Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1882
E, “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZ L MAINTAIN.” AND OUR RIGHTS WE WIL Posey County’s ONLY Locally Owned Newspaper.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
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Volume 135 Edition 10
Transit could connect Evansville, Posey County
By Valerie Werkmeister A concerted effort to bring Posey County officials together on the same page regarding a multitude of topics has resulted in joint session meetings. The commissioners and council members met last Tuesday, March 3, following the commissioners meeting to share information and opinions on topics that ranged from hiring a new executive assistant to wireless internet at the county buildings and the construction of a new building for the coroner. Debbie Bennett-Stearsman, Vice-President of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana was the first to address the group to discuss information re-
garding a transit study for Posey County. She explained that according to a Workforce Development survey, the top complaint people have in regards to Posey County is the lack of public transportation. A transit study would look examine the possibility of public transportation along SR 69, SR 66, and SR 62. It will help determine the needs for the area as well as the cost. In December, the Indiana Department of Transportation awarded a $10,000 grant to the county to go towards the cost of preparing a study. Unfortunately, Stearsman explained consulting firms did not respond to the call for proposals in January. They require a minimum of $30,000-$35,000.
She questioned whether the county would be able to provide the additional funds to pay for the study. Mayor John Tucker of Mount Vernon said the city could provide an additional $7,500. Council members questioned whether Poseyville, Cynthiana or New Harmony had been asked if they could provide additional funding. Stearsman stated she had not yet asked them. Due to the timing of advertising requirements to request an additional appropriation and the next council meeting, council president Bob Gentil suggested that the advertisement be prepared. In the meantime, they will explore additional funding options in order to determine if they can meet the total required
to pay for the study. Commissioner president Carl Schmitz requested input on constructing a new building for Coroner Jay Price on the lot of the former boys’ home in Mount Vernon. There is a need for additional privacy. Gentil suggested input on the project from council member Tom Schneider, Sheriff Greg Oeth and Price. Schmitz stated $500,000 has been set aside for the project in the cumulative capital fund in the budget. The commissioners will further discuss the project during their next meeting on March 17. The joint session turned technical as the
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North Posey’s Butler decides to turn in pom-pons By Dave Pearce North Posey’s most loyal and most enduring cheerleader was on hand for her last official game on Friday night during the sectional semi-final loss to Mater Dei. Julie Butler has probably chanted more North Posey Viking cheers than anyone in the history of the school. She would also be a sure bet to have attended about as many athletic events as anyone in the system. And when the final buzzer sounded, just like a true Viking, this cheerleader was on her feet singing the school song along with all the other cheerleaders. “I wanted to win, dog gone it,” she said during an interview on the way home from the game. “It did cross my mind that this was my last game but I have been a little pre-occupied with my mother’s recent death and then I have another visitation and funeral over in her hometown this week. To be honest, I’m not thinking so much about that right now.” But despite not wanting fanfare while finishing her last year as the North Posey cheerleader sponsor, it is hard not to at least recognize someone who has given so much to the school and the sports programs. Butler was surprised during one of the final home games with flowers and a trophy. Butler has coached all three of her daughters in their years as North Posey cheerleaders. And despite knowing how stubborn teenagers can be, the three daughters always knew that ‘Mother knows best.’
After all, Julie (Knox) Butler, as native of Mitchell, Ind., began her cheerleading career a few years ago, cheering on her Mitchell Bluejackets. From there, she attended Indiana State University and cheered for the Sycamores. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of cheerleading allowed her to be a paid cheerleader coach at ISU when she went back to school for her masters. So to say she had the credentials to be a North Posey cheerleader coach would probably be an understatement. But marrying into the local Butler family probably had more to do with her decision to stay in this area than her credentials. She and husband, Mike, met long ago during an Autumnfest Parade and eventually married and raised their daughters in Posey County. “I was the drill team/flag coach and I was taking kids through the parade and (now South Terrace Principal) Kelly Carlton introduced us,” Butler said. “But I can’t say it was love at first sight because he was a clown on a unicycle when I met him for the first time.” But once the clown paint came off, she consented to attending a dance with Butler at St. Francis Church and the couple’s relationship built from there. After the Butlers married and she became more and more involved with the school, she became a cheerleader sponsor, first at South Terrace.
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Long-time North Posey cheerleader sponsor waves in appreciation to a surprise recognition for her recently. Photo by Dave Pearce
‘The Sound of Music’ opens Thursday at MVHS
Pictured l to r are: Faith Juncker, Alaina Allyn, Jaycee Jarvis, Julia Kingery, Amber Allyn, Landen Blandford, Daniel Juncker, and Erin Garman. Photo submitted
Briefly
The students portraying the roles are Julia Kingery (Louisa), Daniel Juncker (Friedrich), Landen Blanford (Kurt), Jaycee Jarvis (Brigitta), Amber Allyn (Marta) and Alaina Allyn and Faith Juncker (Gretl). The oldest child, Liesl, is portrayed by MVHS senior Erin Garman. The von Trapp children were immediately called for rehearsals and began to learn their lines, music and the dancing and musical stagings required of the roles. Choreographer Sally Julian has re-envisioned the musical staging and dances that populate the show and has created challenges for the students. Daniel Juncker said, “The hardest thing is learning to waltz.” Certainly a sentiment shared by many young men over the centuries. Even with the challenges they have faced,
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North student to travel with People to People
Chamber to host Meet Your Legislator Event The Southwest Indiana Chamber will host the annual Posey County Meet Your Legislator Event on Saturday, March 14 at the Poseyville Community Center in Poseyville, beginning at 9 a.m. This annual event, featuring a representative from Congressman Larry Bucshon’s office, Representative Wendy McNamara, and Senator Jim Tomes, provides the community with an opportunity to meet with elected leaders to discuss projects, initiatives, and accomplishments, as well as any potential challenges facing the community and legislators. Friends of Harmony meeting is March 10 The Friends of Harmony quarterly meeting will be held on March 10 at 6 p.m. at Red Bank Library on the west side of Evansville. There’s much to discuss. Moose Lodge schedules Brain Sandwich night The Women of Mount Vernon Moose Lodge 1341 will be having their Brain Sandwiches night at the Lodge at 711 West Second Street starting this Saturday night at 5 p.m., March 14. Sandwich cost $5, public is invited. Call your orders ahead at the Lodge at 838-3664. Boy Scouts recycle as fundraiser March 14 Boy Scout Troop 387 will hold an aluminum can and scrap metal drive on Saturday, March 14, from 7 - 9 a.m. Please drop off your items at the Poseyville Park (across from One Stop) for the scouts to recycle as a fundraiser. Will only take scrap metal items that can be recycled such as copper, washers, dryers, aluminum, etc. No TV’s, computers or microwaves. St. Peters UMC to hunt eggs, teach true meaning of Easter St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 2800 St. Phillips Road will have a Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. Bring your own baskets. Crafts will be offered. Learn the true meaning of Easter. Visit with the Easter Bunny. Lunch will be served for all after the hunt.
Retrospective ...... A 4 Legals ............... B 5 - 6 Classifieds ........ B 6 - 7 Community ......... A 5
Special to the News A musical, be it high school, college or professional production, will bring together a diverse group of individuals. Some may be seasoned veterans while others are pretty new to the craft of theatre. This is certainly the case for ‘The Sound of Music.’ Music director Dana Taylor notes, “When you think of this show, usually the first thing that comes to mind is Julie Andrews and the seven von Trapp children.” When MVHS selected this year’s production, it was faced with the need to audition many children. The auditions, held in early January brought out twenty five elementary aged students, from which seven were selected to perform the roles of Louisa, Marta, Brigitta, Kurt, Friedrich and Gretl (the role was double cast due to the ages of the youngest actors).
By Valerie Werkmeister uel will stay with a host family in France. He hopes to At this point in the school year, it’s typical that most learn some of the language and be able to help them youth have their sights set on summer vacation. It’s with their English too. He will also have the opportualmost spring break and despite the nity to speak to a Member of Parliasnow that has blanketed the ground, ment while in England. The group many are envisioning baseball will perform some service work games, swimming, riding bikes or while they are there as well. even camping outside as some of What is he looking forward to the their summer activities. most? He excitedly answered, “The One local youth has summer food. I love Italian food and can’t plans that will trump all of that. wait to eat it.” Samuel Belt, the sixth grade son of Samuel was most likely nomiKeith and Rochelle Belt, will travel nated for the program by one of his with the People to People Ambasteachers. In order to be accepted sador program to spend 19 days into the program he also had to sein Europe. He will spend time in cure two character references from France, Italy and England and visit his teachers as well as one other refsites including the Eiffel Tower, erence. He completed an interview Big Ben, The Louvre and the Lonand was later notified he had been don Eye to name a few. He will also chosen to be a part of the program. visit Mount Vesuvius in Naples, He will leave on June 10 and reSamuel Belt, the 12-year-old Italy. It is the volcano that erupted son of Keith and Rochelle Belt, turn on June 28. The trip will cost and destroyed the Roman cities of will travel to Europe this sum- $7,015, and Samuel has been workPompeii and Herculaneum. mer for 19 days with the People ing very hard to earn money to help Although he and his family were to People Ambassador program. offset the costs of the trip for his unfamiliar with the People to Peo- Photo by Valerie Werkmeister family. He did some creative thinkple program, Samuel was hooked ing and has done some unique funon the idea of traveling to Europe after the first meet- draisers. During Christmas time, he wrapped gifts for ing he attended. teachers. A week ago, he and his family made rice pudRochelle stated, “After about the first 30 minutes he ding using their great-grandmother’s treasured recipe. looked at me and said, ‘Can I go?’” A quick quiz revealed that Samuel was completely The program has been in existence for the past 50 hands-on in the process and didn’t just sit by while years. Samuel meets with chaperones and others he family members did the work for him. will travel with in Evansville for meetings. They learn Samuel stated he made 126 quarts of rice pudding about the program and the appropriate way to conduct Continued on Page A12 themselves and behave while in other countries. Sam-
Deaths .................... A3 Church ................ A 7 Social .................. A 6 School ................. A 9
Sports ............... B 1 - 2 Bus/Ag ................ A 8 Opinion ..............A 1 1 TV Guide.......... B 3 - 4