2013 Heritage & Progress by The Herald

Dubois County A H E R I TA G E O F B U S I N E S S S U C C E S S

The Herald DuboisCountyHerald.com DUBOIS COUNTY, INDIANA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013 SECTION B

PAGE 2 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

CONTENTS 8

20 TO YOUR HEALTH

4 LABOR FORCE Some families have worked in local plants for generations.

5 TECH CENTER HIGH-END GADGETS The new VUJC tech center has seen some interesting gadgets.

VUJC’s new tech center is becoming a hub for local manufacturers.

10 THE COUNSELOR

Dubois Strong sees its role as an advisor to people in business.

19 KEY ELEMENT IN THE FAMILY We talk to three family retail businesses.

Memorial Hospital has seen incredible growth in 62 years.

Local banks help fun local business which helps drive the local economy.

24 BRAIN DRAIN The county is fighting the exodus of skilled workers with several programs.

27 10 UNDER 40 We asked 10 young professionals what they think about living and working here.

ALL FOR SHOW Take an inside tour of Kimball’s product showroom.

30 SUPPLY CHAIN The strong manufacturing base here has spawned businesses that supply them.

WHAT WE MAKE

44 WELLNESS

A sampling of products built in Dubois County.

Several local companies see value in encouraging employees to stay healthy.

2 SUCCESS

A ROLE

What makes Dubois County and its strong manufacturing base tick?

Government support of local industry and business is key, local officials say.

46 SOARING A year-long program helps young professional women develop leadership skills.

48 LEADING WOMEN THE DESIGNERS We talk to the creative people who design the products.

Here’s a Q&A with women associated with the Soar program.

58 REPURPOSING

Some local businessmen are interested in reusing old factories.

65 FAST GROWTH NOT ALL WOOD There’s more than wood being used in manufacturing here.

Spotlight on a couple of fast-growing businesses in Dubois County.

70 WHERE TO NOW?

Local business and industry leaders talk about the local economy and its future.

74 AG-BUSINESS The county is a leaders in the state in agriculture. It didn’t start that way.

76 EARLY INDUSTRY A list of some Dubois County manufacturers that set the tone for today.

OUR HISTORY Learn about the history of the wood office furniture business at the museum.

78 AD DIRECTORY Our directory of advertisers is filled with information about their history.

THE RETREAT Companies maintain retreats for corporate gatherings, meetings.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 3

ARIANA VAN DEN AKKER/THE HERALD

Marcia Buechler of St. Anthony carried fabric that she folded at Best Home Furnishings in Ferdinand on Oct. 1.

OUR SUCCESS

Strong, diversified industry, work ethic define the county

Story by Tony Raap While much of the U.S. struggles to recover from the Great Recession, the local economy continues to hum along. Month after month, year after year, Dubois County consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. In 2012, its share of jobless workers stood at 5.8 percent, the second lowest in Indiana. In August — the most recent month for which statistics were available when this was written — the county’s unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, almost 2.5 percentage points lower than the state average. The national employment rate that month was 7.3 percent. The question, then, is why. As job growth remains sluggish in many parts of the country, why has Dubois County been so successful in creating and retaining jobs? The answer is furnishings. Over the years, the county has become synonymous with furniture — Kimball International, OFS Brands, Best Home Furnishings. But within this cluster of furniture manufacturing, the local economy is “surprisingly diversified,” said Michael Zimmer, an economics professor at the University of Evansville’s Schroeder School of Business. Some local companies specialize in home furniture. Others concentrate on office furnishings. “It’s not as totally dependent on one aspect of the economy,” Zimmer said, because these companies aren’t producing exactly the same thing. This creates a fluidity of skills. If workers lose their jobs at one company, they have enough production skills to slide into similar positions at another manufacturer. So if a large company goes through a round of layoffs, it probably won’t devastate the local economy. Those workers can

ﬁnd similar jobs without having to leave Dubois County. “When you got that, it’s really kind of a unique economy,” said Zimmer, whose area of expertise is applied labor economics. But the local economy isn’t merely a one-legged stool. Companies like Jasper Engines & Transmissions provide diversity beyond furnishings. During a recession, furniture sales tend to drop because fewer people can afford to refurnish their homes. But Jasper Engines is better equipped to weather an economic downturn, said Zimmer, the faculty’s Guthrie May endowed chair in business. Most drivers are reluctant to buy a new car in a volatile economy. They keep driving the same clunker for years, choosing to

replace a car’s engine or transmission to keep it running rather than splurge on a new car. “The very same recession that might damage Best Home Furnishings would actually be good news over at Jasper Engines,” Zimmer said, later adding, “The economy in Dubois County is remarkably diversified.” The county also is in a prime location — only a half-hour drive from the posh hotels and sprawling casino in Springs Valley and an hour from a Toyota manufacturing plant in Princeton. Because of where it is situated, Dubois County reaps tangential benefits. Those headed to French Lick often stop in Jasper to fill their gas tank or grab a bite to eat.

The same goes for workers who commute to the Toyota plant. “It’s just an all-encompassing, perfectly positioned area where Dubois County is located,” said Joe Frank, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The county’s low unemployment rate also is rooted in education. Many companies are undergoing a transition to more advanced, higher-skilled manufacturing jobs. Earlier this year, the $12 million, 57,000-square-foot Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing at Vincennes University Jasper Campus was unveiled. The building, which was financed by both the university and donations from the local community, is used to educate students interested in industrial careers. The facility was built to grow the workforce and ensure that “we have those midlevel and high-level skills to do manufacturing of the future,” said Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, who grew up in Ferdinand. The center, she added, also reflects the community’s commitment to “making manufacturing match with the workforce.” Yet perhaps the biggest reason for the county’s economic success lies with the workers themselves. “Our work ethic here is definitely a key factor,” said Marty Vaught, a spokesman for Kimball International. Investors from all over the globe visit Kimball’s facilities, which employ about 6,400 people worldwide, including 3,700 in the U.S. — 2,400 in Dubois County alone. “They watch our people work, and they’re amazed at the strong work ethic and enthusiasm for work,” Vaught said. There are other factors, of course, like a business-friendly local government and sturdy infrastructure. But ultimately, “it boils down to work ethic,” said Brian Lange, president of Best Home Furnishings, which employs about 850 workers. “It makes the business run great, it makes you competitive in the marketplace and it helps you create additional jobs in the future.”

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Betty Jo Roach of Loogootee inspected a finished product at Kimball Electronics Group in Jasper on Oct. 8.

Contact Tony Raap at traap@dcherald.com.

PAGE 4 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

LABOR

Work can be a family affair

Ten employees at Best Home Furnishings are related to Bill Englert of St. Anthony, front row center, who has worked with the company for 45 years. His family members include, first row from left: his niece-in-law Michelle Englert of Dale, his twin brothers Denny and Kenny Englert, both of St. Anthony, and niece Lauren Schwartz of Ferdinand. Second row from left: nephew Brad Englert of Jasper, nephew-in-law Lenny Rickelman of Ferdinand, brother-in-law Leroy Schwartz of Ferdinand, daughter-in-law Mendi Englert of Ferdinand, nephew Larry Englert of Ferdinand, and nephew Randy Braunecker of Ferdinand.

Story by Tony Raap Photos by Rachel Mummey For Bill Englert, a 62-year-old quality technician at Best Home Furnishings, the workplace often feels like a family reunion. Virtually every branch of his family tree is represented at the Ferdinand manufacturing company, where he has worked for more than four decades. Each day, Bill punches in alongside eight nieces, nephews and in-laws who are scattered among different departments within the company. Another in-law works for Best Home Furnishings’ sister company. At one time or another, he has worked beside 13 adLinda Bath ditional relaOFS, Plant 21 tives who have either retired or moved on to different jobs. In a sense, Best Home Furnishings has become the family business. Whenever a member of the Englert flock needed a job, Bill put in a good word. “They knew it was a good place to work,” he said. “They applied, and they got hired in.” The Englerts’ story is not unique. Other clans and tribes work at Best Home Furnishings, a family-run business with more than 850 workers. In fact, almost every manufacturing plant in the county has at least a smattering of family members. It’s an arrangement that has worked for both employers and employees. Workers tend to stay with a company longer when there is a family bond, and bringing a brother or niece into the fold usually boosts employee morale. Having a large labor pool of hardworking families also simplifies the hiring process. There comes a time when every successful business needs to expand. To find good help, many local businesses have relied on workers to recruit within their own household. Executives have found that a strong work ethic usually runs in the family. In other communities, blue-collar jobs with decent pay remain scarce. Throughout much of the U.S., the toll from the Great Recession lingers. But the local economy has remained strong in part because of the large number of families who have stayed with the same company for generations, providing the backbone for a local manufacturing sector that largely has defied national trends. The Englerts’ labor marriage with Best Home Furnishings began 45 years ago, back when it was known as Best Chairs. Bill was just 17 years old when he broke in with the company in 1968. Back then, it was a fledgling business, with only nine or 10 workers. An older brother, Kenny, was hired a few weeks before Bill. Before long, Kenny’s twin, Denny, joined the company. Eventually, other relatives trickled in. Today, the staff directory is a family collage of Bill’s nieces — Stacy Schipp and Lauren Schwartz, nephews — Brad and Larry Englert and Randy Braunecker, and in-laws — Lenny Rickelman, Leroy Schwartz and Michelle Englert.

“It’s nice because we get to talk to each other about our day.”

Amanda Ferguson, left, works with her mother, Judy, both of Huntingburg, and Judy’s two sisters, Linda Bath and Michelle Miller, both of Holland, at OFS Brands’ Plant 21 in Huntingburg. His daughter-in-law Mendi Englert worked at Best Home Furnishings for more than a decade before transferring to its sister company, Knu Healthcare Furniture, in 2007. His brothers Kenny and Denny have since retired from the company, along with Bill’s brother-in-law Charlie Braunecker. Through the years, a host of other relatives have spent time on the shop room ﬂoor, including Bill’s sons Jason and Steve and his brother Gary. Bill said working with family is special. When relatives see each other only a few times a year, they tend to drift apart. They may talk over the phone or interact on Facebook, but it isn’t the same as working side by side, day after day. When Bill bumps into a niece or in-law in the hallway, it brightens his workday. “It feels great,” he said of working with relatives. Other families agree. Sisters Linda Bath, Judy Ferguson and Michelle Miller work at OFS, a furniture manufacturer near Huntingburg. Each morning, they punch in at 6 a.m., then fan out to different corners of Plant 21, where furniture is assembled. They sit together during breaks. “It’s nice,” Linda said, “because we get to talk to each other about our day.” Michelle broke in with the company ﬁrst, in 1993. Linda joined a year later, followed by Judy in 1999. They have worked the same shift in the same building for most of their adult lives. But a few years ago, when a neighboring plant shut down, the sisters were separated. “That’s when things got sad,” Judy said, noting that they often sat by themselves during their break time. Eventually, after a series of shift changes, they were reunited. And a few months ago, Judy’s daughter, Amanda Ferguson, was hired to work the night shift, heralding in the next generation. The sisters agree that the job has strengthened their family connection. “We’ve always been close,” Michelle said, “but it just made us closer working together.”

Contact Tony Raap at traap@dcherald.com.

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning 402 McCrillus, Jasper, IN 482-4425

“Proud to Serve Southern Indiana Since 1972!” PLC #CP88701618

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 5

Let Us Floor You!

ERNY SHEET METAL, INC. Since 1978

Industrial & Commercial Sheet Metal

• Carpet • Vinyl • Tile • Wood New Home Discounts!

• Dust Collecting Systems

EXCELLENT PRICES EXPERT INSTALLATION

FREE Financing Available on Qualified Purchases

• Finishing Rooms for Woodworking Industries

CARPET WAREHOUSE “Quality You Can Stand On” 650 Woodlawn Dr., Jasper

482-5692 Mon.-Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-2; Other Hours by Appointment.

1020 Second Avenue • Jasper, Indiana

(812) 482-1044

PAGE 6 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Vincennes University instructor Jerry Ruble, left, helped Gene Boger of Jasper work on a training module during a pneumatics class Sept. 26 at the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing at VU Jasper Campus. Boger is an employee at Jasper Rubber. Ruble travels between the VUJC, Vincennes and Fort Branch campuses with the machines to teach the classes.

INNOVATION IN MANUFACTURING

VUJC tech center fast becoming hub Story by Claire Moorman Photos by Dave Weatherwax Compressed air filled a tube, pushing a metal rod in and out of a slot as maintenance staff members from Jasper Rubber watched closely and flipped through thick manuals. In front of the men were mobile training units containing all of the moving parts of a pneumatic motor system, the kind they encounter each day on the production room floor. Everything they needed to know to improve their skills was contained on a few small tables in a bright room in Vincennes University Jasper Campus’ Center for Manufacturing, Innovation and Technology, just a few short miles from their workplace. The building, which celebrated a weeklong grand opening in May, is fast becoming a hub for existing industry and education. Getting the two elements to meet and work together is the main goal of VUJC Dean Alan Johnson and center Director Ray Niehaus. “An important part of this building goes beyond just responding to what local businesses say they need. We want to provide some leadership to let them see what’s possible and then let them see their abilities,” Johnson said. “We’re getting great conversations going with companies that are all of a sudden beginning to see that with some help from us in training their staff and upgrading some software, they could go forward much faster.” As he sat in the building’s spacious conference room in late September, the stateof-the-art window shades drawn up to let in the sunlight, Johnson cited a recent study produced by the National Skills Coalition that highlights Indiana’s forgotten “middleskill” jobs. Those careers — identified by the study as electricians, welders, production workers and more — are expected to account for about half of all job openings in the state from now until 2020. It is those jobs that Johnson and Niehaus want to fill. “The point is, we’re trying to help raise the level of people to fill those openings, thus attracting more business or allowing these businesses to grow in the community,” Johnson said. The first step in filling the middle skills gap is to help the current workers brush up, to allow them to learn emerging techniques in pneumatics and hydraulics,

electrical systems and programmable logic controls. Local workers like those from Jasper Rubber spend days at a time in the center’s classrooms and labs building up their troubleshooting abilities to take the skills back to their workplaces. The training units that can be found in the center are mobile; they can be moved between the Jasper campus, the main university campus and the similarly constructed technology center in Gibson County as needed. “By coming to us, (local workers) can pick up some of the abilities that they never had a chance to develop using meters and gauges and so on. By learning the troubleshooting abilities with us, they become more than just parts changers,” Johnson said. “With the appropriate amount of training with us, they can do the troubleshooting and know exactly where the problem is. They’re not ordering extra parts, they’re not having the system down as long while they’re waiting.” Johnson added that centers like Jasper’s are not uncommon at community colleges and universities throughout the state, but he hopes VUJC’s building will be set apart by helping local industry move ahead. “The local furniture companies do testing on their product,” he said, bringing up one example of how students — including those in the new Learning Experiences in Applied Fields organization that often uses the building as a meeting space — already have begun increasing efficiency in a common type of southwestern Indiana business. “They’ll put stress on a wooden chair until something breaks, and they’ll measure how much force it took to break it.” Now, instead of pouring money into building and ﬁnishing pieces just to break them with a complicated machine, industry leaders can turn to the center for software that can simulate the process and more accurately determine a chair’s breaking point. “Those are technologies which are not normal here, but as these things come out ... those are things that will be beneﬁcial to companies,” Niehaus said of the software. Furthermore, Johnson and Niehaus feel it is their duty to spread awareness of the county’s important place in the national manufacturing world. On Oct. 3, the center was the site of a National Manufacturing Day celebration, during which dozens of

Please turn to the next page

The center opened May 14.

The Center has 17 offices and workstations, including this project room.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 7

Meet the Lincoln Team at ...

Don Hopster Insurance and Financial Services

Don Hopster, Clay Kirn, Kelley Orr, Steve Pierce When you retain a Lincoln Financial Advisor Corp. representative, you benefit from the financial planning and personal service unparalleled in the industry. We take time to fully understand you and your unique needs. The information, advice and alternatives you receive will help you make the appropriate decisions to structure your financial future using the most comprehensive financial services in the industry. These include: Financial Planning Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds Annuities Certificates of Deposit

Disability Income Insurance Group & Individual Supplements, Vision, Dental

Life Insurance Solutions 401k, Simple IRA & SEP IRA Estate/Asset Protection Strategies Individual Retirement Planning Long Term Care Insurance Health Care Reform

If you have a financial need – we want to help! Our team has over 70 years of experience in the financial services industry. Stop by Don Hopster Insurance at 215 W. 5th Street, Jasper, IN or call (812) 482-6355 to set up an appointment. Start planning for a better future today with a team that will put you first! Donald L. Hopster, Paul S. Pierce and Kelley Orr are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisors. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. 215 W. 5th Street, Jasper, IN CRN2013082083734

Proudly Serving Our Area’s Family Healthcare Needs Since 1998

ST. ANTHONY MILL

Discover The Benefits of Chiropractic

FULL SERVICE FEED MILL

Stocking a complete line of KENT Feeds and CPC Feeds We offer custom grinding and mixing of all types of livestock rations with bulk feed delivery. Corn drying and grain bank corn storage is available.

Corn gluton Distillers grains Cotton seed hulls Liquid molasses Sweet horse feed Pet foods Bag fertilizer Livestock equipment

We stock: Soy hull pellets Rice mill feed Rolled corn Re-cleaned oats All stock feeds Lawn and field seeds Netted straw blankets Medium and heavy gates

4714 S St. Anthony Road S, St. Anthony, IN Phone: 812-326-2291 Toll Free: 1-888-AOK Mill (265-6455)

2602 Newton St., Jasper, IN

(812) 634-6363 harmonfamilychropractic.com

PAGE 8 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

The center has 13 classrooms and two computer labs equipped with instructional technology.

Tech Concluded from Page 6 local companies brought samples of their products to show off to the public. Students from local high schools were paired with these companies to learn more about and present information on the processes and tools used locally. “We don’t want to displace anything that’s going on in the high schools,” Johnson said of the center’s focus on young people. “We want to supplement and complement what they’re doing. I am seeing us become that hub that’s catalyzing collaboration from middle school, high school, on up to adults.”

Some interested young people are using the center’s computer lab to construct 3-D computer-aided designs for local companies. Businesses commission the designs, which can represent the look and feel of a piece of furniture or office equipment accurately and help them determine before ordering an item whether it will ﬁt in the desired space. Johnson said companies used to outsource their CAD jobs to India and other countries to get the results they needed, but now they need look no farther than College Avenue. “We may have assumed for a while that we didn’t have that capability or we couldn’t be competitive,” Niehaus added. “That’s been an eye-opener for some people.” The center will become a piece of the pipeline that carries children to adulthood with a new programming option that

will become available in the summer. The college will partner with ﬁve local companies to develop a degree program that Johnson says will allow students to achieve a “satisfying, well-paid, middle-class lifestyle career without needing a bachelor’s degree, without incurring a lot of debt.” Companies will recruit students to work on their teams part time while they also attend school at VUJC. In two years, they will have earned associate degrees and will be ready to enter the workforce, likely for the same companies they worked with at the start of their training. Getting the program started has been a long and involved process. “Everybody has been working on this, and it’s a daily effort by a multitude of people,” Niehaus said. “Our pipeline is only going one direction right now. It’s

always saying, ‘Go to a four-year college,’ but we have a lot of other needs. This is an alternative which I have no doubt is going to be modeled by other areas in the state, and the country, as well.” The center has been open for only a few months, but already Johnson and Niehaus are proud of how it has expanded to ﬁll an important niche in the community. “Our strategy in the beginning was to build a strong foundation and put our visions out there and then start just communicating,” Niehaus said. “Twenty-ﬁve (thousand) to 30,000 people show up in this community every day to work. It’s bringing these people together and raising this level up. That’s just part of it.”

Contact Claire Moorman at cmoorman@dcherald.com.

GADGETS Here are some interesting gadgets the new VUJC Center for Manufacturing, Innovation and Technology owns or hopes to own.

The college demonstrated an unmanned aerial vehicle (a drone) at manufacturing day. Dean Johnson hopes to raise money to purchase one to survey the fields the college owns which are being managed by the Soil and Water Conservation District. It could also be a tool for other local farmers. (They cost around $20,000.)

This is a Segway robot which can have an iPad mounted on top and Skype with someone far away. The Skyper can control the movement of the robot so they can be two places at once. Alan Johnson, VUJC dean, used it when he had to be in North Carolina and couldn’t attend a big meeting at VUJC. There are two of these at the center.

A conference bike is parked in one of the center’s rooms. It provides an opportunity to carry on a discussion and ride a bike at the same time.

This is a spray painting simulator that the building had on display during manufacturing day. The center plans to get one for local furniture or home painters to practice on in the near future. It tells you exactly where you’ve applied the paint too heavily or too lightly.

The Trotec Laser Engraver which the center will be getting within the next month or two can engrave any kind of wood, stone, plastic, glass.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 9

Willkommen to the Schnitzelbank, providing Jasper with a bit of Olde World Germany since 1961! Enjoy our authentic German cuisine as well as traditional American favorites. Visit us and see for yourself why the Association of Cities and Towns has ranked the Schnitzelbank in the Top 10 of Independent Restaurants in Indiana! Enjoy the Bratzel - Voted #1 Sandwich in Indiana! www.schnitzelbank.com “We Cook it HOT, Right on the Spot” for parties from 50-20,000 in one of our mobile kitchens on wheels! Whether we cook your food on the spot, deliver it to your event, or prepare it in our state of the art kitchen for you to pick up, we assure you that you will receive top quality food that is hot, fresh, and delicious that your guest will love! A successful event starts with us! www.schnitzelbank.com The Hampton Inn, Jasper has received the coveted “Lighthouse Award,” ranking it as one of the top 5% of Hampton hotels. It is also a 2013 Certificate of Excellence Trip Advisory Winner. Features include a recently remodeled lobby, indoor pool, and exercise room. You will love indulging in our delicious hot breakfast and will enjoy all the extra touches that make our hotel special. www.jasper.hamptioninn.com The new KlubHaus 61 is a perfect venue for wedding receptions, corporate events, holiday parties, and any other celebration. With our many room layout options, we can accommodate intimate gatherings, large events, and everything in between. We want to make your event unforgettable and will work closely with you on every last detail to customize the perfect menu with our chef give you a truly one of a kind event! www.klubhaus61.com

John E. Birk Attorney at Law 520 Main Street, Suite 1, Jasper

Call 812-482-2093 se habla espanol

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS Use my years of court room experience on your claim. No cost initial consultation.

OFFERING: • Personal Injury • Family Law • Civil Disputes

• Business Law • Estates & Wills • Workers Comp.

www.JohnEBirkLaw.com

PAGE 10 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

DUBOIS STRONG

Advisor to local business, others

Michael Cummings, Dubois Strong’s interim president, left, and Vincennes University Jasper Campus Dean Alan Johnson attended a strategic planning meeting Oct. 10 in a classroom in the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing at VUJC.

Story by Sarah Fentem When a young person gets to high school, he usually is assigned a guidance counselor who teaches him how to succeed in class and how to plan for future progress. But too often after high school ends, people are left without a professional to guide them through steps for success. Dubois Strong in Jasper acts as a sort of guidance counselor for local businesses. The local economic development organization tasks itself with encouraging the growth of local businesses as well as working to draw new businesses into the county. The organization works as a hub for private businesses, state officials and local government, explained board member Alan Johnson, who is dean of Vincennes University Jasper Campus. “If we didn’t have Dubois Strong, the county wouldn’t even be in the game,” he said. “Dubois Strong was created to be that point of contact.” According to Mike Cummings, the organization’s interim president, pretty much every county in Indiana has an economic development organization. Dubois Strong has existed since 2004. Cummings said it was “a big feat … just to establish the program,” which enlisted participation of every municipality in Dubois County as well as the county itself.

DAVE WEATHERWAX THE HERALD

The organization has two full-time staff members, the president and an administrative assistant, but hopes to grow. Dubois Strong is largely run by a board of directors, which the organization attempts to stock with an equal mix of representatives from public agencies and private enterprise. So what does Dubois Strong actually do? Cummings said that one of its biggest jobs is helping startup businesses with the nuts and bolts of getting off the ground, In other words, if a person had an idea for a new business, the organization would walk them through the steps. “We meet with a lot of people looking to start companies,” he said. “The ﬁrst step is, ‘Talk to an attorney, talk to a bank, talk to an accountant.’” Dubois Strong also aims to lure existing businesses and workers into the county, a task Cummings said is one of the most pressing for area industry. Dubois County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, and while an excess of avail-

able jobs might seem like a welcome problem to suffer, he explains that a prolonged drain on the workforce could have dire consequences for companies that have set up shop here. “It’s rare for communities our size to have Fortune 500 companies,” he said. “We’re unlike anywhere else, at least in Indiana, in terms of industrial success and domination.” But Dubois County’s small size and population mean it doesn’t make for a very glamorous destination for potential workers. “It might not sound very flashy,” said Cummings, adding, “If people could see the community and be confident they could have a meaningful vocation here,” he’s confident the workforce would grow. “I think there are a lot of places who would hire 100 people today if they could,” he said. Dubois Strong has addressed this issue by reaching out to potential businesses and the State of Indiana to vouch for the region as an attractive place to do business.

The organization works not only to bring in business but to retain and improve existing businesses within the county. Dubois Strong uses its connections with the government to apply for grants from the state. The economic development organization hopes to branch out. As of now, “we are not able to be as proactive as we want to be,” said Johnson, meaning Dubois Strong mostly can take on cases and problems only as they are presented to them, as opposed to addressing problems head-on. One of the ways the organization is working on being more enterprising is through its partnerships with Purdue University and VUJC. Working with the two universities, it provides ongoing training for area businesses to keep them competitive in the changing workplace. Dubois Strong helps run a work-study program in which VUJC students work part time to learn vocational skills in addition to going to school.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 11

Serving Southern Indiana Since 1922 When you do something for a long time, you tend to get good at it ... for generations your friends at Siebert’s have bert ie S r u b il lein. der, W – Foun e Bob Buech enjoyed bringing you ’s 0 3 9 1 ploye m E d an affordable fashions and genuine service that’s hard to find in today’s world ... we thank you for your loyalty and we value the friendships we’ve made!

1950’s – When Sieb The Mo ert’s was kno wn as dern.

Where Helping You Dress Well Has Been A Specialty Since 1922

Jasper On The Square

French Lick French Lick Resort

West Baden West Baden Resort

Wilson Flowers, Inc. Full Service

Christmas Trees • Call list lets you choose from the freshest trees • Delivery • Covered in Bag Freshly Made Centerpieces & Poinsettias

• On a Stand • Flocked Christmas Trees • Fresh Cut or Live Christmas Trees

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, NOV. 7 25% Off All Christmas Try Samples of our teas, dips & candy

Amish Candy, Dips, Teas, Fruit/Snack Baskets

Gifts for Gardeners: Jasper’s Oldest Florist…Since 1928!

Call Wilsons for all your fresh floral and gift giving occasions.

482-4774 “Where Quality and Service Count” Answering machine available after hours

8th & Jackson Streets • Jasper, IN www.wilsonflowers.net Hours: Mon - Fri 9-5; Sat 9-Noon; Sun Closed

Bird Baths, Wind Chimes

We Re-do Wreaths & Bows

Freshly Cut Evergreens, Wreaths & Garlands Visit our Facebook page for information, including upcoming sales! View landscaping jobs on our website: www.greenthumbinc.biz/

Call for Holiday Clean Up & Tree Planting! 326-2414

GREEN THUMB GARDEN CENTER, INC. Since 1976 702 3rd Ave., Jasper 482-3338 Mon.-Fri. 9-3 Sat. 8:30-Noon

PAGE 12 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Les Lorey of Jasper, owner of Ben Franklin in Jasper, cut fabric at at the store on October 17.

RETAIL

BUSINESSES WITH DEEP COMMUNITY, FAMILY TIES Story by Martha Rasche Photos by Ariana van den Akker Three longtime multigenerational retail establishments in Jasper have come out OK on this side of the Great Recession, even in the face of chains and big box stores. What happens in the next generation, the owners are not sure. Third-generation owners Sharon Messmer at L.H. Sturm Hardware Store and Jim Siebert at Siebert’s and second-generation owner Les Lorey at Ben Franklin — Ben Franklin hasn’t been a chain store since 1996 — say that providing niche markets and giving personalized attention to customers are two areas where they outshine the larger stores. At Ben Franklin, for example, not only can the customer ﬁnd an array of quilting supplies, an employee or two are glad to share quilting advice. At Sturm’s, a customer can pick up wine-making supplies as well as tips from Sharon’s husband, Bernie, who has won multiple awards in the Indy International Wine Competition. Siebert, meanwhile, several times a month answers calls after hours from a customer who needs a suit for a funeral or one who forgot to pick up his and must leave on a business trip before dawn the next day. “I read somewhere one time: When you do something a long time, you tend to get good at it,” Siebert says. “We’re good enough to still be here after close to 90 years.” Siebert’s Siebert’s was started by Jim’s paternal grandfather, Wilbur Siebert, in 1922 in the same location where the store now stands on the east side of the Square. It didn’t take up nearly the space then that it does now, nor was it as unique. “There were probably three or four

stores just like ours on the Square in Jasper back in the ’40s and ’50s, and there were two or three in Huntingburg and two or three in Loogootee and Washington and Princeton and Tell City,” Jim says. “None of those towns has stores like this anymore. There were department stores in the cities and then each town had its own independents. That has really changed.” Jim doesn’t know how his grandfather, a beer distributor whom Jim refers to as an entrepreneur, got interested in selling menswear. But that has been the store’s niche since the beginning. In the early years, the store sold really dressy clothing — suits and hats — or work clothes. There wasn’t much between. Today the store continues to carry “American-made, goodquality suits.” At one time Jim and all six of his younger siblings worked in the store. “Some of us were wrapping ties when we could hardly see over the counter,” he says. “In the small family business, that’s just what you do. And all four of my kids have worked here at some point.” A couple of Jim’s siblings, John and Sandy, worked in the business for a while, but in the end the child who had the greater interest in becoming the store’s third-generation owner was Jim, who has a marketing and advertising degree from Indiana University. He took over the store from his father, Bob, who is 86. Jim’s children Ben, 32, and Rachel, 26, both work at the store. He jokes that Ben and wife Joy’s son Adrian, 3, already is the fifth generation of family employees after appearing in Father’s Day ads and being compensated with a box of candy. Jim wouldn’t mind if 20 and more years from now that fifth generation of Sieberts would find the kind of job satisfaction at the store that he has found. But in the meantime, he focuses on the 100th anniversary that is fast approaching. “We will see 100, if I have to be here an-

other nine or 10 years. I feel strongly about that. I feel like I’d be letting my grandpa and dad down” if the store didn’t mark that milestone, he says. “I like what I do. I’m proud of what we do here,” he adds. “We’re old-school. We still do it the old-fashioned way. We do things that stores used to do, like free alterations and free gift wrapping.” The job is not, he notes, 9 to 5. And it includes a lot of 70-hour weeks for him and his wife, Jane. He reports being called by customers at midnight and on Sunday mornings, several times a month, with some sort of clothing emergency. In the name of still being passionate about carrying on the family business and pleasing the customer, he is happy to oblige. Another way he has obliged the market is by accommodating a growing Hispanic clientele. “They don’t need us; they could go anywhere. But we need them,” he says on a day in September when ball gowns appropriate for a quinceañera, or 15th birthday, celebration ﬁlls one of the store’s display windows above a sign noting “Se habla espanol”; at least one Spanish speaker almost always is available in the store. The big-skirted gowns ﬁt right in with the store’s traditionally popular dress-up wear, which these days takes the form of suits and sports jackets for men and dresses for mothers, special occasions and bridesmaids. As the number of independent clothing stores in Indiana is dwindling, a golden opportunity opened up for Siebert’s about seven years ago. When the French Lick and West Baden hotels were being revitalized by the Cook Group, the developers were looking to put in small, independent stores to sell clothing, jewelry and gifts. Siebert’s was invited to open a store in each location, “because we are one of the few (independent stores) around.”

“We were ﬂabbergasted. We were excited that they thought enough of us to ask us to be a part of that, a small part of that, whole deal,” Jim says. The store moved in to French Lick Resort about seven years ago and sells strictly men’s clothing there. The move to West Baden didn’t happen until about a year ago, in part because the hotel expected only about 20 percent occupancy and it would be hard to turn a proﬁt with such a small customer base. Once the decision was made to expand to West Baden, the family opened a men’s store there. When a women’s store in the hotel closed, Siebert’s expanded to include women’s fashions. Overall, the company employs 18 to 20 workers, part time at the hotels and mostly full time in Jasper. Like Jim and Jane, who are both 61, many of those employees are in their 60s and have been with the store a long time. “We have some excellent people over the years who have been here to help people. Good, honest, passionate people,” Jim says. “That’s so very important, because there’s nothing worse that going into a store and every time you go in it’s a new face. Here people come in and they see the same old faces and those old faces know that person’s name. ... I just think a person’s name is the most important thing they have.” The store’s volume took a hit during the Great Recession and also has been affected by Internet shopping and the gradual change from casual Fridays observed at some businesses to, well, employees dressing down every day. But overall, business is good, Jim reports, and just as the store is into its fourth generation of family employees, it enjoys the patronage of the second and third generation of shoppers from customer families. Sturm’s A dozen buildings in Dubois County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among them is L.H. Sturm Hardware Store on the south side of the Square. The store was built in 1886 by Joseph Friedman, who ran the business only momentarily before selling it to John Lorey and Louis Sturm. Next the store passed to Sturm’s children, Hugo, Elsie and Carl. The latter was Sharon Messmer’s father. Sharon started running the store when

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 13

Jim Siebert laughed while talking to Daniel Stiles, both of Jasper, while Daniel’s son Lucas was at Siebert’s in Jasper on Oct. 4 trying on a suit for Daniel’s wedding. Jim is the third generation of Sieberts to run the store, which was founded by his grandfather Wilbur in 1922. Jim’s children Ben, 32, and Rachel, 26, are the fourth generation to work there. “We thought 3D was the big box store at one time,” Bernie muses, referring to the Danners discount department store that was in the Southgate Shopping Center 30 years ago. 3D is gone. Sturm’s is still here. One reason, Bernie says, is the customer service. “I get people (who) come in and want to talk about how to make wine,” he says, pointing out an area near the front of the store that is shared by wine-making and home-brew supplies. His ribbons from the wine competition stand vigil in the same space. “I hope that I’ve got more than an hour left in the day because it usually runs about that long to talk to them about it.” Anyone who takes the time to look surely will ﬁnd a desired necessity or novelty amid the padlocks, screws, stove polish, pitchforks, thermos bottles, wooden stockpot spoons with yard-long handles, whisk brooms, handmade soap, bacon presses and ice cream sporks. When Bernie ﬁrst joined the store, he cataloged about 7,000 line items. That number “has gone up quite a bit since then,” he says.

Sophie, a 3-year-old miniature schnauzer, is seen most days at L.H. Sturm Hardware Store on the Square in Jasper with her owners, Sharon, left, and Bernie Messmer, as she was July 8. Sharon is the third-generation owner of the store. Photo by Dave Weatherwax. her uncle Hugo — the last survivor of the siblings, he died in 1988 — had a stroke more than 25 years ago. Sharon’s mom, Luella, helped in the store for a while. These days ﬁnd Sharon, 72, and her husband, Bernie, 74, running the shop. Their son, 36-year-old Jason, ﬁlls in as needed, and family pet Sophie, a miniature schnauzer, is at the store part time. But “mainly it’s just Sharon and I. It’s a real mom-and-pop operation,” says Bernie, who joined the store after retiring from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center in 1995. “It’s a lot of fun. We get to meet a lot of people ... just all kinds of people from all walks of life.” Many are tourists, who aren’t looking

for anything particular and many of whom don’t make a purchase, Bernie says on a September afternoon when a light breeze passes through the spacious store from the front screen door to the back one. For buying customers, the store has a large selection of Lodge cast-iron ware and is an authorized dealer for Case pocketknives. Sharon has stocked a lot of kitchen gadgets. The cast iron is made in Tennessee and the meat grinders are made in Pennsylvania. Bernie wishes more of the merchandise was made in the U.S. “When we can ﬁnd something made in the U.S. of A., we like to stock it,” he says. “Sometimes you don’t have a choice.”

Something else the store has little choice about is its location. Not everyone who comes to Jasper makes it downtown, the Messmers note, even the ones who might be looking for hardware items. People coming into town from the north get to The Home Depot and Walmart before ever passing 36th Street, and anyone coming in from the south just might stop at Rural King. But those visitors who do make it to the store, where a rolling ladder glides along one wall to provide easy access to the shelves that extend from the worn hardwood ﬂoors to the crown molding, ﬁnd a yesteryear atmosphere and personalized attention that the big box stores don’t give.

Ben Franklin Ott F. Lorey, Les’ dad, started working at the Jasper Ben Franklin store in 1935. He oversaw ﬁve stores in two counties for the owner before making the Jasper store his own in 1938. In the early days, the store on the west side of the Square was the place where all of the schoolchildren in the county bought their textbooks. At the beginning of each school year the line of shoppers ran down the store aisles, out the door and down the sidewalk. Easter was another busy time, when the basement of the ﬁve-and-dime discount store turned into a farm of sorts, selling live chicks, ducks, turtles and rabbits. Rabbits of the chocolate variety could be personalized with names, and it wasn’t unusual to sell about 1,000 annually, says Les, who started working in the store “pretty well constantly” after school and on weekends in 1964 and perfected his script on chocolate bunnies. Something else he remembers is the old candy counter. “It would be nothing to get two tons of candy in at a time,” he says, and each new shipment of bulk sweets had

Please turn to the next page

PAGE 14 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Family Concluded from Page 13 to be carried to the basement, bagged by hand and carried back upstairs to sell. Ott Lorey started a second retail venture when he opened Lorey’s Department & Variety Store on U.S. 231 North in 1964. To take advantage of the growth on that side of the city, the downtown Ben Franklin was closed in 1977 and the department store became the new Ben Franklin. “It was hard work, but it was fun,” Les says about the days nearly a half-century ago, when rural customers would come to the store on the same day every week on their customary trips to town. Les’ siblings, Linda Lou (now Hopf) and Len, also have spent time working at the store, but after their parents both died in 1978, it was Les and his wife, Barb, who took over the business. At the time, Ben Franklin stores could be found in thousands of small towns throughout the country. But the chain went out of business in 1996. A man in Wisconsin bought the name, and today Les pays an annual royalty to be a franchise holder — as do the other two Ben Franklin stores in the state, in New Albany and Mitchell. But as an independent proprietor, he is free to sell whatever merchandise he wants. He continues to buy from a lot of companies he’s done business with through the years, especially “the little family companies out there.” “A lot of companies nowadays out there that supply stores don’t like small orders,” he explains. “They’d rather ship regular semi loads to chains. ... When we put in orders for $1,000 or $1,200 or something, they don’t even like that anymore. They’d rather send semi loads to one location. “I love dealing when I can with little family companies that are still out there that are also going by the wayside fairly quick. ... You just work together so well back and forth. We hear a lot of the same stories. They’re having a rougher time because companies don’t want to supply them

Art Knies of Jasper made a floral arrangement for a memorial at the Ben Franklin store on Sept. 20. Knies has worked at Ben Franklin for 30 years and is the head of the floral department. with what they get.” The Loreys’ store has made a name for itself as a vendor of quilting materials — quilters can’t find as big a selection of supplies in one store even in Louisville, Les says — a custom frame shop and a provider of floral supplies and arrangements. “If you can’t find the flower or the color at Ben Franklin, it’s almost not made,” Les says. “We go through a tremendous amount of flowers.” Customers come from “a good 60 mile around” and include loyal older customers as well as new ones. Often, people just passing through town see the store name, immediately recall fond memories of the Ben Franklins that used to be in their communities and stop in. Les, 63, and Barb, 61, have 17 employees, only three of them full time. A lot of their workers are hired as sophomores in high school and keep working there through their junior year of college, giving the “family” aspect of the business new meaning.

“They’re more like our kids,” Les says of the teens and young adults he employs. “The teenagers keep you young.” The future When it comes to the future of the family-owned businesses, Siebert, the Messmers and Lorey don’t necessarily agree. But they universally point out the hard work and long hours required. “As soon as you come in, you’re the trash person, you’re the bookkeeper, you’re the salesperson,” Lorey says. “I always said when I retire I’m going to ﬁnd me a parttime job with only 40 hours a week.” His two children have worked at Ben Franklin but aren’t interested in running it. “I really wouldn’t want them to do that anymore like we did. It’s altogether different today. It would be nice if it would carry on, but it probably won’t,” Lorey says. “Family-owned for us probably will be coming to an end.” The Messmers don’t foresee Jason car-

rying on the family business, either. “I don’t see how he can make a living at it,” Bernie says. Adds Sharon: “Probably when we’re gone this won’t be a hardware store anymore.” At the same time, Siebert thinks now might be an ideal time for specialty stores. “People have gone to the big box stores. They’ve gone online. They’ve found out ‘You know what? There’s nothing like that personal touch.’ There’s nothing like going to a place, whether it’s a hardware store or out at Les’ place to see flowers, or clothing — people like to feel it, touch it see it, see that they’re in fact getting what they pay for,” he says. “There is room. And if it’s done correctly, people can make a reasonably good living doing it.” All of the business owners agree that starting a family business from scratch in 2013 would be a daunting task. Bernie says he and Sharon couldn’t afford to restock their store out of pocket if they had to. Lorey says most people wouldn’t have the money to open a family business, and Siebert says it would be hard for a young person to get the loan that likely would be necessary to buy a store such as Lorey’s and keep it going. Before closing the subject, Siebert points out that he has a good customer who lives near Chicago. Other regular customers hail from Indianapolis and Louisville and points between. They know they’re getting a good product and good customer service. “Many times our local folks don’t know what gems that they have in the small business around,” he says. Lorey, too, has one final point to make. “Your local businesses are the ones that really help to keep the town going,” he says, noting that every time the store is asked to make a donation to a club, high school fundraiser, church or benefit, he tries to figure out how he can say yes. “Your local community is supported by a lot of your local businesses,” he says. “We just hope that they support all of us back again.”

Contact Martha Rasche at mrasche@dcherald.com.

Working Together ... “Since 1864” Jim Kemper

Nick Dilger

Home • Farm • Auto Business • Health (812) 367.1413 Debbie Johnson

Pat Lueken

1405 Main Street • Ferdinand, Indiana www.ferdinandfarmersinsurance.com Alan Weyer

Kurt Fleck Ariana van den Akker/The Herald Art Knies of Jasper made a ﬂoral arrangement for a memorial at the Ben Franklin store in Jasper on Sept. 20. Knies has worked at Ben Franklin for 30 years and is the head of the

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 15

Quality • Reliability • Service Farbest Facilities Mean Quality Assurance!

Technology in our turkey processing facility is continually updated to improve efficiency of operations and product quality. Farbest Foods is one of the largest processing plants in the country by volume.

Our Distribution Center carefully controls the shipment of more than a million pounds of fresh and frozen turkey products each day to value added further processors in the United States and around the world.

A poult ... a young “Tom” turkey.

Our Daily Mission To consistently provide customers with top-grade turkey products by sustaining excellent, world-class performance in every area of the organization including safety, health, environment, quality, business operations, reliability and efficiency.

This operation works under stringent guidelines in overseeing the growth of our turkeys through some 160 contract growers in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky and two nearby company-owned brooder hubs.

Each day Farbest’s nearby milling operation produces some 1,800 tons of high-grade, pelleted turkey feed using locally-grown grains. The fresh feed is trucked daily to our growers and brooder hubs.

4689 South 400 West – P.O. Box 480 Huntingburg, Indiana

(812) 683-4200

www.farbestfoods.com

Member of the National Turkey Federation

PAGE 16 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

BANKING

Lenders invest in county business Story by Candy Neal To start a business, one must have finances or financing. That’s where banks typically step in. But they do more than just provide money. The banks in Dubois County pride themselves in being vested in the community beyond investing money into companies. They provide advice to those businesses that seek it. They serve companies’ employees, those hard workers who want to keep their money in a place they can trust and save some for their futures. They also invest in the community by way of offering free seminars and contributing to local charities and fundraisers. After all, the local banks are comprised of people who live here, have families here and plan to retire here. “Providing capital to companies is the obvious thing we do as a bank,” Freedom Bank President Randy Klem said. “But the community activities, many behind the scenes, are very important to the success of our county. They help the community, which in turn helps manufacturers and businesses remain stable. And that helps our community thrive.” The banks in the county, like locally owned and controlled Freedom Bank, provide loans for companies looking to expand and upgrade, as well as for entrepreneurs who want to get a new business off the ground. But, their support extends beyond finances. “We provide advice and consultation to companies and those who are looking to establishing a business,” Klem said. “We help them identify potential problems to help them avoid issues. We can draw from other companies’ experiences and give advice from a national and global standpoint.” Klem said that Freedom also assists those who may want to apply for financial programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration. “These agencies provide programs for manufacturers and businesses. We help companies and individuals process the applications to see if they qualify.” Freedom Bank also is active in the community, Klem said. He mentioned as examples the bank contributing to Vincennes University Jasper Campus’ Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing as well as bank associates being active in the Elevate Ventures capital program, which is geared to southwest Indiana. “We believe in community involvement,” Klem said. “That directly supports businesses and manufacturers locally. I think that in the future, community involvement will become more important.” The 103-year-old German American Bank prides itself in being a community bank. After all, it was created in Dubois County in 1910 with investments from wealthy farmers in the county. “We’re all about relationship banking,” said Neil Dauby, German American’s regional president for Dubois, Spencer and Perry counties. “We want to be trusted advisers.” The bank does that through its cash management and business loans programs, among other services. “We stay with companies and manufacturers as they continue to grow, from the first day they open their doors,” Dauby said. “Sometimes startup companies or existing businesses need someone to help them through the obstacles of the decision-making process. You need a certain expertise for that. I think we make a huge difference in that realm. We have a lot of knowledgeable people that are more than willing to help.” The bank’s staff works with people who are trying to start a business by helping

PHOTOS PROVIDED

From top: German American Bank President O. Leo Beckman cut the ribbon at the bank’s new main office in 1967. The building was dedicated Nov. 5, 1967; this building was the original home of German American Bank, which began in 1910; the second location of the Dubois County Bank from 1893-1917 was at the corner of Sixth and Jackson Streets in Jasper; the fourth and current location of the Dubois County Bank is located at One DCB Plaza in Jasper. them seek and apply for state and federal loan and grant programs. “There are a multitude of those out there,” Dauby said. “Dubois Strong has programs that can be helpful, like the Enterprise Loan Fund and the Intermediary Relending Program. Those are speciﬁc for this community. We

can walk business people and entrepreneurs through those programs.” German American puts on seminars that are open to the public as well as partners with other organizations to put on workshops. “We want to pass along the knowledge our advisers have,” Dauby said. “We’ve

worked in concert with the chambers to put on workshops about business planning and the health care law that is being enacted. We’re trying to share the information. There’s no reason to keep it a secret.” The company also invests in the community. One of its latest endeavors was sponsoring what is now called the German American Boulevard, a brick walkway in Jasper that leads from the train depot to nearby outdoor seating. The banks also has contributed to the Ferdinand Historical Society’s restoration of the Dr. Alois Wollenmann House as well as Tri-County YMCA. “We are always looking to give to community projects like that,” Dauby said. “We are a part of the communities, so we give back through dollars and volunteer work. We encourage our staff to get involved.” Assisting employers and employees work hand in hand, Dauby stressed. “We want them to grow and to succeed,” he said. “A successful business helps job creation and retention. If they are successful, then the bank is successful, the community is successful. It all works together.” Craig Buse, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co., said that the 111-year-old bank keeps its focus on families and family companies. “Those are our core customers,” he said. “We have different programs that assist manufacturing companies and businesses with financing,” Buse said. “We are a big supporter of manufacturers. That’s how we got our start.” The bank started as two separate banks — West Baden National Bank in 1902 and French Lick State Bank in 1903. Kimball International co-founder Arnold F. Habig acquired them both in 1958 and merged them into Springs Valley National Bank. The bank became Springs Valley Bank & Trust in 1979, and in 1986 a branch of the bank was established in Jasper. Several Kimball executives are a part of the bank’s board of directors, including Doug Habig, who is chairman of the board. But the bank serves many more companies and individuals in Dubois County. “We are a bank for everyone in the community,” Buse said. “We support the manufacturing companies here. One of our primary focuses is those who work in industry, in the factories.” Because of that, the bank and its employees are active in the community, Buse said. “Our commitment to the community is huge,” he said. “Blood drives, Relay for Life activities. We support groups like the chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations. We are active in our community. A big part of our activities is donations to foundations.” “We use our local ties to build relationships,” Buse said. The Old National Bank branches in Dubois County have served the county’s residents and companies for decades. Prior to becoming a part of the Old National network in 1993, they were their own network under the name Dubois County Bank; the bank’s name changed to Old National in 1999. Before and after that merger, the bank provided services in areas including retail banking, agricultural lending, commercial lending, consumer lending, wealth management, investments and insurance. But it has always gone beyond those basics, according to Tom Krodel, president of Old National’s Jasper region. “Passion for the community is the heart of the Old National approach,” he said. “Old National takes an active role in growing educational opportunities and many other vital community initiatives through company sponsorships and through grants provided by the Old National Foundation. These grants address crucial needs such as home ownership education, job training and financial literacy.” Bank staff participate in various community endeavors like the Dubois County Community Meal, Mentors for Youth, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Toys for Tots and the Adopt-A-Street programs in Huntingburg and Jasper. Associates serve on boards, including those of the Memorial Hospital and Dubois County Community foundations, American Red Cross and Radius Indiana. Last year, bank associates in the Jasper region volunteered more than 3,500 hours and contributed more than $119,000 in grants and sponsorships, Krodel said. “We believe that to be a true community bank,” Krodel said. “We must also be an active partner in the neighborhoods we serve.”

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 17

PAGE 18 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Proud to Serve

DUBOIS COUNTY and Surrounding Counties Since 1953

Model TS6.125 Tractor

Grandchildren: Kaden Frakes, Emily Frakes, Lucien Seckinger, Henry Kemper

JOHN’S TRACTOR SERVICE, INC. 720 St. Meinrad Rd., St. Meinrad, IN

812-357-5323

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 19

GOVERNMENT

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEYER DISTRIBUTING

Meyer Distributing made use of a local tax abatement option to expand the company’s operations and add on to its facilities on Cathy Lane in Jasper.

Infrastructure, tax abatements fuel growth Story by Candy Neal Business and industry in Dubois County is ever changing. Making those changes helps companies remain successful and helps the county retain one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Local officials believe government support plays an important role in that success. “We are facilitators,” Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz said. “Government needs to run effectively in order to bring new businesses here and support the expansion of businesses already here.” Seitz, Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner and Ferdinand Town Council President Ken Sicard all named infrastructure — streets and utilities — as the No. 1 responsibility that governments have to meet to encourage business growth. “We must provide the infrastructure that allows businesses to invest and expand their companies,” Spinner said. “With the right infrastructure, you can attract businesses and manufacturing companies to your community.” Sicard said that Ferdinand’s infrastructure has its perks and challenges. “We offer a competitive electrical rate. We’re one of the lowest rates in southern Indiana,” he said. “Our challenge is our sewer rate; it’s higher because we don’t have enough people sharing in that. We’ve gotta grow our community base.” All three also offer tax abatements to companies wanting to move in or expand. Through the abatement program, a company can get a tax break for a set number of years on new equipment purchased or for expanding the company’s facility. The program for the county, Huntingburg and Jasper was established by state law in May 2012. Sicard said Ferdinand has had an abatement program since the 1980s, but it has adjusted its program to line up with the other communities. “We all decided to keep our abatements the same because we didn’t want to compete with each other for businesses,” Spinner said. “When a company moves into Dubois County, that is a beneﬁt for every city, town and community in the county.” So far, ﬁve companies have used the abatement incentive to expand; all of those are in Jasper. “We’ve had jobs come to and return to Jasper, due to this program,” Seitz said. “Existing companies that were looking elsewhere to expand have used this program and decided to stay in Jasper.” One such company is Stens Corp., which moved its headquarters from a 90-000-square-foot building on Cathy Lane to a 157,000-square-foot facility at 1919 Hospitality Drive. Stens is an interna-

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Stens Corp. received a tax abatement for the building purchase, renovation work and equipment purchases for its new facility at 1919 Hospitality Drive in Jasper. tional supplier of replacement parts for the outdoor power equipment, landscape, rental, golf and construction industries. The company exports goods to more than 50 countries and sells to more than 75,000 customers worldwide. Company officials were looking at locations outside of Indiana, but ultimately decided to stay in Jasper, Stens President Peter Ariens said. “Staying in the same area was important in retaining our talent. However, all options had to be considered in building the future of our company,” he said. “The tax abatement tipped the scale in favor of Jasper and helped seal the deal.” Beyond those offerings, each community has its additional perks to attract and keep companies. Huntingburg has in place incentives that have been used for years. “We’ve had some good management and foresight from the previous administrations,” Spinner said. “They put many of these tools in place years ago. And the tools are still working.” The biggest one, he said, is the tax increment ﬁnancing, or TIF, district program, which city officials created in 1990. A TIF district is a designated area in which an assessed value is determined at the start of the district’s establishment. As the years pass, a district’s value increases, Spinner explained. The amount of assessed value above the original amount is determined and the tax revenue from that excess amount is set aside in a fund. The fund is used to make infrastructure improvements in the district. The city has ﬁve TIF districts, four in the industrial northwest quadrant of the city and one that encompasses OFS Brands’ corporate office on the city’s east side. The county has a TIF district that adjoins one of the city’s districts at County Road 400W.

“The companies beneﬁt from the improvements,” Spinner said. He gave as an example the hill in front of OFS Brands’ corporate headquarters at State Road 64 and North Cherry Street. The hill on the south end of the site at the state road was starting to give way and slide. “We took some of the money in the TIF fund and built a retaining wall to stop the hill from sliding,” Spinner said. “That was money captured from the tax revenue generated from the district; it did not come from the general fund.” The city also has its own revolving loan fund that small businesses use. It was established with a $90,000 grant the city received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in 2004 and the $10,000 match the city provided. When the original grant money was loaned out and paid back, officials decided to keep the money in a loan fund instead of adding it to the city’s general fund. “Again, the previous administrations had the knowledge and foresight to keep the fund in place. And it has helped the city,” Spinner said. “We’ve had several businesses receive a loan to establish businesses here.” Ferdinand might not have as many incentives as the cities, but the town has a lot to offer, Sicard said. “Being a small town, we don’t have a lot of pull. So we use what we have and hope that things have to work our way,” he said. “The community is clean, and people are conscientious and work to keep it that way. We don’t have dilapidated and torn-down houses. We are proud of our town.” Officials actively work with companies interested in the town, he said. “When the CVS and McDonald’s was built (on the south end of town), we consulted with (the owners) and tried to make the permit process as simple as possible. We do have to watch that, though, because there are laws

that we must follow.” The work is paying off. The south side of town has several new businesses, which encourage interstate traffic to stop. A new motel will soon be built as well, Sicard said. “We need business and industry for people to work and make money and retail for people to spend their money at,” he said. “If you don’t have active businesses and industry in your town, you won’t survive.” It’s not all about adding new programs and attractions, Seitz said. Sometimes it’s about improving what’s already here. Jasper is doing that as it works through its downtown and riverfront master plan project. The city got the Indiana General Assembly to pass legislation that expands the use options for the land near the flood plain near Patoka River between the Veterans Memorial and Third Avenue bridges. Jasper is working on updating its zoning and subdivision ordinances; a part of that will be creating special designations for select areas of the city. The city also is planning to establish a grant program for businesses looking to improve the facades of their buildings to create a more uniform look with neighboring buildings. Industry also has supported the community, Seitz said, noting the involvement of industry representatives with Vincennes University Jasper Campus — the latest being with the establishment of the university’s Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing — and the Jasper Arts Center. “Higher education, arts, diversity, it’s all a part of our changing community,” Seitz said. The cities, Ferdinand and county governments are all working with local industry to get a new stretch of interstate built to run through the county. “You have to partner with businesses,” Seitz said. “When business leaders call, we listen. It’s not an adversarial thing. We all believe in the same mission.” And with companies expanding, Jasper has an interesting quandary. “We have employers projecting moderate growth. They anticipate adding jobs,” he said. “But they want to know who is going to fill them.” So the city must market the community in a way to attract potential employees. “We need people to become a part of our community to fill those jobs. We want to get people to move here or be willing to commute here. That is a critical factor,” Seitz said. That is a issue all of Dubois County must tackle, Seitz said. “When you consistently have the highest level of employment — I don’t call it the lowest level of unemployment — that’s something you have to deal with.”

Contact Candy Neal at cneal@dcherald.com.

PAGE 20 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HEALTH CARE

In the 62 years since the center simply called Memorial Hospital opened its doors for the first time, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s building has expanded into a facility the size, technology and capabilities of which its founders never could have imagined. DAVE WEATHERWAX THE HERALD

MISSION NURTURES GROWTH

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE CENTER

When Memorial Hospital opened its doors on July 11, 1951, the community held a parade from the Dubois County Courthouse to the new facility on West Ninth Street.

Nurses Janalee May, left, Darlene Goepfrich and Maggie Schnarr worked outside the new catheterization laboratory in June 2008. HERALD FILE PHOTO

Story by Kasey Husk Editor’s note: This article originally was published as a Saturday feature on Oct. 1, 2011, the year Memorial Hospital observed its 60-year anniversary. Information has been updated, and revisions have been made. It takes only a few minutes at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center to recognize the influences of the Catholic faith on the facility. The prayers broadcast over the hospital’s announcement system each morning. The quotes from Little Company of Mary founder Venerable Mary Potter in the elevator. The staff members who pray with their patients. In the 62 years since the center simply called Memorial Hospital opened its doors for the first time, the building has expanded into a facility the size, technology and capabilities of which its founders never could have imagined. But while much has changed in six decades, neither the community support it enjoys nor its mission to “be for others” has wavered. “The hospital has always emphasized very strong ethics and just always put the patients first,” says Dr. Bob Ehrhard, former medical staff president, a position now held by Dr. Stan Tretter. “They take their mission statement sincerely; they are continually working to serve others,” Ehrhard says. The Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center campus includes the tallest building in Jasper, meets the health care needs of people in eight counties and has advanced facilities — including a cancer treatment center and a cardiac catheterization unit — that can’t be found in most other rural areas the size of Dubois County. The hospital “almost invariably surprises everybody that we bring in, either as a recruit or visitors to tour the hospital,” President, CEO and board Chairman Ray Snowden says. “They have one thing set in their mind that they are going to see, and it totally surprises them. ... It’s not even so much about the size, but the quality and what we have here to offer the residents is always surprising.” When the hospital first opened its doors on a Monday morning in July 1951, its aims were much more modest. It was the mid-1940s when the citizens of Jasper, dealing with a shortage of hospital facilities in their area, began planning to open a hospital of their own. The

donation of land by two local businessmen, a series of local fundraisers that earned $500,000 and federal funds made available by the 1946 Hill-Burton Act helped bring the dream to fruition six years later. The 75-bed facility, named Memorial Hospital in memory of the soldiers who had so recently served their country in World War II, opened its doors July 11, 1951. The federal funds were designed to encourage the development of more hospitals in rural communities and counties. However, the people of Jasper knew they wanted a faith-based institution for their city. That desire led them to the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, a nursing order of Catholic nuns already operating a hospital in Evergreen Park, Ill., according to the late Sister Adrian Davis, LCM, who chaired the hospital board from 1999 until her death in May 2012. The Little Company of Mary, which also made a sizable donation to the construction project, was chosen to operate the facility in keeping with the values of the Catholic faith. Those values, set out in the Church’s Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, continue to guide the hospital today. Directives include preserving the dignity of human life — the hospital does not perform abortion or sterilization nor condone euthanasia — and advocacy for and care of society’s poor and marginalized. The hospital was deeded to the Little Company of Mary in 1966. Sister Renee Cunningham, a palliative care nurse, is the only member of the Little Company of Mary still involved in the hospital. But the most veteran employees remember the days when a nun headed every department at the hospital. At their peak, about 20 sisters occupied a convent built adjacent to the hospital, which included a tunnel into the hospital that made for an easy commute. “Truly, the most monumental thing is the sisters coming here to begin with in 1951,” Snowden says. “They’ve never strayed away from the mission to ‘be here for others’ and to do things that they need to do to serve this population regardless of ability to pay, regardless of who you are. That steadfast commitment to mission here has meant more than anything else to the success of this organization.” In those early years, the hospital was a very different place, long-standing

Please turn to the next page

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 21

It’s Not Too Early To Think About Holiday Giving! The Miracle Worker

The Texas Tenors

March 29, 2014

December 8, 2013

7:30 pm

The Official Blues Brothers Revue

Broadway Today

February 8, 2014

April 5, 2014

7:30 pm

and much more! REMEMBER! We have gift certificates in all amounts. Good for any of our programs, including workshops. Call 812-482-3070 for more information or visit us on the web at www.jasperarts.org

b uk b uk

lem

U.B. Klem Furniture Co., Inc.

Friends of the Arts

951 College Avenue, Jasper IN

505 Main St. Jasper, IN

ftjasper.com

482-2422

CELEBRATES 35 YEARS

• September 1978 • Grand Opening • How many can you name? (Answers at Finishing Touches) We’ve changed, and so has our gift & home decor selection!

Free Gift Wrapping

Established in 1973

Proudly serving the restaurant industry both nationally and internationally. Karen Didion

4 Miles Southeast of Jasper on Schnellville Road (812) 326-2236

Wedding Registry & Experienced Sales Staff

ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW & DIFFERENT

PAGE 22 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

Mission Concluded from Page 20 employees and board members remember. Indeed, when comparing pictures of the early facility to today’s, it is difficult to discern where the original building was before the many additions to the facility. Longtime food services employees at the hospital have a long list of “Do you remember?” when talking about that period: using a “butter cutter” to pare the 30-pound cases of government-commodities butter into portion-size patties, the labor-intensive process of making fruitcakes and plum pudding for the doctors for Christmas and logging their hours on a small notebook in the janitor’s closet used for an office. Today, the cafeteria earns $1,800 to $2,000 a day on average, serving 450 to 600 people. Glenn Gramelspacher, director emeritus of the hospital board of directors, remembers how different the emergency room was during the first few decades of the hospital’s life. “A patient would come in and they’d ask who your family doctor was, and they’d get your family doctor on the phone and the doctor would get dressed and come into the hospital at night,” he says. The first decades of the hospital’s life saw several expansions, including a $3 million project in 1971 that increased the hospital’s capacity to 131 beds and introduced its first intensive care ward. In 1975, an ambulance service was offered for the first time. The 1980s saw the hiring of the hospital’s first ophthalmologist, obstetrician/gynecologist, urologist, orthopedic surgeon and pediatrician. In 1985, a $13.1 million expansion increased the services the hospital offered even more. But it’s been in the last 20 years that arguably the most dramatic changes have come to the hospital. When Sr. Adrian arrived in 1992 and was elevated to the office of president and CEO, she quickly started looking at the issue of the emergency room. It was staffed by a group of doctors out of Bloomington, which resulted in a number of problems involving billing. Some people said it would be too difficult to recruit emergency room physicians and that Jasper was too small, Snowden remembers. Sr. Adrian disagreed. Within the first year, she had recruited five emergency room physicians. In 1992, the hospital had about 8,000 emergency room visits a year. Today, nine emergency medicine doctors tend to about 30,000 people who come into the ER annually. The ER was expanded in 2005 when it moved to another area of the hospital. Sr. Adrian led recruitment efforts that ultimately brought 37 physicians to Jasper between 1992 and 1999. In 2002, construction began on a new patient tower — LCM Tower, with the initials standing for Little Company of Mary. The six-story facility, which opened in 2005, allowed ample space for an expanded and improved emergency room, radiology services and other patient services that had outgrown the existing facility. The hospital also was expanding its cardiac facilities during those years, largely under the direction and vision of Dr. Phillip Dawkins, who died in 2008. The hospital opened its cardiac catheterization lab in 1994, and a decade later more interventional cardiology services were added. The LCM Tower, which opened in 2005, also grew to include the new Heart and Vascular Center on the sixth floor in 2006. In 2007, the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center opened. A partnership with Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center means that local patients have more access to services through IU and physicians have “communication and dialogue” when looking at best practices and protocols for treatment. Snowden says that before the cancer center, the hospital had an oncology clinic but “we were not doing all we could for the community.” “We recognized that we could do it a whole lot better than we had been doing it,” he says. “So (as) we started to embark upon (pursing the cancer center), the community really got behind it and that really demonstrated the need more than anything when the community responded the way it did.” As the community has come together

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

to raise money to build the hospital more than 50 years before, citizens again stepped up to fund the cancer center, raising $6 million toward its construction. That community support is obvious throughout the history of the hospital, from those earliest donations that got it started, to fundraisers held through the years — like the horse shows held on Alvin C. Ruxer’s rural Jasper farm on Sunday afternoons — to the many gifts still given today through the Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations in many cases have helped keep Jasper ahead of the game, such as the MRI machine it received as a donation from Ruxer, who died in 1991, at a time when many bigger hospitals didn’t have one. In other cases, donations help the hospital live up to its mission, such as the foundation’s dedicated funds to help serve the uninsured and underinsured. During the last two decades, the hospital has slowly found itself stepping into the role of a regional hospital. It has opened health clinics and family medicine facilities in several communities in Dubois and surrounding counties. “When I came here we were principally serving this community (Dubois County), percentagewise,” says Snowden, who came to Memorial in 1981. “Today, we serve eight counties and a little over half of our patients who come here come from outside of Dubois County.” That shift toward becoming a regional hospital was not a decision made overnight, but something that happened over time as the hospital pursued opportunities to reach out to neighboring communities. Reaching out, in turn, prompts more people to look to Memorial for their health care needs, which in turn helps the hospital continue to grow. “As we’ve expanded with more and more people, that made it possible for some of the needed specialists to be able to have a livelihood here,” Snowden says. “So as we grew from one orthopedic surgeon to two to three to now four; that requires a population that is larger than just this town or this county.” That growth sets Memorial apart from other hospitals Ehrhard has seen. “Some hospitals are blessed with this positive momentum,” he says. “It tends to build on itself and multiply and essentially bring blessings back to its hospitals. ... So now this hospital has grown to where it meets many of the cutting-edge technology needs of our patients.” The growth of the hospital, which now employs 1,500 people in Dubois and surrounding counties, has played a vital role in the area’s economic development over the years as well. In the early days, many local businesses strongly supported the hospital because they wanted there to be a place where they could take workers who were hurt, says Joe Steurer, a member of the hospital’s board of directors since 1981. And if a family member was hospitalized, having a hospital close by meant fewer work hours lost having to commute to bigger cities to visit them. Today, people coming to Memorial Hospital for treatment help bring in more business to the area, Jasper Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Eckerle says. It also offers wellness programs to local businesses to keep employees healthy, while serving as a selling point to bring in new businesses. “Many, many communities our size don’t have medical services and medical facilities like (Memorial),” Eckerle says. “We promote it a lot when we’re trying to recruit businesses to come here.” There is no sign that the growth that has characterized recent years at the hospital will be letting up anytime soon. In 2011, the hospital partnered with Dr. Daniel Eby to create the area’s ﬁrst outpatient surgery center, the St. Thomas Medical Center. This year, a 10-bed psychiatric unit for geriatric patients was opened. “One of the areas that we’re working on right now is just recognizing the older adult population that is coming into the hospital, and that there are a lot of issues related to that,” Snowden says. “We don’t really believe in the status quo,” he continues. “You’re either moving forward, or you’re moving backward.”

■ Herald City Editor Martha Rasche contributed to this report. Contact The Herald at news@dcherald.com.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Radiation physicist Saiyid Shah prepared the linear accelerator at the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center for several days of testing in January 2007. The machine can treat several types of cancer by focusing radiation precisely on tumors with minimal harm to surrounding tissue.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

During a night in November 1978, Doris Jacob checked a baby under an oxygen tent at the hospital as the mother slept on a nearby cot.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Dr. Carol Datil stitched the knee of 8-year-old Brand Lashley of Loogootee in July 1986 at the hospital. Watching in the background are his mother, Cathy Booker, and sister Charity, 6.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE CENTER

Hugo Melchoir, president of the Memorial Hospital Association board of directors, left, and A.W. Berger assisted in the laying of the cornerstone during the construction of the hospital that began in 1950.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 23

P R EP AR E YO UR H O M E F O R A N EW L EV EL O F CO M F O R T AN D SAV IN GS Smart homeowners around the world have scrapped their old furnaces and air conditioners and replaced them with a WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system. That’s because geothermal comfort systems use the free, renewable energy found in your own backyard to save up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. You won’t need that old inefficient furnace or that unsightly outdoor air conditioner because a WaterFurnace system provides complete comfort for your home with a single unit. And because the system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, there are no fumes or carbon monoxide concerns. Make the smart switch to geothermal. Contact your local WaterFurnacec dealer today.

Enjoy efficient warmth and comfort for years to come. Embrace the Quadra-Fire Tradition of Excellence. Quadra-Fire Fireplaces, Stoves and Inserts available in wood, pellet and gas burning.

www.quadrafire.com

LAWN & GARDEN

APPLIANCE CENTER

“We’ll Give You Lots of Great Reasons to Visit Tom’s”

719 W. 6th Street In the “Y” Jasper, IN 634-1950 Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 8-5:30; Wed. 8-7; Sat. 8-2:30 www.tomslga.com

PAGE 24 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

BRAIN DRAIN

Educators, companies champion local jobs Story by Claire Moorman Photos by Rachel Mummy Dubois County may already be a hub for established manufacturers and entrepreneurs to flourish in its many national and international businesses, but a few dedicated individuals must continue to fight to ensure the tradition continues. Patoka Valley vocational cooperative Director Glenn Weil — whose organization provides programming and consulting services to area schools to increase the flow of students into local industries — says the problem of convincing young people to learn skilled trades and stay in the county to work is a daunting one. “What a complicated problem that is,” Weil said. “I think we should get a lot of kudos in this area for superintendents and principals and especially some of the teachers who have tried to remake themselves ... to try to get what these kids need and let them know what is out there.” He said the culture of education must change to make it easier for students to learn about local career opportunities and mold their educational experiences to fit those needs. “There is lots of good production work in Dubois County. Great parents who have raised great kids work in production their whole lives. To me, they’re just like the backbone of Dubois County. This is a bluecollar county, or it at least has blue-collar ideals,” Weil began. “The other part is all the stuff above that. How do we get the smart people to see the opportunities and then realize that the machining program at Pike Central is going to get them further ahead possibly?” Pike Central High School offers a precision machining course for all area students to fast track them toward work at companies like RideTech, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Versteel and Jasper Group. Only a few students from Forest Park, Jasper and Northeast Dubois high schools sign up for the course every year — none from Southridge has so far — but the ones who do enjoy college admissions and job security in their home county. “We have three three-axis computer numeric control machines and two CNC lathes along with numerous manual mills and manual lathes,” Northeast Dubois senior Joe Betz explained while at a booth at Vincennes University Jasper Campus National Manufacturing Day event earlier this month. He travels to the Pike County school each week to learn about precision machine work. “After you graduate from (high school), you have almost a 100 percent guarantee of going into Vincennes (University) and their program. After you graduate from that, you are much guaranteed a job anywhere you go whether it’s RideTech or Crane (Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center).” Along with Betz’s booth at Manufacturing Day were many others run by local high school students interested in getting a head start on their futures. Five seniors from Jasper High School’s motorsports club and Project Lead the Way manned a display about the many products manufactured at Jasper Engines & Transmissions. They each took tours of the plant, networked with company employees and came out of the experience with more knowledge about their chosen fields. “We learned more about what they actually do instead of what you just think,” senior Erich Hopf said. “They do a lot more than just car stuff.” Hopf said he hopes to work with cars when he graduates, and getting to know automotive experts and processes in the area was the first step for him. Meanwhile, for students who are

Jasper High School seniors Calvin Gehlhausen, left, Cole Erny and Nick Hale checked out an engine transmission remanufactured by Jasper Engines & Transmissions and displayed at the National Manufacturing Day celebration at Vincennes University Jasper Campus on Oct 3. The particular kind of transmission is used in NASCAR race cars.

Southridge High School senior Justin King, left, and Forest Park High School seniors Jason Brier and Justin Sitzman worked together during the National Manufacturing Day celebration at Vincennes University Jasper Campus on Oct. 3. Brier and Sitzman have done research with MasterBrand Cabinets and hope to expand opportunities to fellow high school students about professional opportunities in the area. interested in ﬁnding their way into other departments of local companies, Forest Park High School offers two career readiness programs for upperclassmen. Career planning teacher Jarred Howard has run the school’s Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education and internship programs for the past 12 years, and he says it beneﬁts both the students and businesses involved. “In the co-op program, some of them are learning a trade and some of them are working in unskilled jobs in the service industry,” Howard explained. “It teaches them some life lessons that they need before they graduate.” In the past, Forest Park students have been paid to work part time at Meyer Distributing, Jasper Engines and Best Home Furnishings, among other companies, during the school day. Howard said local business leaders contact him daily for a chance to begin recruiting students early. “I say, ‘You’re going to see the best and brightest that we have at Forest Park. These are people that you’re going to want to hire in the future,’” he said. “It’s a great thing for our students to go out and see, yes, there are places where they can work in the county. It’s also great for the businesses because they see these are the type of people that they want to hire eventually.” For Howard, combating “brain drain,” or the exodus of skilled workers from an area, is important. He said his former hometown in McClean County, Ky. was hit hard by the phenomenon and he wants to see Dubois County industry succeed. “I teach a career planning class that every sophomore has to take, and we hit

it pretty hard with the whole brain drain theory,” he said. “We want our students to go away to college or get whatever training that they need, and then we want them to come right back here for work.” School Assistant Principal Jim Mehling, who also heads the youth pillar for the Ferdinand HomeTown Competitiveness initiative, tasked Howard with creating a speakers series for the students. As of a couple of weeks ago, representatives from Memorial Hospital and Jasper Engines have agreed to come into the classrooms and give powerful, 25-minute presentations about their services to the community. Howard is hopeful the series will convince many students to pursue more information about local careers. More speakers are being lined up, and the series will begin in November. “We’re doing the very best we can. We want our students to graduate and have an idea about what they want to do,” Howard said. “We want them to understand they can come right back here and there’s a good chance they can ﬁnd a job here as opposed to taking their gifts and talents and going somewhere else.” Weil said that Northeast Dubois High School runs a similar program, with teachers contacting companies to ﬁnd job shadows or internships for several students each year. As leader of a local company that partners with Forest Park’s co-op program and has a vested interest in growing its own workers in the area, Meyer Distributing CEO Mike Braun said recruitment has been simple so far, but it will be necessary to work to keep young people coming back to their hometown for work in the future. “We have all kinds of people coming through the doors each day looking for work, which tells me that’s still an issue

even though we’re the lowest-unemployment county in the state. That’s where we probably need to work to make jobs a little better across the state,” Braun said. “I hope that among all the employers, that we do create an atmosphere to where we can bring sons and daughters and grandkids back into the area.” At VUJC, where a new education program will soon allow students to combine campus classes with on-the-job training at five participating companies in the county, another group of students is blazing a trail toward building local skills and keeping young people in county jobs. The Learning Experiences in Applied Fields organization, launched last month by 10 highly motivated high school students, will provide training opportunities in new technologies that are emerging in local industries. Other high school students can opt to attend the sessions run by their peers and also network with businesspeople along the way. The kids use the new Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing on the campus as a meeting space. “As mature young adults, we knew that we would be able to get together and if provided the correct funds, facility and time, we’d be able to share that knowledge and push forward the innovation in our area,” LEAF co-founder and Forest Park senior Jason Brier said. He added that keeping up with technologies, including 3-D computer-aided design, software and mobile applications, is the key to securing a job at a local company in the next few years. “If you can’t create something on a software that’s three-dimensional, you might be insufficient in a couple of years,” Brier said. “If you’re not trying now, if you’re not attempting to learn that, you might find yourself inept in a certain way. Realistically, you just need to get involved with it. It’s the future.” Educators like Weil are still looking ahead with programming opportunities to enhance the workforce. A new Project Lead the Way computer software engineering course being piloted at Jasper and Forest Park this year in preparation for a nationwide release will enhance the technological training of high-schoolers before they reach college or trade schools. Weil is confident that with the proper motivation and training, many local students can find their niche at local companies. “I’ve been doing this job for 13 years. I’ve seen what the kids do, and I can walk into any of those auto classes and the kids start talking about engines and what they know. They’re smart kids,” he said. “If (companies) could get to students in time before they sign up for colleges and say, ‘Take that skill you’ve got and we’ll train you here,’ I think they could do that. We need more of that stuff.”

Contact Claire Moorman at cmoorman@dcherald.com.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 25

“A City Like No Other!”

Known for its picturesque downtown, famous for numerous antique shops, quaint specialty shops and unique dining establishments, that features brick sidewalks and wrought iron fences, is Huntingburg, a historic town ... “A City Like No Other” in southwestern Indiana. Enjoy our ...

The town is also known as the “Hollywood of the Midwest” in which two movies were filmed in the city’s beautiful League Stadium

Huntingburg Museum Historic 4th Street Walking Trails and Golf Driving Range City Parks – Lakes – Golf Course Nature Preserve

A League of Their Own and HBO’s Soul of the Game

Swimming Pool with Splash Park League Stadium Home to Dubois County Bombers

and on Historic 4th Street Hard Rain

Resources ... Manufacturing and Agriculture

City of Huntingburg P.O. Box 10 Huntngburg, IN 47542

(812) 683-2211 huntingburg@huntingburg-in.gov

Proudly Serving Dubois County With Three Locations!

Hwy. 231 N., Jasper (North Side)

We Offer Liquor, Liqueurs, Wine Selections, Craft Beer, Domestic Beer & Bar Supplies

FISHER’S HOME APPLIANCE

(1963)

We Sell - New & Used:

The Best Selection In the Area At Discounted Prices! Hwy. 162 S., Jasper (East Side)

Your One Stop Location For Party Supplies Hwy. 231 S., Jasper (South Side)

/ Wooden Keg Liquors

Vacuum Cleaners and Sewing Machines

We Repair: Vacuum Cleaners Sewing Machines Small Appliance Electric Tools Shampooers Battery Chargers Fence Chargers Fans Lamps Small Motors

Mike Denk (1973)

We are easy to find… Located on North Portersville Rd. • 812-695-5241

PAGE 26 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Modern dentistry, old-fashioned service.

Come see why patients send their friends and family to us.

“It’s All Here!” • Cellular Phones • Satellite TV • Internet • Wholesale Outlet • Office Coffee • Coffee • Brewers & Accessories • Concession Supplies • Concession Equipment • Paper Products • Chips • Candy • Soft Drinks • Soft Pretzels • Hamburgers • Hot Dogs • Brats atients New p ome! welc

¡Se ha bla es pañol!

* We Deliver *

“Call today – we’ll get you in right away!”

683-1112 202 East 17th Street • Huntingburg

2125 Main Street Ferdinand, IN 47532

(812) 367-8363 rdm@rdmsales.com

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 27

10 UNDER 40

What makes Dubois County a respected place to work, to live, to raise a family? What can be done to lure young people? We dipped into the demographic — professionals younger than 40 — for answers.

The Herald asked some of the younger members of the Dubois County workforce to share some of their thoughts about making their homes and careers here. They were asked for their opinions on why the county has been successful economically, what they like about living and working here and how the county can attract and retain young workers. We also asked them to share advice on how to get the most out of the work experience.

NICHOLAS A. GRAMELSPACHER 35, Meyer Distributing vice president of sales and marketing My wife, April, and I have a son, Ajay, 13. We enjoy vacationing to various destinations, and I enjoy almost anything outdoors, including hunting, riding all-terrain vehicles, jeep off-roading and spending time at a neighbor’s farm. On a daily basis I work closely with our 65 inside sales associates and six outside road warriors pushing new and existing product lines to create and drive sales. I also work hand in hand with the marketing department creating our multiple catalogs, new product fliers and promotional pieces to get into the hands of our 10,000-plus customers. I also seek out new product lines to expand and diversify our product offering to customers. I think Dubois County has been successful economically by attracting and keeping enterprising, growing businesses. And of course the “Dubois County work ethic,” a term I use almost weekly when talking to people across the country. It’s tough to find people outside this area that work as hard as we do in this community. I like the small-town atmosphere and living close to the office but still being “out in the country.” It’s a safe community that one wants to raise a family in. Expanding and exciting companies are attractive to young people. Many young graduating college students want to work for Google, Yahoo or Facebook, to name a few. They have turned “work” into a lifestyle. It’s actually cool to work at those places. Local companies should take a page out of their playbooks that are financially realistic. I am not talking about a installing a water slide or a bowling alley but things like an office gym, rest and renew areas to create afternoon productivity and a technologically advanced training area with incentives to learn are a few things that go a long way in attracting and retaining employees. My advice for others would be to enjoy what you do. If you are miserable going to work each day, you’ll never give 100 percent. Find something you truly enjoy doing and excel at it.

GWEN GUNSELMAN 33, National Office Furniture showroom and events manager I’m married to Brady Gunselman and we have two sons, Cohen, 6, and Keaton, 2. I enjoy being a mother and spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy watching sports — whether my children are participating or not. I sell real estate part time and enjoy the sales and networking aspect that it brings. At National Office Furniture, I am responsible for managing all aspects of our regional showrooms, trade shows and marketing events, as well as our promotional

merchandise program. I also manage the development and execution of our marketing efforts related to continuing education units for architects and designers. I think the economic success here is mainly driven by individual work ethics. People in Dubois County work hard and take pride in what they do. This county is a great place to raise a family, the public and private schools are excellent, and there’s a feeling of being safe. We are centrally located within one to three hours of many larger cities, allowing us other opportunities both personally and professionally. A true testimonial to a community is that the youth will want to come back to the area to raise their families and enjoy some of the same experiences they had as children. We are fortunate we have those opportunities here. For Dubois County to attract and retain young people, there needs to be more places for recreation and entertainment. On weekends and after the workday, young people want more opportunities and places to socialize. My advice would be to take the opportunities that you have been given, even when they may not seem most fulﬁlling or within your ﬁeld of study or expertise at the time. Each of those opportunities allows you to learn and grow and may open new doors in the future.

department. People in this community are incredibly hard workers. Without their hard work and dedication, it wouldn’t be nearly as successful. Living in Dubois County has enabled me to be closer to my family. That’s probably the most beneﬁcial aspect of moving back home. Since I grew up in the area, I also enjoy seeing familiar faces and always knowing there is someone here that I can count on. Working for my family’s company, I like that I’m helping to grow what my grandpa and his children have worked so hard to build. I also enjoy really knowing my co-workers and feeling comfortable in my work environment because I grew up around these people. In my opinion, Dubois County doesn’t have much of the night life that us twentysomethings are looking for and that a large city can offer. There are not many places in the county for young adults to just hang out and meet new people. It would be nice to have more restaurants, shopping and night life that relate to the younger generation. I think everyone going into a job needs to listen carefully. I get a lot of different advice from my older co-workers. They’re incredibly experienced and you can learn a great deal from what they say. Being optimistic also helps. You get the most out of the work experience when you’re positive and are willing to try new things.

BROOKE MESSMER-COOK 34, Best Home Furnishings fabric merchandise specialist I’m blessed with a wonderful family — my husband, Kyle, daughters Sophia and Finley, and 1-year-old son, James. My hobbies include boating with the family, clothing and antique shopping, and restoring old furniture. On the job, I do the fabric buying and merchandising, and showroom design. We have a community ﬁlled with people who are very driven and care about their jobs. I feel that contributes to a healthy workforce and a successful economy. This is a great place to raise a family and the school systems are some of the best in the state. I enjoy working here because I’m able to be close to family. You also get the small-town atmosphere, which is great, but yet on the job you get to interact with people all over the world so you really get the best of both perspectives. I believe Dubois County is moving in the right direction with the arts, expanding the selection of restaurants, the farmers markets, fests, parks, eclectic clothing and accessories boutiques, etc. Also very important is maintaining the community involvement of our young adults. I would advise others to take advantage of every opportunity that is given, no matter how small, because it only adds to the diversity in your professional life.

JANAE LANGE 22, Best Home Furnishings designer I’m the granddaughter of Clem and Mary C. Lange and the daughter of Brian and Shelly Lange. I really love to travel and see the world. I also enjoy reading and hanging out with my friends and family. I work in the research and design department. I help design new products and educate others on how to assemble those products. I also assist in designing ads and product catalogs for the marketing

LESLIE PETRY 34, Farm Credit Mid-America financial support specialist I have been married to the love of my life, Chad, for 10 years. We have two beautiful children, Rayce, 9 and Emersyn, 6. My hobbies are by default the same as my kids’, so you can assume taxi driver/chauffeur but you can guarantee I have my Kindle loaded with books with me at all times. Being a financial support specialist is just a fancy way of saying I support local farmers and rural residents by offering competitive financing for homes, farmland, equipment, operating expenses and anything else they might need to be successful. Dubois County’s economic success comes from who we are as people. Part of our German heritage is a strong work ethic, but more than that is the sense of community and dependable loyalty. We support one another in a number of ways. It could be anything from helping a neighbor out, a local bank giving a startup business financing to get started or shopping locally to support those smaller businesses. It’s an ambitious “can do” attitude grounded by thoughtful preparing and planning. I’m hopeful that, with a mindset of looking forward coupled with the support of organizations like Dubois Strong, we are paving the way to continued economic success in our area. I can remember saying in high school that I couldn’t wait to get out of here to see what the world had to offer. Now, I can’t imagine my family living anywhere else. This is home. I can tell you the names of all the kids in my own children’s classrooms along with most of their parents’ names. I’m familiar with the school staff from teachers’ aides to the superintendent’s staff. I can’t go into a grocery store, bank or restaurant without seeing a familiar face and getting to catch up on their lives. I’ve been in the financial industry my whole career, which has afforded me the opportunity to assist several of those friends and neighbors in that capacity. It brings heart along with the service knowing you’re working with someone who knows and trusts you. It also gives me an opportunity to get to know people that I may not be familiar with and work alongside them to

achieve a trusted working relationship. It’s hard to compete with the amenities that living in an urban area affords. But on the other hand, it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges. For young people who are concerned about more than just having a Starbucks on every corner, Dubois County has a lot to offer them. Being a mother of two young children, having a strong school system with an attractive campus and facilities is vital. I think all four school systems in our county have done a great job at this. Along with good schools, you need expert health care and job availability. In all of these areas, the ability to evolve and change with the times to stay relevant should be a priority. Getting the most out of the work experience is up to every person individually. It is what you make it. First and foremost, you can’t look at it as just work or just a job. It needs to matter to you. Even if you’re not doing something you love, what you’re doing matters to someone so you need to complete every task to the best of your ability, especially in those moments when no one else is watching. Knowing you’ve done your best at the end of every day is very satisfying. A reminder that I keep in the back of my mind at all times is “no matter who your boss is, you’re really working for God.” Knowing that I can honor him by a job well done just gives me another reason to do my very best and helps me enjoy my job even more. One more thing: Don’t be afraid to push yourself a little outside your comfort zone. You might be surprised what you can accomplish if you get out of your own way!

MATTHEW SCHAICK 32, Meyer Distributing national account and credit manager/ director of integration I was born in Jasper but spent four years in Colorado, four years in Bloomington and a year in Milwaukee before moving back to Jasper, where my wife, Rafaela, and I now live. I am a graduate of Jasper High School and Indiana University, where I received bachelor’s degrees in political science, sociology and business economics. I am a rampant IU basketball fan, which eats up way more time than what I have available for the hobby. I was on my way to law school in Bloomington after a year of sabbatical in Colorado when I decided to make a pit stop in Jasper for the 2004 Strassenfest. While chatting with an old friend, I was recruited by Meyer Distributing to work in Milwaukee, where the company recently had opened its ﬁfth location. We are not much for individual titles at Meyer but prefer to focus more on how to solve problems as a group in order to generate shared successes and move the company forward each day. We recently opened our 42nd distribution location and continue to look for opportunities within our niche and outside automotive markets. Dubois County has been successful for many generations in terms of economics because of the past generations’ hard work, vision and continued reinvestment within the community; I stress reinvestment. Dubois County is a community that promotes competition at a young age. Dubois County’s ﬁnancial affluence and abundant resources create an incubator for individuals to achieve economic success that not only can be measured in dollars but also in other qualitative and quantitative means. The reason Dubois County has continued to be economically successful is more about what can’t be measured with statistics and more about its collective socioeconomics, morals and cultural ethics. Dubois County isn’t much for titles either

Please turn to Page 28

PAGE 28 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

Under 40 Concluded from Page 27 but rather for producing consistent economic results and allowing the residents to share in the wealth created. Dubois County is such a great place to live and work because of the dynamic nature of the community. Past successes drive future achievements, which give current residents opportunities for continued accomplishments. The county affords individuals opportunity if they are willing to work hard and see their visions to the finish line. The vast amounts of resources available for a small community make anything and everything possible when good ideas are put into motion. The community is safe, clean and progressive yet rooted with conservative morals and is a community of individuals always willing to work together on common causes and goals. The county is a place of geographic natural beauty that is inside the Bloomington, Louisville and Evansville triangle. It is a rural retreat yet easily within reach of these nearby metropolitan markets for urban amusements. The county is finally moving in the right direction on the topic of attracting and retaining young workers. The election of Terry Seitz as the mayor of Jasper and his administration’s work on downtown development projects along with the recent expansion of economic tax abatements is setting the tone for creating a vibrant focal point for the city of Jasper and the county. The continued reinvestment in both financial and human capital needs to be the focus of growth for the community. Creating jobs and creating central social attractions is paramount in getting young people to move here. We need cultural focal points in the counties’ downtown areas, we need culinary-minded individuals to take risks, and we need a taxi service for the county. We need to embrace art and music as a community, and encourage and empower the entrepreneurial spirit of the county. When it comes to approaching one’s job: Look at every process and accepted idea and challenge them. Always defy the status quo and look for change. Always look to reinvent the proverbial wheel. Assume everything is broken. Never let age stand in your way. Accept these mindsets but do them with respect and as an optimist who sees the glass as half full. Drive yourself to find efficient ways to create more time and find ways to make better use of your time. Regardless of how advanced technology becomes, always carry a pen! Live by the Golden Rule and respect everyone equally regardless of title, position or pay. Find ways to foster creative thinking that allows ideas to bubble up and not just trickle down. Be willing to fail but always be prepared to get up and try again. If you are not happy with your job or it creates chronic stress, find a new job regardless of compensation. Always look for opportunities, especially when times are bleak. There is no concept of luck in my mind but rather the ability to see opportunities when others can’t and the capability to take quick action to capitalize on the moment. Never forget about those who were there to lend a hand in your troubled times and remember that someone always had a worse day than you did today. Be accepting of ideas even if they seem foreign or odd; be respectful, as not everyone is the same as you. Give back to your community and participate even if you think it won’t matter.

BETH SCHILLING 33, RideTech computer aided design engineer I am married to Darren (see below), who also works at RideTech. I am a parttime ﬁtness instructor and coach basketball for my 8-year-old son, Zane. We also have an 18-month-old daughter, Neva. I think small towns stay successful because of the people living in them. I personally try to buy from the local community to keep local companies in business. I think others do the same thing.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

I love working close to home. I drove to Whirlpool in Evansville for eight years. I appreciate being close to my children and I don’t miss wasting two hours of my day on the road. I personally don’t think anything can be done to attract young people to the community. I think you either like the closeness of a small community or you move on to the big city. I personally tried moving away. I took a job right out of college for Cummins diesel engines and missed my friends and family. I moved back home and never looked back. You either love your job or you don’t. We all need a paycheck, so make the best of your day. You get out what you put in, so give it all you’ve got, every day.

DARREN SCHILLING 33, RideTech sales manager I am married to Beth (see above), who also works at RideTech. I am one of the lucky few that has made a career of my hobby, hot rods. I work closely with other businesses from all over the world. So I can say without hesitation that the people that I work are some of the hardestworking people out there. They are devoted to their work, reliable and honest. Dubois County is unique. Although maintaining a small-town atmosphere, there are enough business opportunities here to make a good life. I lived in Los Angeles and North Carolina a short time in my early 20s — and ended up back here. I missed my family and friends. In my opinion Dubois County has all of the right components to attract and retain young people. Many people grow up with the mentality that moving away after school is necessary to be successful. This just isn’t true. However, I do recommend that everyone spend some time away from home; that is the only way to appreciate what you have. As an employee, take pride in the product or service that you offer. If this is not possible, ﬁnd a place where you can. Assume ownership — even if you have none — in the company you work for.

together to help, to pay it forward. There are many career opportunities here and still plenty of room for growth, all the while being conveniently situated between Evansville and Louisville for those larger needs. To attract and retain young people, Dubois County needs to continue being a “one-stop shop” so the young people have a variety of career options with future growth both professionally and financially and a comfortable, safe place to raise a family. We need to continue to make strides in adding new businesses, developing downtown areas, adding parks and developing existing ones, growing our schools to suit our needs with the strongest teachers around, etc. I can sum up how to get the most out of the work experience in five things: Choose your attitude; it will make or break you. Be flexible to change and be open minded to opportunity; if you are not changing, you are not growing. Work first, play later. The work you do now is your interview for your next position; you are in control of your future. Above all, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one.

ANTHONY SENG 26, Jasper Engines & Transmissions internal audit group team leader and pricing/costing analyst I am 26 years old, born and raised in Jasper. I attended Holy Family School and graduated from Jasper High School in 2005. I graduated in 2009 from IU with a degree in business management. My hobbies include golﬁng, bowling, hunting and shooting sports. On the job I maintain the company’s quality manual and International Organization for Standardization compliance, evaluate and maintain the company’s

pricing strategy and databases, work with research and development to develop and prepare new product cost estimates, evaluate existing parts cost and provide recommendations for cost improvement opportunities. I will have been with Jasper Engines for four years come November. I believe the county has been successful economically because the companies in the area do what they can to keep the jobs here. Keeping jobs in the county attracts people to and keeps the money in the area. That’s a win-win. It really says something for Dubois County to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state and a majority of businesses still having several job openings they are looking to ﬁll. I really enjoy the sense of “community” here and how everyone is willing to lend a hand. Not only do the businesses look out for each other, but the people of Dubois County look out for each other as well. To me, it’s the people that make a community great, and we have a lot of great people here who aren’t afraid to donate time, money and energy back to the community. I enjoy how both businesses and residents give back to the community, making it a better place for generations to come. I would like to see the high school students become more aware of what careers are available to them in the county before they graduate. I believe members of the younger generation feel they have to move away because Dubois County does not offer their speciﬁc career choice when in fact it might be readily available. I don’t think they realize what occupations are available to them throughout the county. If we can get this information to them, then we will have an impact on the county attracting and retaining younger people. I would encourage employees to get involved within their organizations. Join a committee. Join a safety team. Just get involved! Look for opportunities to network and interact with others at work. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you learn about your company, the faster you grow and the more of an asset you can become for the company.

SARAH SCHMIDT 29, Jasper Engines & Transmissions manager of Jasper certified components I am 29 years old and am originally Sara Rohleder from Ferdinand. In February I married Chris Schmidt and we reside in Jasper. I enjoy running/walking, fishing, golfing and watching IU basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. I have worked at Jasper Engines & Transmissions for nearly eight years. I started my career there with an internship in human resources. Upon graduating from IU, I began my full-time career as a hiring coordinator at the company’s Crawford County manufacturing facility where I served as the people services representative/generalist for approximately 300 associates. Having an interest in learning more about the heart of our company, I took a position in manufacturing for some hands-on training. I worked in the transmission division for a year, then spent time as the transmission division manager at the company’s manufacturing facility in Willow Springs, Mo. I am responsible for the day-to-day operations and continuous improvement of Jasper certified components, which consists of nearly 60 associates spread across our three manufacturing facilities. I think Dubois County has been successful economically because of the variety of industry, primarily manufacturing, and the adaptability to change coupled with a workforce with strong work ethics. I like the small-town feel here while still having big opportunity around me. It’s not only a community, it is a family. When someone is in need, everyone comes

Jasper Rubber Products was incorporated on December 27, 1949 by a group of local investors with the intent of producing rubber items for the plumbing industry. The original factory began in a converted skating rink at the “Y” in Jasper with 6 employees. In 1977 the business relocated to First Avenue into a building specifically designed to accommodate rubber manufacturing and future expansion. The Founders and original investors were: Harry Buechler, Melvin Gardner, Clarence Giesler, Oscar Lampert and Albert Place. In 2003 Jasper Rubber proudly became a 100% Employee Owned Company. The ESOP ownership structure was designed to compete globally and ensure jobs locally. Over 650 Employee Owners of Jasper Rubber serve more than 600 customers throughout the World in the Automotive, Appliance and Filtration Industries.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 29

PAGE 30 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

SUPPORT AND SUPPLY

Bryan Hochgesang of Jasper loaded his truck to make deliveries to customers of Furniture Suppliers in Jasper on Oct. 9. The company stocks more than 5,000 parts, mostly fasteners, that are used by area companies.

NO FRILLS: SUPPLIERS SUSTAIN PRODUCTION Story by Tony Rapp Photo by Dave Weatherwax Although it has been around for more than half a century, most people have never heard of Furniture Suppliers, a distributing company housed in a nondescript building on Jasper’s north side. Each day, car after car passes by its front door, but most never bother to slow down. Motorists seem to look right through the building’s beige exterior as if it were invisible. Yet if the business should cease to exist, a large chunk of the local economy would falter. The company doesn’t build things. It holds them together — literally. Its 6,000-square-foot warehouse is ﬁlled with tens of thousands of nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners, which local manufacturers use to assemble tables, chairs, desks, cabinets and other products. That recliner in your living room? The bookshelf in your home office? The kitchen table where you eat dinner? Odds are, the little pieces used to fasten them together came from Furniture Suppliers. Still, “not too many people know about us,” said John Sonderman, who took over the business from his father, Jim, more than 15 years ago. Among the big names and Fortune 500 companies that populate the local economic landscape are dozens of less heralded, yet highly integral businesses like Furniture Suppliers. Most are shielded from view, lacking the glitz and attention that is lavished on large household names. These businesses are, by deﬁnition, more ancillary than outsized — the company behind the company. It’s a role Sonderman has embraced. While others may dream of being the CEO of a large multinational enterprise, Sonderman says there’s also money to be made in support and supply. His business works with virtually all of the large manufacturers in the area, as well as a number of smaller clients. The company’s role is simple: It doesn’t make screws and fasteners. It merely distributes them. For larger clients, the company sends a vendor to make sure a plant’s supply shelves are well stocked. “We’re in there every week. We’re counting items on their shelf,” Sonderman said. “We’re sort of like the bread guy you see at your local grocery store — the Bunny Bread guy sitting there putting bread on the shelves.”

“We do that same thing,” he added, only with fasteners. Because his business isn’t set up to sell to the general public, it has flown under the radar. Unless you work in purchasing at a large manufacturing company, you probably haven’t heard of Furniture Suppliers. That’s fine with Sonderman. Let the hardware stores have the onesie and twosie orders. His company sells screws and fasteners by the box, even by the pallet. Furniture Suppliers isn’t the only ancillary business on the block. Across the street is Forest Products Manufacturing, another family-run business that has been around for generations yet has managed to stay relatively anonymous. The company deals in lumber. Its workers make furniture and cabinet parts such as chair legs and desk frames, which are then sold and assembled piece by piece at larger outfits. Forest Products buys its wood from local sawmills, and most of the parts it makes are sold to companies within an hour of Jasper, said John Seng, the company’s president. Its facility resembles a high school shop class, with rows of workstations lined with ripsaws and sanding machines. Carts and bins are stacked with lumber. The smell of sawdust and the sound of screeching blades fill the air. Some furniture companies choose to make their own parts, but others have decided to concentrate on assembly and leave the rest to Forest Products. It takes a lot of workers, equipment, electricity and space to run a woodworking shop. By buying legs and frames from a supplier, furniture makers can reduce their fixed costs. It’s no different from a contractor using a subcontractor. “Are you going to have to pay more for that? Probably,” Seng said. “But if you pay the guy 50 percent more and he gets it done in half the time, you’re money ahead.” If large companies like Kimball International, MasterBrand Cabinets and OFS Brands are the heart of the local economy, then ancillary companies are its veins and blood vessels. They supply the heavy hitters with what they need. It would be easy to write them off. A supply company is, after all, just one piece in a much larger economic apparatus. But it’s an integral piece. Take a company like Ditto Sales, an industrial supplier in Jasper that has been around since 1939.

It doesn’t make furniture. It sells the various parts and pieces used to make furniture — drawer slides, hinges, metal components, sandpaper. And it sells these parts

far and wide, to manufacturers across the U.S. Yet a sizable share of its customer base remains in Dubois County, said Gene Hostetter, Ditto’s vice president of sales. The company is all about product. But because it doesn’t make the end product, few people are aware it even exists. Yet if the company were to go under, large manufacturers would suffer. “All of the plants need product,” Hostetter said. “They have to buy their parts somewhere.”

Contact Tony Raap at traap@dcherald.com.

INDUSTRIAL • JANITORIAL • HEALTHCARE

WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS • Boilers • Cooling Towers • Pools / Spas

A distributor of Industrial and Janitorial supplies since 1995, our team is dedicated to be a supplier of choice driven by product knowledge and superior customer service. Please feel free to call us or stop by and see us and let us help you solve your needs. We are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Our store hours are Mon. – Fri. 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come Visit Us During Our Customer Appreciation Day Thursday • November 7th Starting At 10:00 a.m.

Our mission is simple; To provide superior customer service to our valued customers, offering quality products and service at a fair price.

1.800.827.7430 • 812.634.2501 • fax: 812.634.2601 JES@jasperequipment.com • www.jasperequipment.com 2350 Terry Lane, Jasper, IN

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 31

RESTAURANT Large menu with something for everyone!

Casey J. Lindeman, Attorney 812-631-5301

CATERING Banquet Room Micro-Brewery

Lindeman Law, LLC is a general practice firm focusing on: Criminal Law, Family Law, Estate Planning, and Small Business.

www.Facebook.com/lindemanlawllc

On the corner of 14th and Mill Streets, Jasper 812-482-4345 www.themillhouserestaurant.com

PAGE 32 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

OPENING VERY SOON!

Assisted Living & Therapy Buildings

For more information please call (812) 482-1722

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

2515 Newton St. Jasper www.good-sam.com

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 33

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Kimball Hospitality produces furniture for most of the world hotel chains and has outfitted more than 60,000 rooms in Las Vegas alone.

SPACE FOR SHOWING OFF Kimball’s corporate showroom is a multi-purpose center where business often begins.

Story by Jason Recker

hen the folks from BMW walked in the front door, the displays of furniture to their right represented the logical selling point. They turned left. There, a mockup of a BMW dealership greeted them. There were tables and chairs and desks — the products Kimball International was angling to make for the automobile manufacturer’s showrooms across the world. There were also model BMW’s resting on shelves, brochures spread on tables and the company logo pasted on the wall. “It was quite a surprise for them,” said Marty Vaught, Kimball’s director of public relations. “It was like OK, it’s not just talking about an idea. We see what you’ll do for us.” At Kimball’s corporate showroom along 12th Avenue on Jasper’s southwest side, the layout is expansive but the premise is simple: Get the potential customer in the building, show off and sign on. Of the companies invited for the facility tour, a tick more than 90 percent, including BMW, sign deals “Seeing as we’re located in the rolling cornfields of southern Indiana, this is our corporate welcome center,” Vaught said. “In Dubois County, the manufacturing and woodworking is just a really strong asset of our community. We like to bring people in. They want to see who you are, how you live, what your company culture is like.” Visitors get to see plenty. The building is equal parts flair and purpose. There are showrooms from Kimball Office, Kimball Hospitality and National Office Furniture, a display for Kimball Electronics, a full kitchen, a dining hall, snack areas, four education center rooms for presentations, two huddle rooms and links to the company’s testing center and research and development headquarters. Kimball has 12 showrooms — in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Orange County (Calif.), San Francisco, Toronto, New York and Washington, D.C. But the Jasper facility averages about five groups of visitors per week. They come from around the world. In the last year,

Kimball has, via three corporate jets and five company vans, brought in more than 800 customers and the 230 companies they represent. The groups might represent one possible contract but consist of a variety. A health company, for instance, in the market for furniture, might bring an architect, a designer, company executives, facilities managers and dealers. “They come see us and then go see three, four, five other companies,” Vaught said. “It becomes this whole dance.” The grand tour’s first stop is a wall of history explaining Kimball’s 1950 founding, its international launch thanks in large part to the manufacturing of TV cabinets, its run as a major piano and organ maker, its entry into the electronics market and its growth into a major player in the production of office and hotel furniture. From there, customers can diverge. Kimball Hospitality’s wing of the showroom takes visitors inside hotel rooms at some of the country’s most famous — and most expensive — hotels. The company has outfitted more than 60,000 rooms in Las Vegas alone and ranks atop the industry. “Our area is to show capability,” said Bob Bomholt, the vice president and general manager at Kimball Hospitality. “Those are custom designs, and it shows what we’re able to produce. It’s more inspiration — hey, here’s the things Kimball can manufacture. That goes a long way when we’re able to bring in customers. It also shows our breadth. We can do anything from a Holiday Inn to the Ritz-Carlton.” Kimball Office and National Office make products along the same line but at different price points. They sometimes compete, and their showroom wings sit across from each other. They are outfitted with desks, chairs and full-scale offices and conference rooms flecked with modern looks and prod-

ucts ergonomically designed to optimize office communication, productivity and comfort. Pull up a chair. See how it feels. Pretend it’s your new workspace. The idea is to give customers a glimpse at what might work and get them thinking how they might mix and match. “When we are laying out the showroom spaces we are looking for the best way to represent the product in the marketplace. We’re looking at the latest trends and how that product differentiates in the marketplace,” said Gwen Gunselman, National’s showroom manager. “We’re showing the key features and beneﬁts of the product itself and understanding why it was designed and engineered the way it was. Aesthetics are obviously important as well, because we want to make a statement or get one’s attention with the vignette. We must appeal to a broad range of people, whether they are a dealer, designer, facility manager or end user.” Feedback comes in the form of sales, sure. But Kimball officials also want to know what people think of their tour. So they hand out questionnaires with space for comments — good and bad. “It’s important to hear, because that’s the only way we’re going to grow,” said Deena Toy, Kimball’s coordinator of guest relations. “We really feel it pays to bring the customer in.” Showroom installations are done during down time — there are speciﬁc people in charge of showroom setup and teardown — though Vaught said some customers actually want to see the furniture being assembled or disassembled to get a better idea of a product’s capabilities and details. Possible customers in town for a 36-hour or two-day visit spend their time elsewhere in the facility. They get a peek at the testing lab and research and development areas. If necessary, lunches or dinners are served. There

are snack bars for casual conversation and conference rooms for discussion or team-building exercises. “I think people see an innovative company that is going forward in the market and has so many offerings,” Toy said. “People really learn more about us.” Kimball Electronics, a slice of the company founded in 1963 that actually represents a larger sector of Kimball than the furniture divisions, often catches furniture-seeking visitors by surprise. The electronics section of the showroom is a trophy case with examples of what’s being made — the electronic components for pacemakers and anti-lock brake systems, for instance. The output falls into one of four categories — automotive, industrial, medical and public safety — with electronic devices for which failure is not an option. If the place feels like a museum, that’s ﬁne. When it was remodeled in 1996, it was designed to be seen. From time to time, Vaught and his peers hear the old line from pending visitors who say they can barely ﬁnd Jasper on a map. They are more accustomed to shopping in Chicago or Dallas, Los Angeles or New York. The showroom has a map to help; 25 dots represent a Kimball footprint that stretches to Thailand, Poland and China. There’s also a dot for Jasper. Just in case. But once folks roll into town, the hope is they leave feeling good about the company in the middle of the Midwest. “We want people in Jasper to know who we are and feel like they can come here,” Vaught said. “And we think if we can win you as a customer, we can keep you as customer for a long time. “We’ve had many people and cities try to lure us away over the years. But the commitment has been this is where we’ve grown, we live here, we’re staying headquartered here. It’s a major surprise when people get here and pull up in front of a facility like this. They realize we’re a global company working here but staying where our roots are. That plays well.”

Contact Jason Recker at jrecker@dcherald.com.

PAGE 34 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Family Friends Fun Fitness ■

■

Start your Friday with a ...

ly Proud In Made

a Indian

Spas Starting at Only

299900

Freeflow rankedat #1Only in overall product quality Spas Starting 2999 $

after one year, and Overall Product Quality in general in Spa Retailer Magazine!

Freeflow ranked #1 in overall product quality after one year, and Overall Product Quality in general in Spa Retailer Magazine! Fiberglass Masterpiece Pools

We are a full service center for all of your pool & spa needs. Our certified pool and spa technicians service all makes and models. We have over 30 years of experience in the industry!

(812) 482-3292 271 South Clay Street Jasper

JAY-KEM, INC.

BARGAIN BARN Specializing in

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm Sat. 9 am - 12 pm

1905 Main St., Ferdinand Jasper • Forest Park • Southridge NE Dubois • Heritage Hills • Perry Central

HOODED SCHOOL JACKETS

AMERICAN MADE Furniture “Hours for the working people with prices to match” www.bargainbarnfurniture.net 1 Mile North of Ferdinand On Hwy. 162

Southgate Shopping Center Jasper

Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Wednesdays

NOW OPEN SUNDAYS NOON-4 P.M. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Proud To Be A Part Of Dubois County’s Heritage!

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 35

WHAT WE MAKE You could live in Dubois County all your life and not see any of the many products made here — or at least never be aware they were made here. So we thought we’d show you a sampling of our county’s craftsmanship.

DEFINITION BY KIMBALL OFFICE

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

SWISH BY JSI OF JASPER GROUP

Definition casegoods, Kimball says, belong to a tradition of fine woodworking and painstaking engineering. Definition consists of a selection of components that are configurable to any environment.

Since 1985, Kimball Electronics has produced more than 60 million anti-lock braking system (ABS) modules for the automotive industry, installed on a variety of automotive brand name vehicles worldwide.

This line is for private offices. Swish is a modular casegoods system that is light, open and flexible. It is designed to facilitate teamoriented collaborative work flow.

CONNECT BY JSI OF JASPER GROUP

ERGO LINE BY INWOOD OFFICE INVIRONMENTS

2 3

Connect lounge seating allows endless configurations that adapt to changing workspaces. It features linear and curved seating in five back heights. Tables, benches and media cabinets are part of the product line.

A style designed for a traditional private office, but with an optional electric component (patent applied for) to raise and lower the work surface for the option of sitting or standing to promote a healthier work style.

ARLINGTON LINE BY INDIANA FURNITURE

SLATE BY OFS BRANDS

SALEER SERIES BY INWOOD OFFICE INVIRONMENTS

Arlington offers traditional styling. It is crafted in select solid woods with walnut veneers and high pressure laminate work surfaces. Arlington provides a variety of configurations.

Concise and designed to be intuitive, Slate provides media support, space division, collaboration tools, power and storage in a way that helps people work together more effectively.

4 5

6 7

The Saleer series is designed for people who must collaborate with others.

More on the next page.

PAGE 36 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

WHAT WE MAKE CONT. 9.

WELCOME BY INWOOD OFFICE INVIRONMENTS This series was introduced at NeoCon in 2008. It is designed for reception and greeting areas.

10.

EDGE BY OFS BRANDS The edge promotes a modern work style by creating a new way for people to move out of a workstation, collaborate and simply hang out. Based on a ‘found objects’ principle.

11.

BOSTON BY COMMUNITY OF JASPER GROUP

12.

CANVAS BY INDIANA FURNITURE

13.

BROADWAY+ BY JSI OF JASPER GROUP

14.

MADRID LOUNGE BY OFS BRANDS

Subtle curves enhance this classic wood chair, designed circa 1929. Color finishes complement wood finishes for a modern twist.

The Canvas line is constructed of realistic laminate that gives the aesthetic of wood. Produced in a variety of colors, pull and profile options.

Broadway+ casegoods allow a wide spectrum of possibilities for office areas. It’s designed to keep office tools organized and work surfaces clutter free.

The Madrid seating collection was designed to complement a variety of table heights and types including conference, occasional and desk applications.

14 13

CLASSICS

Dubois County has been making furniture for a long time. Here are some examples of classic products.

Occasional tables made by Ferdinand Furniture Co.

A sketch of a piece of furniture from Huntingburg Furniture which is now OFS Brands.

Americana by Community of Jasper Group. The Americana Series, originally named 400, is still in production today and remains a signature card of the company’s quality.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 37

PAGE 38 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

DESIGNERS’ MINDS

We asked eight furniture designers about their work. Their inspiration, creativity and foresight helps keep their companies ahead of the curve — and the competition.

Above: MasterBrand design sketch. Right: Keith Fritz Furniture table.

BOB BOMHOLT Kimball Hospitality vice president, general manager How does your industry work in terms of design? There’s a whole industry of interior designers for the hotel furniture business. We work with them on their inspiration to bring products to life in terms of form, fit and functionality — the shape it takes, how it goes together in the room, how it functions in the room for guests. The product is becoming more complicated. It used to be a headboard, two nightstands, a table. Not so much anymore. What are the biggest changes? Definitely electronics because of iPads, laptops, cellphones. Then flat-screen TVs hanging on the wall and guests being able to connect into TVs. The furniture has become a lot bigger. With the big JW Marriott headboard, it’s a giant sheet on the wall. It used to hang on the wall and you’d hang artwork above it. That’s not what designers want anymore. They want to make a statement. Does some of it look odd? It’s different from a Holiday Inn to a Ritz-Carlton. But the idea is they want to make the room not only a place to sleep but a place to do business, and we do a lot of lobby work, too. Lobbies are becoming more a place for social networking. It used to be a place to register and get a room key. Now they want to you come down, interact. Most times you can get lunch and at night get a drink and do business in the lobby. It used to be that seating in a lobby would be a couple chairs. Now, there are all kinds of seating so you can interact with business associates or family. There are places to put your laptop. There are communal tables to sit at bar-stool height and share drink or work. There is a lot of interaction. And there is power to run electronic devices. Even in guest rooms,

you used to be crawling around looking for an outlet in the wall. Now they make it easy, you can plug electronics in on top of a nightstand. You have to be on the cutting edge. We’re seeing more and more besides wooden furniture. People are putting metal, glass, stone, acrylic with it. The more unique the product is, the more value we add, the more we get rewarded for that. What’s it like when you stay in a hotel? You can bet I open the drawer to see if it’s Kimball or not. If it is, good. If not, I suss that product from top to bottom. Every brand wants to make a statement. We’re all competing for business — Hampton against Courtyard against Hilton Garden. They all believe in the franchise model so they want things to be consistent. It’s like McDonald’s wants the Big Mac to taste the same in Fargo, N.D., as it does in Portland, Maine. Courtyard wants their hotel in California to look like it does in Florida. Repeat business is key. Kimball Hospitality furniture in major markets has to be a point of pride. We do business with every hotel company in the world. In Las Vegas, the fact that we’re in the majority of rooms there is absolutely a sense of pride. They all want to make a statement in Las Vegas to say it’s going to be a spectacular experience staying in that hotel. And it’s Kimball furniture.

KEITH FRITZ Keith Fritz Furniture owner Your furniture is based on customer input. All of the furniture we build is through interior designers. I travel around the country visiting people, showrooms. Dining tables are our specialty. We custom-tailor

Please turn to Page 40

z FAMILY RESTAURANT t r a Schw Located on the newly-built Hwy 37 – just 4 miles south of Patoka Lake or 5 miles north of Interstate I-64 at the Tell City Exit 79. 812-338-9000 schwartzrestaurant.com

HISTORY The Schwartz Family Restaurant is family owned and operated. The owners, Joe and Edna Schwartz were both raised on an Amish farm. They married in 1983 and had 12 children. Inspired by their Amish heritage, they decided they wanted to share their love of Amish-style cooking and baking with everyone. At Schwartz’s Restaurant everything is made from scratch and served to you with a SMILE!

Welcome to our new family owned restaurant where we hope you’ll enjoy our from scratch made baking and cooking. Our goal is to satisfy our customers in every way possible. From the first day our father mentioned something about building a restaurant, we kids were really excited. It seemed like we had an easy road ahead of us. This turned out to be a lot more than expected. Thankfully, with the help of family and friends, we managed through. With continued help from family and friends, we hope to satisfy our customers for a very long time.

Hours: (all times EDT) Closed Mondays Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 11am-8pm; Fri. & Sat. 8am-9pm; & Sun. 8am-2pm

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS■■PAGE PAGE39 7

• Collision Repair & Refinishing • Full Uni-body Frame Repair • Restoration & Rust Repair • Computerized Estimating • Own Paint Mixing System for best color match (Best in Dubois Co.)

BASF – RM – DIAMONT • Paintless Dent Repair

We work with All Insurance Companies

Philip Hasenour Eric Scherer Karen & Mike Hagedorn

324 W. 6th Street, Ferdinand, IN • 812-367-1614

Your First Name in Travel Since 1991 Local Owned ly Operat & ed

• Industrial • Residential and Commercial Contractors

Presents ...

Heart of Russia – June 11-23, 2014

RIVER CRUISE Moscow to St. Petersburg SPECIAL PRESENTATION Tues., Nov. 19th 6:00 PM RSVP’s requested

Preferred Travel Agent for 1528 Leopold Street • Jasper (812) 634-1606 • 631-0882

couples only!

509 3rd Avenue • Jasper, Indiana (812) 482-7158 • jackiestravel@jackiests.com • (800) 467-4587

PAGE 40 8 ■■HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Designers Continued from Page 38 each table to fit the client’s needs. I go in and help. Size, how it sets and interacts with chairs, wood , finish — all of that is tailored to suit their needs. How many people do it that way? Not many in our county. I’m in the world of ultra-high-end residential. We do things all across the board designwise. Our clients want something special, something no one else has, materials that are rare. They don’t want something mass produced. Pieces we build are difficult for a factory to build. You visit clients across the country? We have showrooms in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, South Florida and Minneapolis. A few weeks ago, I got home from a D.C., New York, Boston delivery trip. Then I had a trip to Chicago, Minneapolis, Wichita, Kan., Dallas, Houston, New Orleans. I drive about 45,000 or 50,000 miles per year. It helps me get a piece right when I’ve been in the buyer’s home. So is every piece different? It’s pretty rare we build the same exact piece twice. With dining tables, no two are identical. There are a lot of factors with that — size of the room, how many people will be seated, how do you entertain, the way chairs interact with the table, the wood, the finish. Mahogany is a New York finish. A rustic look, that’s more Texas. For most people, a standard table doesn’t fit. How does the process work? You’re a client and need a dining table. How big is the dining room? How do you plan to seat people? Do you need a round table or rectangular? Leaves or not? We get an idea of what else is going in the room like the color palette, finishes. Is it an everyday dining or a formal dining table? If it’s everyday, do you have kids? If you have an everyday table to seat four and you want it a little more casual, we might go with a hand-planed finish, maybe walnut. On the other end, you may have a formal room in a Connecticut home with antiques and be very traditional. You built a table for Bill Clinton. When the Clintons left the White House in 2001, I made their dining table for their home in Chappaqua, N.Y., and console in their foyer in D.C. Hillary had worked with an interior designer and had some photos she liked. The house in Chappaqua ... the color palette was walls with creamy yellow, a sunny color, and Hillary loves that because it’s a cheerful color. Certain colors are good for the spirit. We did a round dining table. One leaf. Their room was pretty much square so a round table made sense. That’s as famous as a client can be. We did a meeting table for George W. Bush when he left the White House. His table is on our website, Preston table. He likes to meet with people at a table rather than a desk. So it’s a mix of practicality and flair. A table needs to be functional and people need to be comfortable. I like to stretch my legs so my tables have curved legs. A lot of is just listening to clients, understanding what will work for them.

VIRGIL GRESS Kitchen Jewels president Take me through the design process. We do have a design team, but we also rely on dealers. What we do is put it in the CAD division. Most of the designers have experience with kitchen cabinets and they’ll come up with ideas. It’s up to us to catch any problems like sizes that are wrong, door styles that won’t ﬁt the opening. You’re not a huge company. So what makes product design different? We sit and listen to what a person wants in their kitchen. You can pretty well design it from there. Say they want the silverware drawer or stove in a certain place. You have to make sure, like with the stove, you leave enough room to sit pots and pans off to the side. You have enough clearance so you don’t have grease splatter on the wall. You think about roll-out cabinets, the size of doors, numerous things to make sure

Jasper Group seating and working area. they’re thinking the right way. We’re not just making ordinary stock cabinets. Our product is very custom so we have to be right on everything we do. What happens when you meet with a customer? I do more listening than I do talking. I ﬁgured that out gradually. You learn twice as much by listening as you do by putting input into it. I’ll tell them if they’re wrong, but most people come in here and know what they want, they know exactly what they want. All you have to do is listen and you can design from what they’re telling you. You’re here more or less to guide the pencil and do exactly what they’re saying and tell them what will work or won’t work. What works? We have a kitchen (we designed) in Louisville now. It’s one of the smaller ones I’ve seen. We opened it up and gave (the customer) plenty of room. Years ago, people used to have small cabinets and dishes now won’t ﬁt in those — you almost have to put them in sideways. We’ve opened them up, put (doors with no center rail). There are ways you can redesign and make things open so they’ll have more room.

make it complete. If you get too much on the cutting edge, you limit yourself to acceptance, pricing, trends. If it’s too trendy, it has no longevity. Sometimes you hit a home run. Sometimes you just get a hit. Sometimes you strike out. Hopefully you get more hits and home runs than strikeouts. But I’ve had strikeouts. Any inspiration locally? I have one line that was basically inspired by my parents’ couch growing up. We always cling to the past; that’s a traditional safety in us. We want to reach forward, but we’re always reaching back to hold onto something. It’s so exciting because there is young talent coming into this ﬁeld. I wish I could be 18 again. Do you sketch? How has technology changed what you do? I diddle. Then I have a 3-D program where I model. Then I do it all on CAD. I started with a pencil and elbow machine. That’s a drafting machine that had a board elevated and there were two elbows with a pivot point. Then you had a T-square and everything was drawn out. There was no 3-D. I had to take the sketch and make it happen. I learned how to scale, proportion. It was a great experience.

DAVE GUTGSELL

BRIAN LANGE

Independent designer used by Jasper Group and Versteel

Best Home Furnishings president

The ability to think in terms of design. How does that work? You have to think outside the box a little bit. You have to be creative. After I was exposed to it, I had a feeling. But what helped me was the fact that I got engineering experience and design experience. It’s hard for a designer to do because most designers are in the ﬁeld of strictly styling. Is engineering a necessity? It has to be. That’s a problem with a lot of designers. They have no concept of manufacturing. That can be an advantage and a disadvantage. I’m a little more traditional because of it. I have to make it work, whereas a lot of people have no bounds. They’re going to be more on the cutting edge. I limit myself, but my products a lot of times have more longevity to them. What’s it like looking at furniture? I can open up a magazine and it’s like heaven to me. I love new products. I’m always looking. Who’s making this, who’s making that? I look at labels. Who manufactured this? Who designed that? Where do you get ideas? I have a feel for the market, where it’s going. Then I do a lot of research, especially the cutting-edge people. Then I try to bend design and manufacturing. Jasper is a traditional neighborhood, so for cuttingedge design to come out of Jasper isn’t going to happen unless you bring it in from the outside. You have to be mainstream somewhat, but you have to give companies their identity. (One Jasper Group) I designed is a product from eight years ago, but we’re basically redesigning it to bring it to what it is today. We’re enhancing it to

Where do ideas come from? A lot from experience. I’ve been in the business for almost 30 years and even beyond that because I’m a family member (of the company founder), so I guess it’s kind of in my blood. I travel a lot, and I find myself, regardless of where I am — a home, motel, restaurant, retail store — I always want to pay attention to furniture in that location. I gather ideas from that. Granted, we have approximately 4,500 dealers in the world and ... we ask them a lot of questions about design and needs. They give us a lot of input. We don’t really do anything at the consumer level because that tends to be very broad. But we talk a lot with our representatives. We have a small committee of four or five with people from sales and marketing and research and development and we discuss what we’ll do in the next phase. We introduce new products basically every six months. Do you actually sketch ideas with a pen, paper? I do a lot of sketching. I take magazines and take part of this chair and take part of this chair. I’ll take three pictures and maybe sketch that out. What seems to be popular right now is retro things that we’ve actually taken products we produced in 1960s and early 1970s, taken some of our old units and put new modern flair and brought them back into the market. Those units are doing quite well. How far ahead do you think or work — six months, a year, 18 months? All three. We work with suppliers and some things take quite some time to design and produce. It may take a year and a half to design it. We don’t do 100 percent of all

components in products that we build. So it may be a year to year and a half to fully develop something. Do you kind of steal ideas from products you see elsewhere? Kind of, sort of, and in a lot of cases that happens. But in a lot of other cases, we create things on our own. I travel the country and have bought chairs at auctions from the 1950s and brought them into our research and development and added ﬂair and those chairs are highly successful. How old were you before you picked up on these design intricacies? I worked in the summertime in high school and started right out of high school at 18. My father (Clem) was pretty good at getting us involved in the whole facet of the business. I worked in manufacturing for several years and research and development for several years. I’ve been designing furniture all along. Some chairs look interesting. But isn’t comfort a priority? In some cases, you really want comfort, but it depends on what the design is for. If something is going in a living room, naturally you want it more comfortable. But I’m not going to lie, we have some chairs that were designed strictly around style. We try to make it as comfortable as you can, but in some cases it’s a showpiece rather than a place to sit for a long period of time.

AARON OWENS Inwood Office Furniture engineering manager How does your process work? It kind of comes to us from different avenues. We like to try to do something new twice a year. We might petition, for lack of a better term, sales reps, people in the field, designers in the industry to see if they have an idea that’s hot — new colors, new techniques. You like to keep things fresh, keep an eye on the market. Usually we try to solve a problem for someone like more natural light, more engaging spaces. What kind of problems are you solving? There are some government regulations — benefits with tax breaks and (environmental) credits — like, say you need to keep furniture height 42 inches or less to allow natural light to filter into the room. Someone might have a project that will have vast open spaces for collaborative areas rather than offices. They want a product that fits into that area. We might build a product that solves that problem. One thing we’ve had to learn in our industry around here is to be adaptive to customers’ needs. Twenty years ago, that’s something large manufacturers didn’t target. Now, you just tell us the size and we’ll get you a credenza that slides in that space. What are you doing that captures this individual need that makes it stand out from everyone else?

Please turn to Page 42

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS■■PAGE PAGE41 9

Spring

Summer

5413 W 1200 S Dale, Indiana

Fall

Jenkins

Located off Hwy. 231 between Huntingurg & Dale

Family Family Greenhouses, Greenhouses, LLC LLC

Winter

812-536-3777 or 800-424-0223

Since 1971

WHOLESALE & RETAIL FLOWERS – HERBS – VEGETABLES 15 Greenhouses ... many plants grown on site Annuals & Perennials Water Plants Bulk & Package Seeds Fundraisers Live Bait & Tackle jenkinsfamilygreenhouses.com

OPEN YEAR ROUND Mon.-Fri. 8-5 & Extended Seasonal Hours

Kids find their place. The first years of a child’s life will make or break his or her place in society. A Kid’s Place Day Care cultivates child development during this most critical time. This caliber of care can be found nowhere else in Dubois County. With expert staff and a defined focus on the future of each child, A Kid’s Place has become the center of the community, initiating programs, integrating high-level curriculums, and providing unmatched resources giving their kids no option but to succeed. Every Dubois County child deserves the opportunity to find their place at A Kid’s Place – their wait list of 100+ is a testament to this fact. A Kid’s Place has established excellence in child care and is an asset for this community. Support for A Kid’s Place fuels the growth for the youth who will decide the future of Dubois County.

505 E 1st St., Huntingburg, IN 47542 (812) 683-2755(812) 683-2755.

Our SOLUTIONS keep your business on top!

Since 1993

Servicing local businesses in

Dubois County and Surrounding Counties with

TELEPHONE AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS 450 E. 11th Avenue • Jasper, Indiana (812) 634-8001 eck-mundy.com

PAGE 42 10 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Designers Concluded from Page 40 How do you differentiate? For a company our size, there’s a lot bigger companies locally around us. We’ve come up with a few things on our own. We have at-reach storage for overhead and cabinets, so as you sit at your desk, the cabinets are at shoulder height. You don’t have to stand up and get out of your chair to grab a book or a catalog to grab an organizer. We’re also encouraging people to get up and move around. One of our newer product this year and is what we called an ergo product. We have a lift mechanism and you’re at desk, you’re tired of sitting, you want to stand. This mechanism lifts the desk surface 20 inches. What about technology? The electrical needs of a given user have changed. It used to be really simple — desktop computer, plug things into the wall, wires for phone line and data and that’s where you stayed. Some workers become more mobile, so we’ve had to come up with more creative ways to bring power to the work surface. It needs to look clean, be safe. To me, that’s the challenge we’ve had to face. It can be a fun challenge.

SCOTT SCHWINGHAMMER

look for somebody independent. There’s a bit of a European look to our product, and always has been; we watched the European market years ago and knew that from a design standpoint, that look was probably ﬁve years from coming this way. We still have a design ﬁrm in Milan. We have one in Grand Rapids, Mich. Some here. What is different about your style? Being in metal is different in itself. The clean lines. It’s almost simple in that respect. Elegant but simple. I don’t know that it will be what everybody likes in the Midwest, but that type of product appeals to the design community and furnishing industry — interior designers and architects. It works in different markets across the country. We’re in all 50 states and export to the Middle East and a little bit into South America. What makes a good design? Good detail. If we don’t feel it’s just got that right little bit, we go back and work on that area. Every design we’ve looked at, there’s a little design we’ve had to change. Some of it is determined by the manufacturing process. Something might be a little too costly to make it a certain way. You’re trying to mix a different look with usefulness. Is that difficult? It’s a solution to the work environment. It’s not just a piece of art. It has to be aesthetically pleasing and very functional. It’s not necessarily hard to do, but it’s looking for a designer with a good eye who understands the two requirements.

ANDY WELLS

Versteel and Ditto Sales president, CEO

MasterBrand Cabinets vice president of product design

How does the design process work? In most cases, we look at what our customer requirements are, the type of product like a chair or table. We look at who we’ve done business with before and if nothing feels right, we

Do you use history as a guide? In researching, we look at different periods in furniture design. We go back to the turn of the last century and before that even. We’re looking for intrinsic details. We’re not necessarily going

to copy this Louis XIV board-back chair into a door. There might be really good styling lines on something we can use in a piece. Or we might be completely original. There was a complete original in our stable that was drawn on this table and it’s our best-selling door. All it’s about is really listening. Our industry has really sharpened its hearing skills with the consumer. I do much more listening than I do drawing. I’m listening to forecasts over here from one furniture company to a paint company to a floor company. What is the movement? We’re trying to predict where it’s going to go before we even start to look. How long does it take to get a feel for design, for color? When I started attending color forecasting bodies, I was completely confused, I’ll admit. ... We talk about directions and nature plays a huge part in what we do. It can be translations from nature. Something as simple as a duck pond to a vegetable to a skull of an animal that’s passed on. There are a lot of nuances that come from nature, from herbs and spices, from different wood tones. What we tend to look at more recently is the influence of crafts. That’s global crafts from all countries. I have a piece of silk in acrylic made by a local craftswoman in Nepal. Crafts from Africa. Crafts from South America. We translate them into beautiful color and style for the home. ... It’s kind of making sure you’re aligned with the adjacent industries and world trends before you come back to little old Jasper and start drawing a wooden door. We show up all over the world. We work with printers from Germany to Japan. It’s a global industry. The hardware makers are in China, Italy, Germany. Every two years, there’s an enormous show that it takes three days to walk. The hall itself is a mile long. It’s near Milan. We attend those to make sure we’re aligned, we know what’s new, what’s coming. You get inside people’s heads. When you’re trying to sell to a consumer today, you better have an authentic story. People are tired of buying words. They want authenticity behind the offer. That’s why I think a lot of the finishes and styles have become more authentic. If you think about some of the finishes in our

showrooms, some are contrived. If you walk across our parking lot, you see a lot of acorns. A lot of husks from shells. That is authentic. The color from that husk is a great color for a finish on a door. Why? Because it represents nature and honest work. Because I can tell a story about it to a consumer and they get it. When you tell a story, they’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, I like that.’ ... Your job is to trigger emotion. Are you actually sketching? I’m a purist. I did fine arts, so I like to draw. I have a drawer full of colored pens and markers and templates. Literally I’m of the belief that you have to be able to draw. If you’re going to design stuff, it comes from your head, your heart down your arm and through your finger onto the paper. A computer is great. But a computer has no emotion, it doesn’t have feelings or that passion. I can draw quicker than they can do it in CAD. It’s a fact. You worked with Martha Stewart. She’s fabulous. She’s a real detailed lady. She has a massive office in New York on the top of the Starrett-Lehigh Building. It’s a city block. There are 400 people in there. She was dynamic. She was very inquisitive. She asked great questions. She will catch you, so make sure you’re telling the truth or telling the right detail. Are you looking at things differently than most? I’m constantly looking. I don’t ever look at a piece of luggage and say that’s a hat box. For me, a hat box is an opportunity to look at hardware, the stitching, the aging of it. Everything can be interpreted and used in some way, shape or form. We draw our inspirations from all over the place. We’ve used a piece of creek rock. A Kodiak bear. Barns in Indiana. The USS Missouri. Nothing is excluded from the inspiration book. We never say no. It’s always, “What is it?” It’s more involved than people think. It’s not about saying, “Well, it’s exactly that.” Of course, it is. It’s about, “What could it be?” It’s a lot of excitement. There’s no smoke and mirrors. There’s just a lot of research, a lot of rigor, a lot of authenticity. But there’s a lot of passion for it. You have to have a passion for it. We have competitors, so we need the edge, we need something a little bit different.

Proudly Serving Dubois County

2060 S. Lube Way, Jasper • 482-6666

America’s Sub Shop

1921 Lube Way, Jasper • 634-7827

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

SHIRLEY’S

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 43

Between Dale & Huntingburg on Hwy 231 South

Proudly Serving Dubois County Since 1998!

683-3377 800-375-1785

STUFF

www.shirleyssewingstuff.com

Mon.-Fri. 10-12 & 1-5:30; Sat. 9-12:30

YARNS NEEDLES THREADS SCISSORS BOOKS FABRICS PATTERNS FLOSSES

7 Rooms Filled

NOTIONS UPS FEDEX USPS

QUILT SUPPLIES CUTTING MATS

(812) 482-7447 (SHIP) FAX(812)482-7297 www.packandshipinjasper.com mailbox@psci.net

& MUCH MORE!

See us for Custom Banners, Copies, Fax, Invitations & More

PAGE 44 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

OFS Brands’ fitness trainer Pam Jamniczky of Bristow, left, demonstrated how to do arm curls while balancing on a yoga ball with Megan Gunselman of Jasper, right, during a group exercise in the OFS gym in Huntingburg on May 22. OFS is among multiple Dubois County businesses that have wellness programs for their employees. Jamniczky, who has been with OFS for 10 years, became the company’s full-time fitness coordinator six months ago.

WELLNESS

Companies see value in employee health Story by Candy Neal Photos by Rachel Mummey Editor’s note: This article originally was published May 30, 2012. Information has been updated, and revisions have been made. Christian Paeth pedaled as fast as he could on the spin bike he rode Thursday afternoon. Sweat dripped down his neck, soaking his maroon T-shirt. “Eye of the Tiger” blasted from the stereo speakers of OFS Brands’ training room, encouraging him and the dozen other perspiring people in his cardio class to push themselves harder. Their class teacher at the time, Pam Jamniczky, added on to the encouragement. “C’mon!” she shouted to her tired but pumped trainees, looking at the stopwatch in her hand. “Thirty seconds! Go, go, go!” The training room, where that class was held, has been at the corporate office for the last eight years. All company employees, not just those working at the corporate headquarters, are free to use the fully stocked workout room, nearby lap pool, saunas and outdoor walking path. They also may participate in any of the eightweek workout classes that are held before and after work and during lunch periods. “We’ve always had a wellness program,” Jamniczky said at the time. “We’re taking the extra effort to encourage employees to be active in their wellness and fitness.” Jamniczky was OFS’ first full-time corporate fitness trainer, having been hired in late 2011. The current trainer, Amber Breitweiser, has been the position for the last six months. OFS is one of several corporations in Dubois County that have been extending their wellness programs beyond the typical annual health screenings. Employers are offering nutrition classes, on-site fitness sessions and facilities and incentives to encourage employees to live healthier and drop unhealthy habits. Bretiweiser said that OFS has about four classes each day, with the lengths of them ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. The company offers a weight management class and nutritional counseling. For those who participate in the company’s health screening program can earn discounts on their insurance cost for goals they meet. A full gym was added recently at the company’s Highpoint, N.C. facility for all the Carolina employees there, Breitweiser said.

Among them is MasterBrand Cabinets. “We want to raise the whole awareness of the level of health risks,” said Robert Jacobs, vice president of human resources for MasterBrand. “Our wellness program is an outcome-based program.” That means that employee who are on the company’s insurance policy can earn points based on how much they improve their health and reduce health risks like blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and nicotine use. Those points translate into discounts on the premiums employees pay for their health insurance. MasterBrand also offers programs to teach employees about nutrition and ﬁtness and partners with other entities, including Memorial Hospital, to offer health-related classes and programs. More than 40 companies use parts of the wellness package Memorial offers. Those include ﬁtness and nutrition training, health screenings, health-risk assessments, disease education, smoking cessation, on-site sessions, tracking programs and personal coaching and health monitoring for employees. “We look at not only class participation, but what other mechanisms will get people more involved,” said Jan Renner, supervisor of community education for the hospital. “We want employees to feel responsible for their health outcome.” These programs can be a low-cost alternative for companies looking to reinforce health and positive lifestyle changes. Building relationships with employees is essential in helping them choose healthy

lifestyles, Renner said. Memorial offers similar programs for its own workers. “We have a philosophy of ‘being for others,’ but we highly encourage employees to also take care of themselves by taking part in the employee wellness program,” Renner said. Corporations have steadily improved their health offerings, Renner said. “A lot of companies are really paying attention, and helping their employees get healthy.” With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, Memorial Hospital can be a key player in assisting companies in reducing claims, incentivizing employees to stay healthy and tracking outcomes by using evidence-based programming and reliable health research. Memorial offers several fitness classes each month that are open to the public. Certified fitness instructors oversee weekly fitness classes to both hospital employees and the public. Each month a new class schedule is listed on Memorial’s website, www.mhhcc. org. Classes are held in the Wellness Center at the Memorial Southside Office, 1100 W. 12th Ave. in Jasper. Jasper Engines & Transmissions has an extensive focus on health and wellness, according to director of corporate care Linda Goeppner. The company’s program includes two full-time and three part-time trainers who promote activity through on-site workouts weekday mornings and afternoons. The company also has an on-site health and wellness center, JASPER Health WoRx.

Dave Eckert, of Jasper, center, stretched with co-workers Loren Newkirk of Jasper, left, and Tyler Whitsitt of Duff, right, at Jasper Engines & Transmissions on Dec. 12.

Six full-time team members — two nurse practitioners, two registered nurses, one occupational therapist, and one receptionist/ medical assistant — provide acute, episodic, chronic, wellness and work-related services at the Jasper site to associates, spouses and dependent children up to age 26. The company also partners with Memorial Hospital to offer JASPER Health WoRx at its Crawford County site. Three team members service that wellness center. One collaborating physician, Dr. Frank Hopkins, provides oversight at both locations. “Associates and their family members have expressed much gratitude for quality, convenient, low-cost services they have experienced at JASPER Health WoRx over (its) one and a half years of operation,” Goeppner says. “Just as important, caring, trusting relationships have been built to enable much education, including most recently, one-on-one coaching and small group education and support sessions. There’s much appreciation to the management team for offering this tremendous beneﬁt.” “With the tremendous increase in health costs, wellness is a very serious matter,” said Marty Vaught, spokesman for Kimball International. “Years ago, wellness was focused on basic safety — avoiding injuries. Then it moved to ergonomics — preventing straining. Now it’s more about nutritional choices, exercise and stress management and (the balance of one’s) general work life.” Kimball offers programs in all of those areas. Additionally, the company encourages departments to create their own wellness teams to provide programs geared to their employees. “Managers in Florida may have different ways to reach their employees than the ones in Indiana,” Vaught said. Additionally, Kimball prioritizes making sure employees are kept abreast of the rapidly changing health care environment, letting them know how changes in insurance coverage affect their company plans. “We decided we wanted to eliminate that anxiety” that comes along with changes in policy, Vaught said. After his hourlong workout at OFS, Paeth, headed to the locker room. He’d been in the class since joining the company six months earlier. “I never had time (before) to exercise,” he said after the workout. “But I can come down here right after work and do this. I want to just to stay active really.”

■ Herald Staff Writers Sarah Fentem, Claire Moorman, Bill Powell and Tony Raap contributed to this report.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 45

Putting People to Work and Changing Lives www.spartanstaffing.com/jasper

* Custom Processing of Cattle and Hogs * Retail and Wholesale Sales: • Beef, Pork, Limited Selection of Poultry, Seafood and Cheeses • Merkley recipe products: Smoked Hams and Bacon Fresh Sausage Fresh and Cooked Brats Old Fashioned Natural Casing Hot Dogs Bolognas Summer Sausages & Much More!

Try our new marinated Turkey Tenders!

– Quality Since 1954 – 3994 W 180 N, Jasper, IN 47546 812-482-7020

“The Jasper Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the economic, industrial, professional and civic welfare of its membership and community.” 302 W. 6th St. • Jasper, IN Chamber@jasperin.org • (812) 482-6866

PAGE 46 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

LEADERSHIP

Northeast Dubois then-seniors Rachel Hoffman, left, Stephanie Nordhoff and Megan Wilz punched and danced while taking a Zumba session from Ashley Recker of Dale during the Young Women Leadership, Education And Development conference at Vincennes University Jasper Campus on March 7. Nearly 250 high school girls from area counties attended the one-day LEAD conference organized by the young professional women who belong to the Soar program.

Young women prepared to Soar Editor’s note: The Herald published articles about Soar on Jan. 2 and March 16 of this year. Here, those stories have been merged and updated.

Story by Claire Moorman Photos by Rachel Mummey This past March, a group of 10 young professional women representing Jasper companies completed a yearlong leadership program by hosting an event for 250 high school girls. The Young Women Leadership, Education And Development — LEAD — conference was open to girls attending high school in Dubois, Spencer, Pike, Crawford, Daviess, Martin, Orange and Perry counties. The 10 organizers began planning the conference a year in advance and continued during monthly meetings with representatives from the Winchester, Ky.-based Soar program. Soar is intended to help young professional women identify their own strengths and weaknesses in the workplace, network with other professionals and learn techniques for success. Each of the women was selected to participate by her employer. Each meeting had a specific topic, explained Sara Schmidt, the operations manager of Jasper certified components at Jasper Engines & Transmissions. Soar representatives provided readings and videos on those topics beforehand, and the group discussed those materials monthly. At the end of every meeting, the women would pair up for peer-to-peer advice sessions. The group members are referred to as “high potentials” and are typically women who have been at their jobs for seven to 15 years. Participating companies also select more established professional women, called “mustangs,” to serve as mentors during the meetings. Schmidt, who is in her eighth year of full-time work at Jasper Engines, said a large portion of each session was set aside for the high-potential women to quiz the mustangs on personal leadership philosophies and learning experiences. As her time in Soar came to a close, Schmidt said she would take away “more confidence, probably first and foremost,

and the tools to be better at what we do. It helps build your conﬁdence, but it also gives you an opportunity to experience some of the things you are going to come across through other people’s experiences. Sometimes you’re very capable, but you just don’t know how to go about it, and so it has given us a lot of leadership tactics to use.” Schmidt had not heard of the program before being approached by leaders in her company to participate. Soar ﬁrst came to Jasper in 2012 and Schmidt’s was the inaugural Jasper group. Other members were Erica Arthur, Jill Kidwell and Olga Pertseva of Memorial Hospital, Sheila Buechler of Kimball Electronics Group, Dawn Ferrier of Matrix Integration, Dianna Land of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co., Audrey Meyer of Kimball Office, Jennifer Reinhart of Kunkel Insurance and Angie Troxler of National Office Furniture. With the exception of Schmidt and Kidwell, who are continuing with the group as project co-managers, those women moved on, and a second wave of women began their Soar experience in mid-February. The new group comprises Breanne Hasenour, Amanda Klem, Kendra Rottet and Jama Wallace of Memorial Hospital, Jessica DeLorenzo of Vincennes University Jasper Campus, Jamie Gogel of Kimball Corporate Travel and Guest Relations, Andrea King of Kimball Office, Becky Merder of Kimball Electronics, Kim Rust of Matrix and Heather Wilkerson of National Office Furniture Ferrier, the service operations center manager at Matrix Integration, said the program has left her with lasting friendships. “This group is going to stick together. We’ve got some fantastic bonds, and from a business perspective we rely on each other,” Ferrier said of the inaugural group. “We all have different roles that we do every day, and we’re all mangers to some degree, but they (Soar representatives) took it to a different level. They gave us things to think about that we could take back ... into our places of business.” Program founder Sally Schott attended the monthly meetings, and laughed with the group about her initially reluctant decision to bring the program to Dubois County. Soar usually works with companies in

metropolitan areas — including Evansville, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Cincinnati in Ohio and Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky — and Schott had not considered a smaller town until Memorial Hospital’s senior vice president of patient services and chief nursing officer, Tonya Heim, approached her. Heim had been involved in an Evansville Soar group and suggested that the large number of manufacturing companies based in Jasper would make it a suitable location, Schott said. She added that the Jasper community quickly embraced her program. “Everybody was so intrigued about the Soar program. It was a very easy sell,” she said. “Here, everybody is so involved in the community, it just blows me away. Everyone seems to be so engaged in supporting their community.” When it came time for the LEAD conference at the Jasper Arts Center and Vincennes University Jasper Campus, the topics covered included self-esteem, professionalism, poise, healthy relationships and bodies, safety, Web know-how, perseverance, ﬁnancial literacy and entrepreneurship. Nearly 250 girls from the eight counties attended,and each selected three of nine breakout sessions. The Soar group provided lessons about self-worth and goal-setting by bringing Precious Blood School teacher Kelly (Craig) Schaefer, who was paralyzed in all four limbs after the car she was riding in was hit by a drunk driver in 1999, to tell her story of perseverance in the Be Inspired session. The mood in the room was somber and eyes glistened with tears as Schaefer explained that even though some of her goals have changed, she has managed to achieve the things that were important to her. “When I was your age, I had my own hopes and dreams myself. The challenge is, what if circumstances interrupt or derail your dreams, your plans, your goals, and you don’t get to do those things?” she told the group. “There will be hardships of different kinds. There will be bumps that will derail you from your goals. My prayer for you is that no matter what happens, you hold on tight to your dreams and your ambitions and don’t let anyone shake those.”

Jasper High School then-sophomore Mariya Merkley both laughed and winced as Washington Police Department Capt. Tim Guy demonstrated how to use pressure points to get away from an attacker during the conference March 7. The conference offered opportunities to advance the girls’ professional skills with a tutorial on interview techniques hosted by Soar’s Schmidt and Kidwell. Julie Marie Carrier, TV personality and author of the self-help book for teens “BeYoutiful,” served as the keynote speaker for the day. She said she once was an awkward girl suffering from an embarrassing growth disorder, but she overcame that adversity by learning to be herself and act with conﬁdence. “‘Be you,’ two words that we hear so much they’re in danger of becoming a dismissed cliché. But I’m here to share with you girls that even though it sounds simple, being who you really are can be one of the most difficult and one of the most rewarding things that you can ever do,” Carrier said. She then instructed each girl to turn to her neighbor and tell her, “You deserve respect!” After nearly a year of hard work, the Soar members were elated to have met their goal to provide a learning opportunity for so many local young women. “A lot of our inspiration was based on the fact that we all wish we had something like this when we were younger,” said Schmidt, who headed up the marketing committee. “It was our opportunity to think, ‘What would I have liked to have when I was younger to help me get to this point?’ Let’s help these girls understand what they can be.” The Soar members plan to host a Young Women LEAD conference again next year. It is set for March 13.

■ Herald City Editor Martha Rasche contributed to this report.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 47

1108 E 15th St, PO Box 646, Jasper, IN • office 800-786-6121 • www.inwood.net

Come try Basket Case Beer and Join In on the FUN at Jasper’s Micro-Brewery!

Established in 1999 Innkeeper Ruth Mattingly

Queen Anne style home dating from the 1900’s. Enjoy a stay at this wonderful Queen Ann bed and breakfast located in the charming town of Ferdinand ... Includes a full breakfast in the exquisite dining room.

We accommodate ... • Rehearsal Dinners • Bridal-Baby Showers • Small Weddings • Family Gatherings • Business Meetings ...

Buy Out The House $350 + Tax One Night 1 Night Getaway $85 to $125 + Tax 2 Nights Getaway - $150-$200 + Tax Free Satellite TV and Wireless Internet. Mention offer when making a reservation.

210 Main St. • Ferdinand, IN, Exit 63 (812) 367-1881 or Toll Free (877) 367-1881 www.harvestmoonbedandbreakfast.com

Beer on Tap and in To-Go Growlers! Located inside The Mill House Restaurant on the corner of 14th and Mill Streets, Jasper (812) 482-4345 Visit: www.basketcasebeer.com

For Updates Find us on

Mon.-Thurs. 11:00 am-9:00 pm; Fri. & Sat. 11:00 am-9:30 pm; Sun. 4:00-9:00 pm

PAGE 48 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

LEADING WOMEN The Soar program is intended to help young professional women identify their strengths and weaknesses in the workplace, network with other professionals and learn techniques for success. In light of that, The Herald asked women affiliated with the program some questions about their careers and the importance of mentoring.

DAWN FERRIER Matrix Integration Service Operations Center manager I am a 41-year-old wife and mother of two kids, ages 9 and 16. I have worked for Matrix Integration for 19 years along with my husband, Steve, who has worked for Matrix Integration for 21 years. I am responsible for managing the daily service requests and activities. My husband and I spend time visiting antique stores for our sons’ vast collection of World War II memorabilia and our other collectibles/hobbies. What was the career ladder you followed to get to your current position? I worked hard to get a global understanding of the business and had discussions with the person I reported to on where I wanted to be (from a future perspective). He taught me that just because you have been doing something for a long time didn’t mean that you were ready for advancement. Find out what you really want to do within your company and begin having discussions on how to get there. Put a plan together that may equal more time vested, but with patience and hard work, it will pay off. Has being a woman in your management role presented any specific challenges? I think that most women face this at some point in their career. The key for me is using the tools that I have been given. For example, the Leadership through People Skills course teaches you to how to listen and communicate, especially in difficult situations. Before this class, I would allow the conversation to go down the road intended. But now I have a better understanding of how to appropriately stand my ground and use communications to help open doors versus the door closing. Why do you think it is important to mentor young girls and get them thinking about their career paths? What is the most significant career-related information you know now that you wish you would have known when you were in high school? I learned later in my career what exactly I wanted for my career path. Looking back, I didn’t have anyone that pointed to “There’s more —and here’s how you get there.” For our young women going out into the workforce, I say, “Watch, learn and ask questions. If you want something to change, you have to be willing to change something to get it.” I am also very lucky to have met the person that has mentored me, Brenda Stallings. She believes in paying it forward. I thank God every day for all that she has taught me and continues to share with me. I am a better person both personally and professionally because of her. I had the opportunity to kind of do this for someone I worked with. She is very talented and an asset to our organization — she just needed someone to help show her that. This person is doing amazing things for us – she did before; you just notice it more now because she sees the value she brings. Finally, our Soar/Young Women Lead group had the opportunity to mentor young high schools girls this spring. We planted seeds and left the young women with things to think about or consider. The feedback shared from the girls was more profound than the experience of helping to host the event. I don’t think there was

a member of our group that didn’t understand the impact or mark we left that day. The 2014 Young Women Lead group is doing amazing things; keep it going!

AUDREY MEYER Kimball Office sale operations manager I am 34 years old and live in St. Anthony with my husband, Josh, and two sons, Izak, 4, and Dexter, 2. As a family, we enjoy spending most of our free time outdoors, whether it be camping, bike riding or gardening. Other hobbies of mine include crafts and photography. What was the career ladder you followed to get to your current position? While in college at Indiana University Southeast, I worked part time in the athletic office. Once I graduated I was able to get a full-time position as an administrative assistant. After about two years I was ready to move back to the Dubois County area, which is where I grew up. I was able to get a job at Kimball Office in the customer service department as a government sales coordinator. Four years later I was promoted to project manager. About a year later we restructured the customer service department and I was one of about five people chosen to be sales specialists. This role was working closely with our dealers and more of an inside sales role focusing more on presale versus post-sale. Three years later I was given the opportunity to become a sales operations manager and have been in this role for about a year and a half. The main focus of my job is to assist in driving profitable growth for Kimball Office. I work closely with our field sales team to strategize on opportunities to position both us and the dealer for a successful project win. Along the way I have been able to participate in many training and professional development classes and programs that have played a big part in me getting to the position I am in. I have been very fortunate to work for a company that really supports personal and professional growth of its employees and helps provide us with opportunities. Has being a woman in your management role presented any specific challenges? I don’t feel like I have really had too many external challenges put on me because I am a woman, but I do feel like being a woman does cause some internal challenges. For example, I feel like as a woman (or at least me specifically) it is easily to get emotionally involved in whatever you do. So when working in customer service it was difficult at times for me not to take it personally if I couldn’t fix the problem or if a customer was calling to complain about a product or service. I never really felt like I had to try harder just because I was a woman or that I was passed up for something just because I was a woman. But I do know there are plenty of other women out there that aren’t so lucky. Once I became a mother there was a whole new set of challenges: There are the feelings of guilt when you leave your children to go to work, when you miss work for a sick child, if you miss one of your children’s activities because of a work commitment, etc. Learning how to balance or blend work and family is very difficult at times. I am fortunate to have a good support network both at home and work, which makes this easier. I think this will be an ongoing challenge and not something that will ever really be overcome or go away. The Soar program was also a great outlet, as it helped me build relationships with many other women who are in different stages of their careers and family lives. They are able to give nonbiased opinions because they may not know the details of my work or family situation. Why do you think it is important to mentor young girls and get them think-

Women with the Soar program give their take about careers and mentoring new young female leaders.

ing about their career paths? What is the most significant career-related information you know now that you wish you would have known when you were in high school? I think it is important that young women know that there are many opportunities out there for them. We don’t see as many women in high-profile positions, although there have been some changes in this in recent years. I think it is important that they understand that things may be different for them along their journey. I think they also need to understand why things may be getting better or what things may have been like for their mother, grandmother, aunt, etc., how much things have changed through history. I think it’s also important to let them see women in roles that they may be interested in. I feel that young women are more susceptible to feeling like there is a certain image to follow. If there is another woman that they can connect to or relate to and feel comfortable talking to, I think that is important. Young people always have a lot of pressures and I don’t think they can ever have enough positive influence in their life. I also think that while in high school you may not always be thinking about or looking into the future, but it is important to remember the decisions you make today can have an impact on the future. I think it is also important that they understand that success can be several things. The most significant career-related information I wish I would have known in high school is not to be afraid. If you have a dream or a passion, don’t be afraid to follow it. If you have an opinion, don’t be afraid to share it. Don’t be afraid to speak up, don’t be afraid to try something new, don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled, don’t be afraid to take risks. We will all make mistakes; the key is to learn from them. A close second would be to follow your heart. Anything else to share? As a wife, mother, employee, daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, volunteer, friend we can spread ourselves pretty thin at times. Throughout my career and time in the Soar program I realized the importance of remembering yourself and taking care of yourself. Although it is still difficult, I do understand the importance of doing things for yourself. I think this is another trait that can be different for men and women. A lot of times it may be hard to just do something for you, and when you get busy and so much is piling up, you can think the last thing you need to do is go to the gym, the spa, a shopping trip or just take an hour to read a good book or go for a walk. But in fact, that can be the best thing you can do.

JILL KIDWELL Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center medical practice management director I am 37 and live with my husband, Jay, and our ﬁve lovely girls in in Jasper. My children are Kiersten and Mackenzie Wagner and my stepchildren are Erin, Anna and Abby Kidwell. I enjoy running, biking, scrapbooking, photography and spending time with family. What was the career ladder you followed to get to your current position? I am a 1999 graduate of Taylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in social work with a minor in psychology. I started my career as a recruiter for Ajilon in Indianapolis, where I was Recruiter of the Year and became branch operations manager. After relocating to Jasper, I was a hiring coordinator for Jasper Engines & Transmissions from 2003 to 2005. In October 2005, I started my career with Memorial Hospital, where I have assumed various roles including human resources assistant, human resources analyst, HRIS/employment manager and

my current position. l was instrumental in the development of the implementation and systems automation within human resources and always welcome a new challenge. Has being a woman in your management role presented any specific challenges? Women face many challenges, such as lesser degree of assertiveness, decisiveness and confidence. Through recognition of these challenges, I have been able to address these perceived inadequacies by learning who I am as an individual and as a leader. When one truly knows how she interacts with others, she can gauge and leverage her communication and leadership style. Why do you think it is important to mentor young girls and get them thinking about their career paths? It is important to mentor young women today because women have many more opportunities to attain a leadership role. As a leader, I feel I must be a role model for our youth. We must embrace empowering and instilling these leadership qualities to ensure success is driven in our future generations. As a mentor, I continue to strive to ensure young women know who they are, learn about choices and ensure they receive words of encouragement to embrace their strengths. One way I support being a mentor is being a part of Young Women Lead. Through this I have an opportunity to support my goal to help assist young women to reach their fullest potential. My advice to young women is be true to yourself. Know who you are and do not make excuses in order to fit some mold. Be yourself and be confident What is the most significant careerrelated information you know now that you wish you would have known when you were in high school? I wish I would have had a mentor to assist in developing leadership qualities while exploring different career paths through job shadowing.

ANGIE TROXLER National Office Furniture sales support manager I am 43 and married to Steve Troxler, and we have three children, Max, 21, and Will and Jack, 11-year-old twins. I enjoy anything that involves spending time with my family and friends. What was the career ladder you followed to get to your current position? I began my career with National in customer service. A few years later I moved to project management, then on to sales operations manager. I moved into a management position leading the project team for a few years before transitioning into a role that supported our sales initiatives. I’ve been sales support manager for the past two years. The group I manage provides bid support, discounts for large projects and annuity agreements, and manages compliance for our federal and state contracts. Has being a woman in your management role presented any specific challenges? I have not experienced challenges because of being a female manager while at National. I’ve been fortunate to have managers, both male and female, that were supportive of my professional development. Why do you think it is important to mentor young girls and get them thinking about their career paths? What is the most significant career-related information you know now that you wish you would have known when you were in high school? Many young women deal with self-esteem issues. It’s important for them to feel confident and empowered to make the right decisions for themselves in their personal and professional lives. Challenge yourself. Don’t stay in a routine just because it’s comfortable. New opportunities bring new insight, a new perspective and new relationships.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 49

1962

2013 Complete Design Build Services

A well built decision prided with a strong German Heritage!

COMMERCIAL

industrial

institutional

RESIDENTIAL 2296 Mill Street • Jasper, Indiana • 812-482-5869 www.streicherconstruction.com

PAGE 50 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

INDUSTRY

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Gary Speedy of Eckerty worked on putting together a door for a curtain coater machine at Dubois Equipment Co. in Jasper on Oct. 3.

DIVERGING FROM THE WOODEN MOLD Story by Bill Powell Dubois County’s workforce crafts its share of wood office furniture, but the manufacturing of machines and motor vehicle components in various permutations is how laborers at suspension specialist RideTech, engine remanufacturer Jasper Engines & Transmissions and ﬁnishing equipment producer Dubois Equipment Co. bring home the bacon. RideTech The adjustable suspension company RideTech is rocking the hot-rodding world because, with its products, notoriously badhandling old muscle cars and trucks can take corners better than a new Corvette. Bret Voelkel, 52, of Jasper, is the founder of RideTech, formerly known as Air Ride Technologies. The 17-year-old company changed its name in 2008 because it expanded from offering just air suspension products to more traditional coil spring-based suspensions. It also offers lots of suspension accessories like tubular control arms and stainless rollcage systems and has expanded its manufacturing of private-label fabricated products for customers. “The transition from Air Ride Technologies to RideTech has been a tremendous success,” Voelkel says. “Our existing customer base caught on quickly. We immediately attracted new customers. And our Internet recognition increased dramatically. “There has been no downside. Our main product line is still air suspensions but new products have certainly driven the growth we’ve experienced since 2007.”

The Web site www.ridetech.com had been the company’s address since its inception in 1996. “Since our Internet presence had been becoming more and more important,” Voelkel says, “it made sense to capitalize on that name recognition.” The guy leading a workforce that makes magic with adjustable vehicle suspensions grew up on a Boone Township farm, graduated from Jasper High School in 1979 and delivered tools, parts and paint instead of going to college. By 1996, he became preoccupied with using air springs to raise and lower his 1970 Mustang hot rod that was under construction. The look and the handling performance immediately turned heads. Some of Voelkel’s friends told other friends and, before he knew it, Bret was talking to people at West Coast hot rod magazines. He took out a pencil to sketch a logo, drafted some advertising copy for Street Rodder magazine and never looked back. Bret’s older brother, Sam Voelkel, who owns Jasper Communications Inc., initially turned over extra space in his Cathy Lane shop to the suspension business and provided Bret with a fax machine, conference room, receptionist, Web presence and more. By 2001, Air Ride had moved into a 350 S. St. Charles St. shop and the company was named Business of the Year by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance in 2003. In 2009, RideTech expanded its manufacturing shop by 400 percent. “We had been space restricted for several years,” Bret says. RideTech now has a 30,000-squarefoot building and Brets says the “increase in efficiency has been dramatic.” Bret says RideTech launched an ad-

ARIANA VAN DEN AKKER/THE HERALD

Stud tops for shock absorbers sat in a box at RideTech in Jasper on Sept. 19. justable coilover product line in 2010. A coilover refers to a shock-absorbing coil spring over a strut and RideTech’s versions of that design now account for 35 percent of the company’s annual sales. Last year, RideTech came out with its Q Series line of smooth-body shocks that Bret says is available for nearly any vehicle and makes RideTech accessible for 100 percent of the market. The company also has a TigerCage product line of stainless steel rollcage systems. It is an expensive niche product, Bret says, but sells nicely. RideTech also has developed some good customers in the military market that account for 12 to 15 percent of the company’s annual revenue, he adds. RideTech has made a big splash on TV. It started in 2007 when one of the company’s hot rods was featured on the Speed Channel’s “Forza Motorsports Showdown” and increased significantly from there. “We have been featured on the TV show ‘Overhaulin’,’ the ‘Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational’ and the ‘Fast ‘N’ Loud’ TV show several times in the last five years,” Bret says. The company’s body shop discontinued doing normal collision repair work at the end of 2011 to focus on building hot rods. Its first major build — a 1933 Ford — was on the May 2013 cover of Hotrod Magazine, accompanied by a 10-page article. “We are currently in the final stages of finishing a 1969 Camaro for a customer in California that is valued at nearly twice what my house is worth,” Bret says.

The company manufactures nearly everything it sells in Jasper, a tidbit it mentions in advertising. “We still place ultimate importance on keeping ourselves collectively fed, watered and amused,” Bret says. “If it’s not fun, it’s just not worth doing.” Jasper Engines At the ripe old age of 71, Jasper Engines & Transmissions is still moving fast and putting its employees ﬁrst. The late Alvin C. Ruxer started the company in the 12-by-20 wash rack section of his Ford dealership in 1942 out of necessity because of a lack of automobile parts due to manufacturing spaces being directed toward the war effort. Jasper Engines & Transmissions has remanufactured diesel and gas engines used in cars, trucks, vans and SUVs ever since. Of course, today the company also remanufactures other components for vehicles, such as axles, works on engines for boats and performance vehicles, like restored muscle cars, and makes electric motors. Advertising manager Mike Pfau says Jasper Engines is currently building transmissions for six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and differentials for two additional Sprint Cup drivers, four of whom are in the Chase standings. The company also builds differentials for two NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers.

Please turn to the next page

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 51 19

BOB LUEGERS MOTORS CELEBRATES ITS GRAND OPENING JANUARY 1967

Because you and your guests deserve the best! Let us create a unique menu for your reception. Our goal is for every guest at your wedding to say,

“the food was wonderful.”

“Built To Serve You Better” Offering A New Concept In Automotive Service To The Jasper Area Since 1967

Catering available at the Jasper K of C, The Polo Room, Ramada Inn, the Ferdinand Community Center, Huntingburg Event Center, The Schergen’s Center, Jasper Outdoor Recreation or your location. • Wedding Receptions • First Communions • Baptisms • Showers • Any Occassion • Anniversaries

• Holiday Parties • Graduations • Reunions

Sander Catering

2013-2014 Bookings Still Available

812-634-1018

View our entire inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles online at ...

www.BOBLUEGERS.com 812-482-5141 TOLL-FREE 800-686-1444

PAGE 52 20 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Diverging Concluded from Page 50

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Vance Newland of Jasper cleaned engine parts the morning of Aug. 23, 2012, in the Jasper Engines & Transmissions plant in Jasper.

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Bill Goeppner of Winslow marked spots on placement parts that needed to be tapped that he was fabricating at Dubois Equipment Co. in Jasper on Oct. 3.

ARIANA VAN DEN AKKER/THE HERALD

Dennis Niehaus of Ferdinand worked on a custom Chevy Camero for a client at RideTech in Jasper on Sept. 19.

DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Alex Stenftenagel of St. Anthony tightened a clamp as he worked on welding together a chain way at Dubois Equipment Co. in Jasper on Oct. 3.

This year’s racing season is not yet complete but, as of the close of 2012, Jasper Engines & Transmissions’ four-speed transmissions and differentials had garnered more than 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins. The company has supplied race gear that has won at all track configurations: super speedways, road courses and short tracks. In 2010, Jasper Engines announced it was a 100 percent associate-owned company. That means Jasper Engines’ 1,700-plus employees owns a piece of the company. The change did not affect benefits like 401(k) and profit-sharing programs but did cement the job stability of associates working at the company’s facilities. Corporate and remanufacturing operations are located in Jasper. Remanufacturing is also done in Crawford County and Willow Springs, Mo. The Crawford County site is also a distribution center and Jasper Engines has a second distribution center in Kingman, Ariz., for West Coast customers. The Crawford County facility recently joined the Jasper facility in achieving Star Level status in the Indiana Department of Labor’s Voluntary Protection Program. Approval into VPP is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s official recognition of efforts by employers and associates/ employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. Of the 380,000 businesses in Indiana, Jasper Engine’s Crawford County and Jasper facilities are among only 59 that are Star Level certified. “This is quite an honor,” Pfau says. Other things the Jasper and Crawford County facilities have in common are: on-site fitness trainers, fitness centers and on-site health care centers called Jasper Health WoRx staffed by nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Technology upgrades are a constant at Jasper Engines. The company has a water jet cutter that can go through steel and a variety of other materials. Electronic torque wrenches are used to improve the quality of products and reduce potential injuries that could occur when torquing bolts, especially in diesel applications, to high-torque plateaus. Jasper Engines backs up the gas engines, transmissions and differentials it produces with a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty on most applications. There are diesel dynamometer test stands to live-run test completed diesel engines. “We’ve recently installed a new dynamometer for our performance engine division,” Pfau says. “It is also used for research and development purposes.” The company’s transmission division also uses dynamometers. There have been 10 expansions over the years and the company’s annual production tops 117,000 gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials and rear axle assemblies. Jasper Engines distributes its products through a network of 41 branch and distributor locations throughout the United States. Dubois Equipment Dubois Equipment Co.’s roots — firstgeneration machinery manufacturing that was ballyhooed in the 1860s — involved threshing machines. Today, in the age of world markets, international accolades go to company-produced machines like those expertly applying ultraviolet-cured coatings to three-dimensional moldings. The 620 Third Ave. business does not make the wood, glass and metal parts its machines handle and it does not create the coatings applied to them. “Anything associated with Dubois Equipment Co. or Dubois Machine Co. has to do with applying and curing coatings and handling the product,” explains Brian Ackerman, Dubois Equipment’s manager of engineering. Dubois Machine Co. — the name painted on the building — produces the machines. Dubois Equipment Co. is the umbrella entity handling sales. Jim Arvin is president of the company on the cutting edge of creating cleaner, faster technology for devices that apply finishes to wood, glass and metal products. Dubois Equipment employs 30 people. The company’s small size finds engineers doubling as sales staff and occasional installers as Dubois Equipment machinists tailor the height, width, length, speed and automation levels of the equipment they

provide to fit each customer’s needs. Customers buying Dubois Equipment products often come to the lab building just north of the main production facility, Ackerman says. They bring the materials they are producing and the coatings they will use to finish it so Dubois Equipment’s staff can fine-tune their new machines to meet each shop’s specific needs. Dubois Equipment traces its heritage to Florenz Kitten Sr. who created Ferdinand Machine Co. in Ferdinand in the 1860s to use steam engine power to replace horsedrawn machines. That led to Dubois Machine Co. and the focus for more than 50 years on finishing technology. The company came up with wood-grain printers designed to make products like paneling. Eventually, 80 percent of off-the-shelf hardwood flooring in the United States was made by Dubois Equipment machines. It has been that way the last 25 years. Dubois Equipment eventually narrowed its focus to machines that apply and cure UV coatings. The names of Arvin and chief engineer Ben Hasenour of St. Anthony are atop three patents issued for Dubois Equipment UV finishing machines. In traditional coating and curing, the process can take days and create environmentally harmful byproducts. The use of UV technology reduces time, cost and environmental hazards. In 2006, one Dubois Equipment’s patented machines won the Challengers Award at an international supply fair where companies from 86 countries vied for what amounts to the Emmy of the woodworking machinery world. Another Challengers Award is not out of the question. Dubois Equipment is in the final stages of developing a new gloss control unit, according to Ackerman. One will be built and tested before year’s end. The idea is that a UV-cured coating will be applied to a product and, by adjusting an element in the gloss control unit, manufacturers will be able to adjust the final gloss finish from very shiny to flattened matte. At the moment, the primary way of adjusting the finish gloss is to change coatings. The concept of gloss control is not totally new but Dubois Equipment’s approach will be, according to Ackerman. “What it will save is process time,” Ackerman said. “If you constantly have to change your coating because you want to change your gloss, that’s time.” At the close of 2008, Dubois Equipment acquired Advanced Equipment Systems of Chico, Calif. The acquisition instantly gave Dubois Equipment inroads into waterreduced and solvent-reduced UV-curable coating technology and added reciprocating equipment technology and rotary spray booth offerings to the company’s arsenal of machines. “We’ve significantly increased our product offerings,” Ackerman says. “We can pretty much offer a customer anything he or she needs to apply coatings.” People who manufacture kitchen cabinets, moldings, trim, doors and wood flooring are some of the customers snatching up Dubois Equipment’s goods. The company’s offerings include vacuum coaters, fan coaters, curtain coaters, mist coaters, roll coaters and combinations of all of them. Some factory finish rooms that still have employees hand-spraying stain will use Dubois Equipment’s machines to then apply a clear seal and top coat. Customers can get anywhere from a single piece of equipment to a complete finish line at whatever automation level is required from the company that designs, builds and installs it all. Earlier this month, Hasenour, who comes up with patented inventions for Dubois Equipment, and sales manager Brent Patterson, a former Advanced Equipment Systems employee who moved to Jasper after the acquisition four years ago, took a newly hired engineer with them to do a startup for a customer in Arkansas. In addition to field training and set-up of Dubois Equipment machines, Hasenour also designed special feeding equipment specific to that customer’s needs. Ackerman says the company is driven by Arvin, so much so that the employees are even picking up elements of his healthy lifestyle. Arvin has employees pick up fresh fruit each day. “That’s his influence on the company,” Ackerman says of the bananas and apples overflowing from grocery bags on break room tables.

Contact Bill Powell at bpowell@dcherald.com.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 53 21

The Krapf Agency opened in 1938 by Cornelius Krapf representing four insurance companies. In 1978 Louis Meneilly joined the agency as a partner and incorporated Risk Management philosophy to the services offered.

Today the agency operates as ISU Insurance Services Krapf-Bartley, with access to OVER 18 insurance companies. Krapf-Bartley continues to meet their client’s personal and commercial insurance coverage needs locally and nationally. Call them today at 482-4145 for a quote on your insurance coverage. The only “Risk” to you is saving money.”…because the future is hard to predict.”

URANCE SERVICES ISU INS

KRAPF-BARTLEY INSURANCE Since 1939

(812) 482-4145 (Across from the Post Office) Jasper, IN kbiinsur@fullnet.com

PAGE 54 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

RELAXATION

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Clockwise from above: OFS Brands’ Cool Springs, exterior; Best Home Furnishings’ White Pine Lodge, interior; Jasper Engines & Transmission’s retreat, exterior; Cool Springs, interior; Jasper Engines’ retreat, exterior.

Retreats offer relief for workforce Story by Bill Powell Several Dubois County manufacturers boast their versions of the Bush family’s compound at Kennebunkport, Maine, and the wooded installation in Maryland known as Camp David where President Barack Obama hosts summits and foreign dignitaries. Cool Springs is OFS Brands’ corporate educational agrarian campus 8.35 miles

1983

west of Huntingburg at Velpen. Jasper Engines & Transmissions’ training facility is a 15-year-old retreat located off U.S. 231 north of Huntingburg. And, in 1991, Clem Lange’s family and some Best Home Furnishing’s employees built the company’s White Pine Lodge between Huntingburg and Ferdinand, near the Huntingburg Conservation Club. These secluded work retreats serve as places to play, learn, rest and relax.

OFS Brands President Hank Menke’s family owned land in the Cup Creek area near Velpen that was a perfect place to reﬂect and regroup. Executive assistant Cheryl Graf said Menke’s vision “was to build an education center where we could take our customers and teach them about the nuances of wood and show the family’s ties to environmental sustainability

Please turn to the next page

JASPER SALVAGE, INC.

Buck & Mary Hudson

2013 Janet Hudson-Judd & Jerry Hudson

! S R A E Y 0 3

G N I T A C EL E B R In Honor of Our 30th Anniversary

Offices / Cardboard & Paper Facility

Metals Building

We Are Giving Scrap Yard

2¢ More Per Pound (Cans) With This Coupon Now thru 12-31-13

610 S. Clay Street • Jasper, Indiana • (812) 482-2919 • Mon.-Fri. 8-4:30 • Sat. 8-1

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

The right ride ... is waiting for you.

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 55 23

Pet-Agree is family owned and operated, open since January 1, 2010. We are a full service grooming salon which operates on appointments Wednesday - Saturday. We offer two lines of pet food: Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance and Fromm Four Star formula. These lines are grain free and organic. Retail hours are Monday and Tuesday 10-5, Wednesday through Saturday 9-6. Alicen, our managing groomer, has over 20 years in the industry of grooming and utilizes behavior modification and obedience training in her grooming techniques. She is certified in the state of Indiana and oversees all grooming. She is currently working on her Masters in Cat grooming and Dog Grooming. Front: Alicen Cordeiro, Managing Groomer with Amadeus (shop mascot). 2nd Row, L-R: Dolly Packard, (Owner/ GM); Jannet Gibson, Groomer. 3rd Row: Brit Budell, Kelsey Hinton and Jenna Jochum (All shop help/ assistants). Not shown: Tori Sermershime and Joseph Packard

With This Ad Receive

Off m.

Ite iced r P r la Regu xcludes ces & e n E O vi bs. l g ser min r 15 groo ood ove 0/13 f pet xp. 11/3 E

www.pet-agree-pets.com 331 Mill Street, Jasper • 812-482-3757 Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9:00-5:30; Wed. 9:00-7:00; Sat. 9:00-2:30 www.adventuresrecreation.com

714 W. 6th St., Jasper, IN

(812) 481-9015

PAGE 56 24 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

PHOTO PROVIDED

Best Home Furnishings’ White Pine Lodge, located between Ferdinand and Huntingburg near the Huntingburg Conservation Club, was built in 1991 by members of the Lange family and some employees.

Retreats Concluded from Page 54 throughout the generations starting with Hank’s grandmother.” There is a picture of Menke’s maternal grandmother, the late Marion McMurtrie, accepting a tree farm sign from a forester that speaks to OFS Brands’ environmental heritage. At present, the 600-acre Cool Springs site

includes a horse barn and storage facility, the Eagles Nest shelterhouse and a building and range for world-class skeet shooting. “There are plans to put a lodge on the property in the future where our customers can stay,” Graf says. OFS’ executive staff and sales and marketing departments have held strategic planning sessions at Cool Springs. Manufacturing managers and associates also have used the retreat for cookouts and planning sessions. Government, Scout and school groups from Dubois and Pike counties have spent the day there and a

forestry association has taken to holding annual meetings on the campus that comes complete with open meadows and hardwood forests. “We have taken our whole corporate ofﬁce there for education and team-building activities and of course we used all of Cool Springs for our 75th anniversary celebration last fall,” Graf says. Jasper Engines & Transmissions’ training facility has grown considerably since its beginnings as a small gathering facility, advertising manager Mike Pfau says. The facility’s showplace building has

four meeting rooms, two bedrooms for sales trainees or outside guests, a kitchen and a large, covered patio. “The meeting rooms are designed to accommodate different sizes and types of groups, with some rooms being more formal than others based upon the particular group needs,” Pfau says. The training facility also has a go-cart track and a Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, or COPE course, where trust is fostered on swinging rope obstacles. Meetings at the training facility range from sales gatherings to sessions of a sixmonth course to develop future company leaders. The retreat center is complete, for now, Pfau says. It could expand as the company grows, he added. Best Home Furnishings’ lakeside lodge is made of logs harvested from the 100-acre retreat site, according to sales and marketing specialist Eric Vollmer. “It was built as a place customers could come and stay at when we brought them in for tours of our facilities,” he says. The lodge plays host to national sales meetings. “As part of these events,” Vollmer says, “we may host large dinners, team-building activities and various training with speakers.” Best Home employees also have gathered at the lodge for training sessions and team-building activities that make use of trails through the surrounding woods. Corporate-owned retreat facilities are not for everyone. Kimball International spokesman Marty Vaught said serious consideration was given in the past to creating a guest facility. “We ultimately decided we were best served by bringing our guests into the area and utilizing existing hotels,” Vaught said. Kimball maintains guest services and travel/ﬂight departments that make travel arrangements, place reservations with local hotels and work with caterers for company lunches and dinners. They are busy departments within the corporation. In the last year, Kimball has brought more than 800 customer guests from more than 230 companies to the area.

Contact Bill Powell at bpowell@dcherald.com.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 57

SERVING SENIORS OVER 30 YEARS!

AFFORDABLE INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING • Indoor Laundry Facility, Lobbies & Mailroom • Scheduled Social Gatherings • Emergency Pull Cords • Indoor Recreation Area • Dish, DirecTV and Cable Are Available for TV Viewing • Conveniently Located Next to Jasper Manor Shopping Center • Elevator Accessible For All 3 Floors! • FREE Tour & Brochure

TTY (800) 743-3333

660 Rumbach Avenue, Jasper, IN 47547-3515, 812-482-5913

HERB RAHMAN & SONS CUSTOM CABINETS

Since 1978

Established December 1998 Owners: Bob McDaniel & Jim Bounds

WOOD CABINETRY • Kitchen & Bath • Entertainment Centers • Countertops 1163 Wernsing Rd., Jasper (812) 634-7030

Best Known For • Custom Spraying

Fried Chicken Roast Beef Manhattan Chicken Hearts, Livers & Gizzards 8 oz. Marinated Chicken Breast

• Installation

Business Hours:

• Competitive Prices

Monday-Saturday Bar - 9 am-? Plate Lunches Starting at 11 am Friday & Saturday Bar - 9 am-? Dining Room 4 pm-9 pm Sunday Bar 12 pm-?

812-367-2513

PAGE 58 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

INDUSTRY

Empty buildings deliver possibility Story by Candy Neal Photos by Ariana van den Akker Todd Fromme walked through his company’s building on Vine street in Jasper this month, pointing out how he and his employees create the custom plastic pieces that furniture companies order. “We needed space, so we moved here,” said Fromme, owner of 4-year-old Universal Technologies. “(My) business grew a lot during the recession, because companies started using tables with plastic dividers for workstations, instead of cubicles. We were able to supply them with those dividers.” The brick walls and glass windows in his building speak to the building’s age. It used to be an old factory but it has been empty for years. Fromme purchased the 22,000-square-foot building two years ago. Instead of having a facility built, Fromme chose to buy an old building and do the renovations needed so that he could use it for his company. “It’s a solid building. It’s stood the test of time,” he said. “And it’s cheaper for me to do this than to build a new building. So costwise, this was the smartest move.” An older building’s cost and history are its best assets, said Michael Cummings, interim president of Dubois Strong, the county’s economic development organization.

Todd Fromme of Jasper adjusted an acrylic sheet so it could be cut at Universal Technologies on Oct. 8. Fromme is among those business owners interested in finding new purpose for old buildings and plans to move his operation from the southeast corner of Vine and 12th streets into an older building across the street after making improvements there. “From a business perspective, many times these older buildings can be bought or leased at lower cost than occupying a new building,” he said. “From the community perspective, these buildings are part of our history and commercial heritage. Even if a building ends up being repurposed, it connects us with a past that might seem distant but is really only a couple of generations ago. You can’t replace their character. These buildings are part of our

community identity, and that is why many people feel so strongly about them.” Older buildings do have their share of problems. “You do run into some challenges with some of the older buildings, including low ceiling height, a lack of docks and generally antiquated ﬂoor plans,” Cummings said. “Often, there are structural or infrastructure upgrades required, which increases the capital needed upfront. It

takes someone with vision and courage to come in and really envision the potential of a given space for their needs. You’ve got to ﬁnd that person that falls in love with it.” Fromme acknowledged that the numerous windows in the building could affect his utility bills, but the building’s size and sturdiness offset that challenge. “If you’re handy, you can make a space

Please turn to the next page

Where Experience, Quality and Personal Attention Create Exceptional Smiles! Let Our Team Serve Your Dental Needs ... • Modern, State-of-the-Art Technology • CEREC Single Appointment Crowns • Highly Trained, Experienced Staff • Low-Radiation Digital Radiographs Dr. Kenneth R. Troutman, DDS, FAGD • Dental Implant Surgery & Restoration • Laser Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery • Offering All Cosmetic and General Dentistry Services

202 E. 17th Street, Huntingburg, IN (812) 683-2006 Visit Our Website www.troutmanfamilydentistry.com

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 59 27

That was then…Lorey Family

Proud to be a part of Dubois County’s History for

75 Years…

Home to Sternberg’s Furniture, Merle Norman & Libby’s Gourmet Ice Cream

Since 1938!

This is now… 2905 Newton Street - Jasper, Indiana - 482-3060

“Your Neat Things Store”!

Clock Shop Since 1981

Specializing in Clock Repair! We Restore and Sell Antique Clocks and Lighting Fixtures. We carry many styles of German cuckoo clocks along with quality mantel, wall and grandfather clocks! Owner and president Joe Helming laying out a cornice design by hand.

• Architectual Restoration • Sheet Metal Fabrication • Roofing Applications • Lightning Protection Systems • Stained Glass Design & Repair • Plumbing & HVAC Services • Steeple Work 1030 Fairview Avenue, Jasper, IN • www.helmingbrothers.com 812-634-9797

40 Years of Experience Servicing This Area! 216 W. 6th St. #103, Jasper, IN (812) 482-5439

PAGE 60 28 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Possibility Concluded from Page 58 like this work,” he said. Dubois County has its share of available buildings that were previous businesses and former factories. Dubois Strong lists on its website 13 building sites for sale or lease. Of those, 10 are older facilities — six in Jasper and two each in Ferdinand and Huntingburg. “It is very important to have activity in these older buildings, otherwise they tend Voegerl to fall into disrepair, as we’ve seen in certain examples,” Cummings said. “So, when a building is no longer useful for its original purpose, we need to ﬁnd ways, as a community, to empower property owners to re purpose these facilities in a way that supports the community’s overall vision.” The City of Jasper is crafting a master plan that will help determine how some of the empty facilities in the downtown area and near Patoka River could be reused. The City of Huntingburg is trying to get the city’s former hospital reopened as a medical facility of some sort. Just last year, county officials found a buyer for the former Jasper Wood Products building, which was in the county’s possession for years because back taxes were owed on it. The former factory ﬁlls a city block bordered by Leopold, Vine, 13th and 14th streets. The building had been offered in three public auctions but did not sell. After ruling out the ideal of obtaining a grant to demolish the building, the county sold the building to Jasper businessman Paul Voegerl Sr. “I looked at this building for two years before I decided,” Voegerl said. “It has so much character and so much history to it.

Steven Fuhrman of Jasper polished acrylic panels at Universal Technologies in Jasper on Oct. 8.

Tearing it down would have been a waste.” The historical aspect is the main reason Voegerl purchased the facility. “A lot of interesting things happened here,” he said. “It would be a shame to lose something that played such a part in our history.” For instance, he said, wooden parts were designed in the building for the Hughes H-4 Hercules prototype aircraft, nicknamed the Spruce Goose. The aircraft was designed and built in 1947 by Hughes Aircraft company, which was co-owned by Howard Hughes. Some of the wooden parts of the patrol torpedo boats used by the U.S. Navy during World War II were constructed in the building. Cost was also a factor. “Everybody wants to build new. But building new nowadays is

so expensive,” Voegerl said. “It seemed like it would be such a waste when buildings like these are around.” He bought the building from the county for $30,000. Repurposing a building that already has stood the test of time made more sense to him, he said, noting that the building is structurally sound “There’s so much material used to build buildings like these, all the beams, the ﬂoor joists. If it was demolished, where would all that stuff go? Probably to a landﬁll. That would be such a waste,” he said. As of now, he plans to move the production equipment from his business, Jasper Embroidery and Screenprinting, into a section the building. His son, Paul Voegerl Jr., has started Monster Recycling, a recycling

company, in part of the 112,000-square-foot structure. And he still has room left for other ventures. “My goal is to rent some parts out to other people, like a business incubator,” Voegerl said. “I think a lot more people would start businesses if they could afford the rent.” He hopes to get that part going in the next year or two. Voegerl has been working on the building constantly. He and his son have been working on the roof, patching it in places so that it doesn’t leak. Parts of it will have to be replaced, he said. They also have been replacing electrical wiring that was stolen from the building while it sat empty years ago. “We’re as busy as can be over here,” Voegerl said. “We had to redo a lot of stuff.” Despite that, he is still satisfied with his purchase. “People warned me that I was taking on a big project that would be a lot of work,” he said. “But I’m handling it. I’m really glad I bought it.” After Fromme moves into the former Indiana Cabinets building, he will work on some ideas for adding extra services to his company. “I want to have some variety,” he said. “What we do now serves furniture companies. I want to do something that will serve individuals.” Those ideas include a machinery demonstration area and a studio in which people could look at samples of items they would need if they were building a house or remodeling sections of their home. Designers could bring in clients to look at samples and help their clients pick out the appropriate carpet, tile, fixtures and such. Fromme knew he’d need more space for those plans. So he purchased the 90,000-square-foot building across the street, on the northeast corner of Vine and 12th streets. The banner sign painted on the building still identifies it as Indiana Cabinet Plant 2, a division of Indiana Desk. Fromme plans to transition into the new building soon and sell the 22,000-square-foot building. “Why try to build new,” he said, “when this building, this already structurally sound building, is sitting here?

Contact Candy Neal at cneal@dcherald.com

Remember when in 1965 there was ... Jim Uebelhor TV Sales & Service Located in the garage ... next to his residence?

Well ... Here’s Where the Past Meets

2014!

65” TV In a fireplace setting with surround sound. Visit Our Showroom Today! 1445 Main Street, Ferdinand 367-1591

Mon., Tues., Thurs. 8:30-5:30; Wed. & Fri. 8:30-7:00 Sat. 8:30-3:00

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 61

Heritage of Success Story

850 College Avenue, Jasper (812) 482-3030 The top floor, corner room of the German American Bank was used for business education. The basement was used as an auditorium and classroom.

VU took over construction of this building begun by Cohere Inc. (Committee of Higher Education & Related Events). A group of Jasper citizens continued construction for an Administration Building.

Rev. Craig A. Reed standing outside the Sears-Roebuck building, which held the Dean’s office, a faculty lounge and a student lounge.

A basement room of the Dubois County Bank building was used as a classroom in the fall of 1970.

Thanks for the community’s support for the past 38 years! See the experts at Englerts Home Comfort Centers. You’ll be glad you did!

Furnaces & Air Conditioners

Great Savings & Expert Installatio n!

Free Estimates

FURNITURE Wide Selection of Leather Sofas & Chairs •Dining Room •Bedroom •Living Room •Mattresses

G OVERIN FLOORC

APPLIANCES

• • • • •

Quality Installation and Service On Everything We Sell

SALE

Carpet Tile Hardwood Laminate Vinyl

NEW HOME DISCOUNTS!

HOME COMFORT CENTERS 650 Division Road, Jasper (Next to Jasper Engines & Transmissions)

105 N. JFK Avenue, Loogootee

482-2246

295-5444

Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 9-5:30; Wed. & Fri. 9-7; Sat. 9-3

Mon. thru Thurs. 9-5:30; Fri. 9-7; Sat. 9-3

www.englertshomecomfortcenter.com

PAGE 62 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

PRESERVING THE PAST

The Dubois County Museum devotes at least one-third of its 50,000-sqaure-feet exhibit space to the history of local industry, including, clockwise from top left, a desk from Jasper Desk; a kitchen display of MasterBrand Cabinets; a display of the Meyer Planing Mill in Haysville; and a Kimball piano.

MUSEUM BRINGS LIFE TO HISTORY Story by Sarah Fentem Photos by Dave Weatherwax An unaffiliated visitor to the Dubois County Museum would be forgiven for mistaking the sprawling space for an auction house or flea market. The 50,000-squarefoot museum on Newton Street in Jasper is crammed with every piece of furniture imaginable, about a dozen antique tractors and cars, pianos, statues and a surprising amount of large, taxidermic animals. If the space seems crowded, it’s because Dubois County has so much history to go around. Along with the displays illustrating the arrival of the first European settlers along the Buffalo Trace in the early 19th century and the county’s booming moonshine trade during Prohibition, the museum devotes at least one-third of its exhibits to the history of local industry, most notably the rise of Dubois County as “the wooden office furniture capital of the world.” An early exhibit explains the name “Dubois” means “from the woods,” which describes early settlers as well as the origin of what became its largest trade. In the mid-1800s, German settlers “came flying like snowflakes,” described Museum Vice President and Collections Chairman Mary Ann Hayes. Hayes explained the Germans, a majority of whom came from the deep forests in the south of the country, brought with them the craftsmanship skills that eventually led to Dubois County being considered one of the most dominant forces in the furniture industry. The exhibits are arranged roughly chronologically. “We were looking at it from a timeline way,” said Janet Kluemper, museum exhibitions chairman, of how the exhibits were arranged. Indeed, a timeline stretches several yards around the walls of the

museum, beginning in the mid-1820s and stretching through to the modern era, with points designating dates so nuanced it makes one’s head spin to imagine the research that went into constructing the exhibit. On one point in 1874, the first train stopped in Dubois County, a development Kluemper said was instrumental in the history of industry in the area. In 1954, Ferdinand’s Wonderland Manufacturing was founded, and so on, for scores of points along the wall. As a visitor winds his way down the timeline, he can see the industry’s evolution, starting with a small herd of blondoak desks representing different examples of furniture built by county companies during the 1900s, including a roll-top desk, the prototype of which was patented by Jasper Desk Co. in 1890. While the style of the desks varies, one of the constants throughout the exhibit is the color of the wood, a shiny bright yellow, which Kluemper identifies as oak, a variety of tree prevalent throughout the county and somewhat a signature of many area manufacturers during the 20th century. “Oak is just something people learned to value,” she said. Hanging above the timeline on one wall is a scoreboard, one of the first products the Huntingburg-based OFS Brands manufactured, from the 1940s. “It’s funny the things people notice,” said Kluemper. “The first one ... we put it up and we had the score set so the home team was losing and people complained.” She motioned to a paper number taped over the antique scoreboard. “We had to make it so the home team was winning.” As the visitor moves on, he sees the inception of a small local company, the Jasper Corporation, and its subsequent purchase of a struggling piano manufacturer called Kimball. While the company

The Dubois County Museum features permanent displays that showcase the work of local industry. ceased productions of pianos in the 1990s, Kimball International went on to be named a Fortune 500 company and is one of the county’s claims to international fame. Hayes, who still chuckles when reading old newspaper articles pinned to the wall imploring “intelligent patriotic citizens” to move to the town, obviously holds the county’s history near to her heart. “Whenever we stay at a hotel,” she said, “we open it to see if it was made by Jasper or Kimball.” Hayes said that when putting together exhibits, she keeps the visitor’s experience in mind. “I like there to be three levels of things,” she said of what she’d like visitors to notice during a trip to the museum. “I want to draw them in by degrees.” The ﬁrst is the feeling of the exhibit as a whole, she said. The next is drawing a person in a little closer. Finally, a person is lured in to reading and learning about the subject. Her greatest hope, she said, is for museumgoers to appreciate all of the craftsmanship and skill that went into making Jasper and Dubois County into such an economic success. The Dubois County Museum, the

largest county museum in the state, was created in the 2004 and is housed in a building once occupied by Kimball International. While the museum seems impossibly full, Hayes is quick to note that only about 20 percent of the museum’s entire collection — all made from donations — is on display. In the hangarlike storage space in the back of the building, mounds of stuffed birds, stacks of 1950s-era board games and racks of tasseled marching band uniforms lie in wait for their turn in the spotlight. In the back offices, the museum’s workers meticulously catalog every item into the database. Kluemper said she hopes the painstakingly curated exhibits will help visitors to the county appreciate the impact business has had on Dubois County. “I’m hoping they understand how prominent we were with the county,” she said, “And how much we really did and what an outstanding job people have done.”

Contact Sarah Fentem at sfentem@dcherald.com.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 63

“WHERE CUSTOMERS SEND THEIR FRIENDS SINCE 1929”

7th Street – 1938

Chevrolet-Cadillac Building – 2013

Toyota-Scion Building – 2013

Your Service Leader

Since 1976! 482-1155 701 W. Sixth Street “at the Y” in Jasper

Monday-Thursday 8-5:30 Friday 8-6 Saturday 9-1 Closed Sunday

GMC-Cadillac Building Vincennes, IN – 2013

(812) 482-2222

Jasper, IN

(800) 937-8721

uebelhor.com

BECOME A FAN ON

PAGE 64 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 65

DEFYING THE ODDS

Zach Williams of Jasper searched for parts to fill an order in a Meyer Distributing warehouse in Jasper on Oct. 7.

COMPANIES BOOM IN FACE OF RECESSION Story by Claire Moorman Photos by Dave Weatherwax Two local companies have defied the odds and bested economic declines to quickly grow into important fixtures in the community. Meyer Distributing and Jasper Group have both taken very different paths to reach their current levels of success At Jasper Group, the growth is visible. There are constant daily reminders. The old merges with the new as cracked wooden beams receive revitalizing coats of paint. The beams stand, stately and historical, outside brand-new glass-front offices in the corporate building on Clay Street. Rejected and mostly untouched furniture prototypes wait in temporary offices to be donated to local schools. Their accepted counterparts, polished chairs and modern couches that fit together like puzzle pieces, take their rightful spots in the public meeting rooms. Customer service representatives from the newly acquired Jofco eagerly await the day about a week from now when they can pack up their workspaces and move into a fresh new area. The information technology department, currently crammed into another area, will take the customer service spot. “That will give them more room to work on projects and set stuff up,” said company CEO Michael Elliott. He knows where everything is now and where it will end up when the building renovations — which have been ongoing for months

— are finally completed. It’s all part of running a rapidly growing company. The company started out small in 1929, when a group of seven local businessmen including Elliott’s paternal grandfather, Alva, decided to capitalize on the wood industry of the area and make furniture. The business came to be known as Jasper Seating Co. until it was rechristened in 2008 as Jasper Group to reflect its status as a parent company of several distinct brands The company grew slowly for many years, experiencing the ups and downs of economic booms and recessions, wars and new inventions. In 1994, Jasper Seating made its first outside acquisition: Wood Design, a case good manufacturer in French Lick. Until then, the company had produced only chairs and benches, not desks or cabinetry. “All the case goods people were going into seating, so I thought the seating people ought to go into case goods,” Elliott said. In 2000, a third facility was opened in Ferdinand to serve as a landing spot for imported plastic and metal materials from Italy, Vietnam and Canada. Two years later, a warehouse site in Paoli was added, but it wasn’t until 2004 that the building was outfitted with state-of-the-art production equipment so it could be used as more than just a storage space. Jasper Group was able to take advantage of an economic downturn in the hospitality industry in 2004 when St. Anthony hotel furniture manufacturer

Please turn to Page 67

Donnie Hopf of Jasper used a machine to curve a piece of wood at the Jasper Group’s Mill Street plant Oct. 10.

Todd Kiefer of Jasper assembled a chair at the Jasper Group’s Mill Street plant Oct. 10. The chair is a Boston chair, which was the first kind of chair the company built.

PAGE 66 2 ■■HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Beltone has been providing hearing healthcare since 1940 and has been here in Jasper a number of decades. Recent advances include nearly invisible hearing devices with Bluetooth wireless technology. The local practitioner, Jon James, is a hearing instrument user himself since 2006. This experience aids both our empathy and abilty to help folks acclimate to amplification along with clarification.

OVER 70 YEARS! STILL THE NAME YOU CAN TRUST! Hearing Care Center BELTONE HAS SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR: HUMANA, ANTHEM, AARP & INDIANA TEACHER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS! Many health insurances accepted!

W Jasper Optical

Hwy 56

Western Southern Sales

Hearing Care Center

Hwy 231 McDonald’s

471 US Hwy. 231 S., Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 634-9101 Toll Free 1-800-861-8001

Hoosier Business Machines, Inc.

We’re g tin Celebra... our

Benefits of hearing aids vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing evaluation and proper fit.

50th Anniversary in 2014

A Full-Service Office Equipment Dealer.

HBM continues to offer the full range of

• Industrial • Commercial

• Agricultural • Residential

options, from adding a single machine to your existing network, to from-the-ground-up design and installation. All backed by HBM award winning service! Locally Owned & Operated Since 1956

Hoosier Business Machines, Inc. 808 N. Main Street • Jasper • Indiana 800-433-6476 or 812-482-3736 Your Machine Specialist Since 1956.

AUTHORIZED DEALER

www.hoosierbusinessmachines.com

6673 East Schnellville Rd. St. Anthony, IN

812-389-2418

800-246-1630

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS■■PAGE PAGE67 3

Anita Kerstiens of St. Meinrad, left, and Paul Henson of Oakland City cut fabric at the Jasper Group’s Mill Street plant Oct. 10.

Defying Concluded from Page 65 Othmar Klem started struggling. Business was signiﬁcantly reduced after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York. “They got way down and way behind and just could not get out of the hole,” Elliott said. Jasper Group acquired the company and added Klem’s hotel furniture manufacturing brand to its list of existing products, which include midmarket office furniture producer JSI and public gathering space furniture specialist Community. The market soon turned for Klem, and the business, which still operates offices and a plant in St. Anthony, was once again successful, but this time, under a new parent. “There was so much pent up in demand after the 9/11 disaster. It’s an extremely strong brand,” Elliott said of Klem. “Through this last recession — the ﬂags like Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, Marriott— they have inspectors that make all these hotels live up to standards. They were a little bit lax during the economy (downturn) because they didn’t have the money. Now that the economy’s come back, they’re kind of tightening the vise. The hotel business is extremely strong right now.” Jasper Group employees aren’t above learning things from the companies they acquire. Klem’s environment has taught them much about teamwork, said Marketing Director Ashley Werner. “Their dynamic is so cool,” Werner said. “Everyone from the engineering plant, the guys who build the furniture, the supervisor, the sales manager, the project manager, they’re such a cohesive team and the quality of the product is so good that they have carved a niche.” The roller-coaster economy of the late aughts meant that three locations Jasper Group opened to expand operations have since been closed. In 2007, the company attempted to grow its library furniture division by purchasing two locations of Blanton & Moore wood library shelving in North Carolina that a friend of Elliott’s was selling. The company also began leasing the RomWeber Marketplace furniture building in Batesville, but the distance and dwindling business forced Jasper Group to sell the business portion of the North Carolina venture and the contents of the building in Batesville. “Back in 2007 and 2008, we were really expanding and expanding, and then all of a sudden in 2008 right at the end of the year, it just really died,” Elliott said. But Jasper Group, once a tiny operation on Mill Street and now a giant of Dubois County industry, soon rebounded. By the

end of 2012, it had fully acquired fellow Jasper furniture producer Jofco. Jofco’s old corporate office has closed and those employees have moved into Jasper Group’s location, but Jofco’s 332,000-square-foot, well-equipped factory space will remain in the Jasper Group family. “We’ve always had a relationship with Jofco. A lot of stockholders had ownership in both companies,” Elliott said. “Jofco’s big market was the financial markets off the East Coast. The 9/11 disaster hurt them as well as Klem. They were a well-known company, but they were a small one. It just seemed like a natural thing to do the merger.” Though Jofco and Jasper Group were already in the same business, Werner said their differences make both of them stronger. Jofco specializes in more expensive products for big banks and law firms. “Where we really had an opportunity for growth was the higher-end focus, so that’s where Jofco fits in that niche,” Werner said. Elliott added that it often makes sense for both the purchaser and purchasee to merge operations to save money on necessary paperwork and certifications. “With small companies, you can combine a lot of efforts,” he explained. “There are so many things to do no matter how big you are.” It was that philosophy that also led to another acquisition that was just completed last month. Jasper Group merged with the historic Jasper Desk Co., the world’s oldest continually operating furniture manufacturer. Elliott said it was important to help the company maintain its operations in the face of struggle. Jasper Desk will retain its current office for the time being, and the employees’ knowledge of building custom pieces will come in handy. Jasper Group now has 811 employees. Growth is a familiar concept just across town at Meyer Distributing, the local leader in automotive parts marketing and sales run by CEO Mike Braun. The company as it exists today began when a young Braun began working there after graduating from college and returning to Jasper, determined to begin a career in his hometown. When the economic downturn of the early 1980s threatened his job at Meyer Body Co. in Haysville, he began branching out operations to include buying and selling truck parts and supplies, a move that proved profitable. “Sometimes you get lucky. Back then, I had no idea what was going to happen and I jumped into a fast-moving stream,” Braun said. “The market just really blossomed almost nonstop to 2001.” Braun and partner Daryl Rauscher acquired the company in 1986 and moved operations to Jasper in 1998 to take advantage of the superior infrastructure. The infant

version of Meyer Distributing functioned as an underdog for many years, narrowly avoiding the eyes of larger Wall Street companies that were looking to acquire smaller distributors. “We got large enough to where one big juggernaut from the East couldn’t swallow us up. Leading up to October or November of 2008, we were kind of eating their dust, so to speak,” he said. “They had all this capital and were buying all my competitors. “ But it was Braun’s ability to see change in the air that kept Meyer Distributing from suffering the same fate as many of the larger companies. “When that whole wreck cleared, none of my competitors were left. We came out in very good shape,” he said. “Our best year was in 2009, which was counter to what everyone else experienced. I always kind of compare it to the parable of The Tortoise and the Hare. We were playing the tortoise. My main competitor was the hare, but we ended up kind of winning the short-term race.” For the most part, Meyer Distributing has experienced organic growth, meaning that its expanding operations are not the result of acquiring other companies. The business cut off its last outside acquisition in 2006 — after buying competitors in Alabama, Mississippi, Houston and Milwaukee — in preparation for the upcoming recession, and Braun and his team began to focus on making the existing company run as smoothly as possible. “We’ve always been conservative ﬁnancially but willing to take risks from a marketing and geographic respect, and it’s been a good combination. We didn’t ever overextend, but we also took advantage of opportunities and had a balance between the two,” Braun explained. “We kind of consolidated the business and got it to where it was very efficient, so our cost structure was very lean leading into ’08. The companies that kept plowing forward and didn’t see it coming until it was right on them, they were stuck with a lot of debt, a lot of high costs, and some of them couldn’t maneuver quickly enough to escape how much the sales dropped in their particular business.” Meyer Distributing was named one of Inc. 5000 magazine’s fastest-growing companies in 2009. It operates eight warehouses throughout the country and 40 cross-docks for merchandise delivery and reloading. Meyer Distributing has about 550 employees, roughly half of which work in Indiana. As far as Braun knows, the company never has had a layoff for economic reasons. Though he used to perform almost all of the managerial functions of the company, until about 10 years ago, Braun now focuses more on the big picture and lets his team handle the details. It’s a necessity of running a large, national company. “We’ve managed to keep all of those

things that worked well for us when we were small, and we still use them as guiding principles now that we’re much larger,” he said. Operating in Jasper is mostly a blessing to the company, Braun said, because the skills and work ethic of new employees and business climate of the city and state in general foster growth for businesses that start here. Still, he said, for companies like his to continue to be successful on a national scale, road infrastructure will need to improve. “I’m on the 1-67 committee. It would be the biggest thing that could happen to this area for families and businesses,” Braun said of the proposed corridor to connect Dubois County to the new Interstate 69 in Washington. “The hardest part of our business is getting away from where we’re located.” To Braun, the most important word in the dictionary is “sustainability.” For him and for Jasper Group, growing — but growing carefully — is the mark of a successful business. After two important acquisitions in two years, Elliott said he plans for things to calm down for a while at Jasper Group. In the meantime, the company will work to consolidate its new partners into day-today operations . “We’ve tried to keep everybody employed. We integrated some people into different areas, which kind of helped the cause,” Elliott said. “ I think at ﬁrst everybody was a little apprehensive. We kept everyone that we possibly could.” And the company’s rebrand in 2010 to include separate logos for each of its unique manufacturers makes the business more cohesive. “We’re a total solutions provider,” Werner said as she pointed out the symbols. “There’s a unique color and unique symbol for each brand, but they all roll up into one big parent.” And of course, both Michaels will continue to keep an eye toward the future. “It’s all changing, and we’re trying to guess that change and see a vision of what furniture is going to be next year and ﬁve years from now,” Elliott said, tapping on the large conference table near which he sat. The company is developing open-plan seating for offices, which moves away from the heavy pieces of the past. Braun, meanwhile, said he expects his company to be doing as much business in totally new areas within the next 10 years as its does in automotive parts distribution now. “You need to change before you’re required to change. Hardly anything stays the same in terms of competition,” he said. “The things that excite me most are not the things we’re currently doing, but the things that we might be doing soon.”

Contact Claire Moorman at cmoorman@dcherald.com.

PAGE 68 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

EVOLUTION

Jasper Desk Co. employee Terry Hotz of Jasper took a measurement while hooking up a saw in his workspace Aug. 21. “Everything is about accurate measurements,” he said.

As workplace evolves, so do office products Story by Sarah Fentem Photos by Rachel Mummey There is a wonderfully prescient scene in the NBC show “Parks and Recreation” in which grumpy Pawnee, Ind., Parks Director Ron Swanson is gifted with a circular desk in order to encourage him to interact with his co-workers. “This desk is the epitome of the Swedish concept of jamstalldhet, or equality,” chirps his perky co-worker. “You’re going to be more accessible than ever!” Over-the-top, yes. But the scene is indicative of a rapidly changing, more equalitarian work environment, and the changing design of desks can be seen as a symbol and a product of new, millennial business philosophies. With a quickly evolving work environment that takes employees out of the office cubicle and relies heavily on shared workspace and telecommuting, the office furniture industry has needed to change to keep up with the realities of a 21st-century workspace. For the industry, that means a movement away from traditional desks and seating and a lean toward collaborative workspaces that utilize benches, large tables and comfortable places to put portable electronics and gadgets. “It’s more informal and collaborative,” said Mike Very, head of marketing and sales at Jasper Desk. “It goes back to these young kids in the workforce.” “Back in the day there was prestige of having a nice wood desk as a landing spot,” he continued. “Now people work about anywhere.” According to Very, “collaborative” is the key buzz word in the office furniture industry. The focus is on the space and work experience more than the actual product. In turn, office furniture becomes almost an afterthought, meant to blend seamlessly into the environment without drawing attention to itself. This poses a bit of a concern for traditional, high-end office furniture manufacturers like those in Dubois County. With fewer people in offices, less money is being spent on desks, the bread-and-butter of the industry. To cope, builders are focusing on creating lower-cost items to stay competitive in the market. “I would say because there’s less demand for private office there’s also more price pressure for those private items,” said Glen Sturm, president of Inwood Office Furniture in Jasper. Both Very and Sturm mention an increase in laminate furniture. Laminate is a lower-cost material made from compressed paper, in contrast to the

workplaces, especially those in which austere authority is valued, such as investment banking. “There will always be those companies where you’ll be impressed with a nice office,” he said. The bottom line is the industry needs to tailor its needs to its customer, whoever it happens to be. As long as people work,

there will be offices, and there will be a demand for office furniture. “I don’t think they work less,” Sturm said of today’s employees. “But they work differently.”

Contact Sarah Fentem at sfentem@dcherald.com.

Proud to Serve

Dubois County Since

1958

Jasper Desk Co. employee Bill Wolf of Dubois used a sander to smooth wood pieces in his workspace Aug. 21. Wolf has worked for the company for 44 years. traditional hardwoods used in the past. The office furniture industry has had to become more creative when it comes to identifying target markets as well, creating items for reception areas, conference rooms and hospitality industries. “We as manufacturers need to address these issues and look into other markets besides private offices,” Sturm said. But desk enthusiasts, fear not. According to Very, there will always be a market for quality, beautiful office desks in certain

Corner of Meridian Road & 3rd Avenue Jasper, Indiana

812-482-3601

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 69

PROUDLY TAKING CARE OF OUR PATIENTS’ DENTAL NEEDS SINCE 2009! Schedule a Check Up Today!

812.482.4347 New Patients Welcome! Convenient Hours with Evening Appointments!

Brian Wagner, D.D.S.

Guarantee we will see you within 24 hours of your call. 4115 Mannheim Road – Jasper (Across from Wal-Mart)

www.WagnerFamilyDentalDDS.com

THIS IS IT FOLKS! In 1950 Carl & Evelyn Witte opened Jasper’s 1st Dairy Queen!

“Cone with a Curl On Top” WITTE’S DAIRY QUEEN – Jasper’s Westside 1950

A FULL LINE OF • Trackhoe • Backhoe

• Highlift • Dozer

SERVICES

Jasper’s Westside Dairy Queen Today!

Nationally Known and Still Locally Owned!

Any Job Large or Small

“We Can Dig It”

(812) 482-7386 606 W. 6th Street • Jasper, IN

5274 W. State Rd. 56, Jasper, IN 47646

Owner: Phyllis Stenftenagel 812-482-2766

PAGE 70 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

IN THEIR WORDS: A LOOK AT BUSINESS The people in charge of some of the county’s flagship companies as well as other local leaders offer their thoughts on why businesses have been prosperous and what needs to be done to continue the economic success.

DR. ALAN JOHNSON

MARK SCHROEDER

JIM THYEN

RAY SNOWDEN

Vincennes University Jasper Campus dean

German American chairman and CEO

Kimball International president and CEO

Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center president, CEO and board chairman

I was recently asked to deliver a banquet speech on the value of education to the community. “Should be a short speech,” I thought. “Everybody knows that intuitively.” As I thought further I started to disagree with myself (I do that a lot). Many people tend to think about education as a K-16 flow, moving from elementary school to a high school college prep curriculum, aiming toward a bachelor’s degree. That traditional approach has its place, but we must broaden our thinking about educational goals and how to achieve them because many of our neighbors are not accommodated in that model. There is more than one path to a satisfying career that will allow a middle-class lifestyle. I was pleased to hear Mike Pence, during the 2012 election campaign for governor, emphasize the importance of career and technical education. A recent study illustrates a workforce issue related to education. “Indiana’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs: 2013” is an updated look at employment and education patterns. The data indicate that 54 percent of all jobs in Indiana are classified as middle-skill, yet only 47 percent of Hoosier workers have the skills to fill those jobs. High-skill professions and low-skill jobs have a surplus of workers, but a substantial gap exists in the technical jobs that require postsecondary skills training and education at the associate degree level. Furthermore, 65 percent of the workers who were employed in 2010 will still be in the workforce in 2025, well past the schoolto-college pipeline. Those workers will need access to continuing education and training to maintain their skill levels. The good news, from my perspective, is that business and community leaders in Dubois County understand that they must actively support education and training to stay competitive in the global economy. Employers are emphasizing and supporting training for current workers to improve their technical skills. We recently announced a new initiative, in partnership with several local manufacturers, to prepare the next generation of specialists who will program and maintain the high-tech equipment used in modern facilities. Dubois County has weathered the economic recession rather well, consistently showing the lowest unemployment rate in Indiana. Through collaboration between local employers, government and education institutions we will be able to grow the local economy and workforce, further improving the quality of life for our residents.

Dubois County has long had a reputation of economic strength and prosperity, driven by the number of locally owned businesses and the hard-working local citizens employed in those businesses. It’s a proven economic reality that communities with successful locally owned businesses benefit not only from the jobs those businesses provide for local citizens, but also from the economic multiplier effect that the purchases and profits of those businesses drive through the entire economic fabric of the local community. Throughout Dubois County, virtually every one of the firms that are our communities’ major employers were businesses started by a single individual or small group of individuals who recognized a need for a product and service and who possessed the entrepreneurial courage and mindset required to create a new business. My own employer, German American Bancorp, which started in 1910 as a Jasper community bank with two employees, has grown into a regional financial services provider with more than 500 employees. And the same is true of a multitude of other local major employers, including Best Home Furnishings, Farbest Foods, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Jasper Group, Kimball International, MasterBrand Cabinets, Meyer Distributing, Möbel, OFS Brands, U.B. Klem Furniture, Stens Corp. and Wabash Valley Produce. Even Memorial Hospital, which today employs more than 1,500 local citizens, had its start from a small group of individuals who had a vision of creating a local hospital. Helping existing local businesses grow and encouraging new local startup businesses will be vitally important to the future success of Dubois County, as it’s these local businesses that will grow into tomorrow’s major employers. As a community, we need to revitalize the entrepreneurial spirit in Dubois County. Doing this will require a multifaceted approach, including our schools instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in our youth, local governments providing economic incentives for both new startup businesses and growing existing businesses and our established business community supporting these new operations to help them succeed. In today’s environment, it is even more imperative that as a community we work together to help our local businesses grow and prosper. Knowledge, resources, hard work and dedication are the backbone of success. Our communities will thrive as we continually embrace these traits and take ownership in ensuring the success of the local businesses. In doing so, we will also ensure the future financial well-being of our local communities and our local citizens.

I believe our areas of economic success can be secure if we organize our economic development activities by committing to defined roles and to a few clear goals for the area. The goals are: the continuous growth of our population, the continuous increase of our per capita income, the continuous improvement of our cost of doing business and the continuous increase of our property tax base (without a rate increase). I believe these are important facts. Economic development is a competitive activity. The competitive landscape for all manufacturing businesses is global. The basics of good business remain unchanged. Today’s business is driven by the customer value chain and no longer by the supply chain. The “field of dreams” economic model is no longer effective. Availability of talent is the critical element in capital deployment decisions by business. Easy access to high-speed broadband Internet services is a minimum infrastructure requirement. I believe these are the key visible changes in industry at this time that will challenge all of us. The digital disruption of all of our business models, along with the opportunity to be a disruptor. The shifting balance of economic and personal freedom resulting from increased regulation, taxation and litigation. Governments around the world are continuing to sink further into debt and dysfunction. I believe these are important facts. Powerful change is happening in the way we consume and process information. Digitalization compresses everything. The speed of disruptive innovation is accelerating. Regulation reduces freedom by defining things you cannot do. Regulation promotes dependency. Taxation reduces incentives to be productive, by taking away the gains of productivity and giving the reward to those who have not worked to earn it. Litigation reduces individual responsibility by promoting personal fault-finding. Litigation promotes entitlement attitudes and is focused on making others responsible for your actions. Political gridlock prevents the required judgment and required will needed to resolve deficit spending and sovereign debt problems. Society functions only as well as its government functions. The demand for great leaders in government is increasing Our area, however, is blessed with many positive attributes and characteristics required for economic success, including effective infrastructure, pro-business government, excellence in education and health care, quality living and recreational diversity, increasing cultural and religious diversity, as well as a strong Midwestern culture.

In 1951, the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary and the community established Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper. Little did they know this small rural hospital would grow into a regional facility that now serves eight counties. The hospital’s success is rooted in multiple factors, but I have always believed strength came from the entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and success of individuals and industries rooted in Dubois County. The hospital’s goal was to mirror the high standards and expectations that permeated Dubois County and the surrounding areas. The expectation and commitment to excellence of the Little Company of Mary sisters and early physician pioneers made it possible to recruit additional physicians and specialties as well as a highly trained staff. There are so many sisters to thank, but our past Chairperson of the Board and former CEO Sister Adrian Davis was an exceptional leader whose clear vision and commitment to excellence helped to lay the foundation for future growth and development. There is an old saying, “Quality attracts quality.” I believe that is true and evident in the well-trained staff currently serving our hospital and communities. Since I joined the organization in 1981, it is amazing to see how our hospital evolved from a small rural hospital of 300 employees to a regional provider of care with 1,525 employees. Size is not the most impressive attribute, but rather it is the staff and their commitment to our mission of “Being for Others” and our ongoing journey to excellence. Over the years, we have had the good fortune of receiving many accolades, including twice being named as a Solucient Top 100 hospital in the United States, being named a Women’s Choice Top 100 designation, earning recent patient experience and quality distinctions and many others. I believe the future of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center looks bright even with current health care changes. Regardless of the Affordable Care Act, there is already a signiﬁcant shift away from the traditional “fee for service” model to one of greater accountability for outcomes and transparency in quality and charges. We need to continue to increase our quality while reducing our costs to remain competitive and continue to thrive. Industries throughout the United States and the world have done this for years and it can be done in health care as well. Recently released governmental data shows that Memorial Hospital charges are some of the lowest in the state, which bodes well for our competitive position. Our goal is to continue providing compassionate, quality care while demonstrating value and accountability for years to come.

‘As a community, we need to revitalize the entrepreneurial spirit in Dubois County.’ —Mark Schroeder, GAB chairman, CEO More essays on Page 72

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS■■PAGE PAGE71 7

PAGE 72 8 ■■HERITAGE HERITAGEOFOFSUCCESS SUCCESS

Words Concluded from Page 70

ADAM AUFFART Purdue University Technical Assistance Program local business and industry account manager One of the most important things that I think will help secure Dubois County’s economic success in the future is passing along the knowledge and history of our manufacturing culture to the next generation. Our county is responsible for manufacturing a vast array of products that are used around the world. These products touch every industry and are important pieces to many supply chains. We have enjoyed a strong pride in the products made here and that sense of pride needs to be passed on to today’s young people. Being proud of making something that is high quality is critical for our county to not only continue the success we’ve enjoyed, but to advance us into the future. Technological advances and automation will inevitably change the processes and materials it takes to produce our goods, but the demand for supplying those goods will remain. Too many young members of our county are unaware of the things we produce here and how important they are to the global economy. It is amazing to think about the products we make here and how they touch everyday life around the world and the possibilities they create. How many miles have been driven powered by engines and transmissions produced here and how many goods have they been a part of delivering? How many important meetings around the world have been held at tables, desks and chairs made right here in Dubois

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

County? How many families have enjoyed an evening together relaxing on furniture produced here? How many small components produced locally go into electronics, washers and dryers, and automobiles? How many pounds of processed foods have left our county to feed people all over the world? How many Thanksgiving dinners were prepared in kitchens outﬁtted with cabinets made here? Manufacturing in Dubois County does more than provide many of the jobs that contribute to our local economy. We touch the world with what we produce and those products are critical components to many other economies. We need to continue being proud of making high-quality products for the rest of the world.

MIKE ELLIOTT Jasper Group president In the latter part of the 1800s what was to become the most important nucleus of wood office furniture had its beginning. It started with the demand for life sustainable items such as cabinetry, furniture and spokes for wagon wheels for the Irish and German immigrants settling in the area. As the reputation of the craftsmanship and the beauty and durability of the native timber spread with the advent of the railroad coming through the county, the furniture industry developed extensively and boxcars of business furniture were shipped across the country. This industrial revolution spawned the creation of several local furniture factories. These companies muddled through World War I, struggled through the Great Depression and were starved for help, raw materials and product demand through World War II. Many of the local companies received loans from company officers and other individuals to make payrolls and continue in business. As the world receded from World War II, the greatest economy in American history

started and along with the beginning of the baby boom generation began a demand for business and school furniture that outpaced supply for the rest of the century. Business establishments throughout the country, large and small, had furniture from the local area from the front door to the back office, with everyone sitting in a wood chair and working at a wood desk. Later the larger companies purchased office systems or cubicles along with metal task chairs that took a large segment from the wood companies. Today, things are quite different. The poor economy and white-collar unemployment, along with the new generations of workers who have a different work style than their parents and grandparents, have changed the look of the office or the lack thereof. Supply has outpaced demand. Imported products have driven prices down. Diversity is a necessary part of business today. Resistance to change in business today will be and has been the downfall of many companies. Change in the workplace is accepted when well communicated to all employees.

DOUG BAWEL Jasper Engines & Transmissions chairman of the board and CEO Dubois and surrounding counties have a deep culture of quality and being very inventive, resourceful and hard working. The question: Will we be able to continue? We all know the traditional office is much different today than what it used to look like and most believe it will never return to do “collaborative and distance working.” For Jasper Engines, with gasoline engines lasting much longer, we have had to offer new products and services; if we hadn’t, we would be 40 percent smaller today. This transformation has been very successful as a result of involving our people, our associates and making sure everyone

knows the score and buys into continuous improvement. Over the last three years we have averaged more than 12,000 continuous improvement ideas annually; that’s an average of eight per associate, with more than 86 percent implemented. For us it’s a “never-ending journey of continuous improvement” in safety, quality, productivity, customer service and reduction of waste. Today we have safer plants, improved quality, much greater productivity with a higher trained workforce and a much smaller footprint in manufacturing and our offices. It’s about doing more with less by involving your people and listening to their ideas to improve. We believe it is essential to have a close relationship between owners and associates, in and out of the office, and make sure they know the score. We share quarterly how the entire company is doing and especially specific divisions. Our workforce is better trained today and must continue. We believe the same holds true for our local and state government and schools. They must realize that ever-expanding tax base is gone. They must become more creative in becoming leaner — doing more with less. Companies must compete on a global scale and thus must be leaner to exist. If we hadn’t started our lean journey some 10 years ago, we couldn’t compete. Yes, we believe greater Dubois County will survive, but we must become leaner and much more creative. There are challenges, and one of those is in finding a qualified workforce. We have been hiring over the last 18 months and today have 50plus on the hire list, with half being professional. Our problem is finding people who want to work and be here; 80 percent of our terminations are for attendance. If someone wants to work and learn, there’s work available here or throughout the county. There are challenges but there are a lot more opportunities if business, governmental agencies including schools, charitable groups, professionals, etc. realize there has been a tremendous paradigm shift and are willing to work together we can and will be successful. We Americans are good about being industrious and adaptive and that is what is needed to keep our community strong.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 73

812-482-4569

902 Main St. Jasper, IN

Visit us at

SengandSengcpas.com

We have an experienced and dedicated staff united by shared values that guide us with ethical principles and quality service to our clients. Our practice was built on providing clients with sound business advice and offering tax and financial services to the public with the goal of helping our clients succeed in business.

— Business Accounting Services — Certified Quickbooks Proadvisors — Payroll Preparation — Income Tax Planning & Preparation — Accounting Software Installation — Financial & Estate Planning Front Row: Roger Seng CPA, Lisa Hopf CPA, Marsha Opel CPA, Denise Knies, Max Kern. Back Row: Kenneth Seng CPA, Mary Reisz, Karen Schmitt, Allen Seng CPA

Commitment to Excellence

Serving the area since 2009! Joan Bauernfiend, OD Developmental Optometrist

255 W 36th St., Ste. 240 Jasper, IN 47546 481-2100

FERDINAND COMMUNITY CENTER For that added touch of elegance for your special events!

The Large Community Room (80’x100’) Perfectly Accommodates: Weddings Parties Auctions Large Meetings Dances Shows Social Events Large Gatherings The Möbel Room (25’x60’) Just the Right Size for: Meetings Gatherings Meals Parties Luncheons Showers Four Catering Options Complete Table Service Including Linens, China and Flatware available

Lots of Paved Parking FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS CALL

812-367-1989, 812-631-1171 or EMAIL fcc@psci.net

1710 Community Drive, Ferdinand, IN

VISION DISORDER vs LEARNING DISABILITY Start ▼ here C ▲

a n ▼ y o u ▼

w o h ▲ e e s

i i e t m c n n p i t e o f ▼ m r f e e t e y v a ▲ e o n t ▼ m

s ? ▼ g a n r i e d ▼ a t e o r

Some children don’t quite fit in the learning disability category. They do very well in some subjects but terribly in others. Take a look at the symptom checklist on our website to see if your child’s struggles could be related to a vision processing disorder.

www.theVDCinc.com

PAGE 74 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

AGRICULTURE

From family farms to big business Story by Michael Mazur Dubois County is a top agricultural producer in the state and nation. It is No. 1 in Indiana in livestock production — led by poultry production (turkeys and chicken) and followed by hog production and cattle in Indiana — and No. 6 nationwide, according to Ken Eck, the county’s Purdue extension agriculture and natural resources educator. Over the past 150 years, agriculture in Dubois County has gradually evolved, as is has in many areas in the United States, from a self-sustaining family way of life when about 98 percent of the residents were involved in farming to the high-tech big and niche business it is today in which about 1.5 percent of the residents are involved, according to Eck. Years ago, most of what was grown and raised was for home use to support the large farm families. Today, most of the crops and livestock go for commercial use, Eck said. “The change from self-sustaining farming to the commercial business it is today was gradual,” he said. “There is no one time or event that can be attributed to the exact start of the change.” Farming was done with hand and animal power until the 1920s when more gas-powered tractors were introduced. Shortly after World War I, new hybrid seeds were being developed. Before that farmers took their “prettiest ear of corn” and saved it for seeding the next year’s crop. The flint corn, or Indian corn, was grown through open pollination. A farmer didn’t buy from a dealer, but just had it and grew it himself through natural pollination. Today the farmer buys his hybridized seed corn annually. “Each year or so the seed could be different,” Eck said, explaining that seed companies can change something by adding desired traits of other corn types to make them more insect- and disease-resistant to keep producing better and higher yields. “The technology changes alone, if everything else was the same, we have been told, increases the yield six-tenths of a bushel per year,” he added. It was not until after World War II that fertilizers were being developed and used in agriculture. Prior to that, animal manure would be spread over the fields after the natural fertility of the soil provided by the cleared forest was depleted. Some manufacturing plants during World War II that produced nitrogen were converted after the war to mass-produce the fertilizers. And after the war technological advancements in manufacturing agriculture machinery led to more efficient equipment to help keep labor costs down. In the 1960s more herbicides were used to produce bigger and better yields and in the 1970s and 1980s no-till farming became prevalent in the county, saving on labor and material costs. The 1990s brought precision agriculture management into vogue, using computers, GPS and science to extract the maximum yields. But going back, the pioneer farms provided a way of life, sustaining an existence, where profit was not the motive. Farms were more labor intensive, consisting of large families of five, eight, 10 or more children who provided the labor and kept the farm going over generations. Neighboring farmers helped each other when needed. On these small-scale farms, several crops, including cotton, wheat, corn, barley, rye and millet, were grown. Much of the livestock had multiple purposes. A dairy cow was used for both milk and meat. The milk and meat were “OK in quality, nothing special,” Eck said. Crops fed and clothed the family and fed the livestock. And a single hog may have been butchered for meat and lard. Wheat and corn would have been brought to the millers to be ground into flour or cornmeal for the family; some of it was sold and some was given to the millers to pay for the service. Millet would have been used to make sorghum molasses. Cotton was grown on a small scale in Dubois County and most likely taken to the cotton mill in Cannelton. Soybeans were first introduced about a 100 years ago as a forage crop, along with

FILE PHOTO BY DAVE WEATHERWAX/THE HERALD

Following with his normal morning routine, Dan Buechler walked through the nursery on his hog farm on St. Anthony Road just south of Jasper last year to check on his piglets. clover and hay, to feed animals. After a while, the soybean was recognized for its protein value and later for its oil. The black bean gradually was bred into lighter colors until it became the clear seed it is today. Corn was not shelled but kept on the cob in ventilated buildings, called corncribs, providing a natural way of drying. Livestock was fed corn on the cob. Today shelled corn is stored in temperature-controlled metal buildings or silos. One hundred years ago, eggs did not have yellow yolks. The yolks changed from a lighter color to yellow after the chickens were fed the yellow dent corn that is grown today. Today, corn, soybeans, wheat and hay are the primary commercially grown crops in Dubois County; very little rye and barley is grown. Cotton is mostly nonexistent in Indiana. Eck knows of only one area where cotton is grown and that is for research purposes at a Purdue lot. Specialty crops grown here include tofu soybeans and blue corn for blue corn chips; they are not grown in volume but they demand a premium price. Raising livestock 150 years ago was much different than it is today. Most of the animals were pastured, left to forage themselves. The animals ate the natural grasses, plants and fallen acorns. Many immigrants brought their own favorite breeds with them. Some brought lard hogs that were mainly used for their fat, while others were more adept in the wild. Today’s hogs are bred leaner for a more health-conscious market and have several other traits bred into them, depending on the end use such as certain types of ham. Also, some hogs are bred to be longer, to result in larger pork bellies for bacon. Eck remembers his grandfather telling him about the annual hog drives that several of the farming families held to bring there hogs to market. These drives were similar in nature to the cattle drives depicted in old western movies. Today, Dubois County has three hog buying markets — Tyson in Jasper, Indiana Meatpackers in Ferdinand and Wilson in Huntingburg. Many of the diseases and parasites found in hogs bred as recently as the 1970s have been reduced and eradicated, according to Eck. Cooking temperature recommendations have been adjusted accordingly. “I grew up on the farm and my mother would have the pork chops on the stove all day long and by the time we ate they were well done. That is why today, I think, I like all my meat well done,” Eck said as a smile spread across his face. Modern hog operation techniques have made raising hogs safer for the hog, according to Eck, and safer for the consumer. Hogs are being raised inside buildings on concrete that provides for better waste removal. A newer method being encouraged by the agricultural industry is called freestall, which is a pen with an opening for the sow and its litter to move freely outside

or into a shared area and provides for more efficient feeding, which is defined as using the least amount of feed to increase production. Microchips placed on the hog transmit data to computers that regulate feeding and watering for each individual hog, ensuring proper nourishment. Before this advancement, it was unclear that all the hogs got the proper nourishment because some of the more aggressive sows would bully the smaller, more placated ones and eat more than they needed, while the bullied hogs ate less than they needed. Whether they raise one hog or 1,000, hog operators need to be licensed if they want to sell the meat commercially. The operators have to be trained on how to properly raise the hogs, the use of any chemicals and how to feed the hogs. The license must be renewed every three years and an inspection of the total operation must be done. Turkeys account for the largest amount of livestock raised in Dubois County, but the operation is much different than when it was introduced by Purdue University in the 1940s and ’50s, Eck said. Initially the birds were smaller, with brown feathers, raised open range in smaller flocks, more like wild turkeys. Even the taste of turkey was said to be gamier. Eck said some of the older type birds are still being raised today as heritage turkeys. Turkeys grown now have been bred to be white with larger breasts, and one grower can raise thousands of birds. The time when the farmer or his children got up at 5 a.m. to milk the cows and then milked them again at 6 p.m. was as bothersome for the cows as it was for the milker, according to Eck. Those times, he added, may not have been the best to milk the cows. Introduced about three or four years ago, robotic milkers — which can cost around half a million dollars, depending on the size of the herd — allow cows to be milked on their schedule within a 24-hour cycle. A necklace with a microchip is placed around each dairy cow’s neck. This microchip transmits data to a computer that eventually determines the cow’s feeding and milking habits. Gates to milking stations are opened to allow the cow to enter a stall to be milked and milking robots apply an antiseptic to the udder area before a laser attaches the pumps. When the milking is finished the gate opens, allowing the cow to exit and to pasture again. The cows do not have to stand for long periods of time waiting to be milked; they are milked when they are ready. This makes the cow more comfortable by allowing more time for rest and eating. “The more comfortable the cow, the better the production,” Eck said. “The process works on the cows’ schedule and not the farmer’s, freeing his time to do other tasks.” It may take several years for a farm to get a return on the initial investment through reduced labor costs and higher production. While the robotic system has not

arrived in Dubois County, a farmer in the Evansville area has one, according to Eck. Two “big things” to hit agriculture are the practice of keeping more nutrients in the soil instead of allowing them to wash into the streams and rivers and the introduction of precision agriculture. Both require more farm and time management. To keep the nutrients in the soil, new plants are planted right after harvest, which “in a way is reverting back to older ways of planting cover crops,” Eck said. By planting clover, rye, rye grass, Austrian peas or radishes after a soybean harvest, the green plants will keep the soil intact over the winter and trap nutrients in the ground, avoiding or at least reducing erosion and the expense of adding more nutrients into the ground. This may take more management, but the reward is “using less fertilizer,” and because more organic matter stays in the soil, yields could be enhanced. This practice is being promoted by conservation groups and Purdue University. Precision agriculture, a more statistical and involved way of farming, was introduced around the 1990s. The 2003 McGrawHill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms defines it as the application of technologies and agronomic principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality. The GPS may have been a factor in the development of precision farming, which enables a farmer to pinpoint exactly where he is on the field. This allows him to create maps of his field to see trouble spots with crop yields. Most new combines and tractors now have computer systems and GPS installed. Sprayers also can have them installed. For other machinery that wouldn’t have them, the tractor that pulls that machinery would. Some vehicles can be driven by the computer, allowing for more precise and efficient driving down the fields. The GPS on a combine tells the farmer where he is and what his crop yield is every few feet. A map of this information is created, indicating the areas of high yields and areas with lower yields. By reading this map, a farmer can see trouble spots in the crop field which he in turn can troubleshoot to determine causes and solutions. He may have to apply more insecticide or herbicide spray in one area because of insect or weed infestation or the area may be a low spot holding too much water. Corn planters can control the planting of corn down to the single seed, including the exact determined depth and spacing to plant. The machines are set for consistent accuracy. Eck says if one corn seed comes up a day or two late, it is considered a weed and treated as such because it can affect the outcome of the total crop. Farming has come a long way from the days when much of the machinery was built by the farmer or a local blacksmith, furniture maker or just someone with wood skills, Eck said. Because of technology, the cost of machinery is far greater than it was 100, 50 or even 30 years ago, but the newer machines are larger and more efficient, which helps to produce far greater yields than before. A mid-20th-century tractor may have cost several hundred dollars, but today it can cost $250,000 or more and a combine can cost around $400,000. The next big thing Eck sees for agriculture is mobile apps. “You would be hard pressed to not find a farmer with a cellphone,” he said. The cellphone has become as much a tool in farm management as any piece of farm equipment. Eck says that technology today may be taking farmers back to the farm management practices of 100 years ago, including land usage, getting away from chemicals and using beneficial insects to get rid of harmful ones. But unlike the self-sustaining family operation back then, today it is a business, with one farmer feeding more than 100 people annually.

Contact Mike Mazur at mmazur@dcherald.com.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 75

EARLY INDUSTRY

development of more skilled workers led to the establishment of another factory on Aug. 20, 1915, known as the Jasper Manufacturing Co. This concern also found it advantageous to standardize in the manufacture of office desks and tables. On Jan. 1, 1922, the name was changed to the Hoosier Desk Co. The original executives were Albert Bohnert, president; Joseph Jahn, vice president; Louis J. Eckstein, secretary; Felix Schneider, treasurer; William Bockelman, director. The ﬁrst manager was Louis Seibert. Present executives are Robert Hoffman, president; Martin Renner, chairman of the board; William Litchﬁeld, vice president; Orlan I. Lett, treasurer and manager, and Hilbert J. Kunkel, secretary. The plant now has 130 employees.

The solid footing furniture manufacturing has in Dubois County began with pioneering businesses, many of which are no longer around. Here’s a sampling of early industry. Furniture manufacturing in Dubois County has its beginnings in 1869 when the Alles brothers entered the business following the death of their father who operated a sawmill. Here are brief sketches of some of the early businesses. Jasper Desk Co. In 1876, the Jasper Furniture Co. was organized when Sebastian Kuebler, John Gramelspacher and Frank Joseph purchased the interests of the Alles brothers who retained stock in the new firm. Gramelspacher was the first manager. This was the pioneer of Jasper’s present woodworking industry; the firm took up the manufacture of desks, obtained a patent on a dustproof roll-top curtain and soon found that the demand for office furniture was so great that it discontinued manufacturing other types of furniture. The name was changed to Jasper Desk Co. and office desks continued to be its primary product. Today, it retains its name, but is part of Jasper Group. Indiana Desk Co. Many young men of the county became skilled in woodworking at the “desk factory” in the early years. To provide employment for the increasing number of skilled workers and apprentices, a second factory was organized on March 5, 1905, under the name of Jasper Novelty Works. This firm was financed by local capital, a considerable part by men who were woodworkers themselves. Like the original plant, this factory soon found sufficient demand for desks, discontinued its original plan to produce novelty furniture and on April 25, 1927, changed its name to Indiana Desk Co. Joseph M. Sturm, the first manager, and

Alles Brothers Furniture Store was built in 1866 (despite the date ‘1860’ which was painted at the top of the building) on the northwest corner of the Jasper Square. At the time, the three Alles brothers were Prussian cabinetmakers who had recently immigrated in America. Originally only two stories in height, with its front facing the Square, the building served as the shop and retail outlet for the manufacture and sale of furniture, cabinets and coffins. In 1881, the Alles family built a plant at the east end of Sixth Street near the Patoka River. This new facility became the Jasper Furniture Co. in 1886, and later the Jasper Desk Co. (Photograph from “Images of America: Jasper and Huntingburg,” edited by Ron Flick and Jane Ammeson.) Joseph Jahn, superintendent, were active in the organizational work. Both men were instrumental later in organizing other plants. The original board of directors of Indiana Desk comprised George P. Mehringer,

KREMPP LUMBER COMPANY/ KREMPP CONSTRUCTION, INC.

JOFCO The fourth entry into the field of desk manufacturing was the Jasper Office Furniture Co., which was organized in February of 1922. Later the firm’s promotion and advertising stressed a shortened version of the company name and in 1965 JOFCO was officially registered. The organizers and original board consisted of Joseph M. Sturm, president and general manager, Victor F. Sturm, Dr. E.A. Sturm, William F. Sturm and John M. Schnaus. Joseph Sturm was succeeded as manager in 1924 by his son, Victor, who served in that capacity for 11 years. Jim Wallace was manager from 1935 until 1953 when Rudy Sturm, present manager, was appointed. The company recently merged with Jasper Group. DuCrafts, Inc. In 1937, William E. Menke founded DurCrafts, Inc., in Huntingburg, for the purpose of manufacturing venetian blinds and basketball scoreboards. The firm started in a building on Fifth Street.

president; Alois Schaaf, vice president; Joseph Sturm, secretary; Jacob Jahn, Joseph Gerber, Joseph L. Eckstein and Joseph F. Friedman.

Styline Corporation William Menke and his son, Robert, founded Styline Corporation in 1952,

Hoosier Desk Co. The success of this venture and the

Please turn to Page 76

Protect Your Assets & Financial Well Being Call me today for a FREE no obligation consultation for ...

Medicare Supplements Long-Term Care Final Expense Annuities Life 326-2410 Krempp’s mission today is the same as it was when we started back in 1877 - to provide the community with a quality building product and service at a reasonable and fair price to the customer.

Toll Free: 877-326-2410 Email: phyllis@preynoldsins.com

Phyllis Reynolds, CLTC

216 S. Main St., Jasper

482-1961

www.preynoldsins.com

PAGE 76 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

leasing space from the Huntingburg Wagon Works. In 1959, it began building its manufacturing facilities on the Moenkhaus farm west of Chestnut Street. In 1972, it merged with its parent company, DuCraft, and continued to grow to become Huntingburg’s largest employer. Robert’s son Hank became president in 1984. It manufactured occasional tables, desks, contract bedroom furniture and office furniture. In the early 1980s, it started manufacturing wood office furniture exclusively. Today it is OFS Brands. Jasper Chair Co. The Jasper Chair Co. was the pioneer plant in this field and was begun in 1922 at a meeting called by Louis P. Joseph and attended by Leo C. Jahn, L.T. Koerner, Judge Bomar Traylor and Alva Elliott. These men became the first board of directors and laid the foundation for the chair industry in Jasper. It was a considerable struggle to gain recognition in the chair field, but by producing a quality product at a fair price, the firm became a factor in the trade. Two additions were built to the original plant by 1966. The first manager was Louis T. Koerner. By the end of the 1920s, the demand for Jasper-built chairs was so well established that two more chair companies were organized, almost simultaneously. They were the Jasper Seating Co. and the Indiana Chair Co. Before these plants had time to get well underway, the Depression hit this country, and it was a bitter uphill battle for both. Jasper Seating Co. The Jasper Seating Co. was organized in 1928 and incorporated Feb. 14, 1929, with Louis P. Joseph as president; George R. Wilson, vice president; Leo C. Jahn, secretary; Louis T. Koerner, treasurer; and Alva Elliott, John Eckert and Dr. Leo A. Salb as directors. The firm produced solid wood and upholstered chairs for business and industrial offices, schools, libraries and institutions and are sold in all 50 states. Materials used include Indiana oak, birch from Canada

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

and walnut from the Midwest. Indiana Chair Co. The new Indiana Chair Co. was organized early in 1929. The first organized board of directors consisted of M.L. Wagner, president; John F. Schneider, vice president; F.J. Seng, treasurer; Edward J. Beckman, secretary and manager, and Grover Salb, director. Simultaneous with the development and growth of office desk and chair factories, other types of wood manufacturing as well as allied wood industries also were established and flourished. Eckstein Lumber, Inc. Eckstein Lumber, Inc., dates back to 1898 when the sawmill of Joseph L. Eckstein & Sons came into being. The family operated a stationary circular sawmill on East 14th Street until 1920, after the death of Joseph Eckstein when the sons, Louis J. and Clem E. Eckstein, built a band-sawn mill at the south end of Clay Street. The business was sold to a corporation in 1945. In 1959, the corporate name was adopted. Jasper Cabinet Co. The Jasper Cabinet Co., was one of the major woodworking industries of the community not producing office furniture and was an outgrowth of the Schaaf & Schnaus Planing Mill which was established in 1903. The mill became the Schaaf & Schnaus Manufacturing Co. in November 1916 and began producing porch swings, sandboxes and tables, laboratory tables, costumers and bookcases as well as window and door sash. The original executives included Aloiz J. Schaaf, George W. Schnaus, John M. Schnaus, Otto Schaaf and Alice Fritch. In 1928, the name of Jasper Cabinet Co. was adopted and the firm began manufacturing a wide range of products which included secretaries, breakfronts, cellarettes, knee hole desks, piers, curio and gun cabinets, foyers, commodes and mirrors. Continuous growth of the business was evidenced by the four additions made to the plant in the early 1960s. Jasper Wood Products Co. The Jasper Wood Products Co. was

Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there.

PIEPER-BURNS INSURANCE AGENCY Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Proud To Be A Part Of Dubois County’s Heritage Since 1987 415 Clay Street Jasper, IN 812-482-5151 pieperburnsinsurance.com

Service Is Why There Is Gudorf Supply For 49 Years Gudorf Supply has been installing residential and commercial heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical in new construction and remodel.

Did you know that we sell and install: • High efficiency gas boilers. • High efficiency heat pumps. • Warmboard radiant floor heat. • High efficiency tankless water heater. • Water pumps, parts & service (state licensed). • Generators – portable and standby. • GeoThermal • Trenching & excavating for sewer & water lines. • Service & stock parts for all major brands of heating & air conditioning. • Service & stock parts for all your electrical & plumbing needs. • PLUS SO MUCH MORE ... Just ask & we will do our best to supply. • Visit our power equipment division for ALL your lawn & garden needs. • Service for agriculture, lawn & garden equipment – Husqvarna total source dealer, Dixie Chopper, Steiner, BCS Tillers, and TYM Tractors.

10 Year Parts and Labor Available Tax Credits Available!

St. Thomas Medical Center Dr. Daniel Eby Orthopedics Reception Area

2736 East State Road 56 – Dubois, IN 812.695.2021 mcwi@coopsone.com Providing commercial cabinets and millwork for medical facilities, financial institutions, schools, libraries, public and private office environments, churches and retail establishments.

1280 3rd Ave., Jasper, IN 47546

Gudorf Supply Company is NOT affiliated with Gudorf Contracting.

Celebrating our 139th year! 1874 – 2013

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Jasper Turning Co. To supply the demand for turned legs and carved designs of other woodworking plants according to the furniture styles of the day, the Jasper Turning Co. was organized Dec. 14, 1928. The original board of directors included A.J. Schaaf, president; Martin Fritch, vice president; Otto Schaaf, secretary; William Fritch, treasurer, and Edward Knust, director. William Fritch served as manager until his death.

Brosmer Lumber Co. Band sawn lumber was the principal product of the Brosmer Lumber Co., Inc., which was founded in 1937 as the Brosmer & Seng Lumber Co. The ﬁrm was incorporated in 1940. Later the remaining shares owned by William Seng were purchased by brothers Edgar and Edward Brosmer and the corporation was solely owned by father and sons. The name was officially changed Dec. 3, 1964. Officials of the ﬁrm placed all its timber tracts under the Tree Farm System for preservation of young timber and conservation practices. Jasper Corporation In 1939, the Midwest Mfg. Co. was organized and began production of chests of drawers and dinette sets in a plant located in the Skyline subdivision. Ten years later, in May of 1949, ownership of the company changed hands and on March 23, 1950, the Jasper Corporation was officially incorporated. After the 1949 reorganization, the household furniture operation was discontinued and the plant went into the production of leather-top tables. With the advent of television in the 1950s, production of tables gave way to TV cabinets produced for several major television manufacturers. By 1952, production space was expanded to about 60,000 square feet and 250 people were employed. In 1952, the Jasper Corporation pur-

offices were moved to the Cherry Street location and the Kimball Music Center, a retail piano and organ sales facility was established. Indiana Hardwoods, a sawmill, lumber yard and processing operation was established in Chandler, Ind. in 1964. In 1965, a dimension plant, Dale-Wood Manufacturing, was established in Dale. A subsidiary company, Habig-Kimball International, was formed Jan. 1, 1965, in London, England, to supervise Kimball organ assemblies and develop a sales organization for European distribution. The Bosendorfer Piano Co. of Vienna, Austria, was acquired this same year. The original executives of the firm were Arnold F. Habig, president; H.E. Thyen, secretary; R.F. Schneider, treasurer, and A.C. Sermersheim, director. Today the company is Kimball International. Jasper Table Co. Originally established to manufacture office tables, the Jasper Table Co. expanded its production through the years to include the wider selection of wood office and school furniture. The company was founded November 17, 1948, with the following officers: Albert M. Schaaf, president; Cletus J. Krodel, vice president; Omer Sturm, secretary and general manager, and R.E. Sturm, treasurer. The company’s first plant was located on south Main Street. In March of 1965, however, the operation was moved to a new 36,000-square-foot plant on East 15th Street. United Cabinet Corp. Already represented in a variety of woodworking fields, Jasper industry entered still another field in June of 1954 when the United Cabinet Corporation was founded. The principal products were wood kitchen cabinets and vanities which are being distributed throughout a wide area of the country. Original executives of the firm were Edwin Krempp, president; Leo Brelage, vice president; Stan Krempp, secretary; Louis Savage, treasurer, and Amos Braun, director.

G N B I T UR N U

- 1983

CHAMB

327 E. 4th Street, Suite 206 Huntingburg, Indiana

chased the Borden Cabinet Co. and converted the operation from kitchen cabinets to the production of roller grained television cabinets. Habig Mfg., Inc., was established during the same year. The Jasper American Mfg. Co. began operations in Henderson, Ky., in August, 1953, producing vertical extruded chipcore and in April 1955 the Evansville Veneer and Lumber Co., in Evansville, was acquired. Jasper Stylemasters, Inc., was formed in February 1956, producing plywood and processed wood components. This company was housed in the expanded Corporation plant until 1959 when it was moved into a 30,000-square-foot building at 15th and Cherry streets built originally for warehousing. Stylemasters was expanded in 1961 to approximately 90,000 square feet. Also in 1956, Compania Maderea Interamericana was established in Panama City, Panama, and has been active to a limited degree in panel and lumber imports. The Jasper Corporation Retirement Proﬁt Sharing Trust and individual members of the board acquired controlling interest in the West Baden National Bank and French Lick State Bank and on Jan. 1, 1959, the banks were merged to form the Springs Valley National Bank. The W.W. Kimball Co. of Melrose Park, Ill., was purchased in July 1959 and in October of 1961, the piano assembly operation was moved to a new plant in French Lick. Also in 1959, the Lafayette Mfg. Co. was incorporated in Lafayette, Tenn., to furnish lumber core and dimension parts to the expanding Corporation operations. On November 7, 1960, the S.S. & S. Mfg. Co. of Evansville was acquired and on December 18, 1960, Cabinet Mfg. Co. of Evansville was purchased. Production in both plants was later discontinued in lieu of the more economically favorable Cabinet Division location in Jasper. Jasper Electronics Mfg. Corp., was formed Feb. 7, 1961, to produce Kimball organs and electronic components. In May of that year, Jasper Finance and Acceptance Corporation was incorporated to assist Kimball’s growth by wholesale and retail ﬁnancing. Also in 1961, the general

Jasper Novelty Furn. Co. Another major manufacturer not in the field of office furniture was the Jasper Novelty Furniture Co. Organized in 1928 under the name of Jasper Hickory Furniture Co., the plant began operations the following year, producing rustic outdoor furniture. Like the other plants which started just before the Depression, this factory also has an uphill struggle but overcame its difficulties. Early in its existence the firm switched from outdoor furniture to living room accessories, including such items as end tables, cocktail tables, bookcases, commodes, record cabinets, etc. The organizers and first board of directors included John M. Schnaus, Martin Fritch, Louis J. Eckstein, Hilbert Kuebler, who was the first manager, Claude Gramelspacher, Adolph Egloff and Ed Koffitz.

Jasper Veneer Mills Another of Jasper’s long-established ﬁrms, dating back to the turn of the century, is the Jasper Veneer Mills. Organized by John and George W. Gramelspacher, William F. Beckman and Joseph F. Friedman, the mill supplied veneers used not only locally but by manufacturers throughout the nation. Several decades ago when strawberries were a major agricultural crop in Dubois County, it also manufactured berry crates used by the growers for shipping purposes. In 1919, Claude and Virgil Gramelspacher acquired interest in the ﬁrm and together with their father George operated the business for many years.

Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce chamber@huntingburg-in.gov

www.huntingburgchamberofcommerce.org

founded Jan. 10, 1924, for the purpose of manufacturing plywood for the industry. Included among the organizers were John M. Schnaus, Louis M. Buechlein, A.W. Berger, Louis J. Eckstein, Claude, Virgil and C.U. Gramelspacher. John M. Schnaus served as president and Louis Buechlein was vice president from 1924 until 1927. Buechlein held the presidency from 1927 until his death, at which time the present president, Virgil J. Gramelspacher, was elected. C.U. Gramelspacher, general manager, had been secretary-treasurer of the corporation since its founding. The ﬁrm, which pioneered in many plywood products, produced plywood parts for airplanes and boats during World War II. Its primary product in the 1960s was custom manufactured ﬂat and molded plywood.

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 77

R E COMM

150+ Members committed to serving

Dubois County by promoting business opportunities ...

In Our Growing Community!

PAGE 78 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

AD DIRECTORY A list of advertisers in this section and information about them. A&B Fire Safety, Inc. Established: September 1995 Employees: 5 Products: Service and sales Officers: Dan Mehringer Location: Jasper History: A&B Fire Safety, established in September 1995 by Dennis “Bucket” and Anne Mehringer, was purchased by Dan Mehringer in January 2001. Services include extinguisher sales and service, safety supplies, restaurant systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, sales and testing, carbon dioxide recharging and much more. A&B Fire Safety services residential and commercial buildings. See ad on Page 88.

barn behind their Ferdinand house to a rustic, warehouse-style furniture showroom. Because the number of people employed during the day, they decided to open evenings and Saturdays only. Within six months, the small barn could no longer house their burgeoning business. They moved into their current Ferdinand showroom with approximately 6,000 square feet of showroom space. Their furniture selections focus on local and American manufacturers and value pricing. In 2000, they doubled the size of their Ferdinand location to 12,000 square feet. In 2003, they opened a second, 25,000-square-foot location in Jasper’s Southgate Shopping Center. See ad on Page 34.

Ackerman Oil Co., Inc.

Basket Case Brewing Company

Established: 1940 as EB Knies Distributing Employees: 100 Products: Petroleum product distribution and convenience stores Officers: Paul Grammer, Laura Grammer, Mike Ackerman, Ann Ackerman Plants: Jasper History: 1940 - Edwin B. Knies Distributing started by Edwin and Lenore Knies. 1930 Raphael and Phyllis Ackerman plant seeds of Ackerman Oil. 1973 - Leader in offering selfserve gas station in Jasper. 1986 - Established Circle A Food Mart. 1995 - First in Jasper with credit card pay at pump. 2000 - First in region to offer biodiesel. 2008 - First in region to offer E85 pumps. 2013 - Phyllis and Raphael celebrated 50 years of Ackerman Oil and 73 years of continuous family business in Jasper. See ad on Page 42.

Established: 2012 Employees: 2 Products: Crazy Good Beer Location: Jasper - within The Mill House Restaurant History: Basket Case Brewing Company was formed in 2012 by Ben Nowotarski, Zach Lichlyter and Bjoe Aull. Basket Case currently operates and serves beer within The Mill House Restaurant in Jasper. We started serving beer in December 2012 and our beer selection has grown to six styles currently being offered. Our growing selections of crazy good beers are offered by the pint and in to-go growlers. See ad on Page 47.

Beltone Hearing Center

Established: 1997 Employees: 4 Officers: Philip and Karen Mundy, Chad and Holly Mundy History: Started in 1997 by Chad and Holly and Karen and Phil Mundy as a retail store for all indoor and outdoor recreational products such as kayaks and canoes, bicycles and Goalrilla basketball goals. Adventures also sells North Face, Marmot and Patagonia outdoor clothing, Keen and Merrel hiking shoes as well as hiking and camping supplies. See ad on Page 55.

Established: 1940 Employees: 2 locally Products: Sale of hearing instruments, servicing, battery sales, etc. Officers: Todd Murray Plants: Manufacturer in Minnesota Parent Company: GN Resound History: Beltone has been providing hearing health care since 1940 and has been in Jasper a number of decades. Recent advances include nearly invisible hearing devices with Bluetooth wireless technology. The local practitioner, Jon James, is a hearing instrument user himself since 2005. This experience aids both our empathy and ability to help folks acclimate to amplification along with clarification. See ad on Page 66.

All-Star Sports

Lorey’s Ben Franklin

Established: 1993 Employees: 6 Products: Retail Location: 1905 Main St., Ferdinand History: All-Star Sports began in April 1993, when two high school friends purchased VanWinkle’s Sporting Goods. Today, All-Star Sports is celebrating more than 20 years of service to our community and has grown to specialize in team apparel, equipment, and customized screen printing and embroidery. Congratulations to Stan and Bill on this milestone, and thank you for your continued service to the hometown area! See ad on Page 34.

Established: 1938 Employees: 24 Products: Retail and service Location: 2905 Newton Street, Jasper History: 2013 marked the 75th year the Lorey family have operated a Ben Franklin store. Our father, Ott Lorey, started working in a Ben Franklin store in 1935. Three years later he bought the store located in Jasper on the downtown Square. This business was in operation for 40 years. In 1964, he opened Lorey’s Department & Variety Store along with a Tastee-Freez restaurant on the north side of Jasper. Ott decided to expand the store and converted it into a Ben Franklin store that is still in operation today. The current owner, Les Lorey, started working there in 1964 and still works there today. See ad on Page 59.

Adventures Recreation & Gear

Audio World & Appliances Employees: 6 Products: Retail Officers: Gil Eckerle, president Location: 701 W. Sixth St., Jasper History: Audio World & Appliances in Jasper is the oldest TV sales and service center in the area. Started in 1976 by Jerry and Gail Eckerle in the Southgate Shopping Center, it is now at 701 W. Sixth St., in the old Television Center building, built in 1955 by Joe Scherle who operated the Television Center until selling to Jerry Eckerle in 1983. Gil Eckerle became a Gill Eckerle partner in the fall of 1994 and purchased the business and building in April 2013. Audio World & Appliances is full service and sales for Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid appliances and LG electronics. Our mission statement is to be the company of choice in the hearts and minds of our customers by delivering the best customer sales and service experience to them. See ad on Page 63.

Bargain Barn Established: 1984 Employees: 6 Products: New Furniture Sales Officers: Marvin and Toni Weyer, owners Location: Ferdinand & Jasper History: Marvin and Toni Weyer started the Bargain Barn in 1984. They converted a pole

Best Home Furnishings Established: 1962 Employees: 850 Products: Manufacturer of residential furniture such as sofas, recliners, chairs, glide rockers, and home office chairs Officers: Clem Lange, founder and chairman of the board of directors; Mary C. Lange, vice president; Glenn Lange, CEO; Brian Lange, president; Joey Lange, executive vice president; Sheila Wendholt, vice president, public relations Plants: Ferdinand, Jasper, Cannelton, Paoli History: Established in 1962 and based in Ferdinand, Best Home Furnishings is one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world, committed to creating the best-quality sofas, chairs, recliners and glide rockers at the most affordable price. Family owned and operated, Best has more than 1.1 million square feet of manufacturing space in five southern Clem Lange Indiana locations. The combination of the company’s five “Power of Best” standards — quality, speed, selection, value and made in the USA — are unmatched by any other upholstered residential furniture manufacturer. For more information, visit besthf.com. See ad on Page 51.

John E. Birk, attorney at law Established: January 2012 Employees: 2 Products: Practice of law Officers: John E. Birk Location: 520 Main St., Jasper History: Our law firm delivers high-quality legal services competently and zealously within the bounds of law while maintaining high ethical standards at all times. We are available for insurance matters, divorce, custody, child support and visitation, injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, estate planning and probate, workers’ compensation claims (employer or John E. Birk employee), driving under the influence, criminal matters and general civil matters. Put our 24 years of courtroom experience to work for you. See ad on Page 9.

Bob Luegers Motors Established: 1962 Employees: 50 Products: Automotive sales and service Officers: Robert T. Luegers, president Plants: 1050 Wernsing Road, Jasper History: Bob Luegers began his automotive career in 1952 when he shared ownership of a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership with Jack Sternberg. In 1962 Luegers opened Bob Luegers Motors with franchises he had purchased from John Eckert and Edward Fritch. These were Buick, Pontiac, GMC and American Motors. Jeep was added in 1973. Bob Luegers’ five sons operated the dealership after Bob’s death in 1981. One of the brothers, Larron Luegers, retired in 2012. In 1966 the dealership relocated from its Newton Street location to U.S. 231 South. A brand-new building and much more space helped the business grow rapidly. Luegers’ brands now are Buick and GMC. A large used-car facility, a body shop and full-service department allow Bob Luegers Buick GMC to begin its next 50 years in business. See ad on Page 51.

Brookside Village Established: 2000 Products: Skilled nursing services, rehabilitation-to-home, long-term care and assisted living 24/7. Location: 1111 Church Ave., Jasper Parent Company: Cardon & Associates History: Opened in 2000, our focus at Brookside Village is on family and a comfortable, homelike atmosphere. You will find evidence of this caring attitude in all our programs from assisted living to our progressive rehabilitation services and the stability and consistency of our long-term care program. Our team includes licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants and licensed specialists in speech, occupational and physical therapies. To complement the medical knowledge of Brookside Village, Dr. Frank Hopkins serves as our medical director. Brookside Village is owned by Cardon & Associates (Est. in 1977). See ad on Page 9.

Buechlein & Associates, P.C. Established: Nov. 24, 1976 Employees: 16 Industry: Certified Public Accountants Officers: Mark W. Buechlein, president and treasurer; Charles A. Buechlein, vice president and secretary History: The firm was established as Deaton, Buechlein & Co. Accountancy Corporation on Nov. 24, 1976, and was located at 602 Third Ave., Jasper. On March 14, 1988, the firm name was changed to Buechlein & Associates, P.C., with Charles A. Buechlein, CPA, CMA, CGMA becoming the sole shareholder. On Oct. 1, 1998, Mark W. Buechlein, CPA, CGMA, became a shareholder in the firm and on Jan. 5, 2002, became the managing shareholder. On Nov. 14, 2005, the firm relocated its primary office to its current location at 1805 Dispatch Road, Jasper, The firm also operates a satellite office at 233 W. 10th St., Ferdinand. Buechlein & Associates, P.C. is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Private Companies Practice Sections - AICPA Division for CPA Firms, the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center and the Indiana CPA Society. See ad on Page 90.

grew he added his daughter, Danette, and son, Dan Jr., to the business management team. Becoming incorporated in 1995 and then purchasing land and building their new warehouse and showroom facility at 650 Woodlawn Drive in Jasper in September 2011, Carpet Warehouse now has a fully staffed sales team to assist with designs and four professional installation crews specializing in all types of floor coverings from carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile to custom showers and designs for residential and commercial applications. Free in-home estimates plus new home and whole home discounts are offered as well as after-hour appointments. See ad on Page 5.

Celebration Ice, LLC Established: 2008 Employees: 3-6 depending on season Products: Manufacturer and distributor of packaged ice for retail and wholesale use Officers: Mark Seibert, owner Location: 2704 N. Newton St., Jasper (Dubois County Museum building) History: Celebration Ice, LLC was founded in 2008 by Mark Seibert to fill a need for a local ice manufacturing company to provide a high-quality purified ice product along with high-quality service at competitive prices for retail and wholesale use in gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, factories and many other places. We have expanded our operations from three counties in Mark Seibert 2008 to eight counties today — Dubois, Pike, Orange, Crawford, Spencer, Perry, Gibson and Knox. Celebration Ice strives to create more jobs and keep revenues locally to help support the economy. Please like us on Facebook or visit www.celebration-ice.com for more information. See ad on Page 83.

Brent Chanley Agency, Inc. Established: 1990 Employees: 2 Officers: Brent and Gina Chanley Location: 506 Main St., Jasper History: Brent Chanley Agency was established in 1990. The company specializes in life and health insurance. As the senior market has grown, the company’s main product line is Medicare supplement for clients 65-plus, life insurance for all ages, short- and longterm nursing care and Brent Chanley fixed annuities. See ad on Page 83.

City of Huntingburg Established: 1837 Employees: 130 Products: Government Officers: Denny Spinner, mayor Location: 508 E. Fourth St., Huntingburg History: Established in 1837, our charming community is known for its historic downtown district, with a number of quaint specialty shops and unique dining establishments. Huntingburg is home to League Stadium, featured in the classic film “A League of Their Own,” which was added to the 2012 National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. As the only city in the world with the name “Huntingburg,” we are truly “A City Like No Other”! See ad on Page 25.

Clock Shop Established: 1997 Location: 216 W. Sixth St., Jasper History: Alan Welsh has operated the Clock Shop at 216 W. Sixth St. in downtown Jasper for the past 18 years. The full-service shop is located in the Metzger Building on the corner of Sixth and Clay streets. Alan has 40 years of experience repairing clocks in this area and his co-worker, Chris Crain, offers expert repair on all makes of clocks. The shop also specializes in restoring and selling antique clocks and lighting fixtures. On display are many styles of German cuckoo clocks along with quality mantel, wall and grandfather clocks. See ad on Page 59.

Carpet Warehouse Established: 1991 Employees: 10 Products: Residential and commercial floor covering sales and installation Officers: Dan Cooley Sr., Dan Cooley Jr., Danette Wendholt Location: 650 Woodlawn Drive, Jasper History: Dan Cooley Sr. opened Carpet Wholesalers in 1991 in a warehouse location on Clay Street in Jasper. As the business

Please turn to Page 82

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

JASPER’S

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 79

LOCALLY OWNED

SOUTHGATE

SHOPPING CENTER • Hwy. 231 South • Since 1969

32 Stores Proud to be a part of Dubois County’s Heritage!

136 Storag e U n (Vario its us Sizes)

Owned By:

Jasper Southgate Industries 812-482-6330 SANDER PROCESSING INC.

Are Ful a’s 1s lS t Day ervice Spa

Wholesale & Retail Meats • Beef • Pork • Lunch Meat • Cheeses • Meat Marinades & Seasonings

Illusions Nail-Hair Studio & Day Spa first opened its doors in 1996 and is proud to serve the community for the past 17 years. The updated Studio & Spa occupies the historic 1910 former Jacob Lorey building. Owner, Jan Reckelhoff-Blackgrave, fondly remembers the early days when the business focused on nails, hair, tanning beds & massage. Just as in the early days, Jan’s business model continues to emphasize personalized service above all else. In 1999 the interior of the spa and exterior entrance was completely renovated to be the first day spa in Jasper, The spa was designed by Christian Lieber of Colorado Springs to offer customers a truly unique experience, exemplifying rejuvenation and pure relaxation. HGTV brought national attention to Illusions by showcasing the renovation on an episode of My Renovations. Illusions was further honored to be chosen for an onsite shoot of MTV’s reality series MADE.

Custom Processing Beef, Pork & Deer • On the Farm Live Pickup

Over the years the business has continued to grow to offer a broad array of day spa services including nails, hair, pedicure, massage, esthetician services, permanent makeup, microdermabrasion and hair removal procedures. The licensed professionals tailor each treatment to meet their client’s unique beauty and wellness goals. We are also proud to support Make-A-Wish makeovers! Whether for special occasion or an evening out on the town, the friendly staff at Illusions will help you look and feel your best!

• Low Prices

Jan Blackgrave

• Excellent Service

Senior Nail Tech / Owner Operator

Hwy 164 in Celestine Indiana 812-481-0044 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sat 7:00 am - 2:00 pm www.sanderprocessing.com

(812) 482-3171 Located in Downtown Jasper

211 East 6th St., Jasper

PAGE 80 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

A HERITAGE OF FAMI First edition of Jasper Herald printed on Aug. 2. William Binckley, editor. Offices at 4th and Jackson streets in Jasper. Motto: “Always boosting a bigger and better community.”

1895

Ownership returns to Jasper. On May 1, Jasper Herald Co., is incorporated by a group of local businessmen who purchase newspaper from Zoercher. Albert T. Rumbach, 23, is hired as editor. Original stockholders: Dr. E.A. Salb, Albert Sonderman, A.T. Rumbach, J.P. Huther, George Wagner, Dr. J.P. Salb, Felix Schneider, W.E. Cox, S.C. Smith, J.F. Friedman, Louis Eckstein, Clem Eckstein, Gustave Gramelspacher, Rev. Basil Heusler, Robert E. Eckert, A.W. Eckert, Rev. Bernard Heichelbech, Fred Rumbach, M.L. Wagner, Henry Pfau, M.A. Sweeney, In August, moves to northwest corner of George Kremp, George R. Wilson. Fifth and Main streets.

1909

192

1919 August. Installed a modern linotype to set type by machine instead of by hand. Also installed a Babcock press. Printed one side of the paper at a time.

Jasper Herald sold to Louis Zoercher of Tell City. Local manager is S.C. Smith.

Installed Model A D web machine, a mo press. Printed both paper at one time a

Last Linotype taken out of ser

First Sunday edition when the Jasper Wildcats win state basketball title. Would publish one more Sunday edition when the Southridge Raiders play in the Final Four of the state basketball tourney in 1985.

1949

Offices moved to n on Fifth Street, be and Newton. Toda Nonte Building.

Feb. 24. Moved to current location at Fourth and Mill streets. Former Coca-Cola building.

1957

1963

1971

July 1. Front page of newspaper printed in German to celebrate German Days.

New Goss Suburban offset press installed before move. This was the first offset press in southern Indiana.

Press capacity increas installation of a Goss

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 81 17

ILY AND COMMUNITY Jan. 1. A.T. named Jasper postmaster.

new building etween Main ay, known as

1935

Duplex flatbed odern newspaper h sides of the and folded it.

1940

Oct. 7. Jasper Herald becomes Dubois County Daily Herald. First nonmetropolitan newspaper in the Midwest to print in the tabloid format. Published six days a week.

J.T. Rumbach hired as general manager after Louis Walls called into military service. Jack would work at The Herald for 48 years.

1944

When Sports Editor Dan Renneisen is drafted into the military, J.T. “Jack” Rumbach, son of A.T., and a senior in high school, takes over his position.

1946

1948 Edwin J. Rumbach, son of A.T., hired as advertising manager. Would work at The Herald for 50 years.

Comic strips began running in the newspaper: Blondie, Dagwood, Snuffy Smith, Donald Duck, Secret Agent X-9, Buz Sawyer.

rvice.

973

sed with Community

John Rumbach, son of Jack, hired as general assignment reporter. Today is co-publisher.

1973

Justin Rumbach, son of John, is hired as photographer. Today is managing editor.

Dan E. Rumbach, son of Edwin, hired as controller. Today is co-publisher.

1977 Dubois County Herald becomes The Herald and is redesigned.

1981

1997 Full electronic production of pages implemented.

2006

2010

Herald launches DuboisCountyHerald.com.

PAGE 82 18 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

The Dad’s Root Beer Co., LLC Established: 2007 Products: Soft drink parent company Officers: Keith G. Hedinger, CEO; Andrea L. Hedinger, vice president, sales and marketing Locations: Evansville, Ind.; Seattle, Wash.; Newcastle, Pa.; West Jefferson, N.C.; Tuscon, Ariz.; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Parent Company: Hedinger Brands, LLC History: In January, 2007, Hedinger Brands, LLC of Jasper purchased the Dad’s Root Beer, Dr. Wells, Bubble Up and Sun Crest soft drink brands from The Monarch Beverage Company, Inc., of Atlanta, moved the company headquarters to Jasper, and licensed those brands to The Dad’s Root Beer Company, LLC, also of Jasper. Dad’s Root Beer was developed in Chicago in 1937. Its unique and delicious flavor earned a loyal following. The Dad’s Root Beer brand was famous throughout the Midwest and by the late 1940s was one of the most consumed brands of root beer throughout the United States. The name Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer was selected in honor of fathers who used to make root beer at home for their families (popular in the early 20th century). Dad’s Root Beer distinguished itself as a brand and industry innovator when it became the first product to use the six-pack format in the 1940s. Dad’s also introduced the half-gallon bottle, becoming the first brand to market this size. Dad’s was marketed as a family. The “Junior” bottle size was the smallest, 7, 10 or 12 ounces. “Mama” was a quart bottle, and “Papa” was a half-gallon bottle. The brand celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2012. The Dad’s Root Beer Company continues to market and sell the Dad’s Root Beer, Bubble Up, Dr Wells, and Sun Crest brands from its Jasper headquarters to distributors and retailers in the United States and 11 countries around the world. See ad on Page 55.

Dairy Queen History: Dairy Queen’s soft-serve formula was first developed in 1938 by John Fremont “Grandpa” McCullough and his son Bradley. They convinced Sheb Noble, a friend and customer, to offer the product in his ice cream store in Kankakee, Ill. On the first day of sales, Noble dished out more than 1,600 servings of the new dessert within two hours. Noble and the McCulloughs went on to open the first Dairy Queen store in 1940 in Joliet, Ill. Carl and Evelyn Witte moved to Jasper from Bristow in 1950 and opened Jasper’s very first Dairy Queen, on the west side of town. It was a walk-up style. In the early 1990s a drive-thru

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

and seating were added. Phyllis Stenftenagel took the business over in 1993. In the fall of 2009, Orange Julius was added. Some of the handmade treats still made today include Dilly Bars, cakes and Buster Bars. See ad on Page 69.

Dubois County LP Gas, Inc. Established: 1974 Employees: 4 full time, 1 part time Products: LP Gas Officers: Carol Hochgesang Pfister, president; Kathy Hochgesang Fuhs, secretary/treasurer Location: 1205 S. State Road 162, Jasper History: Now in its third generation, Dubois County LP Gas was founded in 1974 to provide LP gas services. Raymond A. Hochgesang purchased the small business from the previous owners Fred Todd and Pete Vonderheide at the location on State Road 162 South. As the business grew, upgrades were made to the office Ray Hochgesang and plant. Family owned and operated since June 1977 selling propane gas to homeowners, farmers and industries in Dubois and surrounding counties. Conveniently located, Dubois County LP Gas fills cylinders and motor homes while you wait. We are the Eiklor Dealer for indoor and outdoor fireplaces with installation services. We also sell Phoenix gas grills and camping supplies along with an assortment of other LP-related items. See ad on Page 94.

Dubois County Visitors Center Established: 1994 Employees: 3 Products: Tourism and hospitality Location: 2704 Newton St., Jasper History: The fundamental mission of the Dubois County Visitors Center and Tourism Commission is to invite people to be our guests, encourage them to stay and to return again. This is accomplished by showcasing our heritage, highlighting our family-oriented destinations, building cooperation with surrounding communities and spreading our welcoming spirit, thus enhancing the social and economic growth of the area. — mission statement adopted November 2006. “We are committed to creating a memory by

demonstrating a welcoming spirit and sharing our passion for hospitality to all visitors exploring our heritage and attractions.” — vision statement. See ad on Page 10.

Eck-Mundy Associates, Inc. Established: 1993 “Celebrating 20 Years” Employees: 7 Products: Computer networks and telephone systems Officers: Gary Eck, president Location: 450 E. 11th Ave., Jasper History: Eck-Mundy was founded by Gary Eck and Dan Mundy in 1993. The company started by selling and servicing computer systems for small and medium-size businesses and local governments in the Jasper area. Telephone systems were added 10 years ago. EckMundy’s motto is “Our Solutions Keep Your Business on Top.” See ad on Page 41.

Englert’s Home Comfort Centers Established: 1975 Employees: 16 Products: Household furniture, appliances, specialty plumbing, heating and cooling, bedding, flooring Officers: Joe and “Toots” Englert Locations: Jasper and Loogootee History: Englert’s was started in St. Anthony. In 1979, the JC Lorey Furniture store was purchased at 209 E. Sixth St., Jasper. In July 1988 a fire completely destroyed the St. Anthony store. Englert’s acquired the Maytag brand of appliances in January 1994 and leased the building at 719 W. Sixth St., Jasper. A new location at 650 West Division Road, Jasper, was built in 1996. In 2000, a location on 105 JFK Blvd in Loogootee opened. Heavy snowfall caused the roof at the Jasper store to collapse on Dec. 24, 2005. Englert’s totally remodeled and reopened Nov. 1, 2006. See ad on Page 61.

Erny Sheet Metal, Inc. Established: 1978 Employees: 14 Products: Industrial and commercial Officers: Family owned - Erny Sheet Metal Location: 1020 Second Ave., Jasper History: We are an industrial and commercial sheet metal business. We make dust-collecting systems and finishing rooms for woodworking industries. See ad on Page 5.

Farbest Foods, Inc. Established: 1970 Employees: 1,150 Products: Turkey production/processing Officers: Ted Seger, president; Gerald Jones, vice president, finance; Marc Maynard, vice president, operations; Brian Hawkins, vice president, feedmill operations Plants: Huntingburg, Vincennes, Dubois, Bruceville History: Family owned since 1982, Farbest Foods is one of the largest turkey companies in the United States. We are a respected leader in our industry and the reason for that can be summed up in simple terms — quality employees, turkey growers, venders and suppliers, and customers who rely on us for highgrade turkey products. Farbest supplies raw Ted Seger fresh and frozen turkey products to value-added further processors in the U.S. and across the globe. Based in southwestern Indiana, we maintain a small company culture and oldfashioned work ethic, even as we continue to grow. Our company’s willingness and ability to react and adapt to changing customer needs – and our commitment to provide employees with a modern, efficient and healthy workplace – also have played a key role in Farbest’s position as a leading turkey producer. See ad on Page 15.

Ferdinand Community Center Established: Sept. 2, 1989 Volunteer board of directors: Lee Begle, president, Andy Olinger, vice president; Randy Greulich, secretary; Ken Pund, treasurer; board members, Don Mohr, Paul Weyer and Greg Dilger. Reservations and inquiries can be made by calling booking manager Kateri Buechler at the community center at 367-1989 or 631-1171. Location: 1710 Community Drive, Ferdinand History: The Ferdinand Community Center opened its doors on Sept. 2, 1989. After nearly five years of fundraising through donations and lifetime memberships, a group of community-minded citizens raised enough money to proceed with the construction of a 13,000-square-foot facility, home to numerous wedding receptions, Christmas

WHY LINE-X? Spray-on truck bedliners on the market today offer similar features. They conform to the contour of a truck bed and protect against impact, abrasion and corrosion. But not all spray-on truck bedliners are created equal. From toughness at the molecular level to customized options, LINE-X products raise the bar on quality, service and durability. ➢ Industry’s First Nationwide Lifetime Warranty ➢ #1 Spray-On Truck Bedliner and Protective Coatings Franchise ➢ Nationwide Network of Trained and Certified Franchises ➢ 20 Years of Chemical Innovation and Truck Protection Know-How ➢ Protecting the U.S. Pentagon

• • • •

Line-X Line-X Line-X Line-X

Platinum Pro Premium Standard Bedliners

➢ 300% Tougher than the Industry Standard ➢ Committed to Green Products with Zero VOCs ➢ R&D Dedicated to Developing, Testing and Perfecting New Products ➢ Trusted by U.S. Military Around the World ➢ Over 3 Million Satisfied LINE-X Customers ➢ Color Customization, UV Protection and Fade Resistance

• Line-X Body Armour • Truck Gear * By Line-X Accessories for Trucks

For more information visit www.linex.com

20 S Clay Street, Jasper

L IN E X

PROTECTIVE COATINGS

812-634-1294

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

parties, meetings, shows, auctions and other community events. Not one single tax dollar was used to build this facility. After 24 years and more than 800 lifetime members, the facility has gone through a number of recent upgrades including a new exterior paint job, restroom, lobby and meeting room renovation. The center is currently repaving the entire parking lot and has plans to add a 24-foot gazebo to go along with a beautiful waterfall located on the north side of the building. See ad on Page 73.

Ferdinand Farmers Mutual Insurance Co., Inc. Established: July 1864 Employees: 9 Products: Service Officers: Alan Weyer, James Kemper, Debra Johnson, Nick Dilger, Kurt Fleck, Pat Lueken and John Becher Location: 1405 Main St., Ferdinand History: Founded in 1864; Ferdinand Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, located at 1405 Main St. in Ferdinand, is owned by its 3,100 policyholders. Specialties of insurance are farmowners, homeowners, mobile homeowners, rural churches and small agribusiness with all underwriting, sales, data and claim processing handled within this facility. With written premiums over $2 million and $7.6 million in assets, Ferdinand Farmers Mutual Insurance Company is one of the largest Farmers Mutual insurance companies in the state of Indiana. Ferdinand Farmers Mutual Insurance Agency is a wholly owned subsidiary that offers coverage for auto, homeowners, commercial, health, life and Medicare supplement insurance through various affiliate companies such as Indiana Farmers Mutual, Grinnell Mutual, Progressive, Anthem, Humana and others. Call 367-1413 or go to www.ferdinandfarmersinsurance.com for more information. See ad on Page 14.

Ferdinand Processing, Inc. Established: January 1987 Employees: 5-8 Products: Retail/custom processing Officers: Paul and Paula (Resenbeck) Gogel Location: 1182 E. Fifth Street, Ferdinand History: Since 1988, Ferdinand Processing has been owned and operated by Paul and Paula Gogel. For the last 21 years, FP Meats has been providing custom beef and pork processing and venison processing and retailing our fresh and processed meat products. Each year we experiment and try new items to better the processing plant.

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 83 19

We started FP Meats Catering in 2003 and have expanded our services to not just weddings and graduations, but for anniversaries, family picnics, First Communions, holiday dinner, etc. If you want to enjoy a nice outside gathering with friends and family, having a hog roast is a wonderful idea. Paul will bring his cooker on site and roast the hog for you. Not only do we process and sell meat, we have a display of Holland Grills and Liberty Safes for purchase. These items are great for personal use and can be wonderful holiday, birthday or even wedding gifts. Stop in and look at the grills and safes that are on display. We have catalogs and prices listed in the store. Call for more information. Every year we gather with many Indiana meat packers and attend the annual Indiana Meat Packers Association Convention. We enter several of our products — smoked bologna, smoked bacon, barbecue ribs and fresh bratwurst — in categories to be judged. Over the years, we have won several awards for these items. Our No. 1 winner and seller is the smoked bologna. The meat convention is a great time to catch up with friends, learn new ideas, be updated on new rules and regulations, attend a vendor show and enjoy the entertainment provided by the convention. We are proud of what we have accomplished over the years and plan on many more wonderful years to come. This business would not be the way it is today without the hard work from us and from those who have helped us in the past years. We give thanks to you for your time and work over the years! See ad on Page 92.

Town of Ferdinand Established: Incorporated May 22, 1905 – Founded in 1840 Employees: 18 full time; 31 part time Officers: Kenneth Sicard, president; Debbie Johnson, council member; Ronald Weyer, council member; Beverly Schulthise, clerk-treasurer History: Named after the emperor of Austria, the enchanting village of Ferdinand was founded by Rev. Joseph Kundek in 1840. Father Kundek, born in 1810 in Ivanich, Croatia, came to the USA through the Leopoldine Society, a generous contributor to missions in the USA. Fr. Kundek’s vision was to create thriving settlements for German Catholics, centered around German-speaking churches and schools for their children. He intended Ferdinand to be the center of German Catholic life in America and by 1842 nearly 100 families had already settled here. Ferdinand has historically been exclusively German, primarily rural and very picturesque with rolling hills

and wooded areas. Ferdinand’s architecture is based on its German heritage. However, the town maintains many diverse architectural stylings, blending the old with the new. Two of Ferdinand’s oldest and most interesting structures are must-sees. They are Monastery Immaculate Conception, home to the Sisters of St. Benedict, and St. Ferdinand Catholic Church. There also are many other structures. Ferdinand is an ideal place to live and work, build a career, a business or an industry, raise a family and experience peace, safety, serenity and prosperity. It is the gateway to Dubois County, a gateway to opportunity and a place for all to escape to nature, to the city or to your backyard. Ferdinand invites you to “Visit us for a day. Join us for a lifetime.” See ad on Page 93.

Employees: Originally 1 employee but 2 in 1972 Products: Service, Sell, Repair History: Cleo Fisher started repairing small appliances in 1966, after Maury Leuken, a General Electric dealer in Jasper, needed someone to repair his small appliances. Maury came out to Portersville to help Cleo get started. Cleo set up shop in half of his garage. Cleo stayed in the garage until 1973, after Mike Denk (Cleo’s son-in-law) got out of the Navy in December 1972. That spring Cleo built a shop across the road from his home. Mike and Cleo worked together for 36 years until Cleo passed away in August 2009. Mike Denk continues to repair and sell in that same location today. See ad on Page 25.

Finishing Touches

German American

Established: 1978 Officers: Maureen and Mike Braun Location: Main Street, Jasper History: Finishing Touches opened in 1978 by Maureen and Mike Braun. The downtown location on Main Street was renovated to give its guests an authentic, boutique-like experience with a friendly sales staff. Services include wedding registry, free gift wrap, interior decorating, custom floral, special orders and business logo items. Quality unique gifts are in all price ranges. Gifts, personal and home decor accents are ever changing with a mix of classic, vintage, industrial, contemporary, traditional and modern. Creative displays make it a must stop for visitors and browsers, where they always find something new and different ... for over 35 years! See ad on Page 21.

Established: 1910 Employees: 508 Officers: Mark Schroeder, chairman and CEO; Neil Dauby, regional president; Jay Baker, regional senior vice president Plants: German American has been headquartered in Jasper since 1910. We have grown to operating 38 offices serving 13 counties in southern Indiana with banking, insurance, investment and trust services. History: The Friday, Nov. 11, 1910, edition of the Jasper Weekly Courier contained the following news article. “A new bank was organized in Jasper last week; the stock holders are made up of several prominent citizens of Jasper and a number of the wealthiest farmers in the county; the capital stock is $40,000 divided among about sixty stock-holders who hold the stock in $500 and $1,000 blocks; the name of the bank will be the German American Bank; the stock-holders met in Jasper last week and perfected the following organization. Pres. W.S. Hunter, Vice Pres. Andrew Eckert, Sec, V. Pres. Geo L. Hoffman, Cashier Wm. F Beckman, Asst. Cashier and Book-keeper Geo Nix, and these men with W.A. Wilson and R. M. Craig constitute the board of directors. The bank will occupy the Wilson Building on North Main Street, and expect to begin business Dec. 1st.” From the minutes of that first meeting you’ll find family names such as Alles, Beckman, Berger, Craig, Demotte, Eckert, Eckstein, Fierst, Gerber, Himsel, Hoffman, Kreilein, Lampert and Mehne, among others. The past 103 years of hard work, prudence and a commitment to provide strong financial solutions and services to customers paved

Fischer Electric Inc. Established: 1964 Employees: 11 Products: Electrical contractor Location: 6673 E. Schnellville Road, St. Anthony History: Fischer Electric continues to grow as a third-generation family-owned electrical contracting and maintenance company. We are committed to quality and reasonable service. Mark and John strive to accommodate our customers with expert associates to complete your project in a neat and timely manner. For your next project call us at 812-389-2418. Celebrating 50 years of service in 2014! See ad on Page 66.

Fisher’s Home Appliance

Please turn to Page 84

Established: 1966

Since 1990, Brent Chanley Agency has been specializing in Medicare Supplements and Life Insurance! Today, we are still proudly serving the area! • Medicare Supplements for clients 65+ • Life Insurance for all ages • Short and Long Term Nursing

Proud to be a part of Dubois County Since 2008 Packaged Ice for Retail or Wholesale

We have expanded our operations from 3 counties in 2008 to 8 counties today including; Dubois, Pike, Orange, Crawford, Spencer, Perry, Gibson & Knox

Care and Fixed Annuities!

CALL OUR OFFICE TODAY! 634.2911 Or 1(888)553.5771

We strive to create more jobs & keep revenues locally to help support the economy!

Mark Seibert, Owner Dependable • Reliable • Trustworthy Since 1990 brentchanleyagency.com

2704 N. Newton St., Jasper (Dubois County Museum Building) www.celebration-ice.com

PAGE 84 20 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

the way so that today German American is widely recognized as being one of the best banking and financial services companies in Indiana and the Midwest. In 2013, German American is a $2 billion southern Indiana financial services provider, specializing in banking, insurance, investments and trust for businesses, institutions and retail customers. The 500-plus employees of German American strive to establish strong relationships by working closely with businesses and individuals to provide strong financial solutions. See ad on Page 72.

Green Thumb Landscaping & Garden Centers, Inc. Established: 1976 Employees: 10 Products: Retail Officers: Nicole Jeffries-Schnell, president; Margie Jeffries, vice president; Natalie Combs, secretary/treasurer; Greg Jeffries, director Location: Garden Center – 702 Third Ave., Jasper (Across from Kmart); Landscaping – 4495 E. Schnellville Road (4.5 miles east of Dubois County Highway Department) History: In the fall of 1976 Dubois County’s second (ever) garden center was opened by Birnie H. and Marjorie A. Jeffries. A greenhouse of 30-by-100 feet was the first item on their business property on the Schnellville Road. In 1979 a second location, in Jasper, was erected on the Jack Dippel Family plot, just south of Dubois County Machine Company. In 1986 a new Jasper Garden Center was built to replace the existing one. This new plot consisted of 1 acre of land purchased from Marjorie’s parents, Charlie and Rose Wehr. The Garden Center remains there today. In 1988 a full-time floral department was started. We cater to weddings, funerals, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and many other special events. In 2000, Natalie K. (Jeffries) Combs and Nicole Jeffries-Schnell graduated from Vincennes University with a horticulture degree. In 2007 Nicole JeffriesSchnell became president, succeeding her father, Birnie H. Jeffries. Natalie manages the garden center in Jasper and Greg is the maintenance coordinator. Landscape designer and crew coordinator Phil Fleck has been with the company more than 24 years. Today, Green Thumb Landscaping and Garden Centers, Inc. are continuously growing and improving the facilities. The staff members are always on a constant search for the latest and greatest in the landscaping world. We are eager to make your gardening dreams come true. See ad on Page 11.

Grounded Organic and Natural Foods Established: March 2006 Employees: 16 Products: Retail of natural and organic foods, supplements and natural personal care and household items Officers: Stephen and Christy Gordon Location: Jasper’s Southgate Center, 323 U.S. 231 South, Jasper Parent Company: Gordon Grounds, LLC History: Grounded is locally owned and operated by Steve and Christy Gordon. While there has always been an interest in healthy eating and living, nothing had given the Gordon Family the most noticeable difference as a whole-food diet did. Having lost some family members to cancer in the years surrounding their growing knowledge of eating organically, and having to travel some distance to get the desired products, the Gordons’ wish to provide a natural food store to Christy’s hometown arose. Grounded has been in business for seven and a half years and employs 16 people. See ad on Page 23.

History: The Schnitzelbank Restaurant has been a landmark in Jasper since Larry and Betty Hanselman took over the restaurant in 1961. It has flourished and grown throughout the years. A catering building was opened in 1997 and also includes a fleet of “mobile kitchens” operating in a two-hour radius of Jasper. In 1999 the Hanselman Larry Hanselman family opened up the Hampton Inn, now an award-winning property, nextdoor to the restaurant. Most recently, part of the former Jasper Country Club property was acquired by H Properties. The existing clubhouse was completely renovated and is now KlubHaus 61, an event and banquet facility accommodating more than 500 guests. See ad on Page 9.

Gudorf Supply Company, Inc.

HLS Health and Wellness

Established: 1964 Employees: 10 Products: Plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical Officers: Eugene W. Gudorf, president deceased May of 2013; Irma Gudorf, vice president Location: Jasper and Huntingburg History: Gudorf Supply Company was opened in 1964 by Eugene and Irma Gudorf. Gene started the business installing whole-house cooling systems. The business has since expanded to be a source of anything you need for plumbing, cooling, heating and electrical, whether it be for new or existing construction. To keep pace with innovative ideas, Gene became the pioneer in the area for doing Pex tubing radiant floor heat in 1989. Also in April of 1989 we purchased a second location on U.S. 231 to be a lawn, garden and ag dealer. As of 2014 the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary! See ad on Page 76.

Established: 1981, 1995, 2012 Employees: 82 Products: Home medical equipment, respiratory services, home accessibility, wellness solutions Officers: Rick Stradtner, owner Location: Jasper, Evansville, Petersburg; Carmi and Mount Carmel, IL; Edinburg, Texas. HLS also manages home medical equipment for Indiana University Health in Bloomington. History: HLS Health and Wellness had its beginnings in Flick Drugs, purchased by Rick Stradtner in 1981. The company saw its first expansion in 1995 to include the HLS Home Medical division, which offered home medical equipment. A further expansion in 2012, which added greater offerings in home medical equipment, Rick Stradtner respiratory services, home accessibility and wellness solutions, led to the rebranding by which the company is known today, HLS Health and Wellness. Though HLS no longer operates a retail pharmacy, the company still maintains a long-term care pharmacy in Jasper, which services area nursing facilities. See ad on Page 53.

H Properties Established: 1961 Employees: 125 Products: Hospitality Officers: Larry and Alan Hanselman, Gail Hettinger Location: 4 locations in Jasper, IN Parent Company of: Schnitzelbank Restaurant & Catering, Hampton Inn and KlubHaus 61

t e s n u S

H&R Aluminum Co., Inc. Established: June 1976 Employees: 12 Products: General contracting/retail sales Officers: Dave Hoffman, president; Margie Hoffman, secretary Location: State Road 162 South, 20836 N. 950E, Ferdinand History: Established in June of 1976, H&R Aluminum Company, Inc., started out as an exterior remodeling company installing aluminum siding, soffit and gutters. What started with a small crew and a 3000-square -foot building has now grown to include more than 26,000 square feet under roof. Our current services include a full-line lumber & building material yard, bulk landscape rock and mulch sales, and wholesale and retail vinyl fence and rail fabricating. We also have a full-service residential and light commercial construction crew capable of constructing new homes, remodeling, pole buildings, steel buildings and much more. See ad on Page 10.

Hagedorn’s Body Shop Established: 1972 Employees: 4 Products: Collision repair and refinishing, restoration and rust repair Officers: Karen and Mike Hagedorn Location: 324 W. 6th Street, Ferdinand History: Hagedorn’s Body Shop was founded in 1972 by Mike Hagedorn, and has been holding its reputation for quality work since its foundation. Hagedorn’s makes it a point to give its customers the best job, the first time. You can ask any customer, and they are pleased to tell you about our quality of service, and we thank them for that. Even though Mike is looking to retire shortly, one of his current employees is looking to take over the business and continuing the hard-earned reputation. At Hagedorn’s we are committed to our customers and their dedication to local business. See ad on Page 39.

Harmon Family Chiropractic Established: 1998 Employees: 6 Service: Healthcare Officers: Dr. Toby Harmon, Dr. Sheila Harmon Location: 2602 Newton St., Jasper History: Drs. Harmon graduated from Parker College Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. Harmon Family Chiropractic was established in Jasper in 1998 and considers it a privilege to serve patients through chiropractic. By serving,

Sealed with a kiss ... Engagement Rings

LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANERS • Drive Thru Service • Professional Shirt Finishing • Personal Laundry • Alterations • Leather Cleaning • Wedding Dress Preservation *

Call for FREE Pick-up & Delivery *Jasper & Huntingburg

One Day Service if Requested! Table Linen Rentals – For All Occasions (White Only)

Sunset ... The ONLY Dry Cleaners in Dubois County Since 1990 ... We’re

Proudly Serving Our Customers!

1990 Since

Southgate Center, Jasper

www.olingerdiamond.com

HOURS: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 9:30-5:30; Wed. & Fri. 9:30-8:00; Sat. 9:00-4:00

482-6333 218 3rd Avenue, Jasper, IN Mon.-Fri. 7 AM-5:30 PM • Sat. 7 AM-1 PM

482-4214

Not affiliated with Rolex Watch USA

Estate Jewelry

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

listening, hearing and meeting the needs of the patients, we strive to empower the patients to take an active role in their health care in order to attain their individual health goals. Drs. Harmon are proficient in many chiropractic techniques, therapies, nutrition protocols and exercise programs in order to assist patients in achieving optimal health and wellness. Chiropractic care supports a wellness lifestyle that includes proper diet, exercise and life habits that promote health and prevention of disease. See ad on Page 7.

Harvest Moon Bed & Breakfast Established: December 1999 Employees: 6 part time Location: 210 Main St., Ferdinand History: A dream became a reality in September 1999 when this beautiful Queen Anne Victorian home came up for sale. Three short months were filled with lots of town meetings, paperwork and lots of auctions and yard sales to find furnishings for the new business that is now Harvest Moon Bed & Breakfast in its 14th year. The business is owned by Ruthie and James “Moody” Mattingly. Guests from Germany, China, New Zealand and across the United States have filled our bed and breakfast with kind and wonderful people. Guests can choose one night or two nights for a discount. You can rent the whole house at a great price (families, couples, girls night, mother/daughter getaways). All-night stays get a delicious home-cooked breakfast. Corporate rates also are available. Harvest Moon is more than a place to lay your head. Rent the grounds, dining area or both for bridal showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, baptisms, graduations or corporate meetings. A very popular place for Christmas parties, card clubs, Red Hats, garden clubs, couples, families, corporate offices ... any groups! Book early. I have many return customers. See ad on Page 47.

Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co., Inc. Established: May 1959 Employees: 32 Products: Wholesale beer and soft drinks Officers: Keith G. Hedinger, president; Anita W. Hedinger, vice president Location: Jasper History: In May 1959, Bob and Bill Hedinger, twin brothers, Korean War Veterans and former Coca-Cola salesmen, started Hedinger’s Distributing Company and began delivering

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 85 21

Pepsi-Cola products throughout Dubois County. Five years later, the brothers purchased Jasper Beverage Company, then the local Schlitz and Oertel’s ‘92 wholesaler. With Bill as president and Bob as vice president, the new Jasper Beverage Company initially operated out of a warehouse on Fourth Street, next to Alumni Stadium, but moved to a new warehouse location on Market Street in 1965. In 1980, Jasper Beverage Company purchased Patoka Valley Beverage from Alvin Ruxer and became the Budweiser distributor for Dubois County. Bob Hedinger passed away in 1992, Bill Hedinger retired in 1994, and in 1995, Keith Hedinger, Bob’s son, purchased the company and became its President. A new distribution facility was built on South St. Charles Street in 1996, the company was renamed Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co., Inc., and growth continued with acquisitions of Home Beverage of Washington in 1998, Polster Beverage in Spencer County in 1999 and Evansville Beverage in 2005. In 2008, Andrea Hedinger joined the company as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, marking the third generation of Hedingers in the business. Today, Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co. Inc. represents Anheuser-Busch InBev, Corona, Double Cola, Dad’s Root Beer and 21 other beverage company suppliers, distributes those brands in 15 counties in southern Indiana and delivers 1.3 million cases of beer and soft drinks annually. See ad on Page 55.

Hedinger Roofing Co., Inc. Established: 1952 Products: A commercial roofing business Officers: Kurt R. Hedinger, Ginger Hedinger History: Hedinger Roofing Company was founded in 1952 by Hubert Hedinger. Shortly thereafter, Hubert was joined in business by his two sons, Bill and Bob Hedinger. Over the years, they built a solid reputation as one of southern Indiana’s premier roofing contractors. Today, Hedinger Roofing Company continues the tradition set by its founders in providing expert and knowledgeable roofing services. We employ professionals who are knowledgeable in the variety of roof systems available and can recommend a system that will meet your specific requirements. Hedinger Roofing offers state of the art roofing utilizing EPDM rubber, thermoplastics, asphalt built-up roofing, modified bitumen and standing seam metal as well as shingles. This is why customers have been calling Hedinger Roofing since 1952. See ad on Page 29.

Helming Brothers, Inc.

Herb Rahman & Sons, Inc.

Established: 1981 Employees: 5 Services: Roofing, steeple work, lightning protection systems, sheet metal fabrication, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, stained glass Officers: Joseph Helming, president; Kathleen Helming, vice president Location: 1030 Fairview Ave., Jasper History: In 1936, Barney Streigel founded Streigel Contracting in Jasper. This business specialized in steeple work and custom sheet metal fabrication. Joe Helming began apprenticing the Streigels in 1973 and subsequently purchased the business in 1981, changing the name to Helming Brothers Inc. Today, craftsmen at Helming Brothers continue to offer handcrafted sheet metal items as well as steeple work, roofing, stained-glass design and restoration, and lightning protection systems. In addition, with more than 35 years of experience, Joe’s brother Bernie joined the business in 2009 to offer plumbing and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning services. See ad on Page 59.

Established: April 1978 Employees: 2 Products: Custom cabinets and countertops Officers: Stan Rahman, president; Kenny Rahman, secretary/treasurer Plants: 9426 E. 2100N, Ferdinand History: Established in 1978 we built houses and made cabinets for some of the homes. In 1995 we added on to the shop and started full time in the cabinet shop making custom kitchen and bath cabinets, any size, bookcases, TV centers and trim. We also sell countertops, formica, granite, quartz, solid surface and wood tops. See ad on Page 57.

The Herald/DuboisCountyHerald.com Established: 1895 Employees: 51 Products: Daily newspaper in print and electronic formats, a multi-platform website, and commercial printing. Officers: John Rumbach and Dan Rumbach, co-presidents; Mark Fierst, treasurer Plant: Jasper Parent Company: Jasper Herald Company History: The Jasper Herald published its first weekly edition in 1895 under editor William Binckley. In 1909, the paper was sold to Louis Zoercher of Tell City. In 1919, a group of Jasper merchants and professionals returned the paper to Jasper ownership and hired Albert T. Rumbach as editor. Over time, Rumbach purchased majority interest in the paper. His sons, John T. “Jack” and Edwin J. joined the company in 1944 and 1948 and served for a combined 98 years. The Jasper Herald became the Dubois County Daily Herald in 1946 and The Herald in 1977. DuboisCountyHerald.com was launched in 2010. The paper now spans four generations of family management with John and Dan as co-publishers and John’s son, Justin, as managing editor. See ad on page 80.

Hilliard Lyons Established: Opened Jasper office in 1981; company founded in 1854 Employees: 5 locally; 1,100 nationally Products: Financial services Officers: Mary Ellen Backer, Jasper branch manager Location: Southgate Shopping Center, Jasper Parent Company: H L Financial Services History: Hilliard Lyons was founded in Louisville, Ky., in 1854. The firm provides comprehensive wealth management and investment advice for individuals and businesses. The firm’s Jasper office, opened in 1981 and located in the Southgate Shopping Center at 269 S. U.S. 231, is staffed by branch manager and financial consultant Mary Ellen Backer, financial consultants George Kuper and Jeff Tooley and client service associates Diana Lueken and Donna Stenftenagel. The financial consultants of Hilliard Lyons use their combined experience of more than 75 years to help their clients in their quest for financial freedom. J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons is a member of the NYSE, FINRA and SIPC. See ad on Page 53.

Holiday Liquors/Wooden Keg Liquors Established: 1965 Employees: 24 at three locations Products: Retail Officers: Charles and Linda Hopf Locations: 2512 Newton St., Jasper; 480 S. U.S. 231, Jasper; 513 Third Ave., Jasper History: Holiday Liquors opened its first store Thanksgiving Eve in 1965 by Charlie and Linda Hopf and Earl and Sylvia Metzger. A second location at 480 S. U.S. 231 opened

Please turn to Page 86

PAGE 86 22 ■■ HERITAGE HERITAGEOF OFSUCCESS SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

in 1980. Wooden Keg Liquors was acquired in 1986. In late 2012 the operations were acquired by Charlie and Linda Hopf and family members. The stores have been remodeled over the years, adding wine selections, craft and domestic beers and bar supplies. Offering the best selection in the area at discounted prices, we are your one-stop location for party supplies. See ad on Page 25.

Hoosier Business Machines, Inc. Established: 1956 Employees: 20 Products: Office equipment sales and service Officers: Lee Horney, president Location: Jasper (serves 16 southern Indiana counties) History: Hoosier Business Machines, Inc., of Jasper is a full-service office equipment dealer. HBM has been locally owned and operated since 1956, starting with only two employees. In 1956, our primary product was mechanical cash registers. In 1978, after serving as service technician and service manager for the last 22 years, Lee Horney purchased the machine division of Hoosier Business Machines, Inc., and has continued to operate under the same name. Since that time, we have grown and changed to include a full line of Kyocera multifunctional devices and printers (color and black-and-white), document management systems and managed print services. Other products offered are calculators, shredders, fax machines, etc. — all the items necessary for today’s office. We employ 20 associates, eight of which are factory-trained technicians and/or information technology specialists. HBM continues to offer the full range of options, from adding a single machine to your existing network to from-theground-up design and installation. All backed by HBM award-winning service. See ad on Page 66.

Hopf Equipment/ Hopf Outdoor Power Established: 1974 Employees: 60+ Products: Agricultural, construction, lawn and garden equipment and consumer products Officers: Mike Hopf, Glen Hopf, Charlie Hopf Location: Huntingburg and Jasper History: Charlie Hopf and Ron Himsel purchased an existing International Harvester and Cub Cadet dealership in 1974 from Wilker Hagemeyer. In 1993, Charlie and Mike Hopf purchased Ron’s shares and formed Hopf

Equipment Inc. In 2004, Glen Hopf joined the company. Additional parts and service facilities were expanded over the years. Product lines were added, including Kubota, Bobcat, Case Construction, Great Plains and Polaris. In 2008, a second location was added in Jasper to accommodate the fast-growing lawn and garden and consumer product sales and service business. Hopf Equipment credits its success to our 60-plus dedicated and experienced employees. See ad on Page 95.

Don Hopster Insurance Agency Established: July 14, 1979 Employees: 5 Service: Life, health, disability, long-term care, financial planning, investments, annuities, Medicare supplements Location: 215 W. Fifth St., Jasper, History: With less than $1,200 in his pocket, a card table, foldout chair and a beat-up typewriter, Don Hopster started what would turn into a successful 34-year career in the financial services Industry. Putting in more than 70 hours a week with a supportive wife and four children paid off by being a valuable member of the community. Through Don Hopster the years Don grew his practice with great personnel and in 2009 added his first partner, Steve Pierce. They continued to grow and today have three financial planners and two additional support staff. Don attributes his success to the many loyal clients that he calls friends today. See ad on Page 7.

Hulsman Refrigeration, Inc. Established: 1970 Employees: 7 Products: Heating, cooling and geothermal Officers: Andy Hulsman, president; Melinda Hulsman, secretary/treasurer Location: 722 N. Kluemper Road History: Hulsman Refrigeration was founded in 1970 by Kenny Hulsman. The business was purchased by his son, Andy and Melinda Hulsman. The company has expanded since the change in ownership. Hulsman Refrigeration has been around for 43 years. They have been your local Carrier expert

Gel Polish/Shellac with manicure: $18.00. Manicure: regular - $12.00 (Polish and some nail art included). Pedicure: regular - 19.00 (Polish and some nail art included). Perms – Hair Cuts – Color – Hi-Lights – Waxing

and So Much More I may not be the fastest or the slowest. However, I am the best bang for your buck! After all, is $40.00 for 1-1/2 hours of work really a good deal?

for 43 years and your trusted Waterfurnace geothermal dealer for more than 30 years. Our website is www.hulsmanrefrigeration.com See ad on Page 23.

Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Established: 1983 Employees: 1 Products: Promote business and the community Officers: Nick Stevens, executive director; Vickie Lewis, board president; Trish Neukam, board vice president; Cathy Young, treasurer/ secretary Location: 327 E. Fourth St., Suite 205, Huntingburg, second floor of the Old National Bank building in Huntingburg History: The Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce was formed on April 19, 1983, by a group of Huntingburg business people. Originally called “Huntingburg On the Move in the Eighties, Inc.,” the name was officially changed on May 19, 1986, to the “Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce, Inc.” Since, the chamber has been a leader in providing a progressive environment for promoting business opportunities and the quality of life in Huntingburg and the surrounding community. On April 19 at the chamber’s annual luncheon, we officially celebrated our 30th anniversary of incorporation. See ad on Page 77.

Illusions Nail-Hair Studio & Day Spa Established: 1996 Employees: 10 Services: Nail, Hair and Day Spa Officers: Jan Reckelhoff-Blackgrave Location: 211 E. Sixth St., Jasper History: Illusions Nail-Hair Studio & Day Spa first opened its doors in 1996 and is proud to serve the community for the past 17 years. The updated Studio & Spa occupies the historic 1910 former Jacob Lorey building. Owner Jan Reckelhoff-Blackgrave fondly remembers the early days when the business focused on nails, hair, tanning beds Jan Reckelhoffand massage. Just Blackgrave as in the early days, Jan’s business model continues to emphasize personalized service above all else.

Indiana Furniture History: The Indiana Furniture tradition of quality is based on 108 years of superior craftsmanship. We continue this tradition by delivering products produced with old-world attention to detail, enhanced by modern efficiencies. Backed by integrity, innovation and customer-driven service, Indiana Furniture is continuously introducing new products designed to meet the diverse needs and tastes of customers. We provide unmatched versatility for the full spectrum of today’s rapidly changing work environments, including office, institutional and government services. Uncompromising construction standards, weekly productivity evaluations and more than 100 years of experience allow us to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers’ seating and casegoods needs. See ad on Page 61.

Inwood Office Furniture Established: Nov. 17, 1948 Employees: 106 Products: Manufacturer of comprehensive furnishings for professional environments. Officers: Glen Sturm, chairman and CEO; Ron Steffe, secretary and executive vice president Plants: 1108 E. 15th St., Jasper History: Originally incorporated as The Jasper Table Company in November 1948, the company began manufacturing dining tables. It was during the 1960s that The Table Co. grew into supplying tables for school and office, and then further expanded into supplying wood casegoods for both school and office. Evolving into a complete and sophisticated manufacturer of high-quality furnishings for all office needs in 1982 “The Table Co.” changed its name to Inwood Office Furniture dba Inwood Office Invironments. Of the seven original family owners, three have remained constant now and into the future. See ad on Page 47.

Please turn to Page 88

F.C. Tucker/ Kerstiens Realty

Think about it. How much do you make an hour? You work hard for your money. Why not spend it wisely? I can be reached on my cell phone any time (812-639-2686). If no answer, leave me a message and I will call you back as soon as I can. I carry my book with me, always.

Steve Lukemeyer

Or, call me at the shop (812-634-2322) to see if you can just walk in. Lots of times this works! I can even come to your home. If you are disabled, or don’t care to drive anymore, or recovering from a hospital stay, or just like the comfort of your own home and like to stay in your PJ’s. Maybe, you have the day off and just don’t want to leave the house, or put make-up on, fix your hair, sip your own coffee. Or, your tired of smudging your polish before you even leave the building? Now you can sit in your own chair for as long as you like. Even watch your favor show or read some more of your book. Heck, just sit in your chair and talk a nap! Now there is an idea! What ever the case maybe, call me. I am positive we can work something out. (Only a $2.00 traveling fee for within Dubois County, if you are out side of Dubois County, there is a $4.00 traveling fee.

Cell: 812-639-2686

e Got How W : Our Name

Shop: 812-634-2322

Neu Haven Beauty Salon 612 West 7th – Jasper, IN — JUST AROUND THE CORNER — Support your local businesses – spend your money at home – keep our community strong! Katrina Kyle

The REALTOR® with a law degree

Phyllis Karen

812-639-6340

JasperHomes.com

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 87 23

PAGE 88 24 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

Jackie’s Travel Service, Inc. Established: 1991 Employees: 4 Products: Travel Service Officers: Jaclyn Braunecker, owner Location: 509 Third Ave., Jasper History: In March 1977, Jackie Braunecker entered the travel service industry. Since October 1991, she has been helping travelers wander around the world through Jackie’s Travel Service in Jasper. Jackie and experienced staff will take the guesswork and stress out of your travel decisions and add a human touch whether you need flights, Jackie Braunecker a fabulous honeymoon — Sandals perhaps — business incentives, rail tours, family vacations, motor coach trips for individuals, schools and groups, cruises and more. You can trust your travel needs will be handled by caring consultants who will have your back! Jackie’s Travel, “Your First Name in Travel” since 1991. See ad on Page 39.

Jasper Chamber of Commerce Established: 1954 Employees: 2 Products: Service Officers: Nancy Eckerle, executive director; June Schnaus, office secretary Location: 302 W. Sixth St., Jasper History: The Jasper Chamber of Commerce was organized on May 6, 1954. A representative from the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce came to Jasper on that date to explain the workings of a chamber and why it was so important that Jasper enact a chamber of commerce. Alvin C. Ruxer was voted the first president, with other officers being V.J. Bohnert, vice president; Joseph L. Hasenour, treasurer; E.F. Uebelhor, second vice president; and Cornelius O. Krapf, recording secretary. See ad on Page 45.

Jasper Community Arts Established: 1975 Employees: 3 full time, 7 part time Products: Service Officers: Michael A. Jones, board president; Kit Miracle, director Parent Company: City of Jasper

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Location: 951 College Ave., Jasper History: Founded on May 12, 1975, as part of the City of Jasper, the Jasper Community Arts Commission is officially recognized as a department of the city and under the authority of the city council. Its mission is to stimulate and encourage an appreciation of and participation in the arts by citizens of all ages in Jasper and the nearby area, and to foster an Kit Miracle environment conducive to the enjoyment of the arts. The 11-member board is responsible for the management of the Jasper Arts Center. Initiated by the nonprofit Jasper Auditorium Corporation, the building was completed in 1977. An addition completed in 1983 to the front part of the building houses the Krempp Gallery and various offices. Programs have grown extensively, too, with more than 12 per year, as well as gallery exhibits, education programs, rentals and the Chalk Walk Arts Festival. Performers at the Jasper Arts Center have included the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Chet Atkins, Marie Osmond and Kathy Mattea. A broad range of musical genres and theatrical productions are hosted each season. As an early arts director Dennis Kelly said, “The arts are an important community celebration, where people get together not only to have a good time themselves, but to revel in, and enjoy, the community as well.” He went on to say, “One of the nice things about the arts is that the arts happen and people come together because they want to, because it feels good, not because they have to. There are a lot of have-to’s in this world. You come here because you want to.” (The Herald, Jan. 31, 1983.) This is still true today. See ad on Page 21.

Jasper Engines & Transmissions Established: 1942 Employees: 1700 Products: Remanufactured gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials and marine products. Officers: Doug Bawel, CEO; Zach Bawel, president; Mike Schwenk, vice president manufacturing Plants: Jasper, Crawford County, Willow Springs, Mo. History: Jasper Engines & Transmissions,

Providing Fire Safety Sales & Service Since 1995!

a 100 percent associate-owned company, was founded in 1942 by Alvin C. Ruxer when new vehicles were not available because of the war effort. We are the nation’s leading remanufacturer of a diverse line of drivetrain components. Jasper Engines operates three remanufacturing facilities, two distribution centers and 42 nationwide brand locations. Our mission statement is “Do It Right ... and Have Fun!” We base our manufacturing and administrative processes on continually improving the five areas that we feel are critical to the performance and growth of our company, which are safety, quality, productivity, customer service and the reduction of waste. See ad on Page 43.

Jasper Equipment & Supply Established: 1995 Employees: 9 Products: Distributor of janitorial and industrial supplies Location: 2350 Terry Lane, Jasper History: Jasper Equipment & Supply has been at its current location of 2350 Terry Lane since 2004. In 2007, warehouse space was added that enables us to expand our product offerings including filters for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and finish booths and industrial/ commercial water treatment products. See ad on Page 30.

Jasper Gift Basket & Popcorn Company Established: November 2009 Employees: 6-10 Products: Gourmet popcorn and chocolate, gift baskets Officers: Tom and Juanita Eckert Parent Company: Eckert’s Pool Supply, Inc. History: Jasper Gift Basket and Popcorn Company, located at 1522 Newton St., began in November 2009 as a small gift basket business. Owners Tom and Juanita Eckert and their dedicated staff have worked to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for their customers. What started with a small assortment of gourmet foods has grown to more than 90 flavors of gourmet popcorn and beautiful handmade chocolates. Customers get the added treat of being able to watch the popcorn and chocolates being made while shopping and enjoying tasty samples. The professional gift basket designers create beautiful custom-made gifts that are as special and unique as the recipients. See ad on Page 89.

• Restaurant Systems • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors (Sales & Testing) • C02 Recharging and Much More!

A & B FIRE SAFETY, INC. 2984 Cathy Lane • Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 482-6489

Established: 1983 Employees: 15 Officers: Jerry Hudson, president; Janet Hudson-Judd, secretary/treasurer Plants: 610 S. Clay St., Jasper History: Jasper Salvage, Inc. has been in business since 1983. It was bought by Gerald “Buck” and Mary Hudson 30 years ago. Back in 1983, it was known as Lyster Scrap Yard. It was a very small yard with about four or five employees. There was one small building on 1 acre of land. Since then it has grown to three big buildings on 6 acres. In 1983 the business was buying steel, copper, brass and aluminum and was limited in what could be recycled. Now we have expanded to recycle cardboard, newspaper and many other recyclable items. In the last few years, Buck and Mary Hudson’s children, Janet Hudson-Judd and Jerry Hudson, have acquired the business and continue to run it. See ad on Page 54.

Jasper Seating Company, Inc. (Jasper Group) Established: 1929 Employees: 800 Products: Manufacturer of office, institutional and hospitality furniture Officers: Michael Elliott, Ron Beck, Glenn Gramelspacher II Plants: Jasper (four locations), French Lick, Ferdinand, Paoli, St. Anthony History: Jasper Group specializes in quality wood furniture for the contract industry. The company began by manufacturing wood institutional chairs to meet the demands of growing organizations and over the decades has developed and added new products for expanding markets. Since its beginnings in 1929 (then known as Mike Elliott Jasper Seating Company) Jasper Group has grown to include six brands (JSI, Community, Klem, Jofco, Jasper Desk and Sixth Street Healthcare), seven manufacturing facilities with more than 1 million total square feet, and now has more than 800 employees. Jasper Group remains focused on their heritage and is committed to providing quality, affordable products with function, style and value. See ad on Page 5.

SOUTHERN INDIANA EYE ASSOCIATES OPHTHALMOLOGY Diseases and Surgery Of The Eye St. Charles Medical Complex, Ste #1 1950 St. Charles Street, Jasper (812)482-6424 or (800)599-9590 www.southernindianaeye.com

DUANE C. FLANNAGAN, M.D.

• Extinguisher Sales & Service • Safety Supplies

Jasper Salvage, Inc.

JUDY A. ENGLERT, M.D.

In 1979, Duane Flannagan, MD established the first and only ophthalmology practice in Jasper, Indiana. He also has satellite offices in Washington, IN and Tell City, IN. In 2001, the practice was happy to welcome Judy Englert, MD, a Jasper native, back to the area. She continues to see patients at an Evansville location where she began practicing in 1999. In 2004, the doctors became partners and established Southern Indiana Eye Associates, LLC. Both doctors are eye surgeons who are board certified and nationally recognized specialists in providing quality eye care to patients of all ages. Dr. Englert also has additional subspecialty training in pediatric ophthalmology. Together the doctors diagnose and treat eye disease, including: cataracts and cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, strabismus, tear duct issues, and other eye conditions. In order to provide even better quality to our patients, St. Charles Optical was opened in 2010. Our optical shop allows us to provide our patients with medical as well as optical needs in one convenient location.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYE NEEDS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Jay-Kem, Inc. Established: 1965 Employees: 13 Products: Retail, service, distribution Officers: John Wigand, Donna Wigand Location: 271 S. Clay St., Jasper History: Jay-Kem, Inc., started business as a small janitorial products sales firm in 1965 at 15th and Mill streets. The current owners purchased the company, which is now located in the original Dubois County Highway Department building on South Clay Street, in 1982. We have continued to grow and expand our offerings to include a retail store with spas, pools, pool chemicals and related merchandise. Pools By Design, LLC, was added to allow for expansion into the in-ground pool construction industry in 1995. See ad on Page 34.

Jenkins Family Greenhouses, LLC Established: 1971 (Jenkins Greenhouse) Employees: 3 full time, 4 part time Products: Plants (grown on site) Officers: Tara Ramsey Plants: 5413 W. 1200S, Dale History: What started as a hobby in 1971 has grown into a family business that spans three generations of ownership. When Eldon and Betty Jenkins built their first greenhouse, they grew tomatoes, cabbage and cauliflower (Jenkins Greenhouse). Friends urged them to add more product to sell. In 1995, the Jenkins’ daughter, Cheryl Ranger, and her husband, Jim, took over the family business. Then in 2008, The Rangers’ daughter, Tara Ramsey, and her husband, Jason, took control of the company and renamed it Jenkins Family Greenhouses. See ad on Page 41.

John’s Tractor Service, Inc. Established: 1953 Employees: 6 Products: Sales and service of New Holland, Bush Hog, Stihl & Great Plains products Officers: Michael Seckinger and Robert Seckinger Location: 720 St. Meinrad Road, St. Meinrad History: John’s Tractor Service, Inc., has been serving the area communities since 1953. It sells and services New Holland, Bush Hog, Stihl and Great Plains equipment. The owners are Michael Seckinger and Robert Seckinger. The business employs six people. John’s Tractor Service is located outside of St. Meinrad. It will celebrate its 60th anniversary of being in business in November. John’s

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 89 25

Tractor Service would like to thank everyone who has done business with the company over the past years and is looking forward to future generations to come. See ad on Page 18.

Kelly Family Dentistry, P.C. Established: 2012 Employees: 6 Products: General dentistry Officers: Christian H. Kelly, DDS Location: 202 E. 17th St., Huntingburg History: Dr. Kelly moved to Dubois County in 2008 and worked as an associate dentist for almost four years. In March 2012, he launched Kelly Family Dentistry in the same location, and with the same great staff. The practice is growing steadily, and the entire team is dedicated to providing gentle, highquality dentistry and Christian Kelly excellent customer service. They offer a wide variety of dental treatment, including preventive care, fillings, one-appointment crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, implants, dentures, tooth whitening and Invisalign orthodontics. At Kelly Family Dentistry, you’ll be treated like family and receive tremendous dental care at a fair price. See ad on Page 26.

A Kid’s Place Established: August 1991 Employees: 30 Products: Child care and preschool services Location: 505 E. First St., Huntingburg History: A Kid’s Place was established in August 1991 in response to a community survey showing the need for high-quality child care services in Dubois County. We provide early childhood education to children 6 weeks to 12 years old, including a summer camp for children in elementary school. A Kid’s Place has established a reputation for excellence in child care. With expert staff and a defined focus on the future of each child, A Kid’s Place has become the center of the community, initiating programs, integrating high-level curriculums and providing unmatched resources, giving its children no option but to succeed. See ad on Page 41.

Kimball International, Inc. Established: 1950 Employees: Indiana, 2,791; other United States, 919; non-U.S., 2,716; worldwide total, 6,426 Industry: Electronic Manufacturing Services of assemblies, components and devices for the medical, automotive, industrial controls and public safety markets. Office furniture comprises desks and desking systems, open plan workstations systems, casegoods, seating, tables, filing cabinets, book cases and accessories. Hospitality guestroom furnishings Jim Thyen include bed headboards, dressers, chests, wall panels, cabinets and vanities. Officers: Douglas A. Habig, chairman of the board; James C. “Jim” Thyen, president and CEO; Donald Charron, president, Kimball Electronics Group; Donald Van Winkle, president, Office Furniture Group; Robert Schneider, chief financial officer; Gary Schwartz, chief information officer; John Kahle, general counsel and corporate secretary Plants: Jasper locations are the headquarters, the showroom and logistics/fleet operations along with Kimball Office-15th Street, Kimball Hospitality-16th Street, National Office-11th Avenue and Kimball Electronics-Jasper. Other operations are in Santa Claus and Salem; Fordsville and Danville, Ky.; Post Falls, Idaho; Tampa, Fla.; Reynosa, Mexico; Poznan, Poland; Laem Chabang, Thailand; and Nanjing, China. History: The global corporation known today as Kimball International began as a small contract furniture manufacturing company called The Jasper Corporation. Founded in 1950 by Arnold F. Habig and a small group of investors, the company manufactured residential furniture and television cabinets. In 1959, the company acquired W.W. Kimball Piano Company. Production was relocated to southern Indiana. At its peak, the company made approximately 250 pianos and 150 electronic organs per day. This success fueled growth into other markets. Based on the strength and reputation of the Kimball brand name, the company developed other product lines, namely, office furniture, hospitality furniture and electronics. In July 1974, The Jasper Corporation changed its name to Kimball International, and in 1976 made its initial public offering, becoming a

public company and trading on the Nasdaq Exchange under the ticker symbol KBALB. By the early 2000s, Kimball had expanded its global footprint of operations into Europe and Asia to serve its worldwide customers. See ad on Page 96.

U.B. Klem Furniture Co., Inc. Established: 1973 Employees: 95-100 Products: Manufacturer of Contract and Restaurant Furniture Officers: U. Butch Klem, Kathleen F. Klem Plant: Southeast of Jasper on Schnellville Road History: U.B. Klem Furniture Co. is located four miles southeast of Jasper on Schnellville Road. Operation began in February 1973. We service the restaurant industry both nationally and internationally and employ approximately 100 associates who work throughout our 130,000-square-foot facility using state-ofthe-art techniques. Our professional staff will assist customers from product inquiry to order delivery. Installation and delivery of our products are coordinated by utilizing U.B. Klem Furniture’s fleet of trucks and team of dedicated drivers/installers. U.B. Klem Furniture is the one-stop shop for all your restaurant furniture needs. See ad on Page 21.

The Krempp Lumber Company/ Krempp Construction, Inc. Established: 1877 Employees: 60 Products: Building and home center material supply/general contractor Officers: Andy Krempp, John Krempp, Bill Krempp, Mark Schneider Location: 216 Main St., Jasper History: In 1877, Andrew Krempp was awarded a $149 contract for grading East Sixth Street and in 1879 was awarded a $500 contract for grading the public Square in Jasper. So began the first generation of Krempp’s service of construction needs to the citizens of local communities in southern Indiana. Five generations and 136 years later, Krempp continues with The Krempp Lumber Company incorporated in 1928 and Krempp Construction, Inc., formally the construction division of Krempp Lumber Company, which has specialized as a general contractor in industrial, institutional and public work construction since 1957. Krempp’s mission

Please turn to Page 90

PAGE 90 26 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

today is the same as it was back then — to provide the community with a quality building product and service at a reasonable & fair price to the customer. See ad on Page 75.

ISU Insurance Services – Krapf Bartley Established: 1938 Products: Personal and commercial insurance agency Officers: Scott Meneilly, president; Diann Meneilly-Horney, vice president/secretary; Sharilyn Meneilly, treasurer History: The Krapf Agency opened in 1938 by Cornelius Krapf representing four insurance companies. In 1978 Louis Meneilly joined the agency as a partner and incorporated risk management philosophy to the services offered. Today the agency operates as ISU Insurance Services Krapf-Bartley, with access to more than 18 insurance companies. KrapfBartley continues to meet its client’s personal and commercial insurance coverage needs locally and nationally. Call the company today at 482-4145 for a quote on your insurance coverage. The only “risk” to you is saving money. “...Because the future is hard to predict.” See ad on Page 53.

Lechner’s, Inc., Excavating Established: 1988 Products: Site grading/excavating Officers: Dan Lechner and Patricia Schroeder Location: 5274 W. State Road 56, Jasper History: The company was purchased in 1988 from Ed Lechner & Son Dragline Service. At that time, we purchased the first long-reach trackhoe of its kind in the USA. Since then, we have grown into a full line of site grading, excavation and utility Dan Lechner work service. Also, tiling and demolition. “Any Job Big or Small We Can Dig It.” See ad on Page 69.

Lindeman Law, LLC Established: July of 2013 Officers: Casey Lindeman History: Lindeman Law, LLC, was a law school

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

dream that became a reality in July 2013. The foundation on which this firm is built is that every client is unique and every client deserves the best legal services possible. Lindeman Law, LLC, is a general practice firm that can be further broken down into four general areas, those of criminal law, family law, estate planning and small business. See ad on Page 31.

Line-X of Southern Indiana Established: Line-X 1993; locally opened 1998 Employees: Bob Rasche and Jason Neukam, owners Products: Spray-on truck liners Location: 20 S. Clay St., Jasper History: Line-X of Southern Indiana has been locally owned and operated for 15 years. Line-X is the nation’s No. 1 leading provider of sprayon truck bed liners and protective coatings and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Line-X is not just for bed liners; it also offers coatings for all your protective needs. Line-X is used for commercial, industrial, agricultural, military and custom applications. Line-X offers a full line of truck and auto accessories including Truck Gear By Line-X. Sprayed on hot, Line-X provides permanent, nonskid protection and drying in 3 to 5 seconds, which allows same-day use. See ad on Page 82.

Steve Lukemeyer – Associate Broker at F. C. Tucker/Kerstiens Realty, Inc. History: Steve has been a licensed attorney in Indiana since 1999, and spent five years as staff attorney for the largest independent title insurance agency in Indiana. After opening his law practice in Jasper, his desire to help clients buy and sell real estate compelled him to get his real estate broker’s license in December 2010 and transition his into real estate Steve Lukemeyer business sales and marketing. His experience helped him reach record sales levels immediately. He also owns and operates the digital billboards located on the south side of Jasper. See ad on Page 86.

Employee Benefit Our Audit, Plan Audit, Review, and Services Compilation Services Include: Computerized Accounting and Payroll Services Tax Planning and Tax Return Preparation General Business Planning Estate Planning Quickbooks Accounting Software Installation and Support

P.O. Box 519 - 1805 Dispatch Road Jasper, IN 47547-0519

812-482-3535

Mailboxes & Parcel Depot Established: 1998 Employees: 3 Products: Retail pack/ship and business service center Officers: Mike and Cathy Siebert Location: 3557 N. Newton St., Jasper History: Business was started in May 1998 as a retail pack/ship store with shipping by UPS, FedEx, U.S. Postal Service and freight carriers. It also offers complete packing services, fax, copies, notary, passport photos, printing services, custom banners, eBay sales, mailbox rental and more. See ad on Page 43.

MasterBrand Cabinets History: MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., can trace its history to 1954, when Stan Krempp founded United Cabinet Company in Celestine. Over the course of the past 60 years, the United Cabinet Company has evolved to being a family of brands under MasterBrand Cabinets, headquartered in Jasper. We are proud to be the No. 1 cabinet manufacturer in North America. This is achieved by our 10,000 employees who take pride in developing high-quality, innovative cabinetry products. Locally, we want to thank the craftsmen at our Aristokraft and Decorá manufacturing facilities for their dedication and hard work. See ad on Page 87.

Matrix Integration Established: 1997 Employees: 87 Products: Technology Officers: Brenda Stallings, president and CEO; Dan Fritch, executive vice president Locations: Corporate office in Jasper; branch offices in Carmel and Louisville and Lexington, Ky. History: For more than 30 years, Matrix Integration has leveraged technology to help organizations solve business problems. Clients, public and private sector alike, struggle with managing change, managing cost, increasing profits, increasing productivity and decreasing downtime. By asking the hard questions, we Brenda Stallings uncover our client’s pain.

We then leverage our team’s expertise and our partner ecosystem to develop solutions to overcome the pain. Our life-cycle service approach to technology helps our clients plan, design, procure, implement and manage their information and communication technology to accelerate their success. Solving business problems and achieving business results. It’s a constant. It’s our passion. See ad on Page 64.

Meadowood Apartments Established: December 1979 Employees: 4 Products: Affordable housing for seniors Officers: Linda R. Gerber, property manager Parent Company: Mark III Management Corp., Indianapolis History: Meadowood Apartments is a privately owned apartment community that is federally assisted for seniors age 62 or older. Rent is based on income, assets and medical expenses. Meadowood Apartments opened on Dec. 12, 1979, and has 72 one-bedroom apartments. The three-story L-shaped building sits on 5.447 acres of land and each level contains a lobby and laundry facility. The management office and indoor mailroom is located on the ground level. Community rooms host social activities and a library is located in the building, which has a passenger elevator for accessibility. Senior independent living has never been easier! See ad on Page 57.

Mehringer’s Plumbing & Heating Established: 1972 (incorporated) Employees: 33 Products: Service Officers: Dennis “Bucket” and Anne Mehringer Location: Fourth and McCrillus streets, Jasper History: Mehringer’s was founded by Basil Mehringer (Bucket’s Dad) who did plumbing and heating for residential customers. Bucket joined the company after high school and together they built it up to include commercial, residential and industrial customers. Basil retired and Bucket continues to run the company. Today, we not only do plumbing and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning work (service and new installation), but have a full metal fabrication shop and crane/boom trucking lifting service. We’re proud of our heritage and service to the southern Indiana area. See ad on Page 4.

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Memorial Hospital Foundation Established: 1974 Employees: 2 Products: Fundraising/nonprofit Officers: Ray Snowden, president; Bill Rubino, chairperson Location: 800 W. Ninth St., Jasper Parent Company: Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center History: Memorial Hospital Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes ... to operate exclusively for the benefit of Memorial Hospital ... whose principal purposes are the providing of medical and hospital care, medical education, and engaging in medical research ... to maintain, develop and increase and extend the facilities and services of Memorial Hospital ... to solicit and receive by gift, grant, devise or bequest ... both real and personal property (and) to hold property ... for the benefit of Memorial Hospital. See ad on Page 29.

Merkley Meats Established: 1954 Employees: 21 Products: Retail and wholesale meat products Corporate Officers: Jim Merkley and Dave Merkley Plant: 3994 W. 180N, Jasper History: Merkley Meats was founded in 1954 by Othmar Merkley and his sons Norbert and Raymond. Today the operation is being managed by the family of Norbert and his wife, Selma. Originally the operation was solely focused on processing animals for people who brought the animals to the facility to be processed. Within a short time, however, Othmar and his boys were buying livestock and then processing the animals to sell to the public. Today the operation’s main focus is on the line of Merkley recipe products they produce. The family invites you to their retail store to purchase their products. See ad on Page 45.

Meyer Custom Woodworking, Inc. Established: 1874 Employees: 12 Products: Commercial casework, cabinets, architectural woodwork, and millwork Officers: Melvin Meyer, president; Steven Meyer, vice president; Dorothy Meyer, secretary/treasurer History: Shortly after returning from the Civil War, George Meyer founded George Meyer and Company. This business supplied the local

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 91 27

communities with a variety of services. In addition to custom woodworking, the company also served as a sawmill, sorghum factory, casket maker and community undertaker. The company flourished and was eventually passed on to three of George’s four sons. One of the sons, August, ultimately acquired the business, and the business continued relatively unchanged. The business was passed to August’s son, Roy. Roy made several changes to the business. While maintaining the woodworking and undertaking aspects of the company, Roy discontinued the sawmill. Roy changed the name to Meyer Planing Mill, relocating the building so that it would have access to electricity and the new State Road 56. In 1966, Meyer Planing Mill was acquired by Melvin (Roy’s son) & Dorothy Meyer. They concentrated solely on custom woodworking. Meyer Planing Mill incorporated in 1993, forming Meyer Custom Woodworking. During this time, the company changed its focus from residential trim and cabinets to mostly commercial projects. Today Meyer Custom Woodworking produces architectural woodwork including plastic laminate casework, custom cabinets, reception desks, sales counters, nurse stations and millwork. And although the products may have changed, the Meyer family business continues to offer the same high-quality craftsmanship that George Meyer provided nearly 140 years ago. See ad on Page 76.

Meyer Distributing Established: Meyer Body 1937/Meyer Distributing 1981 Employees: 550+ Products: Automotive aftermarket distribution Officers: Mike Braun, Jason Braun, Jeff Braun Location: Jasper – nationwide History: Meyer Distributing was started in Haysville in the mid1980s by Mike Braun, a man with an honest, down-to-earth approach, strong work ethic and focus on customer service. The business Mike acquired, then called Meyer Body Company, initially manufactured truck bodies and later served as a truck parts and equipment distributor. Mike Braun Meyer Distributing began serving retailers in southern Indiana and quickly built a strong list of customers.

As Meyer continued to rapidly grow, facilities were added in many other areas nationwide to expand service capabilities. Today, Meyer Distributing is a leader in specialty products marketing and distribution. Through numerous strategically positioned warehousing facilities, Meyer serves thousands of customers nationwide in most states via Meyer Logistics direct ship. See ad on Page 17.

The Mill House Restaurant & Catering Established: Built in 1947, opened in 1948, we purchased in 2006 Employees: 40 Products: Restaurant, Bar and Catering Officers: BJoe and Kim Aull, owners Location: Jasper History: The Mill House Restaurant, formerly known as The Fiesta Restaurant, was built in 1947 and opened in 1948. It was owned by Charles and Butch Gutzweiler and was established as a family restaurant and bar. In 1976, the restaurant was sold to Tom and Ruth Flick. Like the Gutzweilers, they ran it as a family business. After managing the restaurant for several years, their son Tim became sole owner. In 2000 the restaurant name changed to The Mill House. In 2006 BJoe and Kim Aull purchased The Mill House. They have since expanded the catering department and joined with friends in December 2012 in having a microbrewery, known as Basket Case Brewery, in the restaurant. See ad on Page 31.

Neu Haven Beauty Salon Established: August 2002 Employees: Four stylists plus owner have more than 117 years of experience Service: Cut, color, perm, highlights, lowlights, eyebrow waxing, acrylic nails, gel-nails polish, shellac-nail polish, pedicure, manicure and so much more Location: 612-A W. Seventh St., Jasper History: Back in the day all the teenagers were going to Neu Haven. Only then it was a Dance Hall. From what I am told it was “the” place to be. Billy Neu Sr. and his son, Bill Neu Jr., were the owners/bouncers. My father-in-law is Billy Neu Jr. I wanted to bring back to people in this area those good times and wonderful memories. Hence the name, “Neu Haven.” See ad on Page 86.

Northwood Retirement Community Established: 1969 Employees: 166 Products: Housing and health care services Officers: August “Dad” Hoeger, founder Location: Jasper and 240 in the United States Parent Company: Good Samaritan Society History: Since 1969, Good Samaritan Society - Northwood Retirement Community has been providing housing and health care services for seniors and others in need. Over the years, the campus has expanded to include 14 assisted living apartments and four senior living apartments that offer a range of services and activities — all to better meet the needs of the community’s August Hoeger seniors. Northwood’s new assisted living center and therapy addition is slated to open in the spring of 2014. The campus also offers memory care, hospice care, inpatient therapy (for all ages) and respite care. To learn more, visit www. good-sam.com and type “Northwood” in the search box. See ad on Page 32.

OFS Brands, Inc. Established: 1937 Employees: 1,700 Products: Commercial office furniture, health care furniture, educational furniture, hospitality furniture and logistics Officers: Hank Menke, president and CEO; Jim Huebner, chief financial officer and senior vice president finance; Ryan Menke, senior vice president supply chain and managing director - services division; Jeff Eckert, senior vice president manufacturing; Mike Wagner, senior vice president sales and marketing; John Becher, senior vice president sales administration and human resources; Lisa Mehringer, vice president supply chain; Scott Franzel, vice president information technology Locations: Huntingburg; Leitchfield, Ky; High Point and Archdale, N.C. History: OFS Brands is a company whose history is steeped in the rich furniture making tradition and strong German heritage of southern Indiana. This art of old-world craftsmanship is one we’ve mastered and still

Please turn to Page 92

PAGE 92 28 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

adhere to today. We’ve been crafting fine wood furniture for over 75 years. It was in the early 1980s that we turned our efforts solely to manufacturing wood office furniture. Today, our operations include seven manufacturing plants and four support plants that serve a wide range of customer needs. OFS Brands is the parent company for OFS, First Office, Carolina, Loewenstein and Styline Logistics. See ad on Page 56.

Old National Bank Established: Founded in 1834, Old National (ONB on the New York Stock Exchange) is the largest financial services holding company headquartered in Indiana. Employees: 73 employees in Jasper region; 2,804 employees overall Services: Personal banking experts with a full range of services including wealth management, cash management, investments and insurance Corporate Officers: Thomas Krodel, Jasper Region president; Diane Schwenk, Jasper Region sales manager, senior vice president; Tim Robinette, Jasper Region commercial relationship manager, senior vice president History: Old National Bank is proud to be part of this community. Our roots begin with our founding as Dubois County Bank in 1885. In 1993, DCB was acquired by the like-minded community bank, Old National. We focus on serving our growing county with strong business lending expertise in manufacturing and agriculture. We take pride in our strength and stability. In 2013, 14 associates celebrated 35-plus years of service — a collective 500 years of banking experience. And, for the second year, Old National has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, the only U.S. bank so recognized. See ad on Page 85.

Olinger Diamond Center Established: 1957 as Newman’s, 1990 as Olinger Diamond Center Employees: 12 Products: Retail jewelry store Officers: Kevin J. Olinger Location: Southgate Shopping Center History: Olinger Diamond Center has been a part of the Jasper community for 56 years, having been originally started by Lenny Newman in 1957 and purchased by Kevin Olinger in 1990. Kevin graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 and from the Gemological Institute of America, Santa Monica, Calif., in 1987. Olinger Diamond Center specializes in fine diamonds and unique

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

jewelry. If you can dream it, we can do it! Our in-store master goldsmith, John Schipp, has nearly 17 years of experience and can assist you in building the ring of your dreams. It is our pleasure to be a part of the special moments of your life. See ad on Page 84.

Pet-Agree Established: 2010 Employees: 8 Service: Pet grooming Officers: Alicen Cordeiro Location: 714 W. Sixth St., Jasper History: Pet-Agree is family owned and operated, open since Jan. 1, 2010. We are a full-service grooming salon which operates on appointments Wednesdays through Saturdays. We offer two lines of pet food, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance and Fromm Four Star formula. These lines are grain free and organic. Retail hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Alicen, our managing groomer, has more than 20 years in the industry of grooming and utilizes behavior modification and obedience training in her grooming techniques. She is certified by the State of Indiana and oversees all grooming. She is currently working on her master’s degree in cat grooming and dog grooming. See ad on Page 55.

RDM Sales & Service, Inc. Established: 1993 Employees: 18 Retail Products: We supply the local and tri-state area with cellular phones, satellite TV, Internet, concession supplies, concession equipment, coffee, coffee brewers, soft pretzels, chips, candy, paper products, hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, etc. Remember, we also have delivery. “We truly have it all!” Officers: Robert Schlachter, president Location: Warehouse in Ferdinand History: Family owned, the owners are lifelong residents of Ferdinand in Dubois County. The Schlachters are very excited to have their children join the business with them. See ad on Page 26.

Phyllis Reynolds Insurance Established: 2006 Employees: 1 Owner-Agent: Phyllis Reynolds Products: Offering Medicare supplements, longterm care insurance, final expense, annuities

and life insurance History: Phyllis Reynolds Insurance, in business since 2006, is an independent agent offering health and life insurance products from multiple insurance companies, allowing the client the ability to tailor products to meet their needs and budget. The main focus is Medicare Phyllis Reynolds supplements and longterm care insurance including Indiana Partnership plans. See ad on Page 75.

St. Anthony Mill, Inc. Established: 1900 Employees: 5 Products: Animal feed, seed and equipment Officers: William and Steve Hasenour Plants: St. Anthony History: The St. Anthony Mill was started in 1900 by Henry Hasenour. Henry built a fourstory flour mill along the railroad tracks in St. Anthony. The current mill is closer to the highway and is owned by the fourth generation, Henry’s great-grandsons, Bill and Steve. One popular item sold at the mill is Bill’s Chicken Mash. It is the same formula their Grandfather William developed in the 1930s. Farming today has changed from 1900, and the individual and custom service to the community received from past generations is carried on by today’s fourth, fifth and sixth generations of miller experience and commitment to the future. See ad on Page 7.

St. Vincent de Paul - Jasper Established: December 14, 1958 Employees: 29 Service: Charity helping local people in need Officers: Parish conference presidents Location: 1402 S. Meridian Road, Jasper History: The Jasper District Council of St. Vincent de Paul was created Dec. 14, 1958. The thrift store was opened in 1964. The Jasper district now contains 13 parish conferences. Every Catholic parish in Dubois County and two in northern Spencer County are contained in the Jasper District. St. Vincent de Paul is a trusted charity with a long history of helping people in need in the local area. Thank you to everyone who supports our cause by donating or purchasing items at the thrift store. See ad on Page 68.

Sander Catering Established: 1998 Employees: 8 full time, 30 part time Products: Food, catering Officers: Donald and Linda Sander, owners Location: Jasper History: This started as a hobby, grilling for family, friends and clubs we belonged to. As time went on, we received more requests from friends of friends to do small gatherings. Later we hired a lady to do prep work during the week which then led to doing meals during the week. We then needed more help, so Linda stayed home to help with anything. Things continued to get busier, resulting in another person being hired. From there it continued to grow; Donnie quit his factory job, more workers were needed, and it became a seven-day-aweek job. See ad on Page 51.

Sander Processing, Inc. Established: 1987 Employees: 25 Products: Custom processing, retail sales, wholesale Officers: Jim Sander, Randy Sander, Chris Sander, Kent Sander, owners Location: Celestine History: In 1987 Jim Sander and his sons began Sander Processing in a small processing plant at his home near Celestine. They processed deer, beef and hogs. As business grew the Sander Family realized the need to help local farmers sell their own meat products. In 2003 the state of Indiana granted inspection services to Sander Processing. At this time the company built a new processing plant and moved to Celestine. Business steadily grew and again expanded its facilities in 2013. Sander Processing has grown to be the largest custom processor of beef and hogs in the state of Indiana. You will now find local farmers’ meats being sold all over Indiana with the help of Sander Processing. See ad on Page 79.

FERDINAND PROCESSING INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ELECTRICAL SERVICES • Complete Wiring Installations • Renovations • Agricultural • Fire Alarms & Security • Communication Systems

Since 1988

• RETAIL SALES • PROCESSING Custom & Venison • CATERING

Mission Statement Weyer Electric is committed to providing the best installation – at a competitive price; in a timely fashion; with a quality installation; and in complete compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and regulations. Weyer places special attention and emphasis on quality and neatness out in the field. Customer satisfaction is paramount and most vital for continued operations and growth. This is stressed and accomplished through good communications and respect for all involved in the process.

453 W. 9th Street, Ferdinand, Indiana 812-367-1650 www.weyerelectric.com

RETAIL HOURS Thurs. & Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm • Sat. 7:30 am - Noon

DEER SEASON HOURS ing Beginn r 16 e b Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Novem Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Sat. 7:30 am - 1:00 pm • Sun. 9:00 am - Noon

1182 E. 5th Street, Ferdinand, IN (812) 367-2073 fax 367-2073 Email: fpmeats@psci.net

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Schnarr Electric, LLC Established: 1955 Product: Service Officers: Kristofer Schnarr History: Schnarr Electric Co was founded in 1955 by Kris’ grandfather Radius “Perp” Schnarr. Kris is the third generation of Schnarrs to run the company and took over the business in March 2013. With the dedication and hard work that his grandfather started with in 1955, Kris offers these traits and quality work to his customers today. Schnarr Kristofer Schnarr Electric, LLC, provides electrical work on all your new or existing commercial or residential needs. Contact us today for a quote. See ad on Page 39.

Schwartz Family Restaurant Established: April 1, 2009 Employees: 10 Service: Restaurant Officers: Joseph and Edna Schwartz Location: State Road 37, Eckerty (five miles north of I-64, exit 79) History: Joseph and Edna Schwartz live in rural Eckerty on a 100-acre farm. They have a family of 12 children and raised produce with the help of their children to support their growing family. In 2007, the state bought 11 acres to build a super highway right through their farm, which gave them an opportunity to build a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. See ad on Page 38.

Seng & Seng Certified Public Accountants Established: 1980 Employees: 10 Service: Certified Public Accountants Officers: Allen Seng, CPA, president; Kenneth Seng, CPA, secretary Location: 902 Main St., Jasper History: Seng & Seng CPAs was founded in 1980 by two brothers, Allen and Kenneth Seng of Jasper. The firm moved to its present location at 902 Main St. in 1983. The firm has grown to include five CPAs along with an experienced support staff. The practice was built on providing individuals and business

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 93 29

clients with sound advice and offering tax and financial services to the public with the goal of helping clients succeed in their financial and business endeavors. See ad on Page 73.

Seufert Construction Established: 1870 Employees: 40 Service: Design/build and general contractor Corporate Officers: Brian Tretter and Scott Tretter Location: Ferdinand History: Founded in 1870, Seufert Construction is deeply rooted in tradition, hard work and success. As our story unfolds and our company grows, our foundation remains the same. The steadfast ability to provide unparalleled quality construction, innovative design/build solutions and a keen customer focus has remained evident through each generation of our business. Reflecting on our 143-year history of success, it is apparent that our leadership in the construction industry today is a direct result of hard work, a strong team of highly qualified individuals and a true commitment of putting our customers first. As we look to the future, we continue to strive for quality, innovation and utmost professionalism in all that we do. See ad on Page 26.

Shirley’s Sewing Stuff Established: Fall 2002 Employees: 1 part time Products: Retail Officers: Shirley Biehl, owner Location: 11356 S. U.S. 231 (between Dale and Huntingburg) History: Shirley Biehl, owner of Shirley’s Sewing Stuff, dreamed of having a fabric store since age 18. Work, marriage, kids ... she still had the dream. Her husband is quite an inventor and invented a holder for Fasturns. She received a call from Novi, Mich., wanting her to be a teacher and vendor at sewing expos. For about 12 years they traveled the United States, teaching and vending at sewing expos. Their rental house became empty and Shirley’s Sewing Stuff moved in. Dream come true. The house looks small on the outside, but it is big on the inside. Seven rooms full. Fabric, books, notions, yarn ... just about everything the crafter could want. See ad on Page 43.

Siebert’s Established: 1924 Employees: 35 Products: Retail clothing and shoes Officers: Jim Siebert, Jane Siebert, owners Location: Jasper History: Siebert’s clothing store, known as The Modern, was opened in 1924 by Wilbur and Bernadine Siebert on the Square in Jasper. The men’s store occupied one-half of the building that extended from the Square to Jackson Street. Bob Siebert joined his dad in 1950 and when Wilbur Siebert passed away in 1956, Bob became a partner with his mother. In 1957, Siebert acquired the adjacent building and added a boys’ department, the Squire Shop, and in 1964 he purchased the store from Bernie and renovated The Modern. A women’s department was added in 1983 and in 1994 the children’s store was acquired At one time or another all seven of Bob and Josie Siebert’s children have worked in the family store. Today Jane and Jim Siebert are the third generation and their children, Ben and Rachel, are the fourth generation of Sieberts in the clothing business on the Square in Jasper. See ad on Page 11.

Smithville Communications Established: 1922 Services: Commercial-grade fiber-based gigabit broadband; information technology and managed services; digital security services; cellular services; residential Internet, voice and TV; Web hosting Officers: Darby McCarty, chairman and CEO; Cullen McCarty, senior vice president Locations: Jasper, French Lick, Bloomington, Ellettsville, Columbus, Seymour, Evansville, Lizton, Fishers History: Today a 21st-century enterprise delivering high-performing technology, Smithville Communications was founded more than 80 years ago as a rural provider of utility telephone services. Smithville has since grown into Indiana’s largest independent telecom, providing a variety of communication and technology products and services throughout the Hoosier State. In Dubois County, Smithville provides commercial-grade fiber-based enterprise-level broadband to major companies, as well digital security and cellular services. More information is available at Smithville.net. See ad on Page 37.

Southern Indiana Eye Associates, LLC Established: 2004 Employees: 14 Products: Eye care, surgery, optical products Officers: Duane Flannagan, M.D., and Judy Englert, M.D. Location: Jasper, Washington, Tell City, Evansville History: In 1979 Duane Flannagan, M.D., established the first and only ophthalmology practice in Jasper. In 2001 the practice welcomed Jasper native Judy Englert, M.D., back to the area. In 2004 the doctors became partners and established Southern Indiana Eye Associates, LLC. Both doctors are eye surgeons who are nationally recognized specialists in providing quality eye care to patients of all ages in Jasper, Washington, Evansville, and Tell City locations. Dr. Englert has additional subspecialty training in pediatric ophthalmology. St. Charles Optical was opened in 2010 to provide our patients with medical and optical needs in one convenient location. See ad on Page 88.

Spartan Staffing Executive Officers: Steven Cooper, CEO, TrueBlue Inc.; Kimberly Cannon, executive vice president, human resources, TrueBlue Inc; James Defebaugh, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, TrueBlue Inc.; Derrek Gafford, executive vice president, chief financial officer, TrueBlue Inc.; Wayne Larkin, executive vice president, operations, TrueBlue Inc.; Billie Otto, executive vice president, chief information officer, TrueBlue Inc.; John Demarest, president, Spartan Staffing LLC Locations: Spartan Staffing has more than 65 branches located in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The local branch is at 332 Third Ave, Jasper(across from the Schnitzelbank Restaurant and the Hampton Inn). History: Spartan’s local branch was originally opened as Star Temporaries by Linda HortonClem, who saw the need for a staffing agency in Dubois County to serve local businesses. In 2003, Amanda Hadley joined the branch, and then took over as manager when Linda retired. At that time the branch had become a part of TrueBlue’s Spartan Staffing team. Your Jasper Spartan team consists of Amanda

Please turn to Page 94

Strong elements of faith, religion, family values, work ethics, sense of community, respect and appreciation of the environment lies in the town of ...

founded in 1840

incorporated on May 22, 1905

Beautiful rolling hills abound the ...

Gateway to Dubois County Hwy 162 off of Interstate 64 www.ferdinandindiana.org

• • • •

Benedictine Monastery & Grotto Community Parks – Trails • Churches – Catholic & Christian Medical & Dental Clinics • Jr. / Sr. High School, Intermediate School Restaurants & 4 Star & Blue Ribbon Elementary Schools

• • • •

Library Diverse Industries Camping, 4 Lakes Inns & Hotel

Minutes away ... 2 year State University, Golf Courses, Amusement Park

Visit us for a day ... Join us for a Lifetime!

PAGE 94 30 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

Hadley, operations manager, as well as staffing specialists Tammy Dick and Deborah Schitter. Spartan Staffing’s focus is to help meet both the temporary and long-term staffing needs of manufacturing and logistics companies, as well as other area businesses. See ad on Page 45.

Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company Established: 1902 Employees: 80 Products: Checking, savings, loans, trust, investments, financial planning Officers: Douglas Habig, chairman of the board; John Habig, vice chairman of the board; Jamie Shinabarger, president and CEO; Darrell Blocker, senior vice president, chief financial officer and cashier; J. Craig Buse, senior vice president, chief operating officer; Martin Kaiser, senior vice president, trust officer; Renee Clesi, senior vice president, human resources director Locations: French Lick, Jasper (two locations) West Baden Year-End 2012 Assets: $232,564,000 History: The merger of the West Baden National Bank and French Lick State Bank on Dec. 12, 1958, created the largest bank in Orange County. The principal office was in French Lick with a branch in West Baden. State and federal authorization was granted on Jan. 1, 1959, designating the Springs Valley National Bank with assets of $5 million. During 1979, the bank was converted from a national charter to a state charter. In 1986, the Jasper office at 15th and Newton streets was constructed as banking reciprocity was extended beyond county lines. In 1987, the West Baden offices were remodeled, a new Third Avenue, Jasper, office was constructed and the relocation and expansion of the trust department was completed. In 1991, deposits grew to $170 million, with $209 million asset trust operation and the first year to exceed a $41 million net income. See ad on Page 90.

Stens Corporation Established: 1970 Employees: 250 Products: Aftermarket parts Officers: Peter Ariens, president Plants: Jasper; Novi, Mich.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Greenville, S.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Visalia, Calif.; Dallas, Texas History: Stens began in 1970 in a one-room garage servicing outdoor power equipment. In 1983, Stens shifted its focus to the replacement parts market. The Ariens Company purchased Stens in 1995, where the company grew to include seven distribution centers across the U.S. In 2013, Stens moved its Jasper distribution center and corporate headquarters to a new Peter Ariens 208,000-square-foot facility on Hospitality Drive. Stens services dealers and businesses worldwide in the outdoor power, industrial, rental, golf course, hardware and golf cart industries. While our business is now international, Stens is proud to remain firmly rooted in Dubois County. See ad on Page 31.

Streicher Construction, Inc. Established: 1962 Products: General contractor – industrial, commercial, residential, institutional, design-

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

build services Officers: Donald Streicher, CEO; Terry Streicher, president; Charles Pund, vice president, Beverly Streicher, secretary; Cindy Weinzapfel, treasurer Location: 2296 Mill St., Jasper History: In 1962, Donald Streicher, our CEO, began Streicher Construction, Inc., with two employees and himself building residential homes. With a firm commitment to quality workmanship and customer service, Streicher Construction expanded its services to industrial, commercial and institutional buildings. With the introduction to industrial Donald Streicher contracting in 1969, Streicher Construction developed a team of skilled craftsmen and a design/build service that has served the community for more than 50 years. Streicher Construction’s team has proudly accumulated more than 500 years of collective construction service. The dedication of our employees has enabled Streicher Construction to provide the expertise and quality service that we feel to be key to our successful customer relationships. We are proud of the products and services we have provided for over the past 50 years and are always happy to take on a new relationship or continue the many long-lasting relationships with our customers. See ad on Page 49.

Sunset Laundry & Dry Cleaners Established: 1990 Employees: 4 Products: Retail Officers: Cheryl and Bob Schnell, owners Location: 218 Third Ave., Jasper History: Originally located on Meridian Road on Jasper’s south side, the business was relocated to the current location (formerly Lic’s Ice Cream building) in 1997. As other area dry cleaners closed, Sunset has become the only active dry cleaners in Dubois County. The business has grown over the years and in 2015 will celebrate 25 years of service to Jasper and Dubois County. We also serve French Lick Resort in Orange County. Thank you for your patronage for 23 years. See ad on Page 84.

TDI Brands Established: 1996 Employees: 21 Products: Garden tools, accessories, accents and shopping carts Industries: Independent garden centers, landscaping nurseries and hardware cooperatives Officers: Charles Stenftenagel, president; Mike Bartley, general manager Locations: Jasper; New London, Ohio History: Simply put, we’re a team of gardening specialists that get to indulge our passion every day. We’ve been a forerunner in supplying the garden center industry for more than 17 years, and we want to continue to spread the joy of gardening while providing products of the highest quality, world-class service and creative solutions for the ever-changing needs of Charles our environments. Today, Stenftenagel

we offer exclusive gardening tools, accessories, and accents through Tierra Garden; have emerged as a manufacturing and distribution leader of natural stone products with Stone Age Creations; and provide the industry’s largest selection of shopping carts through TDI Carts & Trunk Liners. See ad on Page 91.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Another key to their success is developing exclusively designed products. Touch of Class is proud to be manufacturing some of its exclusively designed metal wall sculptures in Huntingburg. This family-owned company continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s consumers. See ad on Page 63.

Tom’s Lawn, Garden & Appliance Center

Tri-County YMCA

Established: 1985 Employees: 16 Products and Services: Lawn and garden equipment sales and service; home appliance sales and service Officers: Family owned by Tom, Sandy and Matt Mundy; Brian Gehlhausen, appliance manager Location: 719 W. Sixth St., in the Y, Jasper History: In January 1985, the doors were open for business at Tom’s Lawn and Garden at Third and Mill streets in Jasper. With the company growing, employees were hired and the business was moved in 1995 to its current location. Products include Stihl outdoor power equipment, Grasshopper, Simplicity and Toro mowers. DCS, Weber and KamadoJoe Tom Mundy grills. The appliance center features Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, Bosch, Fisher-Paykel, Sub-Zero, Viking and Thermador. Tom’s is a family-owned and family-operated business featuring quality products with a complete service department. Stop by and “We’ll Give You Lots of Great Reasons to Visit Tom’s” See ad on Page 23.

Touch of Class (Parke-Bell Ltd., Inc.) Established: 1978 Employees: 150 Products: Multimedia retailer Officers: Carla Parke-Bell, chairperson; Fred Bell, CEO and president Plants: 709 W. 12th St. Huntingburg; outlets on Fourth Street History: In 1982 Carla Parke-Bell and Fred Bell moved their specialty mail order catalog, Touch of Class, from New Hampshire to Huntingburg. The company has grown into a multimedia retailer selling merchandise through print catalogs, online and two outlet stores. Recent endeavors include social marketing on YouTube,

Established: September 2003 Employees: 80 (some seasonal) Service: Nonprofit Officers: Brent Sternberg, president; DeNae Mulzer, vice president; Linda Bueltel, treasurer; Jennifer Lusk, secretary Location: 131 E. 16th St., Ferdinand History: The Tri-County YMCA was formed in September 2003. Serving Dubois, Perry and Spencer counties, the YMCA now has more than 2,000 members. In addition to the facility in Ferdinand, the Y operates a preschool/ day care in Santa Claus named Y Wee Care Development Center. The Y also serves its communities with outreach programs in Jasper (after school and summer camp) and Tell City (summer program and T-ball). The mission of the Y is “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” See ad on Page 29.

Troutman Family Dentistry Established: 2005 Location: 202 E. 17th St., Huntingburg History: Dr. Kenneth Troutman, DDS, FAGD, MIIF, graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2002. Having grown up in southern Indiana, he was excited to return home to provide care for Dubois County and the surrounding area. After caring for patients for three years in Huntingburg, Dr. Troutman formed Kenneth Troutman Family Dentistry Troutman in 2005. He has since been dedicated to bringing the highest quality of technology and dentistry to care for his patients. He has committed to many hours of continuing education to provide the highest level of care in the most convenient, comfortable manner. Dr. Troutman and his team are proud to offer the most advanced

DUBOIS COUNTY LP GAS, INC. FAMILY Owned & Operated Since 1974

HOME • FARM • INDUSTRY NEW

An Electronic Version of this Section Is Available. Go to DuboisCountyHerald. com and click on the Heritage ad.

The Herald DuboisCountyHerald.com

GRILLS The Grill That Cooks It All!

3 Styles

Now Carrying

Indoor or Outdoor

GAS FIREPLACE LOG SYSTEMS Made inn r Southe a n ia d In

NO FLARE UPS It Grills • It Roasts It Steams • It Smokes An American Made Grill

GIVE US A CALL AT (812) 482-5040 To Get Your BULK TANK Filled for Winter! 1205 S. STATE RD. 162 JASPER, IN 812-482-5040

Monday - Friday 8-12 & 1-5 Saturday 8-12

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

technology and compassion to provide the best patient care. They look forward to continuing to serve and care for patients in Dubois County and the surrounding areas. See ad on Page 58.

Uebelhor and Sons, Inc. Established: 1929 Employees: 148 Products: Automotive Officers: Tony Uebelhor, president; Chris Uebelhor, secretary/treasurer Locations: Jasper, Vincennes History: Theodore “Ted” Uebelhor purchased the Chevrolet dealership in St. Meinrad in 1929. In 1942, Ted and John Struckman bought the Chevrolet dealership in Jasper. Oldsmobile was added in 1947 and Cadillac in 1949. Ted’s son Paul purchased John Struckman’s ownership in 1962, and Uebelhor & Son’s was born. Toyota was added in 1989 and Scion in 2005. The Uebelhors added GMCCadillac, Vincennes, in 2006. In 2013 Uebelhor Chevy-Cadillac has undergone remodeling and facility upgrades. Ted, Paul and Paul’s sons Tony and Chris have grown the business by adding franchises and locations over the years. Three generations of customers sending their family and friends. See ad on Page 63.

Uebelhor TV Established: 1954 Employees: 6 Products: Retail sales and service Officers: Scott and Keith Uebelhor Location: 1445 Main St., Ferdinand History: What began in the family basement as a sideline, grew to the family garage and then to the existing business on Main Street. Jim Uebelhor used his background as a radio service technician to start a business that grew into an area leader in home entertainment. Once large and bulky televisions have become sleek, stylish entertainment machines. Innovations like color TV and remote control have given way to SmartTVs that connect to the Internet and deliver high-definition pictures. Satellite-delivered content has given us a choice on how we watch TV delivering hundreds of channels where once we had just a few local channels. Scott and Keith Uebelhor now own and operate the business and have four fulltime employees to build upon what their father started in 1954. See ad on Page 60.

HERITAGE OF SUCCESS ■ PAGE 95 31

Universal Design Associates, Inc. Established: 1965 Employees: 15 Service: Design/engineering services Officers: Thomas J. Schipp, Ralph L. Pund Location: 910 Main St., Ferdinand History: Operating in an historical 1920 bank building and designing facilities since 1965, we pride ourselves in our strong foundation. Nestled behind an original 1,200-pound vault door lies 48 years of creative design and engineering plans. Projects range from site design, structural design, engineering, interior design and exterior building design. Our staff of 15 employees provides the highest quality of professional services available. We approach each project with a philosophy of wholly integrated design. All aspects of your concept, design and construction are coordinated and completed in-house by our team of professionals, which allows for cost and time savings. See ad on Page 71.

Vincennes University Jasper Campus Established: September 1970 Employees: 94 Products: Education Officers: Dr. Alan Johnson, dean Location: 850 College Ave., Jasper, IN History: Vincennes University Jasper Campus was introduced cooperatively by Vincennes University and the Committee on Higher Education and Related Events, Inc., in 1970. COHERE was a local committee dedicated to the educational and cultural enrichment of the area. In September 1970 VUJC opened its doors to students in temporary, rented facilities in downtown Jasper. The first permanent building on the 130-acre campus was completed in 1974. Currently there are five buildings on campus, with the newest, the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing, opening this year. VUJC offers more than 30 associate degree programs. The Jasper campus offers two types of degree programs, those that are designed to transfer to four-year institutions and those designed as occupational programs. VUJC also offers certificate programs and a bachelor’s degree in nursing. See ad on Page 61.

Vision Development Center Established: September 2009 Employees: 3 Products: Binocular vision/vision processing evaluations and vision therapy services

Officers: Dr. Joan Bauernfiend Location: 255 W. 36th St., Suite 240 History: Dr. Joan Bauernfiend (pronounced “barn-find”) diagnoses and treats vision problems that interfere with reading and learning. These problems can mimic or complicate dyslexia or attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She also offers nonsurgical treatment of Dr. Joan crossed eyes and lazy Bauernfiend eyes. The life-altering changes in ability and confidence that Dr. Bauernfiend observed in patients during her residency were so profound that she wanted to bring this specialized optometric care home to Dubois County. Dr. Bauernfiend graduated from Indiana University Optometry School in May 2008 then completed a one-year primary care/pediatrics and binocular vision residency in Florida. In September 2009, she opened the Vision Development Center where the benefits of vision therapy continue to change the lives of her patients. See ad on Page 73.

Wagner Family Dental Established: 2009 Employees: 10 Products: Dental Officers: Brian M. Wagner, DDS Location: 4115 Mannheim Road, Jasper History: Wagner Family Dental, conveniently located across from the Jasper Walmart, has been proudly taking care of our patients’ dental needs for the past four years at this location. Dr. Wagner graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2003 and has been practicing dentistry for the past 10 years. We welcome all new patients and offer a 24-hour Brian Wagner emergency guarantee to see all patients in pain. See ad on Page 69.

Weyer Electric, Inc. Established: 1952 Employees: Approximately 60 Service: Electrical contractor Officers: Fred Weyer, president; James Weyer, vice president; Tom Weyer, vice president; Paul Weyer, vice president; Ron Weyer, secretary/ treasurer Location: Office and shop are at 453 W. Ninth St., Ferdinand. Weyer Electric also has several other support warehouses. History: Ernie Weyer attended the REA electrical schooling in the late 1940s and subsequently he and his wife, Olivia, founded Weyer Electric Service in 1952, employing three people. In the late 1960s and thereafter, they were joined by their five sons, and later on by several grandsons. The company continued its growth and was incorporated in 1977 and became Weyer Electric, Inc. Several years later it was purchased by the five sons, who are the current owners. The company provides all types of electrical work and related systems installations within a 75-mile radius on a daily basis. See ad on Page 92.

Wilson Flowers, Inc. Established: 1928 Service: Florist Location: Eighth and Jackson streets, Jasper History: Wilson Flowers, Inc., has been a leading full-service florist in the Jasper and surrounding areas since 1928. Our courteous staff is ready to assist you with placing orders for local delivery or anywhere in the world. Let one of our talented designers create you an arrangement from our selection of this season’s best flowers. Whether you prefer something time-honored and traditional or something contemporary and modern, we design our arrangements with you in mind. Don’t forget we also have a full-service greenhouse on site with an abundance of green and blooming plants that will instantly bring life to any room or office. At Wilson Flowers, we’re well known for our lovely fresh sympathy tributes. In addition, we offer a wonderful inspirational showroom, where you may choose from a huge variety of inspirational gifts as well as our broad selection of arrangements. For your convenience, our phones are answered 24 hours a day and our shop is conveniently located at Eighth and Jackson streets in Jasper. We offer daily delivery service to all local hospitals and local funeral homes. See ad on Page 11.

We Are Proud To Be A Part Of

Dubois County’s Growth!

506 E. 19th Street Huntingburg, IN 47542 (812) 683-2763 (800) 742-7408

83 Hwy. 231 S. Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 482-9696 (877) 482-9696

PAGE 96 ■ HERITAGE OF SUCCESS

THE HERALD ■ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013