SoIn 07072016

TOP THREE:

A News and Tribune Publication

JULY 7, 2016 — Issue 121

Floyd County 4-H Fair

EVENT:

Monarch Celebration & Beyond Borders exhibit

H T I FA M L I F N I

akers m e i v o m omes c l e w a n a i nd Southern I

2 | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016 | SOIN follow us on

EDITOR

Jason Thomas

DESIGN

Claire Munn

STORY

Elizabeth DePompei

PHOTOGRAPHY Tyler Stewart

WHERE TO FIND SOIN:

• ON RACKS: We offer free copies of SoIn at numerous hotels and restaurants around Clark and Floyd counties.

• IN YOUR PAPER: Every Thursday in the News and Tribune • ONLINE: newsandtribune.com /soin • ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/YourSoInWeekly • ON TWITTER: @newsandtribune

ON THE COVER: Tom Whitus of New Albany has been making feature films for about 15 years. His latest film, “Guided by the Word,” is scheduled to premiere in the coming months. The faith-based movie was shot in New Albany and across the west coast. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART

NEXT SOIN:

More unique Southern Indiana stories.

TWITTER @newsandtribune

FACEBOOK/YourSoInWeekly

Tweet or Facebook us and your idea could be our next SoIn feature.

Finding a future in films

Q

uiet on the set: Tom Whitus is at work.

Schweitzer is thinking big picture, noting While the New Albany filmmaker’s that there is a strong pool of filmmakers in New latest creation, “Guided by the Word,” Albany, with dreams of returning New Albany to was mainly shot on the road, Whitus seeks the culture hub it once was, like when there were to incorporate his adopted city into future five opera houses within walking distance of the projects.

Arts Council office, DePompei writes.

Especially its alleys, which the Louisville naMore exhibition spaces like The Grand and tive calls some of the best around. tax incentives for filmmakers could make that JASON THOMAS Whitus, who lived for a short time in Los AnSoIn Editor happen, Schweitzer told DePompei. geles, is back in Southern Indiana with his Silver Whitus, who has become a mentor for other Hills Pictures, which he formed with is wife and local filmmakers, is doing his part. is named after his New Albany neighborhood.

Speaking of parts, how about a bit role in a future He’s used New Albany’s streets before, and even his movie? own home, for some of his films, Elizabeth DePompei You might want to start hanging around some of New writes in today’s centerpiece.

Albany’s alleys...

Whitus’ work caught the eye of Julie Schweitzer, executive director of the Arts Council of Southern Indiana, — Jason Thomas is the editor of SoIn. He can be reached by which stages The Grand Film Festival each year at the phone at 812-206-2127 or email at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopThomas. venue in downtown New Albany.

Channel your inner beast at DDP SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: “Beauty and the Beast • WHEN: Now through Aug. 14 • WHERE: Derby Dinner

Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville • INFO: Make your reservations by calling 812-288-8281 or going online to derbydinner.com.

CLARKSVILLE — Derby Dinner Playhouse is presenting the enchanted musical, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” running through Aug. 14.

“Beauty and the Beast” comes to the Derby Dinner stage in a larger than life production with enchanted castle furniture, a lovely damsel in distress and a not so handsome leading man, a Derby Dinner news release stated.

This award-winning Broadway musical features wonderfully creative costumes, unique special effects, breathtaking dance num-

bers, and all the magic that Disney can bring. A musical for lovers of all ages. “Beauty and the Beast” is under the direction of Lee Buckholz with choreography by Heather Paige Folsom and Musical Direction by Scott Bradley.

The cast includes Joey Banigan, Cary Wiger, Jim Hesselman, Kyle Braun, Sara King, and more. Derby Dinner Playhouse is dedicated to introducing young audiences to the

joys of live theatre and has added this family-friendly show to their season so that families can have a positive arts experience.

This “tale as old as time” is guaranteed to delight, enchant, and make special memories for young and old alike. Ask about Family Night discounts on Friday and Sunday evenings. Make your reservations by calling 812-288-8281 or going online to derbydinner.com.

SOIN | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016

1

3 TO GO

|3

Where to go and be seen in Southern Indiana

WHOLESOME GOOD TIME • WHAT: Floyd County 4-H Fair • WHEN: Through Saturday, July 9 • WHERE: Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2818

Green Valley Road, New Albany The four-day event is a bit shorter than usual, but is filled with activities for both young and old. On Friday the Jericho Woods Band will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. and on the fair’s final day, July 9, a demolition derby will take place.

All events are free except for the drag races and demolition derby. Also each day from 4 to 10 p.m., Funtime Carnival rides will be open as will Farm Bureau’s Little Hands on the Farm exhibit, which will feature animals and allow children to perform small tasks.

2

3

HAPPY WITH THE BLUES

WARDER YOU WAITING FOR?

• WHAT: Bicentennial Concert Series • WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 8 • WHERE: Bicentennial Park, Spring and Pearl

• WHAT: Warder Park concerts • WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, July 8 • WHERE: Warder Park, Court Avenue and Spring

— Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau

— Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau

streets, New Albany Mayor Gahan and the City of New Albany present the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series for 2016. Every Friday, enjoy free after-work concerts every Friday night. Bicentennial Park is located in downtown New Albany, at the corner of Spring and Pearl Streets. All concerts are family-friendly, featuring local, regional, and national bands. Performing tonight: Kentuckiana Blues Roadshow

Street, Jeffersonville On Friday evenings through mid-September you can find the Warder Park gazebo replete with a brass band and surrounded by a crowd of all ages. It’s an image Norman Rockwell would have admired. The look and spirit of this historic downtown Jeffersonville Park are part of the draw to this special place. It’s a slice of Americana. Performing: Take Two and Company, featuring June Kelley-Roy

GOTTA GO: Interested in seeing your event in our 3 To Go? Email SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com

LIGHTS, CAMERA, Filmmaker Tom Whitus said he wants to film his next movie around downtown New Albany’s “beautiful alleys and street corners.” He hopes to keep collaborating with local artists to build the film community in Southern Indiana. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART

!

N O I ACT

Filmmaker puts spotlight on New Albany

By ELIZABETH DEPOMPEI elizabeth.depompei@newsandtribune.com

N

EW ALBANY — New Albany filmmaker Tom Whitus has been making movies for about 15 years, many of which were shot around Southern Indiana. But his latest feature film, “Guided by the Word,” gave him an opportunity unlike any other.

“I really wanted to make a road picture,” Whitus said. “I really wanted to get out and kind of stretch my legs and make something that was in Kansas and Colorado and the Rockies and Utah and ...”

And so he did. “Guided by the Word” is the story of an elderly man on a quest to find his daughter after his wife dies. The couple hasn’t seen its daughter since she fled home 25 years ago after learning she was adopted. Whitus — who wrote, produced and directed the film —said the story was inspired by his dad’s friend whose own adopted daughter left home at 18 years old, never to be heard from again.

Whitus said he wanted to integrate that story with his road-trip dreams and a Christian element.

The last few films he’s made have been faithbased or family-focused, a market he seems to be having some success in.

“I think there’s a market for that kind of film and I can do that kind of film kind of small and unobtrusive,” he said. “I can shoot it small and still tell a good story and I don’t have to worry about car chases or exploding buildings or anything.”

Whitus, a Louisville native, started making films in the late ‘90s in New York City. He continued to make short films and features, some in Los Angeles where he lived for a short time. In 2003, he moved back to New Albany with his wife. The couple later formed Silver Hills Pictures, a production company named after the neighborhood where they live in New Albany.

He’s used New Albany’s streets before, and even his own home, for some of his films. Some scenes for “Guided by the Word” were shot

SEE FILM, PAGE 8

Joseph (Nathan Todaro) on the left; Steven (John Lina) on the right, as they look out at the countryside near Moab, Utah in a scene from “Guided by the Word.” | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Steven (John Lina) and Joseph (Nathan Todaro) walk alongside a river in Colorado in a scene from “Guided by the Word.”

6 | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016 | SoIn

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES: JULY 8

é “The Secret Life of Pets”

“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates “

This week's entertainment releases

T.V. PREMIERES:

BOOKS:

JULY 13 é “Mr. Robot” (USA) “The A Word” (Sundance)

JULY 12 é “The Singles Game” by Lauren Weisberger “I’ve Got Sand In All the Wrong Places” by Lisa Scottoline & Francesca Serritella

Butterflies and Beyond Borders SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: Monarch Celebration/ Beyond Borders exhibit

• WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. July 23 • WHERE: Arts Council of Southern Indiana, Seventh and Ninth streets, New Albany

SOUTHERN INDIANA — The opening reception of “Beyond Borders” exhibit at the Arts Council of Southern Indiana in New Albany will be concurrent with the annual Monarch Celebration on July 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The which will take place on East Market in front of the Arts Council of Southern Indiana between Seventh and Ninth streets. The event is a celebration of the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly. The Arts Council and The Southern Indiana Botanical Society will host a number of local vendors, artists, music, performances, and activities, including the release of 200 Monarch butterflies, Butterfly Experience Tent, and butterfly crafts.

The first 200 visitors will receive a monarch ticket that entitles you to

release a butterfly. The event is free and open to the public.

Performances include: Jesse & the Hogg Brothers; Hue E Bir and the Concrete Canyon Cowboys; Waiting For Dave, Jack Amend and more. Motion Studio will perform dance and song and a flash mob dance.

The Monarch butterfly makes an annual migration to Mexico and the southern United States each autumn. The Arts Council is an official Monarch way station dedicated to the

preservation of the species, which is slowly dying out because of habitat loss and pollution. By raising awareness and providing education, the Arts Council hopes to help the Monarch thrive for years to come.

For more information, call 812-949-4238, visit the website at artscouncilsi.org, or find the council on the Arts Council of Southern Indiana Facebook page. The council also will be launching the #wearwings4monarch campaign.

SoIn | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016

|7

LOCAL SOIN HAPPENINGS Feeling left out? Send your establishment’s and/or organization’s upcoming events/new features/entertainment information to SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@ newsandtribune.com

LIVE MUSIC AT HUBER’S

• WHERE: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards • WHEN/WHO: Saturday, July 9: Petar Mandic, 1 to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 10: Corey and Stacey, 1 to 5 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC AT WICK’S

• WHAT: Live on State • WHERE: Wick’s, 225 State St., New Albany

Friday, July 8: Aquila Boch, Paul Kaszubksi; Saturday, July 9: Two Pump Chump; Friday, July 15: Corey Brumback; Saturday, July 16: Taylor Lynch & The Insane Outlaws; Friday, July 22: Me & You; Saturday, July 23: Wax Factory; Saturday, July 30: Subourbon Shooter

BANK STREET BREWHOUSE

• WHAT: Live music • WHERE: Bank Street Brewhouse, 415 Bank St., New Albany • WHO/WHEN: Friday, July 8: Tangled Headphones, 7 to 9

p.m.; Saturday, July 9: Unholy UFO, 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday, July 15: Tim Johnson, 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, July 16: Small Batch Brass, 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday, July 22: Dewey Kincade, 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, July 23: Brother Wolves with String Tone Duo, 7 to 10 p.m.; Friday, July 29: Dan Dilamarter and Gavin Caster, 8 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 30: The Bourbonites 7 to 9 p.m.

7 p.m. every Tuesday: Tuesday Night Talent Review

CORYDON LIVE

• WHAT: Live country music • WHERE: 220 Hurst Lane, Corydon • INFO: Admission, adults $12; children 6-12, $7; under 6,

free. For tickets call 812-734-6288.

Saturday, July 9: Kirby Staley, Allison Bray, Greg Perkins; Friday, July 15: Drops of Mercy Gospel Show featuring: Clinton Spaulding, Kelly Casey and Christy Miller; Saturday, July 16: Mike Boughey, Brandi Anderson, Otis Berry; Saturday, July 23: Megan Stout, Kelly Trask, Dennis Haycraft; Saturday, July 30: Tribute to Loretta Lynn and more featuring: Tayla Lynn (Loretta’s granddaughter) and Rodger Riggs

RIVERSTAGE CONCERTS

• WHEN: 7 p.m. Fridays • WHERE: RiverStage, Spring Street and Riverside Drive,

Jeffersonville July 8: Featuring: Culture Night: Ark Band with guests Flew Crew and Cosa Sierra; July 15: Featuring: The Devonshires with guest Lefty and the Lunatics; July 22: RiverPops featuring: “Jesus Christ Superstar”; July 23: RiverPops featuring: “Jesus Christ Superstar”; July 24: RiverPops featuring: “Jesus Christ Superstar”; July 29: Featuring: Jefferson Tarc Bus with guest The Mad Taxpayers; Aug. 5: Featuring: Jake, Elwood and the Boys with guest Kudmani; Aug. 12 Featuring: 100% Poly with guest The Rumors; Aug. 19: Featuring: Rumours (A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac) with Radiotronic; Aug.

26: Juice Box Heroes with guest Big Steel Train

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

• WHERE: Warder Park, Spring Street and Court Avenue, Jeffersonville

• WHEN: 7 p.m. Fridays

Friday, July 8: Take Two and Company featuring June KelleyRoySultry Ballads, Bossa Novas, Swing Tunes & Contemporary Classics

BICENTENNIAL BEATS

• WHAT: Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series • WHEN: 7 p.m. Fridays • WHERE: Bicentennial Park, Spring and Pearl streets, New

Albany Friday, July 8: Kentuckiana Blues Roadshow

FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY

• WHAT: Southern Indiana free Butterfly Festival • WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, July 23 • WHERE: Charlestown State Park, 12500 Ind. 62, Charles-

town.

With three miles of roadside butterfly viewing, visitors will see large amounts and many varieties of butterflies and moths.

Enjoy a monarch butterfly release, live music, and learn tips on butterfly photography.

FLIGHT OF THE MONARCHS

• WHAT: Beyond Borders Monarch Celebration • WHEN: 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 23 • WHERE: Arts Council of Southern Indiana, 820 E. Market

St., New Albany.

Young and old alike will delight in the Arts Council of Southern Indiana’s sixth annual monarch butterfly release and blockparty celebration. The event is free. For more information visit call 812-949-4238 or go online to ArtsCouncilSI.com/ monarch-celebration/4591217823.

SING SOME BLUES

• WHAT: Blues Under the Stars • WHEN: 4:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, July 23 • WHERE: Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden, 1011

Utica Charlestown Road, Utica Enjoy an evening of blues music in the setting of whimsical Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden. Food and wine will also be served. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Cost: $10 per person, free parking available. Info: www.HiddenHillNursery.com.

HOWL AT THE MOON

• WHAT: Full Moon Hike • WHEN: 10 p.m., Sunday, July 17 • WHERE: Charlestown State Park, 12500 Ind. 62, Charlestown.

Hike under a full moon and stars, and enjoy the great outdoors at night along Trail 1. Wear good hiking shoes and comfortable clothing, and bring a red lens flashlight and walking stick. The event is free. Other full moon hikes are planned for Aug. 19, Sept. 16 and Oct. 15. For more information visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2986.htm

TheatreWorks of Southern Indiana, under the artistic direction of retired Floyd Central Theatre Art Director Chris Bundy, kicks off its first season in July with the Neil Simon family comedy, “Fools.” | SUBMITTED PHOTO

TheatreWorks set to present ‘Fools’ TheatreWorks of Southern Indiana, under the artistic direction of retired Floyd Central Theatre Art Director Chris Bundy, kicks off its first season in July with the Neil Simon family comedy, “Fools.”

TheatreWorks came into existence after conversations between Bundy and several former theatre students who mentioned how much they missed being a part of the theatre scene since high school, a TheatreWorks news release stated. With the financial support of former students and area patrons, the first season of four productions will premier with the Simon comedy, “Fools” which opens July 15 in the Studio One performance venue of Floyd Central High School.

The show features theatre alums from Floyd Central High School including Katie Thurston, Leslie Spitznagel and Zach Hebert as well as current Floyd Central theatre students, Mitchell Lewis and Sarah Denison. Local actor and Silver Creek alum, Cody King plays the young schoolmaster and Mitchell resident Ray Robison is also a member of the cast.

Two other familiar faces in the cast will include Vicki Hays,

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: ‘Fools’ • WHEN/WHERE: July 15,

16 at 7:30 p.m. and July 16, 17 at 2 p.m. in the Studio One Performance Venue at Floyd Central; Mitchell Opera House on July 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. and July 24 at 2 p.m.

• INFO: mitchelloperahouse.com; heatreworksosi.com costume designer and wardrobe manager at Floyd Central as well as Bundy.

The season will include a total for four shows, each presented in two locations. All shows will be presented in the beautifully restored Mitchell Opera House located in Mitchell, for one weekend and at studio performance spaces at either Floyd Central or New Albany high schools.

The summer season will also feature the musicals, “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and “The Robber Bridegroom” as well as the Simon comedy, “Rumors.”

For complete information regarding auditions and the shows visit the theatre website.

8 | THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016 | SOIN

FILM: Jeffersonville native is actor in 'Guided by the Word' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 at his home, but the majority was shot on the road with a bare-bones crew. Ask him how bare bones and Whitus will chuckle.

“Once we were on the road, it was two guys in the backseat, two guys in the front, and we would stop to shoot scenes,” Whitus said. “It was basically all of our equipment and stuff, and it was me and my cameraman [and the two actors] and we drove from here to L.A.” One of those actors was Nathan Todaro, a Jeffersonville native now living in Los Angeles who has worked on movies with Whitus before. In “Guided by the Word,” Todaro plays a hitchhiker named Joseph who is picked up in Kansas.

“Joseph is a drifter that hitches a ride with [the main character] that is traveling across the country, and [he’s] on his own path in life, and you’re not quite sure where he’s coming from or where he’s going,” Todaro said.

Todaro said he’s been acting off and on for about 10 years. After a recent shoot in Los Angeles, his talent agent in Cincinnati helped him land an agent in L.A., so he decided to stick around. The former owner of the now closed Perkfection Café in Jeff plans to return to Southern Indiana when a building for another business venture is ready.

While acting took him to L.A., Todaro said there’s plenty of opportunity to make movies in Southern

Indiana, especially with advances in technology that’s made it easier for anyone to pick up a camera. But not everyone may be aware of that, he said.

“It’s a small community there in Southern Indiana and there’s not much of film stuff going on there, although I think it’s starting to bridge the gap,” Todaro said, pointing to the A&E TV show “60 Days In” that recently filmed in Jeffersonville. “I think that helped bring awareness and I think that’s going to be a positive thing.”

Arts Council of Southern Indiana Executive Director Julie Schweitzer said there’s already a strong pool of filmmakers in Southern Indiana.

The Arts Council has hosted The Grand Film Festival for the past three years, and Schweitzer said she discovers new filmmakers every year. She first saw a film by Whitus on a night when she couldn’t sleep.

Restless, she turned on KET and watched a short film called “Greenhorn.” When the credits rolled, she saw Whitus’ name.

“And I said ‘oh my gosh what a great film,’” Schweitzer remembered.

She called Whitus the next day and asked him to put “Greenhorn” in the film festival. Now, she said, Whitus has become a mentor for other local filmmakers trying to find their way. In Whitus’ latest film, a former Purdue University College of Technology student helped do the graphics to promote the movie.

“There are some incredible film-

COMMUNITY FOCUSED. COMMUNITY MINDED.

makers that have gone on from here to do wonderful things. The thing is, they go on,” Schweitzer said.

“So we just really need to support our filmmakers that we have here so that those filmmakers will show and premiere those films here.”

Schweitzer said the more artists across genres and mediums, the stronger the community will be. She hopes New Albany can grow into the cultural hub it once was, like when there were five opera houses within walking distance of the Arts Council office. More exhibition spaces like The Grand and tax incentives for filmmakers could make that happen, she said.

Whitus said he plans to show the film in Louisville sometime this month. He’s also working with the Arts Council to find a place in New Albany to screen the film. After that, he hopes to premiere the film in Los Angeles. The goal, he said, is to get the film into distributors’ hands as soon as he can. After that, the movie could be available on DVD and on-demand services.

As far as his next movie, New Albany might steal the spotlight.

“The next film I’d love to shoot in downtown New Albany,” he said.

“Downtown New Albany has the best alleys I’ve ever seen, I mean beautiful alleys and street corners and [it’s] just wonderful. If you want to shoot a cityscape film, New Albany’s got some nice places to shoot. So I’m a big fan.”

Scan this QR code with your phone to visit the News and Tribune's website.

No other news source brings you the important local information you want to know like the News and Tribune.

• Daily breaking news and weekly analysis to inform readers • Advertising to empower shoppers • Editorials and columns to engage conversation

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2013?

SPORTS, PAGE B1

newsandtribune.com

News and Tribune WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

Red Carpet Liquors employee gives account

BY GARY POPP

Gary.Popp@newsandtribune.com

JEFFERSONVILLE — An employee of Red Carpet Liquors in Jeffersonville was shot during an attempted robbery Saturday night.

Jeffersonville police reported Patel Kamleshkumar, 41, of Jeffersonville, was shot multiple times about 8 p.m.

Kamleshkumar was shot by the

masked gunman, said another employee, Loretta Banister, of Clarksville, who witnessed the incident.

Banister said she and Kamleshkumar were both working when the gunman entered the business on Crestview Court and 8th Street.

She said she was in the back of the business retrieving several bottles to stock when she heard the doorbell that rings when the front

NICE ICE COMMUNITY FOCUSED. COMMUNITY MINDED.

75 cents

Employee injured in Jeff liquor store shooting

Right, David Mull, of Sellersburg, holds hands with his son Jack, 5, as he tries ice skating for the first time at the Jeffersonville Ice Rink. The rink will be open seven days a week through Jan. 6, then remain open only on weekends through Jan. 27.

For specific times visit www.jeffmainstreet.org.

STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

Below, Blair Kaelin enjoyed some time at the Jeffersonville Ice Rink Monday afternoon.

STAFF PHOTO BY C.E. BRANHAM

door is opened.

As she came from the storage area to the front of the business she saw the gunman with his arms stretched over the counter pointing a firearm at Kamleshkumar.

“I ducked down so he didn’t see that I was there,” Banister said.

She said she never got a good look at the suspect during the incident, but she could see from her crouched position his arms holding a gun pointed at her co-worker.

SEE SHOOTING, PAGE A6

Jeffersonville firefighters Mark McCutcheon, Rick VanGilder and Travis Sharp recently spent two weeks in the city of Long Beach in New York aiding in Hurricane Sandy relief.

STAFF PHOTO BY C.E. BRANHAM

Help when it’s needed most JFD gets relief to hurricane survivors Three firefighters spent two weeks in New York

BY GARY POPP

Gary.Popp@newsandtribune.com

JEFFERSONVILLE — A group of Jeffersonville firefighters have returned from helping out with Hurricane Sandy recovery and said help there is ongoing.

Jeffersonville Fire Department Maj. Michael McCutcheon, Maj. Travis Sharp and Capt. Rick VanGilder spent nearly two weeks in Long Beach, N.Y., organizing relief ef-

than 30,000 people following the October hurricane.

The work was more paper-filing than pulling people from homes, but their services were greatly needed as the entire four-mile long island had been covered by water during the surging storm.

JFD Chief Eric Hedrick said the need for relief services — after initial crews conduct search and rescue efforts — are often underestimated.

“After immediate response to save lives, there are still efforts needed for months and months,” Hedrick said.