PAGES 20-25 MAY 2025 Carroll White REMC’s Operation Round Up spring grants total $13,500
PROJECT INDIANA
Illuminating lives one home at a time
from the editor
Powering Palmira
This month’s feature is about a program special to all of us at Indiana Electric Cooperatives, the publisher of Indiana Connection.
Project Indiana is an initiative created by Indiana’s electric cooperatives to bring power to underdeveloped countries. In 2012, to celebrate the International Year of the Cooperative, two teams of Indiana cooperative lineworkers spent a month electrifying three villages in Guatemala. Thirteen years later, 16 Indiana lineworkers traveled to Palmira — a mountainous area along the western edge of Guatemala — with the intention to electrify 109 homes. At the end of the two weeks, they exceeded that goal, with 197 homes receiving power.
As Americans, we tend to take electricity for granted. We might complain about it when we feel our monthly bill is too expensive, but we know when we flip a switch or plug something in, the power will be there.
What the team was able to accomplish down in Palmira in such a short amount of time is not only an impressive feat of engineering but will change the lives of the residents. They can now store their food in refrigerators and freezers. They can acquire appliances to cook food safely inside their homes. Even something as simple as having light in the house after the sun goes down is now possible.
Electric cooperatives are governed by seven principles, one of which is “Concern for Community.” Indiana’s cooperatives care about not only the communities close to home but also those much farther away that can benefit from a helping hand. Readily available electricity not only powers the village but also progress and new opportunities.
I encourage you to turn to page 20 and learn more about this amazing trip and the Project Indiana program.
Britt Davis Editor
bdavis@indianaec.org
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VOLUME 74 • NUMBER 11 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.
CONTACT US: 11805 Pennsylvania Street Carmel, IN 46032 317-487-2220
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INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS: Steve McMichael President Dr. Richard Leeper Vice President
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Sixteen Indiana electric cooperative lineworkers traveled to Palmira in late January as part of an international initiative to bring electricity to a developing area in Guatemala. Learn more about this life-changing program in this month’s cover feature.
“This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
CARROLL WHITE REMC
P.O. Box 599; Monticello, IN 47960
800-844-7161 (Toll Free) www.cwremc.coop
MONTICELLO OFFICE
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
DELPHI OFFICE
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
EMAIL info@cwremc.coop
CEO Cathy Raderstorf
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Margaret E. Foutch, 219-279-2677
7535 W. 500 S, Chalmers
Gary E. Gerlach, 574-595-7820
9833 S. Base Road, Star City
Kent P. Zimpfer, 765-479-3006
4672 E. Arrow Point Court, Battle Ground
Tina L. Davis, 219-204-2195
7249 W. 600 S, Winamac
Ralph H. Zarse, 219-863-6342
1535 S. 100 E, Reynolds
Aaron N. Anderson, 765-427-5592
6634 W. 300 S, Delphi
Jeffery M. Newell, 765-490-7919 1261 N 450 W, Delphi
MISSION STATEMENT
“Creatively enhancing our community through safety and service.” Safety, Service and Community
IMPORTANT DATES
Important Dates: Cycle 1 April bills are due on May 5 and are subject to disconnect on May 28 if unpaid. Cycle 2 April bills are due on May 20 and are subject to disconnect on June 10 if unpaid. Meter reading dates are May 1 and May 15..
Routine maintenance is important to keep your refrigerator running efficiently. When coils are coated with lint, dust or pet hair, your refrigerator works harder than it’s designed to, which can prevent the appliance from cooling properly and efficiently. - Energy.gov
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ carrollwhite.remc
FOLLOW US ON X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER twitter.com/cwremc
Friday, June 20, 2025, 4:30 to 8 p.m.
We will have activities for the kids and live music from local group,Whiskey Wreckers (formerly Love 4 Zero), out of Delphi.
Operation Round Up participants put their nickels and dimes to work each month for the good of our community. Customers who volunteer for the program will have their electric bills rounded up to the next dollar each month. For example, rather than paying $61.75, you would pay an even $62, with the extra 25 cents going into the Operation Round Up fund. If you are able to participate in Operation Round Up, please complete and return this form to Carroll White REMC. You can send it with your payment, drop it by either the Delphi or Monticello office, call in to join the program or sign up on SmartHub at cwremc.coop. Quarterly updates will appear in this monthly magazine to inform you about the latest distributions Operation Round Up has made in our communities. Please enter information below exactly as it appears on your statement.
NAME: _________________________________________________________
for
GO INTO THE WORLD
Annually, the senior members of the Carroll White REMC (CW REMC) Junior Board leave our board and enter their new world of life after high school graduation. Watching these students mature and grow during their time on the junior board is rewarding and encouraging. We could not be more thankful for our time in showing them the value and principles of the cooperative spirit.
We wish every senior Godspeed. “Go into the world and do well, but more importantly, go into the world and do good.”
KARLEY HAMMOND
Karley Hammond is a senior at Carroll Junior-Senior High School. She lives in Burlington with her parents, Kevin and Jill Hammond. “I have six siblings,” said Hammond. “Kyle, Kurtis, Jared, Kailey, Kelsey, and Landon.”
“I heard about the CW REMC Junior Board through previous members,” stated Hammond. “I was curious about the board and realized that it was community-focused and would provide opportunities to learn more about local businesses while giving back to the people around me. Obviously, I was sure I wanted to join. I hoped this experience would build my communication skills while learning
important lessons that would impact the rest of my life.”
“I’ve learned a lot about how businesses work and develop plans,” said Hammond. “Although I’m not going into business, I know the problem-solving skills they demonstrated can be utilized in my educational and work life. The teamwork and communication skills I’ve experienced with other Junior Board members will guide me in future group settings.”
“I would like CW REMC members to know that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity of being on the Junior Board,” said Hammond. “This experience has allowed me to volunteer in my community and put my time into doing something I feel truly matters. I have had so much fun on the Junior Board and would recommend this opportunity to other high school students.”
“I believe there is not another experience like the CW REMC Junior Board offered locally,” said Hammond. “It offers lessons to learn and build our interpersonal problem-solving skills. By volunteering in our community, we help impact the world around us for the better. It is truly one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
In high school, Hammond played volleyball all four years. She also managed track and wrestling. She served as Carroll’s National Honor Society president, Spanish Club president, and senior class
vice president, and she is the CW REMC Junior Board president. This fall, Hammond will attend Purdue University’s engineering program. She will major in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in hopes of becoming an aerospace engineer.
ALETHEIA PETER
Aletheia Peter is a senior at West Central High School. Her parents are Vicki and Rickson Peter, and she has two brothers, Davis and Grant. The family lives in Medaryville.
“I wanted to be part of a leadership group to prepare myself for life after high school,” said Peter. “Being part of the CW REMC Junior Board helped develop my teamwork skills and experience service to the community.”
“I’ve learned a lot about how leadership works and how it affects the community,” said Peter. “Being part of the Junior Board has made me a more well-rounded person, which I believe will help me excel in the future.”
“I would like CW REMC members to know how much I appreciate being part of this program,” emphasized Peter. “Those CW REMC employees helping us, like Casey Crabb and Danielle Nomina, have been so dedicated to supporting and aiding us in whatever we have to do.
Being on the Junior Board is a unique opportunity to learn about our community’s inner workings and identity. This allows for further connection with the community. We also have a chance to gain real experience in leadership while collaborating on different projects.”
Peter enjoys reading, horseback riding, and serving. In high school, she participated in cross country, wrestling, and track and field.
Following her graduation, Peter plans to attend Tarleton State University to pursue a degree in animal science and certification in equine studies.
ALEXANDER LYNCH
Alexander Lynch, the son of John and Nancy Lynch, is a senior at West Central High School and lives in Francesville.
“I wanted to join the Junior Board because this was a great opportunity to learn about the community and its businesses,” said Lynch. “This experience with the Junior Board helped me to develop characteristics of strong leadership.”
“I would like Carroll White REMC members to know that I am extremely thankful for this opportunity,” said Lynch. “I truly believe that this experience has opened pathways in life that I wouldn’t have had without being part of the Junior Board. I would encourage other students to join because it is a unique opportunity to learn about different industries and our community and to meet new people.”
In high school, Lynch participated in jazz band, marching band, FFA, and golf. Following graduation, he plans to attend Purdue University and study aviation management.
CARROLL WHITE REMC OPERATION ROUND UP SPRING GRANTS TOTAL
In the second quarter of Operation Round Up’s 2025 grant cycle, trustees granted $13,500 to nine area non-profit organizations. From creating beds for children so they no longer need to sleep on the floor to acknowledging local sports legends who inspired generations of young people, Operation Round Up grants filled community needs and spread light and goodwill.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
“No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!” This is the motto of the international organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Brookston has a local chapter that is fulfilling this worthwhile mission. Operation Round Up granted $2,500 to assist in this endeavor.
“Our organization is in the constant process of raising money to build twin size beds for kids 3 to 17 years old who don’t have a bed of their own to sleep in due to financial hardship,” wrote grant writer Dave Doles, president of the local chapter. “Our
process is simple. We raise money to build beds, build the beds, deliver the beds, repeat.”
“Financially, there are various ways to break down what we do but the bottom line is it costs approximately $250 to provide a bed for a child,” said Doles. “When we deliver a bed, the child receives a completely furnished twin-sized bed. This includes a mattress, mattress cover, bedding and pillow. The bed is ready to sleep in when we leave, and no one left is on the floor.”
Since its inception in October 2024, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Brookston Chapter has delivered 38 beds to 18 families. “Children in White County and some surrounding areas need beds,” said Doles. “Our coverage area currently includes the zip codes of the Frontier, Twin Lakes, North White, and Tri County school districts.
TWIN LAKES BASEBALL PROGRAM
Operation Round Up trustees awarded $1,000 in grant money to help honor a tradition of excellence and the
$13,500
leadership of two extraordinary men, Coach Larry Crabb and Coach Larry Ebel.
“The Twin Lakes Baseball Program has been a cornerstone of community sports for many years, providing young athletes with the opportunity to excel on the field,” wrote grant writer Jake Burton, Twin Lakes Baseball coach. “A vital part of the program’s success can be attributed to the dedication and leadership of Coaches Larry Crabb and Larry Ebel. For 28 years, both coaches poured their time, energy, and passion into developing the program and fostering an environment of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship.”
“To honor their immense contributions, we seek funding to install permanent signage at the Twin Lakes Baseball Field, naming it ‘Crabb-Ebel Field.’ This sign will serve as a lasting tribute to both coaches, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire future generations of baseball players,” said Burton.
continued on next page
TRI-COUNTY SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM
Tri-County Summer Meals Program received $2,500 to assist in funding meals for needy kids.
“For the past 15 years, Tri-County has provided nutritious lunches free of charge for any person 18 years old and younger during the summer months,” wrote grant writer Gina Anderson. “In 2018, we started serving breakfast as well as lunch. Our goal is to provide a well-balanced meal to those who may not have access or have food insecurity during the summer months when school lunches are unavailable.”
“During the summer of 2024, 2,781 breakfast/lunches were served in six weeks, “said Anderson. “The need for this program is huge in our community. Many students depend on these free meals. As the increasing price of groceries affects our local families, I believe this summer we will have an increase of meals being served.”
THE WHITE COUNTY HOME EXTENSION CLUBS
The White County Home Extension Clubs received a $2,000 grant to assist local high schools in providing necessary hygiene products to students. Grant writer Marilyn Maxwell wrote, “The White County Home Extension Clubs were made aware that the four White County High Schools desperately needed hygiene products. Some items they need for some students are shampoo, deodorant, feminine sanitary pads, body wash, combs, and brushes.” With this grant, these products will be purchased and divided among the four White County High Schools.
FRONTIER BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA
Frontier Business Professionals of
America (BPA) received $1,500 in grant money to help students attend the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, in May.
Grant writer Jennifer Newcom wrote, “Frontier Business Professionals of America was very successful at the Indiana state competition and has 13 students planning to attend this year’s National Leadership Conference. The cost to attend is substantial, at approximately $1,250 per student. While at the conference, students will compete in business-related contests, attend leadership sessions, and participate in acts of service to help the community.”
THE WHITE COUNTY AG ASSOCIATION
The White County Ag Association received a $1,500 grant to help create a new area in the White County 4-H Fairgrounds called the “Clover Patch.”
“The “Clover Patch” project is a new area of the White County fairgrounds dedicated to agriculture through hands-on projects, real-world examples, and interactive learning,” wrote grant writer April S. Hall. “It will be a kid/tween/adult friendly setting that will include soil conservation, water conservation, solar, wind, sensory, and fun activities, including a Small Putt Putt course.”
“The White County 4-H Fairgrounds hosts multiple events throughout the year,” said Hall. “Multiple people attend weddings, concerts, open shows, meetings, and more grace our fine fairgrounds. In addition to benefiting the families of all the exhibitors during the week of the 4-H fair, this will be a welcome addition to the town of Reynolds to support community engagement.”
WEST CENTRAL HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL’S FAMILY, CAREER AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF AMERICA
West Central High/Middle School’s Family, Career and Community
Leaders of America (FCCLA) received $1,500 to help students attend the national FCCLA Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Grant writer Stephanie Thilges wrote, “Three students will be competing at the FCCLA National Conference. They competed at the State Conference and earned the title of competing at Nationals. Students are responsible for the cost of their flight, hotel, and conference registration for the week.”
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.
WOLCOTT FARMER’S MARKET
Wolcott Farmer’s Market received $500 to support a Senior Dollars program available to community members who are 65 and older.
Grant writer Sara Anliker wrote, “This program allows our seniors to have assistance with purchasing fresh, local, and nutrient-dense produce and goods at the Farmer’s Market. These individuals can sign up at each market and receive $5 toward their purchases. These monies must be spent on that market. There is no limit on how often an individual can do this throughout the market season.”
DELPHI YOUTH BASEBALL
The Delphi Youth Baseball organization was awarded $500 to help purchase an ice machine. Grant writer Kendra Henderson wrote, “We no longer have an ice machine. It was a rental which was too costly. We want to purchase our own machine for ice. We will use the ice for any injuries on the field for our players and spectators. It will also be used for drinks and to make snow cones.”
THE PATH TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Encourage cooled air to stay inside your home this summer Insulation
You shouldn’t sweat this summer — at least not indoors. If your home felt hot last summer and colder than usual this winter, you may benefit from checking your home’s insulation levels and air leaks. Following these steps can save you money and provide more comfort: First, seal air leaks to prevent drafts. You should search your home for any air leaks, high and low. The greatest percentage of leaks occur from your living space into your attic and down low to your basement or crawlspace. Sealing air leaks keeps your conditioned air inside and prevents your HVAC system from working more than needed, saving you money.
Next, evaluate the attic. Once you’ve sealed leaks, you want to check your home’s attic insulation
levels. In Indiana, attics are recommended to have an insulation value the equivalent of at least an R-38. However, the northern part of the state is recommended to have more to provide more support, particularly in winter. ENERGY STAR recommends an R-49 level for most northern states.
You can visit the ENERGY STAR website for a quick lesson to check your attic’s insulation levels; all you need is a ruler. Even more simple — if you can see that the insulation level is at or below the tops of your attic ceiling joists, ENERGY STAR states that you may need to add more insulation. ENERGY STAR adds that if you cannot see the joists because the insulation is well above them, you likely have enough.
Consider an energy audit to learn how to improve your home’s efficiency. If you want to take a deeper dive, consider getting an energy audit. This will include a deeper analysis of your home’s energy use and actionable steps you can take to make your house more energy efficient.
You can ensure your home is prepared for all that summer has to offer. The improved comfort can be felt immediately, while the energy savings will continue for years to come. Contact your local electric cooperative to learn more about your energy consumption and how you can make your home more energy efficient.
by Jake Taylor Energy Advisor
LaGrange County REMC
Union County, located on the Indiana-Ohio border, is the second least populous county in Indiana, following Ohio County. It is home to the Union County-College Corner Joint School District, the only joint state school district in Indiana and Ohio.
Union County COUNTY FACTS
THE GIRL BEHIND ‘LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE’
Born in Liberty, Indiana, Mary Alice “Allie” Smith inspired Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley to write his 1885 poem “Little Orphant Annie.” When Smith became an orphan at 9 years old, Riley’s family took her in as a servant to help his mother with household chores and his three siblings. Originally titled “The Elf Child,” Riley later renamed the poem to “Little Orphant Allie,” but a typesetting error changed “Allie” to “Annie.” Riley kept the misprint because the poem had already become popular under its new name. The poem later inspired the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” which led to a Broadway musical and multiple film adaptations.
SCENIC VIEWS, RICH HISTORY
Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty was established in 1949 as Indiana’s 16th state park. Union, Fayette, Franklin, and Wayne counties originally purchased the land to memorialize those who served in World War II. Today, the state park features shoreline hiking, flat-water boating, and fishing at its 200-acre Whitewater Lake, along with nine miles of horseback riding trails. The state park is also a prime spot for birdwatching, as migrating flocks pass through to travel between Canada and Mexico. Sandhill cranes have become a common sight at the state park’s Brookville Lake, and visitors can bring their binoculars for a closer look during its “Sandhill Saunter” viewings.
PAINTING THE HOOSIER LANDSCAPE
William McKendree Snyder, born in Liberty in 1848, was a painter best known for his Indiana landscapes, especially of southern Indiana Beech trees. After serving as a drummer boy in the Civil War, he studied under painters George Inness, Albert Bierstadt, and William Morris Hunt to refine his composition, layout, gradation, and tonality skills. Strongly influenced by the Hudson River School — an art movement rooted in Romanticism — Snyder became one of the first artists to paint in Brown County, Indiana, helping to establish the Brown County Art Colony. Today, Synder’s artwork is mainly a part of private collections and art galleries.
FOUNDED: 1821
NAMED FOR:
Uniting parts of Fayette, Franklin, and Wayne Counties
POPULATION: 7,087
COUNTY SEAT: Liberty
INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 81
Liberty
Nicole Thomas is a freelance writer from Indianapolis.
Photo courtesy of Joe Halberstadt
Photo courtesy of Sailko
Summer is almost here, and we want to celebrate by seeing your summer photos! Do you have a beautiful picture of your garden? Maybe you have an excellent shot of your grandkids during the 4th of July? Submit your summer-themed photo for a chance to be featured in the August issue of Indiana Connection. Our staff will pick their favorite, and the winner will receive an Amazon gift card.
Please send a large, high-resolution picture with a file size of at least 1 MB and a short description to Editor Britt Davis at bdavis@indianaec.org by June 6
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& Flea Market
SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET OPEN NOW THROUGH OCT. 1
Midwest’s Largest Flea Market Every Tuesday & Wednesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; rain or shine (Special Extended Market May 26, 27 & 28)
Weekly Antique Auction Every Wednesday, year-round ShipshewanaFleaMarket.com
Shipshewana est 1922 Auction
calendar winners
WINNERS SELECTED
FOR THE 2026 COOPERATIVE CALENDAR OF STUDENT ART
Indiana’s electric cooperatives and their statewide magazine, Indiana Connection, recently named the winners of the 28th annual Cooperative Calendar of Student Art Contest. Presley Gray, an 11th-grade homeschooler from Fort Wayne, has been honored as Artist of the Year for her piece, Autumn Hound. Her skillful use of colored pencils, gel pens, and markers reveals a detailed portrayal of a basset hound gazing up as the last leaves of November fall.
A first-place artist was also selected for each grade, K-12. Each will receive $200. Thirteen additional artists earned an honorable mention award and $75. A complete list of the contest winners is to the right.
"Indiana’s electric cooperatives value the creativity and talent of young people in their
communities," said John Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. "This contest is a great way to encourage creative expression while giving students the opportunity to share their work with people across the state. Supporting local students in this way reflects cooperatives’ commitment to the communities they serve.”
Students who enter the art contest are asked to create artwork that illustrates the month that corresponds numerically with their grade at the time they enter the contest. Kindergartners could use whatever their imagination thought up when creating art for the calendar’s cover.
The artwork was judged on artistic merit, originality, creativity, and suitability for a wall calendar. The art contest is open to any Indiana K-12 student.
GRADE DIVISION WINNERS
Kindergarten
Jane Olsen, Newburgh
First grade
Luci Lampert, Birdseye
Second grade
Lacey Madden, Birdseye
Third grade
Nash Cissell, Borden
Fourth grade
Dustin Otto, Amboy
Fifth grade
Hunter Spindler, Greenwood
Sixth grade
Flynn Cissell, Borden
Seventh grade
Isabella Martin, Fort Wayne
Eighth grade
Zoe Bubp, Fort Wayne
Ninth grade
Cooper Baird, Fort Wayne
10th grade
Daelyn Kirkdorffer, South Whitley
11th grade
Presley Gray, Fort Wayne (Best of Show)
12th grade
Cassidy Skinner, South Whitley
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kindergarten
Junia Richey, Milford
First grade
Claire Landis, Georgetown
Second grade
Suzie Shepard, Fort Wayne
Third grade
Viola Fessel, New Albany
Fourth grade
Audrey Katerberg, Madison
Fifth grade
Elise Weaver, West Lafayette
Sixth grade
Ella Jamiel, Syracuse
Seventh grade
Norah Yoder, Fort Wayne
Eighth grade
Reece Shalley, Bloomington
Ninth grade
Marissa Rodgers, Fort Wayne
10th grade
Elle Zeidler, Elizabeth
11th grade
Annalise Nymann, Seymour
12th grade
Riley Aebersold, New Albany
KEEP SAFE WHEREVER YOU ARE DURING DANGEROUS STORMS
If you’ve lived in the Midwest for any length of time, you know this section of the country has a reputation for being a place where tornadoes are relatively common, especially in the warmer months. Although tornadoes are more common in the Midwest and the Central Plains, they have been reported in all 50 states.
While it’s helpful to always know the forecast for your area, it’s particularly important during the summer months when severe weather can put lives at risk. Pay attention when the forecast calls for thunderstorms and the potential for severe weather. The following are tips for staying safe no matter where you are when a tornado develops.
AT HOME
Once a tornado watch has been issued for your area, meaning conditions are favorable for them to develop, you want to stay updated with local media or other sources. If you’re at home and a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement or an interior space with no windows or doors to the outside. Take your pets with you.
AT WORK
If you’ve never practiced what to do during severe weather at school or work, now may be a good time to familiarize yourself with safety plans. Where are the
tornado shelters at your workplace? If your company doesn’t have a plan, consider developing one. When a tornado warning is issued, help your co-workers get to a safe place with no windows.
OUTSIDE
If you are outside during a tornado warning, try to find shelter in a sturdy building. It’s important to remember that sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are unsafe during tornado warnings. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area, cover your head with your arms, and get as far away from trees as possible.
ON THE ROAD
If you can’t safely drive to a shelter, pull over, leave the car, and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch. Make sure to cover your head. Do not try to outrun the storm. A vehicle is considered one of the least safe places during a tornado.
You should stay in your safe space until the severe risk has passed your area. Remember, multiple rounds of storms producing tornadoes are possible when severe weather strikes your area. Once the threat has passed, then let family and loved ones know you’re safe.
Chris Adam is a freelance writer from Lafayette. Source: National Weather Service
Ranch seasoning and dressing add a creamy zing to any meal
A Midwestern staple
WONTON SAUSAGE CUPS Jan Fitterling, Culver
1 package wonton wraps
1 lb pork sausage
1 red pepper, finely diced
1 green pepper, finely diced
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese or 1 ⁄ 3 cup each of shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack
½ cup ranch dressing
Preheat oven to 350 F. Place 24 wonton wraps in two muffin tins. Brush with oil and bake for about 5 minutes or until they are light brown. While the wontons are baking, cook the sausage and drain. Add the peppers, cheese, and ranch to the sausage and stir to combine. Spoon the filling into the baked wontons. Place them back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the cups are browned.
CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA
Jake Davis, Whitestown
8 oz pasta
1 lb chicken breast, diced
4 slices of bacon, chopped
1 ranch seasoning packet
1 cup spinach
½ cup heavy cream
3 Tbsp ranch dressing
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for topping
Cook the pasta according to the instructions, then drain and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan. Add the diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the ranch seasoning, ranch dressing, spinach, and heavy cream until well combined. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly. Then mix in the cooked pasta and crispy bacon. Stir well to combine and heat through for about 2 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve warm.
RANCH POTATOES
Verna Wagler, Odon
8 to 10 potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, cut into ½-inch cubes
1 lb bacon, fried, drained, and chopped
1 cup ranch dressing
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
6 Tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Preheat oven to 350 F. Boil the potato cubes until soft and drain. In a 9x13 pan, layer half the cooked potatoes and half the bacon. Place a few pats of butter on top, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a layer of ranch dressing and cheese. Repeat the layers. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Serves 10 to 12.
PROJECT INDIANA
Illuminating lives one home at a time
BY STEPHANIE BERNABA
Cody Campbell, of South Central Indiana REMC, and Kolbie Cox, of Miami-Cass REMC, prepare to hang a transformer.
Inthe remote Guatemalan mountains along the Mexican border, nearly 200 homes around the village of Palmira were illuminated for the first time as lineworkers from Indiana’s electric cooperatives brought electricity — and hope — through their volunteer mission with Project Indiana.
The trip, which took place between January and February of this year — the team’s sixth since 2012 — brought electricity to communities that have never had access to it.
For the 22 crew members who made the journey, the experience could only be described as transformative.
“It was one of the best things I’ve felt I’ve done with my life so far as giving back to others,” said Paul Trenkamp, a first-time volunteer lineworker from Decatur County REMC.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The initiative’s crew leader, Joe Banfield, operations manager at Tipmont, now a three-time Project Indiana veteran, described the remarkable scale of the team’s achievements.
“We took our first trip to Guatemala in 2012. This last trip was probably one of my most rewarding and probably the hardest, just because of the terrain and the number of people we gave power to,” Banfield said.
What made the 2025 trip most remarkable to him was how greatly the team exceeded its established goals.
“When we first received the information, our goal was 70 homes and 30 poles,” said Banfield. “When we went over to complete the project engineering, the number jumped to 109 homes. By the end, we wound up electrifying 197 homes.”
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
The villagers’ enthusiastic involvement made this extraordinary achievement possible. Some helped place electric poles, while others learned how to install outlets and light fixtures so modifications could be made once the team returned home.
This spirit of collaboration and gratitude was evident throughout the team’s 18-day stay.
Trenkamp marveled at villagers who walked 20 minutes just to return a dropped screw or piece of wire from a previously wired home. He noted that no villager would let any material go to waste, no matter how small.
“They tracked down where we were, walked 20 minutes over to us, just to hand us back that screw,” said Trenkamp. “That happened a half a dozen times. Despite having almost nothing, they’re some of the happiest people I’ve ever met. They all knew each other and helped one another — and us — without hesitation.”
MORE THAN JUST POWER LINES
While bringing electricity was their mission, the Indiana crew found themselves forever changed by the villagers, especially one struggling family whose circumstances stirred them to extraordinary action.
“We ended up meeting a family that was basically orphaned kids, and the head of the household was a 6-yearold girl,” Trenkamp explained.
continued on page 22
Sixteen Indiana electric cooperative lineworkers and six support team members traveled to Guatemala in late January to bring electricity to Palmira.
continued from page 21
“It hit me right at home, and I felt a lot of compassion for them. So, I made sure we would do something special for them.”
Their situation was grim. After their mother passed away, the oldest boy, around 13 or 14 years old, left home to work in the coffee fields to support his siblings.
“The oldest boy is out working in the coffee field, and the way it sounded, he doesn’t even come home,” Trenkamp said.
Most heartbreaking was the burden placed on the 6-year-old girl who had been thrust into the role of household caretaker in her brother’s absence.
“The grandmother lives across the street,” he explained, “and she’s trying to teach the 6-year-old girl how to maintain a house, cook meals, and clean. She hasn’t even started school yet, and she already has responsibilities that are challenging for some adults.”
The lineworkers, moved by the family’s circumstances, pooled their resources to provide much-needed assistance.
Together, the lineworkers purchased a refrigerator, a gas stove, a table and chairs, and paid the family’s electric bill for a year. They also provided school supplies, including bookbags and uniforms.
Zach Albin, another lineworker from Heartland REMC, took time from his assigned duties to lend a hand.
“I chose to take a break from the line crew for one day so I could go make the table we got them, show them their fridge, and hand out their backpacks,” Albin said. “We wanted to watch them unpack and see all the stuff we got.”
“Being able to give back was amazing,” Trenkamp added. “It made me feel really good about what we were doing.”
The impact was particularly emotional for Albin, who has three young daughters at home.
“It was just rough,” he explained. “They were young — too young to live the way they did. It was a little difficult for me, especially because one looked similar to my middle child. It was difficult for me to fathom my child in that situation.”
RELATIONSHIPS BEYOND BORDERS
The residents’ and lineworkers’ lives have become intertwined like the power lines now linking their village.
“Billy was a 10-year-old kid who showed up on day one or two,” Trenkamp said. “When we were wiring on the inside of the houses, you could drop a screw, and Billy would have it picked up before it hit the ground.”
Billy’s devotion and work ethic impressed the whole crew.
“He was really helpful — 10 years old and grown up beyond his years. I was glad to help give him some advantages for the future. Before we left, I gave him some of the tools I brought to Guatemala with me,” Trenkamp said.
The unexpected bond with Billy, who rapidly became the crew’s most devoted assistant, transcends distance and grows stronger by the day.
Billy, a 10-year-old resident of the village, became the lineworkers’ best assistant.
Local volunteers carrying a pole. All poles on the mountain are dug by hand and set by hand.
Photo courtesy of Ron Holcomb
“Billy texts and calls about every single day,” Albin shared. “He sends me pictures, and I send him pictures of things back here. It’s just a lot of fun.”
A LASTING IMPACT ON BOTH SIDES
Amanda Barth, vice president of communication for Indiana Electric Cooperatives and executive director for Project Indiana, explained that Project Indiana is about more than electrification — it’s about building sustainable futures.
“We don’t just stop with electrifying a village and building the infrastructure. We try to help them create a better way of life, and we’re best able to do that by focusing our energies and continuing to support them,” Barth said.
Many lineworkers confessed the experience has enriched their worldviews.
“I did want to remind myself often how I take little things for granted, like filtered water and common amenities like air conditioning,” reflected Albin. “I sleep dry and warm every night, but some of those people did not sleep dry, and they were either too warm or freezing. I try not to take those small things for granted anymore.”
Crew leader Joe Banfield also noted a particularly touching moment the day he electrified a 105-year-old woman’s home.
“I was there when she first turned on her light switch. You’ve got to think back for a second — 105 years with no electricity. That is mind-boggling. She turned that light on for the first time, and she started bawling. She’s crying, she’s hugging me. It was very overwhelming.”
continued on page 24
CFC SUPPORT EASES THE FINANCIAL BURDEN
Left to right: Kevin Bay, JCREMC; John Cassady, CEO, Indiana Electric Cooperatives; Andrew Don, CEO, CFC; Carolina Park, Senior Manager, CFC; and Joe Banfield, Operations Manager, Tipmont
Project Indiana’s trips to Guatemala would not be possible without the support of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). Since 2017, CFC and National Cooperative Services Corporation (NCSC) have helped finance 30 international electrification projects undertaken by 18 states. Over the years, CFC and NCSC have contributed more than $2 million in support of those missions.
“We are very grateful for CFC’s support of Project Indiana,” said Amanda Barth, executive director for Project Indiana. “CFC’s support helped ease the financial burden on our member cooperatives in a tough economic climate for the industry. CFC’s grant assisted with purchasing the supplies, crew member hotel rooms and meals in Guatemala, rental vehicles, and many other things.”
Barth noted the other very valuable component of CFC’s participation in this project was having the expertise of CFC CEO Andrew Don and CFC Senior Manager of Financial Tools and Analysis Carolina Park on the trip. Park also serves as a Project Indiana board member.
Coopeffa R.L. is the small, local cooperative utility that serves Palmira. While in Guatemala, Don and Park met with Coopeffa R.L.’s board and staff to counsel them on the cooperative business model and how to make the most of that model in operating their small utility. They also met with Guatemalan dignitaries, including the minister of energy, to express their support for using the cooperative business model in electrifying the rest of the country.
“We want to support our member electric cooperatives to undertake these international projects,” Don said. “It’s a big endeavor putting a project like this together. They just need a little financial help. It’s the sixth cooperative principle: Cooperation Among Cooperatives. And helping communities like the village of Palmira is also very important. It made a big impact on me to visit the village and see similar situations to what many rural Americans probably faced 90 years ago.”
While electrifying the village was the primary goal, that was not the only benefit.
“Electricity brings economic prosperity,” Don explained. “With electricity, you can create a better way of life. For the lineworkers, they’re able to see how it’s making a huge difference in somebody’s life. That was one of the biggest takeaways for me, seeing how the experience resonated with them.”
“The line crews were very proud and happy to be there,” said Park. “They were not only putting up the lines and bringing electricity; they really engaged with the community. I knew this experience would not only change lives in the community but change our and the linemen’s perspectives as well.”
continued from page 23
A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Project Indiana transcends typical charity work — it’s a true partnership in which local communities actively shape their own futures alongside American volunteers.
Project Indiana thrives on partnerships — from Milwaukee Tools’ significant equipment donations to National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation’s (CFC) crucial financial backing — but its invaluable work requires ongoing support to brighten Guatemala’s remote highlands.
“We’re not giving them a handout, we’re giving them a hand up, and they are working alongside our guys the entire time,” Barth emphasized. “We have people from that village working with our guys every step of the way because they are personally invested in this as well. They look forward to our trips and helping out the teams.”
For the lineworkers who volunteered their time, Project Indiana offers an opportunity to use their specialized skills to significantly improve the villagers’ lives.
As Project Indiana continues its mission, the impact ripples far beyond the electrification of homes.
“The companies and people that support Project Indiana,” Albin said, “I urge them to continue so we can do these trips. Our trip alone changed the lives of 200 families.”
SUPPORT PROJECT INDIANA
Project Indiana depends on corporate and individual supporters to accomplish its mission of empowering global communities one village at a time. To learn more about Project Indiana and donate to the program, visit projectindiana.org/support
Paul Trenkamp, of Decatur County REMC, installs an outlet at a villager’s home.
Brandon Bambush, of Orange County REMC, offers a young girl a doll he carried from Indiana and made by his wife.
Photo courtesy of Ron Holcomb
Local children watch as Terry Minic of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc., works up on a pole.
Photo courtesy of Ron Holcomb
Zach Albin, of Heartland REMC, prepares to frame a pole while
PROJECT CREW
Jonah Brewer, Bartholomew County REMC
Bo Simpson, Clark County REMC
Collin Crabtree, Decatur County REMC
Paul Trenkamp, Decatur County REMC
Garret Berg, Dubois REC, Inc.
Steve Saltsgaver, Harrison REMC
Zach Albin, Heartland REMC
Kevin Bay, JCREMC
Kolbie Cox, Miami-Cass REMC
Brandon Bambusch, Orange County REMC
Terry Minic, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Jaylin Brown, RushShelby Energy
Cody Campbell, South Central Indiana REMC
Dakota Grimes, South Central Indiana REMC
Jimmy Applegate, Southern Indiana Power
Matt Bassett, Tipmont
SUPPORT TEAM
Robert White, Indiana Electric Cooperatives
Joe Banfield, Tipmont
Chris Todd, Northeastern REMC
Ron Holcomb, Tipmont
Eric Jung, Northeastern REMC Joe Bower
Photo courtesy of Ron Holcomb
CREATING A PERSONAL
connection
At Zimmerman Art Glass, fourth and fifth generations carry on a tradition of functional artistry
If the question is whether good things come in small packages or perhaps small buildings, Kerry Zimmerman might smile slyly and reply, “Come with me over here,” and he would show you that they do. It happened that way once, he said, when a man appeared disappointed after he arrived at Zimmerman Art Glass, repurposed from a former gas station in downtown Corydon, and asked, “This is it?”
The dubious visitor was surprised when he was guided around and given a demonstration, said Zimmerman, and had left impressed. “It’s that personal connection that’s so important, that we really value.”
Zimmerman is a fourth-generation glassblower from a family that immigrated from France in the 1880s. Ferdinand Zimmerman began his journey into mass-production glass by making punch bowl sets in a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, factory. In the early 1920s, the second generation of the Zimmerman family moved to Corydon and continued the glassblowing business.
With a strong local and online presence in videos and social media, Zimmerman and his sons, Brian and Alex, aim to make that personal connection often.
Multiple times a year, busloads of students and tourists visit the shop, in addition to individuals, local groups, and attendees of the twoday Glasstober Festival in October.
These events give Zimmerman the opportunity to recite his demonstration talk upwards of 600 times a year. During the Christmas season, Zimmerman offers signups for one-on-one experiences for people to create their own glass ornaments under his family’s expert guidance.
While needs and tastes for glass products have changed over the generations, Zimmerman said many things about their creation, including tools and certain techniques, have stayed the same. “It’s art,” he said, “but it’s functional art.”
Their showroom and images on their website showcase their beautiful creations. They offer vases, handled dishes, paperweights, bottles, bowls, pitchers, and glasses, as well as memorial items that can incorporate a loved one’s ashes. Custom etching is available, and glass items can be made in a wide variety of colors. Whimsical pieces include flowers, animals, fruit, and an annual specialty item for various Indiana landmarks.
The family’s craft and legacy stretch beyond its current physical footprint. But what matters most for Zimmerman is the link to people. “Even though we just met, or when I’m looking at your order,” he said, “I’m making that just for you.”
Veni Fields is a journalist and freelance writer from Virginia Beach.
Kerry Zimmerman
Brian Zimmerman
From left to right: Alex, Kerry, and Brian Zimmerman work in the Corydon shop.
Why politics matter to co-ops and how you can help
For most people, their electricity provider is just the company that keeps the lights on. But an electric cooperative’s relationship with its member-owners is different. Since the 1930s when Indiana’s electric cooperatives were formed, they have thrived because of the political engagement between their members and local, state, and federal governments.
Indiana’s electric cooperatives advocate for rural Hoosiers like you on the state and federal levels so they can continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy — and maintain the quality of life in rural communities. But electric cooperative members need to participate in the process, too. Indiana’s electric cooperatives thrive when their members stay politically engaged and advocate for policies that help cooperatives.
How can you help do this? It all starts with grassroots activism. In the
context of the electric cooperative program, “grassroots” is a powerful word. In fact, the historical success of the electric cooperatives can be largely credited to that single word.
The electric cooperative definition of “grassroots” is “electric cooperative activists — directors, managers, employees, and members — who take an active role in the political process to protect their cooperative from harmful legislation and regulation, as well as to promote the value of cooperative ownership to their legislators.”
Grassroots involvement means communicating with local, state, and federal legislators on issues affecting electric cooperatives.
Grassroots — the unified efforts and voices of the nation’s electric co-op supporters — has proven to be the foundation of the industry’s 85 years of success in serving electric co-ops, their owners, and their communities.
What does a grassroots advocate do?
By registering as an advocate for Indiana’s electric cooperatives, you will be kept up to date on major legislative and political utility issues, at both the state and federal levels. You will receive monthly communication via email or text alert, ranging from educational pieces, surveys, story collections, and even calls to action.
Grassroots advocates for Indiana’s electric cooperatives help keep rural Indiana strong and the cooperative voice heard. Advocates may also be called upon to contact their legislators and speak up for Indiana’s electric cooperatives.
As a grassroots advocate, you will be on the front lines of keeping rural Hoosiers’ voices loud and strong.
To become a grassroots advocate for Indiana’s electric cooperatives, visit action.indianaec.org
SPRING CLEAN YOUR A/C
Plan now to keep your home cool this summer
Some people tackle spring cleaning by decluttering and scrubbing their home — while missing the most vital equipment saving them from a sweltering summer.
Many people welcome the season’s warmer weather with a thorough spring cleaning of their home. This frequently includes focusing on sprucing up living spaces — or getting to that long to-do list, such as cleaning out a garage or attic. Yet this can also be the perfect time to clean up your heating and cooling system from the winter’s gauntlet while preparing your system for the extensive demand needed to keep you cool in the summer. Add these tasks to your spring cleaning checklist to prepare your air conditioner for warmer weather.
Check the batteries in your thermostat. The changing seasons can be the perfect time to check the battery levels and see if they need replacement.
Many battery-powered thermostats, including some Wi-Fi thermostats, have an indicator to let you know when the battery levels are low.
Check and change your air filter. Your heating and cooling system features an air filter to help keep dust, allergens, and other particles from infiltrating your system and entering your home. The changing seasons can be a good time to check your filter and replace it as needed.
Lightly spray off any debris that may have collected on your outdoor unit. Over the winter, dirt, yard debris, and other gunk may have accumulated on your outdoor air conditioner unit or air source heat pump. You can check the system and lightly rinse off any collected dirt and yard debris as needed. Be sure to use a light spray; a jet or hard pressure can potentially damage the air conditioner or heat pump.
Schedule an HVAC tune-up with a contractor. This is the ideal way to prepare for the summer. A qualified HVAC contractor will tune up your system and make any needed repairs to ensure it’s prepared for the summer.
Proper maintenance can maximize your heating and cooling system’s efficiency and lifespan. Proper planning can also address any issues that could cause more damage or even system failure. Contact your local electric cooperative’s energy advisor for other tips and advice on supporting your home’s heating and cooling system.
Indiana eats A COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY
Rosie’s Place creates local connections with homemade brunch fare in three Indianapolis locations
If ingredients like flour, butter, and sugar and phrases like “ooey gooey” can combine to create a pocket-sized trademark, Rosie’s Place, in three northside Indianapolis locations, may have crafted a perfect recipe.
When owners Debbi and Michael Bourgerie moved to the area from St. Louis and decided to open a breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant and bakery in Noblesville in 2010, they named it after Debbi’s grandmother, whose commitment to family and good quality food was their inspiration.
Debbi brought a St. Louis staple with her, Gooey Butter Cake. However, she wanted something a little more portable, and the Ooey Gooey Butter Cookie was born, along with iterations including peanut butter, chocolate chips, and even pistachios.
According to Carolyn Ferguson, a long-time employee, it wasn’t just the cookies that led to immediate fandom among visitors and the ability to open
two additional locations in Zionsville in 2015 and Carmel in 2018.
“Everything we serve is homemade and fresh, all our soups, sandwiches, and other items,” Ferguson said. “The breads and rolls are made in the bakeries in our restaurants.”
Each Rosie’s Place offers a slight variation in menu and décor, but the Bourgerie’s commitment to creativity and community are their top priorities, said Ferguson. “One of the best things is when you have regulars who come in, and you know them by name.”
The Bourgeries have also formed relationships with local farmers for many of their products.
In addition to gluten-free and children’s options among its traditional breakfast and brunch fare, Rosie’s Place offers brown sugar oatmeal pancakes, a daily quiche, breakfast tacos, burritos and quesadillas, a pork tenderloin benny, and “Eggs Blackstone,” described as “cornbread, split and grilled, topped with roasted
tomato, bacon, two poached eggs, avocado, and hollandaise.”
The restaurants offer hot and cold brunch beverages, including craft beers, espressos, mocktails, and a special cocktail — a blackberry lime mimosa — with champagne, fresh blackberry pureé, and homemade, lime-infused simple syrup garnished with a lime wheel.
The lunch menus include soups, chili, salads, fruits, and sandwiches with unique twists like a salmon BLT, a three-cheese grilled cheese, and a turkey artichoke melt. The “Black Goat” is a customer favorite with roast turkey, whipped goat cheese, blackberry preserves, and baby spinach on multi-grain bread.
Rosie’s Place offers catering, carryout, and shipping for its cookies, which are also sold in several area stores.
Veni Fields is a journalist and freelance writer from Virginia Beach.
ROSIE’S PLACE rosiesplace.net
Three locations:
• 1111 W. Main St., Unit 100, Carmel
• 10 S. Main St., Zionsville
• 68 N. 9th St., Noblesville
Mushroom hunting leads to other discoveries
Some of my best memories go back to the warm spring days I spent with my mother in the woods. The youngest of three children, I loved those grand expeditions as we headed out the backdoor into a leafy stand of poplar, beech, and oak. Late April and early May meant leaving our quiet house in midmornings carrying sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper, my jeans patched, my “Red Ball Jets” doubleknotted, and a battered canteen of cold water over my shoulder.
My mother loved the woods and wanted me to love them too, but at that time of year, it was more than lessons in appreciation for nature or a bit of exercise she had in mind — we were there to hunt mushrooms. The sun on my arms, the fresh air, the brilliant color of redbud and dogwood blooms, the rich aromas of last year’s leaves, and the new spring’s soil were mere bonuses.
For someone so keen on finding mushrooms, even now, I have never acquired a taste for them. Whether they be the black morels that appear first in the month-long season or the “goosenecks” that come along after, the highly-prized white and yellow morels that spring up next, or the smaller “tulips” that hide as the Dutchman’s Breeches and wood anemones take over the forest floor, I have always found my joy from the finding rather than the eating.
In those days, I usually found the firmer gray-blacks along one particular wash, the fiddlehead ferns there a foot tall by the time I scrabbled along its banks. Every second or third year we
found big yellow morels, bread sacks of them, as they poked up through the leaf litter below a carpet of Mayapples in a flatland that tumbled toward rich farm fields.
But, most of all, I remember the tiny and often sunburned tulip morels that I pinched off at the ground by the dozens in a scrubby meadow that stretched out for an acre or more near my family’s small peach and apple orchard. It was there that I was first left to search alone.
Now, it’s my grandsons who hunt with me, and not unlike my childhood days, we walk out the backdoor of our house into a woodland, this one of black cherry, sugar maple, and sycamore. It is a place for adventures, one of steep hills and deep ravines, with a shallow pond and reedy marsh teeming with skunk cabbage, horsetails, and dragonflies.
I use a walking stick now, useful for pointing and turning leaves and making paths through stands of blackberry and wild rose thorns. To be sure, we find mushrooms, and over these past few springs — as they’ve grown taller and I’ve grown slower — we’ve found even more. Not just the wild ginger near the clearing where the old power line ran, the box turtles living in the glade near the abandoned railroad bed, or the warblers and robins that scatter in our chattering wake.
We have grown closer as we walk the woods, and hopefully, they will remember the green spring days of their childhoods as I have remembered mine.
Mike Lunsford is a freelance columnist, feature writer, and photographer, primarily for the Terre Haute TribuneStar and Terre Haute Living magazine. The author of seven books lives in Parke County with his wife, Joanie. Contact Lunsford at hickory913@gmail.com.
Will This Strange Antarctic Squid Solve America’s Memory Crisis?
New Deep Sea Discovery Proven to Be The #1 Natural Enhancer of Memory and Focus
Halfa mile beneath the icy waters off the coast of Argentina lives one of the most remarkable creatures in the world.
Fully grown, they’re less than 2 feet long and weigh under 10 pounds…
But despite their small size, this strange little squid can have a bigger positive impact on your brain health than any other species on the planet.
They are the single richest source of a vital “brain food” that 250 million Americans are starving for, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.
It’s a safe, natural compound called DHA – one of the building blocks of your brain. It helps children grow their brains significantly bigger during development. And in adults, it protects brain cells from dying as they get older.
Because DHA is so important, lacking enough of it is not only dangerous to your overall health but could be directly related to your brain shrinking with age.
With more than 16 million Americans suffering from ageassociated cognitive impairment, it’s clear to a top US doctor that’s where the problem lies.
Regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Al Sears, says thankfully, “there’s still hope for seniors. Getting more of this vital brain food can make a life changing difference for your mental clarity, focus, and memory.”
Dr. Sears, a highly-acclaimed, board-certified doctor— who has published more than 500 studies and written 4 bestselling books — says we should be able to get enough DHA in our diets… but we don’t anymore.
“For thousands of years, fish were a great natural source of DHA. But due to industrial fish farming practices, the fish we eat and the fish oils you see at the store are no longer as nutrient-dense as they once were,” he explains.
DHA is backed by hundreds of studies for supporting razor sharp focus, extraordinary mental clarity, and a lightning quick memory… especially in seniors.
So, if you’re struggling with
focus, mental clarity, or memory as you get older…
Dr. Sears recommends a different approach.
THE SECRET TO A LASTING MEMORY
Research has shown that our paleo ancestors were able to grow bigger and smarter brains by eating foods rich in one ingredient — DHA.
“Our hippocampus thrives off DHA and grows because of it,” explains Dr. Sears. “Without DHA, our brains would shrink, and our memories would quickly fade.”
A groundbreaking study from the University of Alberta confirmed this. Animals given a diet rich in DHA saw a 29% boost in their hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. As a result, these animals became smarter.
Another study on more than 1,500 seniors found that those whose brains were deficient in DHA had significantly smaller brains — a characteristic of accelerated aging and weakened memory.
PEOPLE’S BRAINS ARE SHRINKING AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT
Dr. Sears uncovered that sometime during the 1990s, fish farmers stopped giving their animals a natural, DHA-rich diet and began feeding them a diet that was 70% vegetarian.
“It became expensive for farmers to feed fish what they’d eat in the wild,” explains Dr. Sears. “But in order to produce DHA, fish need to eat a natural, marine diet, like the one they’d eat in the wild.”
“Since fish farmers are depriving these animals of their natural diet, DHA is almost nonexistent in the oils they produce.”
“And since more than 80% of fish oil comes from farms, it’s no wonder the country is experiencing a memory crisis. Most people’s brains are shrinking and they don’t even know it.”
So, what can people do to improve their memory and brain function in the most effective way possible?
MEMORY-RESTORING SENSATION: The memory-saving oil in this Antarctic squid restores decades of lost brain power starting in just 24 hours.
Dr. Sears says, “Find a quality DHA supplement that doesn’t come from a farmed source. That will protect your brain cells and the functions they serve well into old age.”
Dr. Sears and his team worked tirelessly for over 2 years developing a unique brain-boosting formula called Omega Rejuvenol. It’s made from the most powerful source of DHA in the ocean, squid and krill — two species that cannot be farmed.
According to Dr. Sears, these are the purest and most potent sources of DHA in the world, because they haven’t been tampered with. “Omega Rejuvenol is sourced from the most sustainable fishery in Antarctica. You won’t find this oil in any stores.”
MORE IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
Already, the formula has sold more than 850,000 bottles. And for a good reason, too. Satisfied customers can’t stop raving about the memory-boosting benefits of quality-sourced DHA oil.
“The first time I took it, I was amazed. The brain fog I struggled with for years was gone within 24 hours. The next day, I woke up with the energy and mental clarity of a new man,” says Owen R.
“I remember what it was like before I started taking Omega Rejuvenol… the lack of focus… the dull moods… the slippery memory… but now my mind is as clear as it’s ever been,” says Estelle H.
“My mood and focus are at an
all-time high. I’ve always had trouble concentrating, and now I think I know why,” raves Bernice J. “The difference that Omega Rejuvenol makes couldn’t be more noticeable.”
And 70-year-old Mark K. says, “My focus and memory are back to age-30 levels.”
These are just a handful of the thousands of reviews Dr. Sears regularly receives thanks to his breakthrough memory formula, Omega Rejuvenol
WHERE TO FIND OMEGA REJUVENOL
To secure bottles of this brainbooster, buyers should contact the Sears Health Hotline at 1-888-3588160. “It takes time to manufacture these bottles,” says Dr. Sears. “The Hotline allows us to ship the product directly to customers who need it most.”
Dr. Sears feels so strongly about this product, he is offering a 100%, money-back guarantee on every order. “Send back any used or unused bottles within 90 days and I’ll rush you a refund,” says Dr. Sears.
The Hotline is taking orders for the next 48 hours. After that, the phone number may be shut down to allow for inventory restocking. Call 1-888-358-8160 to secure your limited supply of Omega Rejuvenol. Readers of this publication immediately qualify for a steep discount, but supplies are limited. To take advantage of this great offer use Promo Code ICOM525 when you call.
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