Hi, my name is Stephanie Groves.

I am thrilled and humbled to be stepping into the editor role at Indiana Connection, succeeding the inimitable Emily Schilling. I am grateful to everyone at Indiana Electric Cooperatives for this opportunity, and I’m also extremely nervous. Have you ever felt that way when you started a new role or job?

Emily Schilling is someone that I respect immensely. She has been editing what is now known as Indiana Connection for 37 years, so the idea of anyone else doing this job just feels wrong — but I will do my very best to uphold Emily’s tradition of journalistic excellence.

A little about me: I was born and raised in Indianapolis and graduated from IU Bloomington. I moved to NYC for graduate school and worked in the magazine industry there for many years, but when it came time to start a family, my husband, Ryan, and I knew there was no better place than Indiana to do so. Our daughter is currently in first grade, and we are grateful every day for her. I am also a shameless animal lover and dog fosterer (my family is currently fostering three dogs as I write this), so if you ever meet me, please tell me about your family and your pets — I want to know about both!

That being said, Indiana Connection is not about me, it’s about YOU and all the other hard-working, talented Hoosiers that you know. The thought of sharing some of your stories is what I’m most excited about as I embark on this journey, so if you have an idea to share, please email me. I’d love to hear from you.

Stephanie Groves Editor sgroves@indianaec.org

On the menu: May: Strawberry recipes, deadline March 1. June: Recipes using Jell-O, deadline April 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, event listings, letters and entries for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.

VOLUME 72 • NUMBER 8

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 304,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. Member’s cost per issue is approximately 32 cents, plus postage.

CONTACT US:

8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600 Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606 317-487-2220 info@indianaconnection.org

IndianaConnection.org

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS:

Randy Kleaving President

Steve McMichael Vice President

Dr. Richard Leeper Secretary/Treasurer

Tom VanParis Interim CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF:

Stephanie Groves Editor

Richard George Biever Senior Editor

Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist

Lauren Carman Communication Manager

Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

Amber Knight Creative Manager

Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication

ADVERTISING:

American MainStreet Publications

Cheryl Solomon, local ad representative; 512-441-5200; amp.coop

Crosshair Media 502-216-8537; crosshairmedia.net

Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL:

Indiana Connection does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safe-keeping or return of unsolicited material.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

$12 for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

POSTAGE:

Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER:

Send change of address to: Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606. Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

Romantic getaways in Indiana (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)

26 RECALLS

Samsung recalls top-load washing machines (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)

On the cover

Like every state, Indiana has claimed many natural and fabricated features and objects as officially “ours.” These items reflect Hoosier history and culture. As the state may be on the verge of adding an official sandwich, here’s a review of some of our state’s existing official “this and thats.” www.kvremc.com

CONTACT US

Toll Free: 800-552-2622

Local: 219-733-2511

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m. Central Time Monday-Friday

STREET ADDRESS

8642 W. U.S. Highway 30 Wanatah, IN 46390

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 157, Wanatah, IN 46390

EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGES

Power outages can be reported by calling 800-552-2622 or through the SmartHub app.

KANKAKEE VALLEY REMC STAFF

Scott Sears, Chief Executive Officer

Alissa Tucker, Executive Assistant

Angie Swanson, Office Manager

Amanda Steeb, Communications and Marketing Director

Dave Howell, Purchasing and Facilities Manager

Scott Hanson, Director of Operations

Bri Travis, Director of Engineering

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FROM THE CEO: