopes that the A stroke of luck recipe would turn up. They handed out Drewrys glasses at the Michiana Just as he was about to settle on an Brew Fest, tossed thousands of alternative formula, Manzo received distinctive red-beaded necklaces to an email that changed everything. the crowds on St. Patrick’s Day, and An old G. Heileman brewmaster launched a Drewrys Facebook page. happened to remember the entire formula and process by heart. Best of But still no beer. The original recipe all, he was willing to share it. was nowhere to be found. “We were told that it was probably locked in a “I immediately contacted my brewer safe somewhere,” says Manzo. The and told him to follow the old question was: where? directions. A couple weeks later,
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porters. It requires pricey gadgets like centrifuges and liquid nitrogen injection to get that crisp, clean flavor. Because of this, even with the original recipe, Manzo won’t be able to produce Drewrys in Michiana for a few years. For now, he’s contractbrewing in Milwaukee. But seven beer distributors in the Midwest have already added Drewrys to their order lists. And if things keep going this way, Drewrys Brewery may come back to the region sooner than expected. As for now, Drewrys Lager will be on tap this month at various restaurants and pubs... a big victory for a classic local lager almost disappeared forever.
he called back and declared it ‘superb’.” Who knows what would’ve happened if that one email didn’t show up in Manzo’s inbox. Most likely, Drewrys would’ve remained a fading memory.
Manzo’s next hurdle Public interest in beer has hit an all-time high, with craft breweries popping up as viable businesses all over the nation. When it’s good, beer entrepreneurs like Chris Gerard at Granger’s own Bare Hands Brewery garner a high degree of prestige and respect within their communities. Innovative, almost baroque concoctions, incorporating coffee,
berries, or even Southeast Asian spices (in the case of Bare Hands’ delicious ThaiP.A.), are the flavors of the day. That said, something seems missing in this explosion of craftiness: lager. Despite the fact that it takes up 90 percent of the beer market, lager is generally thought of as flavorless and fizzy. Though some iconic retro lagers remain strong brands, the cool factor is generally skewed toward heavier, more flavorful “dank” beers. It turns, out there’s a practical reason why many craft breweries omit lagers from their menus. Simply put, the process of completing a lager is often more expensive and time-consuming than ales, stouts or
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Real
Witchcraft in Michiana W
itches are real. That’s not opinion, theory or speculation. In 2008, the American Religious Identification Survey reported about 342,000 Americans identity themselves as Wiccan, a nature religion associated with witchcraft. It seems to be growing too. Last February, the University of Missouri announced they’ll observe eight Wiccan/Pagan holidays throughout the year.
She asked us to use her craft name to protect her identity. “I have no idea how an employer would treat me if they knew I was a witch. If people understood the peaceful nature of this religion, maybe they wouldn’t be threatened by it.”
There are witches in Michiana too. But if you want to find one, it might not be as easy as you think. First off, they don’t wear pointed hats or carry broomsticks. That’s pop culture witchcraft. Modern witches look like everyday people. And even if you do meet a witch, you probably won’t know it. Many keep their witchcraft beliefs private out of fear of discrimination.
Although there’s no single, authoritative text on witchcraft – like the Bible is to Christianity – there are a few widely respected books on the subject. The following expert from The Spiral Dance: a Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess by Starhawk (Harper and Row, 1979) provides a brief overview about modern witchcraft:
Unfortunately for SnowDancer, the general public has a poor understanding about what it means to be a witch.
Witchcraft is a word that frightens many people “I’m not in the broom closet, but I don’t and confuses many others. In the popular advertise it, either,” says SnowDancer, a imagination, Witches are ugly, old hags riding witch who lives and works in South Bend. broomsticks, or evil Satanists performing obscene
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rites. Modern Witches are thought to be members of a kooky cult, primarily concerned with cursing enemies by jabbing wax images with pins, and lacking the depth, the dignity, and seriousness of purpose of a true religion. But Witchcraft is a religion, perhaps the oldest religion extant in the West. Its origins go back before Christianity, Judaism, Islam -- before Buddhism and Hinduism, as well, and it is very different from all the so-called great religions. The Old Religion, as we call it, is closer in spirit to Native American traditions or to the shamanism of the Arctic. It is not based on dogma or a set of beliefs, nor on scriptures or a sacred book revealed by a great man. Witchcraft takes its teachings
from nature, and reads inspiration in the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, the flight of birds, the slow growth of trees, and the cycles of the seasons.
Paganism and nature To understand witchcraft, it helps to have a basic understanding of paganism. Despite what some think, pagans are not Satan worshipers. Actually, most pagans don’t even believe in Satan. After all, Satan is a Christian construct. Simply defined, a pagan is someone who reveres nature and celebrates the seasons and cycles of the earth. Many pagans
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are also polytheistic (multi deity) or pantheistic (deity is in everything). Within paganism there is a diverse range of subdivisions, just as many denominations fall under Christianity. Wicca, for example, is one of these. All wiccans are pagans, but all pagans are not necessarily wiccans. Other subdivisions of paganism include heathenism, druidism and shamanism. SnowDancer identifies herself as a pagan witch. “Paganism is really just a nature religion. There are variations, but all pagans have a deep respect for the earth. Most, including myself, celebrate eight major holidays that revolve around the solstices and equinoxes, and the ancient farming festivals.” As far as believing in God, she says, “you can ask ten different pagans and get ten different answers. But all will base their fundamental beliefs around a reverence for the earth.”
From seminary school to witchcraft Enough theory. What does really mean to be a witch? A seemingly common misjudgment is that they were likely “lost kids” who had little moral guidance or direction growing up. You know, the kind you might vote “most likely to end up in a cult.” SnowDancer was quite the opposite. She almost devoted her life to the Christian ministry. “My mother was raised Southern Baptist. I grew up in Baptist and Nazarene churches. When I was older, I became a Seventh-day Adventist. I studied theology pretty seriously outside of my college studies, with the intention of entering seminary after undergraduate school. I even spent some time sitting in on classes at Christian Theological Seminary. I was disappointed when personal circumstances prevented me from entering seminary. But a few years later I met a group of women at a spirituality and drumming circle. A few of them were pagans and witches. Ever since I was little, I’ve had a strong kinship with nature, but I just didn’t have a name for it. Once I experienced what witchcraft was really about – reverence for Mother Earth − I realized that it fit with my core beliefs.” In order to understand what witchcraft is really about, it’s important to understand what it’s not about. “The first thing to
know is that we’re peaceful people. Most believe in the Threefold law. That means whatever energy you put into the world will come back to you three times. It’s similar to the concept of karma. The idea that witches are evil people casting spells on others is just pop culture.”
Witchcraft 101 According to SnowDancer, the best way to become a witch is to train with one. Witchcraft, like any other religion, involves a lifestyle of devotion and learning. You’re never “done” learning the teachings of witchcraft just like a Christian is never done learning the teachings of Christ. SnowDancer has been practicing witchcraft since 1999 and still trains regularly. So let’s suppose you want to embrace witchcraft. And you’re serious about it. And you happen to know a witch who a) believes
you’re sincere, and b) is willing to train you. The first thing you’ll be asked to learn are the ethical fundamentals of witchcraft – harm none, the threefold law, reverence for the Earth, and so on. Next, as SnowDancer explains, your mentor will perform a formal ceremony acknowledging your commitment to the study of witchcraft. So far, this seems pretty similar to accepting any major role or responsibility... like taking a fraternal oath or accepting the vows of marriage. After that, your mentor takes you under her or his wing and opens up her or his (witch is a gender neutral term) particular witchcraft practices to you. “Every witch is different,” SnowDancer explains. “Some are formal and participate in circles or covens, celebrating holidays together. Others embrace the religion privately. Some focus on herbalism or mind/body healing, while others might be more
interested in shamanism. Some are devout wiccans and others are less defined. The more you learn about witchcraft, the more you discover what aspects of witchcraft appeal to you.”
Everyone casts spells… even you Interestingly, the one thing that most people assume about witches is actually true: witches cast spells. This is not folklore. Spells are a very real part of witchcraft. But witches aren’t the only people who cast spells. You’ve probably casted several this year yourself without even realizing it. That’s right – you’ve practiced witchcraft. “Most people have the wrong idea of what a spell actually is. For example, a spell is not a curse you put on someone. The purpose of a spell is to bring your subconscious mind in harmony
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before sending your resume, even blowing out candles on a cake in honor of a happy birthday. Spells are quite common.
The core principal If you tell your friends they’ve likely practiced witchcraft, you’re bound to get a few blank stares. That’s probably because their definition of witchcraft is far from accurate. The truth is: witches are not evil, satanic people who practice black magic. “If there is one thing I wish more people knew about witchcraft, it’s that this religion is fundamentally peaceful. There’s no reason for anyone to be afraid of witches. For the most part, witchcraft is a collection of healing arts. It’s about making yourself a better person, in mind and body.”
with your conscious will. It’s really about giving yourself the power to overcome a situation.” SnowDancer was careful not to go into too much detail about casting spells because, as she explained, it would be in poor taste. But she gave us an example of how a person might use a spell to overcome a personal addiction, like smoking. “The first step is usually a form of concentration. You want to separate yourself from the mundane world. Next I would do what’s called grounding, which is essentially preparing a clean avenue for the energy I’m about to summon. There are a few more steps that I’m going to leave out, but one of the most important ones would be to find a way to symbolize your desire and will to quit smoking forever. It might be as simple as breaking
an entire pack of cigarettes, one at a time, symbolizing breaking your addiction to nicotine. What matters most is that it’s an act of symbolism that you believe.” So you see, a spell is essentially a ceremony that brings your subconscious mind into harmony with your will to better yourself in any given way. “One of the most common everyday spells that people cast are in the form of prayer. When you pray for something, you’re essentially using energy – for Christians, it’s the energy of Christ -- to make it happen. That’s exactly how a spell works. It’s the use of energy toward a purpose.” With this definition, it’s easy to see how people cast spells all the time without realizing it. Knocking on wood, wearing your lucky football shirt to the game, praying for a job
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PHOTO credits GRAVEYARD
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BUSH BABY
13
BABY
Photo by DaMongMan
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HERMET CRAB
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HEDGEHOG
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BEARDED DRAGON
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SUGAR GLIDER
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BEER
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FENNEC FOX
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WITCHCRAFT
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KINKAJOU
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GOTHIC
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POT BELLIED PIG
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BIRDS
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SMALL SPOTTED GENNET
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Photo by Bella_189
Photo by Tiffany Bailey
Photo by Plastic Revolver
Photo by Tambako the Jaguar
Photo by Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital
Photo by Tracie 7779
Photo by Mendhak
Photo by Mustafa Khayat
Photo by Christina Spiccuza
Photo by Mr. T in DC
Photo by Prairie Kitten
Photo by Just me...
Photo by Bruno Caimi
Photo by Marie Hale
Thank you C
loud number 9. That’s where all of us at Granger does it feel right about now. And it’s because of you. Since launching the first issue back in March, you’ve given us so much support and helpful feedback. It’s inspired us to work even harder to bring you a better magazine; one that will always surprise you and stand out from the ordinary. In other words, you make us want to be better writers, designers and photographers. We’re truly grateful. From all of us at Granger does it, thank you.
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