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Happy almost Spring! It’s coming and the whacky weather is proof –along with longer daylight.
This month might be considered the AG issue. We have cows, farmers, and a local that has taken his AG knowledge to a national level – Max Armstrong. I must say, he’s one of the nicest and most humble people I’ve ever had the pleasure to chat with. I hope you enjoy the read.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, there’s a stew and one-pot recipe to try in the Cooking Corner. We can still warm the house with a simmering stew.
If you check out the Behind the Scenes feature you’ll find a local restaurant that’s been hanging in there for 40 years. Take a look to find out which one. Events are coming back with the sunshine, so checkout What’s Happening.
Take a break, grab some sweet tea, and remember to support what our sponsors have to offer. Shopping local is the way to go - always!
Jancey Smith
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Small Town Living in Gibson County assumes no responsibility for guest writers or submitted material. Signed articles are the opinion of the columnist and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
In the 1939 classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy clicks her heals together and repeats, “There’s no place like home.” The same can be said for Max Armstrong. He reflects, “Southern Indiana is ‘just home’. You feel it in the air.” The rolling corn fields, wisps of clouds in a bright blue sky, and the sounds of trains and tractors are all parts of home to Max.
He grew up on a farm in Owensville, but only tried 4-H for about a year. His goal was always broadcasting and he spent hours listening to the radio. Not long after he got his driver’s license, Max took the test to get his broadcasting license from the FCC. “At that time you had to go to the big city to get your license,” Max fondly remembered.
When he was only a Junior in High School, he started his radio career at Mt. Carmel’s WVMC radio
station. Max remembered Dave Kunkel showing him how to shut down the equipment on his first day. He said that he used to listen to “Uncle Dave” when he was in 6th grade. But Max practiced for years before that at the old farmhouse in Owensville. He was always driven to be in broadcasting. Even though he lived on a farm in South Gibson, he focused more on speech class instead of FFA. After playing football all four years and baseball, his letter jacket still hangs today in Owensville’s REH Center (the old gym). In time, Max would combine both farm and broadcasting.
After high school, Max went to Purdue in 1971. He remembered feeling that it was so big and sprawled out. The campus took a bit to get used to. After all, his graduating class at Owensville High School had all of 45 students. Classes at Purdue often had hundreds. During all four years at Purdue, Max was fortunate enough to
have another Owensville native, Steve Wade as his roommate. Since Max’s older brother had gone to Purdue he was somewhat familiar with the campus. It was his first step from small town to bigger city. There were more moves to come.
While at Purdue, naturally Max majored in Radio and Broadcasting. He did an internship all four years at WASK News. He said, “It was great experience”. While there, Max covered all kinds of news - from fires, to car wrecks, and more. It was a good addition to the resume that showed experience and versatility.
Throughout much of Max’s career, his practice and experience landed him in the right place at the right time. Just after college graduation, there happened to be a job opening in Bloomington, Illinois, as a broadcast editor for Illinois Farm Bureau. For over two years, Max got his feet wet in the professional world of radio broadcasting with a daily Ag feature. It helped that during those years at Purdue he took classes in Economics, Weather and Agribusiness. Those choices paid off. This was also when he met Orion Samuelson and timing was once again perfect.
The next big move was to Chicago. At just 24 years old and nine years younger than anyone at WGN, Max landed in Chicago, knowing no one. It was quite the experience. He remembers that when he first got to the city, they had him stay at their condo/suite in the Hancock Building. He felt like it was way too much for a young, new hire like him. But quite an experience it was.
He covered the markets and traveled 15 Chicago blocks to the grain traders. At that time there were 5,000 traders in a pit, making signs to buy or sell, and dropping slips of paper on the floor. Everything is electronic now, but it was something to see - and it worked. At first the studio was near Wrigley Field, but eventually the office moved downtown. For years he worked with Orion on WGN radio, and on the station’s TV show U.S. Farm Report. Their dialogue often made folks feel like they were part of a farmer’s family, offering insight and opinion.
Max believes his time at “WGN was the best learning experience ever.” After thinking of the recent trend in remote working, he thinks there’d be so much missed. You learn so much from professional people about the business and make so many connections and friendships.
In those days, on one side of the hallway there was the radio station and on the other was the TV set where many shows were filmed, Phil Donahue being one. At that time, Phil was a popular TV host who interviewed
such entertainers as Bob Hope or Jack Benny. Max commented that, “you never knew who you were going to run into in the hallway.”
The weather classes that he took at Purdue would come into play as well. For about eight years, when the station needed a fill-in, Max was called to do the weather forecasts, he remembered with a chuckle. However, there was a transfer of WGN ownership in 2009. This allowed he and Orion to go out on their own with the TV show This Week in Agribusiness and the radio show, The Midwest Digest, aired daily on WRAY and many other stations. This nationally syndicated program about market news, Ag technology, weather and farm information went world wide. Max and Orion’s partnership would last 35 or more years, producing and broadcasting agribusiness shows.
Max has gotten to travel extensively to develop the programs. He’s been on farms all through U.S. and other countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Columbia, and Chili. He’s done everything from visiting with fisherman gathering lobsters in Maine and then on to a trip to
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Tasmania in Australia. The government was paying a farmer to reproduce the Tasmanian Devil because they were becoming sparse. At one point he even visited 10 Downing Street in London, England. One of the few places still on Max’s “bucket list” is part of the United Kingdom - Ireland and Scotland.
One game changer was when Max built a home studio in 1998. It made life much easier by lessening the travel and time involved. He chuckled and reported that he’s “cut down to 83 flights” a year, when pre-Covid he counted up to 116 a year. This way he gets to spend more time with his family, especially his two granddaughters that are five and seven years old. Max tightened his circle and only does conferences, trade shows and other ag events within a 150 mile radius of Chicago or his home in North Carolina. He’s trying to slow down some, but still has his thumb in plenty of pies.
During his career as a radio broadcaster, Max has seen a sad evolution. Talk show broadcasters are being replaced with tracks of endless music. With today’s technology, people can get music anywhere. What they can’t get is local, personable content. Max mentioned how much he likes Weed and Cliff’s morning show on WRAY. It’s that type of interaction listeners want. He also chuckled when he thought of Weed as a youngster in 4th grade or so. Apparently Max and Weed’s older brother were childhood friends. It’s all part of a small town local connection.
Max has another connection to our area. He and Princeton’s Mayor, Greg Wright, are cousins. In small towns, everybody is related to somebody. He wanted to convey how proud the family is of Greg’s work and involvement to improve the city. Max may have moved to one of the biggest cities, but has never forgotten his home town connections. When Uncle Dave finally retired from WRAY, it was important to Max to be there when he flipped the switch on his final show. It was fitting since Dave was a long time broadcast buddy.
Everybody has a hobby and Max does, too. He’s a tractor man, owning four old Farmall tractors. So it’s not a far stretch to learn one of his passions is the biannual antique tractor show that he helps put on in Rantoul,
Illinois. It’s called “Half Century of Progress” and is the largest vintage tractor show in the country. For many this four day event is a bucket list item and they try very hard to make it a great family experience. Visitors come from as far as Belgium, England France and Australia. Quite often there is a crew from Gibson County that make the trip as well.
Not all men can equally pull off dressing sharp in a business suit and donning a pair of bib overalls. But Max can do both with equal flare. While being very fortunate to work with some of the best people in the broadcast business, he’s also been blessed with knowing so many farmers. He said, “I can hear a name and think, I know that person or I’ve been on that farm. It’s very personal.” After traveling to so many places around the world, Max truly believes that “Midwest hospitality is understated and under appreciated.” It’s those small acts of kindness that stand out – opening a door, waiting a turn, or a smile and nod. It’s what makes the Midwest special and that upbringing continues to keep Max a Midwestern Man.
Gibson County’s Soil & Water Conservation District held its annual meeting on Thursday, February 8th. There was a good turn out at the Gibson County Fairgrounds. Matt Michel directed the meeting with Kenny Page’s blessing.
Various members gave updates and presentations that included winter workshops by Purdue Extension at Gibson Southern High School, Soil Judging, and the 4th grade Farm Fair. Many gardeners should note there will be an event held by “PUSH IT” (Promoting Urban Soil
Health in Towns) on March 16th, to help prep backyard garden beds with five acres or less for the upcoming season.
After dinner, annual awards were presented and there was an interactive chat with Frederick Whitford of Purdue Extension on farm related topics. It was a lively and humorous, but thoughtful presentation.
For more information on any of their future programs, call 812-385-5033.
Pickups and cattle trailers rolled into the Gibson County Fairgrounds the weekend of February 11th & 12th for the annual Beef Preview. This first beef show of the season brought in cattle from all around the area. On Saturday there were 139 heifers displayed and 73 steers were shown on Sunday. Many of our local 4-H kids got some experience in showing their beef during this two day event.
Pictured right: Tony Rogers from Meadowlake Angus in Patoka helped with the beef show and kept track of how each cow placed. It was a busy and long two days, but the show continues to grow.
Pictured left: Every now and then you get a stubborn cow. A Charolais was giving this poor young guy a rough time and being most incooporative. After a little help it got into the ring and finished the show. More practice will be forthcoming.
Pictured left: There was only one Belted Galloway in this class of heifers but she was a nice one. Sometimes these are described to as Oreo cows.
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Having absolutely no desire to become a coal miner like his father, Charles Garrigus, Jr. of Francisco Indiana dropped out of high school and, after working a short time as a farm hand, enlisted in the Army in February, 1944. In November, 1946, following an assignment in Luzon, the Philippines, during World War II, he was discharged as part of the normal post-war demobilization process and returned to Gibson County to resume a normal life. His life however, would ultimately become anything but normal.
After a brief time of searching for work around the state, Charles (or “June bug” as he was affectionately called by his sisters) quickly realized, as did so many of his peers, that he missed the structure and stability of the military and reenlisted in the Army. He displayed a passion and aptitude for operating trucks and other heavy equipment and had developed a keen understanding of engines. Through these skills, he saw great opportunity in a military career.
In the Spring of 1950, while serving as an assistant
motor pool sergeant in post-war occupied Japan, SGT Charles Garrigus’ life was again affected by war as North Korea launched a savage and unprovoked invasion of its neighbor to the south. The 24-year-old Garrigus soon found himself serving in the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Regiment, 7th Infantry Division on the Korean Peninsula. U.S. Forces enjoyed early success against the North Koreans and easily pushed them northward, back across the 38th parallel. Many American leaders arrogantly predicted a quick victory and end to the conflict by year’s end. What the U.S. failed to account for however was the response of North Korea’s neighbor the Chinese. China’s subsequent entry into the conflict drastically turned the tide of the war and thrust Charles Garrigus into the limelight at an obscure location east of the Chosin Reservoir. This area is easily recognizable to any student of military history as the sight of some of the
most horrific and bloody fighting of the entire war.
The dawn of November 27th, 1950 found Garrigus’ unit trapped in place by a far superior enemy force of as many as 300,000 Chinese regular soldiers and began a fiveday period of brutal fighting that would distinguish Charles as a hero. If that situation wasn’t hopeless enough, the Korean peninsula was then embraced by one of the coldest winters in recent history and saw temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees (not factoring wind chill). Far more feared than becoming a combat casualty was the thought of freezing to death, a tragic fate to which many American soldiers would succumb. Three separate noteworthy events would ultimately identify him as a soldier of remarkable courage and bravery.
On November 29th, in an attempt to link up with nearby friendly forces and affect a breakout from the trapped position, SGT Charles Garrigus capitalized on his superior heavy equipment skills by leading a truck convoy of an estimated 60 vehicles in an attempt to reach the friendly unit. During the phrenetic operation which involved nonstop fighting, two trucks heavily loaded with ammunition and rations were inadvertently left behind by inexperienced drivers. Understanding the potential severity of the loss of the trucks, Garrigus, of his own volition, made two separate daring return rushes
on foot under enemy fire across 300 yards of open snow-covered terrain to retrieve the trucks and move them to safety, thus preventing capture by the enemy. The 29th and 30th of November continued to see aggressive fighting that included several breaches of friendly lines and mounting American casualties.
The morning of December 1st, following 80 hours of continuous fighting in sub-zero weather, saw the commencement of the breakout. The convoy of trucks was overloaded with casualties who desperately needed medical attention, but the onset of the movement saw a nearly disastrous event occur. Enemy forces, having overrun an American defensive position, took control of the automatic weapons therein and turned their fire upon the convoy. Again, of his own initiative, Charles Garrigus rallied a small group of soldiers and led a fearless charge on the position, regaining possession of the machine guns and turning fire back on the enemy. Garrigus’ actions resulted in an estimated 60 enemy dead and many more wounded, and prevented disastrous effects upon the convoy which was now able to continue its mission.
The afternoon of December 1st saw one final potential mission-ending obstacle, a blown bridge, that threatened to doom the convoy again. Forced to ford the sloppy, half-frozen stream below the bridge, many of the trucks, again operated by inexperienced drivers, became
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mired in the mud. Once again, SGT Garrigus rose to the challenge and put his exceptional driving skills to use by personally moving several vehicles across the stream and back onto the roadway.
I would like to tell you that the story ended well, but the valuable time lost bypassing the bridge now led to darkness and the loss of invaluable air support against the enemy. Friendly aviators could no longer protect the convoy and were forced to helplessly watch as the convoy continued to be battered along its way. As the number of vehicles in the convoy dwindled (ultimately to about 15), many soldiers deserted the convoy and ran for personal safety. SGT Garrigus however, committed to the mission, refused to join them. Sometime around midnight, the lead convoy truck was hit by tremendous machine gun fire, disabling it and blocking the road, essentially dooming the convoy. Charles Garrigus died at the wheel of his truck of enemy fire and the entire convoy was eventually overrun. By war’s end in July of 1953, Charles and over 54,000 other American troops would die in defense of freedom in a faraway land that many today could never find on a map. To compound the collective Garrigus family heartbreak for the loss of their beloved Charles, his body was not recovered. His grief-stricken parents would never again see him.
For his heroic actions during those five fateful days in 1950, Charles Garrigus was posthumously awarded our nation’s second highest military honor, the Distinguished
Service Cross. For those unfamiliar, this medal ranks second only to the Medal of Honor. In a ceremony at the Princeton Armory (now the Gibson County Youth Center on S. Hart Street), on December 8th, 1951, Charles’ parents, Gladys and Charles Garrigus Sr., were presented the medal on his behalf. The accompanying citation read in part…“His valorous conduct and consummate devotion to duty were an inspiration to his comrades and reflect utmost credit on himself and the honored traditions of the military service.”
It is with great joy though that I can tell you that Charles’ remains were eventually located, identified, and will be returned to Indiana for a hero’s burial. Immediately following the June, 2018 summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un, the North Korean government returned to the United States 55 boxes purported to contain the human remains of American war casualties. Those remains were moved to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where scientists began the painstaking process of identifying them. Four long years later, on August 2nd, 2022, Charles Garrigus was positively accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He will be returned to Indiana and will receive the military honors that he so justly deserves at a burial service scheduled for March 10th, 2023, at Greenwood, Indiana, the home of his last remaining sibling. His selfless service to our nation will forever be memorialized on the Korean War monument on the Gibson County Courthouse lawn.
been a drive-in and a barbecue restaurant before Grand turned it into a pizza restaurant. At that time Bob Piper was running the Keg and Casket in Petersburg, managing rental properties, and had a Radio Shack, but was on the lookout for another opportunity.
“Here has more history than any of them (other businesses he ran)” said Piper.
The interior of the pizza restaurant offers warm wooden decor and mementos of music history. Led Zeppelin, James Dean, the Beatles and the famous “Rat Pack” (Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.) grace the walls. It’s cozy and an easy place to unwind at their fully stocked bar while watching
After more than 40 years in business, Bob Piper only laughs when asked the secret to success.
“Good food is not a big secret,” he said. “Eat what you sell. We’ve all been to a restaurant where it’s like, ‘that roast beef tasted like a baseball glove straight out of the cardboard box.’ Buy good ingredients.”
He said pizza places come and go, but mostly go, and the reason Piper’s Pizza in Oakland City has survived over 40 years is that when times get tough economically, a lot of other places cut their quality.
“That’s a hole you can’t get out of. Then people go out with the little money they do have and eat pizza that only used to be good,” he said. When times are tight, it’s even worse.
For those who don’t travel north of Oakland City often, Piper’s is on Highway 57, headed towards Petersburg and is open evenings. It’s a quaint little place with a space for outdoor seating available and in the front lawn rests their signaturea small piper plane. Bob Piper’s sister-in-
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sports on their televisions.
They offer more than just standard pizza, although there are quite a variety of toppings to choose from. There are also salads and the Greek is one of their most popular. A variety of hot sandwiches are on the menu, including your typical subs, stroms, and ham cheeses. As a twist, Piper’s also offers a roast beef that’s popular and the chicken fajita. Options are good. One area that also has lots of options is the appetizer section of their menu. The appetizers are a perfect example of how a restaurant can efficiently reuse some of their staple ingredients. There are several different twists on breadsticks and cheesy garlic bread, but uniquely they offer meatball bites as alternative. To round out the main menu, Piper’s also serves wings by the pound, spaghetti with or
without meatballs and pasta. One of the most popular is the Fettuccine Alfredo and you can always add more sauce.
Bob remembered in the mid-80s, during a population boom, there were five or six places in Oakland City selling pizza. “Just as fast as they’d open they’d close. It takes a lot of tenacity. Like with COVID, are you just going to shut down, give in? You keep going.”
After more than forty years of going, Bob’s let go of the reins so his son Alex manages the business some. The key word is “some”, because Bob is there every Thursday night with a group of friends keeping tabs on things.
“I don’t think dad will ever really pass it on,” Alex said.
“I can’t help but be here,” Bob added, “What, after 45 years I’m going to walk out and say, here you go buddy?” But Bob thinks what made his son a good manager is his attention to detail.
Alex added that people don’t realize when you work in a family business, you never clock out.
“If they’re open, you’re available,” he said. This is one family business that has made it more than forty years and is still going, which is not an easy task. Tenacity and a persistence to serve good ingredients has kept it an Oakland City staple. Here’s to Piper’s continuing to fly high.
Courtesy Shane Minton, Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Spring is just about here. This year, as you tidy up your home and surroundings, why not also consider some financial spring cleaning?
You could begin by “de-cluttering” your investment portfolio and replacing investments that no longer meet your needs with ones that do.
It might also be a good move to “dust off” your investment strategy. Over time, this strategy may have gotten outdated, especially if you’ve experienced significant changes in your life, such as a new job, a new child or even a new plan for retirement. By periodically reviewing your investment strategy, you’ll be able to clarify your vision for the future.
Finally, just as you clear your garage or storage areas of hazardous objects, you may want to check for dangers in your financial situation. To name just one: Are you leaving your family unprotected in case something happens to you? To help avoid this problem, make sure your protection strategy is up to date.
Financial spring cleaning can pay off – and you don’t even need a broom.
Mt. Olympus Lions Club - Saturday, March 18th, 4 - 7 pm, Mt. O Community Center, catfish fillets, baked beans, potato salad and dessert with drink. Adults $12, Kids (7-12) $6. Curbside available call 812-385-6417.
K of C Princeton - Friday, March 3rd & 24th, 4 - 7 pm, Knights Hall, 2 pc meal $10, 3 pc meal $12, includes 2 sides, 2 hush puppies, slaw or applesauce and dessert. Kids meals available Elks Princeton - Friday, March 10th & 24th, after 6 pm, fish, chicken or shrimp meal with sides and dessert. Call 812-385-2518 to preorder
St. James Haubstadt - Friday, March 10th, 4:30 - 7:30 pm, Madden Hall or carryout in cafeteria, baked or fired fish or grilled cheese, German potato salad, baked beans, cornbread, mach & cheese, slaw, dessert & drink. Adults $14, kids $7. Open to the public. Rain or shine. Oakland City Lions Club - Friday, April 7th, 11 - 5 pm, Hometown IGA parking lot, fish sandwich, chips & drink, or burgers.
Fort Branch
Kitchen open Mon. Tues. for Tacos, Thur. & Fri. specials, open to the public
**Treasure Hunt is back
Mondays drawings at 7pm with kitchen open 4-7 pm
#25 Breakfast
Broadway, Princeton
2nd & 4th Saturdays
8 - 10 am
Activities
Vendor Fair - March 4th
Spring Dinner - April 1st 3-6:30 pm
Easter Egg Hunt - April 1st
2:00 pm Call 812-779-3693
if questions
K of C, Princeton
Saturday, March 11th, Pick up 9:30 -11 am
Deadline: Wed. Mar. 8th Call 812-385-5732
#25 Dinner
Broadway, Princeton March 18th - Ribeye, potato, salad & roll $25 Call by Wed., March 15th 812-385-5246 to order
Owensville Alumni
Banquet
REH Center, Owensville Saturday, April 22nd
3 - 7 pm
Call or text
812-664-7181 to be included or if invitation was not received
Lafayettte Park, Princeton
Thursday, April 13th
4 - 6 pm
Games, bounce houses, prized, food
VFW #2714
Fort Branch
Ultimate Predator Boat
Fundraiser
Tickets online or at post, drawing March 15th
Cheesy Chix
Cheeseball Sale
Gibson Deaconess Gift Shop
Order deadline March 8th Pickup March 31st
10:30 am - 3 pm Four flavors, $12 ea. Call 812-385-9219 or any auxillary member
Oakland City
1st Saturday each month
All you can eat breakfast
7 am - 10 am
$10 for biscuits & gravy, eggs, sausage, fried potatoes & pancakes
Model Train Show
Owensville Comm. Center. 302 Warrick St
Saturday, March 25th
Sunday, March 26th afternoon
Carson Bow Shoot
Fri.-Sun. April 21-23rd
NASP Archery Shoot
Hosted by North Gibson Archery Club
Raising money for Camp Scholarhips Contact Larry at 812-677-1765
- Senior Center Activities -
Monday: 8:45 Breakfast 9:30 am - Bingo 12:00 pm - Card Players
Saturday, March 11th
Mardi Gras Jazz Gala
Week of April 2nd-8th
Spring Super Stakes Championship - Coon Dogs
Tuesday, April 25th
Food Truck Tuesday
Saturday, April 29th
Collectors Carnival Antique Show 9am-4pm, Early birds 7-9 am
Tuesday: 9 am - Exercise Class 11:30 - Lunch then music
Noon - Crocheting
Wednesday: 11 am - Quilters
Thursdays:
10 am - Bible Study 1 pm - Art Class/Painting
Friday: 9 am - Tone & Stretch
9:45 Line Dancing 11:30 - Lunch
*Health Fair - Sat., March 25th, 9 am - 1 pm
*Designer Purse Bingo - Fri.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
Gibson St., Princeton
Monday, March 6th, 13th 20th & 27th
Wednesday, March 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
9-11:30 am & 1-3 pm
Owensville Food Pantry
303 Church St.
Tuesday & Thursday
8-12 & 1-4 pm
Haubstadt Food Pantry
New Life House of Prayer
208 S. West St, Haubstadt
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Salvation Army Free
Food Give Away
Gibson St., Princeton
Tuesdays, March 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
Fridays, March 10th & 24th 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Delivers
Dinners
Hillside Church, Princeton
Monday, March 13th
Call 812-385-2910 by 2:30 pm
Lord’s Pantry
Fort Branch
Every Wednesday
9 am - 11 am
Food Pantry for Seniors
The Senior Center, Princeton,
Wed. March 8th & 22nd
Thur. March 9th & 23rd
1 - 3 pm
East Gibson
Food Pantry
Trinity United Methodist Church, 405 S. Mulberry St.
Every Wednesday
9 am - noon
Salvation Army Free
Grab & Go Meal
Gibson St., Princeton
Tues. March 7th & 14th 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Amer. Legion #256
Oakland City
1st Saturday each month.
All you can eat breakfast
7 am - 10 am, $10 for biscuits
& gravy, eggs, sausage, fried potatoes & pancakes
Mt. Olympus Lions Club
Meetings 2nd & 4th Mondays
Monthly at Mt. O Community Center, 7 pm
Collecting old cell phones, hearing aid and glasses
Patoka UMC
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, March 18th, 7 am 203 Spring St., Patoka
Speaker Jason Engelbrecht
Blood Drive Princeton Community Center Monday, March 6th, 12 - 6 pm
VFW #2714 Breakfast
Fort Branch
2nd Saturday each month
Breakfast, 7 am - 10 am
Knights of St. John’s sausage, biscuits & gravy, eggs, hash browns & drink
Carryout 812-753-4161
JOY Club Bingo
Salvation Army, Gibson St., Princeton Sat., March 11th, Doors open at 3 pm 4 - 6 pm
K of C Bingo
Open to Public every Thursday
Princeton K of C, 6 pm
Blood Drive
K of C, Princeton
Monday, March 20th
2 - 6 pm
Call for appointment 1-800-733-2767
After years of planning, work and preparation, the Teels did a soft opening of their new party venue, Shinnyville Hill, on February 4th just in time for Valentine’s Day. The large structure atop the hill has doors that open from all sides, a pond, both bride and groom dressing rooms as well as a prep kitchen. The chocolate and coffee part of the business is back as well as adding fresh floral arrangements. Look for the grand opening on March 4th.
Late Saturday afternoon on February 11th, a small fire broke out in one of the apartments behind the H&R Block on 2nd Avenue in Princeton. The fire was quickly put out and minimal damage was done. The business was able to open the very next day. Business owner Sandra Sanders was very touched by the outreach of the community.
The
What used to be the home of the Broadway House Bistro is now Johnny B’s Bar and Grill. The doors are open but owner John Bishop is taking a gradual approach to business. The restaurant is open evenings with a limited menu of sandwiches and sides. He hopes to add more hours and more menu items as staffing increases. Check Facebook for updates and music dates.
One of our favorite food truck vendors, Two Farmers Burgers and Beignets, will soon be opening their restaurant on Market Street in Mt. Carmel. They renovated the Famous J’s food stand.
For those of who don’t know or may need to know, the Department of Family Services in Gibson County has moved from Spruce Street by Sam’s Mart to 5th Avenue by Fantastic Sams.
American Table Family Dining is due to open soon at the former El Cerrito Mexican Grill location in Princeton. They have two other locations in Vincennes and Washington. As the name implies, they feature American comfort food and offer breakfast all day long.
After 13 years at the helm, Nick Burns has turned over ownership of New Image Fitness to Kassi Cloutier. With his full time job and community responsibilities it was time to let someone else take over. Kassi has a passion for fitness that fit well.
Kassi & Nick, photo provided
Over the last few months there has been an effort to bring Rotary back to Gibson County. Dr. Dempsey of OCU has been organizing weekly meetings. On Wednesday, February 15th, the meeting was held at Dick Clark’s restaurant and Mayor Wright gave an update of the city. For anyone looking for more information contact Dr. Dempsey or Patty
also keeping on our promise to deliver on electrification. Highlander was the first model in its segment to offer a hybrid powertrain back in 2006 and Grand Highlander further expands on our
Grand Highlander offers options from entry level to efficiency to performance all in one incredible package. It is available in three powertrains across three grades: the well-balanced 2.4L turbo gas engine, the efficiencyleading 2.5L hybrid with a manufacturerestimated 34 combined MPG, and the ultimate performanceseeking, 362 horsepower Hybrid MAX.
As part of Toyota’s diverse approach to carbon neutrality, the Grand Highlander Hybrid and Hybrid MAX vehicles are part of a lineup that looks to move “beyond zero.” With ten hybrids, two plug-in hybrids, the new bZ4X battery electric vehicle and the zero emission hydrogen fuel cell technology of the Mirai, Toyota is committed to finding highly efficient and zero emission solutions that fit customers’ lifestyles across the US. As a symbol of that commitment, the 2024 Grand Highlander will be the second Toyota vehicle to wear the new “Beyond Zero” badge, after the all-new Prius – a global effort toward achieving carbon neutrality in Toyota’s products, manufacturing and beyond.
Designed by Calty Design Studios and exclusively manufactured at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana, the price and on-sale date of the all-new 2024 Grand Highlander will be announced later this summer.
Duke Energy sees foster families as a critical resource for community strength and brighter futures for the children they volunteer to love.“We are proud to support the Isaiah1:17 Project and their mission to help area children in foster care and supporting foster families,” said Kurt Phegley, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager.
Duke Energy’s recent gift of $5,000 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project’s Fortifying Fostering Families program works to improve recruitment of new fostering families and improve retention rates for all foster families in an effort to provide better outcomes for children in need of foster care. The program also provides resources such as Bags of Hope, Dream Cycles(bicycles), holiday support, and a mentorship-based scholarship program called Foster Success.
The number of children in need of foster care has increased significantly since 2017 and Southwest Indiana has not been exempt from the associated concerns with such an increase. The greatest concern capturing the attention of The Isaiah 1:17 Project is the 7:1 ratio of Southwestern Indiana children in need of help and the foster families available to give them care.
According to state records, the 11 counties served by the Isaiah 1:17 Project have an average of 800-1,200 kids with less than 200 fostering families to serve them. An even greater 1 concern is highlighted by Billy Flynn of Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, “….nationally, more than half of foster parents quit fostering within the first year, with another significant dip in the second year. No matter how many wonderful families step up with big hearts and good intentions, it will never be enough to meet the demand if only 40% continue after the first year.”2
Foster families are the first line of attack to help reverse the overwhelming risk factors for the children in their care. They help heal trauma, shift paradigms, and introduce new dreams, hopes, and possibilities that these children might otherwise never consider for their futures.
When we improve the care given to children in need
of foster care, we change many challenging statistics for our communities. “Under-served children in foster care are more likely to require welfare assistance as adults and contribute to statistical risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, single parenthood, and homelessness.”3 said Mauriell Amechi, founder of Foster Youth Empowered.
Duke Energy’s support lets every child in need of foster care know that their community sees their potential as so much greater than their circumstances!
Any questions may be directed by email to: Marcia@TheIsaiah117Project.org.
References:
1 (Dept of Child Services, Practice Indicator Report 2020)
2 (Flynn, Billy. 2019. The Real “Crisis” In Foster Care.)
3 (Amechi, MauriellH. 2020. The Forgotten Students: COVID-19 Response for Youth and Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care.)
Photo provided
The members of the Indiana Bankers Association elected Jamie R. Shinabarger as 2023 Board of Directors Chairman. In addition to guiding IBA policy and setting long-term goals and objectives, the Board helps determine the Association’s legislative programs and positions on issues affecting Indiana’s banking community.
Jamie R. Shinabarger is president, CEO and director of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company as well as its parent company, SVB&T Corporation, Jasper. He has over 40 years of financial services experience serving with three financial institutions over that span. Before joining Springs Valley in 2008, Shinabarger was president and CEO of Hicksville Building, Loan & Savings Bank in Ohio, where he spent the bulk of his career (1986-2007) learning the core disciplines of banking: bank administration, lending, collections,
deposits, IRAs, compliance and marketing. Prior to that, Shinabarger began his career in 1980 as an agricultural loan officer and appraiser with the Federal Land Bank of Bryan, Ohio, then served as a loan asset specialist with the consolidated Farm Credit Services of Defiance, Ohio (1980-1986).
Princeton’s
policies for the group. They seek to improve professionalism, and provide support and education for law enforcement. There are a variety of workshops and seminars available.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the departure of the Earl Ensley family from Princeton, who owned the Ensley Drug Store in the Kidd (Emerson) hotel on the corner of Hart and Broadway. The Ensleys, while only here for 12 years, are among a group of families that made big impacts in our small city despite their short tenure.
Earl Ensley, with wife Leland and son John (Jack), moved to Princeton from Owensville, in the winter of 1911. Earl purchased the Clark Brothers Drug Store in December of 1911. Leland’s family was very successful in the Southern Indiana lumber business and owned the former Grimwood Lumber Mill in Owensville, where Earl worked from 1909-1911.
In 1912, the Ensleys purchased an out-lot from Charles Brownlee to build a house on W. Spruce Street during a time when the city limits continued to expand in the area Northwest of the courthouse. The Ensleys’ contractors completed the construction of their home in February of 1913. After several years of running a successful downtown business and participating in many social circles, the Ensleys would announce their plans to move to Hollywood, California, with their departure from Princeton on March 20,1923. Their home at 410 West Spruce was sold to local attorney and former Judge Simon L. Vandeveer.
It is believed by surviving family members that one of the Ensley family had contracted tuberculosis, most likely, by interacting with TB infected patrons of the drug store. It was common in those days for tuberculosis patients to move to warmer, dryer climates. Earl Ensley wrote back to friends in Princeton that the odometer on the family car registered 5500 miles on their relocation to Southern California. This trip by automobile along the original Lincoln Highway was surely a story within itself. Earl and Leland would both succumb to their illnesses in the mid 1930’s, while their son Jack would eventually benefit from the cure of TB in the 1940’s, and
find his way back to Indiana, owning many successful businesses in Indianapolis. Jack Ensley was also a race car driver winning several road races in his career. Jack Ensley partnered with the 1955 Indy 500 winner Bob Sweikert to place 3rd at the 12 hours of Sebring in 1956. Jack Ensley died of cancer in 1972, and was survived by wife Beni, daughters Robin and Holly, and son Jack. The Ensley Drug Store, purchased in October of 1922 by O.M. Anderson, would retain the ”Ensley” name until it became Cooper Drugs at the same location in the 1950’s.
Greetings, Gibson County
Residents! Not sure if March will come in like a lion or a lamb, but March is typically when winter transitions to warmer temperatures, so . . . Spring is just around the corner!
Save the Date for our Spring Household Hazardous Waste Day, which will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Toyota Family Medical Center. Additional information will be posted to our website and FB page as it becomes available.
While spring cleaning, separate the recyclables from the rest. Scrap metal, plastics, cardboard, paper, batteries, etc… separate from the trash that ends up in the landfill and bring to us for recycling. And, on Household Hazardous Waste Day, you will be able to dispose of household chemicals and pesticides, paints, fluorescent bulbs, scrap metal, tires, medications/ narcotics/sharps, and up to 3 televisions per vehicle. This service is provided free of charge to Gibson County residents (no businesses or contractors, please), and is co-sponsored by Toyota Manufacturing, Inc. Thank you for keeping Gibson County clean . . . remember to Reduce~Reuse~Recycle!
Follow us on Facebook OR check out our website: http://www.gibsoncountysolidwaste.com
Are you ready to start planting your garden? I hope not, because you are about six weeks too early for flowers and most garden crops. Think – April 15th. In southern Indiana, that’s usually after the last frost and generally a safe time to start planting, unless you do “cole crops.”
What are cole crops? No, that is not a misspelling of “cold.” These are vegetables that can be grown in earlier spring than most vegetables. Think cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, bok choy, etc. Look it up; there is an interesting story behind these words “cole crops.” OK, so it’s too cold now to plant vegetables or flowers outside, but you still want to do something?
Invest in good quality soil, inexpensive pots and seeds. Place them indoors near a sunny window. These can be transplanted outside when it gets warmer. You will find many articles about seed starting on the internet or talk with your friendly Master Gardener.
Not all seeds require starting indoors. Many flowers and vegetables thrive when sown directly in the garden once the soil is warm enough after the last frost. If you can wait and want to use seeds to plant outside rather
than buying plants, read the package label. The label will tell you when to plant, how deep, how thick, fertilizer and water requirements, etc.
You may prefer to purchase plants rather than seeds. Think, shop local! There are several individuals in our area who do the early work for you. And, I must mention, the Gibson County Master Gardeners will be hosting a plant sale at the Senior Center in Princeton on May 13th, the day before Mother’s Day. Here you will find quality homegrown flowers, bulbs, hanging baskets, ferns, vegetables and houseplants. As a not-for-profit organization, proceeds from this event go right back into our community projects and a scholarship to a local student studying agronomy.
Want to know more about the many aspects of gardening? You are welcome to meet with the Master Gardeners on the third Monday, March through November, at the Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Although we encourage you to become a member, you can attend these educational events for free with no pressure.
Want to do something neat? In a long planter or a small area in your garden, plant several colorful varieties of lettuce together. It makes a pretty arrangement, and then when ready to be eaten, shear the tops for a lovely salad.
Photos: Jancey Smith Photos provided
Plunging into freezing cold water is not natural, but that’s what 35 folks in the community did to help the YMCA Camp Carson. Over 100 people attended the annual polar plunge at the end of January. Many local businesses pitched in to help sponsor the event as well. They were able to raise over $22,000 that will go towards scholarships and subsidies for campers. People can still donate by going to http://www.campcarson.org/polarplunge. To apply for a scholarship visit http://www.campcarson.org/ financial-assistance.
The annual Princeton Deanery Spelling Bee was held at St. Joseph School. The three top spellers from each of the four Catholic School competed in this event. It took 23 rounds to determine the winner.
www.princetonpl.lib.in.us
Our Friends of the Library will be having a meeting on the 28th at 5:30pm.
27 VU GED 1pm
Family Craft Night 5pm
Fiber Fanatics 6pm
Sewing with Susan 6pm
5 6 VU GED 1pm
Learn how to get your GED! Call 812- 602-4136 to register
Twilight Tales 5pm Special sleepy story time where pjs are encouraged!
Fiber Fanatics 6pm
Sewing Class 6pm
Please make sure you call to register for these limited spots! Ext. 112
1 2 13 VU GED 1pm
Family Movie 5pm Lady & the Tramp (1955) Rated G
Fiber Fanatics 6pm Sewing Class 6pm
28 The Well 9am-11am Call Emilie Brown to register: 812-453-5120
Story Time 10am
Begin booking your MAKERSPACE session today
7 The Well 9am-11am Call Emilie Brown to register: 812-453-5120
Story Time 10am Spring Chicken Story Time with Chris McKay
The Mighty Pen 6pm Tonight we dicuss how to use Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP, in order to get your book on the market
Mar 1 VU GED Class 1pm
Teen Scene 4pm LEGO build challenge
Taste & Take 6pm Bring your own recipe & a sample to share!
Library hours today will be 2pm-8pm for Staff Training
8 First Ladies Documentary Noon Film upstairs on the lives & contributions of America’s First Ladies
VU GED 1pm
Teen Scene 4pm Dueling Dancers
Women’s Empowerment Night 5:30pm We will be hosting 3 female local business leaders & a brief look at their journey. Includes networking session & a door prize!
Craft Night 6pm Window Cling Creations
2 The Well 9-11am Games Club 4pm
Native Relics & Stories 6pm
Info & stories on local Native American history with Gary Morrison & John Speer Fit Club 6pm
9 The Well 9am11am
Chats with Charlie 2pm
Back with popular demand: Hummingbirds! Attracting, feeding, & stunning photos!
Games Club 4pm Best Dancer wins! Movement games
Fit Club 6pm
3
4 Solar for You 1pm
Ohio Valley Solar will be here to get your questions answered on where to start. Door Prizes available
10
11
Intro into Genealogy 10am
Come find out how to start learning more about your family history!
Family LEGO Saturday 24pm
14 The Well 9am-11am Story Time 10am St. Patrick’s Day Fun
Basic Computer Class 5pm *Only 6 spots for this session. Call to reserve your free spot. New to computers? We can help!
Chats with Charlie 6pm Encore on Hummingbirds
You! Rainbow
One of the most popular events at the Princeton Library has been their craft night. Each Wednesday in February there was new winter and Valentine’s projects. Groups gathered to make Love Trucks, Valentine Signs, Snowman candles and painted wood disc. Next month they will be working on wooden mason jar and kitchen paddles. Call to reserve your spot and enjoy the fun. They fill up quick!
The Gibson General Hospital Auxiliary will award a $1250 scholarship to a student from EACH Gibson County High school who is planning to enter a Health Career. Applications have been mailed to guidance counselors in all 3 high schools and are due to Guidance Offices NO LATER than Thursday, March 23. Scholarships may be used for tuition only.
Saturday, March 18
6:00am-10:00am at Princeton Knights of Columbus with a Legislative Forum at 8 a.m.
We will be offering dine in and curbside pickup.
BREAKFAST IS $2
for scrambled eggs, famous K of C sausage, biscuits & gravy
It is that time of the year to prepare for the return of Ruby-Throated hummingbirds to Southern Indiana, some returning from as far away as Central America. Some of those hummingbirds will travel across the Gulf of Mexico in a direct ten-hour flight. The Hummingbird Program will describe how to attract hummingbirds to your yard or garden, what flowers to plant to attract hummingbirds and provide nectar for them. In addition, since many of the hummingbirds may have migrated to our area from as away as Central American a tropic garden might be a welcome sight for them.
My program will include many unusual photos and videos of hummingbirds in action. Some photos/videos are funny, others show hummingbirds in dangerous situations, looking angry as they encounter other hummingbirds, or having a look of surprise after a strange looking creature flew in with them to a feeder. Photos of the main enemies of the hummingbirds in this area, the praying mantis and wasps will be shown. The program includes many beautiful photos of hummingbirds in the in their natural environment, not just next to a feeder. My photos are the result of three years of interacting with and photographing them in a natural
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Colvin Funeral Home
425 North Main Street
Princeton, IN 47670
812-385-5221
www.colvinfuneralhome.com www.corncolvinfuneralhome.com
Directors: Richard D. Hickrod and Mark R. Walter
environment. The result is a photo study of the life of hummingbirds in Southern Indiana.
From my collection of hundreds of hummingbird photos, I will include hummingbirds feeding without fear from a small, hand-held feeder. I also have a photo showing a hummingbird resting on a person’s hand, someone the hummingbird had learned to trust.
Above: I just had a few days to photograph the hummingbird feeding on the lilies and the rubythroated hummingbird had just a few days to enjoy the nectar before the flowers wilted.
Right: A dangerous encounter between a praying mantis and a hummingbird. The hummingbird eventually decided to leave the area.
It was a full house for lunch and music at The Center on Valentine’s Day. Seventy guests came for turkey and dressing for lunch and listened to music presented by Andy Russell. Music follows lunch on Tuesdays but you need to reserve your spot the day prior.
When you think of parasites you might think of ticks, fleas, mites or even leeches. Would you think of a bird as a parasite? The Brown-Headed Cowbird is not a nice bird. It is a parasitic animal but not in the way you might think. It is known as a ”brood parasite”. What this means is the Brown-Headed Cowbird will visit the nests of other bird species and lay its own egg among the existing eggs. It will leave the egg to be hatched, fed and raised by the host or foster parents.
Can you imagine if you were to drop off your kids and let someone else go through all the work to raise them at the expense of your own children?
Well, it’s not quite that easy for the cowbird. Some bird species will recognize the egg as not their own and throw it out. Needless to say, the cowbird does not ever build a nest of its own. Instead they spend their time looking for nests they can sneak into and lay their eggs in. The female cowbird will wait and watch for the host species to leave the nest unattended, slip in and sometimes kick out an existing egg, and lay theirs before they get back. This can happen to more than three dozen nests a summer by one female cowbird.
This female bird will keep an eye on its egg and if it is found to be kicked out or destroyed, the cowbird will in turn destroy the host bird’s eggs in retaliation. What’s even sadder is the cowbird hatchling will outgrow any host siblings at a very fast rate, which unfortunately may leave the siblings to get even less food. Additionally Cowbird eggs hatch faster than other species eggs, giving cowbird nestlings a head start in getting food from the parents first. Some birds, such as the Yellow Warbler, can recognize cowbird eggs, but are too small to get the eggs out of their nests.
These birds lays eggs in the nests of more than 220 species of birds which can be an enormous amount of choices, but usually one female will limit their choices down to a few certain species. With this heavy use of other birds nests it can make it hard on other weaker endangered species which would help contribute to their decline.
Once confined to the open grasslands of middle North America, cowbirds have been
increasing in numbers and crowding into human populated areas. Cowbirds often flock with other species of blackbirds, and they may come to your yard. I’ve seen flocks of cowbirds, grackles and such, fly into the field around my house every mid to late January. They eventually march right across my yard pecking and eating, as they pick my yard clean. In winter, they may join huge roosts with several blackbird species. One such mixed roost in Kentucky contained more than five million birds.
Figuring out the social relationships of birds that do not build nests is difficult. It has been determined that male and female Brown-headed Cowbirds are not monogamous. Their genetic analyses show that males and females have several different mates within a single season.
The oldest recorded Cowbird was a male and at least 16 years, 11 months old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Wisconsin.
Centuries ago this bird most likely followed the bison herds on the Great Plains, feeding on insects flushed from the grass as they grazed. Today it follows cattle, and occurs abundantly from coast to coast. This spreading across the country has represented bad news for other songbirds.
It’s been said that nature can be cruel. I believe the same could be said about the Brown-Headed Cowbird. I know they can’t help it, but dang!
Looking to reach everyone in Gibson County with your product or service? Look no further. Call 812-664-1082 and be a part of Small Town Living!
Well, my goodness, it has been quite a few months of change at the Princeton Veterinary Hospital! All our clients and our staff deserve a huge thank you for being patient with us during our construction. We are pleased to announce that our construction is finally complete!
We are proud to unveil our new facilities to our clients. If you have been in any time since last June, you’ve probably noticed some of the changes. We are hosting a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday, March 4th from 2:00-4:00pm. If you missed that, don’t worry! You can see our new facilities the next time you bring your pets in for their annual exams, vaccines, or if they aren’t feeling well.
We have three main parts to our “campus” now – the Princeton Veterinary Hospital (our small animal hospital), the Large Animal Clinic (the new barn next to our parking lot), and the Princeton Pup House (dog boarding and grooming across the street). The Princeton
Veterinary Hospital offers completely separate cat and dog waiting rooms, exam rooms, and hospitalized pet spaces. We now have seven exam rooms, an expanded pharmacy and laboratory space to serve your pets’ needs, expanded treatment space, and more room for hospitalized pets. We also have a dedicated comfort room with a separate exit when you need to spend a little extra time with your loved pets. A local artist, Mya Hatfield, has shared her talents with us and has painted several murals around our clinic.
The fully enclosed, climate controlled Large Animal Clinic has two stalls for short-term in-hospital care for horses or other farm animals, a holding pen for cattle, a chute and head gate system for working cattle, and stocks for horses. We will be able to work cattle, perform exams and dental work on horses, and safely be able to anesthetize farm animals for necessary procedures.
The Princeton Pup House has been open for dog boarding and grooming since July of 2022. At the Pup House, our Canine Vacation Coordinators can help you set up the perfect PupCation for your dogs while you are away on your own vacations. We offer short-term and long-term boarding with individualized care and private indoor and outdoor spaces for dogs to relax without the stress of meeting lots of new dogs.
As always, the Princeton Veterinary Hospital is accepting new patients on a walk-in basis. Our sign in hours are 7:30-10:30am and 1:00-5:00pm MondayFriday, and 7:30-10:30am on Saturdays. Large Animal Clinic work is available by appointment (if anesthesia is required) or as walk-ins. Call the Princeton Veterinary Hospital at 812-385-2733 with questions. Reservations are required at the Princeton Pup House for boarding. At this time, only limited appointments are available for grooming. Call the Pup House at 812-385-9713 to make a PupCation reservation or grooming appointment. We look forward to welcoming you and your furry family members to our new facilities soon!
you can join us for pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8th at 9 a.m. and wants to thank everyone who participated in our Furever Friends Adoption event at our shelter. We know that not everyone has the time or the space to adopt a dog or a cat, but sponsoring a pet for adoption helps to place pets into loving home faster.
Sponsoring is a wonderful option for those who already have a houseful of pets or simply want to help out the shelters, but another way to help out is to foster a cat or a dog that has been rescued and is at a shelter.
Many pets may benefit from being fostered instead of held in the shelter, for a variety of reasons. In some cases, orphaned puppies or kittens may be too young to be adopted and need a temporary loving home until they are old enough to be adopted. Some pets are recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery and need a safe place to recover. Fostering provides pets with needed socialization that they may not get in a shelter, especially those who have not lived in a home before or who have exhibited signs of stress at the shelter. Sadly, many dogs and cats in shelters have been abused and need to experience love and extra attention that a foster home can provide. When pets live with foster families, the shelters can learn more about the pets and how to find them the best home. In many cases, it may simply be comparable to no more room at the inn: the shelter may not have enough room to house all the dogs and cats who are waiting for their furever person to walk through the doors and take them home. Fostering benefits pets in many ways and helps the shelters perform their jobs more efficiently as well.
It’s not all just about the dogs and cats. We benefit
from fostering as well. Some families may be considering adopting a dog or cat and aren’t sure if they are ready for the emotional and financial commitment. Fostering provides those families with the experience of living with a pet while helping dogs and cats in need. Some families may have a pet already who is lonely, and they want to provide it with companionship but don’t want to commit to bringing another pet into the family permanently.
Taking in a pet to foster it doesn’t mean that you are adopting it for life. Fostering means you take a homeless dog or cat into your home, either for a set time period or until the pet is adopted, and give it the love and care that it needs to thrive. That pet will probably love you in
If you are interested in fostering, please visit https:// www.gcasonline.org/get-involved/foster or call the shelter at 812.386.8079. You may save a dog or a cat.
There are many events that bring people into our county and one of them is disc golf. Over the last few years this sport has been growing and so has its presence locally. Gibson County has courses in Haubstadt’s Johnson Township Park, the Princeton Country Club and at New Lake in Oakland City. There’s also a small one at Southside Park in Princeton.
At the end of March, there is a disc golf event coming to our area called the Skybreed Discs Open. They are expecting 300 confirmed players but can accommodate 800. That’s a lot of players coming to our county that we should give a warm welcome. After all, they’re staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and shopping local.
They will be paying March 31st through April 2nd and will also play at Mesker Woods in Evansville. There’s even a Glow
Round scheduled for the Country Club on March 30th, which should be an interesting sight.
The organizers of this event are looking for sponsors. The options range from a hole sponsorship to higher levels. There is also a putting contest in Downtown Princeton which has an open sponsorship. The Mixed Pro and Female Pro rounds will be filmed for avid followers to view.
If anyone would like to be a part of this local event contact Steven Waites at swaitesdg93138@gmail.com.
“Jess, pull the net, girl! Pull the net!”
I strain to hear grandpa over the fierce wind. Net tangling as we fight to get it on deck. There’s no time to think. Only haul it in before we take on water from the sudden storm. Our catch is small anyway.
One glove slips off as the net slides through my fingers. I grip the rope tighter even though it’ll cut my hand. After two more pulls, the salt water stings my palm like fire. The pain sharpens my focus. We have to secure the nets on deck and brace for the storm.
This time out on the ocean, the flavor of the trip soured right away with Grandpa’s confusion. This wasn’t the only time he’d seemed off, but this was the first time I was alone with him. Dad’s broken leg kept him home, so it was just Grandpa and me to complete this year’s fishing season.
“Tie it off!” he yells. His eyes are wide with worry. Or is it fear? That’s new.
Waves crash over the sides as we motor toward home. We’re still a few hours from safety. I see grandpa wipe his face a few times before I realize it’s tears he wipes away, not rain.
He struggles to put a tarp over the net and can’t manage. The storm rages around us.
“Let me,” I shout. He nods and braces for another wave.
Blood drips from my palm as I realize I’m in charge now.
On Saturday, February 4th, the folks at the Brass Ring in Haubstadt, turned a birthday party in a way to raise money for autism. They offered a seafood feast featuring smoked gator, shrimp, oysters and hush puppies for a donation that went to this disability. There was a good crowd that came to feast before the Purdue/IU game and help celebrate Rick and Darryl’s birthdays.
Above: After 5 hours on the smoker at 225°, Justin Smith had two gators wrapped in bacon and ready to serve. He said the real work is in the preparation the day before. The fat sac is removed and it has to brine.
A short story by Jill Chapman
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I experimented in cooking with beer. I’ve made beer cupcakes, beer brats and have even attempted the Irish dish bangers and mash. I just like trying new things and this fun holiday gave me a reason to experiment further.
My most successful Irish beer creation to date has been a beef stew (sorry, I’m not doing lamb). It was rich and hearty with a nice flavor and perfect for the cold
weather we’ve had to endure. I used Killian’s since it’s a lighter taste than Guinness, but it’s easy enough to add more beef broth and skip the beer if you wish. No harm, no foul, but no Irish, however you will still get a hearty dinner.
Since my crew loves beef stew, I’ve tried various recipes over the years. The best way I’ve found to make beef stew, is to brown the meat first and then make your own gravy using the drippings. It just adds a better flavor and richness to my way of thinking. I love my slow cooker, but I just can’t pull it off.
I did get a tip on the which meat to buy for stew. My son that worked in the meat department at our local grocery store always warned me not to buy packaged stew meat. It’s overpriced leftover tidbits without much of the fat trimmed off. Personally, I’ve found that a round steak, especially one tenderized, is a much better cut of meat for the price difference. However this all preference and to each their own.
If you’re looking to try something different that can simmer for a few hours this would make a hearty dinner served with bread and/or salad on the side. The one tip to remember is to cut the meat and veggies all about the same size for equal cooking time. Test your potatoes, they are the slowest cooking. When they are soft and tender, all is done.
This is an easy way to cook ahead and have a tasty, hearty dinner. Enjoy on St. Patrick’s day or any day you like.
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Ingredients-
1-1/2 lb. beef (sirloin roast), cut in large cubes
1 T. olive oil
4 T. butter, divided
1/2 large onion, quartered and cut in half (1/8ths)
3 garlic cloves, diced
2 stalks celery, cut in half lengthwise and then chopped in 1/2-inch pieces wide
16-18 baby carrots cut in half (not lengthwise)
3 large potatoes, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
salt and pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. thyme
1-12 oz. bottle Killians Red Irish beer
2 T. (hearty shakes) Worcestershire sauce
3 cups beef broth
1/8 cup flour
Preparation -
In large Dutch oven, heat olive oil. Brown beef in hot oil, 1 batch at a time. Don’t crowd meat so that it browns instead of steams. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Rotate meat cubes to brown on all sides. Remove to plate and set aside while working on 2nd batch, sprinkling with salt and pepper. Cut potatoes while waiting.
Remove meat when brown and add 1 T. butter. When butter is melted, add carrots, celery and onion. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Stir and heat 5 minutes or so until they start to soften. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes just until they start to change color and soften.
Pour beer, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into pot, stirring sides and bottom to loosen browned bits. Add potatoes and cooked beef into the pot and cover.
Cook over medium heat just until mixture starts to bubble, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours.
Melt 2 T. butter in small pan. Add 1/8 cup flour and stir to make a roux (or paste). Pour into pot and simmer another hour. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 6.
* Another easy meal with an Irish flare is Sheperd’s Pie. When you’re looking for a one pot dinner, this is the way to go.
Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients-
1 lb. ground beef or other meat (venison, turkey etc.)
1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables (or choice of leftover cooked veggies
4 cups seasoned mashed potatoes
8 oz. (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese salt and pepper
PreparationPreheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat in cast iron skillet. Drain. Place vegetables on meat (in skillet) and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading to cover. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven, top with cheese, continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Let rest. Serves 6.
With the price of eggs being crazy lately, here are a few substitutions you can use while baking. This won’t help if you like them sunny side up, but for quick breads or cakes, they work just fine.
Applesauce, Unsweetened - 1 egg = ¼ cup
Baking Soda and Vinegar - 1 egg = 1 tsp. baking soda + 1 Tbsp. vinegar
Banana, Mashed - 1 egg = ¼ cup
Cornstarch and Water - 1 egg = 1 tsp. cornstarch + 1 Tbsp. water
Mayonnaise - 1 egg = 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (my favorite)
Written by Mikala SissonOne of the earliest businesses in Haubstadt, IN was Singer’s Saloon. Owned and operated by Mr. Joseph M. Singer, the building was once located where the Police and Fire Department now stand on South Main Street. By 1900, Singer’s Saloon had been converted into the Singer Hotel. Around this time, the neighboring businesses included Dr. William Ballard’s of ice and the Anslinger Barber Shop.
In the top photo , a group of local Haubstadt residents pose in 1880 in front of Singer’s Saloon. In the bottom photo , the wedding guests of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Kuhn pose in front of the Singer Hotel around 1900.
(Gibson County, Indiana) The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program, the Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program, and the Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program are now accepting applications. These three grant programs are administered by the Gibson County Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 24, 2023.
Betty Ann McCullough was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years and a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with a number of civic memberships, she was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation advisory board. She passed away in 1997, after which three funds and grant programs were established in her memory.
• The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program serves to provide funding to public and private schools in Gibson County for the purpose of hosting educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.
• The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program serves to provide funds and challenge grants to schools (including institutions of higher learning), libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County.
• The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a publicschool educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.
To apply, please visit https:// www.gibsoncountycf.org/betty-ann-mccullough-grantsprograms. The Betty Ann McCullough Education Committee will review applications and make recommendations for grant recipients.
For additional information about eligibility and requirements or the grant application process, please contact Amy Smith Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.386.8082.
St. Joseph PTO held their annual banquet on Saturday, March 18th. It was a Mardi Gras theme with plenty of beads and fun. There were about 180 who attended the dinner and auction. They raised nearly $33,000 to help the school. This is one of the most fun events of the year and quite often tables try to out do the other with bids on desserts.
Sunday May 21, 2023
Evansville Riverfront
Contact us to get a team together to display a sign, join a walking team, or learn how you can get your youth group or school involved to help children in foster care!
The top raising organization, raising at least $120,000 can receive a $62,000 match!
Learn more about what you can do to help children in foster care and the families that love them at www.theisaiah117project.org
Tara Powell Ministries, Inc.(TPM) announced that it has joined in partnership with The Isaiah 1:17 Project in efforts to better assist families to successfully navigate the challenges that may occur through the fostering journey.
“Since moving our offce to Princeton several months ago, we’ve looked to partner with other like-minded organizations to assist with either counseling, pastoral care, or Bible Studies,” said Tara Powell, co-partner of TPM. “We are eager to meet the families and to assist The Isaiah1:17 Project in ministering to them through counseling services.”
“Since 2017, The Isaiah 1:17 Project has been helping meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of childen and fostering families,” said Marcia Lambert, Executive Director for The Isaiah 1:17 Project. “Partnering with those organizations that can provide assistance in different ways is crucial to our mission; and we believe Tara Powel lMinistries, Inc. will be a greatpartner as we help to make families stronger in their fostering journey, so children have the best possible outcomes and see hope beyond circumstances.”
~ Andy Quiz ~
3. Barney says the technic to selling is _______________.
A. Knowledge
B. Attractiveness
C. Salesmanship
Valuing Every Child, Serving Foster Families
1. Charlene Darling asks Barney and Andy if there’s a ________ in the trunk of the patrol car.
A. Saw
B. Ax
C. Rake
D. Shovel
2. Andy bought Aunt Bee a new _________ instead of good used one.
A. Car
B. Freezer
C. Purse
D. Apron
D. Charm
4. The _______ ________ met Andy and Barney at Andy’s house.
A Fun Girls
B. Highway Patrol
C. Esquire Club
D. Sheriff’s Association
5. Opie helped Miss Crump put on her _________.
A. Shoes
B. Sweater
C. Boots
D. Hat
We never know what mother-nature has in store for us. Be prepared with property owners insurance coverage and someone who is ready to help you should the time come. Shelter offers several coverage options to suit your needs and budget. For insurance that offers you peace of mind, call me today!
