Jasper County REMC - July 2023 Indiana Connection

from the editor

Meet the team: Ashley Curry

Ashley Curry is the production and design coordinator for Indiana Connection and is the newest member of the team. She’s a creative whiz who designs beautiful magazine layouts — and is also a ray of sunshine to be around. Here’s more about her:

My role at Indiana Connection is to design the cover and many of the pages inside. Some of my favorite parts of the magazine to design are Indiana Eats and the cover story. I learn so much when I am working on the magazine each month! I love that it gives me the opportunity to learn about all the interesting people, places and events around the state.

Three facts about Ashley:

• My fiancé, Matt, and I have a 1-year-old Boston Terrier named Zoe. She is rambunctious and can be quite a handful at times, but we love the energy and joy she has brought into our lives. We consider her a full-fledged member of our family and treat her like our four-legged child.

• My hometown is Columbus, Indiana. It’s a small city with a big appreciation for arts and architecture. I feel lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful place, and it inspired me to have a creative spirit!

• I love to read and am always looking for book suggestions. I recently decided that I am going to take the time to go back and revisit some of my favorite series from my childhood, including the Harry Potter books and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

We are so fortunate to have Ashley as part of the team; she’s ultra-talented and exceptionally kind.

Stephanie Groves Editor sgroves@indianaec.org

Love to read like Ashley? Win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card to pick up a new book or two!

On the menu: October: Pork recipes, deadline August 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Giveaway: Win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card! Visit indianaconnection.org/ talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is July 31.

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 73 • NUMBER 1

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. 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

John Cassady CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF:

Stephanie Groves Editor

Richard George Biever Senior Editor

Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist

Lauren Carman Communication Manager

Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator

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 safekeeping 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.

Ashley Curry

On the cover

Clint Heeke, left, and Austin Gearlds work on an electric pole high in the mountains of northwestern Guatemala. The two Indiana electric cooperative linemen were joined by 16 other linemen and support crew on the fifth Project Indiana trip to the Central America country this spring.

PHOTO BY CHRIS TODD

CONTACT US

Office: 219-866-4601

888-866-REMC (7362)

Connect Internet Service Tech Support: 219-866-4601, prompt 3 888-866-REMC (7362), prompt 3 219-866-1147 (direct)

WEBSITE www.jasperremc.com www.connectjasper.com

EMAIL

jasperremc@jasperremc.com connectjasper@connectjasper.com

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday

STREET ADDRESS

280 E. Wood Road Rensselaer, IN 47978

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 129 Rensselaer, IN 47978

OUTAGES

Report your electric outage day or night by phone or through SmartHub® at jasperremc.com or the SmartHub app.

Jasper County REMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

LOOK FOR THESE STORIES!

• Director candidates: pages 6-7

• See us at the fair every day: page 7

• Career day fun: page 8

Don’t forget to search for two hidden account numbers within pages 5-8! If you find them, and one of them is your account number, call our office before the last working day of the month to claim your $25 bill credit.

TREES CAUSE BLINKS AND OUTAGES

We have experienced quite a bit of wind this year, and in our business of distributing reliable electricity and internet, trees are a major player in interruptions of service. Trees and power lines are a combination that can be dangerous and problematic. The presence of trees near power lines is a common cause of power outages and electrical fires. Trees provide many benefits, but they can pose a significant risk when they come into contact with power lines.

It is interesting to note that trees do play a helpful role in the form of a utility pole. According to woodpoles.org, the first documented use of wood poles was in 1844 with the development of the telegraph. The success of wood poles holding up telegraph wires led to the eventual use of poles for holding up wires to distribute electricity. We have inspections conducted on a percentage of our poles every year to keep up with maintenance and installation of replacement poles if needed. This helps to prevent an older pole from breaking and causing an outage.

The primary reason why trees and power lines don’t mix is that trees can conduct electricity. If a tree comes into contact with a power line, electricity can travel through the tree, which can result in the tree catching fire or causing an electrical surge. In the past, we have conducted safety training that demonstrates a stick conducting electricity. Our linemen will also demonstrate common items like kite string and mylar balloons conducting electricity. This is to show you not to reach for items that may be caught in electrical lines.

When the weather turns cold and we experience snow or ice, tree branches can become weighed down, causing them to break and fall onto power lines. This can cause power outages and create hazardous conditions, as live power lines can be extremely dangerous. Never assume that a downed line is de-energized.

I don’t think I have mentioned keeping trees and shrubs away from your electric meter. This allows our personnel access for maintenance and maybe even an emergency where the meter needs to be removed.

It is also important to avoid planting new trees within the designated distance from power lines. The proper tree selection and placement will enhance the value of your home and prevent costly trimming and potential damage.

In conclusion, trees and power lines do not mix due to the risk of electrical fires, power outages and damage to power lines. We do a lot of maintenance to mitigate the risks and try to educate our members to ensure the safety of both people and the electrical infrastructure.

It is my hope that I have provided some helpful information in this article or at a minimum a reminder to be safe around trees and electricity.

When I see the leaves thriving, that is usually my signal to write about safety related to trees and electricity. I guess that makes this a perennial article. (I’ll leaf you with that …)

JON RICH CEO

THREE WAYS TO VOTE

Our in-person event this year on July 29 at the Jasper County Fairgrounds will feature four $250 bill credit drawings and many other bill credit drawings. The event will be from 7:30-9:30 a.m. with the business meeting and drawings at 8:30 a.m. If you want your chance to win one of the big prizes, you have to be present to win! Stop by for a donut, big prize drawings and to see some EVs up close. You might even get to drive one! See you there!

You should have received your ballot packet in the mail at the end of June with everything you need to know. Vote for your directors online, through SmartHub, by mail or at the annual meeting event.

2023 DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

AT-LARGE

JoAnn McElfresh District 1

JoAnn McElfresh is the incumbent at-large candidate. McElfresh and her husband, Rick, live in rural Rensselaer and have two children.

McElfresh graduated from Ball State University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She operated her own graphic design business called Bright Ideas for 15 years. She has been selling real estate since 1994 and has been the managing broker at Jenkins Realtors since 2007.

She has been on the Jasper County REMC board since 2017 and has received her Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from our national association of electric cooperatives NRECA. She currently serves on the Jasper County Economic Development Organization board and has been appointed to the Jasper County Economic Development Commission. McElfresh has also been on the Farm

Credit Advisory Committee and Jasper County Hospital Foundation board.

In her spare time, McElfresh supports the arts, travels, enjoys outdoor activities and sports, creates handthrown pottery and spends time with family.

Jacob Misch District 3

Jacob Misch and his wife, Cassie, live in rural Wheatfield with their two daughters. The family attends St. Peter Lutheran Church and the children go to school in North Judson.

Misch graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Management and is currently a full-time grain farmer. Prior to farming full-time, Misch worked for Pioneer Hi-Bred International for 12 years.

Misch volunteers in his community as president of the Jasper County property tax assessment board of appeals, as a member of the Jasper County Farm

Bureau and as an advocate council member for Farm Credit Mid-America.

In his spare time, Misch enjoys hunting, fishing and traveling.

Ryan Westfall District 2

Ryan Westfall and his wife, Tanya, have four children and live in rural Rensselaer.

Westfall attended Ball State University and is the director of project management for FBI Buildings, Inc. in Jasper County.

Westfall has served as board president of Cornerstone Private School in Wolcott, as a summer baseball coach in Rensselaer and as a Sunday school superintendent at Apostolic Christian Church.

He enjoys woodworking, outdoor projects and spending time with family.

DISTRICT 2 Kerry Miller

Kerry Miller is the incumbent director candidate from District 2. Miller and his wife, Amy, live in rural Francesville. They have two sons — Zachary (Katelynn) and Kody, and two granddaughters. Miller is a grain and livestock farmer on his family farm.

After graduating from West Central High School, Miller went through Purdue University’s agricultural short course. Miller has been on the Jasper County Farm Bureau board, the Jasper County Fair board and the Indiana Young Farmer committee. He is currently an elder at Bethel Bible Church.

Miller has been on the Jasper County REMC board since 2011 and is currently the board president. He has received his Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from our national association of electric cooperatives NRECA.

Miller enjoys looking at cattle, going antiquing and spending time with family.

Austin Metzger

Austin Metzger and his wife, Stacy, live in rural Rensselaer with their six children. Metzger obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and is currently the senior electrical engineer at BraunAbility. He is a member of the Rensselaer Central High School (RCHS) engineering and technology advisory board, is an RCHS football coach and the president of Rensselaer Baseball Inc. (RBI) youth program.

Metzger likes to camp, hike, fish and coach youth sports, and spend time hobby farming and with his family.

DISTRICT 3 Mark Kingma

Mark Kingma is the incumbent director candidate from District 3. Kingma lives in rural DeMotte with his wife, Linda. They are members of the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Wheatfield.

After graduating from Kankakee Valley High School, Kingma attended Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis, where he studied auto and diesel technology. He is a lifelong grain farmer, sells seed and is a certified crop advisor for his seed customers.

Kingma is on the Jasper County Soil and Water District (JCSWCD) board and on the executive board of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. He has also previously been on the Farm Bureau board and a JCSWCD assistant regional director.

Mark enjoys boating with friends and family.

James (Jim) Misch

James (Jim) Misch and his wife, Tanya, live in rural Wheatfield. Misch has seven children and two stepchildren.

Misch graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College and has owned a construction company for 37 years.

He has served his community as a state hunter’s education instructor and as a Jasper County 4-H shooting sports instructor.

Misch enjoys outdoor sports, trail riding, spending time with family and competitive cattle sorting.

See us at the fair every day!

Visit us on Thursday, July 20, for our Jasper County Fair sponsor day AND every other day of the fair during various hours.

Here’s the lineup so you can see what’s new, talk about our internet project and sign up for internet if we’re serving your location. Hidden #19651002. Everyone’s favorite, “Cup O’ Joe & Donut Holes,” will be bright and early Thursday morning!

Saturday, July 15

4-9 p.m.

Commercial Building

Sunday, July 16

1-9 p.m.

Commercial Building

Monday, July 17Wednesday, July 19

4-9 p.m.

Commercial Building

Thursday, July 20 6:30-8 a.m.

Cup O’ Joe & Donut Holes, Sponsor Booth

8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sponsor Booth

4-9 p.m.

Commercial Building

Friday, July 21 4-9 p.m.

Commercial Building

Saturday, July 22

10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Commercial Building

KNIMAN METHODIST:125 years!

Kniman Methodist will be celebrating 125 years Aug. 5-6. Both days will feature many activities such as fun contests and homemade ice cream.

We join them in celebrating, since they were one of the first three churches we energized in 1939! In today’s marketing terms, they were early adopters of this new technology called electricity. Enjoy the celebration!

BRIEFS

POOL PUMP REBATE

Is it time to replace your pool pump? Get a $250 rebate for an energy-efficient pump. See program requirements at jasperremc. com/programs/rebate-programs.

WI-FI THEMOSTAT REBATE

You can get a $50 bill credit and a $45 rebate for buying a unit that fits our program. See our website for details.

SMARTHUB NOTIFICATIONS

Sign up for email notifications so we can tell you when our internet services are available at your address.

DIGITAL MAGAZINE AVAILABLE

Our magazine is now on our website as a fun flip book so you can catch up any time. Enjoy!

High-speed internet available in some areas

We are offering fixed wireless service and fiber services in some areas of our service territory. Call our office to see if we are currently providing high-speed internet service to your address. Hidden #31294002. We’re still building the network, so be sure to visit connectjasper. com to register your interest for future service.

Thank you to our grant sponsors:

• Next Level Connections

• Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)

How can a rechargeable hearing aid that ts inside your ear and costs only $14 999 be every bit as good as one that sells for $2,400 or more?

The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now...

The MDHearing™ NEO uses the same kind of technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price. Over 800,000 satis ed MDHearing customers agree: High-quality, digital, FDA-registered rechargeable hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. NEO is a medical-grade, digital, rechargeable hearing aid offering sophistication and high performance; and works right out of the box with no time consuming “adjustment” appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. Now that you know...why pay more? PLUS... It fits inside your ear.

Embrace a less ‘taxing’ audit

AN ENERGY AUDIT CAN SAVE YOU ELECTRICITY AND MONEY

Many homeowners can benefit from an audit designed to keep money in their wallets.

An energy audit is an in-depth review and analysis of energy use in a home. The energy auditor will use an infrared camera to find “hot and cold spots,” and possibly include a blower door test to measure the amount of air infiltration happening through hidden holes, gaps and cracks in your home. The energy audit will also include recommendations on steps you can take to fix issues the auditor finds and to lower your home’s energy use — and with it, save on energy costs.

An energy audit will help you in several ways:

INFORM YOU ABOUT YOUR HOME’S ELECTRICITY USE. The audit will include an analysis of your energy consumption, including the electricity used by the appliances and heating and cooling systems in your home. People frequently believe that a particular appliance drives up energy costs.

However, the audit will provide specifics about the major energy drivers in your home. Homeowners are sometimes surprised by what an energy audit finds!

SPOT ENERGY INEFFICIENCIES IN YOUR HOME — AND IMPROVE YOUR COMFORT.

From potential leaky (or completely disconnected) ductwork to outdated and inefficient water heaters, the auditor will test and review energy use to determine ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. After all, wasted energy also means wasted money! Places such as attics, crawl spaces and basements are often where the waste is hiding. That is frequently where leaks, gaps and cracks can be found. Those leaks and gaps let conditioned air escape from your home — leading to drafty areas in your house and causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder than needed, costing you money. Fixing these could drastically improve your comfort!

INDICATE IF AND HOW UPGRADES WILL HELP YOU SAVE ELECTRICITY AND MONEY. The audit results will include suggested steps you can take to improve your energy use. These tailored findings based on your home and personal energy use will include some recommended upgrades and the anticipated energy savings that they would provide.

Contact your local electric cooperative for more information about energy audits. Your cooperative may be able to provide a list of contractors conducting energy audits — or even provide the audit for you. Your local co-op may also offer incentives for energy-efficient improvements that will save you money over the lifecycle of the upgrade.

by Matt Strahl Energy Advisor

Jefferson County COUNTY FACTS

Jefferson County was one of Indiana’s first counties. It was formed in 1811 before Indiana was even a state. Its seat, Madison, was one of Indiana’s largest cities until after the Civil War. Like most of the counties along the state’s southern border, Jefferson was shaped geographically, culturally and economically by the Ohio River.

MADISON GOES WITH THE FLOW

Madison’s historic downtown, with its shops and cafés, still retains its quaint charm and beauty and is one of the country’s largest National Historic Landmarks.

The crown jewel of Madison’s historic sites is the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, which is open all year with guided tours. The town also celebrates its riverfront, annually hosting the fastest boats in the world and a music festival just before the Fourth of July.

A GATEWAY TO FREEDOM

As an Indiana Ohio River county, Jefferson was a gateway for African Americans escaping bondage from the slave-holding states of Kentucky and farther south.

Antislavery whites in Jefferson County were involved in aiding fugitive slaves as part of the Underground Railroad. The Neil’s Creek Anti-Slavery Society had more than 80 families involved in support of the Underground Railroad near Eleutherian College. Also a National Historic Landmark, the college building now serves as a local history museum. It was the second college in the United States west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the first in Indiana, to provide interracial education.

HOLLYWOOD HOMETOWN

Irene Dunne was an American actress, singer and philanthropist who appeared in films during the Golden Age of Hollywood. After her father died when she was 12, Dunne’s family relocated from Kentucky to Madison to live with her grandparents. Dunne graduated from Madison High School in 1916 and went on to star in 42 movies — and was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

FOUNDED: 1811

NAMED FOR: Thomas Jefferson

POPULATION: 33,147

COUNTY SEAT: Madison

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 39

Madison

Eleutherian College

Lanier Mansion

LETTERS EDITOR TO THE

NCAA HALL OF CHAMPIONS

I was so glad to read the article on the NCAA Hall of Champions! As a grandmother with five grandkids involved in sports, it would be quite an outing to take them there. Your magazine is so informative with practical places to visit in our state. I look forward to reading it every month. Keep up your good work!

LYNN STRASBURGER Via mail

RE: TJ GARNER’S EV ROAD TRIP

Great article, and I must say, with stops to rest and recharge, any tourist location that doesn’t have these charging stations available are missing an opportunity! 3-3.5 hours can mean a lot of tourist money into their economy. I see time to eat, and time to take in some of the sights and activities! Well, folks?

STEVE KISSELL Via email

WE REPAIR LEAKY LAKES GUARANTEED

We know how to find all water leaks underground. Call us! 812-987-4119

Serving IN, OH, IL, KY & TN www.WhatsBelow.com

MARKETPLACE

Our Marketplace offers maximum exposure for your business or organization at a minimal cost. Please contact Cheryl Solomon, 847-749-4875 or cheryl@amp.coop, for other small business advertising opportunities in Indiana Connection.

CAR! STAY in the

Neighbors Missy and Beth were heading home after playing pickleball at a school gymnasium. They’d traveled this stretch of their county road together a hundred times over the years. But this drizzly morning was going to be like none before.

With their homes almost in sight, they topped a hill. Suddenly, three deer leapt into the roadway from an adjacent cornfield. Startled, Beth slammed on the brakes and veered to avoid them, but her tires slid on the wet pavement. The SUV went into the ditch, stopping with a thud. Its rear end came to rest against one of the utility poles lining the road.

Both women were unhurt. They hugged in relief. Then, they did something that could have turned this property damage accident into a multiple fatality: They stepped out of the car.

“Stay in the car, stay in the car, stay in the car!” is the mantra Indiana Electric Cooperatives wants drivers to remember.

“When a power line is involved, even a minor accident can become tragic,” said Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training and compliance at

Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Staying put for all involved, and warning passersby to stay away, too, cannot be stressed enough. Do not get out until after first responders and/or utility workers arrive on the scene and say it’s OK to do so.”

Staying put may go against your first inclination. You want to get out and check the car. But stepping out of the car immediately after striking a utility pole may KILL YOU. Here’s why:

• Power lines can fall. When a pole is struck, power lines and hardware can break loose from their insulated perches atop the pole.

• Fallen power lines can still be energized. Even touching the ground, power lines can be carrying 7,200 volts or more. They may not spark or buzz.

• Fallen power lines are hard to see. When knocked down and twisted with tall grass or trees as a background, especially at night, power lines are almost impossible to see.

• Electricity seeks all paths to the ground. If you get out

of the car and touch a live power line and the ground, you become that path. That amount of electricity passing through you can kill you instantly.

• If you are alive, you are safe. Immediately after a collision with a utility pole, you may not know if power lines have broken loose and are on your car. But if you are alive, you are not that deadly “path to ground.” If you were in that path, you’d already be dead. Stay put and stay safe.

• Call 911. After hitting a pole, call 911. Tell them you hit a pole and wait patiently. Tell passersby to stay back. First responders will see if power lines are down. If lines are down, they will call and wait on the utility’s responders to arrive before they can even approach the car.

Beth and Missy were fortunate. The impact didn’t break the pole or damage its hardware; the wires held tight. Had they fallen, the two women probably never would have known what hit them — and killed them.

How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life

Remember when…

Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep?

As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life. So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life?

Check all the conditions that apply to you.

Arthritis Dry Skin

Insomnia Anxiety

Diabetes Mobility Issues

Lower Back Poor Pain Circulation

Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help. Feel better, sleep better, live better

A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.

A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.

It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:

• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.

• MicroSoothe ® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.

• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.

• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.

• Free Shower Package – shower while seated or standing.

Season’s eatings

West on Warren Gallery + Grill is co-owned by longtime “Middlebury-ian” Carrie Boyer and her business partner (and stepdaughter)

Brittney Lehman, and the duo’s collective goal is to bring delicious food, inspiring art and a strengthened sense of community to the town of Middlebury.

The restaurant is located in a building that was erected in 1926 and originally housed a Standard Oil Company filling station, although the renovated interior now features a clean, urban design that showcases original artwork throughout.

Currently open for “summer hours,” West on Warren offers lunch Tuesday-Friday and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. The elevated menu rotates seasonally, and you’ll find familiar fare such as a classic chicken sandwich or a Caesar salad, but if you are a more adventurous eater, a variety of inventive dishes awaits.

For example, there is a wasabi cauliflower appetizer on the most recent menu, featuring the vegetable fried in a wasabi-seasoned coating and served with teriyaki dipping sauce. As far as dinner entrees go, one current standout is the “salmon en croute,” which includes a plump piece of

fish wrapped in puff pastry and accented with lemongrass mint chimichurri. There is also an expertly char-grilled ribeye and even a soft-shell crab poke bowl.

The cocktail offerings are created with the same level of care as the food, and the house drink menu also changes with the seasons.

If the weather cooperates, you can dine outdoors on the spacious two-story patio, and there is also occasionally live music offered on the patio during warmer months (check the event calendar on the restaurant’s website for up-todate information).

Whatever you opt for at West on Warren, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll want to plan another visit to see what dishes arrive on next season’s menu.

“We aim to have something for every taste,” Boyer said. “Gluten-free? No problem! Vegetarian? We’ve got you covered! If you haven’t stopped in, please come and see us at West on Warren and find out why we’re the spot where good friends gather.”

Salmon en croute

FOOD PREPARED BY GIGI GROVES, BARBARA BUTZ AND STEPHANIE GROVES PHOTOS BY KILEY LIPPS

Tutti

frutti

ADD EXOTIC FLAIR WITH TROPICAL FRUIT

MANGO FROZEN YOGURT

Amelia Patrie, West Lafayette, Indiana

4 cups plain, low-fat Greek yogurt

½ cup granulated sugar

2 mangos, peeled, pitted and chopped into 1-inch pieces

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt and sugar; reserve. Using a blender or food processor, puree the mangos with the lime juice and 1 cup of the yogurt/sugar mixture. Stir the pureed mango into the remaining yogurt/sugar mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or overnight. Turn on your countertop ice cream maker and pour the mixture into the machine’s bowl and let mix until thickened, about 15-20 minutes. The frozen yogurt will have a soft, creamy texture. For firmer consistency, transfer the frozen yogurt to an airtight container and place in the freezer for about 2 hours (remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving).

ISLAND FRUIT SALAD

Doris Ann Kahlert, Berne, Indiana

½ large pineapple, peeled, cored and cubed

1 papaya, peeled, seeded and cubed

2 kiwis, peeled and sliced

3 bananas, peeled

½ cup orange juice

½ cup sweetened flaked or shredded coconut

In a large bowl, mix pineapple, papaya, kiwi and 2 sliced bananas. In a blender, combine

1 banana and the orange juice; blend until smooth. Pour banana mixture over fruit. Cover and chill for several hours. Spoon into individual serving bowls and garnish with coconut. Makes approximately 8 servings.

PIÑA COLADA MAGIC BARS

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup melted butter

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened

condensed milk

1 teaspoon rum extract

2 cups sweetened flaked or shredded coconut

1½ cups white chocolate chips

¾ cup dried pineapple, chopped

1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with baking

Marilles Mauer, Greensburg, Indiana

spray and line with parchment paper, then set aside. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir with a fork until combined. Press graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan with a spatula. In a small bowl, combine condensed milk and rum extract and gently whisk until combined. Set aside. Sprinkle coconut over the top of the graham cracker crust, followed by the white chocolate chips, pineapple and macadamia nuts. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 23-27 minutes; the bars are done when the edges are lightly brown.

For the Man Who Gives Everything and Expects Nothing

Ifyou’re anything like my dad, you give your family everything. Your name, your time, your values — the people in your life know they can depend on you for practically anything. In exchange for imparting all of this energy and experience, you expect nothing in return.

e point? You deserve to treat yourself once in a while. You do so much for the people you care about. Now it’s time to focus on you for just a few minutes. at’s where the Men’s Due Volta Watch comes in. is astonishing innovation provides a digital readout that’s powered by a precise quartz engine, combining both analog and digital timekeeping. Out tted with a stopwatch, alarm, a.m./p.m. settings, and day, date and month complications, this timepiece stands out from the crowd. With its large face and handsome, masculine design, this watch is perfect for the back nine and the happy hour afterwards. Water-resistant up to 3 ATM, this timepiece won’t wimp out if you have a run-in with a water hazard.

Other hybrid watches can sell for thousands of dollars, but because we’ve built more than 1 million watches, we know how to create real value. at’s why we can o er this timepiece for just $59! If you’re not completely satis ed with this watch, return it for a full refund.

Act quickly! is one-of-a-kind watch has been one of our fastest sellers this year. Of our original run of 2,872, we only have 389 left for this ad! In the last couple of years there’s been a watch shortage, but Stauer has got you covered. If you’re the kind of man who gives everything and expects nothing in return, it’s time to treat yourself.

Watch Speci cations:

• Complications: stopwatch, alarm, a.m./p.m. settings, and day, date and month

• Precision movement chronograph

• Stainless steel caseback and crown

• Water-resistant to 3 ATM

Men’s Due Volta Watch $399 $59* + S&P Save $320

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

Your Insider Offer Code: DVW226-03

BUILDINGbetter

tomorrows

Electric co-op lineworkers bring power and light to a Guatemalan village

The Guatemalan villager stood just inside the door frame of the cabin she shares with her husband in Peña Roja, high in the mountains near Mexico. Asked what she thought about the momentous event about to occur — electricity in her home for the first time — she

said rather matter-of-factly through an interpreter, “What am I going to think? I’m happy because I can see.”

She flipped the switch installed beside the door and a bare LED bulb lit up above and behind her right shoulder. This brought a broad smile to her weathered face.

Children from the village of Peña Roja, high in the mountains of Guatemala, enjoy sweets provided by Project Indiana linemen while they work on bringing power to their homes.

Down the mountain, her husband boiled water so the 14 Indiana electric cooperative lineworkers who brought electric power to the tiny remote village could have hot showers. When told he now had electricity in his home, tears welled in his eyes.

“To know energy is already in my house … thank you,” he said in the Spanish dialect of northwestern Guatemala. Through an interpreter, he said, “Thank you to Indiana for sending you to this place. Thank you for remembering these poor and humble people. Here we are, very happy to have you here in front of us and that you continued to have us in your heart. Hopefully, we continue having this kind of happiness.”

Bringing hope is the mission of Project Indiana — subtitled Empowering Global Communities for a Better Tomorrow.

For just over two weeks in late April and May, the lineworkers from Indiana electric cooperatives continued

the international initiative to bring electricity to developing remote areas of Guatemala. This excursion, the fifth since Indiana began sending crews to the country in 2012, took them to elevations of 11,000-12,000 feet in the western mountains near the Mexican border.

When completed, 26 homes had electricity for the first time. The project team noticed the villagers moving a chest freezer into one of the homes at which power had been turned on. The villagers had been anticipating this time for so very long, and they were anxious to begin using modern appliances. This freezer will enable them to preserve things like meat so they can have regular protein in their diets.

“It’s a great opportunity to help improve their quality of living and give the children a better future,” said Kevin Bay, a lineman from JCREMC, headquartered in Franklin, making his second Project Indiana trip.

Jamie Bell, a construction engineer at NineStar Connect, wires an outlet in a home soon to have electricity. Indiana line crews not only built power lines into the village, but they also helped the local Guatemalan electricians wire the homes.

Photo by Ron Holcomb.

Once work was completed in Peña Roja, the Project Indiana team assisted the local cooperative with some necessary maintenance to several poles on the Mexican border, and they celebrated alongside their new friends from Peña Roja.

A few from the team had quietly made a “short” trip to the community of Cuilco to do a little shopping for gifts. After pooling their money, the team returned with 65 pairs of shoes, 65 coloring books, four soccer balls, piñatas, fireworks and some backpacks. Each Peña Roja child received a new pair of shoes and a coloring book. The lineworkers offered a version of a cornhole contest to give away the backpacks. They played soccer with the children and celebrated the festive day with fireworks and piñatas.

The next trip is already being planned for 2025.

Unless noted, all photos by Chris Todd.

LEFT: Working on a power pole at 11,000 feet above sea level provides a different perspective than along the county roads of central Indiana or even in the hills and hollows of southern Indiana. Clint Heeke, left, from Southern Indiana Power, and Matt Bassett, of Tipmont, take in a view as they prepare a pole for wiring.

BELOW: As with the previous four Project Indiana trips to Guatemala, local villagers did much of the heavy lifting, carrying and setting poles by hand and toting transformers and wire to where they were needed.

After flipping a new light switch by her cabin door, a Peña Roja resident looks back over her shoulder at the LED bulb bringing electric light for the first time to the home she shares with her husband. He teared up when he learned electricity was now in his home as he boiled water over a wood fire farther down the mountain so Indiana electric cooperative linemen could have hot showers.

A child from Peña Roja shows off a new pair of shoes given to her by the Indiana crew. The lineworkers dug into their own pockets after the build to purchase new shoes and coloring books and crayons.

Collin Crabtree, left, and Frank Leach begin to attach line, hoisted by workers below, to the top of a pole.

Project Indiana's 2023 crew pauses for a photo at a worksite along the Guatemalan-Mexican border as they wrapped up their work.

Photo by Ron Holcomb.

ABOVE: Each trip to Guatemala ends with a celebration as the lights come on, and the local villagers thank the workers with gifts. In Peña Roja, each worker received a hat placed on their head by schoolchildren. Joe Banfield receives his, as the workers line up. Next in line are Nathan Clayton and Michael Bowman.

LEFT: Pole tags, similar to the ones electric co-ops use on every pole, are a little calling card from Indiana’s electric cooperatives left behind.

PROJECT CREW

• Matt Bassett, Tipmont

• Kevin Bay, JCREMC

• Michael Bowman, Boone REMC

• Cody Campbell, South Central Indiana REMC

• Nathan Clayton, Clark County REMC

• Collin Crabtree, Decatur County REMC

• Ethan DeWitt, Northeastern REMC

• Austin Gearlds, NineStar Connect

• Tom Gettinger, Henry County REMC

• Clint Heeke, Southern Indiana Power

• Frank Leach, Carroll White REMC

• Terry Minic, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc.

• Jason Morrison, Jackson County REMC

• Michael Newlin, Orange County REMC

SUPPORT TEAM

• Joe Banfield, Indiana Electric Cooperatives

• Jamie Bell, NineStar Connect

• Ron Holcomb, Tipmont

• Chris Todd, Northeastern REMC

You can help support Project Indiana by visiting projectindiana.org/support .

Matt Bassett is warmly welcomed home by his two sons at the Indianapolis International Airport when the crew returned May 13. After three weeks away, the linemen were greeted with cheers, kisses, hugs and banners by family and coworkers.

All donations are tax deductible. One hundred percent of your donation will be used to help those who currently do not have access to the opportunities we take for granted.

Throw Yourself a Bone

Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY

Thevery best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.

If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.

The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.

The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.

This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!

Huntsman Blade $249*

Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: HBK187-01

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

EXCLUSIVE FREE

Stauer® 8x21 Compact Binoculars

-a $99 valuewith purchase of Huntsman Blade

Rating of A+

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HBK187-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

• 12” overall length; 6 ¹⁄2” stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives 

“This knife is beautiful!”

— J., La Crescent, MN

“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.”

— H., Arvada, CO

Keeping your cool when energy demand heats up CAN

LEAD TO SAVINGS AND OTHER BENEFITS

Planning ahead to save energy during the dog days of summer can help keep you cool while helping the environment — and even get you some money back!

Most people know the basic rules of supply and demand: When demand goes up, the price typically goes up, too. The same goes for electricity — when businesses are operating and everyone is running their air conditioners on a hot summer afternoon, wholesale electricity prices can soar. You may not see these price differences on your home’s energy bill right away because your electric co-op may average these costs into one amount per kilowatt-hour (kWh), but eventually, high-demand days can lead to higher average costs for everyone.

Your local electric cooperative is part of a complex system that must be prepared to meet the highest power demands

put on the energy grid. This is similar to the way a big box store parking lot may seem larger than needed. When you pass by on most days, many of the parking spots are empty. Yet on the day after Thanksgiving, customarily the year’s busiest shopping day, the parking lot might be crammed with cars. Your electric co-op has to build or buy enough capacity to fulfill everyone’s needs on the hottest day (or coldest night) of the year.

RESPONSE TO DEMAND CAN SAVE

Many co-ops offer advice and programs to limit the peak demand during those days of extreme temperatures and energy use. Options for homeowners can include load management programs for different devices, such as air conditioners, water heaters or Wi-Fi thermostats, to shift energy use to times when electricity is

in less demand. By doing this, the distribution co-op and its generation and transmission cooperative can avoid building costly new power plants to meet increasing demand or having to purchase energy on the market.

You can contact your local electric co-op’s energy advisor for information on resources available to help you lower your home’s energy use. Your co-op may even offer programs (and rebates!) for you to help keep a lid on long-term energy costs. Everyone has a role in reducing long-term energy costs for the local electric cooperative — which, in turn, also minimizes the costs you must pay in the future.

Ask Rosie

Do you know what this plant is?

— Shelley Oberwetter, Culver, Indiana

Q: A: It would be helpful to know the context of where this plant is located: Is it something you planted in a garden? Or did you find it growing “wild”? Do you notice a strong odor when handling the foliage, said to be camphor-like?

My best guess is common tansy, Tanacetum vulgare var. crispum, an herbaceous perennial that spreads vegetatively by rhizomes. Additional information on common tansy, courtesy of Illinois Wildflower, can be found here: illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/ cm_tansy_cr.htm

It looks as if we have some type of borer in one of, what I thought was, our healthiest tulip trees. It appears to be dying, and I was hoping that there might be a way to save it. We've started watering it extensively, put down a bit of fertilizer (14-14-14, I think), and added some mulch to keep moisture around the roots. Any advice is welcome!

— Steve Clark, Tippecanoe County

Q: A: Wow, that’s quite a bit of damage. I can’t tell anything specific from the images you sent, but I wonder if there is more than one problem at work here? Is the tree starting to show any signs of regrowth? I suggest you submit a sample to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab at ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl to get a proper diagnosis. You can start with digital images, and they will advise if they want you to follow up with physical samples.

Longtime Indiana Connection contributer

B. Rosie Lerner, a Tipmont consumer, is a retired Purdue Extension consumer horticulturist.

Questions about gardening issues may be sent to “Ask Rosie,” Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606, or use the form at IndianaConnection.org

Steve Clark's tulip tree.

Shelley Oberwetter's mystery plant.

THE BATTLE OF CORYDON MEMORIAL PARK

Commemorating Indiana’s only battle of the Civil War

The day before our nation’s “four score and seventh birthday,” the momentous question whether the United States would survive intact to celebrate any future birthdays hinged on the outcome of the Civil War battle fought at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

This month marks the 160th anniversary of that battle.

Fought July 1-3, 1863, Gettysburg is perhaps the most studied and arguably the most crucial battle of the Civil War. It was the first of only two battles fought north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The other, a minor battle, occurred just a week later. It was the Battle of Corydon, the only battle of the war fought in Indiana.

The Battle of Corydon Memorial Park commemorates the July 9, 1863, event. The park, just south of historic downtown Corydon, preserves a portion of the battlefield. It is part of the Harrison County Parks Department, is home to the Corydon Civil War Museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

On Saturday, July 8, the park will host a living history day to commemorate the battle. Reenactors in Civil War period costumes will be on hand. There will be demonstrations of Civil War weaponry, along with period music and food to fill the air with the sights, sounds and smells of history. The event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free.

This year’s plans for a full-scale reenactment of the battle were put on hold because of timing and ongoing construction at the reenactment site, organizers said at the end of May. The reenactment, however, is expected to return for a large two-day event and encampment in 2024.

THE BATTLE

On July 7, 1863, Confederate Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his cavalry unit, with some artillery, commandeered two steamboats at Brandenburg, Kentucky. Against orders, he crossed the Ohio River the next day. He planned to gather supplies and horses for Confederate troops, loot, plunder, destroy infrastructure, terrorize

the Hoosier locals and act as a diversionary nuisance to the North. As the Confederate raiding force of some 2,200 men made their way north through Harrison County, a small defensive unit of mostly local residents and members of the Indiana Legion of about 400 men mustered just south of the former state capital.

In the battle that ensued, the heavily outnumbered legion was routed, and Corydon surrendered. For the Confederates, 11 troops were killed and 40 were wounded. For the Hoosier defenders, four were killed, 10 were injured and 355 were captured. Without further hesitation, Morgan continued his looting raid north to Salem and then northeast toward Vernon and Dupont.

The Confederates then crossed into Ohio and continued plundering. This raid, though deemed irrelevant by historians, was the longest cavalry raid of the Civil War, covering more than 1,000 miles beginning near Sparta, Tennessee, and ending with Morgan’s surrender near New Lisbon, Ohio, July 26, 1863.

The Memorial Park is located at 100 Old Hwy. 135 SW, Corydon, Indiana. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. For more information, visit: harrisoncountyparks. com/parks/battle-ofcorydon-memorial-park