(618) MAGAZINE HOMETOWN APRIL 2021
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from the
EDITOR
EDITOR Andrea Howe ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS Hello, (618) Hometown neighbors! I don’t know about you, but I’m eager to shed my socks and walk barefoot in my backyard. I want to celebrate Easter with my extended family. I want to grab a windbreaker as I head out to walk the dog, rather than a parka. I want to photograph budding spring flowers and take in the smell of cut grass and spring rain. Spring is an awakening from what seems like a very long winter. We’ve all been “hibernating” more than usual with the COVID-19 restrictions, but as I write, we’re seeing light at the end of the tunnel. As more activities hopefully pick up in our communities, please let us help spread the word of your community events in our monthly calendar planned for coming issues. Remember, we work on content a month ahead of our publication date, so if you’re planning a May event that you think others will enjoy, send us the details as soon as possible. Email them to ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com We’re looking forward to the days when we can resume some of our earlier staples in (618) Hometown Magazine, such as our Senior Chat features with residents of retirement communities, and our monthly athlete profiles, too! We, of course, have some great treats for you in this issue. Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington is fascinat-
Kim Bayless
ed by layer cakes, and she clues us in on how to make a good one. Kim Bayless has the perfect Easter Sunday lunch with some recipes for comfort food favorites. Mona Warrick spent some time visiting with Doug Maier, who started his law enforcement career in Wabash County and recently retired from more than 40 years of service in White County. She also offers a second installment in her “Leaders of the Band” series, profiling David Snapp, who taught thousands of Edwards County youngsters how to play a musical instrument. I enjoyed my time catching up with a young woman I haven’t seen in 30 or so years — and I’m happy to share the story of 103 Grounded in Grace founder Amber Ackerman Knight with you. Get a cup of coffee or tea, sit a spell and enjoy these stories of your neighbors.
Mona Warrick Corey Woolsey Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington
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Mt. Carmel IL 62863 618-263-1005
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In love with layer cakes! WRITER: ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON By As a child I was greatly amazed by layer cakes. They seemed like pure perfection to me. Now that I am an adult I have even more respect for layer cakes and so will you, if you ever try to bake one. The February 2016, 50th Anniversary issue of Southern Living pays homage to layer cakes and our fascination with them. According to the magazine, “Southerners have had a long-standing love affair with layer cakes. We bake them for birthdays and christenings, mount them on heirloom cake stands in honor of anniversaries and holiday homecomings, and immortalize them in great works of fiction. Few desserts are more impressive on a buffet.” Layer cakes command attention and attract affection. Like most little girls, I dreamed of the day when I would grow up and make my own layer cake masterpiece. After all, how hard could it be? Let me just tell you what I learned. First of all, “Grandma cake pans” (A.K.A aluminum) that have been passed down from generation to generation are the best. As a new bride, if you run out to Wal-Mart and buy the dark, non-stick pans, you are setting yourself up for failure. Dark bottom pans with Teflon coating may not stick, but they cook too quickly and will burn the cake, or worse, the
in skimpy proportions. My favorite tried and true recipe is cream cheese
outside will be brown and the middle will be raw. Yuck. Aluminum pans
icing. It calls for powdered sugar, 8 ounces of cream cheese, butter and
work the best. I prefer my Grandma’s pans that have the lever attached
just enough milk to make it spread. It’s important to have a good hand
so you can get the cake out. You can hardly find those anymore.
mixer or stand mixer for maximum loft. Never, ever, pour the milk in all
Next, while Mother taught me how to grease and flour a pan (referred to in a recipe as a prepared pan), skip this step, do yourself
at once, or you may just have icing soup. Yes, I’ve made that mistake too. “A little at a time” is the mantra for making icing.
a favor and buy the nonstick pan spray “Baker’s Joy.” This product has
When icing a cake, you can buy a big fancy spreader or you can just
flour in it and will guarantee an even finished cake that doesn’t stick. I’ll
use a cheap rubber ended spatula. The rubber makes it easy to spread.
never grease and flour a pan again.
I always do the sides first and work my way up to the top. I don’t know
Room temperature: “Room temperature ingredients incorporate more
if this is the correct way, but that’s how I do it. When you get to the top,
evenly than cold, trapping air and giving rise to tender cake layers.” My
scoop out big mounds of icing on the cake and then with the spatula start
personal advice is to find someone with farm fresh eggs. Brown fresh
spreading. If you made enough frosting you can dig slightly into the icing
eggs, at room temperature, offer the best loft in a cake. Always follow the
causing curly-cues and peaks that will dry to perfection. Viola! The cake
directions to the exact specifications, or you may have a mess on your
is finished.
hands. Bake according to directions, a toothpick can be inserted in the
For added embellishment, nuts, grated chocolate, or candy can be
center of the cake for “doneness.” If the pick comes out “gummy with
sprinkled on top. My preferred Easter recipe is to make “Hummingbird
batter” it needs to cook longer.
Cake.” It is my Dad’s favorite cake that I make. It is three tall layers of
Now we are getting somewhere. Let the cakes cool before turning
dense cake with crushed pineapple and pecans in it. The icing is cream
over the pans. If you don’t do this, the cake will fall apart. After the cakes
cheese with pecan chips. It is lovely and delicious! When my cake turns
have completely cooled, decide what you will be serving the cake on
out beautifully, my Dad’s face lights up and he says, “Oooh! Sissy, I
and place the bottom layer in the center of the plate, cake stand, etc.
believe I’ll have me some of that!” Then he will say with complete sar-
You cannot move a finished cake without destroying it, so think ahead.
casm, “That’s terrible stuff” and I know my job is done.
Never ever ice a warm cake. My impatience has gotten the best of me
My last bit of advice is: layer cakes are special; they require time and
on numerous occasions and I made a disaster out of a perfectly good
attention and should be made for the people you love the most, because
dessert. If you don’t wait, the cake will crumb in your icing and all your
they are worth it. My favorite recipe book is “Southern Cakes: Sweet and
efforts will be ruined.
Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations” by Nancy McDermott,
Assemble the layers. Bottom layer with icing or filling, second layer,
published in 2007. The “Hummingbird Cake” recipe mentioned above,
with icing or filling and top layer. When making icing, it is usually best to
can be found there. The book can be purchased at Cracker Barrel,
make a double batch. Recipes are often not generous enough and end up
Barnes and Noble, or Amazon, for roughly $16. Happy baking!
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 3
103
GROUNDED IN GRACE WRITER: ANDREA HOWE
Amber Ackerman Knight settles in a comfy armchair flanking the fireplace, at her newest venture, 103 Grounded in Grace. It’s a funky, cozy, colorful atmosphere. Somewhere you’d just want to linger. Knight has transformed an empty building on West Main in Carmi into the new home for her businesses, Print Shop Graphics LLC on the west side of the building, and the combination coffee lounge/Bulldog Boutique on the east side. The west door gives direct access to the print shop, or you can enter the east door of the downtown Carmi building, and there’s a live-edge bar, lined with colorful velvet seats —, a perfect place for setting up a laptop or notebook for homework with a gourmet coffee or tea. If it’s conversation, or maybe just lounging in a comfortable chair near a fireplace with a good book and one of the expertly crafted offerings you’re looking for, there’s a perfect nook for that, too. Customers can stop in and get a drink to go, or choose their mug from a rack and tr y their house blends. Barista Colton Vest creates custom drinks ranging from espresso to lattes, cappuccino, frappes or iced coffee. “He’s passionate about coffee, and wants to provide the perfect cup,” says Knight. As the business grows, she plans to add bakery items. The coffee lounge is also home to The Bulldog Boutique, featuring all things Carmi-White County Bulldogs apparel created by next-door Print Shop Graphics. If you’re not a Bulldog fan (say it ain’t so!), custom T-shirt orders and graphic printing services are available a few feet away. The coffee lounge hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, offering time for a great cup before work or school, lunch or after school. With a new city playground next door, it’s the perfect spot for a family outing. To-go orders can be made by calling 618-382-4656. ••• But back to that comfy seat by the fireplace... Her face lights up, as she explains how a real estate agency, a print shop and the new coffee lounge fit in her wheelhouse of interests. The Carmi native, daughter of Paul and Angie Ackerman, is also co-owner of The Property Shop
4 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 5
real estate agency, and flips homes. “I’m a creative person, so any outlet that allows me to be creative is good,” she grins. She first thought she wanted to be a nurse. “I started school at SIC (Southeastern Illinois College) in the nursing program, but I found out I don’t have the stomach for it,” she admitted. Knight admits she didn’t have a path figured out, other than flexing her independence. She worked at Wal-Mart, and the Dairy Queen, and other jobs. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do.” She became pregnant with daughter Addison and “ever ything changed,” she laughed, admitting the responsibilities of motherhood saved her from “just going buck wild.” Knight’s quest for finding an outlet for her creativity began painting gourds and marketing them at festivals. Entering the real estate profession seemed a natural progression. “I just love decorating, being creative and making a space inviting,” she said. She partnered with Angie Woolsey French as co-owner of The Property Shop LLC, and launched her own separate business, Print Shop Graphics LLC, which allowed yet another creative outlet for her. Tackling the design and furnishings for 103 Grounded in Grace is just the latest manifestation of Knight’s creativity and being fully grounded in God’s grace. But before the grace, there was, in her words, a very public heartache. When nothing seemed to help her feel better, “I fell to my knees and for the first time I talked to God and told Him I just hurt so bad, and asked Him to help me get through it.” Knight said she was still miserable, but two or three days later, was asked to substitute teach, and wound up talking to Megan King, who could see that something was wrong, and asked her to come that evening to a service at Carmi’s First Christian Church. “I came with her, and then I never stopped going,” she said. “I felt the worry and heaviness leave me.” She began attending a 5 a.m. Wednesday Bible study, and hasn’t stopped. In those early days, she learned the women in that group had been praying for her before she ever joined them. Looking back on her life, Knight says, “I always thought I was pretty lucky. I didn’t know it was God.” She married second-grade teacher Willie Knight in July 2020, and they have a blended family of daughter Addison and son Cannon, both age 15. Her husband coaches high school junior varsity basketball and is assistant junior and senior high school baseball coach. She’s a co-founder of We Love White County, an organization with a mission of cultivating relationships and tackling positive projects in their home communities. She’s one of the Carmi Christmas Elves, who volunteer and raise funds through the Christmas lights project and other endeavors to do good in the community. She and her husband volunteer to build bunk beds as part of her church’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace project, creating beds for kids who need them. She’s vice president of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce. ••• She’s busy.. And sometimes spontaneous. The West Main street building is one example. “I jumped in to buy it, really,” she said. “I wanted it and I bought it. I worried because I didn’t
6 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
pray about it, I thought it might fail. “I just kept praying, asking God if it was His will, to give me some direction.” That’s when chapter 103 of the Book of Psalms popped into her mind. “I would sit in the living room, with the overwhelming urge to read it over and over.” Written by King David, one of the Bible’s most prolific (and sometimes impulsive) worshippers, Psalm 103 starts out “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
lounge, to set the theme. Knight knew she wanted to bring a unique coffee lounge to town, but originally thought she might be teaching herself how to make the drinks. “But now I have a professional barista, who moved here from Florida. That was a Godwink, too!” In addition to Vest’s skills as a barista, her staff at the coffee lounge and print shop include Jessica Arnold, Holly Miller and Kristin Prince. Knight focuses on maintaining an atmosphere that’s not preachy by any means, but what she hopes is always welcoming for everyone. “For
The chapter goes on to expound upon God’s mercy and grace and
me, it’s about being grounded in grace, and the grace that He gives me
good plans. “I read about the benefits of God and what he can do for
every single day. I want people to come in and feel the love, feel wel-
you,” says Knight.
come, enjoy good coffee in a funky, warm atmosphere.”
It’s a chapter all about God’s grace. Then, it popped into place for Knight. Her new building address is 103 West Main. And 103 Grounded in Grace was born. A custom industrial “103” light fixture created by Ben Arnold greets customers as they enter the
There’s even more space in the south side of the building, and Knight has some ideas for down the road. One thing will remain the same: A separate warehouse building on the property is home to the Compassion Center, operated by Carmi Ministerial Association, and will remain so, as long as it’s needed.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 7
Martin brothers share love of music with locals WRITER: COREY WOOLSEY Local fans of the band “The Smoke Rings” can thank the love of music between two brothers, and maybe their parents too. At a young age, brothers Jake and Chris Martin were introduced to music by their parents, and that introduction shaped their lives forever. “Our parents were really young when they had us,” Jake said. “They listened to music all of the time and it kind of soaked into us by osmosis. By the time I was in third grade I had listened to all the classics, so the only way to feel it more was to learn how to play it.” According to Jake, his parents said that he would always be fighting with his brother unless they were playing music. “I guess that still works,” he said, “because my brother and I are still playing together.” In 1997, the brothers Martin took a chance and made a move to New York City to pursue music in a more serious effort. “We lived out there for awhile and recorded two albums,” Jake said. “We had several different interesting leads and almost had a record deal a couple of times.” Jake and Chris had many oppor tunities while in New York to play the clubs where many famous musicians cut their teeth, including world famous CBGB. “For some reason the owner, Hilly (Kristal) really liked us,” Jake said. “We were from Southern Illinois and really didn’t have a following, but he was impressed by us and kept booking us.”
With the pandemic slowing down oppor-
For the brothers, a couple factors likely held them back from stardom in the Big Apple. First, the band was heavily influenced by the music of the 60s and 70s, while the new punk movement was big in the city with bands like Blink 182. Second, Napster and the digital
tunities to play, Jake said there have been
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The Smoke Rings
music scene was just coming into play and record companies had no plan in place to profit
positives still. “Since 2006 we have probably played at least 100 gigs a year, but the pandemic really slowed that down,” he said. “But it has been a good year too, because we did record a brand new, all original album that will probably be
The brothers returned home and went to
released in April.”
school, taking a break from their first love.
Jake said the new album will be available
“We pretty much ran out of money and just
Jake attended USI and studied graphic design,
on digital platforms, on CD and vinyl as well.
couldn’t get to where we wanted to be,” Jake
and in that musical hiatus, the brothers real-
Jake also recorded an acoustic album last
said.
ized that they wanted to perform even more.
year called “Acoustiverse” which is available
from digital music at that time.
8 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
on vinyl. According to Jake, while digital music is a positive for up-and-coming bands, he still prefers the physical formats. “I am old school and I think that listening to vinyl on a proper turntable and quality needle is going to be a more powerful listening experience,” he said. The Smoke Rings are currently a threepiece band with Jake and Chris along with bassist Adam Jenks from Evansville. Jake said the band has included up to six members in the past. As things hopefully improve in the country and a sense of normalcy returns, Jake is hopeful that The Smoke Rings can be a positive experience for everyone. “With the division and unrest in the world, it is our job as ar tists to provide either an escape for people or even provide hope,” said Jake. “I hope people get their vaccines so we can get back to playing music at the parties, weddings and get things back to how they felt before all of this.”
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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 9
THE LEADERS
OF THE BAND WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK
This is second, in a four-part series featuring iconic band directors from the 618 neighborhood (Curry Baker, Mike Croghan, David Snapp and Bill Hudson) and the musicians they influenced. This profile highlights Snapp. “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Leave a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” — Maya Angelou. While a sixth grader at Tekoppel Elementary School in Evansville, David Snapp realized he wanted to be a band director. “My director, Mr. Por ter Napier, was a huge influence. I had many other directors and teachers, but he was what I wanted to become,” said Snapp. “I spent every free minute I had in school, in the band room with him. I had three directors in grade school. I later said that I must have run them off!” Following graduation from F.J. Reitz High School, Snapp earned his bachelor’s degree in music education in 1980 from the University of Evansville. That August, he married his high school sweethear t, Shelley. The newlyweds moved to Albion, where Snapp began teaching. “When I think about my career in music education, I remember marching in Newton Fall Festival parades with the junior high,
had a few years that the students got extreme-
excitement fades. The size of the school also
marching at the West Side Nut Club Fall Fes-
ly excited about it, and then that faded away
has an impact because students are involved in
tival in Evansville, and of course ever y din-
for various reasons.
everything and it all takes time.”
ner theater,” said Snapp. “My best memories
“Band, in general, had become a challenge
Thinking back on his career, Snapp said,
of dinner theater are when my great friend,
to teach. I really think we start too early and
“I tried to count how many students had gone
David Peach, and I would be so worn out from
students burn out, but with the school size it
through the program with me. And then, I
putting together sound systems (that didn’t
is a necessity to start early. I was at a session
began to recall numerous experiences, most
work half the time), that we would sit in the
at All-State once about marching band and
memories from dinner theater times. As I said
middle of the gym floor at midnight or later
band retention and the comment was made
before, we didn’t excel in marching band, but
and just laugh. I really miss those great (not so
that we live in a microwave society. Students
I do feel we had many great years of dinner
great then) times.”
get excited about an instrument, but when
theater. I don’t think I could possibly pick one
Snapp recalls, “I don’t think marching band
they can’t pick it up and play it well in a short
experience that really stands out.”
was very big in Albion for a lot of reasons. I
amount of time, and they see it takes work, the
10 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
Snapp recalls locking the gym doors at
“3 or 4 a.m., only to return at 7 a.m. to start another day. Most years it wasn’t that late, but there were some. I have been to Six Flags and Holiday World more times than I would have ever dreamed. Is that a good thing?” His first concert at Albion Grade School was memorable. “My parents and my in-laws were at ever y concert, parade, and anything else you could imagine during my career. Before that concert, Shelley wanted a front row seat because she was shocked that I might talk in front of a crowd! I am, and always have been, a very quiet person and rather shy in front of crowds. Now, most people don’t believe that, I don’t understand!” Snapp said, “I am thankful for the kindness of former students and colleagues. My last year of dinner theater, Mr. and Mrs. Swardstrom (fellow teachers, Will and Sarah) had students and parents write notes to me. Will edited those and put them into a book. It is called Snapped. I still tear up when I take time
year: a lowered ceiling, wall panels that
and extra-curricular activity available, his band
to read any of this book, and I will treasure it
highlighted each decade in music, table deco-
is impressive.”
for the rest of my life.”
rations, a red carpet at the entrance and more.
Retirement af fords Snapp more time
One year, they made palm trees. It was, in a
with his favorite people, his family. “Without
word, impressive.”
the constant suppor t of my wife, Shelley, I
Holly Hinderliter Spangler, a former student, wrote about Snapp in her blog following his final dinner theater in 2014. Spangler is
Spangler said, “Over the years, they used
wouldn’t have been able to make it through
executive editor of Farm Progress and editor
proceeds to purchase equipment and take
any of my years as an educator. She was, and
of Prairie Farmer.
kids to theatrical and musical experiences
continues to be, my best cheerleader and
On April 14, 2014, Spangler wrote, “I went
they never would’ve had access to otherwise.
sounding board. She is the love of my life,”
home a couple weekends ago, with a ver y
I played the digital keyboard they purchased,
said Snapp. “We dated six years and have been
specific purpose: I drove nearly 500 miles,
and saw “The Phantom of the Opera” in Nash-
married 40 years. I can’t imagine my life with-
roundtrip, with two small kids, to see my high
ville via charter bus.”
out her.”
school’s dinner theater production. Clearly,
Spangler attended this par ticular dinner
After the couple’s first daughter, Joy, was
this was not without memor y and reason.
theatre because “This year was special, how-
bor n, “Shelley would bring Joy to school
Because no one does that.
ever, because Mr. Snapp is retiring. He began
during late night practices, ball games, and
“This trip was a big deal and in fact, the
teaching 4th-8th grade band in 1980, and took
anytime she could so I could be with them as
whole production was a big deal. The Edwards
over high school band in 1986. They estimat-
much as possible.”
County High School dinner theater began
ed that since that time, he has taught nearly
The Snapps welcomed daughter Joy in
in 1991, when I was but a freshman in high
8,000 grade school students and more than
1984, and daughter Emily followed in 1988.
school. David Snapp and Mary Jo Grubb, the
2,000 high school students. Friends, he taught
“They were both involved in band with me
band and choir teachers who made a life in
10,000 young people to read music and play it
and it was a thrill to see them enjoying what
Edwards County, envisioned a dinner theater
and appreciate it. That is a legacy.”
I enjoyed, at least I think they did! We now
In her blog entr y, Spangler noted that
have three grandchildren, Hadleigh is eight,
Snapp “has built a band program that’s stron-
Daelyn is almost six, and JD is three. They are
“They formed a show choir and a combo
ger than ever. Roughly a fourth of the entire
truly blessings! Joy and husband, James Gif-
band, they elicited help from local program
high school plays in the band. Granted, it’s
ford, live in Albion. Emily is married to Joseph
designers, they sold ads for a 70-page program
a small school, but that’s nearly 75 students.
Brawner and they live in Evansville. They are
and they choreographed shows. The entire
When I was in school, we barely fielded a band
all true blessings and come around often.”
community pitched in, creating set decorations
of 25; we played from the football sidelines
Snapp lived his childhood aspirations,
that transformed the gym into another world.
because fielding a marching band was a mini-
enjoying a 34-year career as a music educator.
Year in and year out, the Edwards County
malist embarrassment. For a high school shy
As Spangler wrote, Snapp touched the lives of
Dinner Theater has gone on for 24 years. This
of 300 kids, many divided among every sport
“10,000 students.” That is a legacy.
with music at its heart. A community effort,” said Spangler.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 11
INSTAPOT CHICKEN AND NOODLES 2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 lb chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
2 cans chicken broth (15 oz each)
1 pkg frozen egg noodles (24 oz)
1 stick butter In an instant pot, put chicken in first on the bottom. Pour the 2 cans of soup, chicken broth and butter on top. Put the lid on and use poultry Setting for 25 minutes (if meat is frozen), 15 to 20 if it’s fresh. Use natural release. Pull chicken out and shred it. Put chicken back into broth with a bag of frozen egg noodles. Stir and put lid back on. Set the instant pot to soup setting for 5 minutes. When complete, use quick release.
12 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
Enjoy an easy, comfort-food Easter lunch WRITER: KIM BAYLESS I remember as a young girl, my mother dressing my sister and I in similar Easter dresses with hats, gloves, frilly socks, patent leather shoes and fancy purses.
Church
was always the destination for Easter Sunday and we were dressed for the occasion.
ROASTED CARROTS Wash and peel as many carrots as you want to prepare. Toss them with olive oil, fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Place in a baking pan and roast at 400 for at least 20 min, checking every 3 minutes past that time for doneness.
When church was over, we were ready to change clothes and head to our grandparents house. There would be the anticipation of hunting Easter eggs that afternoon, but first
COCONUT POPPY SEED CAKE
we would get to have a wonderful Easter meal prepared by
1 white cake mix
2 pkg instant coconut cream pudding
my grandma’s loving hands.
¼ cup poppy seeds
8 oz Cool Whip
3 ½ cups cold milk
1/3 cup flaked coconut
She would be in preparation
for a couple of days to be ready to serve her family. Other than making my dessert the evening before, the rest of the meal comes together in an hour or less. I hope you enjoy my recipes for Instapot chicken and noodles, roasted carrots and a coconut poppy seed cake and incorporate them into your Easter dinner.
Prepare cake according to box directions, adding poppy seeds to the batter. Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Beat milk and pudding mixes on low for 2 minutes. Spread over the cake. Spread with Cool Whip and sprinkle with coconut. Store in the refrigerator.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 13
‘WE ARE A FAMILY’ Sheriff settles in to retirement after four decades of service WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK
his career in law enforcement. Three years
sheriff. My goal has always been to help at least
later, White County Sheriff Bob Duckworth
three people a day.”
offered Maier the chance to “come back home.”
Elected officials are often in the spotlight.
Maier jumped at the opportunity to join the
Maier said it’s important to be seen. “As sheriff,
White County Sheriff’s Department.
I’ve done all kinds of things. I kissed a pig for
Doug and his wife, Susan, married in 1980,
the Centerville 4-H. I raced a donkey at the fair-
were newlyweds when they took over day-to-
grounds. I played basketball in Enfield, while
day operations of family-owned Maier’s Gro-
riding on a donkey. I’m lucky I didn’t break any
cery in Crossville. The store, which has been a
bones,” Maier said. “I lost a donut eating con-
Crossville institution for decades, continues to
test to Troy Hurt once. I ate 17 donuts in five
thrive at the village’s four-way stop.
minutes. I ate nothing else for two days!” Maier
From 1981 until 2001, Maier ser ved as a deputy with the sheriff’s department. In 1989,
said, “I drew the line at shaving my head” knowing it wouldn’t be a good look for him!
Doug and Susan welcomed triplet daughters.
For years, Maier flew a Cubs flag over the
“A tough but wonder ful experience” is
Maier laughed as he remembered taking Shane
sheriff’s department. “They were always try-
how former White County Sheriff Doug Maier
Stokes and Justin Spencer to the Maier house,
ing to steal the flag. Braden Willis was usually
described his 43-year career in law enforce-
in the evenings, to help Susan feed the babies.
behind it. One night, Leon Duvall, who recently
ment. Maier, the county’s longest-serving sher-
“She couldn’t feed them all! We’d walk in and I’d
died, was able to steal the flag. The guys told
iff, retired on February 28.
tell Shane and Justin to grab and baby and feed
him there were cameras everywhere. Leon was
Elected to the post five times, Maier will
her!” Susan appreciated the help, said Maier.
afraid he would be arrested, so he returned the
forever be grateful to the citizens of White
“We knew fairly early on that we were having
flag and apologized. We laughed and laughed.
County who entrusted him to the position. “For
triplets Even knowing, you can’t plan for trip-
That was the most fun!”
the most part, we have received tremendous
lets!”
Once, Maier “lost a bet” and had to fly a
respect and support from our people. We know
In 2002, Maier was elected sheriff for the
it’s not like this everywhere. We are so thank-
first time. Maier said he will miss “the peo-
ful.”
ple. Some of the finest people I know work for
“As sheriff, I usually get all the glory, but it’s
White County. They are my best friends and I
the people who work here that should get the
will miss seeing them every day.”
glory and the accolades,” Maier said. “I couldn’t
In 1978, Maier graduated from the University of Evansville with a degree in criminal jus-
Cardinals flag over the sheriff’s department for a week.
tice. Immediately, he was hired by Wabash
Maier said he’s enjoyed “being able to help
have done anything without them. I can’t say
County Sheriff Randy Grounds thus beginning
people every day. That’s the best part of being
enough about how great it has been to work
14 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021
with this team. I wouldn’t have made it this far
Doug’s birthday. Tom had been a correctional
December 1, 2022. An election will be held in
without Sgt. Craig Poole. He’s always been my
officer in White County for 19 years. “These
November 2022 and it will be up to Graves to
right hand man.” Poole has been with the sher-
guys were part of the honor guard. At the funer-
decide if he wants to run for the office or not.
iff’s department for nearly 30 years.
al home, Doug’s was the first face I saw and I
Looking forward to retirement, Maier said
“Doug is a legend,” said Poole. “A political
knew I would be able to get through the ser-
he will be helping Susan at the store. “Stop in
career is tough. A career in law enforcement
vices because he was there. We are a family.
and I’ll make you a sandwich,” he said. The cou-
is tough. And when you have the two of them
The first thing I said to Doug was I’ve ruined
ple has no plans to move from White County.
together, it’s really tough. When Doug origi-
your birthday!”
“It’s home. I was born and raised here. I have
nally ran for sheriff, he vowed to make White
Sgt. Byrd Huber, who retired in March of
County a safer place to live. He always met
2020, said, “Doug has a good financial mind.
those challenges, whatever challenges we were
He’s a good businessman. He’s always treated
The Maiers look forward to spending more
facing at the time. That was always his focus
everyone fairly. I could write a book about how
time with their daughters and granddaughter.
and he kept his department focused. If Doug
he’s made my life better. I’ll never be able to
Now, in their early ‘30s, the Maier daughters
said he was going to do something, he would
repay him for all he’s done for me.” Huber said
can expect to see more of their parents. Daugh-
always follow through. Doug is a great man.”
he and Doug have been friends since they were
ters Paige Maier and Mallory Atchison live in
14 or 15 years old.
Nashville, Tennessee. Just over a year ago, Mal-
Maier said bringing Sheila Jo Headlee in
so many wonderful memories of growing up in Crossville. It was a great place to be raised.”
to be his administrative assistant, in 2010, was
“People have no idea what it’s like to be
lory made Doug and Susan grandparents when
“one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” No
sheriff,” said Huber. “They only see the sur-
baby girl, Myer Mae, was born. “We will be
stranger to law enforcement, Headlee began
face.”
making many more trips to Nashville,” Maier
with the department when she was 17. “If you
Maier said the toughest time of his tenure
said. Daughter Nicole lives in Utah. The Maiers
want to watch and learn how to interact with
was in late August and early September 2012
love visiting National Parks and have been to
people, you need to watch Doug. He can dees-
when 17-year-old Jessi Evans and 22-year-old
many of them. “In May, we are going to visit
calate a situation quicker than anyone I know.”
Jake Wheeler were murdered by Danny Cos-
Nicole and plan to spend time in Zion and Moab State Parks.”
Headlee said she’s had lots of employers,
ton. “That was a horrible time. They were so
but never anyone like Maier. “He knows how
young. It’s always difficult, but when the victims
to interact with people. He can sit and talk with
are young, it’s even harder.”
Maier said he plans to play more golf. He and Randy Grounds, the first sheriff he worked
you and make you feel special.” Headlee, who
Maier said, “I’m leaving the depar tment
also serves as jail administrator, will stay in her
in ver y capable hands.” Randy Graves, who
“I can’t say enough about my department,
current position.
was hired by Maier in 2002, will complete the
we are a family,” Maier said. “They are my best
remainder of Maier’s term which ends on
friends, and that won’t change.”
Headlee’s husband, Tom, died in 2017 on
for, play golf quite often.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 15
Explaining Easter WRITER: ANDREA HOWE My earliest Easter memories go back to Maunie United Methodist
and all the guys fell down,” he told me. “The ladies didn’t fall,” he said.
Church, where Marguerite Roser played piano, and I sat on the edge of
“And the angel said, ‘DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE WOMEN!’ And Jesus
the pew, swinging my legs because they didn’t reach the floor — just
walked out and told Mary — not his mom — the other Mary — not to
waiting to jump from my seat and bellow out the words, “...And, UP
cry.”
FROM THE GRAVE, HE AROSE, WITH A MIGHTY TRIUMPH O’ER HIS FOES!”
Well. It took me a while to get a straight face, but I felt it was important to try to untangle it for him.
In my five-year-old brain, I was singing about a superhero blasting
I talked about how the rock rolling away and all the yelling that he
through rocks. I knew about the burial cave and the rock rolled into
told me about weren’t the most exciting things. The most exciting thing,
place to seal it — I had learned that in the Sunday School flannel board
I told him, is that Jesus loves us so much that He took on the burden of
lessons.
all sin, died, and came alive again just to save us from ourselves, just for
But I had also integrated some of my own wild imagination gleaned from Superman comics and other cartoon heroes, so I felt sure there must have been a cape involved.
the asking. “And He didn’t even need a cape!” I couldn’t resist adding. The business about the cape threw him off, and I thought I had bun-
Apparently, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Our son, as a little bitty guy, enjoyed children’s church, and from the time he was two or three, often invited Jesus to race Hot Wheels with him. It’s been 20 years, but I will never forget how his baby blues went wide as he reported back on a video his class had seen about the resurrection of our Savior.
gled it. He ran toward his room, and soon I heard his big little boy voice making revving motor noises. And then, I heard: “C’mon Jesus, let’s play Hot Wheels!” I resolved to do less “untangling” and more praying for him and Jesus to work it all out.
“Mommy, a big angel came out of the sky and the rock rolled over
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And, they did!
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