Newburgh Magazine Holiday 2014

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Holiday 2014 MAGAZINE

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Winter already?

I

t seems like Christmas always sneaks up on me. Yet, here I am, shocked again that Christmas is just around the corner. It’s not my favorite time of year. I love the summer cook-out holidays and wearing flip-flops.

But, November, December and January do have their perks. I was pregnant with Calle, my youngest daughter, when the blizzard of 2004 hit. It completey snowed us in. My husband, my daughter, Chloe, and I were stuck together for several days. I didn’t think much about it at the time, but looking back, it was one of my most memorable holidays.

Too often, I get bogged down in the impossible task of buying gifts for two nearly-teenage daughters that I forget that memories are worth more than anything I can ever buy them.

That Christmas blizzard was a decade ago and it seems like last year. In another decade, they’ll both be in college. How is that possible?

This Christmas, we’ll stick to our “normal” traditions — visiting one house near us and singing The 12 Days of Christmas loudly and off-key, driving up to Santa Claus to listen to the story of Rudolph again, freezing our tails off at the Boonville Christmas Parade and singing every version of the Channakuah Song by Adam Sandler we can find — but we’re adding in a few more.

We’ve kind of breezed through Newburgh Celebrates Christmas before, but we want to really check it out. There are lots of great stores in downtown Newburgh. The scenery and atmosphere couldn’t be more festive. We want to take them to the museum, as well. There are a few other things, but those should maybe remain a surprise.

So, from my family to yours, have a fantastic holiday season. Get out and make memories.

EmilyEditor May

PUBLISHER Gary Neal | gwneal@aol.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Young | tyoung@warricknews.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Amanda Redenbaugh | advertising@warricknews.com MAGAZINE EDITOR Emily May | emay@warricknews.com SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt | newsroom@warricknews.com Reno Fontana | newsroom@warricknews.com Warrick Publishing Co. 204 W. Locust Street Boonville, Indiana 47601 (812) 897-2330

Alex Holder | newsroom@warricknews.com Laura Acchiardo | newsroom@warricknews.com Travis Rockhold | newsroom@warricknews.com ADVERTISING Karen Craig | kcraig@warricknews.com Cindy Lewis | cindyl@warricknews.com CIRCULATION Alicia Goodwin | circulation@warricknews.com ACCOUNTING Kristina Morris | kmorris@warricknews.com BUSINESS MANAGER Debi Neal | business@warricknews.com

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

3

TABLE of CONTENTS [22] Home for the Holidays

[7]

Warrick Humane Society is saving lives one pet at a time.

Fellowship and Art

Crossroad’s Worship Arts Academy offers more than just the word of God.

[53] Having a Ball

The Lis family is carrying on a tradition of excellence on the diamond.

[16] Battling Through

[36]

Steven Pergola has had many obstacles to defeat to become the player he is today.

Guy with a Gun

Guy Minnis is dedicated to teaching the public about proper gun use

[26] [32] Filling the Gaps

Dr. Jordan Baker is filling the hole Dr. Lutton left.

4

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

God. Speed.

Dale Beaver has been a confidant to NASCAR drivers for years. Now, he’s happy to call Evansville home.

[48] Fairy Tale Season

Castle girls soccer wasn’t supposed to have a good season.

[on the cover] Fearlessly Feminine

Alisha, Allie and Sara are making it easier for women to be fabulous.

Also inside Welcome..............................................3 HFCU Construction............................12

[56]

Christmas in Newburgh......................14 Youth First..........................................20

Man of Honor

Humbling Holiday...............................21

Randal Underhill found his calling when he joined the Army.

Old meets new...................................25 Advertiser Index.................................58

[42]

End of an Era.....................................39

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ost in Newburgh are familiar with Crossroads Christian Church, but how many have passed the Worship Arts Academy without knowing what goes on inside? Extending their ministry off campus, Crossroads created their center for the arts in September 2013. Lisa Collins, director of the school, explains the development of the arts center.

“We visited different models of worship art spaces to see what we liked,” said Collins, “but didn’t see any that struck us as the model we wanted. We knew it needed to be off campus, but to be successful, it needed to be a ministry of the church.”

With the vision of David Rinehart, the music and worship pastor at Crossroads, the Academy became a reality. What used to be a fitness center is now a creative haven along Bell Oaks Drive featuring an art, dance and music studio, theater, gallery and multiple private

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So You Know

What: Crossroads Christian Church Worship Arts Academy. The academy offers a variety of classes ranging from traditional art to music and theater.

When: Class times vary. A brochure of available classes can be found at http:/cccgo.com/cwaa.

More info: Located at 8255 Bell Oaks Drive. 812-858-3082.

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practice rooms.

Combining aspects of worship with art, the Academy offers a unique experience. With classes ranging from ballet to painting, students will find a variety of options sure to pique their spiritual and artistic interests.

“We have some really amazing instructors,” says Collins. “We feel like we have something really good to offer.

We want to be a soft place for artists to land, and we want parents to feel it’s a safe place for their kids to learn.”

To begin each class, mentors start with prayer and a reading from scripture. They focus on the belief that God bestows talents upon people, and it’s important to offer those talents back to God. “It changes how you do things,” says Collins. “When you develop your gifts in order to be an offering back to God in an act of worship, it changes how you do it compared to doing it for yourself and your own recognition. It’s a whole different approach to developing your gifts.”

Students will receive an arts education alongside Christian values, but though the program is a part of Crossroads, people of all faiths are welcome.

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Academy, believes this may be a common misconception about the arts school.

“We want people to understand that we don’t have just Christian events or classes,” says Moore. “Jesus was a lover of all people, and people come from all walks of life. This space is about developing deep relationships, and there’s no condemning. It’s about Christ’s love, and we’re Christ centered.”

At the Academy, mentors of different mediums instruct classes in their fields. Each member of the arts team is well trained in their area and shares their skills with students. But they take it a step further: Mentors help guide their students spiritually as well as artistically.

“We’re not considered teachers. We’re not considered instructors. We’re considered mentors,” says Moore. “As the title mentor, it means we are going to be invested in our students in a way that we represent Christ – in the way we speak, in the way we act. And we’re encouraging development in this gift from God.” Just as amazing as the mentors are the students. From preschool through adulthood, the school caters to people of all ages with different ranges of skill level. Tom Adams, an art mentor at the Academy, is amazed by some of the students who walk into his oil painting and combination art courses.

“I find out people from the church, who I had no idea were artistic, have a lot of talent,” says Adams. “It’s amazing how talented they are with music or dance, and we don’t get to use or see that in our everyday lives.”

Not only offering classes in the arts, the Academy hosts birthday parties, concerts, summer camps, tours and academic tutoring. Children and adults can throw an art or dance themed party or attend some of the musical and theatrical productions featuring students from the school. This fall, they present the Jungle Book and their Christmas Post Dinner Theater choir ensemble.

Blessed with talented students and teachers alike, Collins says she is excited for the future.

There are some new ideas for classes, and she plans to fit the courses into the spring semester which begins Jan. 12. Whether painting, singing, dancing or We have the perfect floor for you... wreath making, the Worship Arts Academy provides group and private lessons for students of all • Carpet • Wood ages, faiths, and interests. Learn • Ceramic • Vinyl more at cccgo.com/cwaa.

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Pay off debt or invest?

When you receive some extra money, it may be difficult to decide whether you should invest or pay off debts. There is no one correct answer.

Common financial theory would tell you to consider two variables: 1. The rate of after-tax interest you are paying on your debt; and 2. The after-tax rate of return you expect to earn on your investments. Who would not choose to pay off a credit card charging 22 percent instead of funding a retirement account that might get 8 percent? On the other hand, retirement is expensive, and it can last a long time. Most people will have to save a substantial amount of their earnings over their working lifetimes if they want to retire comfortably. If they do not take the opportunities they are given to invest for retirement, then they may quickly fall behind and never catch up.

The first step you may want to consider is looking at your debt and determining the kind of debt you have accrued. All debt is not bad debt. Sometimes it makes sense to use borrowed money for investments. However, most people are not using debt in that way. They are using it to make purchases on items they would probably be better off without anyway. The first kind of debt to consider is the high-interest debt that usually originates from credit cards. This is the

deadliest type of debt and should be paid off or avoided unless absolutely necessary. The second kind of debt that requires some kind of calculation is the lower interest debt. Your mortgage, student loans and even car loans would fall under this category. Often, the interest on these types of debt is partially or wholly tax-deductible, making it even more attractive.

Mortgage interest is typically tax deductible, which makes your loan less “expensive.” Instinctively, most people feel it is better to shave away their mortgage and build as much equity in their homes as possible to gain more cash value when they sell it. Yet, if your home’s value rises, (admittedly, that does not always happen), you will still be building equity without having to divert funds that could be placed elsewhere, such as in an investment. This is where you would determine if the rate of return on the investment is more than the rate of paying off the interest.

Other things to consider, if you tie up most of your money in home equity, you may lose some flexibility and liquidity. No matter how much equity you have in your home, it may be easier to sell stock, bonds or other investments instead of borrowing money through a home equity line of credit if and when an emergency arises such as an illness or job loss.

If the decision is made to invest, the next thing to consider is what type of investment would be best. This would be a great time to visit with your financial planner; however, it is never bad to invest in your retirement. Most companies that offer 401k plans offer some kind of match, typically half of what you contribute, up to 6 percent or so. That is free money and it represents an instant 50 percent return. Something else to consider when investing into a retirement plan is that get to invest the “whole” dollar. If you were to put that same dollar towards your debt, you will typically have only 85 cents to work with if you are in the 15 percent federal tax bracket — and even less if you are in an higher tax bracket.

Regardless of which is the wiser course of action at this stage in your life, the ultimate goal should be to have no debt and an abundance of great, lucrative, liquid investments. If you are having trouble deciding which is the better choice, it would be wise to have a meeting with your financial planner and complete a full financial analysis to determine what type of investor you would be, as well as a financial plan that puts you at ease. With enough patience and hard work, this is a goal that can be attained.

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Christmas in

ewburgh

N

Santa Express

Photos with Santa

Listen to stories of Christmas Past while riding the Newburgh Trolley. Times are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per adult $2 per child. The trolley leaves on the hour from Preservation Hall, 200 State Street. Tickets sold at Historic Newburgh, Inc., 517 West Main Street, and at the door.

The tour is 45 minutes.

Photos with Santa will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Newburgh Town Hall. The cost is $5 per photo.

Pets welcome.

Find the Elf

The Find the Elf Scavenger Hunt, held at participating stores, will be held all day Saturday and Sunday. It is a free activity for the family. Score cards are available at Preservation Hall and participating stores. Those that finish with at least 15 points earn a chance to be one of three winners of a downtown Newburgh shopping spree.

Shopping

More than 30 stores will be open Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

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owntown Newburgh will once again be decked out in all its 1880s glory for the annual Newburgh Celebrates Christmas on Dec. 6 and 7. Why not make a day of it?

Roasting Chestnuts

Chestnuts Roasting Over The Open Fire will be held Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside Cleo’s Bakery parking area. Chestnuts are free to taste.

Holiday Exhibit The Newburgh Museum will open its 2014 holiday display on Saturday, Nov. 22. The holiday exhibit will feature a turn-of-the-century couple journeying through the snow in a vintage sleigh. At home, the parlor awaits them complete with a 6-foot feather tree and gifts ready to be opened. A large Dickens village will also be on display, along with other Christmas collectables.

For more information, visit historicnewburgh.org

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enior Steven Pergola, the Castle Knights 6-foot6-inch center, fought through not only basketball adversity, but also off the court adversity to eventually make it to the top.

Pergola started playing the game in kindergarten when he lived in Maryland. Growing up, Steven focused more on soccer than he did basketball.

In fact, in the seventh grade, he made the “B” team.

He then realized that, with his height, he would probably have more success on the basketball court than on the soccer field.

“I wasn’t actually very good (at basketball) until I got to about eighth grade; I would usually just focus on soccer, but then I realized I’m a giant so I decided to get a trainer and actually practice (basketball),” Pergola said. “It (basketball) was just fun. I remember all of my friends played it, I made a lot of great friends through it. I played soccer and it didn’t make me as happy as basketball made me. It’s just always been a great experience.”

When eighth grade tryouts came around, Steven had improved enough during his summertime workouts to be placed on the eighth grade “A” team. In the spring of his eighth grade year, Stevens’s mom, Dorothy Pergola, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This set him off and made him want to fight even more on the court for his

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“She couldn’t do much and I knew I could. It helped me and she was always willing to take me to practice and still go to the games and everything. I just felt like it would be good if I wanted (to be a great basketball player) as much as she wanted (to defeat breast cancer),” he said. “She hated missing games; she just loved to watch me play, so I just kept doing it (for her).”

By his freshman year of high school, he had earned himself a starting position on the freshman team and by the end of his freshman year, he was playing some minutes for the JV team. As a sophomore, Steven started for the JV team and was playing some time on varsity.

Stevens’s mom battled breast cancer for three years, defeating cancer during Stevens’s sophomore year. When his junior season started, Pergola was the starting center for the Knights and led the team in blocks and rebounds. “(Being a great basketball player), it took a while. My freshman year I got moved up to JV and my sophomore year I got put on varsity, but I was always behind some guys that were just really good, like Blake Simmons who is at UE. I was behind him my sophomore year, so I waited my turn. But I got there eventually,” Pergola said. “A lot of people told me ONLINE GIFT CERTIFICATES that with my height I could do something. headtotoesalon.com I wasn’t really good for a while but people encouraged me and I just put my mind to it LOSE 10 to 30 INCHES IN JUST 1 HOUR! and decided I wanted to be good at it.”

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see what I could do with it,” Steven said.

Now that Steven is a senior, he only has one more year of being a Castle Knight and all of the work he put into becoming a better basketball player has really paid off. He has currently been offered four college basketball scholarships from Wabash College, Earlham College, IU Kokomo and Rochester New York and is also being looked at by the University of Chicago. He still isn’t sure if he wants to go on to be a student athlete just yet.

“I’m not sure yet, I know I have the opportunity to, I have five schools that are willing to give me a scholarship and let me play for them, but I am also just looking at a big school just for college itself.”

See the Knights in action Boys

Dec. 2 vs. Boonville at 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Evansville North at 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 at Evansville Harrison at7 p.m.

Dec. 16 at Evansville Central at 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Evansville Reitz at 7 p.m.

Jan. 3 at New Albany at 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Evansville Memorial at 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 vs. Mater Dei at 7 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Vincennes Lincoln at 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 at Evansville Bosse at 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Tecumseh at 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 vs. Jeffersonville at 7 p.m.

Feb. 24 vs. Floyd Central at 7 p.m.

Feb. 27 vs. Mount Vernon at 7 p.m.

Family: Mom, Dorothy Pergola; dad, Perry Pergola; brother, Michael Pergola; and dog, Dash.

Pregame ritual: Going to Subway before every game with teammates.

Favorite basketball player of all time: Tracy McGrady Childhood role model: His brother, Michael Pergola Pregame song: Trophies by Drake Most talented opponent: Carlton Bragg, who is the number 18 player in the country in the 2015 class; Erick Dickerson, who is going to Florida next year; and Blake Simmons, who was the toughest to guard out of the three of them.

Favorite NBA team: San Antonio Spurs.

Favorite college team: Pittsburgh Panthers.

Toyota Classic Dec. Dec. Dec.

Dec.

22 at Gibson Southern at 7:15 p.m.

23 at Wood Memorial at 7:15 p.m.

26 vs. South Central at Oakland City University at 7:15 p.m.

27 vs. TBA at Princeton

SIAC Tourney

Jan. 13 -17 at Evansville North and Castle

Girls

Dec. 4 at Boonville at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 at Henderson County at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 at Evansville Central at 7 p.m.

Dec. 13 at Bloomington South at 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 16 vs. Evansville Harrison at 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 vs. New Albany at 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 at Evansville Reitz at 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Jeffersonville at 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 at Jasper at 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 at Evansville Bosse at 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 vs. Memorial at 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 vs. Mater Dei at 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 at Princeton at 7 p.m.

Holiday Tourney

Jan. 2 and 3 at Bedford North Lawrence

SIAC Tourney

Jan. 13-17 at Evansville North and Castle

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Tool helps parents stay in the know It’s hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. The question, “Where did summer go?” is often asked about this time of year as the weather changes and the calendar shows November. Soon fall will give way to the excitement of the holidays and for high school teens, the annual holiday dance! Each high school has one and it’s often where the girls ask the boys to be their date. The beautiful dresses, up-do hair and special dinner out are just a few of the things couples look forward to.

Often the evening doesn’t end at the dance but at a party at a friend’s house. It is at these after-parties where parents may question, “What is my child doing? Is a responsible adult there making sure no one shows up with alcohol or other drugs? How do I know if that parent won’t provide alcohol to my son or daughter?” The answer to these questions is most often “I don’t know.” Parents may not know what is going on at the after-parties or even where the party is being held.

Warrick County Communities That Care Coalition has developed a tool to help parents answer some of these questions. The ‘Parents in Partnership Registry’ is an online tool for Warrick County parents to connect with each other countywide. Parents will find the registry at the WCCTCC website wcctcc. org, or any Warrick County School Corporation middle and high school website. Simply click on the WCCTCC logo and create a log in and password. The registry allows parents to search for the parents of friends of their teen. The friends name is typed in the appropriate box and the friend’s parent contact information will come up. All information is confidential and only those with a log in may access contact information. The registry is

not a watchdog to report parties to police or school administration, but simply for parents to connect with other parents so their teen is in a safe environment.

The best prevention to underage drinking is, of course, parents talking with their teen before the dance and not just the night before.

A recent The Truth Is survey conducted by Youth First, Inc. shows that 76 percent of Warrick County teens want adults to talk to them about the dangers of alcohol. Ideally, this conversation should be ongoing and started early when children are as young as 9 years old. Most likely, if parents are permissive about alcohol throughout high school, any conversation right before a dance probably won’t do a lot of good. The same survey also shows that only 40 percent of Warrick

County teens stated that their parents had talked to them about the dangers of underage drinking.

To help get the conversation started, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers an easy online program for parents called, “Talk. They Hear You.” It even includes a practice tutorial for parents at www.samhsa.gov/underagedrinking/. This tutorial can also be accessed through the coalition’s website wcctcc.org.

----This column is contributed by Margery Gianopoulos, a program coordinator for Youth First, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. She coordinates the Warrick County Communities That Care Coalition.

Humbling holiday

By Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt

E

verybody is getting platter of food or something that would make this all excited because season a bit less painful? holiday season is The first Christmas was about a birth in a manupon us. All the food ger. How many people actually think about that as and decorations for they hurry through the stores and parties? Even if Thanksgiving and, of we do not have religion in our lives, does that mean course, Christmas, the we cannot have compassion and remember the real biggest of them all. Big meaning of the holiday? boxes, all gift wrapped I love singing some of the old favorite holiday and trees with hundreds songs and opening gifts. This year, however, I am of dollars worth of decogoing to try to direct my holiday spirit to be more rations are being prespiritual. Have a Merry Christmas and go ahead pared to put up. and rock around the Christmas tree. Just remember As I was listening to the meaning of the holidays and make a part of this music I heard, “It’s The holiday season about digging down in your heart Most Wonderful Time and your pocket and help at least one person who Of The Year,” I started will not be able to celebrate, so that they can have thinking, is it really? Particularly for all the families a little joy and happiness. who can’t pay their bills and have to choose mediAt this time of year, my heart goes out to the cine or food. What about those who have no home wonderful people I know who work at soup kitchand are in shelters, or even worse, living in the ens, homeless shelters and many other places street? Is the frigid cold time of the holiday season where they can make Christmas a little merrier for the most wonderful time of the year? I have taught the unfortunate people, not worrying about their (I substitute teach) kids who have talked about livown holiday festivities. ing in tiny apartments with five or six other kids.

They can get “Toys for Tots,” thanks to the Marines, however, I doubt all the beauty of a decorated home will be in their future.

I hear people talking about trips to Cancun or Aspen for the holidays and that is wonderful, however, I also think of the people I know who canSecurities & Advisory Services offered through not afford to go to Walmart and buy toys for their Investment Professionals, Inc. Members FINRA & SIPC children.

I think I felt it the most when I used to go visit my family in New York for the holidays. I saw women strolling down Times Square with fur coats and Gucci purses. I am not saying that people who can 910 W. Main Street, Boonville, IN 47601 afford the best should not have it, all I am saying is that perhaps these holiday songs and advertisements should consider those who are not finding this the most wonderful time of the year. If each of • Estate Planning us could take one day during this season and go • 401-K Rollovers buy a toy for a needy child, or make out a check • Financial Planning to a food bank like Potter’s Wheel, who feed more • IRA’s ( Traditional & ROTH) than 500 people a week, maybe go over to the • College Choice 529 Savings Plans churches or schools in poorer areas and bring gifts • Life, Disability & Long Term Care Insurance — that would be a wonderful thing.

Offices in four convenient locations: We have all gotten so materialistic and selfish Boonville, Newburgh, Chandler & Lynnville that it seems this time that is meant to be joyous No Bank Guarantee or Deposit, Not FDIC Insured, Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency, May and thankful, has turned into who gets the most.

Loose Value All Securities and Advisory Services offered through Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI), a Registered Broker/Dealer & Registered Investment Advisor and member FINRA & SIPC. The investment services Young people I have known have lost their lives offered by IPI under the name LNB Investment Professionals are in no way affiliated with or offered by Lynnville Bank, nor is Lynnville National Bank a registered broker/dealer. Customers working with LNB Investment recently and to those families, this is a painful time National Professionals will be dealing solely through IPI with respect to their investment, brokerage and securities transactions. not offer or provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney and/or tax advisor for of year. We all know people facing great sadness, such services.IPIThedoesproducts offered by Investment Professionals, Inc. are not insured by the FDIC, the NCUA or any other agency of the government, are not deposits or other obligations for the bank or guaranteed by the bank so why not pick a day and bring them a plant or a and involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested.

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home

Take me

Story by Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt. Photos by Emily May.

I

f every pet owner would spay or neuter their pets, a majority of the problems faced by Warrick Humane Society would be alleviated. If pet owners did this, it would eliminate overcrowding at various shelters.

“We try to save everybody here,” said Warrick Humane Society director Lindsey Byers. “Once an animal is rescued

by WHS, it is saved unless there is a severe illness or an untreatable behavior problem.”

Warrick Humane Society, a non-profit charitable organization which opened its no-kill shelter on Vann Road in 1997, was originally incorporated in 1983. It will not release an animal to another organization that has a policy of euthanasia.

Byers said prospective owners need to realize that there is a lot of work involved in raising a pet. Sometimes they buy a puppy because it’s cute, then return him soon therafter. She recalled that one dog lived most of his life tied to a tree in Chandler.

Sometimes, people no longer wish to take care of an older dog and they bring him to the humane society. Getting a dog or cat is not like buying a toy. The WHS wants to make sure people understand this is a commitment and an animal is a living creature with feelings and if people can’t adopt with that in mind, they should not get an animal.

On several occasions, you can observe tiny kittens running loose in Newburgh, looking skinny and sickly. Even worse is when seeing a dead cat or dog in the street because somebody once thought they wanted a pet, but did not make the choice to take proper care of it. Byers said the humane society would never let somebody adopt a pet if they saw them as unfit. However, even though they can check and see if an

animal was brought back to them, there is no way to tell if these people ever just left an animal on its own or treated it badly.

Byers credited Danielle Barnes for completely revamping Animal Control in Boonville. Before she took over, too many animals had been put down.

“But they do not have enough room at times for all the animals,” Byers said.

At WHS, there is an outside fence where dogs are “rotated out two to three times a day,” Byers said. The facility appears immaculate and the cages are large and there is always water. Taking a tour of the dog and cat rooms, it appeared the animals were comfortable and did not have to share cages.

Warrick Humane Society partners with Kentucky Humane Society for a “SNIP Clinic” the first Tuesday of every month for low-cost vaccinations. However, a minimum of 20 animals is needed for the transport to come from Louisville to make it worthwhile. It is open to everybody; pet owners don’t have to be a resident of Warrick County. It costs $42 to neuter male cats, $52 to spay female cats, $52 to neuter male dogs and $74 to spay

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female dogs.

Contributions of money or food are always welcome. Next door to WHS is “Home Away Pet Lodge,� where your pet can stay when you are away on a trip. All proceeds from the lodge goes to WHS. Warrick Humane Society houses dogs and cats who were deserted or neglected or just given away, which is considered an altruistic alternative as opposed to finding pets at breeders or puppy mills. WHS is a place where you are adopting a pet who is just waiting for a good, loving home.

To date, the Warrick Humane Society has helped with 463 adoptions, already

surpassing the previous four years. The shelter is open Tuesday, Wednesday,

Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. More information can be found at www.warrickhumanesociety.org and on

Facebook. To contact Warrick Humane Society, email whspac@yahoo.com or call (812) 858-1132. It is located at 5722 Vann Road in Newburgh.

24

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

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God.

Story by Tim “Tuff” Baker. Photos courtesy of Dale Beaver.

P

eople ask me quite often about the process I use when I compose a story about someone I’ve never met. How does one take a blank piece of paper and create a writing that offers an exciting glimpse of an individual and their life?

There is a long answer, but I think I’ll just give you the short one; I get in the zone. And to get in the zone for this story, I sat down at my desk, turned on a NASCAR race and opened up my Bible.

As a race car driver myself, this article is very special for me. It’s about Dale Beaver, pastor at the Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville. Prior to joining CFC, Dale was the minister for NASCAR and Motor Racing Outreach (MRO).

Dale, just like the drivers in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series, traveled with the circuit (or circus as some call it) week after week, month after month and year after year. He was at each race from the day the track opened and the car haulers pulled in to the end of the event when the tractor trailer rigs pulled out and headed back to their home garages. Dale married the drivers, celebrated the birth of their newborns, and sadly, eulogized some drivers in death when they were killed on the track.

My biggest question for Dale as I interviewed him for this story, was how on earth did he become the traveling spiritual leader for the top stock car series in the world? And what intersection in life took him out of NASCAR and led him to Christian Fellowship Church on Millersburg Road, where he has been for the last 10 years?

To get these answers, I had to go back to the beginning of Dale’s life 50 not-so-long-ago years and see how his journey began.

Dale was born on Oct. 10, 1964, in Madisonville, Ky. Ironically, he shares the same birth date with his close personal friend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Growing up in a small rural Kentucky town gave Dale his strong foundation and traditional all-American core values only those from small towns can understand. For example, people actually get excited when a chain restaurant opens in a small town. Kids can still ride their bikes to school and don’t have to worry about them being stolen. And a 911 call seeking help for an injured kitten is perfectly normal and okay in a town with only a handful of stoplights.

Dale not only solidified his morals as a young man in Madisonville, he learned a healthy respect for hard working blue collar folks. Dale’s own family was in the coal business and getting dirty at work was just a daily part of life.

But God had other plans for Dale and living a lifetime in rural Kentucky wasn’t part of the

“Big Heavenly Picture.” Dale’s calling was in the ministry and he knew it from an early age.

When he was still a boy, his grandfather led him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when Dale was just 9. At the age of 13, Dale heard God’s calling into the ministry and, incredibly, was licensed by the Baptist Association to be a pastor while just a young teenager!

Now, I don’t know about you, but the old adage “out of the mouth of babes” comes to mind here. It is an absolute fact that young people are more likely to speak unfiltered truth than most adults who, because of life’s sometimes seemingly endless difficulties they face, tend to become jaded and cynical in their opinions. I would have loved to have heard one of Dale’s early sermons and been in the congregation to hear him teach the Bible from a fresh perspective.

Having just turned 50 and looking back on his life to this point, Dale can see clearly God never took him down the regular preacher path. And for that, Dale says he is grateful. “Regular” is not a word you can attach to a description of Dale.

After completing high school, Dale signed up to attend Western Kentucky University where he graduated with a Degree in Business with an Economic Emphasis. Dale’s keenness and discernment in choosing to go to business school before seminary was definitely a wise and pivotal life choice as it would be later proven in making his way onto the NASCAR stage.

After graduation from WKU, Dale went to work in the family coal mining business. But his time was short lived there and in 1989, Dale followed God’s calling and enrolled in the Dallas Theological Seminary, a prestigious and world-renowned Christian institution.

It was during his time in Dallas, that Dale learned God had sent cupid there also. He met, romanced and fell in love with a beautiful Louisiana belle who would later become his bride. Today, Dale and his wife, Andree, have four amazing and wonderful sons. Dale beamed with pride as he told stories of each. Adam, 20, Andrew, 16, Darren, 10, and David Henry, 8, keeps Dale feeling young and on his toes. Dale is as great an earthly father to his sons as his Heavenly Father is to Dale.

But before the wedding bells and the children, Dale took a summer trip to France with Andree, where she had been serving prior to meeting Dale as a missionary aid worker.

After returning from France, Dale completed his seminary studies in 1992, and he and Andree were married that same year.

For me, it’s this next chapter after graduation from seminary that I find most fascinating in God’s plan for Dale’s life.

Interstate Batteries (IB), has its World Headquarters located in Dallas, Texas, not far from where Dale went to seminary. The IB management took the unusual step of hiring a corporate chaplain for the company officers and employees. Jim Cote, the company minister, assisted Dale in getting work at the company after seminary. Dale and Cote became good friends during the next few years while working together. It was during this time also that Super Bowl winning coach Joe Gibbs started a NASCAR team with driver Dale Jarret. Seeking sponsorship from

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Interstate Batteries, Gibbs struck a deal with the company and then went on to win major races for the battery maker. With a corporate brand that was becoming a household name as a result of its sponsorships of the Gibbs NASCAR racing team, Interstate Batteries began sending Dale to the races as a corporate liaison for the Lone Star State conglomerate.

In 1995, God said, “Hey Dale, I need you over here.” So with that, it was goodbye battery business and hello Bible business. Dale took his combination working man background/white collar college and seminary training back to Kentucky and took the position as Pastor of the Dixon General Baptist Church. Dale enjoyed his new position and found his work rewarding. But just as he was settling in with a new routine, he got a call in 1998 from the Interstate Batteries chaplain and his friend, Jim Cote. “Dale,” Jim said, “the chaplain of NASCAR is retiring and he asked me if I knew of anybody who could replace him. I told him you are the only guy for the job.”

So, Dale packed his bags and a few days later found himself at one of NASCAR’s toughest bullrings — the Bristol Motor Speedway. It was there he met Max Helton, the Motor Racing Outreach minister who had decided to retire. By the end of the weekend, it was agreed. Dale was to take over the MRO ministry serving NASCAR. At the start of the 1999 NASCAR racing season in Daytona, Dale was in the garage area and the transition from Max to Dale began. By the time the NASCAR traveling road show had reached Sonoma, Calif., in the summer of 1999, Max handed the reins to Dale. The pulpit of a 200 mile per hour church officially belonged to him.

It is his God given ability to feel compassion, though, that prepared him for some of the darkest days in NASCAR’s modern history. Not long after Dale became NASCAR’s go-to minister, drivers started getting killed at a horrific rate on the track.

The world was shocked to learn that Adam Petty, son of Kyle Petty and grandson of Richard Petty, was killed in a practice crash at the New Hampshire Speedway. Unbelievably, a short time later at the same track, Kenny Irwin was killed in almost the same spot on the track in almost an identical accident. Dale recalls one very special moment at the funeral service of Kenny Irwin.

“After holding the funeral service for Adam Petty just a few months earlier, it was difficult to believe we were holding another service for a second driver killed in almost an identical fashion,” Dale said. “It was raining the day of

Kenny Irwin’s memorial, but miraculously God showed up in the form of a double rainbow above the funeral home to let us know that He was with us all. It is something I, nor anyone else who was there that day, will ever forget.”

Unfortunately, though, the Grim Reaper kept taking names and stealing drivers from their loved ones. At Charlotte, in 2000, a young driver was killed in a televised NASCAR race after a 185 mph crash head on into the wall. Again, it was Dale’s job to console grieving family and friends, and deliver a eulogy that would offer hope in the blackest hour of darkness.

But the most shocking death of a driver was yet to occur.

And when it did, it made headlines around the world. On Feb. 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt was on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in the final turn when tragedy struck. Earnhardt hit the wall head on and died almost instantly.

And yet again, it was up to Dale and his Bible knowledge to console not only the NASCAR racing community, but this time, to also help racing fans around the world find consolation in his eulogy and message regarding the death of one of racing’s most famous and beloved drivers.

With literally tens of millions of racing fans around the globe watching the televised funeral service of Earnhardt and looking to Dale for answers about the meaning of life, he masterfully rose to the occasion, and brought comfort and renewed hope to a worldwide audience by sharing his knowledge of the words and wisdom found in the Bible in times of sorrow.

At the end of the 2005 NASCAR racing season, and after crisscrossing the country for six years, Dale left NASCAR and was hired at CFC in December of 2005. When he left the track for the final time, the drivers signed a hood off of Rusty Wallace’s car. They presented it to him as their way of saying thank you to Dale for being their spiritual counselor during the peaks and valleys of each of their careers. Today, his priceless one-of-a-kind four foot wide hood ornament (literally) hangs on display in his office at CFC. These days, Dale tells me he has taken up deep roots in Evansville. “God has me and my family planted here,” Dale said. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Pastor Dale Beaver is not a regular pastor. He’s given the pre-race invocation in front of 200,000 people, he’s written the only religious book NASCAR has ever authorized, and has been to NASCAR’s victory lane celebrations with many of NASCAR’s most famous drivers whom he also counts as close personal friends.

Dale could have done anything he wanted in life. With his Hollywood good looks, his mega-watt smile and a sense of humor that would make Bob Hope jealous, he could have walked the way of the flesh and built a worldly fortune.

But fortunately for all of us, Dale chose to walk the path of righteousness. Yes, we all have flaws, setbacks, doubts and uncertainties. We are human. But Dale is without question a rock solid spiritual role model who trusts the Bible as the living word of God and teaches us that in our most vulnerable life moments, God is there to lift us up, and forgive us of our failures.

Race car drivers trust their crew chiefs. Dale Beaver trusts God as his crew chief.

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When passion and career

T

collide

hough Dr. Jordan Baker loved his days playing football for Castle High School, his love and caring for animals supercedes that passion. From the time his dad started Warrick Veterinary Clinic in Boonville, animal medicine was in Baker’s future.

When Dr. Donald Lutton retired and sold Newburgh Veterinary Clinic a few months ago, the Bakers took it over. After meeting Jordan Baker, it is easy to understand how it eased the minds of pet owners who used Lutton for more than 30 years.

Baker, who works with family members Dr. Natalie Baker and Dr. John Baker, plus Dr. John Griese, started playing football in fifth grade in the Castle Youth League.

“Football helped me develop many skills, such as responsibility, sportsmanship and team values,” he said. “It was a very large part of my environmental development that led me down the path I am on. I developed many friendships with teammates and coaches that will always be a part of me. I recommend that kids play sports because they are a great way to develop social skills and develop a base for an active healthy life.”

Baker graduated from the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2010. He said he enjoys all sizes of animals.

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“I enjoy the combination the most,” he said. “The variety keeps it interesting.”

He believes that true animal hoarding is a mental illness and is harmful to the animals involved.

“Unfortunately this can be a very gray area and there are situations where someone feels they are helping animals and in reality are putting the animal in less-than-ideal situations,” Baker said. “Having a pet is not a right, it is a responsibility. Many people, out of kindness, help by feeding or providing some shelter to stray animals and this is a good thing. But it also must be realized that unless properly cared for, these animals can pose a risk to both other animals and people.”

Vaccinations and other preventative measures, such as parasite control (both external like fleas and ticks and internal like heartworm and gastrointestinal parasites) help prevent the spread of serious diseases to humans and animals like, he said.

He said all animals should be surgically sterilized. It is the best way to control the number of homeless and stray pets.

“As individuals, the benefits of sterilization range from prevention of abnormal or unwanted behavior to diseases linked to the reproductive organs,” Baker said.

Although it is heart-wrenching, he said putting a pet down can be the most loving thing you can do because it prevents unnecessary suffering if an animal is in agonizing pain.

“It is never easy and as recent media (coverage) has highlighted, results in a large amount of emotional baggage for the care giver,” Baker said.

Very rarely do abuse cases make it to clinics because part of abuse is not caring enough to get the animal the care it needs. However, notable animal abuse is legally reported to the appropriate authorities.

Baker does not believe there are bad

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34

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

breeds of animals, just bad owners.

“Animals and people are alike,” he said. “We are all products of our environment and experiences. I feel that certain breeds, due to their physical appearance and association with things such as criminal dog fighting, receive an undeserving name of ‘bad breed.’ Unfortunately, just because of the law of numbers, more people will be injured by Golden Retrievers than Pit Bulls this year, but only incidents involving those ‘bad breeds’ generate media attention.”

However, he said mental illness or uncontrollable circumstances arise in animals as they do in humans.

“There are always bad people and bad animals,” Baker said. “I just feel that it is not related to breeds/ races.”

Dr. Jordan Baker exudes true compassion when talking about his furry patients and all the four-legged creatures in Newburgh are in good hands. Losing Don Lutton was a major blow, however, in Baker we have another great vet in town.

Story by Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt. Photos by Emily May.

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In self defense

by Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt.

Photos by Emily May. Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

36Story

W

ith so many news stories about the danger and misuse of guns making headlines, Guy Minnis thought he would give a new perspective on the subject.

“Guns are tools and nothing more,” said Minnis, a Newburgh resident who was an Evansville police officer for 33 years. “A power saw is dangerous in the wrong hands. But they are used every day and very few injuries are suffered.

When a person is professionally trained in the proper and safe use of a gun, they are just as safe as using any other tool.”

Minnis spent 11 years as a street cop working in the Uniform Division, 18 years working as a Detective in the Adult Criminal Investigations Unit and four years as the Firearms Training Coordinator for the EPD. “I taught ‘rookie’ officers about deadly force law and I also performed training for my firearms instructors and for the EPD concerning deadly force law,” he said. “I totally designed and implemented the three-week firearms training course for the first year of the new Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.”

He said he has several advantages over most other firearms instructors.

“As a detective, I worked shootings that were justified selfdefense shootings and criminal shootings,” Minnis said. “As the Firearms Training Coordinator and as a Firearms Instructor for the EPD, I performed training for our officers on deadly force law and deadly force issues. As the Firearms Training Coordinator, I investigated police-involved shootings from a training point of view. What separates me the most is the fact that I was involved in a deadly force shooting as a detective in 1985. I got to see what it was like to be the one being investigated, rather than the one doing the investigation. All

of these experiences give me a unique perspective on deadly force law and deadly force issues that most instructors do not have.”

Minnis said the lawful gun owner is not the problem.

“The problem has always been with ill-gotten guns in the hands of criminals,” he said. “In case you did not know this, bad guys do not go to gun stores or to gun shows to buy their guns — they steal them.”

Minnis has a bachelor of science degree in organizational management and an associate degree in criminal justice from Oakland City University. He served for six years as a U.S. Marine and was honorably discharged.

In addition to being a retired Evansville police officer, Minnis has been a firearms instructor for 30 years. He founded, owned and operated two different firearms training companies and currently runs Warrior Dynamics Firearms Training.

He said the No. 1 gun safety rule is “all guns are always loaded. To make sure my students understand how serious I am about gun safety, when I teach them how to make a gun ‘safe,’ I make them say, ‘I would bet my life this gun is safe.’ This statement drives the point home.”

Whether you agree with Minnis or not, his significant knowledge about guns helps us make intelligent decisions about whether or not we would like to own one.

Warrior Dynamics Classes range from workshops to home defense to basic training.

For more information or to register for a class, contact Guy Minnis at gminnis@ wowway.com or 812483-5443. You can also sign up for his email list to receive notice of new classes.

38

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

era

End of an A

s they say, all good things come to an end. Unfortunately for Castle’s volleyball team, their regional loss to Floyd Central marked the end of an era.

“Who’s going to be number five next year,” Castle volleyball coach Dan Watson said. “When I look out there (next year) and see somebody wearing number five, it’s going to be weird.”

The person Watson is referring to is Castle senior Rebecca Nunge, who is verbally committed to play at Notre Dame next year.

While Watson tried to avoid thinking about next year and not having Nunge on the team, he couldn’t keep himself about thinking about next year.

“It’s human nature,” Watson said. “As much as you don’t want to think about the future, you do. How do you replace the production? I’m not sure you can replace it. I don’t think you can duplicate a Rebecca Nunge.”

As a freshman, Nunge was quickly inserted into the starting lineup out of necessity. However, once she saw the court, there was no looking back.

“She (Nunge) was thrust into the being our number one go-to hitter,” Watson said. “She was forced to grow up quickly. The learning curve was short because she didn’t have a choice. There weren’t any subs to take her out. Playing in crucial matches forced her to grow up and mature.”

Early on it wasn’t always easy, but it helped Nunge improve her game.

“It was difficult,” Nunge said, “However it was great for me to start off with a lot of competition.

It wouldn’t be too long before Watson knew he had a player coaches dream of having.

“Late in her freshman season I thought, ‘this kid is for real,”’ Watson said.

Nunge quickly had colleges lining up, battling to win over Nunge. Before Nunge’s junior season began, she had made her decision. Notre Dame coach Debbie Brown informed Nunge she had been academically approved and it was on that phone call where Nunge verbally committed.

“I thought about what I was looking for in a university,” Nunge said, “and it felt right.”

But what exactly makes Nunge the player she is?

After watching for a couple minutes it’s easy to see she has all the measurable and athletic ability to be great.

However, natural talent can only take you so far.

Story by Travis Rockhold.

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014 39

With Nunge, it’s her work ethic and drive to be great... at everything that sets her apart.

“She has a drive that is unmatched,” Watson said. “She has a drive to be good at anything she does and the Becca you see in matches is the same one we see in practice.”

“During practices, she pushes everyone to be their best,” Castle senior Allison Stieler said.

Not only did Nunge gain the respect of the younger teammates, but even those who were older.

“Even though she is a year younger than me, I have always looked up to her,” Castle graduate and former teammate Samantha May said. “She brings the team together, pushes everyone to do and be their very best. It makes you realize what it means to be truly passionate about something you love.”

This will to be great isn’t just on the court though.

“The same tenacity she attacks with on the court, she does the same in the classroom,” Watson said. “She gets straight A’s and sometimes 100 percents.”

Not only did Nunge push her teammates to be better, she made her coach better.

“She’s allowed me to realize the team has a valuable voice,” Watson said. “Before Becca, it was, ‘This is my way, my ship and how we’re going to run things.”’

Over the past few years, Watson said he realized having players give their input can be valuable.

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Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

Watson said the player also has an added advantage. He said Nunge would come to him and tell him what she was seeing from the opponent on the court, a view Watson can’t experience.

Nunge’s high school career is over, but it won’t be long until she joins her new team in South Bend.

“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to play at Notre Dame,” Nunge said. “I’ve worked so hard my whole life and the hard work has paid off.”

Nunge is scheduled to graduate this winter and enroll at Notre Dame for the winter semester.

“This gives me more time to work with the team,” Nunge said. “It will also help me academically with my course load during the season.”

On the court, enrolling early will allow Nunge to create better chemistry with her future teammates.

Wanting to help contribute once she arrives at ND, Nunge has already been thinking about things she needs to work on.

“I need to work on my hitting and blocking,” She said. “Playing against girls with so much talent and experience, I want to hang with them.”

Nunge also said the coaches haven’t talked about her role, but she is willing to do whatever the coaches ask.

“I want to make myself valuable,” she said.

Whenever Nunge makes her college debut, she said she will most likely be nervous. However, she knows if the coach is putting her in the game, it’s for a reason.

It’s too far in advance to know when that debut will come. However, Watson doesn’t think she will be waiting too long.

“I’d be willing to stake anything that she will be a starter and an instant contributor,” Watson said. “I know Becca well enough to know there will be nothing to stop her from achieving that goal.

She’s going to seize the opportunity. I promise you.”

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

41

A

lifetime service of

Story by Reno Fontana. Photos courtesy of Randal Underhill.

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Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

I

consider myself a bit of a history buff. I find it really exciting when my research on a particular historical matter indicates I may have discovered a previously unknown version of past events.

For instance, in my research for this story, I found some remarkable formerly unearthed information in the deep internet about Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity.

For the first time ever in the written annals of newspaper reporting, I can, with an almost absolute certainty, state that Sir Isaac did not discover gravity when he saw an apple fall from a tree.

Nope. Fact is, at least best as I can tell, Sir Isaac had stretched out on the lawn for a couple minutes eating an apple after his lunch break at the fig factory and was looking up in the sky when he spotted something falling.

It was guys from the 101st Airborne. The theory of gravity was born.

Ok, so maybe that’s not quite the way it happened.

But ask most anyone in the world what’s the first thing they think of when you ask them to name something that falls from the sky, and they’ll usually say meteorites or the 101st Airborne.

The 101st Airborne Division, (101 AD) known worldwide as the “Screaming Eagles,” is a U.S. Army infantry unit specializing in air assault attacks. The 101st Airborne was first established in November 1918 during World War I. The 101 AD led the way on D-Day in Europe by deploying infantry in a night drop before the invasion began. And in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the 101 AD was critical in the strategy to giving Americans the battle advantage in those conflicts.

So when I got the chance to interview Boonville native son Randal E. Underhill II, I was honored that I was assigned to peek into the life of a real American war hero.

Randal’s story began on July 24, 1968 when he was born to his father, Vietnam War Veteran Randal Underhill, and his mother, Linda, or as he describes them, “the world’s greatest parents.” His mother and father still live in the Boonville area. Randal’s brother, Tom, also resides in Boonville with his wife, Cheryl, and their two kids, Dillon and Katie.

Randal attended Oakdale Elementary, Boonville Junior High School and graduated at the age of 17 as a proud Boonville Pioneer in 1986.

As I came to learn, he two-sport lettered in high school in both football (lineman guard) and in track and field (shot put and discus throw).

After high school, he worked at Posey’s Grocery, then moved to Family Ford Mercury and then to Murphy Engineering.

“I learned things from each of those jobs that I later used in the service,” said Randal.

But, Randal never felt called into the civilian workforce. He felt his life was more suited for military fatigues and serving his country in the same proud tradition his father had done before him.

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

43

In 1987, Randal joined the Indiana National Guard and was sent to Ft. Benning, Ga., for basic training. It was there, Randal says, that he discovered really liking the drills and discipline of the Guard. After basic, Randal was assigned to Combat Support Company, 151st Infantry in Washington, Ind. What he thought would be a six month stint turned into a three year assignment with the Guard.

Along the way, though, his heart was captured and he became a POL (Prisoner of Love). He fell under the spell of a Boonville beauty and on July 28, 1990, Randal and his new bride, Kristine, became husband and wife. Today, they are the proud parents of three children, Stephanie, Michael and Samantha. The life of a military family is tough, though. Four short days after marriage, Randal had to return to the National Guard.

When it came time to enlist in the military, Randal’s first inclination was to join the Marines. But he nixed that idea one night after having a bad dream. It seems the Marine recruiter guaranteed Randal just one thing — he would be a marine.

Randal learned the recruiter could not, however, guarantee in what capacity he would serve or where he might be stationed in the Marines. That very night, after falling asleep, Randal dreamed his orders came through and he was being sent to the island of Guam to be a forklift operator. Now Randal has nothing against forklift drivers or sandy beaches, he just was not particularly excited about being a forklift driver near a sandy beach on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

So he decided it was best if he joined the Army. Specialist Underhill signed off with the National Guard and transferred to the United States 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Ky. Randal had taken Air Assault Training in the Guard and his helicopter experience there allowed him to align his skills to the 101st.

No sooner had Randal enlisted in the Army, the Persian Gulf War broke out when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Three months after his marriage, Randal was deployed to Saudi Arabia and stepped off the plane to 120 degree heat.

“I didn’t know earth had places that hot,” said Randal.

But he was there to do a job for his country and he went to work setting up Camp Eagle II. Historically, this was a significant naming in the 101st because Camp Eagle I was initially established in Vietnam.

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Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

While the heat was nearly unbearable, the isolation made it even worse.

“When we got to Saudi Arabia in 1991, we had no internet, no cell phones, no Skype and no mail. We were cut off from everyone whom we loved and left behind,” Randal reflected. “In my Army career, it is my family who made the greatest sacrifice which allowed me to serve in the Middle East.”

Three days before the ground invasion of Operation Desert Storm, Randal, along with Unit 1-187 Infantry air assaulted into Iraq to clear an Iraqi infantry battalion. Once completed, his duties during the 100 hour assault on the Iraqi’s who were inside Kuwait was to take prisoners. And Randal did just that. At the end of Desert Storm, he was responsible for the well-being of more than 400 captured Iraqi soldiers.

“It was relatively uneventful, though,” Randal explained. “When you are the guy with the gun, prisoners become surprisingly compliant.”

Randal went on to regale me with his stories of months without a shower, his buddies, living in holes dug in the desert and the battles he fought. Amazingly, his Army career is one he looks back upon with more positives than negatives.

He told me about the index cards that had Arabic translations he used to communicate with the Kuwaiti people and the Iraqi prisoners. Randal shared with me the thousands of miles he’s traveled throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, and how he can move about those countries without the aid of a map as easily as he can find his way around Boonville. He says he’s as comfortable with Mid East people and their culture as he is with his friends in his hometown.

Randal laughed when I asked him if he had any “heat of battle” pictures. He made it clear to me as someone who has never served in the military, that “when things are happening around you and bullets are flying over your head, you pick up your rifle and not your camera.”

After serving an unbelievable six tours of volunteer duty in Middle East war zones, Randal retired as a Master Sargent in a tradition-filled ceremony celebrating his many years of service to his nation. Today, he works as the civilian Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the 101st Airborne Division Association.

To sum up Randal’s Army career and life to this point, I’d have to write a book. But until that day comes, all I can provide to this great American is a few pages in a classy magazine.

Randal Underhill is not just a battle tested soldier, he’s a man that could be considered, at this stage of life, a professor of Middle East studies. His body of military work since joining the National Guard as a teenager would be a Rembrandt if his life were painted today.

As a former Drill Instructor at Ft. Knox, Randal single handedly changed, in a positive and powerful way, the lives of

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014 45

many new young recruits. He gave his time honorably to the Army. Today he gives his time honorably in his work through the Screaming Eagle Foundation charity benefiting families of Fort Campbell service members who need various types of support in times of emergency, and which he operates and manages out of his Kentucky office. Information about this non-profit can be found at www.screamingeagle. org.

With his six “Screaming Eagle” combat patches given as recognition for his six tours of duty (Desert Storm, two in Afghanistan and three in Iraqi Freedom) on behalf of the United States of America, I’m left with this final thought about Randal Underhill, as written by Mitch Albom.

“Sacrifice is part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.”

Thank you, Randal, for your remarkable and incredible sacrifice and for the sacrifice of your family and your band of brothers. You chose a path in life that brought honor to your name, and brought honor to this great country that I call home.

Sir Isaac Newton would have marveled at your gravity defying accomplishments.

46

Though he hasn’t lived in Warrick County for years, Randal Underhill would like to connect with former neighbors, classmates and friends.

He can be reached at 101exec@comcast.net or by calling (931) 431-0199.

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

Curbside Recycling Program Newburgh is on Tuesday

Offered at no charge for the residents of the Town of Newburgh

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Newburgh - A Week Residents living West of State St. B Week Residents living East of State St.

2015 Recycle Calendar

January

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Clothing Donation Drop Off

Items Wanted: Mens, Womens and Childrens Clothing & Paired Shoes. Clothing Accessories, Housewares & More!

A portion of these proceeds go to:

Granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions

RECYCLING AND RESOURCE y t n u o kC c i r r a MANAGEMENT DISTRICT W 812-897-6210

A

Cinderella W season

hen the regular season ended, every girls soccer team in the state received an invite to the 2014 IHSAA State Tournament, including Castle. Except most figured that the Lady Knights would show up at the sectional tournament, say hello and then go home.

After all, this was the year that North was suppose to win the sectional. Castle had their dominance, but it was supposed to end. They graduated 14 following last season, including Hayley Shelton, who was one of the most prolific scorers in Castle history.

The Knights were also a team that had battled injuries all season.

Before the season even began, Castle was dealt a horrible blow.

Senior Leah Minnette, who was

Castle’s top returning player blew out her knee and her season was over.

“Leah is a physical presence,” Castle coach Doug Diedrich said.

With a go-to player, Diedrich was planning moving Minnette up from the backline to control the midfield and lead the offense.

Instead, the Knights were without their best player and also their leader.

Castle was also without senior defender Ashley Eissler, who was sick and unable to play in the sectional tournament.

On paper, Castle wasn’t suppose to win the sectional. The Knights beat Jasper in the semi-final, but waiting in the championship was North.

This was North’s year. They ran through the SIAC undefeated and entered the state tournament ranked ninth in the state.

Even Castle knew nobody expected them to win.

“I talked to the girls all week about nobody expecting them to win,” Diedrich said.

For those expecting or wishing to see Castle’s season end, there was one problem.

The soccer team had different plans.

The Knights beat Jasper and Castle didn’t look back as they began a magical run.

After beating Jasper, the Knights weren’t scared or nervous. In fact, they were having fun, something Diedrich thinks helped propel the team.

The Friday before the sectional championship game it was raining and Diedrich decided to move practice inside. However, knowing his young team, this was a fun practice.

“We did some stretching and worked on passing and then played soccer volleyball,” Diedrich said.

Diedrich said he could tell on Friday the girls were ready and on Saturday they crashed the party.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, Castle sophomore Katie Schroeder scored the game’s only goal and Castle was once again sectional champions.

“We weren’t expected to win, so there wasn’t any pressure,” Diedrich said. “They enjoyed it and it showed on the field with the way we played.”

“I think playing the underdog role came as an advantage because there was no pressure on us,” Castle’s Abigail Folger said. “After winning sectionals, it really opened our eyes to all that we are capable of accomplishing.”

Story by Travis Rockhold.

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014 49

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Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

Shutting down North’s offense was freshman goalie, A.P Woodall.

“She was the difference maker,” Diedrich said. “It was incredible and the players fed off her energy.”

With the win, the Knights moved on to the regional.

Castle played in the regional championship last year, but watched as Memorial won in a shootout.

The Knights wanted to reverse the outcome from 2013, but first they had to get past Terre Haute North. Not overlooking any game, Castle went out and won the semi-final, 2-0.

Now was the game everyone was waiting for: Castle vs.

Memorial.

Last year, the Knights entered as the favorite, only to fall short. Now the roles were switched and Castle was full of momentum.

Castle was holding on to a 2-0 lead and with less than 15 minutes remaining, Memorial finally got on the board.

“I was a little nervous after we gave up a soft goal,” Diedrich said. “What was going through my mind was the opportunities we missed earlier.”

The Knights were able to hold on and were regional champions. And it wasn’t just a win for this year’s team, but also the 14 seniors from last year’s team.

“Last year, I remember watching a group of 14 amazing individuals leave their hearts out on the field and leave devastated,” Castle’s Anna Harris said. “Every time I stepped on the field I thought of Morgan (Saiko) and Shelton and all of the girls that made me the player and person I am today and I think that truly motivated all of us yesterday. We did what everyone said we couldn’t and won it for those girls.”

“It feels good knowing that we proved so many people wrong about us,” Castle’s Hannah Huebner said. “Last year it was expected that we would win regional and sadly we didn’t. This year no one believed we could make it out of sectional and we did.”

“Everyone doubted us from the beginning,” Castle’s Lindsey Gilkey said, “but each and every one of the girls on the team believed in each other.”

With the win, Castle was moving on to semi-state and one of only eight teams still alive.

In the first game, Castle was able to knock off East Central 2-1. The Knights played later that night against Carmel, where the miracle run would end, losing 3-0, but those six tournament games won’t soon be forgotten.

“We went on a magical run and hopefully will be a springboard for what’s to come,” Diedrich said.

As far was where this ranks for Diedrich, it’s near the top.

“It’s right up there with the boy’s 1999 state runner-up team,” he said.

What the future holds for the Knights is unknown, but it looks bright. One upside for the team with the injuries is young players found themselves playing in important games. Last year, the Knights had games where only 11 or 12 players saw the pitch. This past season Diedrich was forced to play close to 20 every game.

Minnette was verbally committed to play at IUPUI next year and things haven’t changed. Even with the injury, IUPUI still wants Minnette and she will get to play soccer again next year.

“Last year, I remember watching a group of 14 amazing individuals leave their hearts out on the field and leave devastated... We did what everyone said we couldn’t and won it for those girls.”

Anna Harris

Castle Soccer

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

51

lovegame For the

of the

J

ackie Lis’ competitiveness and dry sense of humor was summed up in an instant. She was standing on third base during the the USFA softball tournament in 2013 at Panama City Beach, Fla. Joe Lis Jr., her father and Newburgh Bomb Squad 10U coach, told her he couldn’t have been prouder of her.

He said she had been playing so well, she exceeded all of his expectations.

“Jackie was killing the ball, better than I’ve ever seen,” Joe said. “I was really proud. She said, ‘With Papa (Joe Lis Sr.) and Nana (Sue), I have a lot to live up to.’ I said, ‘What about me?’ She said, ‘Dad, just how good were you?’”

Joe Jr. reached Triple-A with Syracuse, a Toronto Blue Jays’ affiliate.

“She is kind of witty,” Joe said of Jackie. “She has a dry sense of humor.”

Joe Sr. played for four teams in seven major league seasons from 197077 and was a member of the Evansville Triplets’ 1979 American Association Triple-A championship team. Joe, who guided Newburgh resident and future major leaguer Jamey Carroll to the finals of the American Legion Great Lakes Regional in 1992, died in October 2010 at age 64.

Joe Jr. coaches the Evansville Wolfepack 17-18-year-old traveling summer baseball team and runs Joe Lis Baseball School in Evansville, along with his brother, Jim, an Evansville fireman who played baseball for Murray State University. Becky Lis, their sister, was a standout softball player for Castle High School and Southern Illinois University.

“All I hear is Becky saying, ‘I’m a hall of famer,’’’ Joe said with a laugh.

Becky was inducted

Story by Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt. Photos courtesy of the Lis family.

into the SIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Hall of Fame in June 2014. Joe, Jim and Becky all have children who are standout athletes. Jackie is a fifth grader at John H. Castle Elementary.

Her sister, Jenna, is an eighth grader at Castle South Middle School. Jim’s son, Landin, is a second-grader at Sharon Elementary. Becky’s son, Kenny Butler, is a sixth-grader at Castle South while Kris is a fifth-grader at Castle Elementary.

“Jackie said she wants to go to Castle and Southern Illinois and follow in Becky’s footsteps,” Joe said. “She says she’s going to break every record that Becky ever made.”

As Jim goes through a divorce, he is living with Joe’s family and their mother.

“I was going to get an apartment, but my brother and his wife said, ‘Save the rent money and put it towards buying a new house,’ which I am in the process of doing right now,” Jim said.

“It’s not the ideal situation, but it’s nice to know when things are not going well for you, your family is there to back you. The kids absolutely loved it. It’s like family play day every day for them.”

When she was inducted into the Indiana Hall, the first thing Becky thought of was her father.

Jim and Joe said it’s like “Papa Joe” is still there, sitting in the stands, watching his grandchildren play ball.

“The baseball school is closed on Friday and ‘Papa Joe’ would take Jackie there when she was 3 years old and she would hit off the tee and he would drink coffee,” Joe said. “By the time she was 7 or 8 years old, she would get to be in one of my classes.”

Jim laughs when people mention that Joe Lis Sr. always said that Becky was going to be the best athlete of the three kids.

“He always said that to us and she wound up to be a fantastic athlete,” Jim said.

Joe and his wife, Sue, had two boys and decided they would have one more and hope for a girl. To their delight, they got that little girl, but she was no different than the boys in her love for baseball.

“Dad is always in my head,” Jim said. “Playing or coaching, I always hear him telling me the best way. There was no middle ground for him.

People loved him or did not like him at all.”

Joe Lis Sr. was bigger than life in every way, including his voice, yelling from the bench or the stands. Even though Joe was not very old when he passed away, people will never forget him.

How could they when the “Lis Legacy” goes on in a family that has that baseball gene.

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Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

55

FabulouslyFeminine

A

lisha Sims knew she wanted to be a photographer in middle school. Convincing her family she could have a successful career was the difficult part.

“It was really hard to convince my mom I wanted to be a wedding photographer.”

Alisha began interning at her local newspaper in high school, but didn’t like the politics involved. After earning a photojournalism degree, Alisha ran a photography studio for a couple years. She moved to Evansville from Mattoon, Ill., in 2012 and opened up her own studio.

While most of her work is done out of her home on Main Street in Evansville, Alisha wanted a space for her subjects to be able to change clothes quickly. She was approached by Sara Kamman, the owner of Single Thread Boutique, who needed additional space, as well. The two of them, along with Allie Ruth Design owner Allie Peach, set up shop in the Old Courthouse in downtown Evansville.

For Allie, the space gives her the chance to expand her business into hosting workshops. She said that all three wanted to give themselves the best chance of success.

“I feel like this is a great place to make a splash,” Allie said. “If you’ve got something to say or you’ve got something you want to do, this is a welcoming community and such a great place to get started.”

Allie is co-chairing The Wedding Party Jan. 2 at Victoria National. While she loves weddings, she doesn’t like the idea of brides being stifled creatively because they see a lack of services in the area.

“Basically, the whole idea is that we hate the traditional stigma that wedding shows have. You walk in and there’s all these tables with cloths and ugly booths that you walk past and you collect things and you just keep going,” Allie said. “We kind of wanted to make this more of an interactive experience for brides. They come in, we gather only the most innovative, only the most forward-thinking, fashionable wedding vendors in the area. Instead of telling them what we do over a table, we sit down with them with a cocktail in our hands and we show them what we do. Then we have a conversation. Brides leave feeling inspired.”

Cover art for this magazine provided by Alisha Sims Photography

The Wedding Party

I

Jan. 2 • Victoria National • 7 p.m.

Alisha Sims

Alisha is the owner of Alisha Sims Photography and Fearlessly Feminine, a budoir photography business.

“I’m a girly girl and I love making other people happy. I love making them see themselves as I see them, which is super glamorous.”

Contact: www.alishasimsphotography.com; www.fearlesslyfeminine.com; or info@alishasimsphotography.com. You can also find her on Facebook.

Allie is the owner of Allie Peach Design.

“I struggle with (defining it). Am I a graphic designer, am I a calligrapher? I’ve kind of learned to just sum it up into, ‘I own a stationary and gifts company and it’s called Allie Ruth Design.’ That manifests itself in many different ways. It’s calligraphy — and I just slap it on everything I love. I write my heart out and put it on bags, put it on prints, put it on mugs.”

Contact Allie at www.allieruthdesign.com; (812) 250-8839; or info@allieruthdesign.com.

Sara Kamman

t’s not your typical wedding expo.

Put on your finest cocktail attire and have drinks with the photographer who took that really great shot you love. Speak to the florist who recreated the beatiful bouquet you saw online. Don’t be boxed in by the monotony of row after row of boring booth.

Co-chair Allie Peach said she knows the Midwest can be behind the coast, both in design and fashion.

“We’re just setting out to prove that that doesn’t have to be true, that we can be innovative, we can do gorgeous weddings.”

For more, visit theweddingpartyevv. com.

Allie Peach

Single Thread Boutique launched in Huntingburg in 2012, and Evansville in 2013, and in the heart of owner Sara Kamman years early. Upon her return to southern Indiana via New York, she was able to make her vision a reality. The boutique gives women affordable options for trendy clothing and accessories.

Single Thread Boutique is located at 1211 Tutor Lane, Suite H in Evansville. Contact her at (812) 683-0100 or by email at admin@ singlethreadboutique.com.

Story by Emily May. Photos couresy of Alisha Sims Photography

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014 57

A

dvertiser

INDEX

Baker Financial ....................................................5

Lynnville National Investments ..........................21

Bella Casa............................................................5

Mary Lena Boutique...........................................14

Benny’s Flooring ................................................59

Mercy Urgent Care.....................................60 & 48

Champion Windows..............................................9

Meuth Carpet .....................................................10

Cielo ....................................................................7

Misty Morn....................................................2 & 11

Edgewater Grille.................................................15

Mulberry Jean’s Accents.....................................27

ERA ...........................................................30 & 31

Pets 1st...............................................................32

Evansville Christian School.................................23 Potpouri of Shops...............................................10 First Bank ..........................................................37

Shoemaker Financial .........................................13

Gerst Haus.........................................................25

Smitty’s................................................................25

Gill Orthodontics..................................................33 Sportsman’s........................................................25 H & R Block of Newburgh...................................29

Standard ............................................................11

Head to Toe Salon and Spa................................18

Town of Newburgh ...............................................6

Heart of Newburgh.............................................32

Town Square Furniture........................................17

Heritage Federal Credit Union ...........................12

Umbach and Associates.......................................8

FC Tucker - Kate Fisher ....................................28

Warrick Publishing .............................................52

Just Rennies.......................................................16

Warrick County Recycling...................................47

Kim’s Consignment ............................................35

Youth First ..........................................................20

Kroeger Greenhouse & Gardens........................19

58

Newburgh on the Ohio Magazine | Holiday 2014

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