Skyler Miser joins the family business as the Human Rocket for Ringling Bros. Circus
from the editor
Goodbye summer
The summer heat is finally starting to cool off, and fall is just around the corner. It’s time to say goodbye to summer and welcome all the new season’s fun activities. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for sweater weather, football, and bowls of chili.
To celebrate the end of summer, we asked Indiana Connection readers to submit their favorite summer snapshots for our photo contest. We received many great entries. Turn to page 26 to see our winner.
One of my favorite summer photos was taken two years ago during a vacation with my husband’s family to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Brooks is from a large family, and we try to take a summer vacation every other year to spend time together. It was our daughter Gwen’s first vacation. She was 9 months old at the time, so Brooks carried her in a special backpack while we hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
As anyone who has vacationed with small children knows, sleep can be elusive in a new place. About 10 minutes into our hike, Gwen fell asleep and stayed that way until we returned to the car. I guess the sounds of the mountains and the nearby stream made for a great natural sound machine.
Have a great summer photo, but missed the deadline for our contest? I would still love to see it. Send it to me at bdavis@indianaec.org.
Britt Davis Editor bdavis@indianaec.org
On the menu: November: Submit your favorite comfort food recipes, deadline Sept. 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.
Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of “Peru: Circus Capital of the World” by Kreig A. Adkins. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is Aug. 31.
Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, letters and entries for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032.
VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 2 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340
Published monthly by Indiana Electric Cooperatives
Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 311,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. The average printed and mailed cost per issue is 54 cents.
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Human Rocket Skyler Miser was launched from her first cannon at age 11. In this month’s cover story, learn more about how the Peru, Indiana, native was inspired by her circus performer parents to join Ringling Bros.
HEAD I N G B A CK TO
August means transitioning back to school and into the fall season. It's a time filled with excitement and new beginnings as students and teachers prepare for another rewarding year of growth and learning. Let’s embrace the opportunities that come with this fresh start and learn more about how to prepare your children of all ages for a new year.
Schedule check-ups before the new school year begins
No matter what grade your child is about to enter, there's always a back-to-school checklist of to-dos. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends visiting your family's pediatrician for an annual wellness exam and sports physical, if necessary.
Within a pediatric or family medical practice, care is provided continuously over a long period of time so that as your child ages and develops, their care is never interrupted. Adolescence, for example, is a time when vital changes are taking place; seeing the pediatrician is important during the transition into puberty.
Build your child's medical history
When you have a long-term history with your pediatrician, it allows them to follow your child's progress and development over time. This helps detect emerging problems and stay informed about any new details of the patient's history, like past illnesses or injuries, and immunization records.
A school entry form will generally include a check box asking whether all vaccinations are up-to-date, requiring you to remember whether or not they are. Your pediatrician will have accurate records to assist you in filling out these forms.
Get your child a thorough exam
Back-to-school check-ups, as they are commonly called, are often the only visit kids and teenagers have with their pediatrician every year. The annual physical gives the pediatrician a chance to provide the child with
a thorough physical exam that addresses any emotional, developmental, or social concerns.
In addition to monitoring heart and blood pressure and testing for diabetes, pediatricians use this annual visit to discuss diet and exercise options, provide pediatric vision screenings, and test for cholesterol and anemia. It's also a good chance to address important questions or concerns you have as a parent, especially with teenagers.
Check if it's safe to participate in extracurricular activities
The AAP encourages all children to get annual sports physicals, whether or not one is required for them to participate in a team or extracurricular activity, ideally scheduled at the same time as the annual wellness exam.
The sports physical is an opportunity to address exercise-specific issues, including injuries, nutrition, training, exercise programs, and even attitudes toward sports participation.
Your pediatrician can also advise your child if they are already involved in an exercise and training program. Overuse and overtraining injuries continue to be huge problems among young people.
If you already have a medical eligibility form from your child's sport or activity, bring it to your annual wellness exam. Most organizations send forms home for athletes before the season begins. Check with the governing body of your child's sport or activity.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Prepare a nutritious school lunch
Packing the kids’ lunches for school means you know which nutritious foods they are eating. Here are some budget-friendly ideas from the American Heart Association to keep kids happy and healthy at lunchtime:
MAKE A SMARTER SANDWICH
While some kids prefer the same thing every day, others may be fine with a slight switch to their sandwich.
• Use different breads, such as 100% wholewheat tortilla wraps (choose wraps low in saturated fat and made with no hydrogenated oils) or 100% whole-wheat pita pockets.
• In addition to lettuce and tomato, try shredded carrot or zucchini and sliced apple or pear with a turkey sandwich.
• Try avocado or hummus as a swap for cheese or mayo.
• Try leftover grilled chicken in your sandwich as a switch for lunch meat.
LOVE THOSE LEFTOVERS
Think about using the leftovers from a family favorite dinner for lunch the next day. Use a thermos to keep food hot or cold until the lunch bell rings. Some ideas include:
• Soups such as tomato, vegetable, or bean
• Chili — vegetarian or made with lean or extra lean ground chicken
• Spaghetti — whole wheat with tomato, pesto, or marinara sauce
• Bean casserole or beans and rice
These foods sometimes have a lot of sodium, so make them homemade with little or no salt, or compare the nutrition facts of similar products and choose the ones with less sodium.
LET THEM DUNK
Sometimes it’s OK to let your kids play with their food, especially when getting extra nutrition. Try packing one of these fun dunks with dippers:
• Apple and pear slices to dip into low-fat, plain yogurt or peanut butter
• Carrot, celery, and sweet pepper strips to dip into hummus, fresh salsa, or homemade bean dip
• Dunk whole-grain crackers or slices of grilled tofu (a soybean product) into soup. Choose crackers low in sodium and saturated fat and made without hydrogenated oils.
GET THEM INVOLVED
When kids help pack their lunch, they’re more likely to eat it! On nights you have more time, maybe a Sunday night, have them choose which fruit or type of whole-grain bread they want and let them assemble their lunch. Make this a weekly routine. It’s another great way to spend family time together.
Source: American Heart Association
ELECTRICITY 101 for college students
Shopping for dorm decor, searching for extra-long sheets, and stocking up on microwavable food and lots of snacks are musts for students going to college for the first time. Another must, which is often overlooked, is being mindful of electrical safety concerns associated with communal living.
College is the first time most young adults will be in a shared living space away from home. With that comes the responsibility of others’ safety as well as their own.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that each year in the U.S., college students experience hundreds of fire-related emergencies. Most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention.
Most colleges provide electrical safety tips for students living in campus housing. Many students, however, may live in off-campus apartments or houses and may not receive safety training.
Following basic electrical safety tips can prevent many campusrelated fires. The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following advice:
• Do not drape towels or clothing over lamps.
• Do not run cords under rugs or furniture where they can be walked on or pinched.
• Throw away frayed cords or cords with broken plugs.
• If appliance cords feel hot, turn off the device and ask maintenance personnel to take a look at them.
• Turn off devices if you will be away from your room for more than a few minutes to further reduce the risk of starting a fire. This also saves energy.
• Remember that electricity and water don’t mix. Be extra cautious when using hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons near bathroom sinks.
If your child will be living in a dorm, consider conducting a visual inspection of the room or suite, checking the following potential trouble spots:
OVERLOADED CIRCUITS
Overloaded circuits are a significant cause of campus fires. Report outlets that are damaged or that no longer grip plugs properly to the campus housing staff.
POWER STRIPS AND ADAPTERS
Many college dorms are equipped with an insufficient number of outlets. To compensate, students frequently use power strips or
adapters. These ramp up the load requirements and can overload the electrical system. Only power strips with an over-current protector (circuit breaker), which automatically shuts off if too much current is being drawn, should be used. To protect electronics from damaging spikes and surges, the devices should be plugged in to a surge strip.
EXTENSION CORDS
Use only extension cords with the UL label. Extension cords are designed only for temporary use and should never be used for permanent connections or to provide power to other extension cords.
APPLIANCES
Toaster ovens, microwave ovens, hot plates, coffee makers, and irons should never be used near bedding, books, draperies, clothing, or water. Appliances not in use should be switched off. Adherence to the college’s rules and guidelines on approved equipment is critical. If the college prohibits the use of certain appliances, it’s because they pose a serious hazard.
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BOOT UP CAMP
ELECTRIC DEVICES AND APPLIANCES CAN HELP CREATE A COMFORTABLE CAMPSITE
Many people enjoy escaping town into the great outdoors, though not without energy-driven creature comforts keeping them company. This time of year, many people enjoy getting outside and into nature. It’s the perfect time to camp near the lake, in the woods, or with family and friends. Some campers cannot leave without devices that enhance their experience of nature. It could be something as simple as their phone, while others might bring several gadgets with them. Luckily, technological advancements have provided great options for comfort and power in peaceful, remote spots far from the energy grid. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy camping with some energized creature comforts.
SOLAR PANEL AND BATTERY KIT
If you take devices or appliances with you, a solar panel and battery kit is a must-have! Campers can use portable batteries to charge cell phones and other small electronics. Some models also come with solar
panels so that the battery can be charged when not in use. While not cheap, larger batteries can be incredibly valuable for powering other devices you may want to use at the campsite.
RECHARGEABLE LANTERN OR LIGHT
Energy-efficient lanterns and flashlights take advantage of LEDs, which shine brighter and use less energy than older generations of flashlights. Solar lanterns are rechargeable during the day so that they can be used again in the evenings or overnight.
COOKING APPLIANCES
Devices such as an induction cooktop offer a unique alternative to campfire cooking. A portable induction cooktop can easily be transported and heat food in a pan. It will need an electrical power source — maybe a larger battery recharged with a solar panel — so check that the power source can meet the cooktop’s watt requirements.
FAN AND AIR MATTRESS
Rechargeable devices can add comfort to your campsite. Some fan models are equipped with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, many of which can last for hours on a single charge. You can also get a rechargeable air pump to fill an air mattress, adding extra comfort to your tent.
Enjoying the outdoors doesn’t necessarily mean without creature comforts. You can check out a variety of websites to learn about devices that can help you get the most enjoyment from your campsite.
by Brian Hawk Energy Advisor Noble REMC
county feature
Johnson County
Johnson County is home to Franklin College, one of Indiana’s oldest colleges. Established in 1834, it was initially named the Indiana Baptist Manual-Labor Institute before the Indiana General Assembly renamed it. Notable alumni include Arch West, the marketing executive behind Doritos, and Robert Wise, an Academy Award-winning director and producer of “West Side Story” and “The Sound of Music.”
A SISTER CITY IN BLOOM
Kuji Alley in Franklin honors its sister-city relationship with Kuji, Japan, which began in 1960. The connection began with Franklin College alumna Thomasine Allen, who traveled to Japan in 1915 as a missionary. She taught in several cities before settling in Kuji, where she helped establish Christian institutions, including a kindergarten, hospital, church, and college. In recognition of her impact, the Kuji City Council named Allen an honorary citizen. Today, Kuji Alley celebrates this connection with 800 metal cherry blossoms, 70 Japanese lanterns, a koi fish mural, and a traditional Japanese footbridge.
FRANKLIN’S SILVER SCREEN COMEBACK
The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin was built in 1922 as a silent movie house and Vaudeville venue. From the 1960s through 2000, it operated as the only movie theater in Franklin. After 78 years, the theater closed in May 2000 with a final showing of “Gone with the Wind.” In 2004, Franklin Heritage Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation, reopened the theater, restoring the building and operating it as a community-focused venue. Now, the theater features films that are at least 10 years old with a focus on cult classics.
YEAR-ROUND FESTIVAL FUN
Nicknamed “Festival Country,” Johnson County hosts more than 1,000 festivals, concerts, and events annually, from weekly farmers markets to yearly traditions. In August, the Sertoma Club of Greenwood hosts WAMMfest, an annual summer festival celebrating wine, art, music, and microbrews. A little farther south, Bargersville hosts the Harvest Moon Fall Festival on Sept. 20.
COUNTY FACTS
FOUNDED: 1823
NAMED FOR: John Johnson, an Indiana Supreme Court Justice
POPULATION: 170,614
COUNTY SEAT: Franklin
INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 41
All photos courtesy of
Country Indiana
Franklin
Bargersville
Nicole Thomas is a freelance writer from Indianapolis.
Festival
SHINING A LIGHT ON YOUNG COMMUNITY LEADERS
Do you know a middle schooler who goes above and beyond to serve their community?
The Youth Power and Hope Awards recognize outstanding young leaders making a difference! Up to five winners will each receive $500 and be featured in an upcoming issue of Indiana Connection.
Encourage your child to apply today! Simply complete the online application and share details about their community service.
Parents, please visit indianaconnection.org/youthpowerandhope to apply and learn more.
or 317-487-2235
Applicants must have a parent or guardian who is a member of an Indiana electric cooperative.
UNDERSTANDING ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE:
STREAMLINING CONNECTIVITY
The essential steps for attaching equipment to REMC electric poles
Utility poles seen along roadsides are commonly called “telephone poles.” However, most poles you see today are owned by the electric utility. In rural areas, pole attachments are critical to expanding broadband internet, telecommunications, and cable services. In communities served by REMCs, third-party providers often seek to attach cables, lines, or other equipment as a cost-effective option for their services.
The process of attaching to REMC-owned poles involves several steps designed to ensure safety, reliability, and joint-use access. Once a contract has been established between the cooperative and the attaching entity, they will move through several steps:
1. APPLICATION AND REVIEW
An attacher, such as an internet service provider, submits an application to the REMC. The application includes detailed maps, pole identification numbers, proposed equipment specifications, and the intended use. The REMC reviews it to ensure it meets engineering standards, safety codes (such as the National Electrical Safety Code or NESC), and internal policies.
2. POLE SURVEY AND ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT
The REMC conducts a field survey and engineering assessment. A pole is evaluated to determine if it can accommodate the new attachment without compromising its structural integrity or safety. The survey checks for adequate space in the pole’s "communications space,” required clearance from existing equipment and lines, and proximity to other utility infrastructure. If the pole is found to be unsuitable, a "make-ready" process is triggered.
3. MAKE-READY WORK
Make-ready work prepares the pole for a new attachment. This may include rearranging existing attachments,
replacing the pole with a taller one, or upgrading supportive hardware. The REMC provides a cost estimate and timeline for this work. Once approved and paid for by the attaching party, the REMC or a licensed contractor completes the necessary work. This phase ensures all attachments meet safety standards and the pole remains stable and functional.
4. ATTACHMENT INSTALLATION
Once the make-ready work is complete, the attaching party can install its equipment. This installation must comply with NESC guidelines, contract provisions, and REMC-specific standards. The REMC may inspect the installation to verify compliance with all standards and ensure it does not interfere with existing utilities.
5. ONGOING MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE
After the attachment is installed, the attacher is responsible for maintaining its respective equipment while the REMC retains the right to inspect, audit, and enforce compliance over time. When new electric poles are installed to replace aging or broken poles, the attacher is required by Indiana law to relocate their lines to the new poles.
The Indiana REMC infrastructure continues to serve as the backbone for essential services, including broadband deployment. This pole attachment procedure ensures public safety, system integrity, and fair access.
PRIMARY WIRES
NEUTRAL WIRE
TELEPHONE, CABLE TV, AND FIBER WIRES
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CREATE A SAFETY PLAN before planting a tree Five steps to safe digging
Trees can be beautiful additions to a yard, but knowing how to plant one safely can be tricky. While you may think of the potential dangers to yourself when planting a tree, there are also ways you can harm nearby power lines and other trees. Trees growing too close to electrical lines can cause momentary short circuits and flickering lights. When it storms, tree limbs that are too close to power lines can knock them out and threaten your safety.
Look for potential dangers
When planting a tree, consider potential safety issues associated with overhead and underground utility lines. Overhead utility lines are easy to see but can be extremely dangerous. Underground utility lines can be tricky to see and could be buried very close to the ground’s surface.
That’s why Indiana Electric Cooperatives wants to remind you to contact the Indiana 811 call center. This free service identifies the approximate location of buried lines on your property and prevents something bad from happening to yourself, your property, or your neighborhood.
“Never assume the utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig,” said Jon Elkins, vice president of
safety, training, and compliance of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Take the time to reach out to the Indiana 811 call center at least a few working days before you start planting.”
Consider the best location
Once you know where you can plant to avoid underground utilities, then consider the best locations that are a safe distance away from overhead lines. For instance, if you’re planting a small tree that won’t grow larger than 25 feet tall, planting it 25 feet away from power lines should be safe. Larger trees must be planted farther from power lines.
Keeping trees away from these utility lines not only keeps you safe, but it also keeps the trees safe. Trees planted too close to underground lines can suffer root damage, and trees planted too close to overhead lines need regular pruning.
Indiana’s electric cooperatives work hard to provide reliable electric service. You can help by following these simple guidelines when managing the trees on your property. Being aware of these dangers and how to avoid them can keep you, your home, and the trees safe.
Chris Adam is a freelance writer from Lafayette. Source: indiana811.org
PLAN YOUR PROJECT
Before you contact 811, know the details of where you plan to dig.
CONTACT INDIANA 811
You can reach out by phone or go online.
WAIT FOR THE MARKS
You must contact 811 at least two working days before excavation so the member utilities have enough time to mark the approximate location of the underground utilities on your property.
CHECK POSITIVE RESPONSE
Once the two full working days have passed, confirm that all utility operators have visited the property by comparing the colors of the marks to the list of utilities provided by Indiana 811. All members are required to use Indiana 811’s Positive Response System.
COLORS INCLUDE:
RED Electric
YELLOW Gas-oil-steam
ORANGE Communications
BLUE Water
GREEN Sewer
PURPLE Reclaimed water
WHITE Proposed construction
DIG WITH CARE
You can start your project and keep safety in mind.
Tremendous tomatoes
A favorite among home gardeners, tomatoes bring vibrant flavor to any recipe
TAMALE PIE Glenda Ferguson, Paoli
1½ lbs. hamburger
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder, more or less to taste
2-14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, do not drain
1 can creamed corn
1 package cornbread mix, such as Jiffy (and ingredients to prepare the cornbread batter)
Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Brown the hamburger, onion, and green pepper and drain. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. Mix in the tomatoes and corn. Spoon the mixture into the casserole dish.
Prepare the cornbread according to the package directions. Pour it over the mixture in the casserole dish. Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is browned. To serve, spoon out the mixture and top it with fresh tomatoes, salsa, shredded cheese, or sour cream.
TORTELLINI SOUP Emily Schilling, Zionsville
1 lb. hot roll sausage
1 cup chopped onion
2 large cloves of garlic, chopped
6 cups beef stock (can use 6 beef bouillon cubes and 6 cups water)
16-oz. can tomatoes
8-oz. can tomato sauce
1 large zucchini, sliced
2 large carrots, sliced
2 celery ribs, sliced
1⁄ 2 cup dry red wine
1 tsp dried basil
2 tsp oregano
8 oz. cheese tortellini
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Brown sausage in a large skillet and drain. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 5 minutes. Combine meat, onion and garlic, beef stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrots, celery, wine, and spices in a large pot. Simmer about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add tortellini. Cook until tender. Sprinkle with parmesan if desired and serve.
STUFFED TOMATOES Marilles Mauer, Greensburg
4 tomatoes
1⁄ 3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
3 Tbsp plain bread crumbs
2 1⁄ 2 Tbsp Italian bread crumbs
1⁄4 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp basil
2 tsp parsley
1 tsp oregano
1⁄ 2 tsp salt
1⁄4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Spray an 8x8 pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine parmesan cheese, both bread crumbs, onion, garlic, olive oil, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cut the tops off and hollow out the tomato by removing the pulp and seeds with a spoon. Dice the pulp and add it to the bread crumbs mixture. Gently mix the ingredients until they are well combined. Fill each tomato with stuffing and place them in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle each tomato with a bit of olive oil. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake 10 to 12 minutes. Serve warm.
From dreaming to soaring
Skyler Miser joins the family business as the Human Rocket for Ringling Bros. Circus
BY BRIAN D. SMITH
When the 146-year-old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus gave its farewell performance in 2017, Skyler Miser cried — not only for the past, but for the future. Sitting in the audience with her parents in a Providence, Rhode Island, arena, the 13-year-old viewed acts ranging from jugglers to trained tigers as they took one last turn in the spotlight.
Her teary eyes perceived more than the demise of an iconic circus. “I
thought I had just watched my dream fall apart in front of my face,” said the Peru, Indiana, native, now 21. “The ultimate dream for me was to perform for Ringling.”
And eventually, that’s precisely what happened. “The Greatest Show on Earth” reorganized, reimagined, and returned in September 2023, and Miser got her shot — literally. During a 62-city tour that ended in April 2025, she closed Ringling’s shows with a human cannonball act, launching at
65 mph and sailing 110 feet onto an airbag. She’s already signed for next season, which starts in January 2026.
“I’m just so grateful that Ringling is back,” said Miser, the so-called Human Rocket who shoots from a cannon nicknamed the Ringling Rocket. “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
After the 2017 Ringling shutdown, the notion of this Indiana girl catapulting from small-town obscurity to circus
stardom seemed improbable, if not impossible. But maybe it was inevitable.
Though most parents would scoff at the classic kid’s fantasy of running away to join the circus, most parents haven’t made a living as human cannonballs. Miser’s dad and mom, Brian and Tina Miser, have blasted from a barrel thousands of times, even performing the stunt in tandem for Ringling from 2005 to 2010.
‘The Circus Capital of the World’
If working in the Ringling ring was her heart’s desire, she could hardly have found a better training ground than Peru, Indiana — a community of 11,000 known as the Circus Capital of the World. The big-top business came to town in 1884 when local livery stable owner Benjamin E. Wallace founded the creatively titled “Wallace and Co.’s Great World
Menagerie, Grand International Mardi Gras, Highway Holiday Hidalgo and Alliance of Novelties.” Later renamed the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, it evolved into the second-most popular circus in America (behind Ringling) while providing early employment for legendary clown Emmett Kelly and Hoosier funnyman Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton.
continued on page 22
As the Human Rocket, Miser goes from 0 to 65 miles an hour in less than half a second as she’s shot 110 feet out of her cannon.
(Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment Inc.)
continued from page 21
Wallace sold his circus to French Lick millionaire Ed Ballard in 1913, but his Peru winter quarters continued to house animals and equipment for other circuses, including Ringling, through 1938. The sale of the property three years later seemingly severed Peru’s circus connection, especially when Ringling burned its surplus circus wagons and skipped town.
But in 1959, the city decided to capitalize on its heritage by staging its first circus festival, adding an amateur children’s circus a year later. Today, Circus City Days and the Peru Amateur Youth Circus take place annually during the third week of July, and the International Circus Hall of Fame, which features a museum of circus artifacts, encompasses five historic buildings once used as winter quarters.
The youth circus provides more than a summer diversion for Miami County kids. Brian said it jump-started his professional circus career, teaching him a repertoire of skills such as high wire and flying trapeze. “I would not be doing this if it weren’t for the Peru circus,” he said.
His success doesn’t surprise Kathi Greene, executive secretary of Circus City Festival Inc., who spent 27 years as a trainer for youth circus participants, including the Misers. “Brian was fearless,” she said. “He would try anything.” Tina exemplified a different sort of excellence: “She was very strong but also very elegant in her performance. Tina paid attention to the little things.”
Their daughter spent years watching her parents and their colleagues ply their trade professionally, and it showed when she joined the youth circus. “Skyler was special in her performance,” said Greene, citing her professional posture. “Her legs were always straight, toes pointed. Her form was always picture-perfect. That doesn’t mean every child of a circus performer will become one themselves, but Skyler was like a sponge, soaking it all in.”
Carrying on the family tradition
Despite her aptitude, Miser’s parents never pushed her to do circus work. “That thought is always in the back of your head: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if she wanted to carry on the family tradition?’” said Tina. “But there was never a spoken expectation.” In fact, after her high school graduation, Miser almost found her way into a different kind of flying as she considered not only college but also the U.S. Air Force.
Miser was inspired to carry on the circus tradition started by her parents, Brian and Tina, who have blasted from a barrel thousands of times as human cannonballs.
(Photo courtesy of the Miser Family)
Miser honed her skills as an aerialist and acrobat during her time in the Peru Amateur Youth Circus. (Photo courtesy of the Miser Family)
However, the wild blue yonder took a back seat the day Brian received an email announcing the return of Ringling. With a human cannonball act in the plans, the circus asked Brian if he could provide a cannon and the training. He recommended his daughter for the job.
Miser heard the thrilling news that afternoon. “I’d just gotten home from school, and he told me, ‘We need to sit down,’” she recalled. “I thought I was in trouble.”
She wasn’t, except with her preparedness. Miser had been shot out of a cannon exactly once in her life — when she was only 11. Her dad was building an 8-foot cannon for a Ringling clown from the United Kingdom, and after testing it with dummies, he sought a human projectile. “I asked her if she wanted to be the youngest person to be shot out of the smallest cannon,” Brian said, to which Miser eagerly replied, “Absolutely!”
Conditions were less than ideal, with snow on the ground and a gusty breeze that nearly proved hazardous. “A big wind came and blew the airbag away,” he recalled, “but luckily it happened before she shot.”
The rest of the test went better, with Miser flying 18 feet and doing a belly landing on the airbag. “She had perfect form,” said her father.
The coolest job on Earth
Of course, one junior cannon shot as a preteen doesn’t qualify a young lady for a full-time gig as a Ringling cannonball. But thanks to her highaltitude performances in Peru’s youth circus and her trampoline training at
home, Brian believed his daughter had the right stuff for human rocketry. “She’s a really good aerialist and acrobat, and she also did the flying trapeze,” he noted, “so we had confidence in her.”
Cannon training initially frustrated Miser, who “was really questioning if this was the right thing for me. It took a couple of months, but I started getting more comfortable as I got more shots under my belt.”
She no longer questions her choice of profession, saying there’s “absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is where I was supposed to be. And lucky me, because this is the coolest job on Earth.”
It’s also one of the most dangerous. But Miser, who thus far has avoided serious injury, has a couple of advantages over the average wannabe cannonball. Her dad has designed and built every cannon she’s ever used, and her parents’ real-world experience gives her instant access to experts.
Not to mention veterans of nationally televised talent and talk shows. Brian — billing himself as The Human Fuse — wowed the judges on “America’s Got Talent” in 2019 by donning protective gear and getting set ablaze, then fired from a giant crossbow tended by Tina and Skyler.
continued on page 24
AUGUST 2025 23
Miser signs her Ringling Bros. contract. (Photo courtesy of the Miser Family)
continued from page 23
He and Tina appeared together on “Late Show with David Letterman” in 2006, and in 2009, Tina and a fellow female cannonball were booked on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.”
Still, Miser doesn’t get complacent about her cannon before a performance. “I’m always checking it like a newborn baby,” she said. “I have to put my life in its hands.”
Her parents can attest to what happens when a stunt goes seriously awry. Tina once broke her shoulder in a bad landing, and Brian counts a total of 18 fractures, including five during a mishap in Japan after his cannon was imperceptibly damaged in shipping. “It shot me sideways, and I hit the edge of the airbag and bounced off,” he said. “But it worked out — I came back home to recuperate and met Tina.”
Even when Skyler’s forceful flight unfolds flawlessly, she feels the aftereffects. “There isn’t a single day I wake up that I’m not in pain,” said the 5-foot-3, 100-pound daredevil. “If it’s
not my back, it’s my hip. And if it’s not that, it’s something else.” But at least her hearing hasn’t suffered. “I don’t hear a loud bang when I’m inside the cannon,” she said, perhaps because the explosion occurs outside the device.
Revamping Ringling
One of only two females in the world who perform a human cannonball act — her mom is the other — Miser represents a Ringling resurgence that seemed unlikely when the famous circus folded in 2017. A year earlier, Ringling owner Feld Entertainment had bowed to relentless protests and lawsuits from animal rights groups by retiring the circus’ 11 trained elephants. But that undercut ticket sales — a testament to the pachyderms’ popularity — and, coupled with the rising cost of rail travel, helped spur the decision to close.
Yet Feld Entertainment, which also stages Disney on Ice and Monster Jam truck shows, wasn’t ready to end “The Greatest Show on
Earth” — although the revamped version contains no wild animals or conventional clowns. “We had to sit down and rethink, ‘What do audiences want?’ as well as keep with the circus tradition,” explained Brandon Glass, touring public relations manager. “The show moves at the pace of TikTok. Everything is changing every 7 to 12 seconds.”
Miser’s act, which takes place at the grand finale of the two-hour show, exemplifies the new focus on superhuman feats and skills. It begins with her kneeling, then standing on the Ringling Rocket (her dad’s former “crossbow”) as it’s wheeled into the arena. She’s clad in what she affectionately calls her “supersuit” — a colorful bodysuit with white sides that covers everything but her head, hands, and feet. Long white gloves and red lace-up boots complete her work wardrobe.
A male and a female announcer trade lines designed to stoke the audience, such as “Please welcome Skyler and the Ringling Rocket!” and “Keep it going as Skyler prepares to fly!” Then
Miser’s act is part of the grand finale of the two-hour circus show. (Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment Inc.)
comes rhythmic clapping, a 10-step countdown, and finally the command of “Fire!” as spotlights blanch the arena. The force propels Miser down the barrel and about 35 feet over the arena floor. She gracefully executes a swan dive that segues into a half-flip as her legs rotate above her head, and she smacks the airbag with fireworks shooting on both sides.
“It’s only 2 seconds, but it feels like 5 minutes to me,” said Miser. “I feel every single motion. I go from 0 to 65 miles an hour in less than half a second, and I watch the airbag the entire flight until the end. The best way to land is not completely flat on your back, but on your upper back and shoulders.”
Exhilarating memories
It’s been a season of exhilarating firsts for Miser, as when she initially tried on her custom-designed outfit. “I couldn’t believe I had my own Ringling Bros. costume!” she said. “I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures.”
She also gasped at the first sight of her image on a billboard. “It said Ringling Bros. circus was in town this weekend, and it had a picture of me flying out of the cannon.”
Then there was her first circus performance, which took place in the presence of her parents. “That show will forever live in my head. I started to cry, but it was happy tears.
I remember running up and giving them a big hug.”
Her first performance in Indiana — at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse in December 2023 — attracted hometown support. “I had at least 25 people at every show, and many of them watched me grow up in Peru.”
(Miser and her parents will return to Indy this month for an explosive appearance at the Indiana State Fair.)
And of course, nothing can erase the memory of her first cannon flight at age 11. “I landed on an airbag and let out a little squeal. Then I screamed, ‘That was awesome!’” she said. “I still feel like that every single show.”
Miser personally designed her white “supersuit” for her performances.
(Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment Inc.)
SUMMER snapshots
In the May issue, we asked Indiana Connection readers to send photos that captured the summer season. We received many great submissions, and our team chose their favorites. Congratulations to our winner, Sarah Mikesell! Read on to learn more about our finalists. Submissions edited for clarity.
SUBMITTED BY Sarah Mikesell
“This is one of my favorite photos of my grandson. He's getting a drink from the water hose after playing outside. It was taken in New Salisbury, Indiana.”
SUBMITTED BY Jacki and Nate Beemer
“We were hiking through the open canyons of Turkey Run State Park. We never knew Indiana had such beautiful and varied topography."
SUBMITTED BY Lyla Rose Brown
“This is a photo of my great niece, Avery, outside enjoying the day and nature. I love the expression on the frog's face.”
SUBMITTED BY Robyn Jakes
“While walking in the woods near our home in West Lafayette, my family came upon a sweet family of raccoons! They posed, and I snapped the photo.”
SUBMITTED BY Arla Gabrielse
“Each summer, I host Grand Camp for my grandkids. One of our activities during Grand Camp was to make tie-dye shirts, and just before the kids were leaving to go home, we gathered for a group picture.”
SUBMITTED BY Joan Brooks
“A bee rests on a flower in my yard.”
SUBMITTED BY Brittany Hopf
“I love sunflowers, and it makes me happy that my daughter loves them as much as I do.”
SUBMITTED BY Andrea Worthington
“This is a photo of my two kids and their friend taking in the sights and cheering on America at the Carmel Fourth of July parade, our favorite summer tradition every year.”
SUBMITTED BY Patsy Wieser
“This photo was taken at sunrise the morning after some storms. A beautiful sky brightens my day.”
SUBMITTED BY Rhonda Cochran
“This is a picture of my granddaughter having fun in July with her bubbles!”
Hoosier Energy news COMPASSION IN ACTION
Harrison REMC Lineman Andrew Korte
comes to the aid of a local man in need
As one of the seven cooperative principles, Concern for Community, can take many forms. Sometimes, it’s in the big things everyone sees, but other times, it’s just helping one person.
Journeyman Lineman Andrew Korte of Harrison REMC, a Hoosier Energy member cooperative, found himself in the right place at the right time earlier this year to help one such person.
Investigating a complaint about radio noise from a ham operator in a neighborhood some 15-plus miles away from headquarters, Korte got a surprise that had nothing to do with poles or lines. A colleague in the accompanying bucket truck told Korte, “Hey, somebody’s in your truck.”
Once the immediate wave of panic subsided, Korte noticed a few things about the visitor. One, the rear passenger door was open, an odd choice. Two, Korte could only see a pair of feet with socks on.
“I said, ‘Sir, can I help you with anything?’” Korte recalls. “He said, ‘I’m looking for my shoes.’ That was the first sign to me that we had an issue.”
It would not be the last.
While the rest of the Harrison REMC crew found issues on two poles, requiring them to kill a section of line and climb the poles to make the necessary repairs, Korte began to investigate the problem with the Shoeless Joe he had encountered.
During their conversation, the unidentified man asked the same question multiple times: “Who do you work for?”
“He kept asking that over and over again, so I knew something was wrong,” Korte said. “Then he started talking about how his feet hurt, and of course they did since he was out in socks.”
Korte then invited the man to sit in the truck and let the sun streaming
through the windshield warm him on a cool spring morning.
Meanwhile, Korte called Harrison REMC Dispatcher Dave Satori with a request.
“I said, ‘Hey, if you’re not too busy, could you try to find out who this guy is? He says he lives here, but I think he has dementia because he doesn’t remember his name.’”
Satori did just that, calling around to several houses in the subdivision and finally getting one of the neighbors to confirm that the man lived there, but they weren’t sure which house was his.
Eventually, the sheriff’s office was contacted, and an officer came out until they finally reached the man’s wife to resolve the situation.
“I enjoy helping people, preferably not when something terrible is going on, but it makes my day better to help somebody,” Korte said. “It makes me realize that it’s not just me I need to think about.”
Wabash Valley Power news
WHERE DOES THE POWER COME FROM?
Explaining where power comes from may seem simple, but it’s not. The act of turning on your lights is at the end of a long and complex journey. The intricacies of getting power to that switch involve thorough and ongoing planning. There is not a day that goes by that my team at Wabash Valley Power Alliance is not monitoring the supply, demand, and transmission of power. Our job is to navigate the complexities and get electricity to your community. Then, your co-op delivers it to homes and businesses.
UTILIZING ALL THE POWER OPTIONS
From the halls of Congress to town halls, power supply is a hot topic. There are many options for, and opinions about, generating power. Some fervently support renewables, like wind and solar, while others want
nothing but fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas. From my vantage point, I am for everything.
To meet the power needs of today and tomorrow, it is critical that we have a diverse portfolio. Basically, I do not want all our proverbial eggs in one basket. At last report, our portfolio shows about 67% of power supply is from fossil fuels, 11% nuclear, and 22% renewables, such as wind and solar. We get the power from generation resources — both gas and coal plants — that we own. We also have power purchase agreements, or PPAs, that allow us to lock in additional power over the long term.
MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW
Over the last five years, our reliance on coal has gone down. Part of the reason is because of government regulation, and part is because of the cost to maintain or upgrade old coal plants. I am bullish on natural gas. It is reliable, affordable, and can be dispatched to meet demand. Solar and wind resources are good, but we must accommodate times when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. Even with those intricacies, at the end of the day, we need a diverse power mix to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
As you may have read in these pages a few months ago, one remarkable achievement for us this year was our purchase of the St. Joseph Energy Center, a combined cycle natural gas plant, near South Bend. This is an excellent addition to our portfolio that will reap benefits for years to come. We are constantly evaluating opportunities to develop our portfolio to ensure there is power when you flip that switch.
If you have any topics you want me to cover, email me or my team member, Vicki Gardner, at v_gardner@wvpa.com with ideas.
Jeff Conrad President and CEO Wabash
Valley Power Alliance
A celebration of summer
There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival
Few things sum up summer better than live music, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and festival fare. All that and more await your arrival at the 59th Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival this Labor Day weekend.
Supporting the community
The blueberry harvest may have passed by late August, but the fun in Plymouth, Indiana, is just beginning. Coined the Blueberry Festival in honor of Marshall County’s agricultural history, the event now serves as a family-friendly celebration for the community.
“Get up early, come hungry, put on your walking shoes, and bring a big bag or wagon,” advised Tracy Houin, coordinator of the Festival Board.
“Every day of the festival, you will find activities for the kids, musical entertainment, and over 600 food, craft, and commercial booths to shop in. On Saturday, end the night with a drone show, and on Sunday, enjoy the fireworks show.”
An array of events
Among the shops and sweets, there are plenty of events to take in, many of which help support worthy causes. The Blueberry Splash one-mile open swim funds swim lessons for kids in need, and souvenirs purchased at the Blueberry Store fund scholarships for the festival’s pageant winners.
Athletes can pre-register for the Blueberry Splash and the Blueberry Stomp 5K and 15K runs, although both offer day-of registration. Look for the festival mascot, Blueberry Hank, at the races and other events. Linger and admire the classics at the Hoosier Old Wheels, cheer the Stomp runners across the finish
line during the parade, and squeal with delight on your favorite carnival ride.
“We love putting together a festival that can bring joy to everyone,” said Houin. “We guarantee you will not be able to step onto our grounds and not find something you love.”
Natalie Derrickson is a writer based in Indianapolis.
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2025, opening Friday at noon and 9 a.m. on the weekend, closing at 9 p.m. nightly. Admission is free, parking is $10, and complimentary round-trip tram service is available. For more details, visit blueberryfestival.org.
Photos courtesy of the Marshall County Blueberry Festival
THE butterflies OF summer
There is a place along a snaky bend on Big Raccoon Creek where I wander in the heat of late summer. Like regular clockwork, I find treasure in that spot, some as golden as any pirate’s loot, and as fleeting as time.
Near the weathered trunk of a huge cottonwood that was deposited on the western bank by flood waters a decade ago, now high and dry above the usually shallow and green water of August, a hardy stand of milkweed and ironweed, goldenrod, white aster and woodland sunflowers, grows in the sand; it is blooming and bursting in full by mid-September, browning and windblown in October.
Although those wiry flowers draw a variety of insects, they also attract the last corps of butterflies we see until springtime. In this hot month, I walk there, kicking up dust and wiping the sweat from my brow with my forearm.
Like most things of value, I suppose, we take butterflies for granted. Year after year, we presume we’ll see monarchs and swallowtails, skippers
and fritillaries, painted ladies and sulphurs along our roads and in our gardens, not realizing that miracles are at play. We rake away our leaves too early, carelessly spray the weeds, and often mow and clear where we should leave well enough alone, yet butterflies persist through a nearpoetic balance between beauty and toughness. An example of that vigor comes as early as late February when I spot butterflies well before the last snows have fallen.
But along the creek, where I hear only the wind and the chatter of crows, I am privileged to watch the butterflies as they write the last chapters of their lives. Some are already faded and ragged, and when I see their fragility, I understand why most usually only survive about a week after they’ve unfolded their wet wings for the first time.
Although some monarchs persist into the fall — their migratory generation often has longer lifespans of six to nine months — by late August and through the autumn, it is the
buckeyes and cabbage whites, the hackberry emperors and yellow swallowtails, I see most of all. As the thistles and milkweed heads dry and release their cottony loads and the leaves begin the process of drying and dropping, butterflies congregate in wonderfully integrated gangs to stick their needlelike noses into the last nectars of the year. Yes, butterflies also pollinate, but it is an accidental gift they give to us.
Although we feel the heat of summer is still very much with us, and the year has a way yet to go, butterflies intuitively know their short lives are nearing an end. For that reason, I return to that seemingly ordinary place on the creek, for there I see something miraculous.
Mike Lunsford is a freelance columnist, feature writer, and photographer, primarily for the Terre Haute Tribune-Star and Terre Haute Living magazine. The author of seven books lives in Parke County with his wife, Joanie. Contact Lunsford at hickory913@gmail.com.
Monarch and oleander aphids on milkweed
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