Small Town Living in Gibson County

Happy Fall from . . .

Small Town Living

This month we’re going off the grid and having fun with all things fall and spooky. The Cooking Corner offers a cozy fall soup, but the writers joined in the fun of Halloween. Backyard Birds shares some info not on birds, but bats. Even the Master Gardens featured garlic, in case vampires might be a problem. The feature this month reflects some incredible creativity of the most “Sinister” kind. Remember it’s all for a good cause and to help the community. Because we ran out of space, here are some local Halloween events to remember. Enjoy fall and remember to always shop local.

Ft.Branch - Boo at Park - Sat. 28th, 11 am

Haubstadt - Trick or Treat on Main St., Oct. 27th, 5-7 pm

Owensville - Family Fall Bash - Sat. 28th, 5 pm

Brought to you by -

Jancey Smith and friends

Contact us - by mail at 427 N. Hart St., Princeton, IN 47670

Jancey Smith

Princeton:All Hallow’s EveKofC Princeton, Oct. 29th, 12:302:30

Deaconess Gibson - Oct. 30th, 4-6 pm, parking lot

by email at jancey@ smalltownlivinggibsoncounty.com by phone at - 812-664-1082

Backyard Birds - pg. 10

Cooking Corner - pg. 12

Veterans Voice - pg. 15

Local Events - pg. 16-17

Picturing the Past - pg. 21

As the Vets Says - pg. 22

Artist Profile - pg. 36 and much, much more!!

copyright 2023

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.

F ive Y ears of F righ tful F u F ive Y ears of F righ tful F un Five Years Frightful Fun

The month of October means many things to different people. Some folks welcome pumpkin flavors, cool weather and the return of football. For others, it’s the beginning of the Halloween season. This holiday is a fun one. It’s a time when parents and kids have fun together, dressing up, gathering candy, visiting a corn maze, and for the brave, experiencing the thrill and creativity of a haunted house.

There is a group in Fort Branch who brings the thrill of Halloween hauntings for all of Gibson County to enjoy. Members of Fort Branch Community Pride call all

on hands on deck for the weekend before Halloween. As Matt Dunkle described, “We want to make Fort Branch THE place to come for Halloween.”

What began as a joke, when Candy & Danny Yancey bought the Brickhouse, has become a local tradition for the last five years. Since insurance did not welcome the idea of their new place hosting hundreds of people pass through, the original haunt began in the basement of the old Fort Branch gym, hence - The Sinister Cellar. They turned out the lights, sprung out from beside lockers, had some basic yet fun props and gave around 500 people some Halloween fright and fun. That was just the tip of the iceberg

On the front cover: The new digital version of Simpson T. Sinister. Above left: Simpson with last year’s theme: The Titans of Above right: Zach Meyer, Matt Dunkel, Cameron Brewer and a hand drawn Simpson T.

with more fun to come. Last year more than 1,200 people came to visit.

In the years since, The Sinister Cellar has moved to cover Fort Branch Community Park. The shelter house is transformed into a spooky walkthrough and the park is a maze of haunted hazards, most with a specific theme. A fog machine is used in an old greenhouse to create a waste-deep and dark atmosphere that has a masked goblin jump up right beside an unsuspecting soul as they travel through. And the list of their creativity goes on.

The core masterminds behind the haunt are Cameron Brewer, Matt Dunkel and Zach Meyer. Their planning, creativity and attention to details are impressive. Each year they plan the haunt with a specific theme and very specific story lines. With the thought of the former Emge plant in Fort Branch, they came up with the idea of Butcher of the Branch. Last year they did Titans of Terror, a tribute to all past famous Halloween characters, and for the upcoming season their theme is the Rise of the Pumpkin Overlord. There will be a carving room, a coven where witches conjure up the Pumpkin Overlord, a church front with a pulpit and pews, and a cemetery. One of the new creations to look forward to is a 13-foot-tall smoking pumpkin. What an eye-catcher!

Another touch of intricate detail that the crew developed was their mascot –Simpson T. Sinister. He is a zombie that’s evolved overt time at the finger tips of Cameron Brewer. He first

sketched Simpson by hand, but now has moved onto computer graphics to highlight the details of Simpson who lives in the cellar. He has an earring that shows the theme of the haunt, a drooping eyeball, a gold tooth, and an assortment of spooky sayings, apparel and situations. There’s even some videos of Simpson in action on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Many of the props are created with generous donations of locals like the hoop greenhouse, fencing and the use of an old ambulance to promote the haunt. To get ideas and new props, they travel to an annual haunt show in St. Louis in February. After they return home, building the props begins in Matt’s mom’s garage over the winter. Matt Dunkel is the woodworking builder of the crew while Zack and Matt Dunkel are full of ideas and help in any way needed. Everything has to be built and then reassembled just before Halloween due to storage, or more accurately, a lack thereof. They don’t have a space to store premade creations so assembly is required. Days before Halloween the props are brought out and set up through the week with the major push to assemble the entire show on the Thursday before Halloween.

This is when a very welcome crew of family and community volunteers come into play. The guys and some of their friends take off work and school groups are given points for community service projects. It takes about 50 people to help put on this weekend haunt. One

Continued page 4

decorated for the weekend.

This crew loves parades. They came in 1st place in the Sommerfest Parade and 2nd at the Watermelon Festival.

special volunteer is Don Steinmetz, who took over the Zombie run. Early Saturday morning little kids line up and run a short course through Fort Branch and spot Zombies. After that, the adult fun begins with a 5K through the city where those Zombies come to life and give a surprise and short chase, complete with themed music and a fog machine. It’s like flag football and the winners outrun the Zombies and return with their flags. Last year there were about 170 runners sprinting around Fort Branch for fun. After the run at 11 a.m., the Cellar will be the backdrop for “Boo at the Park” so the young kids can have a traditional costume contest, parade and candy.

The group wants the haunt to be family-friendly, so it offers no scare hours early in the evening for any age. It’s impressive just to admire the creativity. The haunt is always a no-touch scare, someone will not grab you. It is also very important to the group that is family-costeffective. Their charge is just $5 per person, that way even a family of five or six can attend. If you were to travel to other cities

The original Simpson T. Sinister is tattooed on Cameron’s arm. Their mascot has come a long way.

for haunts, the cost could easily be $25 or more per person, which could lead to hundreds of dollars.

The proceeds from this event stay in the community. Fort Branch Community Pride is a nonprofit group that uses the funds to help promote and do repairs within Fort Branch. They had mulch put in on the playground, helped repair the park bridge, painted items in Marlene Park, sponsored a kid at Christmas, and put on a Christmas party at the Fire Station.

If you would like to experience Halloween close to home and help the community, make sure to get in line early. The no-scare haunt begins at 6 p.m. with the full Monty scare starting at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, that’s just three hours per night for a fun Halloween time with hundreds of spooky creatures.

Happy Halloween!

Skeletons stored at Matt’s mom’s house.

News from Lyles Station, Indiana

Well, it is that time of year again for bomb fires, harvest games, hayrides, corn maze and food. Yes, that is correct, the Lyles Station Historic School and Museum Adventure Park will be open each weekend in October. I renamed it, as I was writing this article, since it seems only fitting to call it an adventure park. October 6th at 5 p.m. is the official opening day for all things fall and harvest. As stated above, bomb fires, harvest games, hay- ride through the corn maze and concessions too. Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Starting the weekend of October 6-7-8, then October 13-14-15, October 20-21-22, and ending the weekend of October 27-28-29. The hours will be Friday’s 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday’s 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday’s 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Looking back into history, mazes (labyrinths) have been around since the ancient Greeks and Romans. Medieval Monks all used puzzles and mazes as games. Earl Beal of Annville, Pennsylvania, was credited in 1993, for the first full-size corn maze on his farm. Many mazes today are created with a GPS in the farm tractor dropping the seed in the proper place for the best maze. Lyles Station Historic School and Museum prides

themselves on doing it the old-fashioned way one seed kernel/stock at a time.

Lyles Station Historic School and Museum is the 11th largest corn maze in the state of Indiana. The Lyles corn maze can be viewed when riding in the hay wagon, there are many creatures and goblins along the maze path. When not on the hay wagon, children can have pumpkin painting and decoration (they can take home with them), there is corn hole games, a fun tunnel, ring or loop toss, petting zoo with a variety of animals ( they are always hungry). There is a jungle gym for the small children and some new additions for children 10-13 years of age to test your balance and skill. We cannot forget the food and drink; concessions will be open.

This Southern Indiana Adventure Park would be a great place to take the grandkids, your civic group, the Sunday school class, or youth group, first date and get cozy on the hay wagon – you get the picture use your imagination. All are welcome to the events at Lyles Station Historic School and Museum.

Winding down the year with October activities is always a good time to thank those who have supported

Kash Meyer & Marilyn West as Minnie Mouse

Lyles Station Historic School and Museum. None of the events on the Lyles Station Historic School and Museum property can or would occur without the generous donors. Some are individual donors, some corporate donors, let me name a few:

*Corteva Agriscience provided the corn seed for the maze.

*Superior Ag provides the fertilizer and spray for crops.

*Beck’s Seed Company provided demo plots to continue on-site education to the many students and visitors.

*Koberstein Rental and Sales provides the tubing/ piping for the Fun Tunnel.

Garden planting and grounds maintenance includes:

*Green Thumb Garden Club members and Gibson County Master Gardeners members

*Various Tri-State College students and High School students

*Post retirement volunteers

*…the list goes on and on, we want to thank each of you (you know who you are). We are thankful for your continued support and help throughout the year. The Lyles Station Historic School and Museum continues their affiliation and partnerships with National Underground Railroad Network, The Smithsonian, National Park Services and Indiana Landmarks.

So, mark your calendars for the Adventure Park Fun in Lyles Station, Indiana, in October.

Many folks have never been on a hayride.

Haubstadt D of I October Events

October 9, 7:30 pm --- The Haubstadt D of I will participate in the “Living Rosary” at the K of C parking lot in Haubstadt. Fellowship will follow in the K of C Hall and D of I members are asked to bring cookie donations.

October 16, 6:30 pm – The Daughters of Isabella Circle #151 will conduct Installation of Officers at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Haubstadt. A regular meeting will follow at the K of C Hall in Haubstadt.

October 21-22 – Indiana Daughters of Isabella Fall Conference. Becky Mayer will attend.

October 27, 5:00-7:00 pm – Halloween candy will be distributed by the D of I in front of the K of C Hall in Haubstadt during “Trick or Treat on Main Street.”

Jesika and Kash Meyer posing for fun.

Changing jobs? Consider these 401(k) options:

• Leave the money in your previous employer’s plan

• Move it to your new employer’s plan

• Roll it over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

• Cash out the account subject to early withdrawal penalties

We can talk through your financial goals and find the option that works best for you.

What could be more important than keeping our community, especially our children, safe? Not much. That’s why we have School Resource Officers. They are law enforcement officers who are specially trained to work in schools with children.

This program initially took off after the Columbine shooting in 1999 and has been in Gibson County for the last 15 years in some form or another. For years, offduty sheriffs would come to the schools when they were

GREENWELL AUTO BODY

South Gibson SROs: Dan Lienemann, Fred Schleter, Zach Lienemann and Riley Farmer

available, partly due to a labor shortage. That left gaps in coverage and inconsistency. After a break-in at Haubstadt Elementary, the South Gibson School Board and the community reconsidered the situation. In the spring of 2023, they hired four full-time school resource officers, one for each school.

Officer Dan Lienemann of Owensville has been an SRO for the last nine years, working with the school and being a constant advocate for school safety. He has a vested interest; his children and now five grandkids attend school in South Gibson. “It shows a lot about the community to have that type of parent and school support” for the program. He also credits George Ballard, who was also once an SRO, with helping work out the details of the program with Sherif Bruce Vanoven and the Gibson Southern school board.

The new SROs at Gibson Southern are OfficersFred Schleter at Fort Branch Community School, Riley Farmer at Haubstadt Elementary, Zach Lienemann of Owensville and Dan Lienemann and Randy Ziliak at the high school. They protect about 2,200 of our children from potential harm. Each of them brings special skills to the team. Fred Schleter worked for Evansville School Corporation previously and has diving experience. He loves being back home in Gibson County and being able to help his community. Riley Farmer has EMT training and brings medical training to the table. Zach Lienemann has experience in transportation and working with bus drivers, which adds another perspective and skill.

To be a school resource officer it takes a certain type of law enforcement officer. Liking kids is a must. They are regular members of the sheriff’s department, but then must take an additional 40 hours of specific training. Much of the focus is on the deescalation of situations. They want to promote positive relationships between students and officers. SROs can often become a mentor, coach and/or counselor because many kids are missing positive role models in their lives. Their job description stretches from helping tie shoes and opening milk cartons, to putting on safety demonstrations, introducing students to McGruff the Crime dog, while at all times monitoring the schools for safety.

They try to identify problems and help before it becomes a bigger situation. As in monitoring the Chrome book usage. The officers are red-flagged when particular websites are searched. This is not only for obvious searches like “How to build a bomb or buy a gun,” but also for “How to commit suicide.” Officer Lienemann encountered this once and was able to alert the family that their child was struggling with mental health issues. This is prevention at its best.

Their reputations go well beyond the school perimeter. It’s not uncommon for kids and parents to come and chat at football games, or maybe they give hugs at Walmart when they run into their kids. These officers are part of the community and keeping it and the

kids safe is priority. What Dan likes best is working with the kids. He says it keeps him young and up on the current slang and fashion. Getting to work with his son and see his grandkids makes the job great. Fred Schleter at the Fort Branch Community School calls this job, “The greatest gig in law enforcement”.

Their goal is to have each of the schools more secure. They have written grants for federal funding to install cameras, door prop sensors, license plate recorders, and shot detectors, and have a strict visitor policy which scans IDs. This is especially helpful to make sure that the correct adults are picking up children.

The SROs have found creative ways to help their community and increase funding for their schools. On Saturday, October 28th, there will be an event put on by the SROs at Lienemann Raceway in Owensville. There will be a chili cook-off, trunk or treating, and go-cart races in three age brackets. The event is free and open to the public for donations. Feel free to come meet the guys that protect our kids.

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Branch School.

Backyard Birds - A Spooky Fella?

My article is taking a different route this month. We are not going to talk about a bird this time. We are going to talk about something that is very scary, frightening or disgusting to many folks. I am talking about the only mammal that can truly fly. If you guessed bats you were right. Indiana has 13 species of bats that hang out, pass through or reside here year-round. Bats can be very spooky to some folks for many reasons due to movies, stories, folklore and the unknown. Spooky stories can be fun at times and even entertaining, but sometimes rumors, myths and stories can be intertwined with the truth about bats leaving these little guys misunderstood.

Let’s start debunking some bat myths:

1. Bats will get tangled in your hair - A myth that was told to keep young girls from going out at night. If bats are flying close to you it would only be while trying to catch insects. Their use of echolocation will let them know exactly how close they are to you.

Art by Ms. Addison Potts, 5th grade

2. Bats are really just flying rodents - This is false. Rodents and bats are two completely different orders of species. Bats are of the order Chiroptera. Rodents are of the order Rodentia.

3. Bats are blind - While their eyesight is quite well-developed the bat actually hunts insects by sound using echolocation, a type of sonar.

4. All Bats are blood eatersThere are only three species of bats that eat blood and those live in North, South and Central America. All other remaining bat species either eat insects, fruit or nectar.

Of the 13 species of bats in Indiana, about half have a conservation status of “State Endangered” while the other half of the bats found in our state are of “Special Concern”. Six of our species are considered “Cave Bats” where the caves are used for hibernation. We have four species of Migratory Tree bats that fly south for the winter and the remaining three bat species are rare to our area such as the Eastern small-footed bat, Rafinesque’s big-eared bat and the Southeastern bat. The bat most commonly found in our state is the Big Brown bat with a conservation status of Least Concern. While not particularly large, the Big Brown bat is one of a few in our area with a 13-inch wingspan; the rest of the bats in our area are in the 9-10 inch wingspan range.

Big brown bats are insectivorous, eating many types of insects, particularly night-flying insects, but especially beetles. Some of the beetles are serious agricultural pests, including cucumber beetles. They are nocturnal, foraging for prey at night and roosting in sheltered areas during the day such as caves, tunnels, tree cavities, and human structures.

Their breeding season is in the fall, shortly before their annual hibernation. After hibernation ends in the spring, females form maternity colonies for giving birth to young. Oftentimes only one offspring is produced per litter, though twins are common in the Eastern US. Living 6.5 years is considered average.

By eating pests, bats save producers more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs.

While a bat can be a little scary it actually needs our help. Bat boxes provide a place to roost and raise their young. Made from wood with ventilation holes, this provides them a safe place to live and possibly helps with bat population.

Hopefully now, bats are not a Spooky Fella.

these were the award winners. Photo courtesy Jackie Saum

The Cooking Corner

Story & photos: Jancey Smith

For some October means pumpkin, spice, and everything nice. For me, it’s the beginning of not only football, but soup season. Once again I can finally look in the pantry, fridge, or freezer and take stock of what needs to be used, and then soup it. Throw all good things into a slow cooker or a pot on the stove and let those goodies simmer into a lunch and/or dinner for a few days.

Soup Season

I personally, can eat soup at any given time or season. However, the hubby, not so much. When it’s 90+ degrees and humidity, soup is just not his thing, let alone the heat that simmering adds to the kitchen. I know that there are cold soups, but I can’t see that flying with him either.

Typically, I save chili for when it gets a little cooler and fix variations during the winter. However, even though many folks call chili a soup, it’s not. It’s a stew. By definition, a soup is mostly liquid with some miscellaneous ingredients that are typically fine diced, or very small. Stews however have a less liquid to

ingredient ratio, are typically chunky and have just enough liquid to cover the ingredients. The broth is usually thickened with flour, cornstarch or a roux. That’s where chili fits in but is thickened with tomato paste. Who would want thin, watery chili?

There are about five types of soups (depending on how technical you want to get) – broths, consummes, cream soups, bisques, and chowders. After reading the process of making a consumme, I’m just going to mark that right off the experiment list because it’s more steps and patience than I’ll ever have, but to each his own. I’m more in favor of throwing it in a pot and letting it go low and slow.

Broth and cream soups are easy. They are great for beginners – think of chicken noodle and beef vegetable. Broth soups have simple ingredients of a broth, a protein (chicken or beef are common), a starch (noodle or potato) and usually a veggie (carrots are a favorite).

However, if you think of the Italian soup Minestrone, there is a nice assortment of veggies and herbs within.

Cream soups are very similar except they’re given a velvety texture by adding milk or cream as a finishing touch while the soup simmers. It can be thickened with a little flour. The biggest trick to any cream soup is to not let the milk boil. Add it last and just simmer to heat while stirring occasionally. Otherwise you’ll have a clumpy mess. This is one you have to check on now and then.

There are two specialty soups - bisques and chowders that are interesting variations. These typically feature shellfish or seafood, so therefore are more coastal favorites, but can be done in the Midwest, too. Think of tomato or squash bisques that pop up in the fall where produce is prevalent. One of my favorite ways to use holiday leftovers is in a ham and corn chowder. This dish is almost a combination of a thin cream soup with chunkier bites of ingredients like a stew, but it’s still more liquid than filler.

Recently I wanted to vary the menu and do something we hadn’t tried in a while. After checking the kitchen stock, I decided on taco soup to use some local corn and tomatoes. It’s just like it sounds with as many ingredients as you wish without being difficult at all. It can go stove top if you’re in a hurry (45 minutes) or in the slow cooker overnight for storage in the morning. This is good served with nachos or a green chili cheese cornbread.

Green Chili Cheese Cornbread

Ingredients-

1 pkg. Jiffy corn muffin mix 1 egg

1/3 cup milk

3 T diced green chilis, drained

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese

Preparation -

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Do not overstir. Mixture will be thick and slightly lumpy. Pour into spray-coated pan. (I use a small oven-proof skillet.) Bake 15-20 minutes until edges are slightly browned. Remove from oven and let rest. Cut into wedges and served topped with butter.

Ingredients-

Taco Soup

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 can 14.5 oz. whole kernel corn, drained (or 2 cups fresh)

1 can 15.5 oz. chili beans with sauce

1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (Mexican style) or 2 cups fresh tomatoes diced

1 pkg. taco seasoning mix

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 green pepper diced (your choice: bell, jalapeños, poblano, or serrano)

2 cups soup base/bouillon (beef flavor or Better Than Bouillon Adobo or Chili)

*optional - sprinkle of crushed red pepper toppings - shredded cheese and tortilla strips

Preparation -

1. Brown meat 5-7 minutes then add onion and pepper if using. Cook 5 minutes more until meat is done. Drain excess liquid.

2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low overnight or 6-8 hours.

3. Serve topped with shredded cheese and tortilla strips if desired. Serves 5-6.

Ghosts, Goblins, Ghouls and Garlic

Halloween is right around the corner with all the spookiness that it offers – the evil spirits, vampires, ghosts, goblins, and we can’t forget about GARLIC! Legend has it that people smeared garlic on children’s foreheads, wore garlic around their necks to ward off the vampires, and chewed on cloves to keep the bloodsucking evil spirits away. Today we still associate garlic with Halloween, but now it plays many important roles in our society for culinary, medicinal, and horticultural purposes.

Garlic has been around for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest horticulture crops. Garlic’s sulfur compounds are used in some fungicides, bactericides, virucides, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial products. If consuming raw garlic is too strong for your palate, try roasted garlic to add many benefits to your health. It has been known for centuries to cure infections, and it is known for its detoxing properties. Garlic has been shown to reduce fatigue and strengthen the immune system. It helps to relax blood vessels, thus improving circulation and lowering blood pressure, and it also appears to play a role in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. But be careful, too much of a good thing can turn bad. Side effects of eating too much garlic can cause bad breath, acid reflux, digestive issues, and an increased risk of bleeding.

Since the legend of keeping vampires away is still known to this day, it has been proven that the sulfur compounds in garlic help prevent mosquitoes from biting us. The sulfur smell also is an effective repellent for both insects and animals. Since it has so many benefits, let’s add another!

Garlic is easy to grow and now is the perfect time of year to start growing it. The best time to plant garlic in our hardiness zone 6b is mid to late October. Our soil is still warm, allowing it to get a jump start before the wintry period. The garlic needs about four weeks of time in the soil before it gets cold (freezing). There are two main types of garlic: hard necks and soft necks with many

different varieties, even one named Transylvania, which is perfect for the Halloween holiday. When purchasing your garlic at the store or local farmer’s market, look for firm heads with a white, papery sheath, free of any green sprout growth. If buying from a dealer, make sure to buy from a reputable plant company or you can even grow garlic purchased from the store. Picking the perfect location is a must since garlic is a heavy feeder, preferring well-drained sandy loam soil, with plenty of organic matter, and a pH level of around 6.5. To plant, separate the cloves from the head. Don’t worry about peeling the dried paper-like leaves from cloves, they will grow just fine. Plant them root end down, pointed end up about two inches deep and six inches apart. Cover with about six inches of mulch. Mulch can simply be grass clippings and leaves fallen from your trees. Leave the mulch on in the spring as the plants grow to help control weeds. Garlic needs about one inch of water per week during the growing season and prefers full sun.

How do you know when to harvest? The garlic will grow into the summer months and when the leaves just start to turn brown you are getting close. When 75% of the leaves have turned brown, loosen the soil with your hands or digging fork and gently remove the garlic with the stalk attached, be careful not to bruise the heads. Brush off the dirt (don’t peel the skin or wash the bulbs) and hang the bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Let the bulbs cure for four to six weeks. After they’re thoroughly dry, trim off the roots, cut the stalks about 1½ inches above the bulb, and then place them in a net bag or braid the soft neck stalks for storage. Garlic can be stored for months if stored in a cool, dry space – not the refrigerator

Don’t let the spookiness of Halloween get to you, just get a jump start on your health and next year’s vampire protection and plant your garlic today! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your Gibson County Master Gardner friends!

Garlic cloves

George Pickersgill - Gibson Co. Veterans Service Officer, 812-385-4522

Well, it’s that time of the year again – time for my annual plea for veterans to get their personal affairs in order. If you have not, at a minimum, located your military discharge (DD Form 214) and made its location known to your family, I am begging you to take the time to do it now. This is an extremely important document which will make all the difference when the time comes to honor your service and ensure that your family receives any benefits that they may have coming.

I’ve told you before – I will continue to bang this drum as long as I have the breath in my lungs. I know that I must sound like a broken record at times, but you must understand that it is just that important. There is

simply nothing in my world more gut-wrenching than the idea of having to deny a family their veteran’s final death and burial benefits simply because of the vet’s failure to take care of this responsibility.

Upon a veteran’s passing, as with anyone else, important decisions and arrangements have to be made, and many of them are very time-sensitive. There simply isn’t time to go thru government protocols to hunt down your discharge in order to validate your eligibility. I am begging you… do it now !!!

You can call me and I will tell you if it is on file locally. If it is not, you can go online to the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/militaryservice-records and do it yourself, or allow me to help you get it by visiting the Service Office at the North Courthouse Annex, 225 North Hart St., Princeton. It is a very simple process, but you must initiate it. Please, regardless of your age and health, make this a priority and ensure your family knows where this document is and understands your wishes.

George Pickersgill

Remebering the Missing on National POW/MIA Day

On Friday, September 15th, the Fort Branch VFW Post 2714 and their auxiliary held a service remembering the POW/MIA. There was a ceremony with

flags and candles were lit in remembrance. Even though there were three soldiers who were identified last year, there are still over 50 Hoosiers still missing.

NOTE: Southern Indiana Honor Flight will be going to Washington DC on October 21st. They will be back at EVV about 6:30pm.

Above is the crew of Veterans who honored their POW/MIA brothers in arms.

The beginning of flag ceremony.

VFW #2714

Fort Branch

Kitchen open for Mon., Taco

Tuesday, Wed., Thur. & Fri. specials 4-7pm

Trivia Night Oct. 21st, 7 pm

Deadline for Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen essay contests is October 31st.

Texas Hold Em

Princeton Moose Lodge

Saturday, Oct. 21st

6 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

Karaoke Night

Princeton Moose Lodge

Saturday, Oct. 14th, 8 pm

What’s Happening!!

Amer. Legion Post

#25 Breakfast

Broadway, Princeton

2nd & 4th Saturdays 8 - 10 am

Mackey Salem

Church Fish Fry

Mackey, IN

Saturday, Nov. 4th

4 - 7 pm

$15 All you can eat Fish, Ham, potato salad, baked beans, slaw, dessert, drink

Children 3-12 yrs $6 carryout available

PHS 1963 Class

Reunion

Saturday, Oct. 7th

Princeton Elks

Emerson & Hart St. Social hour 5-6 pm

Dinner at 6 pm by Lupes

Sausage Grind

K of C, Princeton

Saturday, Oct. 7th, Pick up 9:30 -11 am

Deadline: Wed. Oct. 4th Call 812-385-5732

Francisco Fire Dept.

Chili Supper

Francisco Lions Club

Oct. 7th, noon - 7 pm

Firetruck Slide & Ninja warrior obstacle course

Patoka Methodist

Dinner & Auction

Saturday, Oct. 21st, 4-6 pm pork loin or chicken, sides, rolls, dessert $12 Auction begins at 6pm

Princeton City Wide Yard Sale

Saturday, Oct. 7th

7 am - noon

Vine St. Fall Market

Fort Branch Comm. Park

Saturday, Oct. 7th

9 am - 3 pm

Beadle Bunch

Turkey Dinner

Saturday, Oct 28th

4- 7pm

PCMS Cafeteria

Turkey, sides, dessert

PCHS Band Chili

Supper & Performance

Tuesday, Oct. 10th, 5:30 Tiger Arena Performance 7 pm

Mt. Taber Harvest Celebration

Saturday, Oct. 7th

Mt. O Gym, 9am - 5pm Free burgers & hotdogs

Antique Tractor Show, Bounce Houses, Vendors

- Senior Center Activities -

Monday: 8:45 Breakfast

am - Bingo

pm - Card Players

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 6-7th

24th Annual Princeton National Garden Tractors

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 14-15th

Goat show & auction - Goats & Goblins Showdown

Saturday, Oct. 28th

Collectors Carnival Antieque & Flea Market

Tuesday: 9 am - Exercise Class 11:30 - Lunch Noon - Crocheting 10/17

Wednesday: 11 am - Quilters

Thursdays: 10 am - Bible Study 1 pm - Art Class/Painting

Friday: 9 am - Tone & Stretch 9:45 am - Line Dancing 11:30 - Lunch

Thursday Oct. 5th - 8:30 amMen’s Breakfast Call for info 812-385-2897

Mon. Oct. 9th - Closed for Columbus Day

Mon. Oct. 16th - Master Gardeners 6:00 pm

300

What’s Happening!!

~ Help with Food in the Community ~ UMC Delivers

Salvation Army Food Pantry

Gibson St., Princeton

Monday, Oct. 9th, 16th, & 23rd

Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 18th & 25th

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, Oct. 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

Fridays, Oct. 6th & 20th

2:30 - 3:30 pm

Dinners

Hillside Church, Princeton

Monday, Oct. 9th

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. Oct. 11th & 25th

Thur. Oct. 12th & 26th 1 - 3 pm

East Gibson

Food Pantry

Trinity United Methodist Church, 405 S. Mulberry St.

Every Wednesday

9 am - noon

Purdue Extension Produce Program

Springs

Valley Customer

Appreciation Lunch

Princeton Branch

W. Broadway

Friday, Oct. 6th, 11 am - 1 pm

Burgers, brats, ice cream

Mackey Salem UMC

Community Meal

Third Tuesday monthly 11 am - 12:30 pm

proceeds go to E. G. food pantry *construction underway call 812-5500875 to inquire

Salvation Army Free

Grab & Go Meal

Gibson St., Princeton

Tues. Oct. 10th &17th

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Patoka UMC

Men’s Breakfast

Saturday, Oct. 21st, 7 am

203 Spring St., Patoka

Third Saturdays monthly

Souled Out Saturday

Oasis Church, Princeton

1st Saturday monthly

Sign in - 7-10:30 am

Breakfast - 7:30-8:30 am

Food Pantry - 8:30-11am

Shopping - 8-10am

Mt. Olympus Lions Club

Meetings 2nd & 4th Mondays

Monthly at Mt. O Community Center, 7 pm

Collecting old cell phones, hearing aids and glasses

Collectors Carnival

Antique & Flea Mkt

Gibson County Fairgrounds

Saturday, Oct. 28th

9 am-4 pm $2/person 7-9 am $5/person

Monthly Car & Bike Show

Mom’s Diner, Oakland City

Friday, Oct. 6th, 6 - 8 pm

Cruise-In at the Square

Princeton Square

Sunday, Oct. 29th. 11 am - 2 pm

Food Truck Tuesdays

Gibson County Fairgrounds

Tuesday, Oct. 31st, 4 - 8 pm, Food & Live Music

Rummage Sale

St. Joe gym

Gibson St., Princeton

Saturday, Oct. 7th. 8 am - 1 pm

RTL Election Day Soup Supper

Tuesday, Nov. 7th

K of C Bingo

Open to Public every Thursday Princeton K of C, 6 pm

Rawhide Golf Has New Owners

After 30 years, Mark Schmitt has finally passed on the reins of Rawhide Golf Ball Company, located in eastern Fort Branch, to Brian and Bobbi Jo Seib. The business collects and recycles golf balls. In 2015, Rawhide diversified its products and began recycling golf mats. An open house is in the works for March. Stay tuned for more details.

The local Bureau of Motor Vehicles has changed their hours. Instead of being open late Tuesdays and on Saturday mornings, they will be a Monday-Friday business open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Good luck!

Kris Spindler has joined the Princeton Auto Parke team! Kris has many years of experience and knowledge in the car industry and is ready to help you find your next vehicle. Welcome to the team Kris!

After a devasting electrical fire, the Full Metal Armory in Haubstadt is back open for business. Members of the Gibson County Chamber welcomed them with a ribbon cutting.

The rumor is true, a new pizza place will be coming to Francisco. RJ’s Pizza will be located where the old bank resides on Hwy. 64. The plan is to get the drive-through open and then remodel the interior of the old building for dine-in. Pizza and homemade breadsticks will be the focus. Rick promotes keeping it simple but doing it good.

Auto Parke Welcomes New Staff

Photo: Jancey Smith Right: Rick Walburn and his grandson Kaiden.

Photo provided

Bobbi Jo and Brian Seib are the new owners of Rawhide Golf Balls.

Right: Kris Spindler of Princeton

Photo: Jennifer MacKay

Photo provided

Hair Hero Held Grand Reopening

Formerly on the 200 block of W. State, Hair Hero Salon held a grand re-opening on Friday, September 22nd. Their new shop has nearly triple the space and they have plans for adding a tattoo service. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome to stop

True Hope Celebrated Open House

On Saturday, September 23rd, the Chamber and our community welcomed the True Hope Pregnancy and Resource Center with a ribbon cutting.

Tenbarge Seed Held Kickoff Event

On Saturday, Septembr 9th, Tenbarge Seed sponsored a fall seed event. Seed exppert, Matt Duncan was on hand for consultation. They broke out the grill, serving food and drinks to shoppers.

Susan Bobe’s Pizza Gives Back to Isaiah

To help the Isaiah 1:17 Project, Susan Bobe’s Pizza held a give back night on Saturday, September 23rd. Fifteen percent of the proceeds of the day was donated the non-profit organization that helps foster children.

From left: Emily, Jo Jo. Aubrey, Becky and Jazlyn

Kathleen Elliot of the Isaiah 1:17 Project welcomed customers.

(Photo: Courtesy Kim Cordray)

Steven Schneider was given the task of running the grill for burgers and brats.

Hair Hero is now located at 118 E. State St. on the square in Princeotn

Two-year-old Karsin was happy to get a football.

Homemaker’s Week Coming in October

The Gibson County Extension Homemakers will have a week of activities October 16th-20th. Their mission is to strengthen families through education, leadership development and community support.

On Monday, October 16th, they will offer light refreshments and information at the extension office. Tuesday is “Giving Day,” in which they raise funds for Riley Children’s Hospital and hygiene products for Addiction Solutions. Wednesday they will highlight their scholarships that are given to all three county high schools. Community Support is the theme for Thursday, in which the Homemakers showcase the Open Class Exhibits at the Fair each year. Everyone is welcome to enter exhibits. On Friday they will highlight their members. They have seven clubs in the area, but new clubs and members are always welcome.

The Gibson County Homemakers have 75 members with one member who has been active for 65 years and

The ARC Southwest Indiana

Celebrated 60th Years of Service

Friday, August 25th was a big night for the ARC of Southwest Indiana. Employees, board members and directors as well as guests gathered at the Princeton Community Center to celebrate 60 years of service and growth in Gibson County. After hors d’oeuvres and drinks, the group was treated to the experience of the documentary, “The Best We’ve Got,” about Carl Erskine. Carl grew up in northern Indiana and went on to play baseball with Gil Hodges and Jackie Robinson. After his playing days, Carl went on to work with The Foundation of Christian Athletes and helped create Special Olympics.

Photo: provided

Director Stan Keepes welcomed the guests who attended.

Dan Cochrum (left) chats with friends during the intermission.

Ike Belcher chats with J. D. and Patty Wildt.

Special Olympic athletes: Zachary Brown, Alex Lange, Wes MacKannan & coordinator Gaerie Belcher.

Photos: Jancey Smith

A homemade quilte to be awarded

Picturing the Past

Story: Mayor Greg Wright

The Rhodes family moved to Princeton late in 1909, when Dr. Rhodes “hung up his shingle” in an office above the Model Clothing Store on the West Side of the Square. His specialty was an eye, ear, nose, and throat physician. He and his wife Olive had had two daughters: Edythe Lucille born around 1906 and Bessie Adelaide born August 31, 1908. The family lived at 526 West State Street in Princeton. Both girls attended Ohio Wesleyan College in Delaware, Ohio, after graduating from Princeton High School in 1923 and 1925.

In 1912, Dr. Rhodes gave the school corporation a dime that he had engraved the Lord’s Prayer onto, to be placed in a time capsule that would not be opened until recently on August 20, 2023. It was 111 years to the day it was sealed.

Dr. Rhodes was a Progressive Party/GOP in his politics. He ran for coroner in 1916 and was elected to the Princeton City Council in 1925. Dr. Rhodes served his country in 1918 and wrote letters back to Princeton warning residents about the severity of the worldwide Spanish Flu. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He was also a part of an early push supporting a Princeton YMCA. Over the years, he spoke at Lincoln School about the importance of proper eye care and was supportive of all Princeton educational facilities.

In 1915, Dr. Rhodes, with other area physicians, pushed to reopen the Princeton Sanitarium after it had been closed. Dr. Rhodes office for most of his time in Princeton, was at 115 South Main Street. He was President of the Gibson County Historical Society in the 1920s and helped with Tornado relief after the 1925 Tristate Tornado. He even had an eagle preserved that was believed to have been blown here from Missouri to be displayed to raise money for victims. Dr. Rhodes also

The Rhodes Family

helped with another disaster locally when the mine at Francisco exploded in 1926.

In later years, Lucille married Allen A. Dowds from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, around 1928. Bessie married Charles Arthur Fisher shortly after.

Left to right: Dr. Amos Rhodes, Allan Dowds Jr. (Dr. Rhodes’ grandson), Allan Dowds Sr. (Dr. Rhodes’ Son-in-law)

Photo courtesy: Tim Dowds

As the Vet Says -

Does Your Pet Need to Lose Weight?

Did you know that 60% of dogs and cats are overweight?

Where do you think your pet falls?

Chances are pretty good that your pet could stand to lose a couple of pounds. You might think that just a couple of pounds is not a big deal, but did you know…

• 1 extra pound on a full-grown Labrador

Retriever is the same as an extra 4-5 pounds on a person

• 1 extra pound on an adult cat is the same as 15-17 extra pounds on a person

Just like people, dogs and cats who are overweight are prone to other diseases like arthritis, other joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease, among other problems. So, what can you do about it?

The first step is figuring out your pet’s

body condition score. Visit PetObesityPrevention.org/ pet-caloric-needs to see a body condition score chart for dogs and cats and decide where your pet falls. If you aren’t sure, bring your pet in to see our veterinarians! We can determine your pet’s body condition score and their ideal weight.

Once you’ve determined if your pet needs to lose some weight, the hard part begins. Just like with people, more exercise and fewer calories are the keys to weight loss. This might mean cutting back on how much your pet eats or changing to a lower-calorie food. It definitely means cutting down on treats and table snacks! Increasing activity looks different for dogs and cats, but in general, we went to see more structured activity (like walks or runs) for dogs, and more interactive playtime for both dogs and cats.

We strongly recommend working with your veterinarian to help design a diet and exercise plan for your pet. Princeton Veterinary Hospital always accepts new patients, no appointment needed. Bring your dog or cat in to see our veterinarians to get a diet and exercise plan tailored to your own pet. Stop in anytime during our regular hours for a weight check to see how things are going. Call us at 812-385-2733, or find more information on our hours on our Facebook page or our website, PrincetonVet.net.

C.

Ruff Day? You need a Treat!

All the dogs and cats (and other critters as well as humans) at Gibson County Animal Services (GCAS) appreciate the community’s support. The funds raised at our recent Cruzin’ for Critters car show, the Pawjamma Party, and the DPI booth at the square helped us care for our MANY guests at the shelter.

Golfers—we hope you enjoy the Freudenberg Invitational at The Oakland City Golf Course on October 7th; all proceeds will go to GCAS. To reserve your spot for a team ($120) or sponsor a hole ($100), text or call Axel Freudenberg at 812.215.9849.

We hope you join us at our annual Harley’s Heart Medical Fund Open House & Vendor Fair on O c t o b e r 2 1 , from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can enjoy F R E E chili, hot dogs, refreshments, music, and the vendor fair situated at the Gibson County Soccer Club. Don’t worry about the walk—Pinky the Tractor will shuttle you back and forth between the two sites so you can take part in the silent auction and door prize drawings. The Fido Fetch will take place at noon, so buy your tickets for that exciting event. We will also be sending the beautiful quilts home with the winners of the quilt raffle that day.

This annual event is a treat for the dogs and cats (and possibly a rabbit or bird) who hope to go home with their furever families.

Once they go to their new homes, they would love to nibble (or chomp) on homemade treats, like the Pupcakes sold at the DPI booth. Dogs and cats love homemade treats, and their humans do, too, since they know the treats contain healthy ingredients. A quick search on Pinterest or Google provides more recipes than any of us can ever make, but the easiest ones seem to be the best and feature everyone’s favorite ingredient—peanut butter!

When giving dogs peanut butter, either in treats or as a treat on its own, make sure that it does NOT contain Xylitol which is poisonous to dogs (and is often an ingredient in many ice creams).

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats

You’ll need one banana (overripe is best), ½ cup peanut butter, one cup of old-fashioned oats, and parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mash your banana in a medium-sized mixing bowl and then stir in the peanut butter and oats.

Place this mixture onto a sheet of parchment and use a spatula to spread it out to about ¼” thickness. Use cookie cutters or even a drinking glass to cut out the treats and place them on a baking sheet (use parchment

By Clair Juenell Owens for GCAS, photos provided

paper for an easier clean-up). Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and let cool before treating your pooch.

Cats enjoy treats, too, and a banana also plays a surprising role in one of their treats.

Easy Tuna Treats

You’ll need one 5-ounce can of water-packed tuna (drained), one cup of all-purpose flour, ½ banana, one egg, one tablespoon olive oil, and parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Tear off enough parchment paper to cover your cookie sheet and set it aside. Mash the banana in a medium-sized bowl and mix in the tuna, flour, egg, and olive oil. Place the ball of dough on the parchment paper and roll it out with a rolling pin until about ¼ inch thick (covering it with plastic wrap or parchment paper keeps your rolling pin from smelling like tuna). Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and let cool before cutting into small square or triangle shapes. Store these in the refrigerator.

These are the dogs and cats currently available for adoption at GCAS. They would consider it a treat to go home with you!

Cat”

Karson never should have taken the bet. No one could back out of a quadruple, double dog dare: everyone knew that. If he went inside, he may never come back out, but if he didn’t, he’d be a scaredy-cat until at least high school. Karson looked over his shoulder where his mom stood talking to Zoey’s mom, his trick-or-treat candy tucked safely away in the bottom of his little sister’s stroller. Mom waved at him, providing a welcomed relief to the mounting anxiety, but as soon as Karson looked back at the house, the uneasiness returned.

Every year the old house down the street turned into the creepiest house in the neighborhood. Amanda’s aunt and uncle lived in the house, and they always threw the biggest, most amazing Halloween party for all the kids at school. The trick was, however, if you wanted the treats the only way into the backyard was through the house. The haunted house. Karson had seen the party last year through the wooden slats in the privacy fence. There’d been a bonfire, marshmallows, hot dogs, games, and— most importantly—candy. So much candy that Kayden had come home with two Walmart bags full.

“What are you waiting for, scaredy baby?” Darth Vader asked, poking Karson with his lightsaber.

Karson squirmed away and wrapped his arms tight around his body. “Stop it, Kayden,” he demanded weakly.

Darth Vader removed his mask and laughed. “I knew you were too scared. You didn’t go in last year either.”

“Yeah,” Hermione Granger interjected. “You didn’t even make it to the front porch last year before you went crying to your mommy.”

Karson’s face turned almost as red as his Spiderman costume. “I’m gonna go in, Jemma,” he told her angrily.

“Then go, scaredy baby.” Jemma turned to a vampire girl and Ironman, who were standing in the front yard. “Lacy, are you coming? Karson’s not going; he’s too scared again.”

“I am not!” Karson argued.

“I knew he would be,” Lacy agreed, climbing the stairs; Ironman right behind her. “That’s what me and Caleb just said.”

“Come on guys.” Kayden tugged on Jemma’s arm. “Let’s go in. My mom said I can roast a hot dog when I get back there and I’m hungry.” He turned to his little brother. “See you inside, scaredy baby.”

Karson watched his brother and the others disappear into the blackness. Kayden thought he was so much better than Karson just because he was ten years old now and Karson was still only seven. The anger drained with his color as Karson stared into the utter

by Brianne Harrell

nothingness. Faint screams and laughs came from deep inside the house. The front door stood open like a giant maw ready to devour him.

“I’m not scared,” he whispered to himself. “I’m not scared. I’m not scared. I’m not scared.”

He took a step into the house, instantly relieved when nothing jumped out to eat him. He took another shaky step and then another, his confidence building as he went. Until the doctor jumped out of the doorway. Karson hadn’t even seen the room let alone the crazy guy in a lab coat lunging at him with a shot filled of glowing green goop.

“Time to see the doctor,” he growled, reaching a gloved hand and almost catching Karson’s arm.

The terror he felt was reflected in the evil doctor’s goggles and Karson screamed, running deeper into the house. He tripped on the carpet almost in front of a white door covered in red handprints and caution tape. Something on the other side was trying to get out; the door shook, and the knob rattled.

“Let me out!” whatever it was roared and banged on the door again.

Karson let out another scream as he crawled away, leaning against the opposite wall, breathing heavily. Another door opened beside him, stopped by two heavylooking chains at the top. He barely had enough time to react, scurrying away from a greyish-green oozing arm as it grabbed for him. Karson saw a single yellow eyeball staring at him from inside. This creature spoke only one word.

“Brrraaaaiiiiinnnssss,” it croaked, straining against the door. “Brrraaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnsssss!” It moaned louder this time.

At least Karson knew what type of monster he was dealing with, not that it made the situation any better. “Zombie!” he screamed despite himself and began fumbling to stand up. The two things behind him were still making all sorts of racket as Karson hurried to put as much distance between them and him as possible. He ricocheted off the wall and bounced off a door with a bloody biohazard triangle hanging by one corner. He slid on half a DO NOT ENTER sign, catching himself with one hand and scurrying as far away from the zombies as possible.

He slipped behind the first wall he found, gasping for air and not daring to see if the monsters were following

him. The banging and clanging sounded far away, and Karson felt himself relax a little. But the longer he stood there the more uneasy he began to feel. The room had a funny smell; almost like rotten eggs or moldy spaghetti. As Karson’s eyes adjusted to the dimness, he began to see strange shapes materialize on tables and countertops.

Shadows stretched across the floor, turning his attention to the yucky-smelling blob laid out on the table next to him. Something stuck out of the blob, kind of like a stick but not quite the right shape, though Karson swore he’d seen something like it before. His eyes left the blob on the table and followed the trail of ripped caution tape on the floor. Red footprints led to the counter and dripping red handprints covered walls and cabinets. Something bubbled and gurgled in the back of the room. Karson took a nervous step towards the bubbling noise, screaming bloody murder when something grabbed his hand.

The blob was moving. Only it wasn’t a blob at all. It was a person! Or most of a person. A cleaver stood on its point in a wooden cutting board. One whole leg was up by the head, and the other was missing! The hand that touched Karson’s arm was held by the other hand, and the eyes were wide open and locked on him. He didn’t notice the hole cut into the table nor did he realize that the rest of the head’s body was safely tucked underneath. All he knew was that he had to get out of here before the zombies came back and finished what he started.

Karson jerked his arm away and fell into the kitchen island. As he landed with a thud, a human hand fell between his feet on the dirty tiles in front of him. His heels couldn’t find traction in the sticky red liquid on the floor as he tried to scramble away from the hand. He had to get out of here. There had to be a way out of this scary house and back to his mom.

Karson’s panic was halted by a looming, black form leaning against the doorframe, striking anew when he realized that one of the zombies had broken free of its prison and had followed him down the hall. Karson began to cry as he crawled around the island and curled his knees up to his chest. He attempted to be quiet, but his panting and sobbing gave his position away. Karson willed himself smaller when something clattered on the floor behind him. Maybe he could sneak around the zombie now that it was all the way into the room.

“Brraiinnss.”

It came from directly above his head. Any plan he might have been formulating vanished from his mind; his only thought was to escape. Karson somersaulted away from the zombie, took one giant step, tripped over an untied shoelace, and fell against a hidden door. Karson squeezed his eyes shut, covered his face and….

The Monster Mash was playing, and the smell of

roasted hotdogs wafted through the air. When Karson opened his eyes, he was met with pumpkin lanterns glowing against the night sky. He stood up and rubbed the back of his head. The Incredible Hulk jumped inside a bouncy castle with Cinderella and Superman. Batman was roasting a marshmallow over a fire. Thing 1 and Thing 2 were playing ring toss while the Cat in the Hat laughed and took pictures.

“Good job, buddy.” A gloved hand landed hard on his shoulder. Karson started to scream but the hand squeezed reassuringly. “Easy there. It’s alright, man; you did it!”

Karson was shocked to see the doctor from inside the house standing next to his mom and smiling down at him. Karson recognized Amanda’s uncle as soon as he took off the mirror-like goggles. He gaped up at the adults in confused disbelief.

“Congratulations, sweetie,” Mom said comfortingly. “You made it through the haunted house all by yourself.”

“Hey look! He made it! He actually made it!” Darth Vader and Hermione came running towards him clutching a treat bag in one hand and a hot dog in the other.

“I can’t believe it,” Hermione said in amazement.

Vader took off his mask. “I didn’t think you were going to make it,” he admitted.

“Kayden,” Mom warned.

“I didn’t,” Kayden replied again. “I thought he’d get stuck in there and cry.”

Mom only sighed. “Do you want a candy apple, sweetie? Are you hungry?” She handed it over, laughing when his stomach rumbled.

Amanda’s uncle patted his shoulder again. “Make sure you get your treat bag first. You definitely earned it.”

Karson beamed. He flashed his grin first at his mother and then his brother. He had earned the treats, hadn’t he? He’d survived the haunted house and now no one would think he was a scaredy baby; plus, he’d beaten his brother’s stupid dare. The doctor pointed towards an elaborately decorated table covered in cookies, cupcakes, and caramel apples. Karson eagerly started towards the treats table, bouncing from foot to foot waiting for a grownup vampire to move out of the way.

Karson froze as soon as he saw the rest of the display. In the center of the table, surrounded by mini skulls, rubber bats, tiny pumpkins, and stuffed to overflowing candy-filled treat bags, a human leg stood tall and proud. The pant leg was torn, and the shoe was muddy, but it was a human leg being used for a candy bowl!

Karson shrieked, frozen in fear. The laughter from his brother and the explanations coming from the grownups around him didn’t register. There was no way this was a fake leg. The guy inside was missing one! They’d taken his leg and filled it with candy! The candy apple fell to the ground as Karson shoved passed his mom, knocked over his brother and ran straight back into the haunted house.

by Mikala Sisson, Library Staff Member

OCTOBER EVENTS S

sign up for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at the library to be entered into a prize drawing! Grab & Go

BOOKS & BREWS: Meet at KANT Brewery in Fort Branch at 6 pm on the 1st Tuesday of the month to discuss book.

CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: Meet at Haubstadt Town Hall Meeting Room at 6 pm on a Thursday to discuss book.

ATTENTION!

Craft Kits are available the irst Wednesday of every month (except August)

As we get closer to a finished expansion project at Fort Branch Library, please note that we will be closing the Fort Branch location at some point this month in order to finish preparing for our grand opening.

Please watch our Facebook page or website calendar to stay up-to-date. Haubstadt will remain open all month!

Princeton Public Library Held Craft Fair

The Princeton Public Library held a craft and vendor event on Saturday, September 9th. There were a variety of items on display to choose frompaintings, woodworks, yarn crafts and many other items. Watch for more events at your local libraries.

Haubstadt Library Hosted Farmer’s Market

The last Farmer & Crafter Market of the year was held on Saturday, September 9th, at the Haubstadt Library. We hope to see them next year.

The Francisco Lions Club was busy with shoppers and a variety of crafters on Saturday, September 16th. This event has been growing and a food truck came to visit also.

Shelby Kavanaugh of Shelby’s Sweets & Treats organized the event.

Mary Lee and Charlie Ingram brought his wood crafting items to the show.

Laura Happe (left) made a purchase from local crafter, Tiffany Magenheimer of Lynnville.

Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: Closed

SEPTEMBER 2015

Stop in at the front desk this month for a special game! Also, kids 4-10 will be offered a spooky fun opportunity weekdays at about 4pm this month!

1 2 Art Skills with Steve Johnson 1pm & 6pm *Must Pre-register

Call ext. 112 to sign up for the afternoon or evening class and Steve will be teaching different brush strokes & painting techniques. Spots limited!

Family Game Night 5pm

An extra evening this month for games!

Fiber Fanatics 6pm

Sewing with Susan 6pm Intro to Sewing night

8 9 Twilight Tales 5pm

Join Ms April for a sleepy themed evening story time.

Spooky Movie Special 5pm

We will be showing Nightmare Before Christmas rated PG

Fiber Fanatics 6pm Treasures of the Town 6pm Local artist meet & greet with Clay Fortner

Sewing with Susan 6pm Skill Building

1 5 16 Spooky Family Movie 5pm

We will be showing Coco (Rated PG)

Fiber Fanatics 6pm

Sewing with Susan 6pm Quilting skills night( Must have Intro)

Intro to Sign Language (ASL) 6-8pm Allen Burr will be instructing those in attendance on some introductory signs

2 2 23 Family Crafts 5pm Craft time meant for ages 3+ and their families! Something awesome & autumn to create this month!

Fiber Fanatics 6pm

Sewing with Susan 6pm Open Sew

3 Story Time 10am

For all little ones who have not yet started kindergarten. World of colors: Orange

Teen Tuesday 4pm Fun activities for those grades

6+. Dance Challenge & snack

4 Adult Craft Night 6pm

Fit Club 6pm Join Amy Bly & friends with these fun workouts!

5 Games Club 4pm Games, games, and more games! Recommended for grades 3+, we have something for everyone

6 Spooky Movie Special 2pm Today’s special Spooky movie: Book of Life rated PG

7 Ivy Tech English as a Second Language (ESL) Class 9am-noon

2 9 30 Costumes on Parade 5pm Parade around our meeting room & library in your Halloween costumes! Snacks & candy provided!

10 Story Time 10am World of Colors: purple

Teen Tuesday 4pm Fun activities for those grades

6+. Spider craft & games

The Mighty Pen 6pm Don’t give up on your writing! Learn more about the other authors who almost quit!

17 Story Time 10am World of Colors: Black

Teen Tuesday 4pm Planet craft & Perler beads

Library Board Meeting 4pm Open to the public

24 Story Time 10am Being Brave and Superheroes

Teen Tuesday 4pm Paint party! Crafts & face painting techniques

Friends of the Library

5:30pm

Looking for new members! If you want to help your local library, please consider joining!

31 Story Time 10am Costume Party fun

Teen Tuesday 4pm

Fandoms & Costume Party Trick-or-Treat with us 28pm Creature of the Black Lagoon rated PG on TVs!

11

Adult Craft Night 6pm

We will be making small wooden hangers tonight! Signups required!

Fit Club 6pm Join Amy Bly & friends with these fun workouts!

18

Adult Craft Night 6pm

We will be painting pumpkin hangers tonight! Signups required!

Fit Club 6pm

25 Adult Craft Night 6pm We will be painting wooden mason jars tonight!

Fit Club 6pm Join Amy Bly & friends with these fun workouts!

12 Games Club 4pm Games, games, and more games! Recommended for grades 3+, we have something for everyone

13 Spooky Movie Special 2pm Today’s special Spooky movie: Monster House rated PG

19 Games Club 4pm

Do you have what it takes to be a winner?

20 Spooky Movie Special 2pm Today’s special Spooky movie: The Invitation rated PG13

14 Family LEGO Saturday 24pm Spooky Building Challenges

21 Ivy Tech English as a Second Language (ESL) Class 9am-noon

26 Games Club 4pm

Do you have what it takes to be a winner?

27 Spooky Mocktail Evening 5:30pm Brought to you by the Friends of the Library, try some non alcoholic drinks for a small fee.

28 Fit Fam Saturday 10am Spooky Movie Special 2pm A Quiet Place rated PG-13

Boots & Beauties Came to Dance

Music filled the Family Life Center of Oasis Church the weekend of September 8th & 9th. They sponsored a mother/son dance on Friday night and on Saturday, they had two shifts of daddies bring their daughters for pizza, pictures, and fun. There were 118 girls who attended with their special guy on that Saturday.

Relay for Life Keeps Walking

The Gibson County Relay for Life teams held their annual event at Lafayette Park in Princeton, on Saturday, September 9th. It was a beautiful day with music, activities and items for sale to help fund the battle for cancer.

One of the event’s first tributes is to the survivors of cancer. It was a hard fought battle.

The Douglas and

families walk as not only survivors but also caregivers.

After the event was over, Relay donated the canned goods used for their luminaries to the Senior Center’s food pantry.

Looking to reach everyone in Gibson County with your product or service? Look no further. Call 812-664-1082

FEHRENBACHER FORT BRANCH TOWN COUNCIL DISTRICT 3

Photos: Jancey Smith

Kanyah Bell Davis looked like an adorable princess.

Six-year-old Allanah got some giggles out of Dustin trying to teach her the chicken dance.

Beadle

Photos: Jancey Smith

“Building a sidewalk to the future”

Todd and Lydia Greene were in style with the “Boots & Beauty” theme.

Brandon Perkins wasn’t an experienced dancer, but Addison Christian didn’t seem to mind at all.

Tree ID & Ecology Hike Offered

Join the Friends of the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge for a hike to identify and learn about native trees of southwestern Indiana! The event will take place on October 7, 2023, from 9 to 11:00 Central Time.

The location is the McCoy residence at 720 S.1300 E, Oakland City, Indiana. The McCoys have planted many species native to the area but that would not necessarily be found naturally on the site. So, in one place you can see species that you would otherwise have to travel great distances to see, including some that are quite uncommon. Be prepared for the weather and for walking on uneven ground. Bug spray is recommended but will be available at the event. For more information contact Doug Brown at 812-639-9724.

Area Piano Technician Attended Annual International Piano Institute

Jonathan Langham, RPT*, of Princeton was among more than 700 attendees, including piano technicians, manufacturers, and suppliers, who attended the Piano Technicians Guild Annual Convention and Technical Institute, which ran from July 25 through July 29, in Washington, D. C.

The annual event, which started in 1958, is designed to provide piano technicians with world-class education about the care and maintenance of pianos. Classes range from teaching hands-on beginning skills to meeting the needs of professional performers in the most prestigious venues around the world.

The attendance numbers, the largest in more than 15 years, included more than 150 first time attendees and a large international attendance.

“I can’t say enough good things about this convention,” said PTG President Norman Cantrell, RPT*. There was an energy level and an excitement the entire event. If you were a first-time attendee, you went home excited about your future in piano technology. If you’re a veteran attendee, you went home with a good feeling about the future.”

The curriculum also includes business, health and wellness classes, and technology discussions, An exhibit hall featured 56 booths which offered attendees the chance to inspect new tools, inspect different painos, and talk to industry representatives. During the evening there were events and an awards banquets.

Knights of St. John #345

St. Bernadette Auxiliary of Haubstadt made a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County for the building of the next Habitat home.

“It’s a huge commitment in terms of both time and money to attend this event, Cantrell said. “The fact that so many piano technicians made the commitment shows how much they want to improve the skill set they bring to the piano consumer.“

Mr. Langham benefited from the technical classes aimed at teaching the technician to adjust a piano to feel comfortable to the piano player. “When we technicians are able to take a “bad” piano and make it expressive in a our customers hands, its is a very satisfying experience for our player as well as ourselves,” Jonathan explained. He works hard to make your piano sound good and work well with your fingers. Mr. Langham can be reached at 304-670-7904.

*The Piano Technicians Guild grants the Registered Piano Technician (RPT) credential after a series of rigorous tuning and technical skills examinations.

Doug Brown inspecting leaves.

From left: Patricia Seib, Julia Rahman (Habitat Director) and Barb Anslinger

The Center for Seniors Served Carnival Fun

To celebrate national Senior Center month in September, the Gibson County Center for Seniors had a month of activities on their calendar. For each of their lunches, they had a different theme - Italian, Mexican, Asian and more. One day was carnival day with popcorn, cotton candy, caramel apples and nachos. The place was packed and the seniors had a lot of fun.

Knights of Haubstadt Helped ARC

Von with the Haubstadt Knights of Columbus delivered a donation for $4,433.50! It was the proceeds from their Tootsie Roll Drive. The donation of not just money, but also the time spent raising it is greatly appreciated.

The Oakland City Lions Bring Back the Banners

With the election of Glen Georges of Oakland City, as new District Governor, the district banner was brought to the city in a ceremony held at Wirth Park. Lions members from Southern Indiana attended.

Glen has been a Lions member for 20 years and promotes the motto, “Service Through Diversity.”

FRESH

PIES NOW AVAILABLE

DINE IN CARRY OUT DELIVERY or Door Dash

Daily Specials Daily Specials

Monday-Ribeye Sandwich, Fries & Drink$9.75

Tuesday-Breaded or Grilled Tenderloin, Fries & Drink-$9.25

Wednesday-Spaghetti & Drink-$9.25

Thursday-DC Basket & Drink-$8.25

Grilled/Breaded tenderloin, fries & drink.................................$7.99

Wednesdays Spaghetti & drink........................$7.99

The Lions Club was started in Evansville by Dr. W.P. Woods in 1917. There have been three International Lions Club Presidents from Indiana.

Minnis/Welman Families Held Reunion

Thursdays D.C. Basket & drink $7.99

Friday-Ham & Cheese Sub or Stromboli, Chips & Drink-$8.50

Watch for our rotating weekend specials on steak and fish!

Saturday & Sunday-$4.00 OFF Large Pizza

Photos: Jancey Smith

Photo provided Photos: Jancey Smith

John Goss & his wife made this game board for the event.

Office Manager Angela got into the carnival spirit dressing up

From left: Stan Keepes, Von and Melissa Walden.

Past District Governor Ron Edwards received the Leadership Award from Lina Tichneor (right) and Immediate Past District Governor Don Russ (left).

Glen Georges, District #25 Governor of the Lions, welcomed the members.

The Center’s cook, Brenda Dean, James Leatherman a pie in the face.

Photo by Angela.

The first family reunion held in three years of the Minnis and Welman clan was at Fort Branch Park. The next one will be held in August 2024.

The Farm to Table Experience at Lyles Station

Saturday, September 9th, was when Lyles Station invited the public to enjoy a unique rural dining experience. Attendees enjoyed a beautiful cool evening near the cornfields, listening to mellow jazz music, chatting with locals, and feasting on food grown or sourced from our area.

Photos: Jancey Smith

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and blueberries were some of the local ingredients that accompanied herb baked chicken, with red potatoes and green beans. Corn cob jelly and locally made cheeseballs were also on the menu.

Bobbi Jo Granger, other board members, and volunteers put in hours of work to prepare for the event.

This was Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Ellen Asa’s first time to experience dining outdoors at Lyles Station.

When the Labor Day Association occupies the fairgrounds for Labor Day weekend, they offer a great variety of events. There is no admission and rides are free. They have a car show on Sunday, music on Saturday, a demo derby, beauty pageant, flea market, garden tractor pulls, laser tag, poker run and fireworks. The weekend of activities is topped off with one of the longest

Photos: Jancey Smith

The local Gibson & Wabash FilipinoAmerican group had about half a dozen floats in the parade.

Tom and Dawn Holzapple of Fort Branch, brought their 1932 Plymouth to the show.

The United Mine Workers of America were just one of the many union floats and

Saturday afternoon there was a backyard BBQ competition that brought in area cookers.

Our local band Blue Collar entertained the Saturday evening crowd.

Masons Held Annual Golf

Scramble

The Oakland City Golf course was the site of the annual Mason’s Golf scramble on Saturday, September 8th. Six teams from Princeton and Oakland City played to help the Masons.

Football is Back Thanks to OCU

Photos: Jancey Smith

If you’re looking for a fun football experience without leaving the county on a nice Saturday, Oakland City is the place to go. Their pregame events are an “experience”, with food trucks, VIP tents, bounce houses and activities. After a lapse of many years without football, they’re having fun being back.

Corn hole tourneys and bounce houses were just some of the pregame fun.

Above: Paul Greene of Taylors II, chats with Donnie Moser.

Right: Kenny Taylor was the winner of a skills competition. He won a putt-off for the prize.

Mayor Deffendall waves at the crowd

The coin toss was done by Veteran Chris MacKay of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.

An Artist ProfileMaryann White

When you grow up surrounded by art, always having those tools available, and experiencing the joy it brings, it’s hard not be compelled to continue that tradition. For some teaching students to appreciate and perfect their skills, is a joy. That can be said of Maryann (Zimmerman) White. Her mother was an artist who also designed clothes and taught 2nd grade at Lowell School in Princeton. Many will remember their 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Zimmerman.

After graduating from Princeton High School, Maryann went on to ISU, and then went on to get her Masters. She did some substitute teaching at PCMS while a teacher was on maternity leave then had the opportunity to teak grades K-6 at North Posey. This lasted for 39 years until she retired. By the end of her teaching career of about 7,000 students, she taught the children and grandchildren of her early students. Along the way she made lots of friends and loved teaching.

Ten years ago, Maryann retired. But about six years ago she missed teaching and the interaction with the students. She decided to try something new – teaching art to adults, and she really liked it. She feels like many adults are afraid of art or don’t think that they can do it. The older people become the more they are taught to be factual, get stifled and

less esoteric. She loves to encourage them to be expressive and try new things.

Maryann went on to explain, “There’s no right or wrong to art, it’s an expression and that’s very enlightening to some adults”.

Art is actually a universal language. If you’re in a country that speaks a different language, you can always draw a picture of what you’re meaning so that’s it’s easily understood. It’s an innate skill dating back to the caveman days. Children begin drawing before they can write or spell.

As a teacher, Maryann strives to help students take their skills to a higher level. She shows them how to mix color, use assorted brushes, and mix colors from tubes into warm and cool shades. It’s a matter of perspective and what season they may painting. Her students use acrylics, oils, and watercolors but also other art mediums. She encourages each student’s individual interest.

Her classes are held to eight students so that she can give individual attention to each. Each student may be working on different projects with various materials. One may be working on shading with charcoal, another painting on

One of Maryann’s students, Clare Neal, at the River Oaks art show.

Another of Maryann’s paintings.

glass, while another may be weaving or tie-dying a shirt. This way each student is learning about something that interests them and developing their shill. It’s not a lecture of a step-by-step process of what the teacher feels like doing. It’s all very personal and tailored to the student’s learning style.

Maryann’s personal style is to use big, bold, bright colors with a great attention to detail. She loves gardening, so it’s no surprise that many of her paintings are of floral scapes. She smiled as she offered that she’s done a few puppy portraits as well. One of the things on her bucket list is to have her work displayed at The Rumjahn Gallery in Evansville. That wish is getting close to being checked off the list. She is also toying with the idea of doing a faithbased art series.

In the future, Maryann wants to travel more, continue gardening, and keep spreading the joy of art. She believes that, “You should always keep evolving and learning, because if you stop, you rust”.

Special Olympics Held Annual Awards

Gibson County’s Special Olympics held their annual awards dinner on Sunday, September 17th, at Patoka Methodist Church. The athletes were happy to share dinner and a good time.

Of the many awards, the JB Prince Award of Making a Difference by Being a Difference went to Dan Beard.

~ Recycle Tips ~

Greetings Gibson County! Now that school has started and Autumn is upon us, Household Hazardous Waste Day sponsored with Toyota is here! Saturday, October 7th from 8:00am to Noon at the Toyota Family Medical Center on South Maple Tree Drive in Princeton.

Items accepted are medications/sharps, all batteries, paint, oil, grease, household chemicals and pesticides, adhesives, sealers, fluorescent light bulbs, electronics (there is a limit of 3 for televisions), residential propane tanks, and regular recyclables.

All Solid Waste stations normally open on Saturdays will still be open their normal hours during this event.

For any questions, please call our office at 812-385-3136.

Remember! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

For more information visit us on our Facebook Page: Gibson County Solid Waste OR http://www.gibsoncountysolidwaste.com

A puppy portrait of Maryann’s.

Maryann holds her art classes in her basement every Tuesday.

This Indian portrait was created by the process of etching the image onto metal.

Rita Miller was awarded Volunteer of the Year.

Chuck Finnerty was recognized as Coach of the Year.

This year’s Athlete of the Year went to Ricky Hull.

Duke Energy Volunteer Day Came to North Gibson

Duke Energy employees, from the Gibson Generating Station, volunteered time for the North Gibson School Corporation to remove old tin siding and install new siding at the football field concession stand. While uncovering the old siding volunteers uncovered a Princeton Tigers art work as well as the old ticket booth.

Mark Kniese Scholarship Award Recipients Announced

(Princeton, Indiana) The Community Foundation Alliance has announced the recipients of this year’s Mark Kniese Scholarship. The annual scholarship is made possible by a fund established through August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, who had been a counselor with her at Camp Carson in Princeton. In addition to demonstrating dedication to and rapport with campers, applicants must exhibit the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Breanna Bailey from Evansville, Indiana, and Clark Fehrenbacher from Chandler, Indiana, each have been selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Bailey is attending the University of Southern Indiana where she is studying biology. She commented, “I am so happy to receive the Mark Kniese Scholarship. It warms my heart to know that his love for camp still goes on strong and that I get to share that with many others as well.” Bailey continued, “Without camp, I would not be the person I am today. I would not have experienced all these wonderful opportunities. I am truly honored to work as a counselor at Camp Carson.”

Fehrenbacher is attending Indiana University where he is studying human biology. “Camp Carson is a truly magical place. From attending when I was just seven years old, to working there this past summer, it truly amazes me of the impact this camp has on our youth. It has always let me express my truest self and allowed me to focus on being the best person I can possibly be. It has taught me to constantly better myself and that I am valued,” stated Fehrenbacher.

He went on to say, “As a young man in the military, the looming possibility of getting deployed weighs a lot on your mental health. Being only 20 years old I have to live with that, but Camp Carson relieves that stress by allowing me to be a kid again. It also gives me a legacy to leave behind by impacting so many kids. This camp has truly changed my life.”

2023 marks the 21st year of the Mark Kniese Scholarship with awards totaling just over $57,500.

Award winners

Breanna Bailey (left) and Clark Fehrenbacher (right)

Pictured L-R: Kurt Phegley, Marty Welp, Roy Blair, Scott Duncan, Chris Hunt, Jason Young and Cary Maurer.

Photos: provided

Miss Candy Cane is Coming to Town

Applications for the 11th Annual Miss Candy Cane Pageant are underway. The Pageant was founded by Stacy and Tia Dau in 2013. They wanted to help our police department raise money for the Cops and Kids Program. Every year before Christmas our Police Officers escort disadvantaged children in our county on a shopping trip, not only for toys, but also needed clothing, shoes and winterwear. This program not only allows for a happier Christmas, but also helps promote a positive impression of law enforcement officers, and an understanding of their community service. In the last 10 years, Miss Candy Cane has raised over $35,000 dollars for this project.

The Pageant is held at Oasis Assembly of God located at 1104 S Stout St., Princeton, Indiana. For more information please check our Facebook Page at: http:// www.facebook.com/groups/ MissCandyCanePageant.

Left: The prettiest cop of 2022 was Sheriff Bruce Vanoven and the hottest fireman was Vince Kolb of Francisco.

98 Years Young & Still Going

On Saturday, September 23rd, Zelma Phillips, known to her family as Chick, turned 98-years-old. Zelma currently resides at River Oaks Health Campus in Princeton. She lived for years on Lake Road with husband Pup and twin daughters Donna and Diane.

Larry McConnell Honored by Habitat

Past and present board members, directors, volunteer and members of the community gathered at the Courthouse on Friday, September 15th, to honor former Habitat Construction manager, Larry McConnell. The houses along Madison Street in Princeton will now be known as the Larry McConnell addition. This was where Larry and other volunteers transformed a trailer park into well-built Habitat homes.

Happy 96th Birthday for Bonnie

Bonnie Stevens celebrated her 96th birthday on September 15th, with music, cake, and a small party at the Waters in Princeton.

1. What is the name of

~ Andy Quiz ~

C. Bertha

D. Girlie

2. What is the name of the trailer park where Malloy & his female partner hide out?

A. Mayberry Camp Ground

B. Shady Acres

C. Half Moon

D. Old Man Kelsey’s Camp Ground

For answers see page 22

Photo: Jancey Smith

Greg Goodson, former Habitat Director, spoke of his friend and Habitat team member – Larry McConnell

Zelma Phillips

Andy & Opie’s boat that had a hole in it?

A. Bettie

B. Gertrude

Photo: provided

Bonnie Stevens

Photo: provided